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Summer in Williamstown

497 bytes added, 21:27, April 17, 2006
linkified, reheaded, added SMALL and enhanced summer conference gripe
[[Category:Guides]]
== So you're thinking about summering in Williamstown ==? It seems that many scoff at the idea of spending any more time in this rural haven than is absolutely necessary, but summers in Williamstown can be quite enjoyable. The school itself offers a variety of lucrative employment positions and there is plenty to do in the surrounding area as well.
It seems that many scoff at the idea of spending any more time in this rural haven than is absolutely necessary, but summers in Williamstown can be quite enjoyable. The school itself offers a variety of lucrative employment positions and there is plenty to do in the surrounding area as well. ===Jobs at Williams===
A large percentage of the students who stay in williams for the summer are employed through various academic departments doing research for their theses, although working on campus doesn't exactly require a such a project. Many departments will provide housing but no meal plan or perhaps the other way around, housing is generally around $35 per week and meals in packages of 5, 10, 14, and 21. Inquire to the department of your major for summer job opportunities; usually to get the job you must stay here for most of the summer. Another employer during the summer at Williams is the Conference Office. Although application deadlines have passed for Summer '06, information about the Summer Conference Office can be found on their website: http://www.williams.edu/admin/conference/. After spring break each year, the conference office jobs are posted on the website, daily messages and through campus mailings.
*The Theatre department holds the Summer Theatre Lab for six weeks June-August, in which students work with alumni and members of the Williamstown Theater Festival to workshop original material.
===NonJobs Off-Williams jobs in the surrounding area=Campus==
[[Mass MoCA]], various non-profits in North Adams and Williamstown, [[Tanglewood]], [[Peace Valley Farm]], the [[Clark Art Institute]], and [[Overland Adventures]] all provide summer employment or internships. For many of these you'll need a bus pass or a car, the bus is reasonable and quick for North Adams. This is by no means an exhaustive list, the OCC probably has much more information. Many people who work in the surrounding area get [http://wso.williams.edu/wiki/index.php/Fellowships_and_other_cool_opportunities alumni sponsored grants].
* Many recently graduated Ephs (and also not too recent) work at Waterfront Media in North Adams' Mass Moca.
==Summer Living=Housing, etc.= ===Room===Summer '''on campus ''' housing starts with a smaller scale [[room draw ]] late in spring semester. Usually there will be only 2 or 3 dorms availiable. In past years, these have included Sage Hall, Morgan Hall, the Greylock dorms, Mission Park, and East. As mentioned earlier, past summers it's cost $35 per week, so if you want to stay away from home it's budget friendly. '''Off-campus''' housing can be found on [[Meadow Street]], above [[Goff]]'s, and elsewhere on [[Spring Street]], [[Hoxsey Street|Hoxsey]], and whereever else people with yearlong leases will be trying to fill up summer space.  Some departments (i.e., all of the sciences) will subsidize housing costs with purchase of a meal plan, or subsidize meal plans with purchase of housing. Other programs, like the [[SMALL]] summer [[Mathematics]] program, will take care of you entirely, paying for summer housing in a particular dorm. ===Board===Often students living in summer housing will have to purchase a meal plan; 5 is the smallest. Meal plans cost $5 per meal; i.e. the 5-meal plan is $50 per two week pay period (the cost is automatically deducted from your paycheck). Every summer there is some upset about the lack of [[Kitchens|kitchen]] facilities, as the school prioritizes summer conferences and allocates many of the dorms with the best resources to programs like Nike Tennis Camp. Still, Williams students find a way to eke out their existence. People who want to cook for themselves can us the [[CES]] kitchen in [[Kellog House]], the kitchen in [[Rice]], and, if open, the kitchen in whichever [[Greylock]] dorm is in student use.
Off campus housing can be found on Meadow streetOne [[dining hall]] is open for student use over the summer, above Goff's and elsewhere on spring street, Hoxsey, [[Grab and where ever else people Go]] provides their usual lunch options during the week. Dining halls are shared with yearlong leases will be trying [[Williamstown Theatre Festival]] staff as well as summer sports students. [[Dining Services]] has been known to fill up try out new menu options over the summer space.
Some departments (i.e., all of the sciences) will subsidize housing costs with purchase of a meal plan, or subsidize meal plans with purchase of housing.==Summer People==Meals====Often students living in summer housing will have to purchase a meal plan; 5 is the smallest. Meal plans cost $5 per meal; i.e. the 5-meal plan is $50 per two week pay period (the cost is automatically deducted from your paycheck). Every summer there is some upset about the lack of [[Kitchens|kitchen]] facilities; people who want to cook for themselves can us the CES kitchen in Kellog, the kitchen in Rice, and if they are in use the kitchen in whichever Greylock dorm.
One dining hall is open for student use over the summer, and Grab-and-Go provides their usual lunch options during the week. Dining halls are shared with WTF staff as well as summer sports students. Dining services has been known to try out new menu options over the summer.===Williams Students Summering in '06===
===Students here for summer '06Regular Guests===
====Other people on campus====Anyone content enough to stay here will find that beside other college students there are plenty of other youths around, some from the [[Williamstown Theater Festival]] and some from various sports camps. You'll know the latter have shown up when you see loads of blinging mercs and lexuses cruising around piloted by trophy mothers.
There are also a number of incoming freshman participating in the [[Summer Humanities and Social Sciences]] program or the Summer Science Program.
Also the [[Mellon Mays ]] rising juniors and seniors live in [[Doughty House]].
===What to do=Things To Do==
Surprisingly, the Berkshire region offers a fair amount of things to do during the summer. The most popular activities include:
*[http://www.wtfestival.org/ Williamstown Theater Festival] (Free tickets for ushering)
*[http://www.steeplecats.net/ Steeple Cats] games and other summer fun in [[Things to do in North Adams|North Adams]]
*Fourth of July! (the fireworks in North Adams are awesome)
*[[Guide to Waterways|River ]] kayaking or tubing (for example, at [http://www.zoaroutdoor.com/ Zoar Outdoor] on Rt. [[Route 2]])
*[[Green River]] swimming
*[[WUFO]] maintains a summer pick-up listserv (last year: vindiesel@wso)
*Lots of [[good beer]] drinking outdoors, during the most beautiful time of the year
*Play the empty [[Taconic Golf Club]] every day at dusk until 9pm
*[[Karaoke ]] in North Adams at [[Gringo's ]] Restaurant on Friday nights*Outdoor [[beirut]]! The rooftop stadium behind the [[Harrison Gallery ]] is a perfect spot.
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