Living on Campus
The residential nature of Alma College is an important part of the educational experience. It is for this reason that all students are required to reside in College housing unless approved for off-campus housing. Through its facilities, staff and programs, Alma's residential community seeks to provide a personal and informal environment.
Learning extends beyond the classroom, and student activities and organizations provide opportunities for social interaction and personal growth. Campus residence halls, dining commons and lounges are frequently the settings for experiences that students recall as some of the most meaningful of their lives. The residential concept means more than "students living on campus." It is part of the living and learning experience.
Residence Halls
Alma College provides a variety of residence options. Size of units varies from eight to 200 students. Single and double occupancy and suite rooms are available. In its residence halls Alma seeks to provide opportunities for students to develop mature interpersonal relationships, social skills, leadership skills and an awareness of individual responsibilities and rights.
Alma's residential concept seeks to provide an environment which complements the College's rigorous academic program. It also acquaints students with campus and community resources where specialized assistance may be obtained.
Each residence unit is supervised by a full-time director and/or student staff members who promote the goals of the residence hall program. In addition, as representatives of the College, members of the residence unit staff have authority and responsibility to provide for proper operation of the units. In small housing units, a student manager supervises these more self-governed facilities.
Room Assignments
During the Winter Term of each academic year, currently enrolled students reserve rooms in College residence units for the following year. Freshmen are assigned to rooms according to the preferences listed on their housing information form, in the order of the date they made their commitment and security deposit to the College. All changes in room assignments must be approved by the Student Life Office. No room assignments will be changed during the first three weeks of each term. After that period, students may move to an open location only after they have consulted with their Hall Director or a member of the Student Life Office. Students should understand that if allowed to change rooms, that there is a room change fee and the cost of their new room may be different than their current location. The College reserves the right to make changes in room assignments whenever unusual mechanical, interpersonal, disciplinary circumstances or space requirements exist.
Inspections
The Director of Physical Plant and the staff of each residence unit are responsible for maintaining rooms in a safe and sanitary manner and for making necessary repairs to rooms and furnishings. Therefore, the College reserves the right to inspect the rooms and to change room assignments when it is deemed necessary.
Dining
Sodexho, Inc., provides a variety of dining options and flexible meal times to accommodate the students' active lifestyles. All students are required to participate in the College's board program unless they are married, living with parents or otherwise approved for off-campus residency. Meal plans are available for 14 or 19 meals a week along with "Munch Money" to spend at Joe's Place (snack bar) or Scotty's (convenience store). A 160-meal block plan is also offered. Unlike the traditional plans, students may use this plan to take a guest for a meal. It also includes "Munch Money." Refunds are not issued for missed meals on any of the plans. Admission to meals is by student identification card. A committee of students, staff and food service personnel meets regularly to discuss the programs and operation of the food service.
Health Service
The College maintains the Wilcox Medical Center, which is well equipped for routine and emergency office treatments and consultations. It is supervised by two part-time physicians from the local community and by medical-care professionals.
Students are encouraged to make use of the services of the Medical Center but may seek health care in the community, at their own expense, if they wish. If the service of a doctor other than the College physician is used, the student must have a medical report forwarded to the Director of Health Services so that individual health records may be complete.
The Health Service offers a variety of preventative health care programs such as blood pressure monitoring, CPR and first aid certification, smoking withdrawal clinics and women's and men's health issues.