Guide to Campus Living

In the event of an emergency (facilities, safety, medical, etc.), residents should contact Public Safety at 212-678-3333 or go to the Public Safety desks in Whittier and New Residence Hall. Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. If an issue needs to be addressed when our office is closed, residents can contact Public Safety to be connected to a Community Assistant.

All building entrances are monitored by cameras and require a valid TC ID card for entry. Residents will use their TC ID cards to fob into all buildings and at security desks. Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in Whittier and New Residence Halls to assist with access or security concerns. 

Additional Keys

Residents with approved affiliates may request an extra key through the Office of Residential Services.

Duplicating any key is not permitted to maintain secure buildings for our residents. Additional locking devices may not be installed on any bedroom, suite, or apartment door. 

Lost Keys

If any key is lost, residents should submit a lock change request in the Manage My Housing section of the Housing Menu in myTC. The loss of a key will require the locking core to be replaced and new key(s) issued to the resident; residents will be charged a replacement fee of $150 per apartment/bedroom lock, $175 per suite lock, and $20 per mailbox lock.

 Lockouts

If you are locked out of your unit, you can obtain a loaner key from Public Safety either at the Whittier desk (only Whittier residents) or the New Residence Hall desk (Bancroft, New Residence Hall, Grant, and Sarasota). Loaner keys will only be given to residents of the unit or their registered affiliates.  

If a staff member must open a unit for a resident or on behalf of a resident, a $50 charge will be applied to the resident’s student account.

We encourage all residents to be familiar with the procedures outlined by Public Safety in the event of an emergency or evacuation. 

Meeting Areas

There are no surprise fire alarms. All testing and fire drills will be announced and communicated to you in advance. 

If you become aware of a fire alarm, you must evacuate the building using the safest and most accessible exit (NEVER USE ELEVATORS)—close doors on your way out. Follow the directions of emergency personnel and do not go back into the building until directed to do so. 

We have established meeting areas to go to once you’re safely outside the building.

Grant & Sarasota

• Retreat to the southwest corner of 122nd Street and Amsterdam

New Residence Hall, Bancroft, & Whittier

• Retreat to the northwest corner of 121st Street and Amsterdam

Using Fire Escapes

Use the fire escapes only if fire conditions prevent exiting via the front door of the building. Once on the fire escape, go down to the last landing, where a ladder drops down to the sidewalk or courtyard pavement. To release the ladder, pull up on the rungs to release the U hook; step back and be careful during the release operation, as the ladder is very heavy.

• Residents are expected to abide by all fire safety rules, policies and regulations. Visit FDNY’s Fire & Life Safety Resource Center for safety tips and information.

On or before October 1 of each year, Teachers College publishes the Teachers College Annual Campus Security & Fire Safety Report.

The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that residents are abiding by our safety policies and procedures as well as to make sure that their unit meets both College and city requirements. All units will be inspected for health and safety violations at least once per contract period. All residents are notified of an upcoming inspection by ORS staff.

The College prohibits smoking of any kind, the use of smokeless tobacco products, the use of e-cigarettes, and the use of vaping devices of any kind in all College buildings and common areas, including private offices, lounges, rooftops, residence halls, including rooms and apartments, and the Russell Courtyard. Smoking is also prohibited within fifty (50) feet of all building entrances.

Smoking, vaping, smokeless tobacco use, and e-cigarette use where prohibited is a violation of both Teachers College policy and, in most cases, New York City and State law. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action within TC as well as legal penalties.

Teachers College requires most students to have comprehensive health insurance as part of enrollment in the College. 

Columbia Health has more than 150 individuals, including medical providers, therapists, psychiatrists, disability specialists, health promotion specialists, nutritionists, peer counselors, support staff, and administrative professionals.

New Residence Hall:

Each unit has central air conditioning and a wall-mounted thermostat to adjust the temperature. New York City law requires that heat (if temperature dictates) be provided to residents through May 31, which means that air-conditioning may not be available until June 1 as heat and air conditioning cannot operate simultaneously. 

Bancroft Hall: 

Each apartment is equipped with one air-conditioning unit. Residents interested in additional units may provide their own or purchase one from an ORS-approved vendor. An approved vendor must do installations and removal. AC units must be the standard window units supported by required brackets or portable AC units.

