RESIDENTIAL LIFE POLICIES

Students may use electrical appliances in residence halls such as: television, personal computer, pop-up toasters, air fryer, electric coffee pot, personal lamp, fan, shaver, portable hair dryer, other personal care appliances, clock, microwave oven, and compact refrigerator. Heating or cooking appliances with open coils, hot plates, air conditioners, sun lamps, and hot tubs are not permitted in the halls. Torchiere lamps are permitted, but only with incandescent or compact fluorescent light bulbs. Halogen lamps are NOT permitted.

Electrical extension cords must be UL approved, not contain any cuts, tears, or splices and are not to be used in a manner that may create a fire hazard (such as running a cord under a rug/carpet or in a place where the insulation may be worn out). Extension cords and power strips must be plugged directly into a wall outlet; they cannot be plugged into one another. Students are cautioned to be very careful with electrical appliances and extension cords. 

Tampering with electrical systems (e.g., installing dimmer switches, ceiling fans, etc., or altering wiring) is prohibited for the safety of all residents and the general upkeep of the building.

Microwave Ovens

Personal or consumer-sized microwave ovens (rated under six amps or 700 watts) are permitted in student rooms, but their use must be limited to the warming of prepackaged, microwaveable food items. (This is not to be construed as an alternative to the Dining Service, which remains the sole source of basic meals for students residing on campus.) 

Refrigerators

Refrigerators not provided by the college must be no larger than 6.0 cubic feet. Common-use full size refrigerators are available in the kitchen area of each residence hall.

Rental: Gustavus has partnered with BedLoft.com that allows students to lease refrigerators and loft frames.

Storage: Refrigerators cannot be stored by any student in the residence hall storage rooms. Students must arrange for off-campus storage for the summer.

Community kitchens are located in all of the residence halls (except those with only apartment units). It is the responsibility of those that use the kitchen to keep the kitchen clean and available for all to use. This includes cleaning up after yourself, wiping down surfaces, and properly storing food (in a container labeled with name and date). Any food items not stored properly or past its safe consumption date will be discarded. Students must remain in the kitchen while cooking/baking. 

Students are encouraged to keep cooking equipment, spices, etc in their personal space rather than storing them in the community kitchen. 

Concerns of the condition of the community kitchen will be communicated to the entire community with the expectations that the community steps up to resolve the issue. Failure to do so, or repeated concerns, may result in removal of access to the community kitchen. 

The Gustavus wireless network is available in all the campus residence halls. 

You will need your Gustavus User Account (email) username and password to register any devices on the campus network. If you do not know this information, please contact the Technology Helpline at 507.933.6111 or helpline@gustavus.edu

1.  Candles/Flammable Materials/Incense: Candles, incense, oil lamps, etc., (generally anything utilizing a wick, flame, open heating element, or consuming flammable material) are NOT allowed in residence halls, College-owned/operated apartments or houses. Storage of volatile materials or other flammables (e.g., propane, lighter fluid) in residence halls or College-owned/operated apartments or houses is likewise not permitted.

2.  Cooking and Kitchen Use: Students are responsible for cooking and using the kitchen in a safe way. This includes

• Cook only where it is permitted

• Never leave cooking unattended

• Frying poses the greatest risk - never put water on a grease fire - put a lid on it

• If a fire starts in a microwave, keep the door closed and unplug the unit

• If you use electrical appliances, do not overload circuits

• Stand by your pan - if you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off

• For an oven fire, turn off the head and keep the door closed

3.  Fire Alarms: All students and guests are expected to respond appropriately whenever a fire alarm is sounded. Each person is expected to observe the fire safety guidelines.  Violations are issued as citations.  Whenever an alarm is sounded 

• leave lights on in the room

• close and lock the door

• all individuals must leave the building using the nearest exit

• remain outside until College staff gives the all-clear sign.

4.  Fire Marshal's Directives: The State Fire Marshal’s Office has notified Gustavus Adolphus College that the following guidelines must be followed in student rooms.  Residents violating these directives are legally liable for both civil and criminal negligence should a fire or other related problem occur.

• •  Carpeting and Carpet Pads: Carpeting and carpet pads are permitted, but, due to concern for fire egress, all carpets and pads must be cut to allow the door to open freely

  • Construction or Modification that Increases the Risk of Fire or Decreases the Safety: paneling, platforms, homemade wooden lofts, and other projects that make use of wood or other flammable materials are not allowed.

