Does Rich Hall have air conditioning?

No. Rich Hall is not air-conditioned, and mid-August move-in week in Boston can be genuinely warm and humid. BU permits fans with a maximum 12-inch blade diameter, so bringing one is strongly recommended — it will see regular use from move-in day through at least mid-September when temperatures finally start to drop. Personal AC units of any kind — window units, portable units, or otherwise — are prohibited campus-wide, and that rule is enforced without exceptions. The same no-AC situation applies to the other two West Campus towers, Claflin and Sleeper. The only BU freshman hall with AC is Warren Towers Tower A. A quality 12-inch fan is your best tool for the first weeks.

What is the social scene like at West Campus?

West Campus is widely considered BU's most socially active first-year environment. The three towers — Rich, Claflin, and Sleeper — share a lobby and a dining hall, which means you are constantly bumping into a community of roughly 1,800 first-year students across all three buildings. Common spaces fill up in the evenings, programming through the Residence Life office is frequent, and the sheer density of people the same age as you makes it an excellent place to form friendships quickly. Students who thrive here tend to be energized by that proximity rather than drained by it.

How does the BU shuttle work from West Campus?

BU operates a free shuttle service that connects West Campus to central campus and other key stops along the BU corridor, and it runs frequently enough that most West Campus residents use it as their primary way to reach classes on the Charles River Campus side. The shuttle picks up outside the West Campus towers and the ride to central campus takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. Service runs from early morning through late evening on most days, and the schedule is available through the BU transportation website and app. Walking or biking along Commonwealth Avenue is also a realistic option when the weather cooperates.

Is Rich Hall a good hall to live in?

That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Rich Hall has XL Twin beds with clearance that varies by room of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. Boston University provides Bed frame & mattress, desk, chair, dresser, curtains/blinds in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Rich Hall stacks up against Boston University's other halls above.

Boston, MA · Urban · Charles River

Rich Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

Boston University

Traditional doubles; ~600 first-year residents

Verified Jun 21, 2026 · bu.edu

Third of the three linked towers in West Campus. No AC. Connected to Claflin and Sleeper via shared lobby and dining. West Campus is lively and social; shuttle service keeps it connected to central campus.

Bed SizeXL Twin
Under-Bed
ACNo
On-Campus~95%

✓ In the room

Bed frame & mattressdeskchairdressercurtains/blinds

✗ Not provided

Desk lampfanbeddingtowelsshower caddyhangerspower strip with surge protection

⊘ Prohibited

Personal AC unitspersonal microwavescoffee makershot platesspace heaterselectric blanketshalogen lampscandlesincenseextension cords (use power strips instead)

Personal microwaves are prohibited in all BU residence halls — rent a MicroFridge combo unit through BU Vending Services if you need one.
No air conditioning in this hall. Personal AC units are prohibited — bring a fan (max 12" diameter per BU policy).

Living in Rich Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Rich Hall rooms are traditional doubles designed for two first-year students, furnished with bed frames, XL Twin mattresses, desks, chairs, dressers, and curtains — everything structural is covered, but you will need to bring your own bedding, towels, desk lamp, fan, hangers, and a power strip with surge protection. Rich Hall has no air conditioning, so a fan is not optional; BU limits blade diameter to 12 inches, so plan accordingly before you shop. Personal microwaves are not permitted in any BU residence hall — if you want in-room microwave or refrigeration access, you must rent a MicroFridge combo unit through BU Vending Services, which is the single most common packing mistake incoming students make. Keep your packing list tight: coffee makers, hot plates, space heaters, electric blankets, halogen lamps, candles, incense, and extension cords are all prohibited.

Day to day

Rich Hall is the third of the three linked 13-story towers on West Campus, standing alongside Claflin and Sleeper and connected to both via a shared lobby and the West Campus dining hall. That physical connection is the heartbeat of life here — you will move constantly between towers, eat meals with the full West Campus community of roughly 1,800 first-years, and find that friendships form fast when proximity is unavoidable. West Campus has a lively, social energy that many students describe as the most immersive first-year experience BU offers, with common areas that stay active into the evening and a density of peers that makes it hard to feel isolated. The tradeoff is that things can get loud, especially on weekends, so if you are a light sleeper you will want earplugs and a white noise app handy.

