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Bard ResLife
Living Off Campus

Living Off Campus

ResLife Menu
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All first-year and sophomore students are required to live on campus (with exceptions for commuting students whose permanent residence is within 50 miles of campus). All students are subject to a housing contract for the full academic year and are not able to move off campus mid–academic year. Rising juniors and seniors are able to apply to live off campus by attending an information session and declaring their intent to live off campus prior to the Returning Student Room Selection process. 
  • First-Year Students
  • Transfer Students
  • Returning Students
  • Off-Campus
  • Graduate Students
Info Session Dates

Info Session Dates

Students requesting to move off campus must attend one of our info sessions. Info sessions run for about an hour, ending in a sign-in to collect attendance.

Off-Campus Info Sessions (All on Zoom)
February 21, 12:00 pm Sign Up
February 29, 5:00 pm Sign Up
March 5, 12:00 pm Sign Up

Please email [email protected] if you intend to live off-campus.

Important Questions to Consider

Important Questions to Consider

  • What is my budget? (Refer to the budget section for specific ideas.)
  • Will I rely on the shuttle or do I have my own vehicle? How will shuttle service interruptions in the winter affect my ability to attend class?
  • Are there ways that living off-campus could impact my academic and cocurricular involvement?
  • Am I prepared to handle the time commitment of cooking my own meals and taking care of household chores? Would fulfilling these responsibilities be likely to interfere with my ability to complete all of my schoolwork? 
  • Decide if you will live alone or with roommates. If you will have roommates, how many? This will determine the number of bedrooms your apartment should have as well as the price range you can afford.
  • Determine a budget, consider costs for rent, groceries, utilities (which may include water, trash, heat, electricity, etc.), and transportation.
  • Talk with friends and peers who live off campus and see how they like the area, their landlord, and if they have any tips for finding a good place to live.
  • You and your roommate(s) should discuss the price, approximate location and amenities of an apartment before you even start looking. If air conditioning or pets are a must, ask about this before you make an appointment to view the apartment.
  • Consider transportation challenges. Keep in mind that if you rely on the Bard shuttle, disruptions in service will occur throughout the year due to maintenance and weather. Students should have a back-up plan for getting to campus in the event that the shuttle is not running. 
  • Know your rights. Make sure you are familiar with the New York State Tenants' Rights Guide.
  • Carefully review your lease and ask questions before you sign. It is often best to have someone with legal experience review the lease prior to committing to it. Remember: once a lease is signed, it is a legal, binding document.
Moving Off Campus

Moving Off Campus

Follow these three simple steps to move off campus without any penalty fines or being charged for the full cost of living on campus.
  • 1. Attend an Off-Campus Housing Information Session

    1. Attend an Off-Campus Housing Information Session

    We require all students interested in moving off-campus to attend an information session. Our sessions utilize real experiences from previous Bard Students who lived off-campus to help interested students understand what to consider when planning to live off-campus.

    Sessions run for about an hour, ending with a sign-in to collect attendance. 
  • 2. Email the Office of Residence Life and Housing

    2. Email the Office of Residence Life and Housing

    After attending an off-campus information session, students wanting to live off-campus for the next academic year will need to email the Office of Residence Life and Housing at [email protected] and fill out the form by April 30.
  • 3. Check-In at the beginning of the fall semester

    3. Check-In at the beginning of the fall semester

    All students are required to check-in at the beginning of the fall semester. Off-campus students receive the ability to check-in electronically. With this check-in, off-campus students register their local residence, emergency contact, and other information in regards to their living situation to assist in our campus emergency response.

Bard College Living Off-Campus Policy

Bard College Living Off-Campus Policy

  • MANDATORY INFORMATION SESSION: Attendance is required at one of three scheduled Off-Campus Information Sessions to inform the Office of Residence Life & Housing of intent to move off campus. Once students have attended one information session, they are eligible to move off-campus in any subsequent academic year. 
  • Students who attend an Information Session may change their minds and participate in Room Selection to commit to living on campus with no penalty.
  • Once you have selected a room through the Room Selection process, you are committing to living on campus and will be assessed the full cost of housing.
  • NONDISCLOSURE: For students who do not attend an Off-Campus Information Session or Room Selection, it will be assumed they intend to stay on campus, and they will be placed in a room and will be charged the full cost of housing for the fall semester. 
  • LATE DISCLOSURE FEE: Students who do not attend an information session (which alerts the Office of Residence Life & Housing of their intent to move off campus) and move off campus anyway will be charged up to the full cost of housing for the fall semester.
  • Students approved for an academic leave are NOT released from the information session requirement (sessions are virtual) if they intend to live off campus when they return to Bard.  

Living in the Community

  • Getting to Know the Area
    Familiarize yourself with the local area. 