  • Door Obstructions (i.e., doors must be able to be opened wide): There must be a clear and easy exit from each room that may be readily located in the case of fire, smoke, sleepiness, intoxication, darkness, or the confusion of an actual emergency situation.

  • Flammable Materials Hanging From or Draped Across the Ceilings (e.g., tie-dyed sheets, flags, etc.): The Deputy State Fire Marshal has agreed to allow wall hangings (only if flat against a wall), but has suggested that they be made fire resistant. All flammable materials hanging or draped from the ceiling, including hanging room dividers (whether hanging from the ceiling or suspended below it), are specifically banned.

5. Fire Safety Equipment: Fire extinguishers, fire alarms, smoke detectors, sprinklers, fire exit signs, and other fire and safety equipment are placed in the halls for the safety of the residents in the building. Misuse or or tampering with fire and safety equipment is a serious violation of both state and College codes.

Students must leave college-owned furniture in rooms and floor lounges. Moving communal furniture from a lounge only decreases the availability to other students. Room furniture cannot be stored in the hall storage room or at off-campus locations. 

Unauthorized removal of College furniture or furnishings from residence hall rooms and lounges is considered theft and is prohibited. Students are financially responsible for furnishings inventoried in their rooms and may be subject to fines and/or other sanctions levied by the College.

Students are charged for damage to or loss of furniture, equipment, rooms, and common areas (minimal normal wear and tear excepted). If individual responsibility for loss or damage cannot be determined, charges are evenly distributed to residents associated with the damage location. Residents will be notified of each assessment as soon as possible after each is reported, but the actual billing may not be made until the end of the school term; in that way, involved parties may come forward on their own or be identified by others and the assessment amended.

Students are encouraged to complete a Room Condition Report upon move in. This allows students to document the condition of the space at the beginning of their occupancy. Any damages upon move out that are not documented on the RCR may be the student’s responsibility. 

Sports and physical games are not allowed in the residence halls; this includes common areas and individual student rooms. Balls, pucks, bats, and other sporting equipment may do serious damage to walls, ceilings, and floors as well as cause a noise disruption and potential physical threat to other students. Any damage that occurs will be charged to the resident(s) responsible.

Health and Safety Inspections (HSIs) are conducted to ensure the living environment is safe for all living there. HSIs involve an open-sight inspection of the entire unit and any appliances provided by the College. The inspections typically occur before College breaks (Fall, Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring). Notice of the inspection will be communicated prior to HSIs. Residence Life reserves the right to change the frequency of HSIs. HSIs are performed by teams of two staff members. Residents do not need to be present for Health and Safety Inspections.

If rooms or units are in an unsanitary or unsafe condition, resident(s) will be notified via email with the specific concerns and when re-inspection will occur. If the concern is not resolved in the allotted time, students may be referred to the conduct process.

Residence halls will be open with limited services during Fall, Thanksgiving, and Spring Breaks. 

Residence halls will be closed during Christmas/Winter break. All students must vacate the halls by 9 a.m. after the last day of final exams in December. Halls will re-open at noon on the day before classes start in January. Exceptions allowing students to remain on campus during Christmas/Winter break can be made for International students, students who are unable to go home for break, and students required to be on campus by a campus department (i.e. Athletics). Students wanting to remain on campus over Christmas/Winter break must complete a request form that is available on the Residential Life website.

Remaining in halls after official closing times or returning early without prior permission is prohibited.

Room keys are issued to all residents upon checking into a residence hall. Students are encouraged to close and lock their door when they leave the unit.  Students who lose a key should report their key lost to Residential Life as soon as possible so that a new lock may be installed to protect everyone living in that space. During the year, a $75 charge is levied to cover lock installation and the cutting of new room keys. If the student fails to order a replacement or does not return a key upon vacating the room, a $100 charge is assessed to their student account. Room keys are the responsibility of the student and should not be given to any other person. (See also “Lockouts.”)

Each residence hall has laundry facilities included in your housing fee. We encourage the use of pod type laundry detergent.  Use of these facilities is restricted to the residents of the hall. If there is a problem with a machine, a student should follow the directions for contacting our laundry partner through their app or submit a service request.

