Suite Living

Cottey has three residence halls P.E.O, Reeves, and Robertson. P.E.O. Hall and Reeves Hall have 10 suites each, while Robertson Hall has 14. Suites typically have a mix of new and returning students from around the country and the world. Each hall has a live-in hall director and three resident assistants.

In each hall you’ll also find a:

• large hall parlor with reception area, sitting areas, and cable TV
• basement rec room with cable TV
• washers and dryers in the basement
• computer room with wired internet connection and free printing
• study areas
• storage bins available via sign-ups

Each hall is staffed by one hall director and three returning residents who have been selected to serve as resident assistants. You will get to know the members of your hall staff well, as they will make daily rounds visiting your suites.

Although the members of the hall staff live on a specific floor, each hall team works with all residents in their hall. Members of the hall staff will be on duty on a rotating basis. If you need assistance, please check the staff board near the R.A. Office in your hall to see which hall director or R.A. is on duty.

Cory Walker, former P.E.O. Hall R.A. and former Robertson Hall director, said it best: “The R.A.’s job is to watch out for you in ways you like and sometimes in ways you don’t like.” R.A.s can assist you if you need the answer to a question, be a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on, give advice, serve as a referral, or assist if you are simply locked out of your room. Another part of their job is to ensure that the rules and regulations are enforced. Residence hall rules and regulations are vital in that they help the hall run smoothly and also ensure that everyone has the same opportunities to sleep, study, and enjoy being a member of the Cottey community.

While we would love to be able to tell you that life in the residence halls is going to be perfect, a realistic view is better. In your suite, you will have the opportunity to live with and learn about others from many diverse backgrounds and cultures from many different locations.

In many ways, suite life mirrors family life, and you may have experienced that sometimes even families, who have lived together for years, don’t always see eye-to-eye on everything. Suite life will probably be no different, and you will possibly not always agree with or get along with others in your suite or hall. However, suite living will help you learn and practice the communication and people skills that you will use throughout life.

The residence hall staff is here to listen, assist, refer, and help you through your year. We are excited to meet you and begin the year!

Each suite has beds for 10 to 14 students and includes:

• a shared living area
• a small kitchen area
• a common bathroom
• individual double and single student bedrooms

The suite living area includes group seating (either sectionals or sofas), upholstered side chairs, a study table with chairs, lamps, a large wall mirror, wall art, and a large suite window with a window seat. Personal items, such as posters, pictures, furniture, etc., are permitted in your bedroom.

The College also provides kitchen items including a refrigerator, microwave, hot plate, ladder, shelving unit, and ironing board. It’s a good idea to check with your future suitemates as they may have already purchased other items that they’re willing to share like irons, plates, glasses, silverware, cooking items, etc.

The shared bathroom includes a bathtub (except for Hillding Suite in Robertson Hall), two showers, two toilets, large wall mirror, wooden drying rack, and a number of sinks.
Public areas of each suite, including the bathrooms, are cleaned each weekday by a member of the Cottey housekeeping staff.

You will have the following for your own use:

• Single-size closet (hanging width varies between 35 and 49 inches); each roommate has her own closet
• Desk and desk chair
• Dresser
• Twin bed (Standard Twin in P.E.O. Hall and Michigan, California-Weller, Texas, and Rubie Suites in Reeves Hall, Twin XL in Robertson Hall and Seaboard, Washington, Ohio, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Kansas Suites in Reeves Hall)
• Window shade and curtain rod (window size varies-almost all double rooms have two windows)

As a member of a suite, you’ll have some basic responsibilities:

• Keep the suite area free of personal belongings so that the housekeepers can clean your suite for you.
• Do your part to keep personal and suite dishes done in the kitchen area in the manner determined by the suite at the beginning of the year.
• Be respectful of others.
• Communicate openly and honestly with other suitemates about issues and concerns.