Residence Life
FAQ's
When and how do I apply for housing? What happens if I don't get a room assignment?
We are able to provide housing to traditional-aged, undergraduate day students. If you are a prospective student, you apply for housing when you complete your application for admission. The Admissions Office admits students to SSC with or without housing. If you are admitted with housing, you will receive more specific information from the Housing Coordinator in June.
Current Resident Students
You choose a room for the upcoming academic year during Room Selection, which takes place in April each year.
Incoming Students without Housing &Current Commuter Students
If you are a current commuter student, or if you are an incoming student admitted without housing, you may sign up for the Waiting List, beginning on October 1 for the Spring semester and on March 1 for the Fall, by paying a $225 deposit at the Bursar's Office. Joining the Waiting List is not a guarantee that you will get on-campus housing, however, some students are assigned to housing by the beginning of each semester or during the course of the year. A random number will be drawn for each student on the waitlist after December 1 for Spring semester and after June 1 for Fall, and these numbers will be used to offer housing space as it becomes available. Students who are not offered a space from the Waitlist may elect to have the $225 deposit credited to their student account.
Off-campus housing information is available at the Residence Life and online.
If you are a part-time undergraduate, night, or a graduate student, we cannot provide on-campus housing for you. We also do not have on-campus housing for couples or families. We can provide you with information about off-campus housing opportunities.
When will I get my assignment? Who are my roommates?
Room and roommate assignments for the fall semester are generally mailed in early August. New resident students and returning residents who did not get a roommate at room selection will learn their assignments and their roommates' names at this time. All students have the option of disclosing their personal information, so you may not learn your roommate's name or address prior to your arrival in the fall.
Do I have to live on campus? Are there any requirements if I decide to do so?
You are not required to live on campus. Students who choose to live on campus sign a Residence Life License that commits them to housing for the entire academic year. Students are not entitled to a refund of housing costs if they choose to leave during the year. Please read the Agreement carefully, and direct any questions to Residence Life at 978-542-6416.
Is a meal plan required?
Bowditch and Peabody Hall residents are required to purchase a 14-meal plan for the Dining Commons. Since Bates and Central Campus residents have kitchens, the residents of these areas are not required to have a full meal plan. Each apartment resident however is required to purchase a $250 declining balance meal plan.
How much does it cost to live on campus?
The current rates for housing, meal plans, tuition, and fees can be obtained from the Financial Services, located in the Administration Building, by calling 978-542-6118, or by visiting the Bursar's Office page.
How do I look for off-campus housing?
We maintain a list of rooms, apartments, and houses available in Salem and surrounding towns. You can get the list by visiting us in the Central Campus Residence Hall or by calling 978-542-6416. You may also find numerous listings in the Salem Evening News and with local realtors. Residence Life does not inspect or endorse any off-campus apartments. Students are responsible for inspecting the apartments, and reviewing the lease agreement provided by each individual landlord.
What kind of on-campus housing is available?
Traditional-aged first-year students are housed in the two traditional residence halls on North Campus, Bowditch and Peabody. All upperclassmen are housed in the apartment style residential areas. The Bates Complex is located at South Campus and the second apartment style living area is located on Central Campus.
There is an Honors Program-sponsored living area, called Scholars in Residence, within CCRH. Students interested in this housing option must contact the Honors Coordinator for more info.
What type of rooms are available?
First-year students are housed in doubles, triples and quads. Depending on space availability, Residence Life works hard to "break down" the overcapacity rooms as the year progresses. Most rooms at Bates and at Central Campus are doubles; a limited number of single rooms are available.
What is in a room?
Each student is provided with a bed and mattress, desk, chair, dresser, mirror, and wardrobe/closet. Bates and Central Campus residents also have living and dining room furniture. Students are not allowed to have extra furnishings in their rooms or apartments because of state fire regulations.
What if I need special accommodations?
The Residence Life staff, Office for Students with Disabilities, and Office of Equal Opportunity and Human Rights can assist you if you have a disability and/or special medical needs. Contact Residence Life at 978-542-6416 if you have any questions about accommodations in the residential areas.
How many people share a bathroom?
Residents at Bates and at Central Campus share two full bathrooms (one toilet, sink, and bathtub/shower in each) with their apartment-mates. There is one large, shared bathroom (four toilet stalls and four showers stalls) on each floor at Bowditch and Peabody. Bates and Central Campus residents are responsible for cleaning their own bathrooms. The general sanitizing of Peabody and Bowditch bathrooms is done by the maintainer staff.
Can I smoke in my room?
No, all residential areas are entirely smoke-free. Students may smoke outside the building provided that they are at least 20 feet away from it.
Where do I bring my trash?
Bates residents are responsible for bringing their trash to one of the two dumpsters located in the south campus parking lot. Trash chutes are located on each floor in Peabody and Bowditch. In addition, dumpsters are located next to each of these buildings. Students are encouraged to bring large items such as cardboard boxes directly to the dumpster. At CCRH, trash rooms are located on each floor. All residents are urged to take responsibility for the cleanliness of their floor or entryway. The residents of an area will be charged for excessive messes that must be removed by the maintainer staff.
