What are residence halls like at Wellesley?
Each res hall has its own style and personality. Stone-Davis has a stunning view of the lake, for example, while Freeman has huge closets.
New students are assigned to a res hall based on the information they provide on their housing form. After the first year, students choose their rooms during housing night.
Each room comes with a desk, chair, dresser, and bed with an extra-long twin mattress.
All res halls have laundry facilities with free washers and dryers.
Each large res hall also has one full kitchen and a kitchenette on each floor (students need to bring their own pots and pans).
A student resident assistant lives on each res hall floor. Each neighborhood of halls has a community director, who is an adult administrator, educator, and mentor who usually lives in one of the halls with their family.
Residential life at Wellesley is about being part of a community—having a fundamental sense of belonging while also living, laughing, debating, and making friends with students who have different perspectives, identities, or opinions.
Get to know The Quint
Beebe Hall
Arr, ahoy mateys! Students refer to this hall as a pirate ship due to its nautical-themed stained glass windows. Beebe was named after a Nantucket sea captain whose daughter, Alice, graduated from Wellesley in 1896.
Cazenove Hall
Caz, as it’s called, is close to Lulu and the sports center (many athletes call it home). Try to find Minerva, the Roman goddess of wisdom and justice, in the link between Pom and Caz!
Munger Hall
Munger’s central location on campus is definitely a perk. It’s close to everything—including the town of Wellesley. Munger marks the halfway point of the Boston Marathon, and each year, students gather outside the hall to cheer on the runners. The hall is also home to the Munger Mash Halloween party.
Pomeroy Hall
Pomeroy—“Pom” for short—is part of the Quint. The House Council serves up yummy snacks to sustain you during exam time and hosts movie nights throughout the year.
Shafer Hall
Shafer, like the other brick buildings in the Quint, is quite striking. If you’re lucky, you can get a turret room in one of its four small copper-roofed towers. The main entrance has stained glass windows commemorating the hall’s namesake, Helen Shafer, Wellesley College’s third president, and her love of math.
More about the Quint
“We stick together, Beebe people. It’s a very unique place with a really strong identity. … We have the best living room: comfy, while also being regal.” –Magdelaine Dickinson ’16
Just the facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 148
Rooms: Singles, doubles, triples, apartment
Closest dining hall: Lulu
Who lived in Beebe before you?
Laura Allen ’96
You may recognize Laura Allen ’96 from TV shows like Suits, American Horror Story, and The 4400 or from movies like Tulip Fever, Old Dogs, and Mona Lisa Smile (which was filmed on Wellesley’s campus).
“I love the living room and the basement! So cozy, and they feel like home.” –Paige Gee ’24
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 167
Rooms: Singles, doubles
Closest dining hall: Lulu
Who lived in Cazenove before you?
Pamela Melroy ’83
“I announced to the entire world, when I was about 11, that I was going to be an astronaut when I grew up. And, pretty much for the rest of my life, it was the second thing that people learned about me after my name.” And 22 years later, Pamela Melroy ’83 did become a NASA astronaut. She’s traveled to space three times and spent over 38 days in space.
“Munger has arguably the most beautiful living room of all of the halls, hands down. It’s light, airy, with a gorgeous view of our courtyard.” –Alix Lewis ’16
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 149
Rooms: Singles, doubles, quads
Closest dining hall: Lulu
Who lived in Munger before you?
Liz Ogbu ’98
“I’m an architect who doesn’t design buildings,” Liz Ogbu ’98 explained in her TEDx talk. A social justice advocate, Ogbu believes her buildings should also be opportunities for impact in different types of communities. She works to foster socio-sustainable change in neighborhoods across the world, from San Francisco to Kenya.
“Pom is known for its tight-knit community—and I’ve seen it firsthand! There's always something going on and everyone checks in on you. It really is a POMMUNITY.” –Loreley Godfrey ’27
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 172
Rooms: Singles, doubles
Closest dining hall: Lulu
Who lived in Pomeroy before you?
Lulu Chow Wang ’66
Founder and CEO of Tupelo Capital Management, Lulu Chow Wang ’66 was a pioneer on Wall Street and is a leader in philanthropy, recognized for changing the landscape of investments and challenging the long-held assumption that women do not give as generously as men. Lulu, our stunning campus center, is named in her honor.
“Shafer has the best House Council (HoCo) meetings! ... Everyone leaves Shafer HoCo with updates about campus events while feeling like a valued member of the community.” –Elli Gurguliatos ’25
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 158
Rooms: Singles, doubles, triples, apartment
Closest dining hall: Lulu
Who lived in Shafer before you?
Robin Chase ’80
“I feel compelled to address problems that I think I can solve, making the world a better place. Ultimately, I strive to help create the world I want to live in (humane, equitable, just), and that we need to live in (sustainable).” Entrepreneur Robin Chase ’80 is co-founder and former CEO of Zipcar, the groundbreaking car-sharing service, and other companies that are upending transportation’s status quo.
