Residence Life Policies

Handbook Chapters

Housing at Saint Mary’s University is a privilege. There is a wide variety of residence facilities on the campus, each with its own features and with policies and procedures that are particular to the type of residence area. With the number of students who reside on campus, it is imperative that community guidelines and expectations be developed for self as well as group governance. It is equally important that the residents of each hall or village, in conjunction with the residence life and student development staff, develop these policies so they specifically meet the needs of each living environment. Expectations must be in accordance with the guidelines of the university and federal and state laws, ensuring that policies embody respect and sensitivity for the rights of all, as all residents
have the right to reside, study, and rest in a comfortable and safe environment.

The following policies are set forth to help build a strong residential community at Saint Mary’s University. Violation of any of the following community guidelines and expectations will result in disciplinary action. Policy exceptions are made for village residents. Please refer to the “Villages” section. The university reserves the right to amend this section at any time.

Air Conditioners
Assembly
Bathrooms
Bicycles on Campus
Break Housing
Bulletin Boards
Candles, Incense, Potpourri Burners and Halogen Lamps
Ceiling Tiles
Check-In Procedure/Room Inventory
Check-Out Procedure
Community Safety or Community Concerns/Common Area Damage Charges
Compliance with State & Federal Statutes
Compliance with Requests from University Officials
Cooking
Courtesy and Quiet Hours
Damage to Property
Disruptive Sports Activities
Elevator Policy
Fire Safety
Fire Safety Equipment
Furniture/University Property
Gambling
Garbage
Grilling
Guests
Holiday Decorating Guidelines
Items Not Allowed in the Residence Hall
Keys
Laundry
Lock Outs
Needle Disposal
Painting of Rooms
Part-time Students
Pets
Privacy Hours: Visitation and Cohabitation
Property Loss
Refrigerators
Repairs In Individual Rooms
Residency Requirements
Right to Enter Rooms
Rooftops
Room Changes in Residence Halls and Villages
Security and Tampering of Doors
Smoking/Tobacco Use
Solicitation and Selling
Sponsored Trips
Spring Housing Sign-Ups
Summer Storage
Tape, Nails, and Adhesive Hooks
Telephone Service
Theft
Villages
Violence: Physical and Verbal Abuse
Visiting Children
Walls/Windows/Screens
Waterbeds and Lofts
Weapons, Firearms, Ammunition and Fireworks
Weather
Withdrawal Process (Residence Halls)

Air Conditioners
Students may not install air conditioners in their residence areas. If special housing considerations are required because of medical circumstances, this matter should be brought to the director of health services for consideration. University air conditioners (Hillside & Pines) will be turned on only after the outside temperature is consistently warm. This will be determined by the maintenance department.
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Assembly
No person or persons will assemble for the purpose of creating noise or disturbance. Assembly that obstructs the free movement of persons about the campus, including the free and normal use of university buildings and facilities, or prevents or obstructs the normal operations of the university is prohibited. This regulation, while not usurping the prerogatives or policies of the other institutions, also
applies to the actions of Saint Mary’s University students on the Winona State University campus and in the local community.

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Bathrooms
Students who live in a coed facility must respect fellow residents by always using the common bathrooms specified for their gender. Students who live in a single-sex residence hall and have guests of the opposite gender must have these guests use the bathrooms in the lobby or other areas that are designated for their use. Private bathrooms in Skemp or Heffron Halls may be used by any guest.
Bathrooms contained within the student room must be maintained by the resident(s).
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Bicycles on Campus
If you choose to bring a bicycle to campus you should chain your bicycle to the bike racks provided by the university. Do not chain bikes to stairwells or trees. Such violations could lead to immediate impounding of the bicycle. Due to snow removal, students need to take bicycles home during the inclement winter months, bikes cannot be stored in residence halls, individual residence hall rooms, or in the bike racks. Any bikes left on campus after graduation will be removed and donated.
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Break Housing
During scheduled university breaks, the residence halls/villages are officially closed. Students are strongly encouraged to take these periods of time to get away from the rigors of class work and hall life. Staff and other student support services are employed minimally during breaks. Only those students who will be participating in SCHOOL-SPONSORED activities, or whose homes are located more than a day’s drive (more than 8 hrs.) from campus will be granted break housing. Permission to remain on campus during breaks is not automatic and those seeking approval must register with the Office of Residence Life by the deadlines, which are posted in the calendar portion of the Resource Guide and Daily Planner. Failure to meet the deadline will result in a late fee. In order to be officially registered, students must go to the Office of Residence Life, present their I.D., and then fill out a break housing contract.

