Welcome to the Class of 2005
International Student Handbook
[pic]
Williams College
2012 – 2013
Published by the Office of the Dean
August 2012
The compilation of this publication was made possible
through the use of the following resources:
Williams College Student Handbook
Williams College Bulletin
International Student Handbooks
from the following area colleges:
Smith College
Mount Holyoke College
Connecticut College
Northeastern University
NAFSA's International Student Handbook
U.S. Department of State's publication
Several brochures and pamphlets published by various Williams College departments were also used.
Comments and suggestions regarding the Williams College International Student Handbook may be directed to: Jenifer Hasenfus (413-597-3455) or at jenifer.a.hasenfus@williams.edu
Handbook designed by: Diana Carligeau ‘04
Updated by: Jenifer Atwood Hasenfus, International Student and Scholar Coordinator
Williams College admits men and women of any background to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the College. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other College-administered programs. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1973, or the regulations there under, in the education programs or activities which it operates, including employment therein. The College does not discriminate on the basis of handicap in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, or the regulations there under, in admission or access to its programs and activities.
The Williams community includes talented students with documented disabilities who may require learning, sight, hearing, manual, speech, or mobility accommodations. Although Williams operates no specially structured academic programs for individuals with disabilities, the College is committed to providing support services and accommodations in all programs to students who need them.
Williams endeavors to provide equal access to campus programs and activities for all members of the college community. The Dean's Office, through the Director of Academic Programs, coordinates the various accommodations required to make students' educational experiences successful. Inquiries concerning the College's nondiscrimination policies may be referred to the Dean of the College, Williamstown, MA 01267. Tel.: (413) 597-4171.
IMPORTANT TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL INFORMATION
You should arrange your flight through Teresa, at teresa@, to Albany, NY airport on August 25, 2012. If you have decided to book your own travel into Albany, NY, please inform us of your arrival information (time, carrier, and flight number). There will be representatives from Williams College at the airport, and free shuttles to the campus, which is approximately 50 minutes away from the Albany airport.
You must have your PASSPORT with VISA and I-20 FORM to enter the US. Do not leave home without these required documents.
Sheets and bed linens will be provided through a generous grant from the college, and you will be able to pick them up upon your arrival on campus. The following items are included:
• 2 extra-long fitted sheets
2 extra-long flat sheets
2 standard pillow cases
1 extra-fluffy pillow
1 extra-long reversible comforter
1 extra-long thermal cotton blanket
1 extra-long quilted mattress pad
2 all-cotton bath towels, 27" x 50"
2 matching cotton hand towels
2 matching cotton wash cloths
Upon arrival you will receive a gift bag with personal care items. These soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents will last for a few weeks. Eventually, you wo;; decide what kind of items you would like to purchase on your own.
Academic Calander
|Calendar 2012-2013 |
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|2012 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Aug. 28 |
|Sept |
|6 |
|Tuesday-Thursday |
|First Days |
| |
|Sept. |
|5 |
|Wednesday |
|First-year Student Advising |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Sept. |
|6 |
|Thursday |
|First day of classes Fall Semester |
| |
|Sept. |
|8 |
|Saturday |
|Convocation |
| |
|Oct. |
|TBA |
|One of first three Fridays |
|Mountain Day |
| |
|Oct. |
|8-9 |
|Monday & Tuesday |
|Fall Reading Period |
| |
|Oct. |
|26-28 |
|Friday through Sunday |
|Fall Family Days |
| |
|Nov. |
|3 |
|Saturday |
|Homecoming |
| |
|Nov. |
|21-25 |
|Wednesday through Sunday |
|Thanksgiving Recess |
| |
|Dec. |
|7 |
|Friday |
|Last day of classes Fall Semester |
| |
|Dec. |
|8-11 |
|Saturday through Tuesday |
|Reading Period |
| |
|Dec. |
|12-17 |
|Wednesday through Monday |
|Final Examinations |
| |
|Dec. |
|18 |
|Tuesday |
|Vacation begins |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|2013 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Jan. |
|3 |
|Thursday |
|First day of Winter Study Period |
| |
|Jan. |
|25 |
|Thursday |
|Last day of Winter Study Period |
| |
|Jan. |
|30 |
|Wednesday |
|First day of classes Spring Semester (classes to follow a Thursday schedule) |
|Organizational Meetings for classes that don't meet the first two days of classes 7-9 p.m. |
| |
|Jan. |
|31 |
|Thursday |
|Claiming Williams Day, no classes |
| |
|Feb. |
|1 |
|Friday |
|Classes resume a normal schedule |
| |
|Feb. |
|15-16 |
|Friday & Saturday |
|College Holidays (Winter Carnival) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|Mar. |
|16-31 |
|Saturday- Sunday |
|Sprig Recess |
| |
|May |
|10 |
|Friday |
|Last day of classes Spring Semester |
| |
|May |
|11-14 |
|Saturday through Tuesday |
|Reading Period |
| |
|May |
|15-20 |
|Wednesday through Monday |
|Final Examinations |
| |
|June |
|1 |
|Saturday |
|Class Day |
| |
|June |
|1 |
|Saturday |
|Baccalaureate Service |
| |
|June |
|2 |
|Sunday, 10:00 a.m. |
|Commencement |
| |
|June |
|6-9 |
|Thursday through Sunday |
|Alumni Reunions |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ABOUT WILLIAMS
"Williams is one of the greatest academic Institutions in the United States. Do not worry if the courses and classes initially overwhelm you. You will get the hang of it, and you will receive a great education. Teaching at Williams is very much dependent on the professors, so ask your JA's, IC members and other upperclassmen about the professors and the classes you are interested in. If you enjoy the professor, you will also enjoy the class more.” (Ashok Pillai, Sweden)
" I think that Williams is a great school with an exceptional undergraduate program. Most of the classes are small and the professors know you by your first name. The professors are also very approachable for questions or even just a quick chat. It is academically competitive out here, which keeps me on my feet all the time and challenges me to work to my full potential." (Parth Doshi, India)
“ Williamstown is not a town, nor is it a village; it is a street, a college, and a Wal-Mart. The mall is an extension of this, but it is too far away to be considered a part of this place.”
(Marcos Sahm, Brazil)
"Williams gives you all the opportunities and freedom to create and explore. All it asks in return is hard work and devotion." (Kamen Kozarev, Bulgaria)
“Williams is the most exciting place to experience life: study hard, find friends for life, and discover new horizons. When I first came here, I was fascinated by the beautiful campus and welcoming people.”
(Iskra Valtcheva, Bulgaria)
"If you'd never heard of Williams before you started applying, don't worry, neither had I. My mom convinced me to apply through the Common Application, and when I got in I started researching it and found out what a good school it is. When I visited it, I fell in love with the place, and decided to come here. As a sophomore, I'm absolutely certain I made the right choice." (Andres Carrizo, Florida)
“When you apply to Williams, you think it is worth a try. When you get accepted and decide to enroll, you hope you are making the right decision. When you finally get here, you realize this is where you belong.”
”I had a wonderful time during First Days. Everything was new for me: all the people, the beauty of the campus, and the US culture on a broad basis. I entered a community that is as diverse as it is united.”
(Vlad Andonov, Bulgaria)
“Moving so far away from home was quite a challenge, but coming to college in the US is something I have always wanted to do and, after living in big cities my whole life, Williams seemed like the perfect place for me to start. I doubted one of my teachers back home (an alumna) when she told me I would only be bored if I wanted to because there's always something happening and there's so much to get involved in. I took it to the extreme and ended up getting involved in one too many activities but I'm learning to manage my time and to pick and choose the best things for me to be doing now. There's definitely a lot to do in this small town and I've had a wonderful first semester. Classes were incredible and teachers were accessible and extremely nice.”
(Melanie Beeck, Brazil)
“Williams College is wonderful. But beware: it might have ups and downs. It does for most people. It might take you some time to learn to enjoy new things and new types of people. Whatever it is, it takes some moments of elation and some of despair.” (Vasko, Bulgaria)
"If you want to successfully be part of the International Club you need to follow certain rules:
1. Play pool at Dodd or join people playing pool at Dodd at least twice a month.
2. Send random emails on all the IC listservers and then complain about your cluttered inbox before sending out another random email about how much you hate people complaining about cluttered inboxes. [Joke]
3. Go on at least one of the IC trips to Boston/New York/Albany/somewhere else in this large country and stand in a group with other internationals and look lost. The Thanksgiving trip is a great time for this. While the rest of the nation is celebrating a holiday, you can enjoy downtown Boston all to yourself."
(Ashok Pillai, Sweden)
Useful Web Pages
The Williams College Honor System ()
Williams Students Online () - information on weather, dining hall menus, campus announcements, campus and Williamstown-area phone directories. Also contains student webpages, the Online Facebook, and the Housing Plans.
Information Technology () - help pages and software downloads.
Multicultural Center ()
Office of Career Counseling (OCC) ()
Special Academic Programs ()
Williams College Library () - library hours and information, electronic databases, the library catalog.
College-Wide Message Service () - campus announcement system for current events and important notices.
The College Council () - student government
WCFM () - student radio station
Williams Outing Club ()
JET LAG
Jet lag is one of the first adjustments you will face once you arrive in the United States, and it means adapting to a new time zone. Jet lag is caused by the long airplane flight from your homeland and its severity is related to the distance and direction you travel. After a few days (perhaps as long as a week) of disorientation and sleepiness, you will function quite normally - eating lunch when it is the middle of the night at home, or rising at an hour you went to bed only a few days before.
CULTURE SHOCK AND SOCIAL ADJUSTMENT
Culture Shock
Culture shock is a psychological disorientation due to being in a new culture. It is not fatal.
Broadly speaking, culture shock comes from:
▪ living and/or studying (or working) for an extended period of time in a different environment;
▪ having values you held absolute brought into question because of cultural differences;
▪ being constantly put into situations where you are expected to function with maximum proficiency but where the rules have not been adequately explained.
As can be seen, culture shock does not result from a specific event. Rather, it builds up slowly from a series of small events often difficult to identify. Remember that the reactions are emotional and not easily subject to rational management.
The four stages of culture shock are:
▪ Initial euphoria
▪ Irritability and hostility, disappointments and internal conflicts
▪ Gradual adjustment (coming to terms)
▪ Adaptation to biculturalism
Symptoms of culture shock:
▪ homesickness
▪ boredom
▪ withdrawal (i.e., spending excessive amounts of time reading; avoiding contact with host nationals)
▪ need for excessive amount of sleep
▪ compulsive eating and/or drinking
▪ chauvinistic excesses
▪ stereotyping of and hostility toward host nationals
▪ loss of ability to work effectively
▪ physical ailments (psychosomatic illnesses)
Although uncomfortable, it is a normal part of the adjustment process, and you need not be ashamed of it.
“Well first of all, no matter how much contact you have had with American culture, you are bound to suffer from some sort of culture shock. That might range from never having sipped alcohol to suddenly being confronted by it in dorm rooms, or to put a reverse spin on it: having boozed your way through high school and suddenly realizing that oops, this is America, the drinking age is 21.” (Abid Shah, Pakistan)
Ten Ways to Aid Cultural Adjustment
▪ Keep contact with your family and friends from home. Write emails, make phone calls.