Grant, Sarasota, and Whittier Halls:

The College does not provide air-conditioners, and if residents choose to purchase their own, they must have it installed by a College approved vendor if it is a window unit.

Approved Vendors:

Clinton Hardware: 212-222-8245 | Contact if you need to have a personal AC unit installed or removed
Supercoolnyc: 929-400-7665 | Contact if you need to have a personal AC unit installed or removed
Ace Hardware: 718-726-7120 | Contact if you need to have a personal AC unit installed or removed

Residents are responsible for cleaning their living areas and removing trash. Residents should not leave trash in hallways or common areas. 

Trash chutes are available on each floor of New Residence Hall, Bancroft Hall, and Whittier Hall. Items such as glass, boxes, hazardous materials, and other large objects should never be thrown down in trash chutes and must be brought to the trash room in the basement. Sarasota and Grant residents should take all trash and recycling directly to the basement in the designated trash area. 

Common Areas

Custodial staff from the Office of Facilities clean common areas (community kitchens and bathrooms, community lounge spaces, and hallways) daily. In the community kitchens, the daily cleaning includes the sink, counters, and the exterior of college-owned appliances. Staff members also sweep, mop, and vacuum the floors in common kitchens and hallways. Residents are responsible for cleaning their units. If items are left in the kitchen sink or the kitchen counters, staff will not clean these areas.

Personal items left in common areas or community spaces will be considered trash and disposed of accordingly.

Whittier Suites

Suite occupants are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the suite's hallways and kitchens, including disposing of their trash and recyclables.  Bathroom(s) will be cleaned by custodial staff weekly.  

Interim cleaning of the bathroom(s) is the responsibility of the suite occupants.  For custodial staff to thoroughly clean the shared bathroom(s), personal items should be removed before the scheduled cleaning. If items are left out on the counters in the kitchen or bathroom, these areas will not be cleaned by staff during your weekly cleaning time. 

To request extermination for your room or apartment, residents should submit requests online via the Work Request Form in myTC's TC Services tab. Pest control personnel are present on campus during most business days.

New Residence Hall:

Each unit has central air heat and wall-mounted thermostats. New York City law requires that heat (if temperature dictates) be provided to residents through May 31, which means that air-conditioning may not be available until June 1 as heat and air conditioning cannot operate simultaneously.

Bancroft, Grant, Sarasota, and Whittier Halls:

Heating is done through radiators located in each unit and is activated as determined by New York City temperature regulation standards. Radiator covers are provided for all buildings except Whittier Hall.

Recycling is available in the basements of all buildings. New York City has many programs and educational opportunities to learn about Zero Waste and recycling.

There are also places where residents can donate or give items they no longer need so others can use them. DonateNYC is another helpful resource to help reduce waste.

Furniture

New Residence Hall:

Each room or apartment is furnished with a twin XL or full XL bed (units w/kitchens), lamp, desk, desk chair, bookcase, desk hutch, two dressers, microwave, refrigerator, and built-in closet or wardrobe. Large efficiency units with kitchenettes also have stoves, ovens, a dining table, chairs, and a sofa. 

Furniture should never be removed from units or the associated common areas.

Grant and Sarasota:

Each apartment is furnished with a full XL size bed, desk, desk chair, easy chair, sofa/loveseat, lamp, four dressers, and closet. Each apartment has its own kitchen and bathroom facilities. Each unit contains a kitchen furnished with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave, bathroom facilities, and a common area furnished with a small dining table and chairs. 

Furniture should never be removed from units or the associated common areas.

Bancroft:

All apartments come fully furnished and must remain that way. Each apartment has a bed, two dressers, a desk, a desk chair, a sofa/loveseat & chair set, a dining table, dining chairs, a refrigerator, and a stove.

For residents in 2 or 3-bedroom apartments, one bedroom will have a full XL size bed, and the other bedrooms will have a twin XL size bed.  For shares:  Those in the A bedroom are supplied a full XL size bed, and those in B or C bedrooms are provided a twin XL size bed.  All one-bedroom apartments have a full XL-size bed. 

Each apartment has its own kitchen and bathroom facilities. Each kitchen is furnished with a stove, refrigerator, and microwave.

Furniture should never be removed from units or the associated common areas.