Those students who indicate a “special need” for break housing due to other situations, must receive approval from the Office of Residence Life. If it is determined that it is not essential for a student to remain, he/she will be informed that a daily fee will be imposed for break housing.

Special residence hall keys will be issued for students staying over break. A fine will be assessed if break keys are not returned. A list of Residence Life and Campus Safety personnel who will be on duty is published prior to each break period.

As a safety measure, security personnel routinely check all units in the residence halls and villages during periods when school is not in session. Occupancy of any campus housing during breaks, without authorization, may result in a fine and/or loss of campus housing.

Residence hall staff will check student rooms during break periods to insure that no safety hazards exist. If a staff member should notice evidence of a violation of federal, state, or local laws, or a violation of university policies or procedures the staff member can confiscate items in question and will file a report with the Office of Residence Life.

Due to health concerns, all students should clean their room before leaving for break (i.e. remove trash, food, etc.). Failure to do so may result in a fine.
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Bulletin Boards
Bulletin boards are the only location in residence halls where announcements may be posted. Bulletin boards are to be used only for public notice, and it is the student’s responsibility to get approval prior to the posting of any material from the hall director. Hall staff will remove non-approved items.
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Candles, Incense, Potpourri Burners and Halogen Lamps
Because of the danger of fire, candles (lit or unlit), incense or potpourri burners or exposed bulb halogen lamps are not permitted in any living units of the university. These items will be confiscated and may not be returned.
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Ceiling Tiles
Ceiling tiles should not be used to hang items from, moved, painted, or removed. If any of these violations are witnessed by residence hall staff, a fine or sanctions may result.
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Check-In Procedure/Room Inventory
Upon arrival to the residence hall, each student must complete the required paperwork with a residence life staff member. This process allows the resident and the hall staff to evaluate the condition of the room upon occupancy. Damages, defects, or anything not in working order, should be noted at this time so as to avoid being charged for these damages when moving out. After you have completed the required paperwork you need to return it to a member of the residence hall staff. Failure to follow check-in procedure may result in a $100.00 fine.
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Check-Out Procedure
When a student is moving out of a residence area, whether at the end of term or in moving to another room or village during a semester, a formal check-out must be undertaken with a residence life staff member. All personal possessions must be removed when vacating rooms and the room must be left clean and in good condition. A room inventory form will be consulted during the check-out process to determine resident responsibility for damages incurred since the check-in process. Items left in the area will be disposed of 30 calendar days after the end of the semester/year. Failure to observe the appropriate check-out procedure may result in a fine of $100.00. In addition, should it be necessary to clean a room which was not left in good condition or to remove possessions left behind, further charges will be added to a student’s bill. Damage appeals can be made to the Office of Residence Life. All appeals must be completedby June 30th. Appeals must be in writing by the student charged and should include the reason for appeal and information about any other students who should be charged for the damage. Verification (via email) of the appropriate student taking responsibility for the damage must occur before the charge is removed.
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Community Safety or Community Concerns/Common Area Damage Charges
Causing damage to common areas is prohibited. Acts that harm or otherwise negatively affect the appearance of residence hall building exteriors, interiors, or furnishings, by failing to exercise reasonable care or in specific acts of vandalism are prohibited. The cost of repair will be charged to the responsible individual(s). If the person responsible cannot be identified, the charges will be prorated among all community members. When a Common Area Damage (CAD) occurs, the hall staff will inform the students of the reason for the CAD charge. The total amount for all CAD will be divided among the residents. Failure to pay the CAD will result in the student account being billed (a minimum of $5.00). If there should be a time when an individual would want to contest a CAD, he/she must use the following guidelines:

The resident must submit concerns as reasons for appeal to the hall director in writing, using a CAD appeals form which can be obtained from the Office of Residence Life. The hall directorwill then accept or deny the appeal on the basis of the facts presented.
If the hall director denies the appeal, the resident may then appeal to the Office of Residence Life. The appeal should include the information submitted to the hall director and any other additional information. The decision of the Office of Residence Life is final.

