What is a Residential College?
A Residential College is a living community that seeks to combine living and learning. It is your dorm, and everything else you could ever want. For more information on residential colleges, check out Northwestern’s website here and social media here.

How is PARC unique?
We have a lot of unique opportunities related to our theme of public affairs. Every week we have FaculTea in the PARC kitchen to discuss current events and faculty projects. In addition to that, our dedicated fellows give Fireside chats on a host of topics related to their research and offer research opportunities available only for PARCers. During electron season, we host debate watch parties in the common area. We also have access to unique classes called tutorials, which are taught by PARC’s amazing fellows.

How easy is it to get to the dining halls?
It is unbelievably easy to get to the dining halls from PARC. We’re located within a few minutes of three dining halls: Plex West, Plex East (wonderful stir-fry and allergy-sensitive options!), and Allison, which is widely regarded as one of the best dining halls on campus! A PARC favorite is Fran’s Cafe, a short walk to Willard’s basement where you can use your meal exchanges and dining dollars for milkshakes, burgers, quesadillas, chicken tenders, and fries.

How social are people? Are they locked in their rooms all the time?
People are very social in PARC. You are bound to find someone in the TV lounge watching the news or sports during the day, and a movie almost every night! In addition, the floor style makes it very easy to hang out with your fellow PARCers, as you walk through them you are likely to find people playing board games, studying, talking, or eating. On the other hand, when it’s time to buckle down, PARC is a great place to study, and get rest. It never gets too rowdy and people are generally very considerate of the others they live with.

What are the advantages to living on south campus?
There are infinite advantages to living on South campus! We are close to Evanston, which means tons of eating options, shopping, CVS, and El and Metra Stations. We are also close to Norris, Main and Deering libraries, many humanities classes, the library, Blomquist Gym, lots of dining halls, campus shuttle stops and Lake Michigan. Our location also means it is easy to get to North Campus relatively quickly. South campus is a center for cultural life on campus, with the Block Museum, concert halls, Cahn Auditorium, and more close by.

What sort of people live here?
One of the great things about PARC is that, despite being a themed residential college, we typically draw residents from all walks of campus life. Engineers live side by side with music majors and math majors can be seen watching movies with political science or history majors. We also typically have a number of residents without a declared major. The diversity of interests at PARC allows us to most effectively reach our goal of exposing residents to new ideas about what public affairs means to them.

Is there Internet access?
Yes! All of the rooms in PARC, including common areas, have wireless Internet. It is also recommended to bring an Ethernet cable just in case because every room has Ethernet ports as well.

Is there a laundry room? Do I need to bring quarters?
Yes! We have three washing machines and three dryers (although to be sustainable we encourage residents to use drying racks if possible). The machines are free to use! All you need to do is provide detergent. For more information on the facilities in PARC, see our Facilities Page.

How big are the rooms?
Room dimensions vary from room to room. Corner rooms generally have more space, and some single rooms are actually the size of ordinary double rooms.

Do you have questions about moving into PARC? We’ll answer them below.

What should I bring to PARC?
These are the items that you should bring to PARC when you move in:

• Extra-long twin bed sheets, pillows, pillowcases, comforter
• Towels
• Toiletries
• Headphones
• Laundry bag/hamper, drying rack, detergent, stain remover
• Raincoat, umbrella
• Shower sandals
• Cell phone charger
• Non-halogen desk lamp or other bright light for reading
• Poster adhesive, removable hooks, Command strips/hooks
• Portable fan (window or free-standing)
• Shower caddy
• Reed diffusers, deodorizers, air fresheners
• Alarm clock (but be conscious of neighbors!)
• Power strip/electrical adapter
• Photo ID, driver’s license, state ID card, passport (If you plan to work on or off campus, you will need a Social Security Card, birth certificate, or US passport)

Health related items that you should plan to bring to PARC:

• Information: insurance and pharmacy cards; physician’s name, address, telephone number; emergency telephone numbers; prescription refills, including glasses prescription
• Current prescription medications, in their original containers
• Over-the-counter medicines for pain relief, allergies, colds, flu, etc.
• Glasses, contact lenses, cleaning solutions, extra lenses, cases
• Skin care products such as soaps, lotions, sun block, aloe, acne ointment, antibacterial/antibiotic ointment, petroleum jelly, etc.
• Extra toothbrushes, toothpaste, dental floss
• Band-Aids, gauze, adhesive tape, Ace bandage
• Other personal hygiene items (deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, etc.)
• Ice pack/hot pack
• Thermometer (digital or electronic)
• Flashlight with extra batteries