What to Bring

Packing up the car? The cardboard boxes to ship? Making a list of what you'll need to buy once you get here? Be sure to check out the resources below before you toss out your winter coat to make room for your PS3...

Your Room: What Is Provided

Specific information about housing guidelines is available on the Housing Web page, but here are some rules that typically apply to dorm rooms each year: Double rooms are typically 20 feet by 12 feet. Each of the following provided for each student:

• An extra-long twin bed (36” x 80”), mattresses are extra-long, 80-inch, twin mattresses
• Closet
• Desk & Desk chair
• Bookshelf
• Waste basket & recycling basket
• Dresser
• Whiteboard on the door exterior
• Face mirror (some but not all rooms come with full-length as well)

Your Room: What You Need

Here is a list of other items that you may want to bring or plan on acquiring upon arrival from either the College Bookstore or many other great local vendors! To see where exactly you can buy everything from area rugs to picture frames, click here:

Linens:

• Twin XL (80”) Sheets, Comforter, Pillows, Blanket(s) and Mattress Pad
• Towels (two is prime, one to use while washing another!)

Odds and Ends:

• Study lamp and/or floor lamp and light bulbs
• Small area rug or carpet remnant up to 16 x 10 feet in size (there are some you can buy at the College Bookstore, but they often sell out!)
• Hangers
• Power Strips (instead of extension cords) with surge protection
• Posters, Pictures, Flags and other decorations that can be affixed to the wall without using nails
• Painters Tape (Great way to affix everything to the walls damage-free!)
• Trash Bags (bins provided, but bring your own bags)
• Headphones and/or Earplugs.

Tech:

• Cell Phone (Land-line Room phones with voicemail are available upon request via the Personal Information Link in Bannerweb. You need to provide your own telephone and there is a $50 installation for the academic year. Regarding cell phones at present we find Verizon, AT&T Wireless and Sprint offer the best reception and service plans for the Middlebury area. For details on coverage and plans, see the company’s website).
  • Computer (You may connect a single computer of your own to the campus network in your residence hall room. Both Windows and Apple computers are supported on campus and you are strongly encouraged to purchase one of the systems recommended by Middlebury. The College Bookstore sells Apple computers which incoming students are eligible to purchase at an "education discount". Please consult with the Helpdesk staff at 802-443-2200 to discuss the recommended configurations for student computer systems, and review the information on our Web site: go.middlebury.edu/computers
  • Ethernet Cord (Residence halls use hard-wired network systems, and most have wireless, but they are always good to have for streaming video and during high-traffic times

Dress:

• Dress is mostly informal, but you will need to "dress up" on occasion. Generally, students wear jeans, T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweaters and casual pants or skirts. The winter months (December through February) bring some cold days and sometimes subzero temperatures. You will need a very warm winter coat, a hat, scarf, mittens, socks, boots and sweaters. At Middlebury, students often sacrifice style for warmth and comfort.

Your Room: What You Can Share with a Roommate or Use The College’s

• Printer (There are printers in many buildings across campus, including a 24hr computer lab. Each Middlebury student is allotted a printing quota and if necessary you can purchase additional funds for printing as needed).
• Fridge (At the beginning of each semester the bookstore will have refrigerators for purchase. Both new and gently used fridges can be purchased at the college bookstore. There are also refrigerators in the kitchenettes of every dorm open for common use.)
• Microwave (Some students prefer to bring there own, however there are microwaves available in the kitchenettes of every dorm open for common use).
• Speakers & Digital Camera (the College Library has these available for Day-Rental)

Your Room: What You Don’t Need

• Pets (Only sanctioned support animals for people with disabilities, such as "seeing eye" dogs, and small animals (e.g., fish and hamsters) kept in appropriate aquariums or small cages at all times are permitted in the residence halls. Snakes and ferrets, even if caged, are not allowed in residence halls at any time).
• Cars (Parking on campus is limited, so we discourage students from bringing cars unless absolutely necessary. Cars are permitted, but they must be registered with the Department of Public Safety. To begin the registration process before you arrive, log onto BannerWeb and fill out the form titled "Register Your Vehicle."  You can also register your car upon arrival at the Welcome Center; please bring your license and registration. Students with vehicles will receive a copy of the parking regulations and parking permit at the Welcome Center).

The items listed below are not allowed.

• Halogen lights
• Christmas lights (rope lights encased in a tube are permitted)
• Floor lamps requiring multiple bulbs
• Candles, incense, and any devices that create open flames
• Electrical appliances with exposed heating elements (toasters, heaters, and hot plates Only irons with automatic shutoff mechanisms are allowed in rooms.)

Buying Locally

There are a number of items that can make your time at Middlebury more comfortable. The business community of Addison County, in which Middlebury College resides, works hard to meet the needs of college students by providing many of those items locally, and by special-ordering those products that are not sold locally when possible. By purchasing products from Addison County businesses, you contribute to a thriving local economy, support the strong relationship between the College and the community, and reduce the need to pack, ship and transport excess items. Again, to see where exactly you can buy everything from area rugs to picture frames, click here.

Energy Star

Due to the large amount of energy used in the dorms, students are encouraged to be thoughtful in purchasing appliances for their rooms. Sharing items such as stereos with roommates is a great way to cut down on general energy use. The EPA's Energy Star rating system is also a good guide for purchasing efficient appliances. Most major appliance manufacturers make products rated by Energy Star. Look for the Energy Star label (shown above), or ask the salesperson about efficiency standards when shopping for dorm-related items such as irons, refrigerators, light bulbs, lamps, and other appliances. To learn more about Middlebury's commitment to environmental responsibility, visit our Sustainability page.

Thanks to Middblog for many of these great tips!