Whittier:

Each unit has a bed, two dressers, a desk, a desk chair, a lamp, and a wardrobe/closet.  Single and suites have twin XL size mattresses while studios, one bedroom, and two bedroom apartments have full XL size mattresses.

All single rooms are equipped with a micro-fridge (combination microwave oven and refrigerator), and residents of the single rooms have access to shared kitchen and bathroom facilities on each floor. 

Two-bedroom shared apartments have their own kitchen and bathroom facilities. 

Each suite contains a kitchen furnished with a stove, refrigerator, microwave, bathroom facilities, and a common area equipped with a small dining table and chairs. Stoves, refrigerators, and microwaves in the suite are for the use of all-suite members, and each suite member should take responsibility for keeping these areas clean and neat. The Resident's private belongings must not be stored in the suite common areas. 

One-bedroom, two-bedroom shared, and studio apartments have their own kitchen and bathroom facilities.

Furniture should never be removed from units or the associated common areas.

Radiator Covers

Radiators are present in Bancroft, Grant, Sarasota, and Whittier Halls. 

Radiator covers are provided in Bancroft, Grant, and Sarasota but not in Whittier. They can be purchased at most local hardware stores. 

Window Screens

Window screens are not provided in residential units. If interested, students may buy window screens at a local hardware store.  Window screens are highly recommended for residents who have pets.

A unit may be entered to ensure the maintenance and upkeep of our facilities. When possible, residents will be sent email notifications when we expect the work to be done in their unit. A notice will be left if the unit is entered in an emergency.

Residents should submit requests online for routine maintenance via the Work Request Form. The system will generate a work order number for each request that can be used to track the status of a request. 

Residents who experience a significant delay in completing the work or have other concerns should email housing@tc.columbia.edu so that our staff may follow up on the original request.

Affiliates are in family housing and consist of spouses, domestic partners, and children approved to live with you. 

Affiliates are added and approved during the application process. If you need to add or edit your affiliates, you can do so in the Housing Menu in myTC under Manage My Housing. Any affiliates living with you must have appropriate documentation and be approved per our policies.

The electronic UCF is used by the Office of Residential Services to compare the condition of your unit at the time of move-in with the condition of your at the time of move-out. Upon obtaining your UCF online, you should inspect your unit and note any discrepancies within 48 hours of your move-in. The original UCF will be updated to reflect any changes. If the condition of the unit and its furnishings does not match the condition noted on the UCF at move-in, the damages may be charged to your student account upon move-out.

Semester housing charges are due as dictated by the Bursar Office. Residents who are unable to pay their semester housing fees by the due date in the assignment letter should speak to a representative from the Bursar Office regarding the deferred payment plan. Note: the deferred payment plan is not offered in the summer.

Various forms of payment are accepted for tuition and fees and may be used individually or in combination. Teachers College accepts checks, money orders, and cash. For a complete explanation of payment methods, please visit Bursar Office at:

Student Account Payment Methods

Electricity Charges

New Residence Hall, Whittier Hall, and Bancroft Hall:

Students residing in these facilities are not responsible for electricity charges; electricity is built into the housing fee.

Sarasota and Grant family units:

Residents in Grant and Sarasota are responsible for paying for the electricity used in their units.  Upon moving in, students should contact Con Edison to set up an account via phone at 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).  You may visit Con Edison's website at www.coned.com to view your bill and make a payment. Before moving out, students must close their Con Edison account. Students may do this on ConEd's Website by clicking on my account and following the instructions. It will prompt you to enter the date you wish the account to be closed. You MUST enter the vacate date unless you have been granted an extension. If you have been given an extension, please indicate that date. Failure to close your account will be documented as “improper check out” and result in a fine. If you need assistance or further clarification on this process, please contact the Office of Residential Services at 212-678-3235.

Applying for Housing

• In order to apply for student housing you must be admitted to a Teachers College degree program
• You can submit an application before you accept your admissions offer or pay your tuition deposit

Living in Housing

There are three eligibility checks that happen before housing offers are sent: academic, holds, and length of residency.

