Frequently Asked Family Questions

General Family Q's

  • By learning more about helping them make the most of the college's opportunities and resources.

  • Because Williams is prohibited by law from giving you such information without your student’s written consent. Learn more.

  • We’re committed to making Williams affordable. A good way to start is to join your student in reviewing our Guide to Financing Your Williams Education. And our staff in the Student Accounts Office are happy to answer your questions.As with other personal records, students over 18 control who receives financial information related to college expenses. This confuses many parents at first. After all, if we’re paying those bills, how come we don’t receive them automatically? Thankfully, it’s easy for your student to grant you access to our billing system, which will then provide you with all the information you need, plus timely reminders on payment deadlines. Learn more.

  • Student safety comes before every other Williams priority. Learn more about our Campus Safety and Security programs and services.

  • See Student Mail Services for guidance on USPS and private carrier deliveries.

    Mail is delivered to student mailboxes in Paresky Center once a day. Mail is not delivered to dormitories.

  • Right here. (Commencement dates are  set three years in advance.)

First-Year Students

  • No, first-year students are not allowed to keep a car on campus at any time during the academic year. Learn more about parking options for other students.

  • On our First-Days website.

Academics

  • Regardless of their academic major, Williams alumni are highly valued by leading employers and top graduate programs. Students emerge from Williams able to think critically, express themselves effectively, and understand issues that transcend academic disciplines. These skills help them succeed not only in their first jobs but throughout their entire careers. As former Williams math professor (and current Williams parent!) Satyan Devadoss puts it, "You can study what you love [at Williams] and then go do what you want." Learn more. 

Travel and Transportation

  • See the Visitors Guide for driving directions, information on travel by plane, train, bus, taxi, and limousine, as well as lodging and restaurant listings.

  • Williams Motorcoach operates to and from NYC, Boston, and Albany for major college breaks. Also see the Visitors Guide for information on commercial transportation options.

Student Services

  • Encourage your student to reach out directly to a professor, a dean, a counselor, a coach, an academic support specialist, a chaplain. Williams is filled with spectacularly qualified and deeply dedicated faculty and staff whose jobs are to support students in every way possible to get the most out of their undergraduate experience.

  • Williams offers 24/7 emergency health coverage and extensive medical and counseling resources. Learn more.

In and Around Town

  • Located at 81 Spring Street at the corner of Walden St., The Williams Bookstore is the local supplier of textbooks and course materials, as well as general-interest titles and Williams apparel, accessories, and gifts.

    • There are several banks within walking distance of campus and three ATMs, one in Paresky Center and two on Spring Street.

  • Williams Dining Services offers festive cakes and cookies for any event. Orders must be placed four days before the desired pick-up date (Monday through Saturday). Call 413.597.2121.

  • AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Nextel provide cell phone service in this area.

Housing and Dining

  • Our Dining Services colleagues are particularly attuned to medical and religious dietary restrictions. They can accommodate nearly any requirement your own student might have, at no extra cost, as part of our standard meal plan. After you’ve had a chance to familiarize yourself with our services, please encourage your student to reach out to Dining Services, whose experts work most effectively when they work directly with students themselves.