▪ Make friends with people from your home country. Join the International Student Organization on campus or attend its activities.
▪ Participate in sports or other activities that interest you or in which you participated at home.
▪ Find restaurants that serve food you are accustomed to, or buy ingredients from the local food store so as to make dishes you have at home.
▪ Get to know Americans and try to understand and appreciate their culture while sharing your own. Be observant and ask questions!
▪ Expect to encounter some difficulties – it is natural. You might not do as well in your studies as you did at home in your first few months here, since you are dealing with a different academic system and many other new situations. Be realistic, make allowances for yourself!
▪ If you do not like your new surroundings and find a lot to criticize, try to think of one thing each day which you like about this new environment.
▪ Take some time to be alone and read or relax. Try to think positive!
▪ Learn from others’ experience: friends who have already experienced cultural adjustment and culture shock, your International Student and Scholar Coordinator, or a College Counselor. A discussion can help.
▪ Keep your self-respect and concentrate on the long-term advantages of studying in the U.S. Keep your sense of humor. Culture shock will pass.
Students from different cultures experience different levels of culture shock. You may not experience the physical or emotional changes brought on by culture shock while others around you might. If you experience culture shock you will probably discover your own methods of making yourself better in addition to these suggestions. Add your ideas to the list and share them with new students as they arrive, or tell your International Student and Scholar Coordinator, so that others may benefit from your experience.
"From time to time, and certainly in the beginning, life can seem overwhelmingly unmanageable. The academic workload, commitments to other groups and activities, social life (or trying to have one), even all the information in your mailboxes and inboxes: together they can make you feel like you're in the midst of a hurricane! Slowly but surely, however, you will learn to handle it all. Life in the States is about surfing the waves, not about going deep underwater!" (Abhishek Basnyat, Nepal)
"It will happen to you. You think you know all the stages, like I did, but without knowing, culture shock will creep on you. Be it your adverse reaction to the food, to the locals or the local environment, you will suffer some degree of culture shock. So be prepared, have an open mind and be ready." (Federico Sosa Paraguay)
"Yes, cultural shock exists and you are going to suffer from it. You might even get depressed and cry every day because you feel that you cannot get used to this place. (That's what I did during my first few weeks at Williams.) But once you reach out to people, the peer counselors, your JAs, the psychological counselors and even your professors, it is going to be a lot easier and better. So don't be afraid to cry and don't be afraid to ask for help. Everyone will be more than happy to support you." (Reka Daroczi, Hungary)
“Different students deal differently with the shock. My advice: remember, this is another country. The customs are different; do not retreat in a shell of your own. The wonder of a place like Williams is the great diversity of people on campus. You are bound to find people with similar interests, and really: freshman year is AWESOME. Some people revel in cultural differences. Be one of them.” (Naila Baloch, Pakistan)
“You will probably learn that some people are wonderful as they are, and others just aren't. Don't isolate yourself too much, but try to keep your sense of who you are and why you are here. There are many things why you can enjoy Williams and add meaning to your life--friends, activities, classes, etc, etc. If you don't limit yourself and forget your prejudices, Williams will provide you with a whole new world to explore. Have fun with it!”
(Radu Mireuta, Romania)
Things to do in a New Culture
• Observe others and yourself.
• Pay attention to common expressions and slang (some of them are listed on the last pages of this handbook).
• Don’t take things too literally. Be assertive and ask questions! It is perfectly all right to ask people to repeat what they said when you don’t hear or understand.
• Dare to say “no” to situations or actions you find unacceptable or unpleasant.
• Strive to understand, not imitate the Americans!
• Make choices that benefit you.
• Practice your communication skills, go out and take the initiative!
Relationships and Social Adjustments
Male/Female Relationships: Most Americans are still confused by all the social, legal and cultural changes in male/female relationships brought on by the women's movement. While great importance is placed on equality in American culture, women and men do not have equal standing yet. It is still true that American women make less money than their male counterparts and have fewer economic and educational opportunities. However, compared to women in most other countries, American women enjoy great flexibility of choices and options, rights and privileges.
It is not unusual for women to ask men out for a date or to offer to pay. It is also acceptable for men to pay for the date. Accepting and going out on a date, especially when the man pays, does not mean that the woman intends an intimate involvement. Sometimes American couples will go on a date and each pay his or her own way.
“The Williams dating scene is despicable -- changes should be made. Be bold, alert, and creative!”
(Georgi, Bulgaria)
Titles: Because Americans are informal and value equality, they use first names more than elsewhere. Sometimes people of different ages, wealth, and status address each other by first name. If you are not certain how to address someone, ask them what they like to be called. Americans frequently use Mr. or Ms. (sounds like Mizz) in addressing a stranger. Mrs. and Miss are not used as frequently, unless you are speaking to someone who is from the "older generation". Professors will usually indicate if they wish to be addressed by first name, "Professor", or "Doctor". Certain professionals (Ambassador, President, Senator, Dean) are addressed by titles and the last name.
Time Consciousness: Americans attach great importance to punctuality. The organization of activities is based on schedules and deadlines. Consequently, it is considered rude to be late. For a meeting or appointment, you should arrive exactly on time or a few minutes early. If there is a receptionist present in an office where the meeting is scheduled to take place, always let the receptionist know you have arrived. Allow that person to alert the party with whom you are meeting to your presence.
For a dinner party, 10 minutes late is forgivable. For a large cocktail party or social event, you may sometimes be up to 30 minutes late without offending your host. It's best not to take a chance so you should try to arrive on time. Should you realize that you will be late for a meeting or engagement, call in advance and let the people you are meeting know.
Communication style of Americans: It is usually best to avoid stereotyping people, but some generalizations are possible and not so objectionable, as long as we keep in mind their “generalizing” nature:
▪ in casual conversation (“small talk”) Americans prefer to talk about weather, sports, jobs, acquaintances or past experiences;
▪ topics not usually discussed: politics and religion (seen as controversial);
▪ no one talks for very long at a time; people take turns and avoid arguments (if an argument is unavoidable, it is to be restrained);
▪ “Ritual” conversational exchanges are not very common and are usually reduced to “What’s up?” – “Not much.” or “How’s it going?” – “Good.” or “Hey, how are you?” – “I’m fine. You?”
Individualism: For Americans, the ideal person is an independent, self-reliant individual. This is why they see themselves as individuals rather than group members. They dislike being dependent on others or having others dependent on them. Some foreigners regard this attitude as “selfishness”, others as freedom.
Friendships:
Many international students have remarked that Americans seem superficial in forming friendships compared to people in their home countries. Because the American society is very mobile and transient, Americans are taught to be self-reliant. This may lead to friendships that are shorter and less intensive than in other cultures.
Americans are very quick to say hello, look a stranger in the eye, or smile at someone on the street. These gestures are simply polite, and shouldn’t be seen as an invitation to form a long-lasting friendship. However, one should not infer that Americans are incapable of loving or caring deeply. Most Americans have only a few really close friends whom they take a long time to get to know, and whom they value and keep in touch with for their entire lives.
”Almost all of the friends you will make at Williams will be from two major sources: your freshman year entry, and your extra-curricular activities. Therefore, do not isolate yourself from your entry, and join extra-curriculars that may interest you. The party scene here depends upon your activities and groups. You will also definitely make many friends through the IC, but make sure you do not limit yourself only to this great group of people. This college is filled with great individuals: students, professors, administrators and staff, so make the best of this opportunity you have been given and get to know as many of them as possible" (Ashok Pillai, Sweden)
"One of the hardest things, at first, is to make friends. This is an ‘activity’ that requires time and effort. Unlike back home, where friendships somehow just struck, here one has to work to create them. The way I see it, participating in some sport or club activity can provide a basis for making friends. So extra-curriculars are not really ’extra’ here, not a matter of choice, but something you have to do if you want a decent social life. There's a wide variety of such activities you can choose from. Even the PE classes, that many people complain about, are an opportunity to meet new people and make new friends." (Abhishek Basnyat, Nepal)
"Being open, especially towards Americans, is really important at Williams if you want to feel good. When you come here it seems that all Americans are awful, loud and uncaring, but this is not true. A lot of them are wonderful and really valuable people." (Reka Daroczi, Hungary)
“E-mail is your friend. Use it liberally, because people here somehow think that the phone has become obsolete.”
(Marcos Sahm, Brazil)
ACADEMICS
“Professors here have this pesky habit of starting class on time.”
“When you don't have the time to read, at least skim.
When you don't have the time to skim, at least read the titles on the syllabus so you know what's going on.”
“Choose classes with liberal attendance policies if you enjoy taking the occasional day off. Likewise, if you like to sleep in, choose classes that start later in the day. If you can combine both, you are in heaven.”
(Marcos Sahm, Brazil)
"A new topic, concept, or idea is covered in every class. It is highly unusual of professors to repeat something they have already dealt with (although they will gladly do it for you in their office hours). Therefore it is of utmost importance, I think, to pay attention in class and take notes.
My background hadn't prepared me for such a system. I was more used to a system where we - both teachers and students - didn't mind going over a topic several times until most students were comfortable with it. So if you are from such a background yourself, then it might seem impossible, in the beginning, to catch up with such a crazy pace. But eventually you’ll get it, don’t worry!”
(Abhishek Basnyat, Nepal)
"If you want to avoid procrastination, work very far from a computer with an email terminal.” (Federico Sosa, Paraguay)
“Life at Williams is very hectic, especially if you have a job and other extra-curriculars besides academics. It can therefore be hard, if not almost impossible, to relax. I think it’s helpful to take some time by yourself, for yourself, every day. That is, spend some time alone and do nothing – just breathe deeply, meditate, and think about all the wonderful chances Williams offers.” (Diana Carligeanu, Romania)
“Academics in Williams are strong. That means, they may look menacing in the first couple of weeks, and it is very usual to feel lost and inadequate. Many people do--if that happens, just know that you are not the only one. Williams will throw a lot at you and watch how much you can handle. Sometimes you will think, wow, I just can't do all that reading I have for religion, and you're probably right. Challenge yourself, but try not to go beyond the limits of your physical and mental capacities—it will hurt you. As time passes, you will hopefully learn to balance studying with other things you enjoy, and life will be nice and easy once again.” (Vasko, Bulgaria)
“It’s different from home. It’s tougher but more interesting and beautiful than I expected. And be sure to check what exactly Liberal Arts College is compared to some huge major universities.” (Edvard Major, Yugoslavia)
Concepts of a Liberal Arts Education
The undergraduate liberal arts college is largely a feature of American education and therefore unfamiliar to students from other countries. Unlike at a university, at Williams the primary work of the faculty is teaching (although all of the Williams faculty have active research interests too). And while your studies will be useful in the future, the curriculum does not include courses and fields that are pre-professional or that lead to a specific occupation. Much of the higher education in the U.S. is more obviously pre-professional, the undergraduate liberal arts college representing a small portion of American higher education. There are only about 100 such colleges in the U.S., but the impact of the model is wide. Almost all universities strive to incorporate some features of the liberal arts model into their institutions. The model is beginning to be copied elsewhere in the world as well.
