NEW HOUSE!

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New House Basics

NEW!  I just learned my room number, but where in the building am I?

Your room number in New House is in the form: 8-888. The first number (8-888) designates the physical house you're in, then the dash, then this next number (8-888) designates the floor you're on.

If your room number is 5-212, for example, this means you live in House 5 (physical house, see the next question for an explanation), second floor. The doors are marked with the room numbers so you should have no problem finding your room once you're in the right house and on the right floor.



(Remember, MIT is a very numerically-aligned school, so the room numbering system works this way throughout campus. For example, the MIT Registrar's Office is in room 5-111, so it's in Building 5, first floor, room 111. Technically, room 5-212 in New House is designated as room W70-5-212 on the larger MIT scale, since New House is building W70.)

This all comes naturally with some practice, don't worry. Just be sure to explore lots when you arrive here in the fall!

What should I bring?

Check out the 2005 New House Survival Guide for a comprehensive list of what to bring with you to New House!

(Document is in Adobe PDF format.)

Student Life

How international student-friendly is New House?

All MIT dorms, including New House, are very diverse and international-student friendly. New House in particular has a formal system called the Cultural Houses that offer unique living environments in which students live with other students interested in the same culture. We have four of these houses: Chocolate City, French House, German House, and Spanish House. The other houses of New House are not formally designated as cultural houses, but their communities are also very diverse and welcoming.

What eating options are available?

New House residents have a variety of eating facilities from which to choose. There is an MIT dining hall - Next House Dining - immediately adjacent to New House, and it is open Sunday through Thursday nights for dinner.

In the opposite direction, there's MacGregor Convenience, open from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week during the school year. There's even an indoor walkway to Convenience from New House.

MIT's student center is open every day and includes Anna's Taqueria, Alpine Bagel and Cambridge Grill, and La Verde's, a general store with a full deli. For more information, see MIT's Campus Dining.

Many of these locations accept TechCash, the debit system attached to your MIT I.D. card. TechCash is accepted on- and off-campus, including Dominos Pizza! (And they deliver.)

New House has extensive fully equipped kitchen facilities, with stoves, microwaves, toasters, and sinks, and residents can store their food and cooking gear in cabinets and public refrigerators. La Verde's in the student center has grocery products, and there is a large grocery store - Star Market - about a 15 minute walk from New House.

Are there any videos of New House I can watch?

Definitely. You'll find New House related videos in the Multimedia section of this website.

What about the walk? New House is almost the last building on dorm row!

That's true, it is. That doesn't necessarily make it far, though. New House is about an 8 minute walk to the Student Center and about 15 minutes to the end of the Infinite Corridor.

Also, many students at MIT in general and New House in particular own bikes. With a bike, it is easy to get from New House to anywhere on campus in less than 10 minutes and to the Student Center in about 3.

Security and facilities, like bike racks, are excellent on campus. There are many stores which sell bikes in Cambridge, ranging from specialty stores like Cambridge Bicycle to Target.

What if I have special housing needs? Anything I should know about allergies or health considerations?

For New House specifically, this information may be helpful to you:

• New House has air conditioning
• We have handicap accessible kitchens
• No carpeting in rooms (linoleum)
• No smoking indoors
• No pets (except fish)

The decision to give special attention in housing matters for medical, religious, or other special circumstances will be made by the Housing Office in consultation with appropriate offices. Special housing is typically granted only in exceptional cases. Consult pages 6 and 7 of the 2005 Guide to Residences for more, and submit the Special Housing Request Form on page 48.

Keep in mind, even if you have special circumstances, you have to enter the summer housing lottery with the rest of your class and adhere to the same deadlines.

Do I have to clean the toilet?

No, we have an awesome house management and housekeeping staff, but it's your job to keep your area clean and neat within reason.

Do I have to clean my room?

No, but you should... sadly the housekeeping staff wont take care of that for you. Keep in mind, though: a clean living environment facilitates productivity and good spirits.