Boarding & Dorms

Caswell-10-2.jpg
Dorm-6-2.jpg
Common Room 2.jpg
Dorm 8.jpg
Dorm 7.jpg
Dorm 5.jpg
Dorm 3.jpg

Dorm Life

MacDuffie boarding students are part of a supportive multicultural community, living together in triple, double, and single rooms our dormitories with a caring residential life staff. Students build strong relationships with other boarding students from the United States and from around the world, as well as with residential staff, many of whom are also their classroom teachers and coaches during the school day.

Social Life

Boarding students develop friendships with day students from nearby towns by attending classes together and by participating with them on athletic teams, performing arts groups, and other extracurricular activities. Day students often invite boarding students to visit their homes on weekends and for longer holiday periods such as Thanksgiving and Winter and Spring Breaks.

Dining

An important part of each student’s day, and MacDuffie offers healthy, appetizing meals three times a day for all boarding students in our state-of-the-art dining facility. Our chef plans well-balanced meals that appeal to the multicultural tastes of our domestic and international students. Menus are prepared using fresh ingredients and are served by a courteous and helpful dining staff. Click here to learn more!

Weekend Activities

Boarding students weekend activities take advantage of the regional attractions, beauty and culture of New England, and include apple picking, pumpkin carving, skiing, roller skating, classical and popular music concerts, museums, athletic events, fairs, theater performances, and shopping trips to area malls. Students also take advantage of the wide range of events and activities at nearby colleges such as Amherst, Smith, Mount Holyoke and Williams, as well as the many colleges and universities in Boston, only 90 minutes away. Special weekend trips during the year are often planned to Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington D.C. as well.

Things to Know About Boarding

As a boarding student, you will live on campus with several peers and faculty members.  Here is some information to help you plan for on-campus living.

  • Rooms are typically doubles; however, there are also triples and singles.

    You and your roommate(s) will each have your own twin-size bed, chest of drawers, desk, chair, desk lamp, and fan.

    A laundry service, required for all Boarders, provides laundry and dry-cleaning services.

    Wireless Internet is available to all students if the computer has been registered with our IT Department.

  • Mattress cover

    Pillow approximately 20 x 26 inches

    Two sets of twin-size sheets and pillowcases - flat sheet 66 x 96 inches and fitted sheet 39 x75 inches

    Blankets and bedspread or comforter

    Towels

  • Clock radio or alarm clock

    Blow dryer, curling iron, hair straightener (flat iron)

    Computers – monitor may not be larger than 22 to 24 inches in diameter.

    American cell phone—we REQUIRE that all international students have an American cell phone number.

    Please Note: Space heaters, electric blankets, TVs, hot pots, electric kettles, etc. are not permitted and will be confiscated and NOT returned.

  • Students may choose to open their own bank accounts with funds for their personal use. Easthampton Savings Bank (ESB) will have a representative available during orientation to assist students in opening bank accounts if they would like to do so.

  • During orientation, all International Students must provide the Office of Boarding Life with their passports, I-20s, and other sensitive documents to be kept in the school’s safe. Large amounts of cash must be deposited in the Business Office until it can be deposited in a bank account.

  • Students are expected to be sensible in their choice of clothing and appearance.

    MacDuffie's guidelines are cleanliness, neatness, and modesty. The Dress Code is detailed in the Student Handbook.

    Please bring dress clothes in the event that they are needed for an evening activity such as a Sports Award or Academic Convocation.

    Rain gear, snow boots, and a heavy winter jacket are essential. These items may be purchased after arriving at school.

    There are weekly trips to a local mall, where students may purchase needed items.