Residence Life Handbook

All first-and second-year students and first-year transfer students are required to live in Manhattan School of Music housing as space allows. Every effort will be made to honor preferences; however, Manhattan School of Music reserves the right to assign rooms to students on a space-available basis. Requests specifying only a particular residence or type of housing cannot be guaranteed, nor can roommate preferences based upon race, ethnicity, religion, religious practices, sexual orientation, dietary preferences, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, or national origin. Any occurrences of verbal or physical intimidation with the intention of forcing a roommate to move or create an atmosphere of discomfort for a new resident will not be tolerated and may lead to disciplinary action.

The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to assign any vacant space at any time, and is not obligated to inform roommates of changes. Any student with a vacancy in his/her room must keep the space open and ready for assignment at any point. The Office of Residence Life has the right to move any such possessions that may be blocking a new student’s assigned space. Residents who fail to keep a vacant space free of their possessions may be subject to disciplinary action and will be charged for any costs involved in having these items moved.

Returning students may participate in the room selection process each spring. Specific room selection information and procedures will be available by the Office of Residence Life. The housing information will be distributed prior to the room selection process. Residents must abide by the requirements of the housing process and meet all deadlines outlined to be eligible for housing. To ensure ample space for new students, a certain number of beds may be set aside for new students. Those who deposit after the allocated number of beds has been filled will be placed on a waiting list. As spaces open, those on the waiting list will be assigned a room. Students are not guaranteed a preferred housing request.

In order to receive and maintain a housing reservation, students must have their accounts with Manhattan School of Music in good standing. Any student who does not make appropriate arrangements for registration and financial obligations may jeopardize status as a resident student.

Withdrawal or Leave of Absence
Any student who is planning to withdraw or take a leave of absence from Manhattan School of Music needs to contact the Registrar’s Office for information and assistance with his/her proper withdrawal or leave of absence. In addition, it is important that you notify the Office of Residence Life that you are leaving housing. When you are ready to leave housing, you will need to clean your room, empty your trash, check out of your room, and return your key(s). Resident students are responsible for housing charges through the end of the semester in which they leave.

Non-Academic Housing Cancellations

Students wishing to cancel their residence hall agreement are subject to the processes and terms outlined in the Residence Hall Agreement.

Each student re-applying to live in Andersen Hall must submit a non-refundable $300 housing prepayment. See the Residence Hall Agreement for more information.

The opening and closing of the residence hall each year can be found on the Academic Calendar. 

All non-graduating residents will need to clean their living space, officially check out, and leave the building no later than 24 hours after their last jury or 7:00 pm on the final day of the exam period if they have a final or jury on the last day of exams. All graduating students may remain on campus until 10:00 am the day after Commencement. Non-graduating students who are participating in Commencement may remain in housing until 10:00 am the day after Commencement by special permission from the Office of Residence Life. All students who fail to check out properly by closing time may be fined a late check-out fee.

All Manhattan School of Music housing officially closes during the winter and summer breaks. All students should plan to leave the building during those periods. If housing becomes available during winter or summer recess, there will be a separate housing agreement and an additional cost during these periods. Only students approved by the Office of Residence Life will be allowed to enter the residence hall during these times. Any resident violating any policy during these periods may be asked to leave housing immediately. Food service may not be available during School holidays and other closings. Residence Life, Maintenance, and Custodial Staff will maintain reduced staffing during these holidays and closings.

Manhattan School of Music requires all first-year and second-year undergraduates (freshmen and sophomores) and first year transfer students to live in residence as space allows. Students must submit a housing prepayment and housing application each year by the deadline to officially request a room. Students must submit complete the housing exemption form for to be considered for an exemption of this policy. The Office of Residence Life does not guarantee an assignment to any student who does not submit deposit and forms by the deadline.

Each semester the Office of Residence Life opens a “Room Change Period” (late September to mid- November) during which students are free to request room changes. First Year students are required to stay in First Year designated communities. If four students are interested in completing a two-room “roommate swap” all four students must agree in writing via email to the Office of Residence Life their desire and agreement to live with the new roommate.

Students are expected to reside in the room to which they have been assigned unless prior approval for change has been granted and the appropriate room change form is approved. Under no circumstances may a student move to another room without the permission of the Office of Residence Life. Unauthorized room changes are not permitted, and students will not be allowed to stay in rooms acquired through unapproved moves. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to change the room assignment of any student if deemed necessary. It is an expectation that all Manhattan School of Music residents will talk directly with each other when there are issues that need to be resolved.

Students desiring a single room will need to sign up for a “Single Room Waiting List.” If and when a single room opens, the Office of Residence Life will contact the next student on the waiting list. That student will have 48 hours to decide if s/he would like to accept the room and must respond in writing via email to officially accept the new space.

Each student who lives in the residence hall must sign a residence hall agreement. This agreement is in effect for the entire academic year and may not be terminated unless one of the conditions below is met: December graduation, official School study abroad program, serious illness, and /or lawfully registered domestic partnership, civil union, or marriage. Click here to review the Residence Hall Agreement in full.

Each student is provided a bed frame, mattress, wardrobe, desk, chair, dresser and micro-fridge unit in their room. All furniture provided by MSM must stay within the student’s designated room and will not be removed from a room. Additional room furniture cannot be brought into the residence hall unless it is deemed necessary for medical reasons, approved by the Office of Residence Life, and meets appropriate fire safety standards. Furniture needed to pursue the mission of the institution such as music stands, chairs, mirrors, and instrument stands will be allowed. Placing room furnishings in such a way that they obstruct the door from being opened at least 36 inches is a violation of our fire code and will need to be corrected. The resident is responsible for any damages or loss of furniture.

The Mitzi Newhouse Pavilion provides meals for students, faculty, staff, and guests. It is also used for School-sponsored receptions and social activities. All students are required to participate in the declining meal plan appropriate to their status as a resident or commuter student. Resident students may elect to increase their Bronze meal plan to Silver or Gold at the beginning of each school year. Please see the meal plan information form for details. Hot meals are served for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Students may reserve the cafeteria for recital receptions by contacting the scheduling and dining offices.

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