How does Wesleyan bill for tuition and other student charges? How do I pay the bill?

What is the WesCard? How is it used?

Is there a suggested allowance I should provide for my student?

What if our bank does not have a branch in the Middletown area?

Is there campus telephone service?

Are students able to access cable television?

Should we purchase a computer on our own, or through the ITS store?

What dining options are available for students?

Are students allowed to have cars on campus?

My student is traveling by plane/train. How can he/she get there?

What should my student pack? Should we purchase most of our items in Middletown or bring them ourselves?

What is provided for students within their campus residences?

How important is it that my student have a refrigerator and/or microwave in his room?

What is NOT allowed in residential spaces?

Are students better off purchasing books online or from the campus bookstore?

Is there student storage available?

I want to ship my student a package, but the delivery company won't allow P.O. Box addresses. What should I do?

What precautions does the University take to ensure that my student is safe?

What health and behavioral health resources are available for my student? How about off-campus resources?

Should I insure my student's personal property against theft?

How does Wesleyan bill for tuition and other student charges? How do I pay the bill?

Wesleyan utilizes an electronic billing system. For complete information on the billing and payment process, go to: www.wesleyan.edu/finance/financeDept/student/ebillintro.html.

What is the WesCard? How is it used?

The WesCard is the main form of identification on campus, and is also used for checking out library materials, purchasing meals, and many other functions. Click here for a complete list of WesCard uses, and to deposit funds on your student's WesCard account.

Is there a suggested allowance I should provide for my student?

How much, if any, money you provide is very much dependent on your student's spending patterns. On the average weekend, most students are on-campus, and attending on-campus events, which cost little to no money. There are many job opportunities on campus and in the surrounding area. Also keep in mind that you can put money into the Middletown Cash fund of the WesCard. To see how you can do this, go to the WesCard site.

What if our bank does not have a branch in the Middletown area?

On Arrival Day, many banks will be on campus. Just drop by the Student Resources Pavilion in the Usdan University and open a new bank account. Some students prefer Bank of America, as it has an ATM in the Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life and a branch on Main Street, but other banks such as Liberty Bank, Wachovia Bank, Citizens Bank, the Middlesex Credit Union, and Webster Bank (all of which have nearby branches with ATMS) are also good options.

Is there campus telephone service?

Yes. Land-line telephones are available to all students. Please see the Information Technology website at www.wesleyan.edu/its/westel/stuhou.html for more information. Many students use their cellular phones exclusively, while others use some combination of land-lines and cellular service.

Are students able to access cable television?

Yes. To read more, visit the Information Technology website at www.wesleyan.edu/its/resnet/cabletv.html.

Should we purchase a computer on our own, or through the ITS Computer Store?

It’s up to you, though you may want to consider that Computer Store Service Center technicians are authorized to perform warranty repairs on the brands sold. They will service any computer, regardless of where it was purchased.

For more information on computers and other technology questions, go to www.wesleyan.edu/parents/resources/technology.html.

What dining options are available for students?

Visit Campus Dining  for complete details on the exciting array of food service options. All first-year students can select the 8 meal plan, 5 meal plan or the 8 meal plan plus. Click here for details on each of these plans.

Are students allowed to have cars on campus?

Yes. Any student may have a car on campus, provided that it is registered with the Office of Public Safety. Permits are $50 per year. All first-year students must park in the Vine Street parking lot, and all other students must park in designated student lots/areas. However, it is by no means necessary to have a car on campus; many students do not have cars. Main Street in Middletown is within easy walking distance of the campus.

My student is traveling by plane/train. How can he/she get there?

If you plan on flying, Bradley International Airport, in Windsor Locks, CT, is the closest airport to campus. It is serviced by most major airlines. For a complete list of airlines, or to get directions, visit their website at www.bradleyairport.com. Cab fare between Bradley and Wesleyan is usually around $75, but before and after most breaks, the campus offers a shuttle service for $25 (provided you register in advance). If traveling by train, Amtrak’s closest station is in Meriden, CT, and MetroNorth’s closest station is in New Haven.

What should my student pack? Should we purchase most of our items in Middletown or bring them ourselves?

