Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the mailing address for residents?
   
   Mail should be addressed:
   
   Your Name
   29 Third Avenue, Apt #_____
   New York, NY 10003
   
   Do not use "Cooper Union" in the address or your mail will be delivered to our central mailroom. Due to lack of storage space, boxes and mail may not be sent in advance of the move in date. Items received prior to August 28, 2007 will be returned to sender.
2. What is the occupancy of the Residence Hall?
   
   The Residence Hall houses 174 students in 43 student apartments. Freshmen and upperclassmen from all three schools, Art, Architecture and Engineering, occupy the Residence Hall.
3. What amenities does the building provide?
   
   The building contains a study room on the third floor, which is equipped with drawing tables and desks. There is a laundry room on the fourth floor that is equipped with coin operated washers and dryers. Washing machines cost $1.25 per load; driers cost $1.50 per load. Residents must provide their own detergent and dryer sheets. The laundry room also has two coin machines for making change, a pay phone and a soda vending machine. The Menschel Room on the fourth floor is the Residence Hall's multipurpose common area space. It is reserved for programs, special events, and meetings, but can be used by residents when not otherwise scheduled. The Residence Hall also houses Cooper Union's Alumni Space, which is used by the institution for more formal events. Additional amenities include two elevators and trash/ recycling rooms on every floor.
4. What are the apartments like?
   
   There are three different apartment sizes: The A apartment is a 2-bedroom unit shared by 3 persons. The B and D apartments are 2-bedroom units shared by 4 persons, and the C apartment is a 3-bedroom unit shared by 5 persons. Each apartment is a self-contained with its own bathroom and kitchenette. Apartments A & B have bathtubs; apartments C & D have showers. Each apartment is also equipped with air conditioning and heat, with a control in each apartment and all windows have Venetian blinds.
5. What kind of furniture is provided?
   
   Each student is provided with a twin bed (extra long), desk, wardrobe and carrel-sized bookshelf. The common area has a table, four chairs, microwave, full size refrigerator, storage cabinets, a house phone, and gas burners.
6. What about telephone service?
   
   Each apartment has a house telephone in the common area. (Your telephone number is listed on the lease.) The house phone has the capability of calling anywhere on campus and can accept outside calls. Calls outside campus cannot be made from house phones. After you move in, if you want to arrange for outgoing, off-campus phone service, contact Verizon (New York City.s telephone company) at 212-890-1550. You will need to pay a deposit to Verizon for this service, and you will need to supply your own phone for the private line. You and your roommates will need to decide which services to order and in whose name to place the bill. Many students prefer cellular phone service instead. All major cellular phone service providers have branches in the New York area. There is also a pay phone in the laundry room. Also, please note that you cannot arrange for Verizon telephone service before you move into the Residence Hall.
7. Is there internet service?
   
   You can access the Cooper Union Internet system by use of an Ethernet port on your computer. If you have any questions, contact your computer vendor. When you arrive at Cooper Union, you will receive instructions on how to obtain your email and Ethernet accounts. You cannot access the Internet without an email and Ethernet account.
8. Is there cable television service?
   
   Cooper Union does not provide cable service. If cable service in your apartment is desired, you must contact Time Warner Cable after you have moved in. There contact number is 212-674-9100.

Personnel

9. How is the building staffed?
   
   The Cooper Union Residence Life Department consists of a full-time Residence Manager, an Assistant Residence Manager, and 8 Resident Assistants, all of whom live in the building. The Residence Hall office is run by the Assistant to the Residence Hall Manager. The Residence Hall office is open from 9-5pm Monday - Friday. For students whose time does not permit them to visit the Residence Hall office during the work day, the Resident Assistant (RA) Office is open from 6-8pm Monday - Thursday. In addition to the professional staff the Residence Life Department also has two student committees that assist with the operation of the Residence Hall.
   • Residence Hall Association (RHA) - The Residence Hall Association is an organization recognized and supported by the Residence Life Department. The Cooper Union believes that the experience of living in a residence hall is very important to the college experience and feels that it is important for students to have a voice in decisions about policies and activities. Therefore, the RHA is responsible for the planning and implementation of activities both social and educational for the entire hall. The association also serves as the primary communication between the hall.s residents and the Residence Life Department.
   • Judicial Committee - The Residence Hall Judicial Committee is a group of residents selected for having demonstrated a sincere commitment to the Residence Hall, Cooper Union and it policies. Its members are charged with determining the appropriate sanction for residents who have violated the Student Code of Conduct and or the Residence Hall's policies.
10. What kind of security exists in the building?
    
    The Residence Hall has a 24-hour security guard posted at the entrance of the building. To enter the building residents must have their hands scanned by a biometric hand scanner to confirm their building access privileges. The Residence Hall utilizes a Persona keycard system which is personalized for each student for entrance to his/her apartment. All guests and visitors must show valid picture identification upon entering the building. The building is also equipped with smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors and a fire alarm system.
11. Who cleans and maintains the Residence Hall?
    
    Residents are responsible for cleaning their rooms and apartments. The common spaces in the building, such as the student workspace, the Menschel Room and all other common areas, are cleaned and maintained by our superb maintenance staff. If residents have any maintenance concerns, they can fill out a Maintenance Request Form at any time. The forms are available in the Residence Hall Office on the third floor. The maintenance staff makes every effort to respond to student maintenance requests within 24 hours or less.

Miscellaneous

12. What are the Residence Hall Policies?
    
    A list of pertinent policies can be found in the packet mailed to you and on the web. A full list of policies for the Residence Hall will be distributed when you arrive for check-in. Your RA (resident assistant) will help to familiarize you with hall policies and procedures once you arrive.
13. What if I have more questions?
    
    If you have questions, please call the Residence Hall Office at 212-353-4099 or the Student Services Office at 212-353-4130.

Items to Bring

In addition to clothing and study supplies, you will need:

Important Documents

• Picture ID
• Social Security card
• Checkbook
• Insurance policy information (ex. medical, dental, auto, etc), including policy name and number, contact and phone number

Emergency Supplies

• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Battery powered radio
• First Aid Kit
• Non perishable food items
• Water
• Map of New York City

Personal Hygiene and Health Care Supplies

• Blow dryer, brush and comb
• Deodorant
• Hair care products
• Prescription and over-the-counter medicine
• Shaving cream and razor
• Soap
• Tissues, cotton balls and swabs
• Toothbrush, toothpaste and floss
• Towels
• Toilet paper

Other Items

• Extra long twin size sheets (36X80)
• Blankets and pillows
• Shower curtain
• Cleaning supplies
• Reading lamp
• Kitchen utensils i.e. cups, plates, pots, forks, etc
• UL-approved power strips with circuit breakers
• Clothes hangers, iron, laundry bag/baskets and detergent
• Alarm clock

Items to Leave

Please do not bring these items into the Residence Hall. To do so would violate the Residence Hall's behavioral and safety policies.

• Incense and candles
• Halogen lamps
• Grills, toaster ovens, convection ovens and hot plates
• Holiday lights and other items that poses a fire hazard
• Non university furniture
• While televisions and stereos are allowed, we discourage large screen TVs and large stereos since there is not adequate space in the apartments
• We also advise students not to bring drafting tables or drawing boards until after they have lived in the space for a few weeks
• We discourage residents from bringing bicycles

Remember - the motto of Manhattan apartments is "think small".