The idea and the term of “liberal arts” emerged in the European universities of the Middle Ages, where the focus of the training was on two arts: language and mathematics. Language arts were the trivium of grammar, rhetoric and dialectical argumentation. Mathematics in the form of arithmetic, geometry, astronomy and music constituted the quadrivium. With the spread of the influence of Aristotelian philosophy the study of sciences, of ethics, physics and metaphysics was added and the term “arts and sciences” arose. The mastery of the liberal arts prepared students for professions either in theology or law.
This model was transformed with the rise of modernity into one that focused on the study of the classical languages, especially Latin, through which the older medieval subject matter was still pursued. The main requirement for entrance into Williams when it was founded in 1793 was mastery of Latin. In the twentieth century the centrality of classical languages has been displaced by the different disciplines into which knowledge is divided. At Williams, the disciplines are divided into three divisions: languages and arts, social studies, and the natural sciences including mathematics.
The purpose and character of liberal arts education is continually under discussion and increasingly under attack. Many people across the political spectrum maintain that college should teach practical skills that will lead automatically to a job. Their opponents argue that what is needed first is the ability to learn to learn, which is what a liberal arts education provides. Mastery of job skills can come later and will also continually change as economic structures and technologies change.
The heated debate is a sign of the continuing vitality and importance of the liberal arts for defining higher education in the United States. But it might be more useful to move from the political fray and try to articulate the goals on which all of us might agree. I would propose four.
Complexity: You are here to learn complexity, to understand that nothing is simple. Whatever you study you will be working to understand complex phenomena and thus the character of complexity itself. Not unexpectedly complexity is itself complex. It may take the form of complication - e.g. how does a nerve impulse travel down a neutron transforming chemical processes into electrical charges. It may be ambiguity - how do the multiple layers of a great novel like Moby Dick make it impossible to give a single meaning to that work. It may be irony - our immune system might make us think of ourselves as separate bodies, but further reflection lets us understand that the decentered and multilayered character of our immune systems both creates and destroys the impression that we have separate and impermeable bodies that define who we are. Finally it may be flat out contradiction at the heart of an inquiry such as the physicist's recognition that light is both a particle and a wave.
Connections: You will also be making connections between the different things you study. You will take four (or five) courses a term so that you’ll have the materials to do that. There is no way to mandate or even guess what those connections might look like, but you should be expecting them from the outset. If they aren’t happening something is wrong.
Communications: Whatever you study you will be learning the skills of communicating what you have learned, developing mastery and, I hope, love and passion for the various languages, both natural and artificial, in which we conduct our different inquiries. Each field has its own language. Some are obviously separate like mathematics or the languages we use in chemistry, computer science and music. Other fields use a common language like English, but you will begin to see the very different ways in which we use our common language. Because what you will be communicating will be complex and the connections you’ll be making are your own, this will be hard work.
Confidence: Our goal is finally your increasing confidence as you expand your understanding of complexity, develop your capacity to make imaginative connections, and gain agility in communicating what you have learned and translating between the many languages we use here. If we and you succeed here, you will leave here with a discipline and flexibility of mind able to adjust to the future, whose outlines we always only barely perceive, and to lead meaningful, moral and fulfilling lives drawing on the content and tools you’ve gained here.
Extract by William Darrow, Associate Professor of Religion, Chair of the Religion & the African & Middle Eastern Studies Departments, 1996-97.
Academic Honesty and the Honor Code
You should be familiar with the Williams College Honor Code, as you will be asked to reaffirm your commitment to the Statement of Academic Honesty by signing an Honor Code Pledge at the beginning of each academic year. The Honor Code prevails in the writing of papers and laboratory reports, quizzes, homework assignments, hour tests, and examinations.
Students or faculty members who have discovered a violation or a possible violation of the Honor Code should report it promptly either to the Dean or to the student chair of the Honor Committee. Then the Student Honor Committee will convene to hear the case. Depending on the circumstances of the violation, penalties imposed by the Dean may include such possibilities as a directed grade of E in the course, disciplinary probation, or temporary/permanent separation from the College.
Statement of Academic Honesty
You are expected to acknowledge the research and ideas of others in your work and to abide by those regulations governing work stipulated by the instructor. Breaking these regulations, misrepresenting your own work, or collaborating in the misrepresentation of another's work is a serious violation of this agreement!
Guidelines
In written material, you must avoid the possibility of even unintentional plagiarism by acknowledging the sources of your work. Careful observance of accepted standards of reference and attribution is required. The basic rules are summarized below. You are expected to provide clear footnotes or other appropriate documentation and give credit in the bibliography to ideas, interpretations, and facts from various sources.
The basic rules of attribution require that:
▪ A direct quotation (whether a single word or a phrase, sentence, paragraph, or series of paragraphs) must always be identified by quotation marks, by indenting and single spacing, or by reduced type size of the quoted material, and a note must be used to state the exact source.
▪ A paraphrase of the work of another must be acknowledged as such by a note stating the source.
▪ Indebtedness to the specific ideas of others, or the summarizing of several pages, even though expressed in different words, must be acknowledged by a note stating the source.
▪ Every instance of the use of another student's laboratory reports, computer programs, or other material must be acknowledged by a note.
▪ Even the use of a student's own previous work must be acknowledged; thus, a student must obtain the prior permission of all instructors concerned before submitting substantially the same paper in more than one course.
Course Selection
New students preregister in early summer. Soon after arrival at Williams, they meet their assigned Academic Advisors to discuss the curriculum and their course selections. All course changes for new students are made with the approval of the faculty advisors. During the first two years, students are limited in the number of courses they may take in one department or subject each semester. For full details on registration and requirements, refer to the Williams College Bulletin.
Course changes may be made at a designated period at the beginning of each semester. No course changes can be made after this period except with the approval of the Committee on Academic Standing, after consultation with the Dean's Office. During Winter Study, a second Winter Study Project may be added if the instructor approves but the original project may not be dropped. A processing fee of $5 per day is assessed for each course change accepted after the announced deadline. A failing grade will be assigned to any course dropped after the course change period.
First-year and first-semester transfer students may be permitted to withdraw from one course (incurring a deficiency but no grade penalty) as late as the tenth week of the semester. Upperclassmen also may once in subsequent years withdraw from a course under the same conditions. A withdrawal, recorded on the transcript as a "W," is granted only with the approval of the instructor and the Dean and only if there is complete agreement between the instructor and the Dean that, despite conscientious effort to do the work, continuation in the course would be detrimental to the overall educational interest or health of the student. The deficiency thereby incurred must be removed in the normal manner. See the Williams College Bulletin to learn more about making up deficiencies.
Students are required to take and complete four courses each semester. In exceptional cases, students may, upon petition to the Committee on Academic Standing and with departmental approval at the time of registration, elect a pattern of five semester courses in the fall semester and three in the spring or three in the fall and five in the spring; a pass-fail course cannot be used as the fifth course in this pattern.
Except in the case of the unbalanced course program described above, a student may, at the beginning of any semester, enroll in a fifth course on a pass-fail basis only; this course must be specified as the pass-fail course. By the sixth week, a student must decide whether to continue the course, and if so, whether on a pass-fail or regular basis. A form for designating the option chosen will be sent from the Registrar's Office. A processing fee of $5 per day is assessed for 5th course grading option designations accepted after the announced deadline. A course graded "Pass" may not be used as one of the thirty-two semester courses required to complete the degree, to fulfill distribution or major requirements, or to make up a deficiency. A pass-fail course converted to a fifth regularly graded course, may be used to fulfill distribution or major requirements or to make up a deficiency incurred in a prior term. The grade received will be included in the calculation of the student's cumulative grade point average.
Students must take and pass a Winter Study Project in each of their four years. Winter Study Projects are graded Honors, Pass, Perfunctory Pass, Fail. All work for Winter Study Projects must be submitted by the last day of the Winter Study Program; work may be accepted after this date only with the permission of the instructor and a dean. Students who fail their Winter Study Projects may be placed on Academic Probation by the Committee on Academic Standing and will be required to make up the deficiency. Students who fail through gross neglect of work will normally be required to resign. A student who receives a second Perfunctory Pass grade in Winter Study will be required to pass a fifth course, which may be graded on the regular A-E or pass/fail basis, in the following spring or fall semester.
For more information on grading, extensions, warnings, deficiencies, major requirements, withdrawal from the College, etc., please refer to the Williams College Bulletin.
"Williams offers a wonderful education. Part and parcel of that education is the realization that high school and college are totally different. For people coming from the A levels or IB system of education, most important is realizing that unlike the A-levels, where you have one final exam, Williams is consistent study and hard work. It is suicidal to fall behind on work. Regular work is the key to success at Williams.” (Abid Shah, Pakistan)
FACULTY
“The faculty at Williams is the most fruitful source of academic improvement. Never feel intimidated to talk with your professors! They will help a lot but you will never realize how important they are until you see for yourself. When you feel overwhelmed and stressed as never before (and this moment will come, I can guarantee) you’d better go and talk with your professor – he/she will help you tremendously!” (Teodora Ivanova, Bulgaria)
“The faculty at Williams is fabulous and very helpful. You won't find that at a large university, so take advantage of it while you're here. Talk to your professors whenever you feel like it, so that you can expand your academic experience.” (Anna Andonova ’03, Bulgaria)
VACATIONS
All student residences, including co-ops, are closed during Winter Break. Students must vacate their rooms by noon of the day following final examinations. During Spring Break limited housing is available in Mission Park, Greylock, and co-ops. At the end of the Spring Semester, students must leave their rooms by noon of the day following the last day of final examinations. Seniors will leave after Commencement. A $50.00 fine is imposed for each day a student remains in his or her room beyond deadlines.
During summer, a student can stay on campus only if he/she is working for a particular department. There are limited opportunities for summer work for first-year students. Research assistants usually enjoy free housing. Students working for Buildings and Grounds, Admissions and other offices are normally required to pay $35 per week. The purchase of a meal plan (ranging from $25 to $100 per week) is compulsory in either case.
Storage
As of 2002, on-campus storage space is no longer available in summer, due to safety issues and the build-up of items left for good in the storage rooms. However, for financial aid recipients going abroad were allowed to place a maximum of 3 boxes campus storage. There are also several independent storage companies in the area that you might need to contact. The lowest rate is $5 per box per month. The College will most probably send all relevant information before summer holidays.
STUDENT SERVICES AND RESOURCES
Peer Tutoring
The peer tutoring program is offered through Office of Academic Resources, located on the second floor of Hopkins Hall. The Office of Academic Resources solicits recommendations for qualified tutors from department chairs at the beginning of each semester. The department chairs supply the Dean's Office with the students’ names and the courses for which they are qualified to tutor. These students are then offered a paid position through the Office of Academic Resources to perform tutoring services for students in need of academic assistance in a particular course.
The tutoring program is sponsored by the Office of Academic Resources and there is no cost to the student receiving the services.
Writing Workshop
In the Writing Workshop, peer tutors help other students to plan, develop, organize, compose, and refine their essays. Although tutors do not comment on the content or ideas of an essay, they are practiced in sharpening the focus of a thesis and in strengthening organization. In addition, tutors can improve sentence structure, vocabulary, spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Writers who need intensive practice in grammar and punctuation should call the Office of Academic Resources and inquire about special tutorial sessions.