Get to know Tower Complex
Claflin Hall
Every res hall has a cheer, and one of Claflin’s tells you everything you need to know: “By the lake, furthest west, Claflin Hall is the best!” Keep an eye out for the Alice in Wonderland wood carvings in the living room. Claflin is also the home of Claflin Bakery, where all the bread and desserts (including vegan and nut-sensitive options) for the dining halls are made.
Lake House
Lake House overlooks the boathouse and Lake Waban, where you may see some swans (or boats) out on the water. Its communal kitchen is enormous, and the Res Life staff likes to host baking classes there, so you can hone your cupcake-making skills.
Severance Hall
Severance Hall sits atop a steep hill overlooking Severance Green—the perfect starting point for traying! The Gothic-style building is within easy walking distance of the library and the Academic Quad. And the courtyard is a great place to sit in the sun during the warmer months. It’s connected to Tower Court, making it easy to get to the dining hall.
Tower Court
Tower Court is one of the most recognizable buildings on campus and soars above Severance Green. Standing six stories tall, it’s the largest res hall on campus. The living room is pretty epic and a great place to study or meet up with friends. There’s a dining hall within the building—in case you’d like to grab breakfast in your PJs.
More about the Tower Complex
“Claflin is probably my favorite. It has a view of the lake, plus it has the bakery underneath it so it smells fantastic.” –Orli Hakanoglu ’16
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 133
Rooms: Singles, doubles, triples
Closest dining hall: Tower
Who lived in Claflin before you?
Renita J. Weems ’76
Renita J. Weems ’76, an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a nationally renowned theologian, has written numerous books and columns on biblical text and women’s spirituality. She has been invited to share her scholarly insights as a guest commentator for the Discovery Channel, the BBC, and the Washington Post.
“Every morning, I wake up with a view of Lake Waban. Typically, there are geese swimming, squirrels scampering in the trees, and the sun shining through my windows.” –Suzanna Schofield ’24
Just the Facts
Who lives here: Sophomores, juniors, seniors
Number of residents: 66
Types of rooms: Singles, doubles
Closest dining hall: Tower
Who lived in Lake House before you?
Daisy Gardner ’97
Daisy Gardner ’97 majored in English and went on to write for TV shows like 30 Rock, South Park, and Californication. Tina Fey once described her as “a delicate soul with a nervous stomach who pitched some of the filthiest jokes you could imagine in the gentlest voice you could imagine.”
“I love baking with my friends in the spacious kitchens, and the view of Sev Green and the Galen Stone Tower from my room is to die for!” –Ashley Yuan ’24
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 165
Rooms: Singles, doubles, triples
Closest dining hall: Tower
Who lived in Severance before you?
Vivian Pinn ’62
“Many thought I would never make it into medicine, and look, here I am with a career of 50 years behind me. Many thought that an African American from the segregated South wouldn’t be able to finish Wellesley, and I did graduate, and now, I am back.” Dr. Vivian Pinn ’62 is a physician, scientist, and women’s health pioneer. She was the founding director of the Office of Research on Women’s Health at the National Institutes of Health.
“I love Tower because of its charm. Every room is unique, and it makes them feel like home!” –Ava Chapman ’26
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 345
Rooms: Singles, doubles, triples, three-person suites
Closest dining hall: Tower
Who lived in Tower Court before you?
Nora Ephron ’62
“Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim.” Nora Ephron was a barrier-busting journalist, author, screenwriter, and director best known for the iconic movies When Harry Met Sally … , Sleepless in Seattle, and Silkwood, as well as several bestselling books about life, love, and how you can never have too much butter.
Get to know East Side Halls
Bates Hall
Bates Hall, on the East Side, has a dining hall on the ground floor. Bates was named in honor of Katharine Lee Bates, class of 1880, a Wellesley English professor and poet who penned “America the Beautiful”—and its architecture is accented with amber waves of grain. The Bates courtyard, a perfect place to hang out with friends, has cherry, magnolia, and dogwood trees, which bloom in sequence from spring through summer and turn red and yellow in the fall.
Freeman Hall
Freeman is close to the Science Complex and a quick walk to the town of Wellesley (aka “the Vil”). If you want some serious closet space, this is the res hall for you. The building is named for Wellesley College’s second president, Alice Freeman Palmer, who was perhaps the most visible woman educator in the United States during her tenure.
McAfee Hall
McAfee is named for Mildred McAfee Horton, Wellesley’s seventh president, who was a lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy and head of WAVES, the women’s branch of the Navy during World War II. McAfee’s living room features a 15th-century French fireplace and Gothic ceiling imported from Austria. Rooms in McAfee are spacious. Located on the East Side, it’s a quick step away from the Science Complex and the town of Wellesley.
