Housing & Meals
Housing
Consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws and Chautauqua’s commitment to inclusiveness and non-discrimination, housing is assigned based on a student’s gender identity/expression.
Chautauqua makes all reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the federal Fair Housing Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, and applicable local laws.
Chautauqua Institution provides residence hall lodging for approximately 300 full-time students and artists enrolled in the art, music, dance, and theater programs, as well as visitors of Chautauqua via our CHQ on a Budget Program during Weeks 8-9 in the Greene Family Commons. Just a short walk from the School of Art, Dance, and Music facilities, the Greene Family Commons is made up of two buildings: North and South. Dorm rooms are mainly all double occupancy, with a few triple occupancies, and students are roomed together based on program, age, and gender. Due to the capacity of the residence hall, only a few single rooms are awarded to students with serious medical needs, communicated at enrollment and followed up with a letter signed by a physician. Each room includes a bed, desk and closet for each student, and each room shares a bathroom with one other room.
Students must bring all necessary linens. (Pillows are provided for you, but you may want to bring your own.) Other items to consider include mattress pads, lamp, throw rugs and comforter.
Chautauqua employs a full-time, experienced Residence Staff of Resident Assistants (RA’s) that manage the student residential experience from move-in to check-out. Several of our RA’s are former students who love giving back to the current student experience. There is always an RA on duty 24 hours a day, available in–person or by a call or text to the RA Duty phone. Additionally, a full-time Registered Nurse resides in the Greene Family Commons for first aid and holds regular office hours.
Food Service
All students who live in the residence halls will automatically be enrolled in our full meal plan. This plan includes breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week. There is no option to opt-out of the meal plan.
The dining hall is located in the Greene Family Commons South building. Meals are served buffet-style during specified operating hours.
Please be aware that we cannot accommodate unique or individual dietary requests, however, we will try to accommodate everyone as best as we can. Dietary needs (allergies, etc.) are collected post-enrollment.
There are currently no cooking or food storage facilities in the dormitory. If you have questions on our food service or its offerings, please contact us and we’ll do our best to help you. You may bring a mini-fridge to keep in your room.
Vaccine Requirements
Immunization & Meningitis Requirements
In accordance with New York State Public Health Law 2165, CHQ requires that all incoming students born on or after January 1, 1957 must provide proof of immunity against measles, mumps, and rubella. The state also requires that all students receive information about meningococcal disease and have made an informed decision about whether or not to receive immunization against meningococcal disease.
Exceptions:
• Students born prior to 1/1/1957 are exempt from providing proof of immunization.
• Medical reasons: For a temporary or permanent medical exemption, the student must submit a signed statement from a health care provider that includes the reason, specific immunizations that apply, and an end date for the exemption.
• Religious reasons: For a religious exemption, the student must submit documentation of a sincerely held religious belief. Statements from parents/guardians will only be accepted if the student is less than 18 years of age.
Measles, Mumps, Rubella
Students must provide an official record of their measles, mumps, and rubella immunity before registering for classes. Records may be obtained from the student‘s past or current health care provider, previous school or university, public health department or government agency. The following information describes the proof of immunity required for measles, mumps, and rubella:
Measles:
• TWO doses of Measles vaccine (or two doses of combined MMR vaccine) given on or after the first birthday, and at least 28 days apart; or
• Physician documented history of the disease; or
• Serologic evidence of immunity (positive blood titers)
Mumps:
• One dose of Mumps vaccine (or combined MMR vaccine) on or after the first birthday, given after January 1, 1969, or
• Physician documented history of disease; or
• Serologic evidence of immunity (positive blood titers)
Rubella:
• One dose of Rubella vaccine (or combined MMR vaccine) on or after the first birthday, given after January 1, 1969, or
• Serologic evidence of immunity (positive blood titers). (Note: History of illness is not acceptable)
We will accept any one of the following documentation of your MMR vaccinations:
• A copy of your immunizations (including actual dates) on an official government/school letterhead — the simplest place to obtain this may be from your most recently attended high school or college; OR
• A copy of your immunizations (including actual dates) on physician’s letterhead, which includes printed name, address and telephone number; OR
• Have a blood test to confirm immunity. Please note: a copy of the lab report must be provided to Student Health Services.
Please note that the documentation must be in English and must have students name and date of birth.
Meningitis Information
Students must receive information about meningococcal disease and make an informed decision about whether to receive vaccination against meningococcal disease. This vaccine is not required, but highly suggested.