Academic

• In order to be eligible to live in student housing, resident must be fully admitted to a Teachers College degree program
• Resident must be enrolled and registered for a minimum of 1 credit or full-time equivalent each fall and spring semester
  • Class registration is checked after the add/drop deadline each semester

Holds

• Full-time employees of Teachers College are not eligible for on-campus housing
• Housing holds or any holds that block course registration will prevent a housing offer

Length of Residency

• A Resident may remain in housing for a maximum of 6 years (72 months) during their entire enrollment at Teachers College
• Length of Residency may not be appealed to the Special Cases Committee when the Resident has not met the credit eligibility requirements

Renewing Housing Contract

Contract renewal happens each year in the spring and extends housing contracts for 1 year. At that time we check resident eligibility above in addition to the following:

Academic

• To renew a contract for an additional 12 months, residents must be enrolled in at least 12 credits or equivalent during the term of their contract (6 billable credits if contract starts in the spring). 

Additional Keys

To maintain secure buildings for our residents, the duplication of any key is not permitted. In addition, additional locking devices may not be installed on any bedroom, suite or apartment door. Residents in family housing designated units in Bancroft, Grant, or Sarasota may request an additional key (3rd key) through the Office of Residential Services.

Mailbox Keys

All residents are issued one mailbox key per unit. Note: The apartment key for 517 West 121st will also grant access to the student mailbox.

Lost Keys

If any key is lost, residents should submit the Lost Key Form under the housing tab on the MyTC portal. The loss of a key will require the locking core to be replaced and new key(s) to be issued to the resident; residents will be charged a replacement fee of $150 per apartment/bedroom lock, $175 per suite lock, and $20 per mailbox lock.

Broken Keys

Residents will be charged $20 for replacement of a bent or broken key provided that the damaged key is presented at the time of the request.

Lockouts

You may obtain a loaner room/suite key by showing your TC identification at the security desk that serves your area. A loaner key will only be checked out to the resident of that unit or a registered affiliate. Loaner keys should be returned to the front desk within thirty minutes. If the loaner key is lost or is not returned in the allotted time frame, the replacement of the unit’s locking core will be necessary. In this circumstance, the resident will be charged the appropriate replacement fee as outlined in the section above. If a staff member has to open a unit for a resident or a guest of a resident, a $50 charge will be applied to the resident’s student account. A loaner key may not be checked out to guests.

All residents are encouraged to obtain renter’s insurance to protect against loss of personal property from situations such as theft, water, or fire damage. Renters insurance is available from many insurance companies and can provide you with coverage for property loss and personal liability. 

The College is not liable for any damage to belongings in your apartment, regardless of the cause. Each tenant is responsible for protecting their property through insurance coverage.

Three of the many companies offering student renters insurance are GradGuard, National Student Services, and CSI Insurance Agency. These agencies are not affiliated with Teachers College. We encourage you to explore your options to make the most informed decision.

The Special Cases Committee decides on all appeals to our housing contract, primarily related to eligibility, termination, and billing. The Committee is made up of individuals from the Registrar, Financial Aid, International Student Services, OASID, as well as Diversity and Community Affairs. Appeals should be submitted via email to Tony Fangel at fangel@tc.columbia.edu and can include any relevant documentation, such as a doctor's note, proof of financial situation, etc. 

Once received, the appeal is sent to the Committee for deliberation and decision. Requests typically receive a response within 1-2 weeks and may be approved, denied, or approved with specific requirements. 

To vacate your unit, a Vacate Notification Form (VNF) must be submitted by the appropriate deadline. Vacating residents have two checkout options: appointment checkout and express checkout (as described below). Vacating residents will receive an e-mail approximately two weeks prior to the scheduled move-out date.

Express Checkout

Express checkout will be available approximately one to two weeks prior to the scheduled move-out period, and express envelopes are located next to the Office of Residential Services. This option affords you the opportunity to check out at a time that is convenient for you. Once you vacate your unit, simply complete the top portion of the envelope, place your keys inside and drop them off in the express checkout box outside the Office of Residential Services, Whittier Hall Suite 1b. 

Once you officially vacate the unit, your CA will take the Unit Condition Form (UCF) to your unit to inspect it for damages, etc. assessing it accordingly. Please note that should you choose the express option; you waive the right to appeal any charges that may be applied to your account due to your failure to properly vacate your unit.