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Compliance with State and Federal Statutes
It is expected that students will conduct themselves responsibly at all times. This includes following appropriate state and federal statutes. Behaviors restricted by state and federal statutes are not appropriate behaviors in which to engage in the residence halls and villages. Based on this principle, public indecency, for example, would be inappropriate in the residence halls although a specific
Saint Mary’s University policy may not name it specifically.
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Compliance with Requests from University Officials
The residence life staff is responsible for helping to create a secure atmosphere conducive to studying, socializing and learning to live with other individuals. Each resident is expected to respond appropriately to requests from staff and fellow residents concerning behavior that disrupts this secure atmosphere.

Failure to comply with a reasonable request of a university official, including failure of a student to present his or her university identification card when requested, is a violation of university policy. Refer to the “Noncompliance” policy outlined earlier in the “Community Expectations” section.

When a university staff person is engaged in the performance of authorized duties, the following behaviors by students are strictly prohibited, and may result in removal from the university residence halls or expulsion from the university:

Verbal or written abuse
Physical intimidations or menacing behavior directed at a staff member
Display of visual materials that demeans or humiliates a staff member
Interference with staff member engaged in the performance of assigned duties
Failure to comply with a reasonable request from a staff member

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Cooking
Cooking in residence rooms (other than residence hall and village kitchens) is prohibited. Woks, toaster ovens, crockpots, Foreman grills, hot plates, or other methods of cooking are not allowed, as is the use of an open element, cooking/heating units, or the use of cooking fats and grease. Non-commercial air popcorn poppers, coffee makers and small, room-sized microwave ovens are allowed. Kitchens are available in each residence hall. It is the responsibility of the students cooking to: keep the area clean; use the proper utensils; and always consider the safety of yourself and others. If these responsibilities are not met, the kitchen area may be locked down by residence hall staff for a determined amount of time.
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Courtesy and Quiet Hours
You share close quarters with many people in a residence hall. Consideration with regard to noise is vital to maintaining the quality of your environment. Courtesy hours that promote a positive living atmosphere are in effect 24 hours a day. Residents should always be able to sleep and study in their rooms without interference from their community. Your compliance with requests from other hall
members and staff to adjust noise levels is expected. Reasons for a documented violation are as follows:

Blaring television, computer, stereo, voices
Repeated warnings
Screaming, yelling, or running down the hallways
Slamming doors
Talking in the hallways during quiet hours

If you encounter a noise problem at any time, you have the right and the responsibility to let the student(s) know that their activity is disturbing and loud. If a disturbance persists, notify a staff member.

When windows are open, residents are asked to be conscious of the possibility of disturbing others in the surrounding areas. Stereos, radios, computers, televisions are approved in individual rooms, provided they are played at an acceptable volume. Repeated misuse of audio equipment will result in storage of this equipment until it can be removed from university property. Students are also reminded that stereos blaring from open windows will not be tolerated. No person is to create noise to the point that it disturbs any classroom activity.

The minimum quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. – 8:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Quiet hours are designed to ensure a more quiet environment during the evening hours to promote a positive atmosphere for study and sleep. Individual halls may have additional quiet hours. During study days and finals 24 hour quiet hours will be in effect.
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Damage to Property
Damages to individual and common property are an inconvenience to residents and a serious problem for the university. Individuals responsible for damages will be required to pay for the damages and will also be subject to disciplinary action such as restitution work where the damages occurred. The penalty for damages of a willful nature may be as severe as eviction from campus housing or expulsion from the university.
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Disruptive Sports Activities
Hitting golf balls on campus is not allowed because of the risk it presents to public safety, property damage, and of lawn mowing equipment.

