Introduction
Amherst College is a small, private liberal arts college located in Amherst, Massachusetts. Founded in 1821, Amherst is renowned for its rigorous academic curriculum and exceptional student experience. One aspect of this student experience is the residential life at Amherst. All students are required to live on campus for all four years, and as such, the dorms at Amherst College play a significant role in shaping the social and academic experiences of students. In this blog post, we will explore the different dorms at Amherst College, highlighting their unique features and amenities, and giving you a better idea of what to expect when living on campus.
Dorms at Amherst College
First-Year Housing
The first-year housing options at Amherst College are primarily traditional dormitory-style residences, designed to foster community and facilitate social connections among new students. The majority of first-year students are housed in one of three residence halls: James, Stearns, and King. Each of these buildings houses approximately 100 students and has a mix of single, double, and triple rooms. All three halls have common areas, including lounges and study spaces, and are equipped with kitchens and laundry facilities.
James and Stearns are located on the north end of campus, adjacent to the Robert Frost Library and the Mead Art Museum. James is a six-story building with an elevator, while Stearns is a three-story building without an elevator. King is located on the south end of campus, near the athletic facilities, and is a four-story building with an elevator. All three buildings are staffed with Residential Counselors (RCs) who help to facilitate community-building and provide support to students as needed.
Sophomore Housing
Sophomore housing at Amherst College offers a range of options, from traditional dormitory-style residences to suite-style apartments. Most sophomore housing is located on the south end of campus, near the athletic facilities and the new Science Center. The most popular sophomore housing option is the Greenway Apartments, a complex of six buildings housing approximately 200 students. Each building has a mix of single, double, and triple rooms, and all buildings are equipped with kitchens and laundry facilities. The Greenway Apartments also have common areas, including lounges and study spaces, and are staffed with RCs.
In addition to the Greenway Apartments, there are several other sophomore housing options, including Seligman, Drew, and Pond Houses. Seligman and Drew are both traditional dormitory-style residences, housing approximately 40 and 60 students, respectively. Seligman has a mix of single and double rooms, while Drew has mostly double rooms. Both buildings have common areas, including lounges and study spaces, and are staffed with RCs. Pond House is a suite-style residence, with each suite housing four to six students. Each suite has a common area, including a living room and kitchen, and is equipped with laundry facilities. Pond House is also staffed with RCs.
Junior and Senior Housing
Junior and senior housing options at Amherst College are primarily suite-style apartments, designed to offer more independence and autonomy to upper-class students. The most popular junior and senior housing option is the Stone Hill Apartments, a complex of 10 buildings housing approximately 400 students. Each apartment has four to six single bedrooms, a common area including a living room and kitchen, and is equipped with laundry facilities. Stone Hill also has common areas, including lounges and study spaces, and is staffed with RCs.
In addition to Stone Hill, there are several other junior and senior housing options, including Marsh, Charles Drew, and Newport Houses. Marsh and Charles Drew are both suite-style residences, with each suite housing four to six students. Each suite has a common area, including a living room and kitchen, and is equipped with laundry facilities. Marsh and Charles Drew are located near the athletic facilities and are staffed with RCs. Newport House is a townhouse-style residence, with each townhouse housing six to eight students. Each townhouse has a common area, including a living room and kitchen, and is equipped with laundry facilities. Newport House is located near the center of campus and is staffed with RCs.
Special Interest Housing
In addition to the traditional housing options at Amherst College, there are several special interest housing options available to students. These options allow students with similar interests or identities to live together and build a sense of community around a shared passion or experience. Some of the special interest housing options at Amherst College include:
- Affinity Housing: Affinity Housing is designed to create a supportive environment for students who identify with a particular affinity group, such as LGBTQ+ students or students of color. Affinity Housing is available in several dorms across campus, including James, Stearns, and Pond Houses.
- Program Housing: Program Housing is designed for students who want to live together based on a shared academic or extracurricular interest. Program Housing is available in several dorms across campus, including the Charles Pratt Memorial House, which houses students interested in sustainability and environmental issues.
- Language Housing: Language Housing is designed for students who want to live together and speak a particular language, such as Spanish or French. Language Housing is available in several dorms across campus, including the French House and the Spanish House.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the dorms at Amherst College play an essential role in shaping the social and academic experiences of students. From traditional dormitory-style residences to suite-style apartments and special interest housing options, there are a variety of options available to meet the needs and preferences of students at all stages of their college career. Whether you are a first-year student looking to build community and make new friends or an upper-class student seeking more independence and autonomy, Amherst College has a housing option that will suit your needs.