If a student is locked out of their own residence hall room, contact the Collegiate Fellow on duty (between 8 p.m. and midnight), or Campus Safety (507-933-8888) if during the day or after midnight. Generally, students may be charged $10 if a Campus Safety Officer is dispatched for a lockout.

Students may not obtain access to residence hall rooms of other students without having the student’s written permission. Unauthorized access is in violation of student privacy rights.

Gustavus Adolphus College does NOT allow students to construct their own bed-lofting structures. Personally constructed lofts are not able to be properly inspected for adequate levels of safety in accordance with the college’s liability concerns. In addition, damage to walls, ceilings, and floors necessitate the prohibition of personally constructed loft systems. 

Please contact the Residential Life office for more information about Bedloft.com, the college’s official contracted supplier of approved loft materials or visit Bedloft.com for more information.

If something is not working in the residence hall (i.e. burnt out light), students are encourage to use the on-line maintenance request (found at the Facilities website) to request a repair. Please include specific information regarding what needs to be fixed and location (.i.e. light above the mirror, outlet next to the bed with the green blanket) in the request. 

There are different frame styles in use around campus. Because they are moved around frequently by students and maintenance staff, it is impossible to guarantee that a particular frame will be in a particular room at the start of fall term. Students should check with their hall neighbors if they wish to switch frames.

Most college-owned mattresses are size Twin XL.

Being courteous to your fellow residents is an important aspect of a good community. Close living conditions and the effects of noise traveling through the buildings necessitate the establishment of some rules to contain noise.Residents may not make or allow any disturbing noises in the residence halls. Singing, playing a musical instrument, or operating a television or audio equipment in a way, and/ or at a time that is objectionable to others is prohibited. Placing speakers on or near window ledges to project sound from open windows is not permitted. Students should consider using headphones to avoid the possibility that their music may be loud enough to bother a neighbor. (See also “Quiet Hours.”)

When a CF, Area Coordinator, or member of the Campus Safety staff responds to a complaint, their evaluation of whether noise is at an unacceptable level is binding.

Consideration for approval - Students granted off-campus residency must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Student who is married

• Student living with and responsible for dependent child/children

• Living in the Saint Peter area with their parents/guardian (*within 15 miles from campus)

• Part-time (below 12 units) for semester

• Veterans of military service (having been deployed and/or providing DD214 paperwork; Those in ROTC, Reserves or basic training do not receive exemption. Residential Life follows the college’s definition that is also used for FAFSA requirements - veterans include those who have completed active duty or have been deployed for reasons other than training)

• 23 years of age or older on/by the first day of class in September

• home ownership (student name is sole name on mortgage)

• student who is 21 years of age by the first day of fall semester class AND has not been enrolled full time at any institution of higher education during the immediate past two years.

Students who do not meet the above criteria may apply to be added to an off-campus wait list. The wait list will only be used if all on-campus housing is filled. 

Students may not paint their rooms.. Students who paint their rooms without permission will be held liable for the cost of repainting the room.

The College’s property insurance does NOT include the personal property of the students. The College cannot be responsible for damage or loss of personal property, regardless of cause. Residents are urged to carry their own personal property insurance or to check with their family’s policy to see if they are covered for any personal property loss or damage while attending College.

Animals (other than fish in aquarium that is no larger than 15 gallons) are not permitted in student living areas, including rooms, lounges, hallways, etc. This also applies to laboratory animals/specimens and animals. Exception to this policy is made for assistance animals.

Because a large number of people live in close proximity in any residence hall, reasonable quiet is expected at all times. In particular, on Sunday through Thursday, between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m., as well as midnight to 8 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night. Sounds emanating from student rooms and/or public areas must be kept to a minimum to facilitate student studying or sleeping. Also, each residence hall and/or living unit may establish extended “quiet/study hours.” Responsibility for these hours is a shared one. It is your right and obligation to let others know if their activities are annoying you. The Collegiate Fellow, Campus Safety Officers, and Area Coordinators can help, but they alone cannot enforce consideration for others. (See also “Noise.”)

Students are not permitted to climb on the roofs or decks of any building.

Each student is responsible for cleaning their room/unit. Students also share responsibility for the condition of common areas in the hall in which they live. Litter, damage (including water damage), or general disregard for hallways, bathrooms, lounges, etc., may result in assessments billed to the responsible individual or prorated to the residents who use that space (see “Group Billing” section).