Sports and other disruptive activities are never allowed in hallways or lounges of residence halls. This includes the use of all athletic equipment. Riding scooters, rollerblading, biking and skateboarding are not permitted in the hallways or lobbies of any building on campus. As necessary, hall staff members may decide to confiscate inappropriate items and/or equipment.
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Elevator Policy
Any tampering or misuse of elevators is strictly prohibited. Disregard of this policy will lead to strong disciplinary action, including possible eviction from the residence halls.
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Fire Safety
Fire prevention is of critical importance in a residence hall environment because so many lives are endangered by accidents or careless actions. As a responsible member of a residence hall, candles (lit or unlit) are not allowed. Do not hang items (blankets, posters, flags, material, strings of lights etc.) from the ceilings or cover ceiling lights with flammable materials. Heat-producing appliances must not be left unattended. Unplug them when not in use and allow appliances to cool before storing. Ventilation openings on televisions, stereos, or radios must not be covered. Refrigerators should not be placed in closets. Purchase an electrical multi-outlet strip with a circuit breaker to avoid overloading circuits. Please refer to the “Candles, Incense, Potpourri Burners and Halogen Lamps” section for an additional fire safety policy.

All hallways must be clear of personal belongings at all times (e.g. shoes, sports equipment, trash).

At any time a fire alarm is sounded, all persons must immediately evacuate the building and meet in the designated area. No one is to assume an alarm is a false alarm. After moving out of the building, entry is not possible without clearance from a fire official or a member of the university staff. Respect for fire alarms is a paramount safety concern. Failure to observe evacuation procedures may result in referral to the dean of students for disciplinary action.
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Fire Safety Equipment
Smoke detectors are provided in each room. For personal safety do not unplug or obstruct the smoke detector. Violation of this policy may result in disciplinary action and or immediate removal from the residence hall. Report malfunctioning smoke detectors immediately to hall staff. If residents need new batteries for their smoke detectors, please contact a hall staff member. Hall staff will do a safety check on detectors periodically. A resident who disables a smoke detector is guilty of a misdemeanor in the State of Minnesota.

Abuse of fire safety equipment is a serious danger to all members of the university community. No person should tamper with heat and fire extinguishers, fire alarms or any other emergency equipment including the sprinkler systems in place in various halls. No items are to be hung on the fire sprinkler pipes. All fire safety equipment exists to alert the community in the event of an emergency or to assist
in the control of a fire until fire officials arrive on campus. Tampering with fire safety equipment carries a civil penalty of $700.00 and/or 90 days in jail and will result in the imposition of university sanctions. If a fire extinguisher is used for the appropriate reason, the student(s) will not be charged a fee.
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Furniture/University Property
University provided furniture, televisions, and refrigerators are not to be removed from student rooms or lounge areas. If at any time during the year furniture is found to be missing from a room or lounge area, an automatic charge will be issued. It is not acceptable to ask maintenance staff to store university provided furniture. Residence life staff members do not have the authority to grant exceptions to this policy. Furniture (including trash cans) found outside of a resident’s room or village will be removed by maintenance personnel. A fine will be assessed to the student(s) responsible for moving the items outside. Lounge furniture or any other university property designated for common use is to remain in common areas or areas where appropriate (determined by the university). Removal of this furniture or equipment from the designated area constitutes theft and is subject to a fine and possible loss of housing.
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Gambling
It is prohibited to gamble for money, chips or other items which could represent value on campus or at university sponsored activities, unless permitted by law. All such items will be confiscated.
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Garbage
Each resident is responsible for removal of his or her own garbage. Please place your personal garbage in the dumpster adjacent to the buildings. A $50.00 charge will be assessed for personal garbage found on village porches, hallways or common areas in the residence halls.
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Grilling
Barbeque (BBQ) grilling is allowed on the property of residence halls and villages in university provided
grills under the following conditions:

Students who choose to grill assume complete responsibility for any damages or injuries that result from grilling.
Only “matchless” charcoal can be used, as lighter fluid is prohibited.
Grills must be attended at all times.
Coals must be extinguished by water before leaving the grilling area. Coals may not be placed in dumpsters.
Grilling after 8 p.m. is prohibited unless approved by the Office of Residence Life.
Residents of the villages may have their own grill (charcoal only) provided that they are used at least 20 feet from the building.
No camp fires or burning of wood should occur in university grills.

