Housing & Dining
ACAPA is a residential conservatory. All first-year students are required to live on campus during their first year of enrollment. Continuing students are strongly encouraged to live on campus and receive priority consideration. Campus housing accommodates approximately 380 students across four residential facilities. The Office of Residential Life manages all on-campus housing, residential programming, and dining services.
On-Campus Housing Overview
ACAPA maintains four residential buildings on its 42-acre Eastbridge campus. Each building has a distinct character suited to different years and preferences. All buildings provide free laundry facilities, wireless internet, and common lounge spaces. Virtual tours of all residence halls are available online.
Whitmore Hall (First-Year Required)
Built in 1954, Whitmore Hall is ACAPA's primary first-year residence. The building houses 128 students in traditional double-occupancy rooms arranged by floor. Each floor has a shared bathroom, a study lounge, and a small kitchen with microwave and sink. Whitmore features a ground-floor common room, a music practice annex with four soundproofed rooms, and 24-hour RA coverage.
- Room type: Standard double (two students per room)
- Shared floor bathrooms
- Furnished: twin XL bed, desk, chair, dresser, closet per student
- Laundry: lower level, card-operated (free with student ID)
- Music practice annex: available 7 a.m. – midnight daily
- Cost: included in Room & Board rate
Harmon Residence (Upperclassman Suite-Style)
Harmon is a 1971 building renovated in 2008, housing 96 students in four-person suites. Each suite includes two double-occupancy bedrooms, a shared bathroom, and a small common area. Harmon is reserved for second- and third-year students. Suite assignments are made by the Residential Life office with input from students.
- Room type: Suite (4 students / 2 bedrooms / 1 bath / common room)
- Semi-private bathroom shared within suite only
- Common area with sofa, table, kitchenette with mini-fridge
- Quiet hours: 10 p.m. – 8 a.m. weekdays, 12 a.m. – 9 a.m. weekends
- Cost: same as standard rate (see Costs)
Caldwell Arts Apartments (Upperclassman / Senior Priority)
Caldwell is a 1989 apartment-style building for third- and fourth-year students. It contains 28 fully furnished apartments: 20 two-bedroom units (2 students each) and 8 single-occupancy studio apartments. Each apartment has a full kitchen (stove, oven, refrigerator), a private bathroom, and individual climate control. Caldwell residents are not required to purchase a dining plan but may purchase optional dining access.
- Two-bedroom units: 2 students, shared kitchen/bath
- Studio units: 1 student, private kitchen/bath, limited availability
- Full kitchen: stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher
- In-unit air conditioning and heating
- Parking permit available (waitlist basis)
- Cost: higher rate — see Costs
Kellaway Graduate House
Kellaway is a small residential facility for graduate students and advanced degree candidates. The building contains 18 single-occupancy rooms and 6 shared two-person apartments. Residents have access to a shared kitchen on each of the building's two floors, a lounge, and a private study room with extended hours access. Graduate students are not subject to the dining plan requirement.
- Singles and two-person shared apartments
- Graduate students only (M.F.A., M.M., Certificate)
- Shared kitchen per floor, private study room
- Longer quiet-hours exemption for late-night practice and study
- Pet policy: no pets (service animals excepted per ADA)
Room & Board Costs (2024–2025)
The total Room & Board charge is billed per semester as part of the student account. Financial aid and scholarship packages incorporate standard Room & Board figures.
| Housing Type | Annual Rate | Per Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Whitmore Hall — Standard Double | $14,200 | $7,100 |
| Harmon — Suite (per student) | $14,200 | $7,100 |
| Caldwell — 2-Bedroom Apt. (per student) | $15,600 | $7,800 |
| Caldwell — Studio (single) | $17,800 | $8,900 |
| Kellaway Graduate House (single room) | $13,400 | $6,700 |
| Kellaway Graduate House (shared apt.) | $12,200 | $6,100 |
* Rates include standard meal plan where applicable. Caldwell and Kellaway rates do not include dining. An optional dining supplement is available for $2,400/yr. Rates are subject to annual review. A housing security deposit of $350 is required at time of application and is refundable upon satisfactory checkout.
Dining Services
ACAPA operates two dining facilities on campus. All students residing in Whitmore Hall or Harmon Residence are required to purchase a meal plan. Caldwell and Kellaway residents may purchase optional dining access. The dining program emphasizes regionally sourced ingredients and accommodates a range of dietary needs.
Greenfield Dining Hall
Located adjacent to Whitmore Hall, Greenfield is ACAPA's main all-you-care-to-eat dining facility. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week during the academic year. The hall features a hot entree station, a salad and grain bar, a deli/sandwich counter, a pasta station, a daily vegetarian/vegan entree, a grill, and a dessert station.
