Important Considerations and FAQs

Please remember that off-campus neighbors may not have the same expectations and schedules as Bowdoin students. Many neighbors have chosen Brunswick because of the combination of amenities and quiet and peaceful neighborhoods. When there are loud parties and crowds of people walking the streets late at night, neighbors are likely to become frustrated. When the parties and the crowds happen repeatedly and students are unable to resolve neighbor concerns themselves, neighbors are likely to call the Brunswick Police Department.

In order to develop positive relationships with neighbors, students should consider the following tips:

• Introduce yourselves to your neighbors and exchange contact information. Learn about them and share information about yourselves. Good communication early on can help avoid problematic situations later.
• Keep noise and disruption to a minimum. This includes all visits from potential guests.
• Avoid walking across your neighbors’ lawns and in their backyards.
• Be responsible for the upkeep of your home and lawn, including trash and snow removal. Make sure your property is maintained in a similar manner to the houses around you.
• Park your cars only in approved, legal spaces.

Pursuant to the Bowdoin College Code of Community Standards, students are responsible for their behavior on and off campus. The College’s strong relationship with the town and its neighbors is vitally important. When off-campus activities cause a disruption to neighbors and this is brought to the attention of the Office of the Dean of Students, the College will hold students accountable. In some situations it is possible that students would have to answer to violations of Brunswick town ordinances, Maine state law, and Bowdoin policy.

A student who chooses to live off campus gives up the benefit of having Bowdoin Safety and Security and other campus officials, respond to their residence. This applies in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

In the case of a fire, medical, or other emergency, students living off campus should call 9-1-1. This applies to off-campus students that require a wellness check for an alcohol- or drug-related situation. Bowdoin Safety and Security is not authorized to respond to off-campus locations unless requested to do so by the Brunswick Police Department and, in such situations, responds only for informational purposes.

In non-emergency situations, including for non-emergency illness or injury, students living off campus are responsible for their own transportation to available medical care. During the hours of 2:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., students living off campus who need transportation for such situations may use Brunswick Taxi or other taxi services. Between 6:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m., all students may use the shuttle within a one-mile radius of campus center. For more information on the shuttle and its scheduled stops, click here.

Rising juniors and seniors are considered eligible to enter the off-campus housing lottery. These interested students should enter this lottery in blocks ranging from 1-8. The Office of Residential Life, in conjunction with the Dean of Students Office, will review entrants and reserve the right to remove any student from the off-campus housing lottery if it is determined that living off campus is not the best option for the student or the local community. 

If more than (the 150 cap) of students enter the lottery, each group will be assigned a random number and the 150 slots will be allotted to the groups with the best lottery numbers. Approval to live off campus is not guaranteed and therefore students should refrain from signing leases until after the Off-Campus Housing Lottery concludes and only if they receive written approval to live off campus from the Office of Residential Life. Students and groups not approved to live off campus through this process will automatically be placed on a waitlist and notified if space becomes available.

For the upcoming year, the total number of students that will be approved to live off campus is 150.

Students should plan to enter the Off-Campus Housing Lottery with the group (up to eight students total) that plans to live off campus together. Similar to the on-campus lottery, seniors will be given priority.  If more than 150 students enter the lottery each group will be assigned a random number and approval will be given to the 150 students with the best lottery numbers. Students or groups not approved to live off campus through this process will automatically be placed on a waitlist and notified if space becomes available.

Students may only enter the Off-Campus Housing Lottery with groups of 1-8. Students wishing to live with more than eight students total should create more than one application in the lottery. 

No. Every year’s lottery is independent of each other and does not take into account students’ living arrangements the previous year.

Absolutely. Just be sure to proactively sign up for the meal plan that will work best for you.

Depending on the location of your off-campus residence you may still be within range.  If not, you’ll need to make arrangements with a local provider.

No. You are on your own for cleaning, bringing your garbage and recycling to the curb, and likely snow shoveling.

No. Only students living on campus are eligible for winter break, spring break or interim housing on campus. Be sure your lease extends to the date you need to remain on campus (i.e., Commencement, Reunion, your summer job start date, etc.).

No. The Office of Residential Life will not be able to help resolve off-campus roommate issues.

The shuttle operates within an approximate one-mile radius of the campus center, an area that includes downtown Brunswick and many off-campus student apartments/houses. If your off-campus housing falls within this one-mile radius, the Bowdoin Shuttle is available for your use. The Bowdoin Shuttle provides service seven days a week when the College is in session. For more information on the shuttle and the scheduled stops, click here.

Yes, for most locations you will have 7:00 a.m.–1:00 a.m. access to the exterior doors of residence halls when classes are in session.

Every situation is different. Contact the Office of Student Aid about your goal to live off-campus and any potential impact to your financial.

Yes, but you will need to plan ahead and include both names on the Off-Campus Housing Lottery application. Once approved, both students should complete Step 2 and sign Off-Campus Housing Contracts indicating which semester they will be living off campus and submit them to the Office of Residential Life before the contract deadline. Be aware that your landlord or property management company will likely need to approve an arrangement to split a lease. 

No, you should not sign a two-year lease as there is no guarantee you will be approved to live off campus for a second year.  If you are not approved to live off campus but have already signed a lease, you will be financially responsible for both your on and off campus residences.

Buying renter’s insurance is a personal choice but is highly recommended. Read more about options and what would be right for you here: https://www.naic.org/documents/consumer_alert_renters.htm