Appointment Checkout

This option affords residents the opportunity to be present in the unit while a member of the Office of Residential Services performs the checkout process. This option is only available between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., and is also based upon the availability of the staff. Should you decide to do an appointment checkout, please be advised that you must schedule an appointment.  During your scheduled time, your unit will be inspected, and your CA will collect your keys. Please note that all of your items should be completely removed from the unit before the CA arrives at your unit.

The condition of your unit will be assessed and compared to the condition at check-in. Discrepancies may result in damage billing. Please note that if you fail to keep your scheduled appointment or are late, you will be assessed an improper checkout fee of $50.00.

Guidelines for Vacating Your Unit

All keys to the unit must be returned via one of the checkout methods listed above. All Teachers College furnishings, including the telephone, must be in the room/apartment as indicated on the RCF. Residents will be charged if their unit is not left in the appropriate condition. To avoid any additional charges, please feel free to utilize the tasks listed below as a guide.

• Apartment must be left clean, neat, and orderly
• Remove all personal belongings from the unit at time of checkout
• Please submit work orders for any maintenance issues a few weeks before move-out (clogged drain/leak/drawer that’s stuck/etc.). This is very helpful to us in preparing our units for the next resident. You can do this at: www.tc.edu/housing by clicking on “maintenance request”.
• All floors must be swept clean
• Refrigerator must be defrosted, cleaned, and left on lowest setting (does not apply to frost-free refrigerators)
• Furniture must be returned to its original location
• All tape, hooks, and adhesives must be removed
• The stove, including the oven, must be cleaned
• Cabinets and closets must be cleared and wiped clean
• Kitchen sink must be left clean
• Bathroom facilities must be scoured and left clean
• All trash and garbage must be removed to the dumpster areas
• Turn off all lights and lock all doors and windows
• Whittier suite residents should make a conscious effort to clean out common areas and kitchens

The Community Assistant (CA) is a graduate student part-time position with the Office of Residential Services. The role is responsible for programming, community development, crisis intervention, and fostering a supportive and productive living environment that supports the mission and goals of our office and Teachers College, Columbia University.

Teachers College has established email as the official means of communication with students.  Students are required to activate and use the email address provided by the College. Teachers College email is where students receive official communications; students are expected to read email frequently and consistently. A student’s failure to read College communications in a timely manner does not absolve that student from knowing and complying with the content of such communications.

The purpose of the Office of Residential Services’ Judicial Process is to provide students with an opportunity to accept responsibility for their behavior and actions and to understand its impact on the residential community.

Each resident is responsible for reading their Housing Contract and the Guide to Campus Living to ensure they are fully aware of the expectations associated with residing in our residence halls and the policies and guidelines established by the College and the Office of Residential Services. Residents are responsible for the actions of their affiliates and guests.

The Judicial Conference

An Office of Residential Services staff member will receive an Incident Report and contact the resident to meet. The purpose of this meeting is to verify the details of the situation from the Incident Report, explain the disciplinary process to the resident, and discuss the resident’s conduct and its impact on themself and the residential community. Sanctions, including fines, may be assessed.

The Appeals Process

Residents have the right to appeal a decision rendered in a judicial conference. All appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Executive Director of Campus Services within 48 hours of the judicial conference. The Executive Director has five business days from receiving the formal appeal to render a decision, which will be communicated to the student in a letter sent via TC email.

Removal from Teachers College Housing

Depending on the nature of an incident, the Executive Director of Campus Services may deem it necessary to take the appropriate action to remove a resident from housing.

Violations that may cause removal from housing may include but are not limited to:

• Continued disruption of day-to-day activities of residents: disturbances to normal sleep and study habits, or other disregard of residents’ rights
• Behavior which presents a continuing health problem to the residential community
• Criminal or civil offenses which may pose a threat to residents (i.e., drug or alcohol possession, theft, assault, vandalism)
• Repeated or flagrant violation of published College rules and regulations as stated in the Guide to Campus Living, TC Student Handbook, or the resident’s Housing Contract

There will be occasions where residents may hear noise from their neighbors that may or may not occur during quiet hours.  If the noise becomes an issue, we encourage residents to reach out to their neighbors first to communicate the issue and work together to best resolve the noise concern.  After discussing the noise issue with their neighbor, and the noise concern is not resolved, residents are encouraged to reach out to their Community Assistant (CA) to assist in bringing residents together for mediation to discuss the concern.  

