Hello! I will be attending Vassar this fall and am beyond excited! I have a few questions about the dorms that I couldn’t find answers to online.
I love how Vassar’s dorms are gorgeous and each have a personality that comes with the old architecture. However, I’m someone who has to deal with severe allergies and asthma and, considering the school is an arboretum, I’ll need my living situation to be on the newer end. What are the more renovated or cleaner dorms on campus? (I know we don’t get to pick but I’ve spoken with my doctor who will be sending a note to the college) Or perhaps could someone give insight as to the pros and cons of each dorm.
Anything would be useful. Thanks! :))
Call residential life and explain your situation. Your request isn’t a preference, it’s medically necessary. I can’t imagine a college would refuse to work with a student who has particular medical needs.
They will know where to put you. It will be fine. Specify air conditioning!
@mom2cats okay. Would you happen to know anything about Vassar’s dorms? Which are AC and which aren’t?
I believe none of the dorms have air conditioning.
I’m hearing maybe none do, but you can get a window unit. I though some did but my kid says no.
@notabunny Hi and congrats! From what you described I have a few suggestions for you. I also have asthma and I thought I would just have to deal with it and suffer haha. So what you’ll want to do is Google Vassar’s accessibility office website and email them about your situation. For example, I have asthma and feet problems, so I need my room to always have AC and be close to an elevator. The Accessibility office is full of super nice people and they will work with you and res life to make sure you’re put in a room that is comfortable for you. They’ll tell you the steps you need to take. Then I also believe you received (or will) a packet you have to fill out about your health and stuff like that. Make sure you put you have asthma, severe allergies, etc. You’ll also need to get a note detailing your illness and from your doctor so I would start doing this immediately. When you choose where to live also (or give preference of where you want to live) you would probably also want to choose a wellness floor. Wellness floors are in every building I believe and people aren’t allowed to drink alcohol, do drugs, etc on those floors. A few people like to smoke Marijuana and stuff so if you’re ure triggered by that wellness is also the way to go but the accessibility office will help you with this stuff. If you have any more questions please let me know! Also, if you get a room without AC Vassar will pay to put one in the room!
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My daughter went through this two years ago when she was an entering freshman. The previous poster is correct, and the first step is to reach out to the accessibility office. I would suggest you do that soon, because if I recall the level of documentation Vassar requires to establish the need for an accommodation is pretty high. They wanted a report from my daughter’s allergist and her GP if memory serves. My daughter did not end up qualifying for an accommodation, because her issue was limited to pretty severe allergies that can be (and are) controlled with medication. While she had childhood asthma, she is not currently being treated for asthma, and that may make a difference in your circumstance. My sense is that a number of kids try and get an accommodation for air conditioning, because quite honestly some of Vassar’s dorms are old, small and kinda dingy. It is a great school, but I doubt many people decide to attend because of the available dorm rooms. That said, a couple of the recently renovated dorms are set up to add a/c units, (I believe Davison and Jewitt?) and I think kids who qualify for an accommodation are placed there. I also believe some of the newer T/As (senior apartments) have window units.
I will say that not having a/c has not been an issue for my daughter these last two years. She lived in a double in Cushing as a freshman, a single in Noyes last year as a residential fellow and is working on a research team on campus this summer while being housed in a huge single in Main (along with everyone else on campus). She is going abroad next fall, but I think she finds the rooms in Main most attractive at this point, because it apparently has some nice multi room suites that she and a couple buddies are going to try for when they return from abroad in the spring next year.
I’m currently a sophomore at Vassar. None of the dorms have AC. You can contact the Office of Accessibility and Educational Office (AEO), and they can make the appropriate accommodations for you. I would recommend specifying your interest in Wellness (floors where alcohol and drugs are not permitted) on the housing application. If you’re worried about there being some sort of stigma because of living in Wellness, don’t worry about it. Nobody really knows which floor is Wellness unless you live in Wellness. Not all dorms have a Wellness floor though. Davi is the newest and nicest dorm. Joss is getting renovated this summer. Raymond, in my opinion, is the worst dorm. Its old, the bathrooms are kinda nasty, and there is no elevator. A lot of people who live in Raymond do love it though. Strong (female/female-identifying house) is relatively calm and peaceful. There’s a bike shop in the basement which is a cool hangout spot. Jewitt has tiny singles and the elevator breaks down a lot (which sucks cause there’s 9 floors). It has the best view though! People either love it or hate it. Cushing is kinda farther from the other dorms, but it has its only little community. Main is cool because you can get food without leaving the building which is nice in the winter. Noyes has a retro vibe but the rooms are nice and the windows are cool. Idk much about Lathrop but a lot of the people who live there are pretty chill. No matter which dorm you live in though, prepare yourself for critters. If you have any questions about Vassar, feel free to message me 
What do you think is a better Dorm, Jewett or Main House?
I’ve never lived in either. Most people I know who live in Main love it. Like I said before, Jewett is a hit or a miss. Whichever you live in, I’m sure you’ll find a welcoming community.