Hobart and William Smith Colleges

HWS knows the importance of feeling a part of a community. Student Engagement creates engaging and unique opportunities for students, ranging from first-year only areas to upperclassmen, independent areas; each with a focus on student development and comfort. To create communities that are appealing for each student's specific needs, we have our on-campus housing divided into different neighborhoods.

Students are assigned to rooms and roommate(s) for their first year at the Colleges. Upperclass, returning students pick rooms and roommate(s) through our lottery process. More information about housing selection and placements can be found on the Housing Selection page.

Each residential neighborhood is equipped with varying amenities and creates a unique type of community for the students who reside there. Please peruse each of our residential locations using the links below.

All students are provided with the following:

• Bedframe/mattress
• Closet/Wardrobe
• Desk
• Desk Chair
• Window(s) with pull-down shades
• Chest of drawers

JPR First Year Neighborhood

Jackson Hall (All genders; First-year students only)
Potter Hall (All genders; First-year students only)
Rees Hall (All genders; First-year students only)

Mini Quad Neighborhood

Hale Hall (All genders)
Bartlett Hall (Hobart only)
Durfee Hall (Hobart only)
Geneva Hall (Hobart only)
Medbery Hall (All genders)
Sherrill Hall (All genders; First-year students only)

William Smith Hill Neighborhood

Blackwell House (William Smith only)
Comstock Hall (William Smith only)
Hirshson Hall (William Smith only; First-year only)
Miller House (William Smith only)

DEC Neighborhood

deCordova Hall (All genders)
Emerson Hall (All genders; Suite-style)
Caird Hall (All genders)

theme house program

Sophomore, junior, and senior students can select to live in one of our Theme Houses across campus. Theme Houses offer a unique living community for students with a shared identity or interest, and themes vary year-to-year and are created and selected by students.

Independent living

The Village at Odell's Pond (All genders; Apartment-style)
Senior Interest Houses (All genders)

fraternity and sorority houses

Fraternities with on-campus houses (Hobart only): Chi Phi, Delta Chi, Kappa Alpha, Kappa Sigma, Theta Delta Chi, Phi Sigma Kappa, and Sigma Chi

Sorority with on-campus house (William Smith only): Theta Phi Alpha