    Getting to Know the Area

    Getting to Know the Area


    The majority of off-campus students choose to live close to the College in Red Hook, Tivoli, or Rhinebeck. Students living in Germantown, Elizaville, Hudson, or Kingston should consider the potential academic and social impacts living farther from campus. Learn more about the nearby villages and towns:
    • Village of Tivoli
    • Town of Red Hook
    • Town of Rhinebeck
    • City of Kingston
    • Dutchess County
  • Finding Housing
    Make a priority checklist and search for your place! 

    Finding Housing

    Finding Housing


    Create an apartment selection checklist. This checklist will assist you in evaluating your needs and whether the properties you are considering will meet them.

    Search Classifieds and Local Resources:
    Daily Freeman's Real Estate Guide
    Poughkeepsie Journal Classifieds
    Hudson Valley Craigslist Classifieds
  • Living Sustainably 
    Engage in off-campus sustainable behaviors!

    Living Sustainably 

    Living Sustainably 

    We recognize that students who move off campus need access to resources that allow them to engage in sustainable behaviors when not on campus. While many on campus resources are only for on campus residents, there are many similar programs available to students who choose to live in the surrounding area. Click below for additional resources: 

    Trash and Recycling
    Recycling and Garbarge Disposal in Town of Red Hook
    All Town of Red Hook residents (includes Village of Tivoli and Red Hook) can access the Red Hook Recycle Center and The Goods Exchange  – you can dispose of garbage there for a fee and recycling is free. 

    Recycling and Garbarge Pick-up in Village of Red Hook
    Garbage & recycling pick-up in the Village of Red Hook is on Monday mornings. When Monday is a federal holiday, pick up is Tuesday mornings. Any Village of Red Hook residents and businesses that would like to have recycling & garbage picked up by the Village must purchase garbage tags and place one sticker on each bag. Learn more here.

    Re-Use
    Materials can be re-used through bartering or donations to the Salvation Army, Hudson Valley Ecycle, Hudson Valley Craigslist, Town of Red Hook Goods Exchange, or through the Bard Bartering Community.

    Bard College Bartering Community
    This Facebook group, moderated by students, serves as an online forum for students to exchange unwanted or unused items with one another. Visit the Facebook page to learn more.

    Salvation Army Family Store
    884 Ulster Ave, Kingston, NY 12401, Monday – Saturday, 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM, Sun: Closed.

    The O-Zone Sustainability Center
    148 Pitcher Lane in Red Hook, NY, Wednesday – Friday 11:00am - 5:00pm, Saturday 10:00 - 6:00pm, Sunday 10:00 - 4:00pm.
    Learn more here.

Be a Good Neighbor

Be a Good Neighbor

Noise, Maintinence, and Parking
The hours you keep as a college student may be drastically different from your neighbors who work full time or have families. Please be mindful of the noise level in your dwelling and how, and when, that might be disrespectful toward people in the surrounding area.

As the semester progresses, it may become challenging to keep up with day-to-day maintenance and upkeep such as trash or snow removal. Talk to your landlord about expectations and try to work out systems that best match your schedule. Be conscious of where you and your guests park vehicles, how late you play music, and that neglecting trash or recyclables on the street affects your neighbors. If you are unsure about your responsibilities as a resident or tenant, reach out to your landlord or contact Town Hall. 

During the winter months, please be aware of street parking regulations to avoid being towed or having your vehicle damaged by plows.

Local Laws about Gatherings
The Village of Tivoli requires that all gatherings of 50 people or more be registered with, and approved by, the village clerk prior to the event. Violations of this ordinance can result in fines or imprisonment. More information on the Mass Gathering Law.

Dutchess County has enacted a Social Host Law, which makes it a violation, punishable by a fine or imprisonment, for anyone who owns or rents a home or apartment to knowingly permit someone under the age of 21 to consume alcoholic beverages.

If you host an event at your apartment or home, please be aware that New York State law and the Drug-Free Communities Act state that, “no person shall sell, deliver, give way, cause permit, or procure to be sold, delivered, or given away any alcoholic beverage to: (1) any person actually or apparently under the legal age (21); or (2) any intoxicated person or any person under the influence of alcohol.” The law goes on to say that “any person who shall be injured in person, property, means of support, or otherwise by an intoxicated person or by reason of the intoxication of any person or by reason of the intoxication of any person, whether resulting in death or not, shall have a right of action against any person who shall, by unlawfully assisting in procuring liquor for the intoxicated person, have caused or contributed to the intoxication. In any such action, the injured person will have a right to recover actual and exemplary damages.”

The College’s overriding concern is for the safety of our students. College policy can and does apply to incidents that occur off-campus. As stated in the Student Handbook, “The College will hear complaints pertaining to conduct of Bard College students occurring on Bard College property (including UBS, or Bard in New York), or Red Hook, Tivoli and its environs." 