What time is curfew? Are the front doors locked?
There is no curfew at any of the residential areas. Students are responsible for determining when they should return to study and sleep. The front doors of Peabody and Bowditch Halls are locked at 10 PM each night; a desk receptionist lets students into the building when the doors are locked. The same is true for the CCRH. The Bates entryway doors are always locked; Bates residents receive keys for both their apartments and for their entryway door.
Where can I do my laundry?
Washers and dryers are located in the laundry rooms on the ground floor of the Central Campus building and at Peabody and Bowditch Halls, and in the Commons Building at Bates. The SSC "Clipper Card" allows students to do their laundry without needing to worry about quarters. All machines are energy-efficient and require less detergent than older models.
Where can I get something to eat?
The Dining Commons at North Campus has a cafeteria, which is open on weekdays and weekends during the academic year. The a la carte area upstairs has a Burger King, pizza, coffee, ice cream, salads, and sandwiches and is open during the week. There is also a cafeteria in the Harrington Building on South Campus, and another one at Central Campus.
Vending machines are located in the lobbies of Central Campus, Bowditch and Peabody, and in the laundry room at Bates. There is also a microwave in the ground floor lounge at Peabody and at Bowditch. Best of all, a Dunkin Donuts just opened in Meier Hall!
Two convenience stores and three restaurants are a short walk from campus. A grocery store is also within walking distance. Several different restaurants make deliveries to campus. The MBTA bus is a short ride to Vinnin Square shopping areas.
What should I bring to campus? What should I leave at home?
Some items are fire hazards in a residential area, and too many appliances can overload the building's electrical capacity. Please follow the guidelines below for the safety of yourself and others.
The following items are NOT permitted on campus:
hot pots, toasters, and toaster or broiler ovens in Peabody and Bowditch Halls; hot plates, heating coils, air conditioners, electrical extension cords, gas or charcoal grills, gas lanterns, incense, candles, and halogen lamps. For your safety and for the protection of your belongings, use U.L.-approved power strips with built-in circuit breakers.
Microwaves are allowed as long as they are part of a Microfridge unit, or are under 700 watts/10 amps AND are plugged into an Amperage Overload Protector (different from a surge protector.) To purchase an Amperage Overload Protector, please contact us at 978-542-6416 for company details.
Items such as plastic crates and drawers, futons, chairs, couches, waterbeds, and any other furniture not provided by the College are not allowed. This includes inflatable furniture and bean bag chairs.
Items allowed on campus
You can bring your radio, stereo, boombox, telephone, TV set, VCR, DVD player, video games, refrigerator, and computer. Microfridges, which combine a microwave and refrigerator in one unit, are allowed in Bowditch and Peabody. Refrigerators in North Campus halls must have a capacity of four cubic feet or less. (Full-size refrigerators are provided in the apartment areas.) All microwaves, toaster ovens, and toasters allowed in Bates Complex and Central Campus apartments must be kept in the kitchen area. Items such as irons and coffee makers are allowed in all three areas provided that they have an automatic shut-off feature.
You can add personal touches such as posters, curtains, scatter rugs, and desk lamps. You should bring sheets, blankets, pillows, and towels, and you may want to bring curtains and a carpet. Posters cannot be hung in windows, and illuminated (neon or bulb) signs are not allowed in the building under any circumstances. Alcohol containers of any kind (including bottles filled with water and highlighter ink, and bottles used to collect change) are not allowed in any of the residence halls, and are considered a violation of the Alcohol policy.
How do I get around campus?
During the week, SSC shuttle buses run between the Salem train station and SSC, and also connect the four campuses (North, South, Central, and O'Keefe). The MBTA bus has a route which goes down Loring Avenue/Rt. 1A and can take you between the North, Central, and South campuses. See the Ride Guide for details.
Depending on the weather and the time of day, students may choose to walk or bike. All members of the SSC community are entitled to contact Public Safety for an escort; we encourage you to do so if you are by yourself and/or if you ever feel uncomfortable.
Can I bring my bike?
Each residential area has an outside bike rack where you can lock your bicycle. You may bring your bike inside if you remove the front wheel and carry your bike to avoid damaging the floors.
Can I bring my car?
First year students are not allowed to have cars on campus. Contact Public Safety for specific information. Returning students may bring their cars to campus. All students with cars must get a parking permit from Public Safety.
Can I bring my pet?
The only pets that resident students can have on campus are fish. Other pets--hamsters, spiders, mice, ferrets, turtles, frogs, dogs, etc. are not allowed. Exceptions are made for residents with guide dogs or similar circumstances. Those students should contact the Office of Residence Life and the Office for Students with Disabilities for more information.
What happens if I get sick or hurt?