First-year students will receive information regarding the specifics of the Workshop when they arrive on campus to participate in the First Days orientation program. Students may seek assistance whenever they need to talk about an assignment, organize an outline, get a fresh reaction to a first draft, or just to discuss problems involved in writing an essay. In response to these needs, the Workshop features walk-in hours.
The tutors of The Writing Workshop aim to help the entire undergraduate community. Experience proves that they are just as effective with advanced writers as they are in teaching basic skills. In fact, tutors themselves regularly use the workshop for help with their own writing.
ESL
Unfortunately, no actual English as a Second Language program is available at Williams at this time. However, there are ESL tutoring services available through the Writing Workshop.
The Workshop has tutors available to work with international students or any students whose native language is not English. Although this tutoring often includes working on papers, it is certainly not limited to that. You and your tutor can structure your meetings however you like. Sometimes students like to meet on a regular basis and discuss idiomatic expressions and other aspects of the English language and American culture, while others meet only to discuss their writing. If you are interested in having an ESL tutor, contact the Dean's Office for more information.
Career Counseling
Activities of the Career Counseling Office include counseling students and alumni on all options which are available to them. The staff works with various academic departments and alumni to develop and implement meaningful programs which will orient students to options in careers and further education. They also work with a variety of organizations to develop full-time and summer jobs/internships. In addition, on-campus interviews are scheduled for seniors with graduate and professional schools, and a range of business, non-profit, government, and education oriented employers. Special workshops develop skills in resume writing, interviewing techniques and the job-hunting process, and also inform students about specific career choices. An extensive resource library contains career-related materials and information on job vacancies, graduate schools, fellowships and scholarships. The Office of Career Counseling (OCC) is open year-round. Further information is available from OCC.
Web:
HEALTH SERVICES
Health Insurance
Medical care is an extremely important (and expensive) aspect of your life in the States! The U.S. does not have a national health plan, and the government is not a major provider of medical care.
Williams College requires student health insurance. International students are automatically enrolled in student health plan. The plan is available to students through the Health Services Office located in the Thompson Health Center building on Hoxsey Street.
Thompson Health Center
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 1 - 8 p.m.
when classes are in session. Special clinic hours
For Health concerns of an urgent nature that cannot wait until Health Center hours the next day, call ext 4567 to access the on-call physician line for recommendations.
If you need any sort of medical care, do not hesitate to use the health services facilities on campus.
Thompson Health Center provides care for common illnesses and injuries. Prevention is a primary concern and students are encouraged to bring even minor health concerns to the Center. No charges are made for most treatment and medicines provided by the Health Center.
If you believe you have mono (mononucleosis virus, which is quite common), don’t panic! Just go to the Health Center and ask for a blood test to confirm or disprove your suspicion. Symptoms of mono are: extreme tiredness (fatigue), swollen lymph glands (in the neck area), sore muscles, inability to concentrate, need to sleep a lot. You might not have all these symptoms, but fatigue is always present.
Several special services are provided at the Health Center, such as orthopedic and gynecological clinics; however, dental and ophtalmological services are not provided. It is suggested that these concerns be addressed while at home or by finding a qualified professional in the area to perform these services. Inquire at the Thompson Health Center for a referral or check the Yellow Pages of the local telephone directory for available services. There are also some optometrists listed in the Student Handbook.
If you plan to be on campus during breaks and summer vacation, it would also be advisable to inquire at the Thompson Health Center for referrals or advice regarding any anticipated needs during these periods.
Psychological Counseling Service
The Counseling Center, which is located in Thompson Health Center, provides comprehensive psychological counseling to all students currently enrolled at Williams. The services include: psychiatric evaluations, short-term individual or group therapy, crisis interventions, and medication evaluation, treatment, and follow-up. The Counseling Center is staffed by clinicians with a wide range of experience especially dealing with those issues that are familiar to the college-age population. Clinicians are seen Monday through Friday, by appointment only. The Counseling Service maintains strict standards and procedures of privacy and confidentiality. Students should be aware that the exception to this policy occurs if there is a serious threat to the student's life or welfare, or to the life or welfare of another student or the community at large. Appointments can be made by calling x2353. There is no fee for this service.
A Staff therapist of the Psychological Counseling Services is always on call when school is in session. When the Health Center is open (8:30 am - 9:00 pm weekdays and 1:00 pm - 8:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays), the on-call counselor can be reached by calling the Health Center at ext. 2206. After hours, you can access the on-call therapist by dialing Campus Safety at ext. 4444 and giving a number where the therapist can call you back. You don't need to give your name or any details of your situation to the dispatcher, just a phone number. The therapist will return that call in a timely fashion.
Exercising and Eating Right
An important part of staying healthy is eating a nutritious and balanced diet. Finding the right foods in a new country may be difficult. It may help to find some traditional foods from home, especially when you first arrive. The International Student Club on campus may be able to give you some suggestions on where to shop. If you have special dietary requirements, the campus dining services may be able to accommodate you. Be sure to check with the dining service director about your requirements if you do not readily find the foods you need.
Don’t forget that exercising regularly is the key to better health, less stress, more energy and improved academic performance! Staying healthy in a new environment, with all the differences in climate, food, and language, is a great challenge.
Peer Health Services
Peer Health counselors are trained to discuss a wide range of health-related issues including sexuality, contraception, pregnancy options, sexually transmitted diseases, alcohol and drug abuse, peer pressure, stress, and eating disorders. Peer Health can provide the names and phone numbers of counselors who are available for counseling at all hours in addition to the call-in/walk-in Clinic hours. Designated female counselors also perform anonymous pregnancy testing and gynecological exam education in conjunction with the Health Center. All services provided by Peer Health counselors are confidential.
COPING WITH THE WEATHER
Type of Clothing Needed - facts
▪ January and February are the two coldest months of the year, when temperatures regularly drop below zero degrees fahrenheit and wind chill factors can make it feel even colder. (See conversion scale, p. 18)
▪ The amount of snow that falls and remains in the Berkshires varies greatly from year to year.
▪ The ski resorts and mountains always have plenty of snow for outdoor winter activities.
▪ The best way to dress during these coldest months: layer your clothing, e.g. thermal underwear, turtleneck, sweater and jeans. A winter jacket should be worn over it all to protect against the wind and snow, as well as snow pants to avoid getting wet. Gloves and hats are essential, to avoid exposure of the skin and the risk of frostbite and a scarf or high collar to protect your neck and filter the air you breathe.
▪ March is generally a very windy month, when temperatures begin to rise and the sun may shine for longer periods, but the air is still brisk and exposure is a threat. You should still wear your winter jacket, gloves and hat when outdoors. Layering is still a good idea, especially when spending extended amounts of time outside.
▪ April is the beginning of spring and rain. In early April there is still a threat of some snow in the forecast, but as the days progress, it turns to mostly rain. Rain gear becomes essential. Umbrellas, raincoats, and protective footwear will all come in handy.
▪ As May arrives, the spring clothing starts to filter into our daily wardrobes. The grass begins to turn green, the flowers begin to bloom and by Memorial Day, summer is upon us.
▪ June, July and August are the months when temperatures range anywhere from the high 70's through the 90's and can even reach 100 fahrenheit degrees during July and August. Shorts, t-shirts, bathing suits, or any lightweight attire is appropriate.
▪ In early June and as August turns to September, it might be necessary to have a sweatshirt on hand in the evening. When the days are shorter, the temperatures drop considerably when the sun goes down.
Daylight Savings Time (DST)
During summertime, most of the United States (with a few exceptions) implements Daylight Savings Time. At 2:00 a.m. on the first Sunday in April clocks are turned one hour forward. Then, at 2:00 a.m. on the last Sunday in October, the clocks are turned one hour back. (Keep this in mind—Spring forward; Fall back—and you will always know which way to go.)
Winter Sports and Activities
When winter's short days and cold stormy weather keep you confined to the indoors for long periods of time, you may develop symptoms of a condition that Northerners call "Cabin Fever." Fatigue, depression and boredom are all associated with this condition, but there are ways to avoid it.
The best way to avoid cabin fever is to get outdoors. The lack of sunlight has a lot to do with the onset of this condition, so spending time outside will help. Some winter sports you might like to try are:
Downhill Skiing: There are several ski resorts in the Northeast, two of which are very close by. Discount rates are available to Williams College students and they have equipment rentals as well.
Cross-Country Skiing: This can be a very inexpensive sport if you have access to the equipment, because you can go just about anywhere. Hiking trails, open fields or state parks are perfect places to try this sport out.
Ice Skating: Even though Williams has its own rink, sometimes it's fun to find a lake or pond with a large section of smooth ice to skate on and try this sport outside. The best time to do this is during January and February and only when temperatures have remained below freezing point for a couple of weeks or more.
Sledding: It's always fun to go sledding with friends. Sleds can be purchased at any department store for very little money and there are plenty of hills on campus to slide on.
Snow-Shoeing: Snow shoes can be purchased at sporting good stores. Snow-shoeing is a great sport for people who like to hike. You can get a first hand look at how beautiful the Berkshire Hills are during the winter season.
The Williams Outing Club (WOC) organizes many excursions, which include some of the sports listed above. They also offer access to the equipment needed to participate in some of these sports.
COMMUNICATION
Mail Service
The United States Postal Service (USPS) is the main provider of mail service in the United States. Other services include United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), and DHL Worldwide Express (DHL). Unlike postal service in many countries, the USPS does not offer long-distance telephone service or savings accounts.
Each student is assigned a Student Union (SU) Box upon admission, and the student will keep that SU Box number for all four years. The mailroom staff distributes incoming mail on a daily basis, Monday through Friday. The staff is also responsible for disbursing “campus mail” to SU Boxes.