The College believes firmly in an individual’s responsibility to take action in unsafe situations. As further stated in the Student Handbook, “Any member of the community who observes dangerous drinking should feel a responsibility to discourage the behavior. In cases of intoxication, alcohol poisoning or overdose, individuals must call 911. Special consideration will be given in cases where students voluntarily seek medical attention for themselves or other members of the community. Serious sanctions may result in cases where students do not seek appropriate medical treatment for intoxication or overdose.”

Social gatherings held at off-campus residences may not be advertised on campus. 

Understanding your rights and responsibilities for living off-campus enhances the experience for both you and local members of the community.

We extend our gratitude to all who live in the surrounding area for their unwavering kindness, support, and commitment to promoting safe and respectful behaviors and attitudes.
Area Transportation

Area Transportation

The biggest reality check for students considering living off campus is the following question:
Will I rely on the shuttle or do I have my own vehicle? How will shuttle service interruptions in the winter affect my ability to attend class?
  • Bard Transportation
  • Dutchess County Public Transportation
  • Ulster County Area Transit System (UCATS)

Budget and Expenses 

Students should understand that there are often hidden and unexpected costs associated with living off campus. Creating a budget is a critical part of living off campus. You may want to create a budget worksheet using some of the following questions as a guide.
  • Questions for Students

    • If I receive financial aid, what happens when I move off campus?
    • How much does an apartment cost?
    • What are some of the additional expenses that I should consider?
    • What were the previous tenant's utility bills? Off-campus housing is often located in older buildings and heating costs can surprise students who have not budgeted for them.
    • Can I afford to go away for spring break?
    • How much do I spend on eating out?
    • How much do I spend on transportation costs or a private vehicle and gas?
  • Questions for Prospective Landlords

    • What is the monthly rent? When, where, and how is it to be paid?
    • How much is the security deposit and what is the deposit used for? (Cleaning, security, or pets?) Is it refundable?
    • Are utilities (heat, hot water, electricity, gas, trash) included in the monthly rental payment?
    • In the villages of Tivoli and Red Hook, garbage is collected on Mondays. Check with your landlord about how to properly dispose of your garbage and recycling.
    • Are pets allowed? If yes, what kind? Is there an additional security deposit or fee associated with pets?
    • Who is responsible for maintenance and repair costs? Who is responsible for snow removal?
    • Voice any special concerns, such as ability to sublet or add extra people to the lease. (Is there an additional charge?)
  • Research the Area

    • Check with New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) at 800-572-1111 to see what the cost of utilities were over the past year.
    • Examine the amount of parking available in your new neighborhood. Be sure you are aware of the on-street parking regulations which you are expected to abide by, and check to see if there are any associated fees or costs.

How much will internet or cable cost?

Visit InMyArea for information on the best providers for utilities, home security, cable TV, and internet available in the area.

Visit InMyArea.com
Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant

Understanding Your Rights as a Tenant

New York State Tenant Rights Guide
  • Understanding Your Lease

    • Be sure to read the entire lease and understand everything before you sign.
    • Document all verbal agreements (repairs, painting, etc.) and be sure that notations of them are signed on all copies of the lease.
    • Always pay using a check, money order, or bank cashier's check. Never pay in cash unless you immediately get a written receipt.
    • Remember that both the tenant's and the property owner's rights should be protected.
  • What to Do in a Dispute

    • Talk to your landlord. Discuss the situation and possible resolutions, including a time frame for repairs.
    • Organize the details. Take notes and photos; document e-mails, phone calls, and any correspondence; note date, time, and location when event occurred.
    • Be persistent. Follow up with the landlord if the situation has not been taken care of in the time frame agreed upon.
    • If there has been no resolution or the landlord has not contacted you, there are a number of local and regional agencies that can assist you.
  • Moving In and Out

    • When you move in or out, make sure to walk through with camera in hand to record the condition of the apartment.
    • Be sure to properly dispose of your trash and recycling to avoid fines when you are moving out. Respect your neighbors; make sure you have removed any outdoor furniture, garbage, or recycling.

Seeking Student, Staff, and Faculty Tenants?

Seeking Student, Staff, and Faculty Tenants?

Bard College does not currently provide space for rental postings online. Members of the Bard community are able to post to internal classifieds and the Pennysaver listserv; please note the Residence Life and Housing Office will not make these posts for anyone, including landlords outside of the Bard Community. Any time a community member is looking for off-campus housing, we suggest the following resources online:
  • Daily Freeman's Real Estate Guide
  • Poughkeepsie Journal Classifieds
  • Hudson Valley Craigslist Classifieds
  • Bard community Facebook groups and pages (search Facebook for specific communities)

Residence Life and Housing

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Bard College
30 Campus Road, PO Box 5000
Annandale-on-Hudson, New York 12504-5000
Phone: 845-758-6822
Admission Email: [email protected]
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