Students can see the staff of nurses and doctors at Health Services, located on North Campus, on weekdays. Appointments and drop-in hours are available. For more information about hours, services, and insurance, call 978-542-6413 or visit the Counseling and Health Services page.
Residence Life staff members can contact Public Safety to assess a student's condition. If necessary, students may go to Salem Hospital for further care.
What is the alcohol policy?
Students who are under 21 are not permitted to consume or be in the presence of alcohol on campus at any time. To do so is a violation of state law and College policy, and will result in legal and/or judicial action. You and your guests are subject to the law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Regardless of your age, you may not drink in any of the substance free residential living areas on campus. These areas include Central Campus residence hall, Bowditch Hall, Peabody Hall and Bates entranceways 1 - 14. In addition, you may not have any alcohol containers (decorative or otherwise) or paraphernalia (e.g., bottles and cans, funnels, keg taps) in the substance free areas.. Residence Life staff may not allow you to sign guests into any building if you and/or your guests appear to be overly intoxicated.
Only residence of entranceway 15 at the Bates Complex may consume alcohol in their apartment. Students are expected to comply with State law and College and Residence Life policies. You are not permitted to serve alcohol to minors and will face judicial and/or legal action if you choose to do so.
Read the Guide to Living on Campus, the Conduct Code, the Student Handbook, and speak with your Resident Director for more information about the alcohol policy and judicial sanctions.
What is the drug policy?
State criminal laws on possessing and using drugs and drug paraphernalia are in effect on College property. The College also has its own policy. Students may face judicial and legal action for breaking both State law and College regulations.
On College property, no one may possess, use, sell, distribute, or manufacture illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia. This also applies to the possession of any legal drugs without a legal prescription.
Read the Guide to Living on Campus, the Conduct Code, the Student Handbook, and speak with your Resident Director for more information about the drug policy and judicial sanctions.
What is the guest policy?
You are responsible for your guests and for their behavior on campus. If a guest violates State law or College policy, you, as a host, may be subject to civil, criminal, and/or judicial action. Be sure that your guests know the rules of the College and follow them. Never sign in someone you don't know.
Residents of Peabody and Bowditch Halls are allowed to have two guests at any one time. You must sign in your guests at the front desk as soon as you enter the building. Guests must leave a valid picture ID (e.g., a license or school ID) at the front desk in exchange for a guest pass, which s/he carries at all times. You must escort your guests while they are in the building. For your protection, and for the safety of your guests and all residents, always sign your guests in and out of the building. The same guest policy is in effect at Central Campus.
In all residential areas, your guests are allowed to stay overnight for four nights a month (two consecutive nights on no more than two occasions). If your guest needs to use the bed or room of another resident, you must get that resident's permission. If your roommate objects to a guest being in your room/apartment, your guest may not stay for any length of time.
Where do I go during vacations?
The residential areas close for Thanksgiving, winter recess, and Spring Break for maintenance and safety inspections. The Bates Complex does remain open during the breaks for an additional fee per night. Residents who wish to stay at Bates are responsible for finding their own space, and must receive written permission from a current resident to stay in the room/apartment. Residence Life staff will give you details about closing prior to each vacation, and you should plan in advance to leave campus by closing time. Some students, such as winter sport athletes, receive special permission to stay on campus during a break. Such exceptions are made on a case-by-case basis.
How do I hook up my telephone service?
Every resident student has a phone line that provides local service. Phone service is available immediately upon a student's arrival. In order to make a long distance call, residents must use a calling card.
What is my phone number and mailing address?
All resident students receive their phone numbers after their arrival on campus and their mailbox numbers and complete mailing addresses after checking into their rooms. The general mailing addresses are as follows:
Student Name
Bates Complex Box #
1 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970-4590
Student Name
Bowditch Hall Box #
1 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970-4591
Student Name
Peabody Hall Box #
1 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970-4589
Student Name
Central Campus Box #
1 Loring Avenue
Salem, MA 01970
Food, florist, and express mail deliveries to Central Campus, Peabody, and Bowditch Halls are brought to the front desk. Students must sign for all packages delivered to the building. Food deliveries at Bates are made to individual entryways.
Can I send packages before I arrive on campus?
The Residence Life staff is unable to receive and store packages prior to opening because the residential areas are closed. Students should bring essential items with them or plan to buy them after they arrive in Salem.
What about technology in the residences?
All four residential areas provide students with access to the Internet from their rooms. Computer labs are available across campus in the academic buildings and library. All SSC students receive an email account when they arrive on campus.
You are responsible for your use of any and all computer equipment and services on campus. All students should familiarize themselves with the College's Acceptable Use Policy. Resident students should also visit the ResNet page.
All residential rooms and lounges are equipped with basic cable television service. Students may choose to subscribe to premium channels at their own cost when they arrive on campus.
Can I bring my own computer?
You can bring your own computer to campus. Your computer must meet certain specifications in order for you to access the Internet. Read the ResNet page thoroughly for specific information about requirements and costs, or call the Help Desk at 978-542-2036.
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