FAQs

Commonly Asked Questions for New Students

As a new resident student, you may have questions regarding a variety of issues. We have attempted to answer some of those questions; but if you don’t find an answer to your specific question here, please e-mail us at reslife@merrimack.edu.

Three Easy Steps to Living On Campus at Merrimack College

1. Read and sign the Residence Hall Contract that was included in your Admissions Packet. If you are not 18 years old, please have your parent or guardian sign this form also.
2. Fill out the Roommate and Room Selection Form completely. Be sure to include any special requests and your building preference and select a meal plan.
3. Return these papers to the Office of Residence Life by the first Friday in June. 

Where can students live?

First year students live in Deegan Hall or Ash Centre, while transfer students may live in any of our residence halls.  Most students will be living with one roommate in a double room.  There are also a limited number of triple rooms, in which you would have two roommates.  In addition, there are some suites available in Ash Centre for first-year students.  These suites house four students which contain two doubles, a bathroom, and a common room.  Please note that suites are not alaways available for first-year students as this type of living is generally reserved for our upper class students.

When will students find out where they are living and who their roommate(s) are?

Roommate letters are sent out at the beginning of August to the student's Merrimack College email account. The e-mail will contain your room assignment (building and room number), phone number, on-campus mailing address, roommates' name(s), home addresses, and phone numbers.

What if I meet someone at June Orientation and we want to live together?

There is a roommate request form available during Orientation for you both to fill out.  You and your requested roommate must both fill out this form.  If you miss this form, both students can e-mail us detailing their request.  You must request each other for it to be considered.  The deadline for submitting the request is June 30.   We will do our best to assign students who have mutually requested each other as roommates.

What are the dimensions of my room?

In Deegan Hall, the average room size is 17’x10’10’ with a window that is 6’x2’8”.  Deegan Hall triples are 23’ x 11’ with the same window size. In Ash Centre and Monican Centre, the average double room size is 10’x14’ with two windows that are 5’7”x3’7”; the average suite bedroom sizes are 11’x9’ or 14’x9’ and the common room size is also 14’x9’.  In Santagati, the room size is 11’x16’. Townhouse bedrooms are 15’x11’. If you are bringing curtains for your windows, you should plan to use a spring rod to hang them. 

What furnishings does the College provide for my room?

Each student receives a bed (the bed sits 30” above the floor for storage space), a desk (3’ 6.5” long by 2’ wide,) a chair, a bureau and a closet.  We have extra long mattresses (36x80x6 inches) so be sure to bring extra long bed sheets.  In upper class buildings that have suites, there is limited furniture in the common room.  There is very little room for other furniture, and all upholstered furniture brought to the room must meet California Code 117. 

Do I need to provide my own carpeting in my room?

 Most rooms have tile floors.  If you wish to bring a carpet, it is recommended that the carpet be cut smaller than the room to make laying it easier.  Rooms in the Townhouses and Santagati Hall have carpet.

What laundry/vending services are provided for residents?

 Each residence area has a laundry room, but you must provide your own detergent.  In our traditional residence halls there are vending machines that sell soda, juice and snacks.  Students will put money on their Mack Card called “Mack Bucks."  Students may use their Mack Card at a variety of locations around campus including the dining hall and the bookstore.  The Mack Card is also used for washers, dryers and vending machines and a few places off campus. 

What Meal Plan options are there?

Every resident student must be on a meal plan, however, there are three options to choose from:  19 meal plan (every meal that is served in the dining hall), 13 plus meal plan (13 meals per week with a block of 8 meals to share with family or friends and $100 in Den Dollars) or the 9 plus meal plan (9 meals per week with a block of 8 meals to share and $150 in Den Dollars). All meal plans are the same price. The majority of students have the 13 plus meal plan.

Will I have access to the Internet from my room?

 Yes.  All our residence halls and apartments are wired for data. Students may also bring a wireless router. Please see the documents posted by IT on myMack for more detailed information.

Do I need to bring a telephone? 

There is one live phone jack located in each room and you must provide your own phone.  This is the phone number that the college will use to contact students.

What is Substance Free housing?

Substance Free is a great place to live!  You will be with students who share the same positive attitudes towards life, learning, and is a place where you can make lifelong friendships.  Students who live in Substance Free subscribe to a lifestyle free of alcohol, drugs, and smoking.  Residents will find the substance free environment cleaner, quieter, and very conducive to studying. Residents in this community can look forward to programs organized by their Resident Advisor (RA).  Residents of Substance Free Housing are also welcome to participate in all other building and campus activities.  First-year students will live on the first floor of Deegan East, while upper class students will live in the Townhouses.  An application is required for Substance Free living.

What is the Austin Scholars Community?

The Austin Scholars Community is based on the ideals of St. Augustine and supports Merrimack College’s mission. The Austin Scholars Community supports the College’s mission that “before all else our college is a community of scholarship and service whose members support and challenge each other in a wholehearted pursuit of knowledge, holding one another to the highest intellectual and ethical standards.”  First and second year students participate in this living learning environment. An application is required for this residential community and selections are made in mid-July for incoming first year students.  First year students who participate in this program live in Ash Centre, while upper class students live in Monican Centre.

What can I bring to my room? Are there things that are not allowed?

Students typically bring the following items with them: bedding and towels; toiletries; laundry bag/basket; laundry detergent; alarm clock; waste basket; desk lamp; fan; telephone; cable cord; shower caddy and flip flops. 

Items that students cannot bring include, but are not limited to: Electrical appliances such as microwaves, Foreman grills, hot plates, hot pots, coffee pots (unless it has automatic shut off), toasters, toaster ovens, halogen lamps, and electric frying pans; fireworks; incense; firearms (including paintball guns); pets; candles; and alcohol bottles used as decoration.

Any refrigerator larger than 5 cubic feet is not allowed.  The MicroFridge unit, which is a combination microwave, refrigerator and freezer, is allowed due to its ability to not overtax the outlet.  The only microwaves that are allowed in the residence halls are part of the MicroFridge unit. MicroFridges can be rented for use during the year. Please refer to the enclosed brochure and order form, or visit the rental website at www.rackraiser.com. Rented units will be dropped off in your room before your arrival to campus in the fall.

What is Merrimack College’s policy on damage in the residence halls?

It is the policy of the College to charge all students who are responsible for avoidable damage and losses that occur in the residence areas.  Avoidable damage is defined as damage that is the consequence of careless, willful, or malicious actions, including the consequences of horseplay and indoor sports.  When individual responsibility for damage and loss in public areas cannot be determined, a charge will be made to all students within a reasonably defined area.  Common area damage assessments cannot be appealed.

What is Merrimack College’s policy on my personal items being damaged or stolen while I live in the residence halls?

Merrimack College is not responsible for personal items which are damaged or stolen while you live in the residence halls.  We strongly encourage you to purchase insurance for your belongings through your own insurance or your parents’ insurance policy.  You may purchase insurance through National Student Services by contacting them at 800-256-6774 or at www.nssinc.com.

What if I am not happy with my roommate?

Room changes are permitted after the first week of school.  The student needs to contact the Residence Life office to initiate a fairly easy process.