Move-in day

BU assigns every West Campus resident a specific arrival window in mid-August, and Rich Hall move-in follows that same process — you will receive your window date and time well in advance, and arriving outside your slot is strongly discouraged because the loading zones fill quickly. Elevators in a 13-story tower see heavy traffic on move-in day, so pack strategically: break your load into manageable trips and keep your most essential items — bedding, toiletries, a fan — in one bag you can access immediately. The West Campus dining hall opens during move-in weekend, which makes grabbing a meal between unpacking trips easy. Coordinate with your roommate beforehand on large items like the MicroFridge rental so you are not doubling up on logistics or paperwork.

A styled dorm desk, furnished and shoppable

Room ideas

See dorm rooms styled

4 looks, every object linked to the exact listing.

Styled render — not a photo of Rich Hall.

Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup

Sources & verification — last checked Jun 21, 2026

Rich Hall FAQ

Does Rich Hall have air conditioning?: No. Rich Hall is not air-conditioned, and mid-August move-in week in Boston can be genuinely warm and humid. BU permits fans with a maximum 12-inch blade diameter, so bringing one is strongly recommended — it will see regular use from move-in day through at least mid-September when temperatures finally start to drop. Personal AC units of any kind — window units, portable units, or otherwise — are prohibited campus-wide, and that rule is enforced without exceptions. The same no-AC situation applies to the other two West Campus towers, Claflin and Sleeper. The only BU freshman hall with AC is Warren Towers Tower A. A quality 12-inch fan is your best tool for the first weeks.
What is the social scene like at West Campus?: West Campus is widely considered BU's most socially active first-year environment. The three towers — Rich, Claflin, and Sleeper — share a lobby and a dining hall, which means you are constantly bumping into a community of roughly 1,800 first-year students across all three buildings. Common spaces fill up in the evenings, programming through the Residence Life office is frequent, and the sheer density of people the same age as you makes it an excellent place to form friendships quickly. Students who thrive here tend to be energized by that proximity rather than drained by it.
Can I bring a microwave to Rich Hall?: No — personal microwaves are prohibited in all BU residence halls, including Rich Hall, and this is the most common packing mistake incoming students make. If you want microwave or refrigeration access in your room, you must rent a MicroFridge combo unit through BU Vending Services before you arrive. The unit combines a mini-fridge, freezer, and microwave in one appliance and is the only approved option for in-room cooking or food storage. Plan ahead, because units are rented on a first-come basis.
How does the BU shuttle work from West Campus?: BU operates a free shuttle service that connects West Campus to central campus and other key stops along the BU corridor, and it runs frequently enough that most West Campus residents use it as their primary way to reach classes on the Charles River Campus side. The shuttle picks up outside the West Campus towers and the ride to central campus takes roughly 10 to 15 minutes depending on traffic. Service runs from early morning through late evening on most days, and the schedule is available through the BU transportation website and app. Walking or biking along Commonwealth Avenue is also a realistic option when the weather cooperates.
Is Rich Hall a good hall to live in?: That depends on what you're optimizing for, but here's what's verified: Rich Hall has XL Twin beds with clearance that varies by room of under-bed storage, and is not air conditioned. Boston University provides Bed frame & mattress, desk, chair, dresser, curtains/blinds in every room. Compare those specifics against your priorities — or see how Rich Hall stacks up against Boston University's other halls above.

Thinking About Living in Rich Hall Next Year?

If you're choosing housing for next year rather than packing for move-in, here's what's already verified about Rich Hall: it has XL Twin beds, and there's no AC, so plan around that. On top of that, the room comes with Bed frame & mattress, desk, chair, dresser, curtains/blinds; you'll need to bring Desk lamp, fan, bedding, towels, shower caddy, hangers, power strip with surge protection yourself; Personal AC units, personal microwaves, coffee makers, hot plates, space heaters, electric blankets, halogen lamps, candles, incense, extension cords (use power strips instead) isn't allowed. The full day-to-day breakdown above covers the room, the building, and move-in day in more depth.

Still weighing this hall against others? Our guide on how to pick a dorm covers what actually matters, or see Boston University’s other halls below.

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Rich Hall Dorm Checklist 2026

Living in Rich Hall: what to know before you pack

The room

Day to day

Move-in day

See dorm rooms styled

Everything for your Rich Hall room

Fan — pack first

Bedding

Bathroom

Personal Care & Grooming

Self-Care Essentials

Storage & Organization

Closet Space-Savers

Tech & Power

Laundry

Desk & Study

Health & Safety

Comfort & Room

Kitchen & Dining

Misc Essentials

Move-In Day Gear

Rich Hall FAQ

Thinking About Living in Rich Hall Next Year?

More Boston University halls