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Guests
Guests are welcome to visit campus, but cannot reside on campus for more than three consecutive nights when the university is not in session, or the last two weeks of the semester. Students housing overnight guests must make advance arrangements with the hall staff. This includes family members, athletic recruits, and prospective students with the exception of pre-approved admissions group trips. When hosting a guest of the opposite sex, arrangements must be made for them to stay overnight with a host of the same sex. A maximum of two guests are allowed in any one room at any one time. Guests must obey university and residence life policies. Students are responsible for the action of their guests at all times. If violations of policy do occur, guests and visitors will be removed from the hall and future admittance to the hall may be restricted (sanctions may occur due to your guests behavior).

Siblings of the opposite sex who are 12 years old or younger may stay overnight with their student. Siblings of the opposite sex who are 13 years old or older cannot stay overnight with their student. The student must make arrangements for their sibling to stay overnight with a host of the same sex.

The Student Host is Responsible for the Following:
1. Obtaining a visitor form and parking permit from hall staff
2. Informing the guest of campus policies and regulations
3. Handling the consequences of a violation of policy by the guest
4. Making restitution for damage incurred to university property by the guest

All Guests are Required to:
1. Thoroughly complete the visitor form and keep it with them at all times
2. Be escorted by the host at all times
3. Comply with residence hall and university policies

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Holiday Decorating Guidelines
Fire safety is stressed during the holiday season. Keep these guidelines in mind while decorating for the
holidays:

Limit the amount of paper materials used in decorating your room, door and hallway.
Only artificial trees and decorations are allowed in students’ rooms and hall lounges.
Only twinkle lights are allowed.
Do not block hallways, stairwells, or doorways with decorations.
All decorations should be removed three days after the holiday or before leaving for holiday break.
Nothing should be hung from the ceiling.

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Items Not Allowed in the Residence Hall
Listed below are the items, by policy, not allowed in a resident’s room: The university may add items to this list as it deems necessary:

Air conditioners
Candles
Ceiling fans
Fireworks
“Foreman” grills*
Grills, propane, lighter fluid, charcoal
Halogen lamps (exposed bulbs)
Hot plates
Incense
Lofts
Open coil appliances
Pets (fish are allowed)
Space heaters
Toaster ovens*
Toasters
Traffic signs
Waterbeds or other water furnishings
Weapons

*These items are allowed in residence hall kitchens only.

Keys
Keys are issued at the time of check-in and individuals are responsible for them until they check-out. In the event that keys are reported lost or stolen, maintenance personnel will be assigned to change the affected lock and new keys will be issued. Individuals responsible for losing their keys will be charged an initial fee of $50.00 plus $10.00 per replacement key.
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Laundry
Each residence area has a laundry facility. The laundry services at Saint Mary’s University are owned and operated by the Student Senate. The goal of the Laundry Committee is to provide inexpensive and reliable laundry services to students. Monies received support special projects that the Student Senate funds each year in student areas, and allows for regular replacement of all laundry machines. Damage to laundry machines inconveniences everyone and ultimately limits the return students will realize through the projects undertaken by the Student Senate. At no time should non-residential students use the laundry facilities.
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Lock Outs
Students locked out of their room must show proper identification to a staff member before the room is unlocked. Residents will be granted a one-week grace period for lockouts at the start of each semester. After the grace period residents will be charged $2.00 per lockout. All funds generated go into the hall programming account. If Campus Safety is contacted for a lockout, a $5.00 fee may be charged.
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Needle Disposal
Saint Mary’s University strives to protect students and staff from safety and health hazards. In order to reduce the risk of transmission of blood-borne pathogens, containers for the safe disposal of medicinal needles (i.e., insulin) can be purchased from Health Services if you are required to administer self- injected drugs.C
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Painting of Rooms
All painting of rooms is to be done by the university maintenance staff or contractors hired by them. Students are not allowed to paint their own rooms. If a resident paints a room, the room will be repainted by university personnel and costs will be billed back to the responsible party. Further disciplinary action is likely.
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Part-time Students
Housing is provided for part-time students only with the approval of the Office of Residence Life. Students who change from full-time status to part-time status during a semester may be asked to leave university housing if a student’s behavior is not consistent with the residence life community expectations.
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Pets
Out of respect for the large size of the university community, individual medical conditions and personal levels of comfort, no resident on the Saint Mary’s University campus, student or staff member, is allowed to house or care for a pet (other than fish in a 20-gallon or less fish tank) in a residence hall or university facility (even on a temporary basis). Pets may not be walked or exercised on the campus. If a pet is discovered an attempt will be made to find the owner, however Campus Safety will remove the pet within a few hours. Students or university employees found housing a pet will be fined $100.00 a day.
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Privacy Hours: Visitation and Cohabitation
Each student assigned to a residence hall room has primary rights to occupy that room (i.e., the right to sleep and/or study in the room). Saint Mary’s University respects the rights of students to have visitors in the room to which they have been assigned, but does not allow students or non-students to live in a room to which they have not been assigned through the Office of Residence Life.

