Frequently Asked Questions

Which residence hall is the best place to live?
Does the University provide staff in the halls?
May I cook in the halls?
Are there substance-free floors?
What do I need to bring when I move in to the residence halls?
What are the requirements for appliances in my room?
How safe are the Residence Halls and Apartment style halls?
Can I leave things in my room over breaks?
Can I stay in my room over breaks?
Are there curfews in University Residences?
Can I smoke in my room?
Where can I do laundry?
Do I need to clean my room?
What can I do if I have roommate problems?
Are pets allowed?
Is there a campus bus service?
Where can I go if I am ill?
Which residences have air-conditioning and which residences can provide an air-conditioned room for students who have a medical need for an air-conditioned space?
When can I move in?
Does anyone have access to my room?
Are there quiet hours?
What about alcohol?
Can I bring a bicycle?
Are there people to help me move into the residence halls?
Can I loft my bed?
When will I know about my roommate(s)?
I lost my keys, what do I do?

Which residence hall is the best place to live?

Each residence hall has its own unique environment. People who live in the hall they are assigned generally will tell you their hall is the best.  Often times, it is the people you meet and the friends you make that determine your residence hall experience - not the building itself.   Each building has its own traditions, offerings, and feeling and by visiting the campus and buildings you can get a sense of which hall might best suit your needs.

Does the University provide staff in the halls?

 
Yes. There are professional and paraprofessional (resident advisors or RAs for short) staff working and living in each residence hall. The staff provides opportunities for each resident to enhance their personal, interpersonal, and educational development.  Resident advisors provide both social and educational events for residents, and do nightly rounds in the building. Residents are encouraged to talk to their RA or the professional staff about any concerns or questions as they are great resources for the students. Additional staff include hall chaplains that provide spiritual leadership in the halls and desk and night access staff that provide security and desk services to the residents of the building.

May I cook in the halls?

There are kitchens located in the common areas of the halls. Students may check-out cooking equipment from most of the residence hall front desks. Students can have microwaves and refrigerators in their rooms if they meet the requirements below, however toasters, toaster ovens, hot pots, hot plates, George Foreman grills, sandwich makers, etc. are not allowed in student rooms.

Are there substance-free floors?

Because many students have requested a living environment free of the disruptions that alcohol and drug use sometimes cause, we provide substance-free areas. Students who choose a substance-free area commit to the wellness of their community by signing an agreement not to use alcohol or other drugs while living on campus. Dowling 2 South and Ireland Lower Level are substance-free floors. Substance-free areas are designated based on preference form requests.

What do I need to bring when I move in to the residence halls?

You should bring your own extra-long, twin sheets; blankets; bedspread; pillow; and a wastebasket. All rooms have cable TV and Ethernet outlets; however, you must provide your own cables which can be brought from home or purchased from the bookstore or local electronics store. You may also bring a clock, radio, stereo, TV, computers or any other personal items you may need.

What are the requirements for appliances in my room?

Small electrical appliances, such as coffeemakers and popcorn poppers, are allowed in student rooms as long as the heating element is completely enclosed. Other appliances, such as microwaves and refrigerators, are allowed if they follow these requirements:

• Microwave: It must not exceed 900 watts.
• Refrigerator: Refrigerators cannot be more than 4.5 cubic feet and must not exceed 200 watts. It must be noncombustible, nontoxic, and use non-corrosive refrigerator compressive gas such as Freon.
• Microfridge:  What is a Microfridge?
  It is a combination unit which includes a refrigerator, freezer and microwave. It can be rented from http://www.bedloft.com
• Combination units must not exceed 1200 watts.
• All appliances must be Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. approved.

How safe are the Residence Halls and Apartment style halls?

We strive to provide a safe environment; however, as with any community with a large number of people, it is best to take precautions such as locking doors and making sure your personal items are covered by your parent’s homeowner’s insurance policy.  The residence halls do have night access attendants that work the entry doors on a nightly basis and a student of that hall must sign in guests to the building.  Additionally, all of our resident buildings require an active university ID for access. 

Can I leave things in my room over breaks?

Yes, leaving belongings in your room is allowed for all breaks except summer.

Can I stay in my room over breaks?

Residents are allowed to stay in the halls over all breaks with the permission of their individual hall director.   Look for sign up information before each break.

Are there curfews in University Residences?

No, there are no curfews. Residents are not required to be in their rooms at any time.   However, guests of the opposite gender are required to be out of individual rooms by midnight on Sunday through Thursday nights and 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

Can I smoke in my room?

No. All University Residences are non-smoking, and must be done 30 feet away from buildings

Where can I do laundry?