CONVERSION REFERENCES
Clothing
|Women’s Clothing | | | | | | | |
|Japanese |7 |9 |11 |13 |15 |17 |19 |
|American |8 |10 |12 |14 |16 |18 |20 |
|British |30 |32 |34 |36 |38 |40 |42 |
|Continental |36 |38 |40 |42 |44 |46 |48 |
| | | | | | | | |
|Men's Suits, Overcoats & Sweaters | | | | | | | |
|Japanese |36 |37 |38 |39 |40 |41 |42 |
|American |14 |14.5 |15 |15.5 |16 |16.5 |17 |
|British |14 |14.5 |15 |15.5 |16 |16.5 |17 |
|Continental |36 |37 |38 |39 |40 |41 |42 |
| | | | | | | | |
|Women's Shoes | | | | | | | |
|Japanese |23 |23.5 |24 |24.5 |25 |25.5 |26 |
|American |6 |6.5 |7 |7.5 |8 |8.5 |9 |
|British |4.5 |5 |5.5 |6 |6.5 |7 |7.5 |
|Continental |36 |37 |38 |38 |38 |39 |40 |
| | | | | | | | |
|Men's Shoes | | | | | | | |
|Japanese |24.5 | |26 | |27.5 |28 |29 |
|American |5.5 |6.5 |7.5 |8.5 |9.5 |10.5 |11.5 |
|British |5 |6 |7 |8 |9 |10 |11 |
|Continental |39 |40 |41 |42 |43 |44 |45 |
| | | | | | | | |
|Stockings | | | | | | | |
|USA & British |8 |8 ½ |9 |10 |10 ½ |11 | |
|Continental |0 |1 |2 |4 |5 |6 | |
| |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
|Americans often use the sizes Small, Medium, Large, and Extra Large. As a general rule, |
|for women: S = size less than 12; M = sizes 12, 14, 16; L = size 18 and up. |
Weights and Measures: Abbreviations and Symbols
|Length | |Weight | |
|cm |centimeter |g |gram |
|ft |foot |kg |kilogram |
|m |meter |mcg |microgram |
|mm |millimeter |mg |milligram |
| | |oz |ounce |
| | |lb |pound |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|Capacity | |Temperature | |
|bu |bushel |C |Centigrade |
| | | |(Celsius) |
|cc |cubic centimeter |F |Fahrenheit |
|c |cup | | |
|gal |gallon | | |
|l |liter |Time | |
|ml |milliliter |hr |hour |
|pt |pint |min |minute |
|qt |quart | | |
|pk |peck | | |
|tbsp |tablespoon | | |
|tsp |teaspoon | | |
| | | | |
| | | | |
|Volume | |Mileage | |
|1 bushel |4 pecks |Kilometers |Miles |
|1 peck |8 quarts |1 |0.6 or 5/8 |
|1 gallon |4 quarts |5 |3.1 |
|1 quart |2 pints |10 |6.2 |
|1 pint |2 cups |40 |25 |
|1 cup |8 fluid ounces |100 |62.5 |
Weights and Measures: Metric to U.S. Standard Conversion
|Metric |U.S. Standard |
|1 gram |0.0353 ounces |
|30 grams |1 ounce |
|500 grams |1.1 pounds |
|1 kilo |2.2 pounds |
|2.54 centimeters |1 inch |
|1 meter |3.28 feet |
|1 meter |1.094 yards |
|1 hectare |2.471 acres |
|1609.3 meters |1 mile |
Temperature
While most of the world uses Centigrade (or Celsius) to measure the weather, in America Fahrenheit is used. To convert Centigrade to Fahrenheit, you must multiply the Centigrade by 1.8 (or 9/5) and add 32. To convert Fahrenheit to Centigrade, you subtract 32 from the Fahrenheit and divide by 1.8 (or multiply 5/9).
Here are some temperatures to use as a guide:
|Centigrade |Fahrenheit | |
|-18 |0 | |
|0 |32 |(freezing point of water) |
| | | |
| | | |
|10 |50 | |
|20 |68 | |
|30 |86 | |
|36.9 |98.6 |(body temperature) |
|40 |104 | |
|100 |212 |(boiling point of water) |
TRANSPORTATION
“Being able to leave the college may be vital to feeling better. Williams is extremely isolated so you better learn where and when you can just catch the bus and go to Boston for example. Unfortunately, there aren’t as many buses as I expected but the few that Williams Inn provides are enough.” (Nukte Tuncok, Turkey)
“Williamstown is pretty far out in the ‘wilderness’, so don't expect a lot of city lights and nightlife. While there are a few places to go--that is, very few, and limiting--creativity and commitment to other forms of fun will be your best bet of enjoying the Williams experience. Some excursions to cities like New York or Boston might help too.”
(Vasko, Bulgaria)
Airports
There are no commercially scheduled flights into or out of the Berkshires, but major airlines serve the nearest major airport in Albany, NY “The Albany International Airport” (), about an hour away by car. Other airports:
▪ Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT (slightly over 2 hours away by car)
▪ Logan International Airport in Boston, MA (about 3 hours away by car)
▪ Laguardia or JFK International Airport in NY (about 3,5 to 4 hours by car)
If you need to find transportation to the Berkshires from one of the major airports, local transportation services are as follows:
Air Service
North Adams
Esposito Flying Services (413) 663-3330
at Harriman Airport
Pittsfield
Pittsfield Aviation Enterprises (413) 499-3548
Pittsifeld Municipal Airport (413) 443-6700
Bus Service
Bonanza Bus Service (800) 556-3815
Peter Pan Bus Service (800) 343-9999
Service from Williams Inn (413) 458-9371
Pittsfield, MA terminal (413) 442-4451
Bennington, VT depot (802) 442-4808
Taxi Service
Vet's Taxi/Norm's Airport Limo Service
800-486-4946 or 413-663-8300/6284
Several independent taxi services, including the one in North Adams, provide transportation from Williamstown to Albany or Hartford and back.
Trains
Amtrak (800) 872-7245
Rensselaer, NY
Travel Agencies
The Travel Store (413) 458-5786
105 Spring Street, Williamstown
Car Rental
Enterprise Rent-A-Car (413) 664-7620
303 State Street, North Adams
Williams Zipcar
(for Zipcard holders only)
williams.edu/resources/zipcar
Valid Foreign Driver's License
These are honored in Massachusetts for about 12 months depending on what country you are from, and what visa category you are in. Zipcar accepts foreign driver’s license for people over 18 years old and with at least one year of driving history in home country.
Obtaining a Massachusetts Driver's License
If you need to apply for a Massachusetts Driver’s License consult the website a
ZipCars at Williams
Williams has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to the area. To use Zipcars, simply register as a member, reserve a car online or by phone, use your Zipcard to enter the car, and drive away. Return the car to the same location where you picked it up. For more information on joining this program to go :
Driving while intoxicated
In Massachusetts there are strict laws governing alcohol consumption for anyone under 21 years of age. In addition, driving a vehicle under the influence is against the law. There are strict penalties including, loss of license and even a jail term if you are involved in a fatal accident. So REMEMBER, if you have consumed alcohol at a private party or anywhere else, DO NOT OPERATE A VEHICLE. Call a taxi or ask a friend to drive you home.
NOTE: DUI is considered a felony and if you are convicted US Homeland Security Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) will investigate and you will be subject to possible detention and deporation.
MONEY MANAGEMENT
Managing your finances is one of the most important and challenging aspects of a successful and enjoyable academic experience. Dealing with a new currency and cost of living are the beginning of the challenge. Before you leave home, pay attention to the exchange rate between your country's currency and the U.S. dollar. Learn to think in dollars.
Use the list below to help you think about all the possible expenses you may have.
• Tuition • Rent
• Health Insurance • Transportation
• Clothes • Taxes
• Recreation • Fees
• Meals (often called "board") • Books
• Communications • Personal expenses
• Family expenses • Travel
Opening a Bank Account
Once you arrive on campus, you will want to open a bank account at a local bank. Most local banks will want you to come in personally to set up your account. When you do so, bring your student identification, your passport, and the funds you wish to deposit.
Banks offer many different financial services. You may wish to compare the services and costs of several banks before choosing one at which to open an account. One bank may be more conveniently located than others, another may have more automated teller machines (ATMs) around town; a third may charge less to maintain a checking account; a fourth may allow you to do your banking from home via computer. Banks are competing for your business, so don't be shy about asking questions.
Other Banking Services
A safety deposit box, available at most banks, is a good place to store valuable possessions such as the airline ticket for your flight home, expensive jewelry, foreign currency, and the important documents you bring with you.
A debit card, allows you to withdraw or deposit money to your bank account using an automatic teller machine (ATM) and to make purchases at stores that accept the card. Some debit cards carry a credit-card logo (such as Mastercard or Visa), and can be used in place of a check or credit card. Debit cards are not credit cards, however, and they can be used only to the extent that you have funds in the account to which they are linked.
Credit cards will allow you to make purchases even when you have no money immediately available. Banks and other financial Institutions, department stores, and gasoline companies all issue credit cards that can be used to buy goods. You are billed every month and are required to pay at least a portion of your balance each month. If you do not pay the entire amount due, interest (or a "finance charge") accrues on the unpaid balance. The interest rate can be quite high, particularly if you have not yet established your "credit worthiness."
The cost of credit cards varies greatly. The annual fees and interest rates charged by some financial Institutions are much higher than others. Many cards offer premiums or awards linked to the amount you spend using the card. Ask your advisor or fellow students—it really pays to shop around. Once you establish a "credit history," or if you have significant assets, you should be able to obtain a card with a lower interest rate and little or no annual fee.
Credit cards are convenient, but unless you are careful you may be shocked when you get your monthly bill. Keep all your receipts to keep track of what you spend. Debit cards are a better solution for students who have trouble managing their debt. They are as convenient as credit cards but do not allow you to spend more than you have.
Banks in Williamstown
TD Bank, 57 Spring Street (413) 458-8321
South Adams Savings Bank, 273 Main Street (413) 458-2141
Williamstown Savings Bank, 795 Main Street (413) 458-8191
You do not need a Social Security Number to open a bank account – for more information contact the International Student and Scholar Coordinator.
PASSPORT AND VISA INFORMATION
Passports
Before you enter the United States, you will be issued a passport by your government. It is your responsibility to insure that the passport is valid at least six months beyond the date of your authorized stay in this country. If necessary, your own embassy or consulate in the U.S. will extend, renew, or issue a new passport. Please consult with them well in advance to find out what forms you will need.
It is a good idea to keep your passport in a safe place at all times during your stay. Upon your arrival, you will be asked to bring your passport into the office of the International Student and Scholar Coordinator to have the visa, informational page and the I-94 Form and visa copied for your file. When traveling within the United States, you will not need to carry your passport but you will, however, need to carry some form of identification. Your Williams I.D. or your SEVIS I-20 form can serve this purpose.
When can I enter in the United States in my new student visa status?
You may enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the program start date noted on your document (I-20 or DS-2019).
Each year a few students wish to enter the U.S. even earlier than 30 days prior to their program start date. In general, this is not advisable. Students wishing to enter the U.S. prior to the 30-day grace period must enter in another visa status, usually in tourist status. However, individuals in tourist status are not allowed to enroll in courses. Therefore, if you enter the U.S. as a tourist, you must change from tourist to your student visa status prior to enrolling in classes. Changing from tourist to student visa status is not always possible, but it is always time-consuming, expensive, and risky. Again, we strongly advise you to enter the U.S. in your student status within the 30-day grace period allowed by your I-20 or DS-2019. If you have questions, please contact us.
F-1 Visa/SEVIS I-20 (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System)
Any non-U.S. citizen attending Williams for a full four-year degree program is issued a SEVIS I-20 Form (Certificate of Eligibility) by the International Student and Scholar Coordinator which enables him/her to apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy in the home country. The F-1 student visa is then stamped inside the passport. With this visa, a student may leave and re-enter the United States as many times as is desired, provided he/she has:
▪ a valid passport;
▪ a valid student visa;
▪ a current SEVIS I-20 Form from Williams, which has been signed and dated by a DSO (Designated School Official) within the past 12 months;
▪ Form I-94 which is surrendered at the border or airport to a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) official.
What do I do if I am stopped by a police officer, a U.S. immigration agent, or a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) officer?
Always make sure to stay calm, ask the officer/agent for identification, and know your rights when you find yourself in this situation.
