- FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS -

What's in a dorm room?
Each dorm room is furnished with a bed, desk, chair, dresser, and wastebasket for two students. Beds may be single, bunk or trundle depending upon the dorm.  Students may choose to bring their own area rug, study lamps, small chairs, portable stereos, clocks, computers and fans. For a complete list of what to bring to campus, see below.  While all rooms are slightly different, click here for an example of a dorm room interior.

Is there a dress code?
Orme has standards of dress which all students are required to observe during the academic day and during special events. The daily dress code consists of a collared shirt, and pants, skirt or shorts of appropriate length (ends of the fingertips for girls).   For a more complete description of the dress code, see the Parent/Student Handbook.  Weekend and free-time dress is casual but must to appropriate.

What can I do in my free time?
The gym, computer lab, student commons, Mimi's cafe and dorm common areas are all locations where students gather or hang out during their free time. In commons there is recreation equipment, a tv and a student store. Mimi's Cafe has internet access and a variety of cafe drinks.

What is there to do on weekends?
The Activities Director, Activities Vice Presidents (members of the Orme Student Congress) and the Activities Committee devote time each week to planning a diverse assortment of activities both on and off campus. These activities allow access to a variety of stores and shopping on a regular basis, culturally enriching experiences, and outdoor leadership opportunities, as well as providing ample entertainment and recreation on campus.  

What if I don't like my roommate?
Orme recognizes that learning to live with others is a challenging endeavor, but it is viewed as a fundamental component to the Residential Curriculum. Learning to communicate and compromise is key to interacting with others and is expected of all students. Thus changing rooms and roommates is discouraged and seen as a last resort.  Students are not expected to be best friends with their roommate, but they are expected to treat each other with respect and compassion. Prefects, Dorm Parents, Residential Deans and advisors are available as resources, and all work towards making the boarding school setting a comfortable and educational experience for all.

What should I bring to school? The following is a list of clothing and equipment that Orme recommends you bring with you to school. Laundry facilities as well as a laundry service are available. Students are asked to consider their personal habits, room size and activities when determining the amount of clothing and items they bring.

Academic Clothing & Items

Collared Shirts
Pants
Shorts (girls - length must be to end of fingertips)
Skirts (girls - length must be to end of fingertips)
Shoes - sandals and tennis shoes
Dictionary
School Supplies
Study Lamp
35mm Camera (if taking photography)
Graphing Calculator (TI-84 or better; sold at Orme)

Casual Clothing
Students may wear casual attire on weekends and during their free time.  However, clothing should be appropriate and reasonable.

Activity Clothing
Students should check with their activity supervisor for additional requirements.  However, all students should bring the following:

Gym shoes
Riding boots
Swimsuit
Athletic shorts
T-shirts
Sweatpants
Sweatshirts

Formal Dinner and Vespers
Monday night formal dinners and other special occasions require the following attire:

Boys:

• Dress shirt must be a collared lapel – polo style and Hawaiian print are not allowed.
• Dress slacks may be of wool, linen or chino style and must be worn around the waist with a belt.
• The suit coat or sport jacket may not be of inappropriate color or design pattern, and must be worn at all dress dinners for the duration of the dinner unless otherwise stipulated by the headmaster.
• Dress shoes shall be in good repair and have closed toes. Socks shall match the color of the slacks. Athletic shoes or socks are not acceptable.

Girls:

• Proper and appropriate footwear (dress shoes – no flip-flops)
• Dresses and skirts can be no shorter than the four inches above the knee and without thigh-high slits.
• The following are not appropriate for tops: backless dresses, spaghetti straps, shoulder straps which reveal undergarments, blouses that expose the midriff at any time.
• Dress slacks are not jeans, leather or casual khaki pants.

General Clothing and Personal Items

Pajamas/Robe/Slippers
Undergarments and socks
Sheets (single/twin size - 2 sets)
Warm blankets (2)
Bedspread
Pillow and pillowcase
Towels and washcloths
Laundry bags
Small lock box
Jacket and warm sweatshirts
Toilet articles
Alarm clock (with battery backup)

Camping Gear and Clothing
The School furnishes group camping equipment, but students need the following personal items for Fall Outing, Spring Caravan, field trips and activities.  Warm clothing should not be made of cotton, which loses its insulating value when wet.

Large duffel bag
Warm sleeping bag (rated at least 20 degrees)
Sleeping pad
Dome tent (2-3 person; may share with another student)
Daypack
Headlamp or flashlight
Sunglasses
Water bottle (1 liter)
Lightweight hiking boots
Rain suit
Sunhat or visor
Warm, but lightweight jacket
Warm pullover or sweater (not cotton)
Longjohns or warm pants (not cotton)
Warm hat
Warm gloves
Bandana

What should I leave at home?
While this will be your home for the upcoming school year, and we would like it to comfortable for you, there are certain items that we do not allow in rooms. This list consists of, but is not limited to the following items:

Large furniture items
Room decorations deemed offensive in nature (displays or references alcohol or drugs)
Personal vehicle
Pets (a small fish aquarium is permitted)
Appliances (refrigerators, televisions, VCRs, microwaves, hot plates, etc.)
"R" rated movies (unless student is over 17 years of age)

All items in violation of our student Standards of Conduct (see Parent-Student Handbook)