If noise is occurring at the moment, residents also have the option to call Public Safety at 212-678-3333. Public Safety will address the concern with Residential Services staff.  Residential Services staff will follow up with residents after the issue has been addressed.

The Office of Residential Services staff organize and plan events for the TC residential community to help bring people together and build community. Our events focus on personal wellness, cultural enrichment & social justice issues, academic & professional support, community engagement, and social networking.

Get to know your Neighbors/Suitemates:  Introduce yourself to your neighbors/suitemates when you move in as it is a great time to let them know the best way to reach you in the future if they ever need to get ahold of you.

Know Community Expectations:  Become familiar with the Housing Contract and The Guide to Campus Living, as these are the rules, policies, and procedures for all TC residential students.

Clean Up After Yourself:  Whether in a shared unit or using a shared public space, please clean up after yourself and your guests so that shared spaces are usable for all residents.

Be A Responsible Animal Owner:  Always clean up after animals promptly and dispose of waste properly.

Plan for breaks and make sure you are making arrangements for your animal based on TC rules and regulations.

Report Community Concerns: Residents should contact Public Safety at 212-678-3333 or go to the Public Safety desks in Whittier and New Residence Hall. Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Residents are also encouraged to contact their Community Assistant.

Parking

Residents who have cars may park in a garage or on the street. Teachers College and Columbia University do not have designated parking areas, and street parking is limited. The nearest public parking garage is on 122nd Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue. For more information about having a car in New York, visit the Department of Motor Vehicles website.

Bicycles

Bicycles must be stored in your unit or a designated bike storage area. Bike racks are located behind Whittier Hall and Grant Hall and in the Bancroft basement. Bicycles may not be left in any common residential space, including hallways, stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, roofs, suites, and balconies, or placed in front of or near access ramps and railings. There are multiple rental bicycle stations nearby.

Cable TV and Internet

Residents are provided cable television service through Teachers College. There is no additional charge as it is built into the housing charge. To take advantage of services, residents must have a cable-ready television. The cable channel line-up is subject to change and can be found at Cable TV Channel Line-Up.

For service concerns, please contact Privatel at service@privatelinc.com or call 732-974-1502.

Internet Access

Internet service is provided in the residence halls by Privatel. First, connect to Onboard-TC-Housing, and you will be prompted to log in; you'll use the same credentials (UNI and password) that you use when accessing MyTC. You'll then be asked to create a password for your network. Once the password is saved, disconnect from Onboard-TC-Housing and connect to TC-Housing-Secure with the password you created. Your device will be registered to your private network segment, and future devices will be able to skip the Onboard-TC-Housing step and connect directly to TC-Housing-Secure using your network password. 

Please see this document for more details, or contact Privatel at service@privatelinc.com or (732) 974-1502 if you have trouble connecting.

Two fitness rooms are available to residents in the basement of Bancroft Hall and the Whittier Lobby area (behind the security desk).  Residents will need their ID cards to access the fitness rooms.  Residents are expected to abide by the posted fitness room expectations. 

Residents must be 16 years old or older to enter and utilize the fitness room. Fitness Rooms are open 24/7, except during cleaning times which are posted outside each room.

An ice machine is located in the North Tower of New Residence Hall near room 105.

All units either have a kitchen or have access to a shared kitchen. Whittier shared kitchens are located on floors 2 - 8. 

In New Residence Hall, shared kitchens are located on floors 2-7, 9, 11, 13, 15, and 17 in the north tower and on floors 3, 5, 7, 10, and 11 in the south tower. All shared kitchens are open to any resident from any building.

Washing machines and dryers are in the basement of every residence hall. You can use quarters, a credit/debit card, or the CSC ServiceWorks App to pay for laundry. Laundry carts are available and should be kept in the laundry room.

Please be courteous to other residents by immediately removing clothing from the washers and dryers. The College is not responsible for any items left in the laundry rooms.

Problems with these machines and any issue regarding the loss of funds and refunds should be reported to CSC Service Works at 1-800-762-3452 or the CSC ServiceWorks App.