Request to call the Dean of the College Office 1 413 5974262. Explain the situation and give your current contact information, including the name of the Officer and US Government Agency with telephone number.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) maintains a detailed guide for individuals who find themselves in this situation. You can access it at: . It is also available in an easy to carry wallet card format: .
J-1 Visa/DS-2019
Students who are on an Exchange Program to Williams will be issued a Form DS-2019 from Williams. Following are the ways that J-1 visas differ from F-1 visas:
1. Your visa stamp in your passport will indicate J-1 status at Williams College.
2. Your DS-2019 will be marked with an "x" in a specific category. This category cannot be changed once it is approved and granted. If your category is "student" you may remain here as long as you are enrolled in an academic program. If it is marked "researcher, scholar, or professor" you may remain for a total of three years. If the "international visitor" category is marked, your stay is limited to one year. These limitations are strictly enforced.
3. Your DS-2019 should also indicate in the lower left-hand corner, if you are subject to the two year home residency requirement.
4. Your DS-2019 will show beginning and ending dates of your authorized stay in the U.S. You need a new DS-2019 if you stay beyond the ending date of your visa even if you are not leaving the country.
5. Your DS-2019 as long as it is valid, is your official travel document. You may travel outside the U.S. and re-enter any time as long as you have a valid "multiple entry" visa. You should have the Responsible Officer endorse the DS-2019 if it has not been signed in the past twelve months.
6. You must at all times have the following papers while you are on a J-1 visa, particularly when you travel outside the U.S.:
▪ a valid passport;
▪ a valid DS-2019;
▪ a valid visa stamp of J-1 in your passport;
▪ a valid I-94 form (which you surrender when you leave the country).
While you are on a J-1 visa at Williams College you can do the following:
▪ accept employment on campus;
▪ accept employment outside the College with special permission from the International Student and Scholar Coordinator;
▪ obtain a Social Security number, which you will need if you plan to seek employment;
▪ apply for "Academic Training" after graduation or during the summer to gain experience in your field of study.
Expiration dates
All students should be aware that passports, visas, and I-94 forms do have expiration dates. Once you are in the United States, your visa may expire. You will not be subject to any penalty if this should occur, but if you leave the United States with an expired visa, you must obtain a new one before you can return. Check with the International Student and Scholar Coordinator if you have any questions about this.
The Port of Entry
Upon your arrival to the United States, your immigration documentation will be checked by a border official assigned to that port of entry. He/she will check your visa and return them to you. Should you encounter any difficulties at the port of entry or should you be detained for any reason, please inform the International Student and Scholar Coordinator as soon as possible by contact the Dean of the College Office and request the Dean on-call.
/
TRAVEL
Reentry to the U.S.
Before students leave the United States, they should check with the International Student and Scholar Coordinator about the documents they will need to reenter the United States. In most instances, the documents required are:
Valid passport;
Valid U.S. visa;
Signed and dated SEVIS I-20 within the past 12 months (F1 visa) or valid for travel signature DS-2019 (J1 Visa);
Valid U.S. Visa
The visa is the stamp in the passport that allows entry into the U.S. By examining a student’s visa, one can determine the type of visa issued (F-1, J-1, J-2), its expiration date and the number of entries permitted into the U.S. As long as the visa indicates F-1 or J-1 visa type, is multiple-entry and has not expired, the student does not need to apply for a new visa before reentering the U.S. with a valid SEVIS I-20 or valid DS-2019.
Valid Form SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
If the student is in valid F-1 status and plans to remain at the same school after returning to the U.S., he/she can reenter using the SEVIS I-20Form endorsed on page 3 by the International Student and Scholar Coordinator. If the International Student and Scholar Coordinator is not available to sign his/her SEVIS I-20 Form prior to leaving the country, the others authorized to sign it in the Dean’s Office are, Laura McKeon, Karen Ryan, and Cynthia Haley.
For the student who is in J-1 status, his/her DS-2019 must also be endorsed by the International Student and Scholar Coordinator prior to travel. If the International Student and Scholar Coordinator is not available to sign his/her DS-2019 prior to leaving the country, the only other persons authorized to sign a DS-2019 are Rachel Louis and Jane Canova.
Travel to Contiguous Territory (Canada, Mexico, or Adjacent Islands other than Cuba)
Please note that, depending on citizenship, it may be necessary for you to obtain a tourist visa in order to enter Canada or other contiguous territories. For current information regarding visits to Canada, please contact the International Student and Scholar Coordinator.
Reentry Without an Endorsed SEVIS I-20 or DS-2019
A student attempting to reenter the U.S. without a properly signed SEVIS I-20 Form or DS-2019 may be denied admission. But, he/she is more likely to be issued form I-515 and admitted for 30 days. Please see the International Student and Scholar Coordinator if you are issued I-515.
Canadian Citizens and Landed Immigrants
Canadians reentering the U.S. do not need a US F1 visa in their passport but they do need an endorsed I-20 Form and a valid I-94.
Travel Within the United States
When traveling within the United States, please carry your passport and most recent stamped and signed I-20 with you. Be sure to have your passport and I-20 with youif you will be traveling by plane, as your student I.D. will not be adequate for this.
STUDENT EMPLOYMENT
On-Campus Employment: Basic F-1 Regulations
Students who are maintaining F-1 status are eligible to work on-campus. Work performed on the school premises is “on-campus” employment as long as the employment provides direct service to students.
Students are permitted to work a maximum of 20 hours per week while classes are in session and full-time during holidays or school vacation periods, provided the student intends to enroll full-time during the academic term following the vacation period. This 20 hour total includes hours spent working on an assistantship. For example, a one-third time assistantship is equivalent to 13 hours of work; therefore, the student can work a maximum of 7 additional hours on campus to total 20 hours.
Optional Practical Training (Seniors and eligible underclassmen)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) provides an opportunity for F-1 visa holders to gain up to one year of experience in their field of study. OPT has many benefits but is sometimes a complicated process. Please make an appointment with International Student and Scholar Coordinator if you wish participate in post-completion OPT.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) The regulations for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) allow International students to work on campus, work off-campus, engage in summer training, and otherwise do the typical things that college students do as part of their education. The purpose of CPT is to allow international students to gain the same types of educational work experiences that domestic students are required or encouraged to experience such as on campus and summer work. CPT is available to international students after completion of at least one full academic year at the F-1 sponsoring institution and must be within a framework that is “an integral part of an established curriculum.” International student must meet with International Student and Scholar Coordinator to request CPT and will be required to enroll in Winter Study CPT course for the follow Winter Study Term.
Summer Employment
International students can work on campus full time during the summer. If a student with F-1 status is offered employment off campus for the summer, he/she must apply for CPT through the International Student and Scholar Coordinator.
Applying for a Social Security Number
If you plan to work on-campus or off campus, it will be necessary for you to apply for a Social Security Number in order to be eligible for compensation for any work performed. International students seeking on campus employment must first meet with Human Resources (100 Spring Street) to determine eligibility. For on-campus employment, Human Resources will issue anEmployment Offer Letter which is used in the application process for Social Security Number (SSN). You do not need a Social Security Number to open a bank account.
THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT AND THE LAW
As an international student you are subject to Massachusetts and U.S. Federal laws including those pertaining to US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. You are also protected by these same laws. Should you come into conflict with the law, the first person to contact is the International Student and Scholar Coordinator (or any other Dean if that person is unavailable). They will let you know whom to contact next.
If arrested or questioned by police, an international student, just like an US citizen, is not required to confess or give evidence against him/herself; you may remain silent and refuse to answer any questions regarding the accusation against you. It is recommended that you do not volunteer information without the presence of legal counsel. The only information that you are required to give is personal data such as your name, date of birth, and current address.
International students often worry that they will be deported should they come into conflict with the law. In general, you will not be deported for a single misdemeanor or other minor offense, e.g., petty theft, shoplifting, disturbing the peace, drunkenness or traffic violations. If an international student is convicted of a serious crime then deportation is a real possibility. Charges related to drug offenses such as possession and sale fall into this category.
Please note that immigration laws and regulations are constantly changing, especially the ones governing student visas. The International Student and Scholar Coordinator will keep you informed of any major changes that will affect you. Please remember that immigration laws do not apply equally to all nationalities. This is particularly true if you are trying to obtain a visa to go to another country. Please check with the International Student and Scholar Coordinator if you have any questions. Do not depend on information or advice from friends who are often not familiar with immigration laws or are from countries other than yours. Your country also will have different regulations vis a vis the U.S.
(Information taken from the Participant's Handbook 1981-1982 United States of America published by ISEP Georgetown University, Washington, D.C. pp. 28-29.)
CRIMES and “SCAMS”
Sadly, crime is a fact of life in the United States. University and college campuses are not immune from crime, but help is available. Williams College has its own campus security department, which is available 24 hours to assist you with any incidents or crimes that take place on campus. Students should call x4444 to report any suspicious situation. In case of a life-threatening situation, however, you should call 9-911. Security officers will assist emergency responders and will provide mutual aid if necessary.
Ways to Avoid Being a Victim of Crime
The most common crime on U.S. campuses is theft of property left unattended or in unlocked rooms, cars, or apartments. More serious crimes – such as drug dealing, assault, and rape – also occur.
Some behaviors, such as sexual harassment and spouse abuse, are crimes in the United States, even though they may not be crimes in your country! Protect yourself by exercising good sense and caution:
➢ Keep your dorm room or apartment locked whenever you are away;
➢ Do not leave your books, backpack, or purse unattended anywhere;
➢ Buy a good lock for your bicycle and use it;
➢ Engrave valuables
➢ Learn what parts of town you should avoid at night;
➢ Use caution with strangers who are overly friendly, who offer you gifts, or who ask you to accompany them to an unknown place;
➢ Remember that 911 is an emergency number that you can call at any time from any telephone in the United States for help in an emergency. (On campus 9-911);
➢ Ask a reliable friend or the International Student and Scholar Coordinator if you are in doubt about a person or an activity.
Sexual harassment is particularly an American concept and a very hot topic on campus and in the workplace. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other physical or verbal behavior of a sexual nature. It is important that you learn the definition of sexual harassment at Williams and what behaviors you should avoid. You can find this information in a pamphlet which is distributed annually by the Assistant to the President’s Office. If you feel you are being sexually harassed it is important that you tell someone, such as a security officer, a faculty member, or the International Student and Scholar Coordinator.
Spouse abuse, or domestic violence, is a crime in the United States. You may feel that all domestic matters, especially those that occur within your home, are private matters, but in the United States they cease to be private once one party uses physical violence. In most states, if a couple is fighting and the police come to the scene and find evidence of assault, they are required to arrest the attacker and put him or her in jail. In some cases, both participants may be arrested.
What To Do If You Are Accused of a Crime
If you are accused of committing a crime and have been arrested, remember that you do have certain rights. You should notify the International Student and Scholar Coordinator as soon as possible. You also have the right to notify your government about your arrest and detainment. If you choose to do so, the police can inform the appropriate foreign consulate or embassy immediately. Your consular officers have the right to visit you and arrange for your legal representation. Many countries (for example, China, Nigeria, and Singapore) require that the consul be notified when their nationals are confined or detained. In these cases, you have no choice in the matter of whether the authorities notify your consulate; they must do so. Depending upon the severity of the crime of which you are accused, you should obtain legal assistance.