Greenfield Hours:
Mon–Fri: Breakfast 7:00–9:30 a.m. | Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Dinner 5:00–8:00 p.m.
Sat–Sun: Brunch 10:00 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Dinner 5:00–7:30 p.m.
The Trestlewood Café
The Trestlewood Café is a smaller counter-service café located in the Holloway Arts Center. It serves espresso drinks, drip coffee, teas, grab-and-go sandwiches, yogurt, pastries, soups, and snacks. The Trestlewood accepts Dining Dollars and cash. It does not accept meal swipes.
Trestlewood Hours:
Mon–Fri: 7:30 a.m.–9:00 p.m.
Sat: 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Sun: Closed
Meal Plans
All required meal plans are selected during the housing application process and billed per semester with housing charges. First-year students are automatically enrolled in the Unlimited plan. Students in Harmon may select from any of the three plans below. Plan changes may be requested within the first two weeks of each semester via the Housing Portal.
| Plan | Description | Annual Cost | Included in R&B? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited (required: 1st-years) | Unlimited swipes at Greenfield + $150 Dining Dollars/semester | Included | Yes |
| 14 Meals/Week | 14 Greenfield swipes/week + $200 Dining Dollars/semester | Included | Yes |
| 10 Meals/Week | 10 Greenfield swipes/week + $250 Dining Dollars/semester | Included | Yes |
| Dining Dollars Only (Caldwell / Kellaway opt-in) | $1,200 Dining Dollars/semester, usable at Greenfield & Trestlewood | $2,400/yr | No |
- Unused meal swipes do not carry over between weeks or semesters.
- Dining Dollars carry over fall to spring; expire at end of spring semester.
- Six guest meal swipes per semester are included with Unlimited and 14-meal plans.
- Allergen-free and halal-certified items are available at Greenfield daily; see posted menu boards or online menus.
- Students with special dietary needs may schedule a consultation with the campus Registered Dietitian.
Residential Life Programs
The Office of Residential Life employs a staff of 14 Resident Advisors (RAs) distributed across all four buildings. RAs are upper-division ACAPA students selected for their leadership and community-building experience. Each RA coordinates monthly floor or building programming including study breaks, social events, wellness workshops, and arts showcases.
- Arts Living-Learning Community (LLC): Available in Whitmore Hall floors 2 and 3. A cohort program where first-year students share classes, studio space, and organized collaborative projects. Application required. See LLC page.
- Wellness Floor: Whitmore Hall, Floor 4. Substance-free environment; quiet hours begin at 9 p.m.
- Late-Night Study Lounge: Open 24 hours in Harmon Hall basement. Printer and computer terminals available.
- Community Standards: All residents agree to ACAPA's Community Standards upon occupancy.
- Mental Health Resources: Residential Life works closely with the Counseling Center; RAs are trained in mental health first aid.
Housing Application Process
Students apply for housing through the ACAPA Housing Portal. New students admitted for fall are sent a housing application link with their acceptance package. The process is as follows:
- Complete housing application in the portal (building preferences, roommate preferences, accessibility needs)
- Pay $350 refundable security deposit
- Receive housing assignment notification (typically by June 1 for fall, November 15 for spring)
- Accept assignment and select meal plan by deadline
- Sign Housing and Dining Contract (binding for full academic year)
- Receive room key and move-in information by July 15
Accessibility & Accommodations
ACAPA is committed to providing accessible residential environments. Students requiring housing accommodations due to medical or disability-related needs should contact Disability Services prior to submitting their housing application. Accessible rooms are available in all four buildings. Elevator access is available in Harmon, Caldwell, and Kellaway.
Off-Campus Housing
After their first year, students may apply to live off campus with approval from the Registrar. Eastbridge is a small college town with a modest rental market. The Residential Life office maintains a list of approved off-campus housing resources and local landlords familiar with ACAPA students. Off-campus students may purchase a Dining Dollars-only plan for access to campus dining. Students living off campus must notify the Registrar by April 1 for the following academic year.
Move-In / Move-Out
Fall Move-In: August 28–29, 2025 (new students); August 30 (returning students).
Spring Move-In: January 11, 2026.
End-of-Year Move-Out: May 14, 2026 by 12:00 noon.
All rooms are inspected upon move-out. Residents may be charged for damage beyond normal wear, excessive cleaning, or improper checkout. Damage charges may be appealed within 14 days of billing notification.
Contact
Office of Residential Life & Housing
Whitmore Hall, Room 104
American College of Arts and Performing Arts
14 Conservatory Drive, Eastbridge, VT 05401
Phone: (802) 555-0142
Email: housing@acapa.edu
Office Hours: Mon–Fri, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.