Stone-Davis Hall
Stone-D, as it’s known, is made up of two connected halls: Stone and Davis. They are home to a dining hall that’s open late on weekdays—perfect for a study-break snack. Keep an eye out for the daffodils near Stone-Davis that bloom in the spring. They’re pretty magical.
More about the East Side Halls
“I love East side for how quiet it is! Anyone with sleeping sensitivities should definitely consider east side.” –Estrella ’24
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 132
Types of rooms: Singles, doubles, apartment
Closest dining hall: Bates
Who lived in Bates before you?
Linda Cozby Wertheimer ’65
“Going to a women’s college made a big difference. It gave me the sense women could run things … and I just never thought that it made sense to give that up.” A “founding mother” of National Public Radio (NPR), Linda Cozby Wertheimer ’65 is a radio journalist who has been NPR’s political correspondent and senior national correspondent, and longtime host of its show All Things Considered.
“Freeman currently houses five language corridors, which were created in order to facilitate immersive language learning. ... I think the sense of community that forms because of the corridors is vital to Freeman, and is my favorite thing about living here!” –Astara Bastille ’24
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 129
Types of rooms: Singles, doubles
Closest dining hall: Bates
Who lived in Freeman before you?
Michele J. Sison ’81
"When I was an undergraduate, I was very interested in public service. I realized that becoming a diplomat and serving with the State Department was really, for me, the best way to implement a people-to-people approach, in terms of building bridges across countries and cultures.” Michele J. Sison ’81 holds the U.S. foreign service’s highest rank, career ambassador, having served as a diplomat and ambassador around the world, including in some of the most challenged regions. During her career she has built alliances and supported efforts for humanitarian relief, human rights, and peace.
“McAfee is nice because it has a real homey feel, there’s not a lot of people so it feels like a small community. I also love to live right by the commuter rail stop and loco stop at Chapel.” –Delilah Kambourakis ’27
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 144
Rooms: Singles, doubles, apartment
Closest dining hall: Bates
Who lived in McAfee before you?
Eva Sommaripa ’63
If you really want to learn about sustainable living, many experts say “start with Eva.” Eva Sommaripa ’63 began implementing healthy choices in her garden long before organic foods, sustainability, or the local food movement became trendy. Her farm, aptly named Eva’s Garden, has been supplying New England chefs with organic and foraged herbs and greens for more than 40 years.
“Stone-Davis faces the lake and a huge field of daffodils, so the spring is always really pretty :)” –Tazrean Hossain ’24
Just the Facts
Who lives here: All years
Number of residents: 248
Rooms: Singles, doubles, triples
Closest dining hall: Stone-Davis
Who lived in Stone-Davis before you?
Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69
First lady. U.S. senator. Secretary of state. But before all of that, Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69 was a political science major at Wellesley. “Don’t let anyone tell you your voice doesn’t matter. In the years to come, there will be trolls galore—online and in person—eager to tell you that you don’t have anything worthwhile to say or anything meaningful to contribute. They may even call you a nasty woman. … In other words, ‘sit down and shut up.’ Now, in my experience, that’s the last thing you should ever tell a Wellesley graduate.”
Get to know Language Houses
Casa Cervantes
In Casa Cervantes, students speak only Spanish. Thus: La Casa Cervantes ofrece una oportunidad singular en Wellesley College: ¡de vivir la lengua! Es una residencia pequeña, como una casa privada, donde hay espacio para nueve estudiantes que deseen practicar y mejorar su español.
French House
French House, or La Maison Française, is for students committed to speaking only French in the common areas. Quatorze étudiantes de Wellesley College et deux étudiantes de l’Université d’Aix-en-Provence habitent à la Maison chaque année. Pendant l’année universitaire, plusieurs conférences sur des sujets divers y sont organisées.
More about Language Houses
“Casa Cervantes feels like a home, and we get to practice Spanish with each other!” –Helena McMonagle ’16
Just the Facts
Who lives here: Spanish-speaking students
Number of residents: 9
Types of rooms: Singles, doubles
Closest dining hall: Tower
Who lived in Casa Cervantes before you?
Michelle Caruso-Cabrera ’91
“You only get two to three minutes maximum to tell a story on TV, so you have to be clear and concise.” The first Latina anchor at CNBC, Michelle Caruso-Cabrera ’91 was the network’s chief international correspondent for more than a decade, covering major political and economic news. At Wellesley, the future Emmy winner cut her teeth as editor of our student newspaper, the Wellesley News.
“French House is actually amazing. Feels like a home as opposed to a res hall.” –Jenny Xie ’18
Just the Facts
Who lives here: French-speaking students
Number of residents: 16
Types of rooms: Singles, double
Closest dining hall: Bates
Who lived in French House before you?
Agnès Fiamma Papone ’96
After researching AIDS prevention in South Africa, Agnès Fiamma Papone ’96, with her husband, restored an abandoned family farm in the southern French Alps. Ferme Lavancia produces more than 30 varieties of organic fruits and vegetables, as well as organic free-range eggs.