This will depend on how far away you live, and how much your student is willing/able to physically transport. There are a number of stores very close to Middletown where you can purchase anything you were unable or unwilling to bring (or things you simply forgot). Also, see the Unofficial Packing List for things you may have otherwise forgotten, or didn't know you would need.

What is provided for students within their campus residences?

Each residence hall room has a desk, desk chair, dresser, and bed, shelf space, and a closet.  Note: no trash can is provided in individual rooms. Students should bring a trash can for their room.

How important is it that my student have a refrigerator and/or microwave in his room?

This depends largely on the eating habits of your student. Many students like the advantages of having these appliances in their rooms, as it offers many different snacking options throughout the day. If you think this may be a good idea for your student, make sure he or she confers with roommates to avoid duplications as space is limited. If one student is bringing a mini-refrigerator, it may be a good idea to have the other bring a microwave.

What is NOT allowed in residential spaces?

From the website of the Office of Residential Life: Policies and Procedures, Fire and Safety Guidelines

The following items are NOT allowed in resident rooms or common areas, including porches, because of the fire and life safety risk:

• Candles or incense

• Extension cords (only FUSED power strips are permitted)

• Tapestries hanging on walls or ceilings

• Halogen lamps

• Portable electric heaters

• Kerosene or propane lamps, or any combustible fuel or devices

• Plug adapters (3 prong to 2 prong)

• Cooking Appliances- which includes anything with a heating element, such as hot plate, electric kettle, electric frying pan or wok, toaster or toaster oven, waffle maker, electric grill, popcorn popper, rice cooker, etc. (Cooking appliances are allowed in apartment, wood frame and program house kitchens)

• Coffee makers and water kettles are only allowed if they have an automatic shutoff.

• Charcoal or Gas Grills are not allowed in any university-owned houses or residences, or on porches or balconies at ANY time (i.e. grills can not be stored on porches).

• Explosives, ammunition and incendiary devices

• Mercury thermometers- due to the potential environmental hazard and significant clean-up costs associated with a mercury spill or contamination, mercury thermometers are prohibited in any student residence.

The University will conduct unannounced room inspections throughout the academic year. Students will be assessed a $100.00 fine for each violation, and prohibited items will be confiscated and will not be returned. A receipt will be given to the student, or left in the student's room, notifying of any violations and fines. For more information about fire safety, go to: www.wesleyan.edu/firesafety.

NOTE: Open burning (bonfires, camp fires, fire pits, etc.) is prohibited by Wesleyan and City of Middletown ordinance.

Are students better off purchasing books online or from the campus bookstore?

While it is sometimes less expensive to purchase used books online, it is generally recommended that students purchase books from the campus bookstore. The bookstore carries books individually chosen by the instructor, and sometimes the edition of the book preferred by the class instructor (and thus carried by the bookstore) is not the same that a student purchases online. 

Is there summer student storage available?

Yes. Click here for more information.

I want to ship my student a package, but the delivery company won't allow P.O. Box addresses. What should I do?

Student mailbox addresses are University boxes, not PO boxes. You should address your package as follows:

<Student's Name>
Wesleyan University
45 Wyllys Avenue # <Student Box Number>
Middletown, CT 06459

When shipping packages at the beginning of the 2009 academic year, make sure that packages are scheduled for delivery no earlier than August 24, 2009.

What precautions does the University take to ensure that my student is safe?

The Office of Public Safety is on call 24/7, responding to calls and complaints, as well as patrolling the campus. To learn more about the Office of Public Safety and its role on campus, visit their website at www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety. Read the ParentLine Fall 2006 Supplement on campus safety.

What health and behavioral health resources are available for my student? How about off-campus resources?

The Davison Health Center offers a full range of medical services, and a wealth of resources and off-campus referrals for students. The Middlesex Hospital is less than five minutes away from campus. The Office of Behavioral Health is also available to students.

 Should I insure my student's personal property against theft?

From the Residential Life Web site:

The University will not assume either risk or liability for loss of, or damage to, personal property.  Since Wesleyan University cannot assume responsibility for loss of (or damage to) personal property of the residents caused by mechanical mishaps, theft, fire, wind, flood or other catastrophes, students are advised to maintain their own insurance for personal possessions. For more information, go to www.wesleyan.edu/reslife/policies/insurance.html.