Continued concerns with common areas (i.e. lounges) may result in the loss of access to that location. 

Residential students agree to abide by the Gustavus Housing Agreement found under "Documents" in the Housing Portal.

Housing assignments for returning students are made each spring for the following fall through the Room Selection process. Each student is entitled to one housing assignment each year. Room and roommate(s) choice at Room Selection will be considered binding for the entire academic year unless an individual officially withdraws from Gustavus. Occasionally, circumstances allow for housing adjustments once a semester begins. 

Students are collectively responsible for their assigned space. Noise violations and other breaches of hall rules and regulations that occur in a room may be charged to the assigned students of that

Learning to share a space with someone else is an important part of the college experience. We encourage all roommates to create and revisit Roommate Agreements. Open communication and respect are foundations of a healthy living environment. After mediation(s), or in extreme circumstances, a room change may be necessary. Any room change must be approved by Residential Life before any changes are made. Residence unit change requests will be accepted by the Residential Life Office after the third week of classes each semester. A meeting is required before any requests will be processed. Room sharing (in which, for example, the assigned occupants of two or more rooms establish shared sleeping arrangements in one room and use the other for recreational space) and the subleasing or unauthorized transfer of room space is prohibited.

When moving into a room assignment, students should submit an online Room Condition Report documenting the condition of their unit upon move-in. Staff will use the Room Condition Report (RCR) from move-in and compare the condition of the room upon move out. Any differences aside from normal wear and tear, will be recorded and may be charged to the students assigned to the space. Charges which cannot be attributed to a single roommate will be divided equally between roommates. If you would like to take responsibility for a specific damage now, please email reslife@gusavus.edu. All damages to the room and/or furnishings (beyond reasonable wear and tear), the cost of missing items, extra cleaning charges, and a prorated share of public area charges will be assessed and sent as charges to a student's account. Students will be notified of all charges via email within two weeks of the final day the halls are open.

Assessments are based on charges provided by the Director of Residential Life. Individual assessments are subject to an appeal process, but appeals must be made in writing by the deadline given with the issuance of the bill. Appeals are reviewed by the Director of Residential Life.

It is the responsibility of the student(s) assigned to the unit to ensure that all policies of the College are understood and followed. Failure to ensure compliance with policies of the College may result in disciplinary charges against the room occupant(s) as well as the policy violators.

Solicitation of funds or services, distribution of materials, and/or sales by any outside business or organization (i.e., one that is not a campus organization) are not permitted on campus, except as provided below.

1. Businesses or organizations whose services or materials are determined to be in the interests of the College or for College purposes may operate tables in the Campus Center after obtaining express approval from the Campus Activities Office.

2. Political candidates or their representatives may set up tables in the Campus Center with the authorization of the Director of Campus Activities.

No solicitors, sales people, or agents—whether students or others—are permitted to personally contact students in the residence halls (i.e., go door-to-door or use hall lounges) for commercial purposes, except if a campus group’s activity has been approved in advance by the Director of Residential Life and the Director of Campus Activities using the “Sales and Solicitation Application” available at the Campus Activities Office. In those cases, the students representing the approved group will carry written authorization forms, which they are to show upon demand. Violations of the hall solicitation restrictions should be referred immediately to the department of Campus Safety (507-933-8888).

Gustavus students representing an off-campus business or organization are not permitted to use their assigned residence hall room as a place of business.

Subject to space limitations, students who live 350 miles+ from Gustavus may store personal belongings in hall storage rooms during the academic year and/or Summer terms. Gustavus Adolphus College assumes no liability for items lost or damaged while in storage. We recommend students do not store items that have sentimental value or are irreplaceable. If storage capacity is reached for a given area, priority may be given to international students/furthest travel distances.

Storage is limited to items that can fit in student-provided suitcases, trunks, totes, and/or boxes that will be labeled at the time items are put into storage. Storage containers must be completely closed with no items sticking out.

Anything left beyond the storage agreement timeframe will be considered abandoned property.

The following items are not allowed to be kept in on-campus storage:

• Food/perishable items

• Furniture, lofts, carpet rolls

• Appliances (i.e. mini-fridge, microwaves)

• Bikes, kayaks, or other large sporting gear

• Items prohibited by College policy

The College makes every reasonable attempt to provide a safe and secure environment for its student body, and cannot be responsible for loss or damage from any cause to the personal property of the residents. It is strongly recommended that each student secures insurance coverage for all articles which they bring to the College. Large sums of money and other valuables should not be kept in residence halls. One of the best methods to ensure the safety of personal property is to keep the door to the room locked.

