Keys

Each student assigned to live in college housing will receive a room key (except Cutter, Ziskind and Parsons residents whose OneCard will open their student room). Closet keys are only issued by special request. Keys will be distributed during designated key pick-up times. Arrival and departure information for students is available on the academic calendar.

Any or all lost room keys should be reported to the residence life office in Clark Hall so that replacement keys can be ordered. Students are advised to check the Lost and Found at Campus Safety and the Campus Center before new keys are ordered.

Front door access to all houses is through the use of a student's OneCard. If a student loses their OneCard, they will need to report this loss to the OneCard office immediately. More helpful information about this process is on the OneCard website: http://www.smith.edu/its/onecard/.

Charges for lost room keys are as follows: $80 for a lost single-room key, $110 for double, $140 for triple, and $170 for quad. This is $30 for the student’s replacement key plus an additional $50 for the required key core change. If the student is in a multi-occupancy room (i.e., double, triple, or quad), the student is also responsible for replacing tall associated room keys at a cost of $30 per room key based on maximum room occupancy. There is a $30 charge to replace a lost closet key.

If a replacement key or a core lock replacement key is ordered but not claimed, or if the keys are found and returned after the order for new keys has been placed, the student will still be charged the appropriate fee. This charge will be made on the student’s bill.

Students are responsible for picking up their replacement keys at Clark Hall, Office of Residence Life, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. If a student does not pick up their room keys in a timely manner, they may be referred to the conduct process for violation of their housing contract.

Keys are nontransferable. Students may not change rooms by switching keys. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action. Students are expected to keep their keys with them at all times. Students are expected to lock their room doors when they are not present, as they are responsible for the room to which they have been issued the key, both for the condition of the room and for anything that occurs inside the room. If a student is locked out of their room they should call Smith College Campus Safety. Please bear in mind that there is most likely going to be a wait for a response if someone is not immediately available.

All keys must be returned to Clark Hall, the Residence Life Office when the student vacates the room. Failure to do so will result in the same charge as a lost key.

Updated November 2025