MAILING PACKAGES

Packages should be received at the Residential Mailroom located on the first floor of Whittier Hall. While certain carriers may leave packages unattended in building lobbies, it is not advisable to do so, as packages are not monitored in those areas. To ensure secure delivery, it is recommended that residents mail packages directly to our mailroom using the address provided below:

Your Name
1230 Amsterdam Ave
Attn: Building Code & Room Number
New York, NY 10027

Building Codes

SA - Sarasota
GR- Grant
BN - Bancroft
NR - New Res

Example

First Last
1230 Amsterdam Ave
Attn: BN 1234
New York, NY 10027

• A package notification email informing the resident of the package delivery is sent to the resident’s TC email.
• Due to the limited storage space available in the mailroom, residents will have eight (8) days to pick up packages. They will receive a daily reminder notice until their package is picked up. 
• Any packages not picked up within eight (8) business days will automatically be returned to the sender.
• Residents must bring a picture ID when picking up packages.
• The hours of operation for the mailroom are noted on the mailroom door and in the package notification email.
• Residents and affiliates are able to pick up and hold all packages for the unit.

While the Residential Mailroom does its best to expedite mail delivery and processing of packages, the College is not responsible for delays in package notifications or mail delivery.

MAILING ADDRESS FOR PAPER MAIL

Mailboxes are located on the first floor of each residential building. All residents are issued one mailbox key per unit except in New Residence Hall where the apartment key will open the mailbox.

Residents should use the following address for all paper mail and as their physical address.

New Residence Hall:

517 West 121st Street
Apt # 
New York, NY 10027

Bancroft Hall:

509 West 121st Street
Apt. #
New York, NY 10027

Grant Hall:

514 West 122nd Street 
Apt. #
New York, NY 10027

Sarasota Hall:

512 West 122nd Street
Apt #
New York, NY 10027

Whittier Hall:

1230 Amsterdam Ave. 
Apt. #
New York, NY 10027

RETURNING MISDELIVERED MAIL

Any mail delivered to the wrong mailbox in Whittier and New Residence Hall should be returned to the Residential Mailroom in Whittier Hall for redistribution. Likewise, any mail delivered to the wrong mailbox in Grant, Sarasota, and Bancroft must be returned to the United States Postal Service, as they handle all mail delivered to these buildings.

PACKAGE DELIVERY ALTERNATIVES

Some free services are available to help you manage your package delivery (including holding your packages), such as FedEx Delivery Manager® and UPS My Choice®. Another alternative is to send your package to a secure Amazon Locker, which allows you to retrieve it at your convenience. 

MOVING INTO TC HOUSING

Review the email with move-in information to ensure mail and packages are delivered correctly. The email includes crucial instructions and timelines to follow before your arrival. Not following these guidelines can result in mail and packages being returned to the sender. 

MOVING OUT OF TC HOUSING

It's a good idea to arrange mail forwarding with the United States Post Office at least two weeks before you move out. This will help to ensure that your mail is delivered to your new address and you won't miss any important documents or packages.

Residents should update information with government agencies, such as those handling their benefits, driver's license, and visas, as well as companies like banks, insurance providers, and online stores.

Whittier and New Residence Hall residents can add a mail forwarding address through the Housing Portal, but only the first-class mail will be forwarded for up to two weeks after moving out. Residents should change their address as soon as possible to avoid any issues.

Common spaces are available to residents and their guests twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; however, there are spaces that Teachers College residents and affiliates may reserve for private meetings, study groups, social gatherings, etc.

Instructions:

• Room reservation requests must be submitted at least two business days before an event. Residents may complete a form on the Office of Residential Services website.
• Space is available for occupants of Teachers College campus housing and their guests ONLY. Reserving resident must be present during the entire time of the event.
• Time frame: Sunday through Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
• The resident or affiliate requesting a particular space must remain onsite for the event.
• Residents are not permitted to play musical instruments in any common area space.
• Community Assistants and Public Safety will shut down an event if needed, for example, if there are noise-related complaints.
• Common areas should be kept clean and left in their original condition before the start of the event. At no time should furniture be added or removed for use elsewhere.
• Individuals under 18 may not be unaccompanied in any common space in New Residence Hall or Whittier Hall.

The Office of Residential Services reserves the right to cancel a reservation or terminate an event.