Smoking
Smoking is no longer permitted anywhere in college buildings, including student rooms, or – as recommended by the American College Health Association – within 25 feet of a College building.
The reason is straightforward. The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that secondhand smoke causes cancer. Smoke can’t be confined to a single room; it inevitably spreads. Student residences are used by all students and are the workplace of many staff. Studies show that this step will have an added benefit of reducing the risk of fire. It seems clear, then, that for the health and safety of all members of our community all College buildings and the areas around them need to be smoke-free.
The College has devised a system to enable those who choose to smoke to dispose of used cigarettes outdoors in an appropriate manner. For those of you who do smoke, the decision whether to continue is, of course, yours. The College, however, has several responsibilities: to insure that smoking does not endanger others, to help educate members of the community about potential dangers to themselves, and to help as best it can those who want to quit.
Smoking cessation programs will be offered throughout the year and will be available at no cost.
Alcohol and Other Drugs
The College prohibits the abuse of alcohol and expects members to abide by federal, state, and local regulations concerning the possession and use, purchase, and distribution of alcohol. Williams prohibits the unlawful manufacture, sale, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of illegal drugs, or the unauthorized use of prescription drugs.
Federal, state, and local laws make illegal use of alcohol and drugs serious crimes. Convictions can lead to imprisonment, fines, and/or required community service. Courts do not lift prison sentences to allow convicted persons to attend college or continue their jobs.
Williamstown Open Container Law
No person shall drink alcoholic beverages from an open container while on any public way or in a public place. No person shall carry an open container of alcoholic beverage while on any public way or in a public place. Violation of this Williamstown ordinance may result in a fine between $20 and $200.
HOLIDAYS AND TRADITIONS
Holidays Celebrated in America
All of the following holidays are federal holidays, on which government services such as mail delivery, schools, banks and libraries are closed or curtailed. An * next to the holiday indicates that Williams College is officially closed. Some administrative offices may remain open, however, if there is a need to do so. Memorial Day, Columbus Day and Labor Day are holidays when key offices, such as the Dean's Office and Registrar's Office, generally remain open.
New Year's Day* – January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday – January 15. This official holiday began in 1996 to honor the leader of the civil-rights movement in America during the 1960's.
Memorial Day* – Last Monday in May. This holiday honors all U.S. citizens who have died in wars.
Independence Day* – The Fourth of July. This holiday commemorates the day in 1776 when the American colonists declared independence from Great Britain.
Labor Day* – First Monday in September. A day of recognition for the American laborer.
Columbus Day* – Second Monday in October. A day recognizing Christopher Columbus, who "discovered" North America.
Veterans' Day – November 11. A holiday honoring those who have fought in U.S. wars.
Thanksgiving* – Fourth Thursday in November. This important holiday celebrates the arrival of the Pilgrims to New England in 1620. It is celebrated traditionally with a large meal of turkey, cranberry sauce, bread stuffing, and pie.
Christmas* – December 25. This holiday is both religious and secular in the U.S. It is meant to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, but it also happens to be a huge commercial event.
In addition to legal holidays, other days are marked by religious observance, or by purely social fun-making. Some of these are:
Ground Hog Day – February 2. Legend has it that the groundhog, a small burrowing animal that hibernates during the winter months, emerges on February 2. If he sees his shadow (a sunny day) he will be frightened and return to his burrow. This is supposed to indicate six more weeks of wintry weather. If he doesn't see his shadow, then spring is at hand.
Valentine's Day – February 14. On this romantic day, people do something special for their wife/husband, girlfriend/boyfriend. Flowers, chocolates and cards are popular on this occasion.
Saint Patrick's Day – March 17. A day in which the Irish honor their patron saint. The Irish wear green on this day and often celebrate with wild parties/parades.
Easter – A Sunday in early April. A Christian festival celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter is an occasion on which children receive "Easter baskets" filled with chocolates and candies.
Passover – Held usually in April, close to Easter. A religious festival of eight days celebrating the escape of the Jews from Egypt. During this time the Jewish people hold special dinners called "Seders", and participate in several rituals, such as refraining from eating leavened bread.
Mother's Day – Second Sunday in May. On this day Americans honor their mothers by sending flowers, buying small gifts, and taking their mothers out to eat.
Father's Day – Third Sunday in June. Fathers are honored on this day.
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur – Two days in September. The Jewish New Year, the most important Jewish holiday.
Halloween – October 31. A Pagan observance on the evening of All Souls’ Day. A time for dressing up in outlandish costumes, handing out candies to children ("Trick or Treat"), and acting wild.
Hanukkah (or Chanukah) – December. A Jewish festival lasting eight days, marked with parties, games, gifts for children, and the lighting of the nine candles of the menorah, celebrating the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem.
RELIGIOUS GROUPS AND CHURCHES
Williams College Chaplaincy (413) 597-2483
Bell Tower Meditation Room
(Thompson Memorial Chapel) open daily for meditation
Campus Catholic Liturgy
St. Patrick's Church Sunday, 4:30 p.m.
Christian Fellowship
Dodd Living Room Sunday, 6:30 p.m.
Hindu Prayers
Thompson Chapel Basement as announced
Jewish Association, Shabbat Service and Meal
Jewish Religious Center Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Meditation Society
O'Connel Room as announced
Quaker Meeting
Hopkins 206 Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
Community Bible Church of Williamstown, 160 Bridges Road (413) 458-5556
Web address:
Church Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday School Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
Midweek small group meeting call for more information
Congregation Beth Israel, 53 Lois Street, North Adams (413) 663-5830
Friday Shabbat 5:00 p.m.
Saturday Shabbat 9:30 a.m.
Monday & Thursday Minion Services 7:30 a.m.
First Baptist Church, Main Street (413) 458-4811
Sunday School
Sunday Worship 10:00 a.m.
First Congregational Church, 906 Main Street (413) 458-4273
Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m.
Sunday Church School 10:30 a.m.
United Methodist Church, 777 Main Street (413) 458-3183
Sunday Morning Worship 10:00 a.m.
Children’s Sunday School 10:15 a.m.
Second Congregational Church, Hancock Road (413) 458-3467
Sunday Morning Worship 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School 9:00 a.m.
St. John's Episcopal Church, 35 Park Street (413) 458-8144
Sunday Eucharist 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Church School (all ages-thru teenage) 9:00 a.m.
Adult Bible Study TBA
Tuesday Service 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday Service 5:15 p.m.
Saint Patrick's Catholic Church, 45 Southworth Street (413) 458-4946
Sunday Mass 11:15 a.m.
Saturday Mass 4:00 p.m.
Saturday Confession 3:00 p.m.
Saint Raphael's Catholic Church, 207 Cole Avenue (413) 458-4946
Sunday Mass 8:00 a.m. & 9:30 a.m.
White Oaks Congregational Church, White Oaks Road (413) 458-4633
Sunday School (adult classes) 10:00 a.m.
Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
COMMON TERMS AND IDIOMS
A
All-nighter (n) An all-night work session. "To pull an all-nighter" means to work all night at something, without sleeping.
Ammo (n) Ammunition.
ASAP (abbreviation) As soon as possible
At one's fingertips (adv.) Easily recalled or remembered.
B
Babe (n) An attractive woman. Often derogatory.
Baked (adj.) To be high on marijuana.
Bar (n) A place where alcoholic beverages are served.
Bar-B-Q (n) An outdoor cooking party, like a picnic.
To be on top of something (v) To keep up with something
To beat around the bush (v) To speak indirectly, to avoid addressing an issue.
Big shot (n) An important person, or someone who thinks he or she is important.
Big wigs (n) Administrators, people of importance.
To blow someone off (v) To intentionally and rudely ignore someone.
To blow someone away (v) To amaze or impress. Also, to shoot someone with a gun.
To blow something (v) To lose (a favorable chance) as a result of foolishness
The bomb (n) To be the best, to be really cool.
To bomb an exam (v) To do poorly on an exam.
Bombed (adj.) Very drunk or stoned.
To bond (v) To make friends.
To break the ice (v) To begin conversation in an awkward social setting.
To break up (v) To stop dating/hooking up with someone
Broke (adj.) Out of money.
Buck (n) A dollar bill.
Bum Bum (n) A homeless person, a person begging for money on the street.
To bum/to be bummed out (v) To be depressed or sad.
To get busted To get busted (v) To be caught by security or police for doing something illicit.
BYOB BYOB (abbreviation) Bring your own bottle (of alcohol).
Booze (n) Alcohol, usually liquor as opposed to beer.
C
Calling card (n) Prepaid phone-card
Cash Cash (n) Paper currency, as opposed to checks or money orders.
To cash (v) To redeem cash from a check or money order.
To catch up (v) To do everything that was supposed to be done earlier
Change Change (n) Coins (penny: 1 cent, Nickel: 5 cents, dime: 10 cents, quarter: 25 cents, half-dollar: 50 cents).
To chat (v) To talk.
Chauvinism (n) A prejudiced belief in the superiority of one's own group.
Check, cheque Check, cheque (n) A signed piece of paper redeemable for cash at a bank. Used by individuals to pay for many items and services in lieu of cash.
To be caught red-handed (v) To be observed in the act of doing something illicit or illegal.
To check out To check out (v) To sign out a book from the library; to pay for purchases in a store; to try to find out about something.
Chic (adj) In good style, stylish
To chill out (v) To relax, to calm down.
To click To click (v) To have something suddenly make sense, to suddenly get along well with someone.
Clique (n) A tight-knit social group, usually a close group of friends who tend to resist outsiders.
Common room (n) The room that everyone who lives in the suite can use
Cool (exclamation) OK, good.
Cop (n) Police officer. A slang (and somewhat derogatory) term. Do not use this term when speaking to a police officer!
Crack (n) Cocaine product, a dangerous and highly illegal drug.
To cram (v) To study hard the night before an exam.
Crap (n) Garbage, nonsense, excrement.
Crappy (adj) Of very low quality
Crunchtime (n) The end of semester when there is a lot of schoolwork
Crush (n) A strong but short-lived feeling of love for someone
To cut (v) To skip a class, to not go to a class.
D
To date (v) To see someone in a social, personal, romantic fashion.
Date (n) A person one sees in a social, personal, romantic fashion.
Diesel (n) Petrol, fuel for trucks and certain automobiles.
Diesel (adj.) Extremely strong, tough, powerful.
Dope (n) Illegal drugs, such as marijuana or hashish. Also, an idiot.
Dork (n) A stupid person, a silly person.
Down in the dumps (adj.) Feeling depressed.
Down to earth (adj.) Practical, straight-forward, "a normal person."
Drag (n) An act of breathing in cigarette smoke (verb: to have a drag
To drop a course (v) To withdraw officially from a course.
Dude (n) A buddy, friend.
Dude! (exclamation) An exclamation used to expressed wonder, shock, or amazement.
Dumb (adj.) Stupid.
To dump (v) To end a dating relationship; the action (performed by only one person in a couple) of abruptly ending a going-steady relationship.