To respect the privacy of everyone, individuals of the opposite sex and non-residents may visit in the residence hall rooms or villages during the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. Sunday – Thursday and 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The visitor must call the room of the person being visited in order to have the host escort them into the hall. Visitors are not permitted without an escort.
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Property Loss
Saint Mary’s University assumes no responsibility for theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal properties belonging to or being in the custody of the student for any cause whatsoever, whether such losses occur from the student’s housing unit or public areas. Each student is encouraged to carry personal property insurance and to lock their door before leaving.
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Refrigerators
Unless installed by the university, the only refrigerators allowed on campus should be no larger than 5.0 cubic foot energy-efficient refrigerators. Anyone having an unauthorized refrigerator in a room will be fined and must remove the refrigerator immediately. Individual refrigerators are not needed in Village residences, as a large refrigerator is provided.
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Repairs In Individual Rooms
If something in your room or residence area is in need of repair, please contact a member of your residence hall staff and they will process the request. In case of a need for emergency maintenance after business hours, contact a member of your residence staff, if possible, or call the campus switchboard. University staff will contact the appropriate person(s). Every effort will be made to notify you when maintenance or other departments (computer, telephone etc.) will be working in your room or village apartment. It should be understood, however, that a request for repairs includes granting permission for maintenance or other department personnel to enter your living area.

Some repairs involving potential injury, structural damage, or property damage will be repaired the same day the request is received. Examples of same day repairs are: a door lock that doesn’t lock/unlock, a toilet that is clogged or won’t flush, a broken window/security door glass with jagged edges, exposed electrical wires, a gas smell, a clogged shower that is overflowing, a light fixture shooting sparks, no water or no power.

