Bryn Mawr College

Welcome Letter

Welcome to the Class of 2013!

Welcome to Bryn Mawr! One of the most exciting and memorable aspects of the college experience is the opportunity to live and learn with other students in a residential setting. We are pleased you have chosen to contribute to Bryn Mawr's residential community. In early August, your housing and roommate assignment will be mailed to your Bryn Mawr College email address.  I encourage you to email or call your roommate(s) before your arrival on campus.

Many students have never lived away from home or shared a room before coming to the College and are anxious about what the experience will be like. Adjusting to residential life means establishing new ground rules, negotiating different standards of sharing and fairness, and learning to respect others' priorities and opinions. A support network is available to help you through the transition. One of these resources is your Hall Advisor (HA). As a peer counselor and resource person, she will be available to you and your roommate(s) as you negotiate differences and learn how to live together. It is important that you think about your priorities and how you might accommodate your needs and those of your roommate(s) in a new environment. During customs week, your HA will help you to talk with your roommate(s) and lay the groundwork for a pleasant, tolerant, and mutually respectful living environment. While you will be eager to unpack and settle in, please wait for all your roommates to arrive in order to begin the discussion of room and furniture arrangements together. Adjusting to life at the College (including sharing a room) is a process that takes time. Consequently, we do not make changes in housing assignments until the Room Change period begins in October. As our dorms are used for conference groups all summer, we cannot permit students to come and see their rooms before move-in day.

Over the last few years Bryn Mawr has completed extensive renovation and refurnishing of our historic halls. Due to the distinct character and design of each hall, room size can vary considerably. Since we do not have room or window measurements on file, we encourage you to wait until you see your room and talk with your roommate(s) before bringing a number of items from home. Since the College does not assume responsibility for loss or damage to students' belongings, you may wish to consider coverage under your parents' homeowner's policy, or student property insurance.

When you arrive at Bryn Mawr on August 28th, you should go directly to your residence hall. Your Customspeople and HAs will be there to greet you, direct you to the key distribution area, and answer any questions you might have. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please refer to information available on the Residential Life website or call our office.

Enjoy the rest of your summer! I look forward to seeing you in August.

Sincerely,

Angie Sheets
Director of Residential Life