F
Fad (n) A stylish, and often fleeting, trend.
Feather in your cap (n) A praiseworthy accomplishment.
To feel it in your bones (v) To feel or sense what is going to happen.
Fiend (n) A person addicted to something (e.g. dope fiend)
Final(s) (n) The last exam(s) of a semester.
Flip-flop (n) A type of open shoe, which is usually made of rubber and is held on by the toes and loose at the back
To flip out (v) To lose one's mind
To flirt (v) To engage in subtle behaviors designed to attract the interest and/or affections of someone to whom one is attracted.
Flirt (n) Someone who often behaves in a way which is considered flirtatious, which attracts the attention of the opposite sex.
To flunk (v) To fail a course, to receive unsatisfactory grades (marks).
To freak out (v) To become greatly excited or anxious
G
Gas (n) Gasoline (fuel) for an automobile.
Gay (adj.) Homosexual
To get cold feet (v) To back out of a deal because of nervousness or uncertainty. Most often applied to dating relationships.
To get/be involved with someone (v) To start dating/date someone
To give the cold shoulder (v) To rudely and intentionally ignore someone.
To go fly a kite (v) To go away. Usually a command from one person to another.
To go jump in a lake (v) To go away. Usually a command from one person to another.
To go to pot (v) To deteriorate.
To go downhill (v) To deteriorate.
To go out (v) To go to parties
To go out with someone (v) To be in a romantic relationship with someone, to date
To go steady (v) To officially (i.e. to make known to the general public) and repeatedly date or see someone romantically.
To goof-off (v) To do silly or purposeless things.
Goof-off (n) A person who sometimes does silly or purposeless things.
Gonzo (adj.) Crazy, extremely daring.
Grade (n) Mark, an indication of performance in a class as determined by the professor.
Grass (n) Marijuana.
Guy (n) A man.
Guys (n) A group of men, or, often, a group of people (in this case, gender-neutral).
Gym (n) Gymnasium or physical education building.
H
Half-baked (adj.) An idea or plan not well thought-out.
To hang in there (v) To persevere, to not give up.
To hang on (v) To wait (e.g. Hang on for a minute.)
To hang out (v) To chill, to relax, to spend one's time in a non-productive fashion.
Hangover (n) Sickness/general malaise felt the day after heavy drinking.
Hassle (n) Something troublesome, a nuisance.
To hassle (v) To deliberately be troublesome to someone.
To have a bone to pick with someone (v) To have cause to argue or disagree.
To have a crush on someone (v) To be infatuated with someone
Hick (n) A person from a rural area (derogatory), often perceived to be uneducated.
Hickey (n) A mark left on the skin from kissing.
High (adj.) Intoxicated by a drug.
Hip (adj.) Trendy, fashionable.
To hit on someone (v) To try to pick up or hook up with someone
To hit the books (v) To study.
To hit the road (v) To leave.
To hold on (v) To wait (e.g. Hold on for a second. I'll get a pen.)
To hold one's horses (v) To be calm or patient.
To hook up (v) To form a romantic or sexual relationship with someone, usually fleeting with merely sexual intent and formed at a party.
Howdy (exclamation) Hello. Originally a contraction of "How do you do." Carries a connotation of lack of culture or sophistication, as it is a term perceived to be used by uneducated lower-class and working-class people.
Hung Over (adj.) Having a hangover.
I
I.D. (n) Identification or identification card
J
Jello shots (n) Jello prepared with alcohol instead of water.
Jerk (n) A mean or nasty person.
Jock (n) An athlete, someone whose social persona is built around the sport they play.
Junk mail (n) Unsolicited mail which aims to sell you something.
K
Keg (n) A large aluminum drum used for storing large quantities of beer.
To kick ass (v) To be very good at something
To know the ropes (v) To be familiar with the details of something.
L
Lab (abbreviation) Laboratory.
Late night (n) The last party on campus
Lemon (n) A bad buy or purchase. (Cross-reference with Citroen automobiles.)
To let one's hair down (v) To relax, to behave informally, to party, usually contrasted to a staunch, official or professional attitude.
To let the cat
out of the bag (v) To reveal a secret, thus ruining a surprise.
Lift (n) A ride, transportation.
Like (interjection) A nonsensical use of the word "like," used as a fill-in word, such as "Uh" or "Um". A common feature of the speech of many young people.
M
To make a move (v) To talk to the person you want to date
To make ends meet (v) To make one's expenses meet (not exceed) one's income.
To make up (v) To apologize after a fight; to do an assignment after it was due.
To make out (v) To kiss, engage in foreplay
Mall (n) A cluster of stores in one large building.
Memo (n) A brief note. Abbreviation of "memorandum."
Midterm (n) An exam given in the middle of a semester.
Moose (n) A large mammal, considerably larger than a deer or elk but similar in body shape, with large antlers, which inhabits local forests.
N
Neat (adj.) Cool, interesting. Conveys positive approval of something.
Nerd, geek, square (n) Someone who studies a lot, someone who is excessively academic.
O
OK (exclamation) All right, a term of approval.
On a shoestring (adv.) Supported by very little money.
On the ball (adj.) To be with-it, to be focused and productive.
Once in a blue moon (adj.) Seldom, infrequently. A blue moon is defined as the second full moon in a given month (hence, a rare occurrence).
Out of it (adj.) To have one's mind far-away or preoccupied, to feel sick or generally unwell.
Over my dead body (exclamation) Not if I can stop it!
To overdraw (v) To withdraw more money than one has in one's account. Accompanied by a heavy fee.
P
Paranoid (adj, n) Someone who does not trust people
Party animal (n) Someone who goes out a lot
Party pooper (n) Dull and unfriendly person who does not enjoy being with other people, spoils their fun, etc.
To pass out (v) To faint, lose consciousness, usually because of consuming too much alcohol
Payslip (n) The piece of paper you use for punching in and out
Plastered (adj.) Very drunk.
Peeping Tom (n) A person who covertly observes others in private activities.
Peoplesoft (n) Registration software at Williams
Phony (adj.) Fake.
To pick someone up (v) To establish a romantic or sexual relationship with someone new, usually a fleeting relationship formed at a party.
Pick-up game (n) An informal game of basketball or soccer.
Piece (n) Slang term for gun.
The Pill (n) Contraceptive birth control pill. (Slang.)
Pine (n) Same as Unix
To play second fiddle (v) To be second in importance.
Possum (n) An exceptionally ugly and reclusive local mammal.
Pot (n) Marijuana.
Prick (n) A mean or nasty person. Other (highly obscene) definitions exist.
To procrastinate (v) To delay repeatedly and without good reason in doing
something that must be done (noun: procrastination)
Psyched (adj.) Excited about something to come.
Psyched-out (adj.) Intimidated.
To pull one's leg (v) To chide or tease someone.
To pull some strings (v) To use influence to get what you want.
To pull the wool
over someone's eyes (v) To deceive or mislead someone.
To punch in/out (v) to check in/out from work
To put one's foot
in one's mouth (v) To make an embarrassing mistake.
Q
Quad (n) A square open place with buildings around
Queer (adj.) Homosexual
Quiz (n) A short test, usually given without warning.
R
Raccoon (n) A mammal approximately the size of a medium-sized dog which likes to forage in trash cans. Sometimes rabid.
To rain cats and dogs (v) To rain heavily.
Redneck (n) A person who lives in a rural area (derogatory), especially the west and the southeast; often perceived to be uneducated.
Retard (n) A really stupid person (offensive)
Ride (n) Transportation, usually in a car.
To rip off (v) To charge an excessively high price, to cheat.
To rock (v) To be really good; to be successful in something
Row house (n) Terraced house (Perry, Wood, etc.)
RSVP (abbreviation of the French "Repondez s'il-vous-plait") Please reply.
To run around with (v) To be friends and share activities with someone.
S
Schmuck (n) Jerk (see “prick”)
To scope (v) To investigate, to covertly observe physically attractive people.
Selfreg (n) Software used for registering for courses
To be set (v) To be ready, prepared, finished, done.
Shaky (adj.) Uncertain, undependable
To shoot hoops (v)To play basketball for fun
To shoplift (v) To secretly steal from a store. Can lead, if caught, to prosecution.
Shot (n) A small glass of liquor.
Show (n) A movie in a movie theater, or a play in a theater.
Silly (adj.) Stupid, dumb
Sip (n) A very small amount of drink (verb: to have a sip)
To skip (v) To not go to a class, to cut a class.
Skunk (n) A small black and white striped animal which inhabits local forests and tends to wander into town. Possesses a gland in its tail which is capable of expelling an extraordinarily unpleasant and long-lasting smell when the animal feels in danger.
Solid (adj.) Okay, certain, dependable, etc.
To space out (v) To not pay attention, to become preoccupied.
To smoke up (v) To smoke marijuana
Spam (n) Unwanted e-mail which aims to sell you something. Also, an unsavory form of canned meat.
Spaz (n) An energetic, hyper person.
To spill the beans (v) To unintentionally reveal a secret, thus ruining a surprise.
To split (v) To leave.
Stag (n) Slang term for a man; to go stag is to go to a dance or party without a date.
Stale (adj.) Old, unpleasant.
Stoned (adj.) High on marijuana.
Straight-forward (adj., adv.) To deal with something in a direct manner, to speak openly.
Straight-up (adj.) Directly, to speak concisely and truthfully, with the truth a higher concern than the effect it may have on the listener.
Stressed out (adj.) Tense, under pressure.
Stuff (n) Things, material affairs or possessions.
Stuffed shirt (n) A pompous person.
T
Tank top (n) A top without sleeves which is made of very light material and worn in very hot weather
That sucks! (exclamation) That's really bad, unpleasant, unwanted, etc.
Thrilled (adj.) Excited, enthusiastic
Traditional beverages (n) Soda, beer
Trashed (adj.) Really drunk, stoned, wasted.
U
Unix (n) Email software at Williams
W
Wacko (n) A strange person
Wacky (adj.) Something strange, odd
Weed (n) Marijuana.
Weird (adj) Bizarre, unusual, odd
Weirdo (n) A strange person
Whatever (exclamation, interjection) Used to express boredom, impatience, a lack of concern, laziness, frustration, and a common slang term used by young people to demonstrate superiority over something by expressing that one doesn't care.
To wing it (v) To attempt to do something without prior preparation or knowledge.
White board (n) Board on doors for leaving messages, also used in classrooms
To withdraw (v) To stop taking a class or to officially leave school for the semester or year. Also, to remove money in the form of cash from a bank account.
Women's Lib (n) The feminist movement, short for Women's Liberation.
To work out (v) To exercise (noun: workout)
Z
To zone out (v) To become preoccupied, to lose focus.
Zonked (adj.) Very tired, sleeping soundly.
-----------------------
Instructors will explain how the Statement of Academic Honesty applies to their courses or laboratories. Final examinations or hour tests can range from closed-book, alternate-seating classroom exercises to open-book, "take-home" examinations or papers. Some instructors encourage cooperation among students, but others do not. If you are unsure how the Honor Code applies in a particular situation, try to find out from your professor, or from a member of the Honor Committee.
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