To have a repair completed, it must first be reported.
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Residency Requirements
Saint Mary’s University emphasizes its residential component as an integral part of the learning process. Therefore, all first-year and sophomore students are required to live in the residence hall system. All juniors and seniors are encouraged to live in the residence halls and villages as well, however, for some, life in the residence halls may not be appropriate. Therefore, students who have four semesters of university-approved housing history are eligible to move off-campus. Married students, students with extreme medical conditions that cannot be accommodated in the residence halls, students 21 or over by midterm of the first semester, or students living with their parents and commuting to campus can live off-campus.
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Right to Enter Rooms
It is the university’s desire to respect the rights of all of its residents and to honor the need each person has for privacy. However, in light of the large number of students residing on campus, there are times when a greater overall concern impels members of the university staff to seek to ensure the safety and common good of all members of the community. When there is cause to believe that violations of university policy or law exist within a student’s residence, members of the student development staff may enter the student’s room if the student is present. Those authorized to enter a student’s room must knock at the door and identify themselves to the resident. Authorized individuals are the residence hall staff, Campus Safety personnel (preferably accompanied by a residence hall staff member) and/or a student development administrator. If there is a question as to the authority of any
individual, students are advised to call the hall staff for assistance. In the case of emergencies where there is danger to property, safety, health or life, or blatant violation of university rules, the university reserves the right to enter rooms without notice. Stolen university property or items in students’ rooms (such as illegal signs, alcohol, fireworks, firearms, drugs etc.) may be removed by university officials or a member of the student development staff and will likely result in subsequent disciplinary action.
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Rooftops
Individuals are not allowed on any building rooftops without the permission of the vice president for student development, dean of students, or the director of buildings and grounds. Anyone caught on a rooftop will be assessed a $100.00 fine.
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Room Changes in Residence Halls and Villages
The director of residence life and professional live-in residence staff members handle room changes and vacancies in residence areas. They collaborate in any decisions to fill empty spaces or move residents from one room to another. In filling existing vacancies, priority is given to upperclassmen. Students desiring a room change must do so by filling out a written request form that requires the signatures of the current and future roommates, current and future hall directors, and the director of residence life. When a double vacancy becomes available, the room must be filled with two people. Before any room changes are granted, the roommates involved will need to make an appointment to see their hall director. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the Office of Residence Life of the reason why a room move is requested. Failure to obtain permission will be considered an improper check-out, which can result in a fine or asking the student to return to his/her previous room. No room changes will occur the first or last two weeks of each semester unless approved by the Office of Residence Life.
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Room Consolidation and Vacancies in Residence Halls (Double and Triple Occupancy Rooms)
Students living alone in double occupancy rooms or with two students in a triple occupancy room will be declared involuntarily under-assigned. This means that through no fault or choice of their own (involuntarily) they are living in a room with less than the optimal number of occupants (under- assigned). Students who find themselves in this situation should endeavor to secure another party who will move in with them. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to reassign students to make the most effective use of available accommodations. The Office of Residence Life will work at break periods or other appropriate times to consolidate students who are involuntarily under-assigned with incoming or returning students or with other students in the same situation at break periods or other appropriate times. When residents leave for break periods and they have at least one vacancy, the room should be clean and ready for a new occupant(s). When students visit the rooms with vacancies, the occupants are not allowed to dissuade the student from moving into the room. A violation of this policy is considered harassment. The option to buy out a double or triple occupancy room for single or double occupancy is at the discretion of university officials.
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Room Consolidation and Vacancies for Villages and Gilmore Creek Hall
Vacancies involving one person in village apartments and Gilmore Creek Hall suites may be handled in one of two ways. First, the remaining occupants may fill the vacant space with another student. The appropriate time to fulfill this request will be determined by the Office of Residence Life. Second, the three remaining occupants may choose to leave the space vacant and pay the fourth person’s room costs ($800.00 per semester). Both options are contingent on approval from the Office of Residence Life. When two or three students leave the group of four, the group will lose priority of the space. In this case, the director of residence life, in consultation with the hall director, reserves the right to fill the spaces or require the remaining occupants to vacate the apartment or suite to accommodate a group of four. In all situations, the Office of Residence Life reserves the right to reassign students to make the most effective use of available accommodations.
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Security and Tampering of Doors
All residents are encouraged to be attentive to the security of individual rooms and the entire residence area in which they live. Rooms and villages should be kept locked at all times, even if an absence will only be a matter of minutes. External doors to the residence halls should be locked after entry. No doors should be propped open. Residents are expected to not tamper with any doors in the residence halls. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action and/or CAD charges. Visitors should only be admitted and escorted to residence areas by the person who will be hosting them. Report unfamiliar persons to the hall staff immediately. Please be cautious with personal belongings.
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Smoking/Tobacco Use
Smoking or use of smokeless tobacco is not permitted in the residence halls or the villages on the Saint Mary’s University campus. Saint Mary’s University complies with the Federal Clean Air Act as well as other federal regulations regarding smoking in living environments. Sanctions for students violating the smoking policy may include fines and/or community service. In cases where a conflict between a smoker and non-smoker cannot be resolved, the right to a smoke-free environment will prevail. In cases where an assignment error has occurred, the smoking roommate will most likely be the resident to move to another room. Please refer to the “Alcohol and Drug Abuse” policy for more information.
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Solicitation and Selling
Door-to-door solicitation for commercial purposes is prohibited. Students may invite a commercial vendor to their room or host parties for purposes of a commercial solicitation, product demonstration, or similar event (e.g., cosmetics, plasticware etc.) The university has the right to revoke this privilege if abused. The university assumes no responsibility for commitments made or losses incurred by students. Residence hall rooms and phone numbers may not be used or listed as a place of business.
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Sponsored Trips
Saint Mary’s University will not sanction nor allow the advertising or promotion of any holiday trip which is scheduled to depart prior to the end of the final class before a break period begins.
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Spring Housing Sign-Ups
Course registration and spring housing sign-ups for the fall semester begins in the middle of the second semester. Students will receive e-mails and residence hall bulletin boards will be used to publicize the housing process. All returning students must pay a non-refundable registration deposit by March 15 to register for classes and participate in housing sign-up. For those students who cancel their housing after housing sign-up, the registration deposit will not be refunded.

