Packing For College

What to Bring

• Bedding, linens, and towels (mattresses are twin XL, 34 inches x 80 inches)
• Personal toiletries
• Coffee maker (must include automatic shut-off feature)
• Basic kitchen equipment (dishes, pots and pans, sponges, etc.) Note, CIA knife kit will provide most essential kitchen tools.
• Television (cable television not provided, televisions should be “Smart” TVs or Wi-Fi compatible)
• Non-halogen desk or floor lamps
• Area rugs (four feet by six feet maximum size)
• Hair dryer/curler
• Personal computing device(s)
• Surge protector (with a built-in fuse and reset switch; extension cords to multi-plug adaptors without a built-in fuse are not allowed)
• Iron (with automatic/tip-over shut-off feature) and/or steamer
• Hangers
• Cleaning supplies
• Laundry bag or basket
• Bicycles (can be stored in the room, but bike racks are located at each residence hall)
• Command™ Strips or Wall Putty (no push pins, screws, nails, or double-sided tape)

Packing Recommendations

• Prioritize items into the following categories—essential and non-essential. Most non-essential items will not be used and should be left home.
• Coordinate with your roommate about bringing items you agree to share such as an iron, ironing board, or basic cooking equipment, etc.
• Pack lightly: Items forgotten can always be ordered online, shipped from home, or purchased locally.
• Plan for your departure: what you carry into your room, you must carry out of your room.

What to Leave Home

For safety reasons, the items listed below are not permitted in CIA’s residence halls (note this list is not all-inclusive):

• Furniture not issued by CIA (shoe racks, metal wire shelving units, etc.)
• Halogen lamps, as well as octopus or medusa lamps
• Refrigerator or microwave oven (each room is equipped with a combination microwave/refrigerator unit)
• Coils, toasters, toaster ovens, electric grills, or any other electrical cooking or open flame devices
• Electric blanket/electric heating pads
• Portable heater
• Air conditioner
• Electric musical instruments
• Pets or animals of any kind
• Bed risers of any kind (plastic risers, cinder blocks, etc.)
• Extension cords/wall mount multi-plug adapters
• Candles, incense holders/burners, wax melts, or plug-in scented diffusers
• Curtains, tapestries, or flags (or any type of fabric wall hanging)

Living With a Roommate

Learning to live with a new roommate is a great way to build interpersonal skills and a long-lasting friendship. That’s not to say you will always see eye to eye on everything but good communication skills are essential for any food professional.

Open and honest discussions are the healthiest way to resolve any conflicts. In situations where you are experiencing difficulties with your roommate, please contact residence hall staff.

How to Be a Good Roommate

• Always ask permission should you wish to use or borrow their personal property.
• Don’t make lots of noise if your roommate is trying to sleep or study.
• Respect each other’s privacy.
• Take accurate messages intended for your roommate.
• Don’t let little things build up. Talk about them when they happen.
• Avoid being judgmental.
• Be willing to compromise.
• Set the tone to solve a problem (don’t just complain about it).
• Be assertive and don’t cave in if there is a disagreement; stand up for what you want.
• Realize there is no perfect roommate.

Changing On-Campus Residences

Room change requests will be accepted at the beginning and end of each semester.

A common reason for requesting a room change is conflict with roommates or discomfort in a new environment. It takes time for students to develop roommate compatibility and familiarity with a new home. Therefore, room change requests will not be accepted unless the student has first attempted to mediate the conflict. Room change requests won’t be honored if students are scheduled to compete their time at CIA within six weeks.

When necessary, students may request a room change. Priority for approval is based on date of request, seniority (completed credits and class level), mutual requests of roommates, and/or space availability. Students must submit their room change application through the Residence Life housing platform located on their student portal under HP Quick Links. Students who fail to complete an approved room change or make an unauthorized room change are subject to a $100 fine and/or loss of new room assignment. Students may not request more than one room change in academic year (two semesters). Approved room changes will take place approximately six weeks into a semester or at the conclusion of a semester.

Room change approvals will be considered for the following reasons:

1. Severe roommate conflict.
2. Class schedule conflict.
3. Financial or medical need.
4. Students who were not accommodated at the time of move-in due to space restrictions.

Metz Hall Residents may not request to move out of Metz Hall for at least two consecutive semesters. Students may request a room change within their first two semesters as long as they remain in Metz Hall.

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