Report any and all thefts, as well as any suspicious and/or criminal activity, to the department of Campus Safety (507-933-8888) as soon as possible.

The Gustavus Adolphus College Residential Life Visitation and Guest Policy is informed by the mission of the College and its five core values. As an institution of higher learning, the College’s primary concern is the education of its students. For education and learning to occur, each student’s well-being—both physical and emotional—is of paramount importance. Embedded in the Gustavus mission and core values is a fundamental concern for the wellbeing of and respect for each individual within the context of the campus community. Balancing the competing interests of students as individuals and members of the community is at the heart of the visitation and guest policy.

To be welcoming, to permit your residence hall space and your routine to be rearranged temporarily for a guest or visitor, and to treat each person with dignity and respect are fundamental traits of hospitality. Equally important are the concerns for the common good of all who call the residence hall home. Gustavus residence halls are neither hotels nor private apartment buildings. Individual residents are expected to extend hospitality to guests within the context of the community’s interests and standards. Communities that are not welcoming of guests and individuals who abuse a community’s hospitality do not reflect the Gustavus values.

Policy Statement on Visitation and Guests

General Items:

1. Definitions:

   • Guest: any person not directly affiliated with Gustavus as a student or employee.

   • Visitor: any Gustavus student or employee who is not an assigned resident of the particular room, suite, apartment, or house. NOTE: Employees who enter student units for the purpose of fulfilling job responsibilities (i.e., custodial, Residential Life staff, Campus Safety Officers, etc.) are not considered visitors.

   • Visitation hours: the time period during which resident students may host visitors and guests in their individual rooms.

2. A student’s privilege to have a guest or visitor is always superseded by any other assigned residents’ right to uninterrupted use of the unit to support their educational endeavor. The privacy as well as ability to sleep or study of the roommate(s) will take precedence over a guest or visitor. Therefore, a roommate should neither be compelled to leave a unit in order to accommodate a guest or visitor nor be placed in situations that might cause embarrassment or inconvenience.

3. Frequent visits and/or visits of excessive length can create an uncomfortable environment for the roommate as well as other community members. Each hall resident has a right to privacy, sleep, and study which outweighs a roommate’s or neighbor’s privilege of visitation. If the presence of a guest or visitor is an inconvenience or distraction, the guest/visitor must leave.

4. Gustavus students are responsible for knowing and understanding the Gustavus Code of Conduct and Residence Hall policies that are enforced in all residence facilities. Community members may be held responsible and sanctioned for any code violations.

5. Student hosts are responsible for the behavior and conduct of their guests. Students are to inform guests of the Gustavus Code of Conduct and Residence Hall policies.

6. Residents are to accompany guests at all times within the residence halls. This includes meeting guests or visitors at the front entrances to buildings and escorting them within the building.

7. Twenty-four hour visitation is permitted in common spaces of each residence hall (i.e. lobby, study areas, ,kitchen).

8. Hallways and section lounges are NOT considered 24-hour visitation areas.

9. Guests and visitors are required to use bathroom facilities appropriate to their gender identity. Individual restrooms are also available for all guests and visitors on the main floor of each residence hall having communal bathrooms.

10. Any guest who violates College policy or state/federal law may be asked to leave the College immediately and/or may be notified in writing through a no trespass letter that s/he is banned from College property until further notice.

Visitation Hours

Visitation hours for all visitors or guests of a room are established by Roommate Agreements which are generally completed at the beginning of the year. Visitation hours agreed upon by roommates do not supersede other limitations on guests or visitors, like overnight rules below or the right of a resident to have a non-resident leave the room. Roommate Agreements can only serve to further limit College-allowed hours and situations.

Any Gustavus resident experiencing challenges with guests or visitors in their room or desiring to reconsider their Roommate Agreement can contact Residential Life for assistance.

Overnight Guests and Visitors

Guests/Visitors may stay for no more than 48 hours consecutively.

Students are not permitted to remove the window screens from the windows.

If you have a problem with a screen or window crank use the online maintenance request form to request a repair. Throwing any materials from open residence hall windows (or balconies, where applicable) is prohibited.