In order to sign-up for housing you need to have a priority number, no health hold, less than a $300 balance on your account, your deposit for next fall paid, a declared major if you have 41 or more credits, all fines paid and all community service or policy violation consequences completed.
Housing is based on a priority number with seniors receiving first priority.
New Village and Ek Family Village require a group of four seniors and/or juniors or students who will be 21 years old by mid-term of first semester. Sophomore students under 21 are not allowed to reside in the village apartments.

The university reserves the right to make policy changes at any time to meet the needs of the majority of students.

If special housing considerations are required because of medical circumstances, this matter should be brought to the director of Health Services immediately for consideration.
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Summer Storage
The university does not have provisions for storage of student possessions over the summer months. A number of companies in the local area offer storage facilities.
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Tape, Nails, and Adhesive Hooks
Students must not use tape of any kind on the walls because it removes the paint. Tape should also not be used on floors to secure carpet, cords or cable. Additionally, nails may not be used on room walls. Students can get “poster putty” from hall staff to hang posters and other lightweight objects.
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Telephone Service
Saint Mary’s University provides full telephone service to each student room. Calls within the campus and in the local calling area are provided without charge. No one may tamper or misuse the university telephone system. Fraudulent and harassing telephone calls are strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. Refer to the “Appropriate Use of Technology” policy for more information.
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Theft
Residents need to be conscious of the necessity to secure rooms, halls and villages at all times. Saint Mary’s University is not responsible for theft of the personal possessions of students or staff members. Residents should insure their valuables under family homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policies prior to the start of each academic year. Theft is very serious and anyone found guilty may be evicted from campus housing. The student responsible faces the possibility of permanent expulsion from Saint Mary’s University. Further, the aggrieved person has the option of pursuing criminal charges through the City of Winona Police Department.
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Villages
All students living in the New Village or Ek Family Village are expected to live within the guidelines of all university expectations and policies. However, because the physical set-up of the villages is very different from a traditional residence hall and in an effort to treat students who live in the villages with more independence and higher expectations, there are a few policy exceptions. Policies related to alcohol use, event hosting, visitation and privacy hours, and electrical appliances are altered for the villages. These policies are published under separate cover, are distributed to all village residents at move-in, and are also available in the Office of Residence Life.
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Violence: Physical and Verbal Abuse
No student should use physical or verbal abuse towards another. Students and staff in the residence halls should be able to live, study, socialize and perform assigned job duties free of harassment, intimidation or menacing behavior. Threatening or abusive behavior will not be tolerated; this includes, but is not limited to, sexual, racial or religious harassment, intimidation, hazing, prank or unwanted phone calls, or invasion of privacy. Threatening violence, inciting others to violent action, and/or willful participation in action, which results in damage to property and/or physical harm to persons, is in violation of university regulations. The reporting of harassment or violence is strongly encouraged.
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Visiting Children
Children are permitted to visit the residence facilities. However, in order to protect against injury, promote their safety, and provide privacy for students, the following restrictions must apply:

Children are permitted to visit during visitation hours only, and must leave by the end of visitation hours. Children, under 5 years of age, are not permitted to stay overnight (unless approved by the Office of Residence Life).
Children must be attended at all times. They are not permitted to run up and down hallways, stairwells, or in public areas unattended.
Residents who have children that disturb other residents may be asked to remove the children from the halls.
Residents may not provide paid babysitting service in the halls.

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Walls/Windows/Screens

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Waterbeds and Lofts

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Weapons, Firearms, Ammunition and Fireworks

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Weather

1. Remain calm but move expeditiously.
2. Close and lock room doors.
3. Protect head and face.
4. Go down to the basement (or designated storm shelter area) or move to an interior area of
the building.
– Stay away from windows and glass.
– Do not leave this area until instructed to do so.

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Withdrawal Process (Residence Halls)

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Section Links

Introduction

Disciplinary Judicial Process

University Policies