FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions |
What is a Residential College?
A residential college is more than just a place to live. The goal of residential colleges is to create a community within your dorm. Chapin has regular firesides from fellows, subsidized outings to events in Evanston and Chicago, weekly tea and munchies, and more! Residential colleges have committees to involve every resident in planning and facilitating these events. What are committees? Committees are panels of Chapin residents that work with the executive board to pitch ideas, throw events, and contribute to the community. Check out the committees page for more information. At the beginning of the year, each Chapin resident will rank the committees they want to join (most people get their first choice, don't worry) and everyone will have the opportunity to work on different committees throughout the year! Can you explain the “Humanities” part of Chapin? It means that most of our fellows are involved in humanities-related departments at Northwestern or interested in the humanities. This does not preclude non-humanities majors from living in Chapin, and we have fellows who are not necessarily in the academic realm of humanities. What are Fellows? Fellows are faculty and other members of the Northwestern community that are affiliated with Chapin. They attend and host events regularly and are an integral part of the Residential College experience. Check out our Faculty Staff and Fellows page for a full list of Fellows that are members of the Chapin community! How big are the rooms? Chapin has the largest doubles on campus, with most rooms measuring around 18.5 x 13.25 ft. Check out our facilities page for more information. How many people live in Chapin? At full capacity, Chapin houses 65 residents. Is Chapin co-ed? Chapin is co-ed, separated by floor. How should I address letters and packages? Your Name 726 University Pl. Chapin Hall, Room #X Evanston, IL 60201 or 60208 Does Chapin have overhead lighting? Yes we do! And lamps built-in on your desk, but you are welcome to bring your own lamp if you deem it necessary. Should I bring a mattress pad? Unless you prefer an extremely firm bed, yes. The egg carton pads that you can find at Target or any other superstore work perfectly fine. What furniture is provided? Each double comes with two elevated beds, two twin XL mattresses, two bedside tables, two desks (with push-pin backing and a light), two chairs, two pairs of drawers, two walk-in closets, two recycling bins, and two trash bins. For more information, take a look at our facilities page. What can I put on the walls? "Room decorations are permitted except for hanging blankets, tapestries, rugs, or fishnets, provided the decorations do not cover more than 50 percent of the wall or window space. Combustible decorations must not be put on the ceiling, in the entryway, on the door, or near heat sources such as radiators or light bulbs. Any method of affixing decorations that puts holes in or mars walls, woodwork, doors, or furnishings is prohibited." Also, don’t put up Christmas lights. Other than that, you’re good to go. How large can refrigerators be? According to the university, the inside of a refrigerator can be no larger than 3 cubic feet. In reality, no one’s going to measure. Do not bring your full-size kitchen refrigerator. Is there a place for bikes? We have bike racks right behind Chapin to lock up your bike. What security is there? From 8:30pm - 6:00am we have an unarmed Community Security Officer (CSO) and/or Security Officer stationed at the front door who checks in guests using their WildCard. Only Chapin residents and official non-residents can get into the building alone using the WildCard. You also need your card to get to the second and third floors or bedrooms on the first floor. Each room has a lock on it specific to your and your roommate’s WildCards. What is a non-resident member? A non-resident (NonRes) member is someone who doesn’t live in Chapin, but pays $40 a year to stay connected and take advantage of our facilities and events. They can use their WildCards to get into the building and are welcome at all Chapin events including munchies and Chapin formal. How do I become a non-resident member? If you would like to become a non-resident member, please click here, read the information, and fill out the quick application! Does Chapin have a kitchen? Chapin has a main kitchen on the first floor, equipped with a stove, microwave, oven, full refrigerator, toaster, water heaters, and some cooking supplies (pans, pots, cutlery, etc). The second and third floors have kitchenettes with refrigerators, sinks and microwaves. Does laundry cost money? Nope! Where’s the best place to work out? If all you need is a treadmill or an elliptical, Willard Residential College across the street or Blomquist is perfect for you. If you want access to a serious weight-lifting gym, you can go to Patten. Patten is all the way north on Sheridan, so about a mile away. If you’re looking for a combination of the two, a pool, or a track, the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (also known as SPAC) will do all that and more. Crown is located all the way northeast on campus, making it the farthest building on campus from Chapin; you’ll have to workout just to get there! We are also a five minute walk away from LA Fitness, so if you happen to have an existing membership there, it certainly won't go to waste! What restaurants and stores are close to Chapin? Chapin is actually the closest residence to downtown Evanston. Kung Fu Tea, Blaze Pizza, Starbucks, Einstein Brothers Bagels, Chipotle, CVS, Crossroads, Urban Outfitters, and much more are right in our backyard and are a convenient two-minute walk away. What is the flooring in Chapin? Currently, the war room, stairs, and hallways are wood paneled, while the kitchens and bathrooms are tiled. Dorm rooms are carpeted. Do I have room for a futon or couch? If you organize your room accordingly, yes! Make sure you check with your roommate first though. Will the washers eat my clothing? No, you’re all good. The washers here are great (and free)! Do I have to wear shower shoes? Yes, you should. Our house-cleaning staff wipes down the entire bathroom with bleach once a week, but yes. What should I expect on move-in day? During the summer, you will be assigned a time to move into Chapin through Northwestern Residential Services. When you arrive at the Chapin steps on move-in day, there will be a group of Executive Board members there to greet you, help you with your luggage, and answer any questions you may have. After seeing your room, you’ll check in to receive your Wildcat Welcome schedule. We'll also have Chapin activities planned for that night, but, for the most part, how you spend move-in day is up to you. We encourage you to leave your door open (bring a stopper!) when in your room, walk around and meet your neighbors, invite someone to a game of Super Smash Bros. or Rock Band, and get comfortable in Chapin and at Northwestern. What is the guest policy? Technically, you can only have overnight guests for three nights in a row, seven per quarter, but no one is going to keep track. Be respectful of your roommate, tell him/her in advance if you plan on having guests, and don’t have guests stay forever. What are some fun things to do in the dorm? Chapin has a media lounge on the first floor with a big-screen TV, a pool table that can be converted into a ping-pong table, a Nintendo Wii U and a PS4 among other systems and games graciously donated by benevolent residents. Other than that, many residents have game nights where they play board games in someone’s room, and it’s always fun to just hang out with friends. What are points and how do I get them? Points are Chapin’s way of keeping residents involved and fostering a Chapin community. In order to live in Chapin the following year, residents need at least 70 points after Fall and Winter quarter. You get points for doing just about anything in Chapin, and even a lot stuff outside of Chapin. For our full points policy, see here. Where do I pick up mail? Chapinos pick up their snail mail at Willard Residential Colege across the street and packages at Foster-Walker Complex, commonly referred to as "Plex". Does Chapin have A/C? The media lounge can be air-conditioned, but otherwise, no. This really isn’t a problem in the Evanston climate, but if you’re someone who looks to sleep in a cold environment, we suggest bringing a fan. |
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Julia A. Chapin Humanities Residential College
726 University Place, Evanston IL 60201 | [email protected]
726 University Place, Evanston IL 60201 | [email protected]