There is laundry room in every residence with washers and dryers.  The university provides free washer and dryers with use of their student ID.

What is the standard residence mattress size and are bed linens provided?

The standard residence mattress size is 36” x 80” (extra long twin).  Bed linens, pillows, and mattress pads are not provided.

Do I need to clean my room?

Your room is your responsibility. You are not required to clean your room except before check-out at the end of the academic year. We encourage students to clean their rooms on a regular basis.  Additionally, it is nicer for your guests and roommate(s) if you clean on a regular basis.

What can I do if I have roommate problems?

Residence Life encourages open communication between residents. If talking it out between the two of you doesn’t work, your floor resident assistant is an excellent resource for assistance.   Moving students is a last resort for roommate conflicts and can only be done in accordance and working with the Area/Hall Directors.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed in University Residences except fish.

Is there a campus bus service?

Yes. There is a free shuttle service between the St. Paul and Minneapolis Campuses.  Just show your student ID when you board the shuttle bus.

Where can I go if I am ill?

St. Thomas has a student health services office located in the basement of Brady Hall that you enter from under the skyway. There are also many hospitals in the surrounding metro area.

Which residences have air-conditioning and which residences can provide an air-conditioned room for students who have a medical need for an air-conditioned space?

Residences That Are Air-Conditioned:

• Selby Hall
• Morrison Hall
• Murray Hall
• Child Development Center
  

Residences That Can Provide An Air-Conditioned Room for Students Who Have a Medical Need for An Air-Conditioned Space:

• Grace Hall
• Dowling Hall
• Brady Hall
• Cretin Hall
• Ireland Hall

Should I purchase insurance?

The Office of Residence Life strongly encourages all students to purchase Personal Property Insurance. This type of insurance protects students from damage or loss to personal property. In case of a fire, flood, theft or other circumstances where damage/loss occurs to resident's personal property, this type of insurance will protect you in these situations. If you are not covered under your parent/guardian's homeowner's insurance policy, we strongly recommend that you make arrangements for insurance protection against such losses.   CSI Insurance Agency, Inc. offers a CSI Personal Property Protector Plus plan that provides full replacement cost coverage for less than the cost of a homeowner’s deductible. For more information, contact www.collegestudentinsurance.com

When can I move in?

Each semester has established dates for check-in. Review your information for exact dates and times for check-in. Check-in takes place at the respective residence hall in which you will be residing.  For fall semester 2007, First-Year students can move in on Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2.  Returning students can move in on Friday, August 31 and Monday, September 3.

Does anyone have access to my room?

Residence Life and Physical Plant staff have access to student rooms. Reasons for entry may include repairs needed from work orders or routine maintenance, Health and Safety Inspections, or emergency situations. Both offices will respect the privacy of all residents and will enter student rooms only under these circumstances.

Are there quiet hours?

Quiet hours are established in all of the residence halls. Residence Life staff are there to help promote and enforce these policies so that our residential environments are comfortable for the residents and conducive for academics. The hours are from 10:00 p.m. – 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and Midnight -10:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Courtesy Hours are twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Excessive noise is not allowed outside student rooms where it can disrupt other community members.  Additionally, speakers and music cannot be played from residence hall room windows.

What about alcohol?

Minnesota state law requires individuals must be at least twenty-one years of age in order to consume, purchase and/or possess alcohol. In our residence halls, alcohol is allowed to be consumed/possessed in residence hall rooms where all residents are twenty-one years of age or older and the person consuming alcohol is twenty-one years of age or older.

Can I bring a bicycle?

Many students find bicycles useful for navigating the campus. Bicycle racks are provided outside of most buildings and students are encouraged to use the racks to lock up their bikes when not in use.

Are there people to help me move into the residence halls?

Yes, during first-year student move-in, there are members of Father Dease’s Move-In Crew who will be available in all first-year student buildings to assist with moving in items.

Can I loft my bed?

Some buildings do allow for lofting of beds with furniture rented from http://www.bedloft.com only.  For safety reasons, the University of St. Thomas does not allow for home constructed or purchased lofts from other vendors.  For a complete list of what rooms and buildings need lofts, check out the bedloft.com website.

When will I know about my roommate(s)?

Generally, assignment and roommate information comes out to students around July 1.  We encourage you to contact your roommate with the information provided so you can discuss what items each person is providing for the room.  If you have questions about your assignment please contact our office.

I lost my keys, what do I do?

If you lose your keys, it is important for you to come into the Office of Residence Life immediately so a lock change can be done.  This ensures the safety and security of your valuables in the room.  Lock change charges are billed to student accounts and vary based on the building.