Residence Hall Room Selection Q & A
When can I sign up?
For students currently living on campus, class status at Minnesota State Mankato this semester determines when you are eligible to reserve your room. Rooms may be chosen at the Department of Residential Life Office, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. See the
schedule for more details.
What is the Freshman Lottery?
The opportunity to sign up for a room or semi-suite during Freshman Week (October 26-November 2) will be distributed to interested freshmen through a lottery process.
How the Freshman Lottery Works:
- Freshmen currently living on campus interested in signing up for a room during Freshman Week should visit the Department of Residential Life Office between Monday, October 8 and Friday, October 26 to draw a number.
- The number will determine the first date and time during Freshman Week you may choose a room or semi-suite. If you are not available during that date and time, you may choose to select your room at any later date or time, through April 4.
- There is no contract to sign or payment to make in order to participate in the lottery—you will make your prepayment when you choose your space.
- Bring your MavCard with you—only one number may be drawn per student, please.
- Numbers are not transferable and cannot be sold or traded.
- Freshmen living on campus participate in this lottery only. Sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students may apply starting at any time during their eligible week.
Is there any need to hurry?
A limited number of each room type is available. A maximum of 1000 current students may apply for housing through this process. Don’t miss your chance to be the first to live in Julia Sears!
What do I need to sign up?
To secure your space for next year, you will need to bring a picture ID and make a $250 prepayment when you sign up. The payment will be applied to your 2008-2009 fall semester room and board charges. You may make this payment by cash, check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover).
If your plans change, $200 of the $250 prepayment is refundable until July 1, 2008.
Can I get a single room next year?
Beginning 2008-2009, approximately 130 specific rooms will be designated as single rooms throughout Crawford, Gage, and McElroy. Most floors will have two single rooms, and each room will have one set of furniture. Plus, approximately 50 residents can sign up for a two-person semi-suite in Julia Sears. All rooms, including single rooms, are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
What room types can I choose from?
You can choose from nine room types and rates:
In Crawford, Gage, and McElroy
Double
Suites
Super Double
Single
Double in Crawford D Hall
Suite in Crawford D Hall
Single in Crawford D Hall
In Julia Sears
Four-Person Semi-Suites
Two-Person Semi-Suites
What if I change my mind later?
If, for some reason, your plans change after you sign up for a room next year, you may cancel your housing contract through August 19, 2008. If you cancel your reservation on or before July 1, 2008, we will refund $200 of the $250 prepayment. No prepayment will be refunded after July 1. Cancellations will not be accepted after August 19.
All cancellations must be in writing, completed online, or sent through e-mail. Cancellation forms are also available at the Department of Residential Life Office.
If my friends and I want to live near each other, what should we do?
To sign up to live together next year, you should, when possible, come to Room Selection together. Spaces in a room or semi-suite may also be held for other current students not yet eligible to sign up. The resident eligible to sign up during the time period may hold the second space in the room for another student by providing their name. A student signing up for a Julia Sears semi-suite may hold up to three additional spaces in the same semi-suite.
For example, if a sophomore and three freshmen would like to sign up to live in a Julia Sears semi-suite, all four residents may sign up together, or, during Sophomore Week, the sophomore may request to hold the spaces for the freshmen. The same situation applies during Freshman Week timeslots—one freshman eligible to sign up on Monday at 9:00 a.m. may hold a space in the same room for another current student not yet eligible.
Spaces may be held only for current Minnesota State Mankato students. A held space will be released on Friday, November 16 if the student has not yet signed up for the room.
Can someone else sign up for me?
One student may also sign up for another by proxy if necessary. The proxy must have the other student’s prepayment, TechID, and a signed letter giving permission to sign the student up.
I love the new Crawford D Hall closets! How can I live in a renovated space like that?
To live in newly renovated space, choose one of these two options:
Choose a room in Crawford D Hall. While the room charges are slightly higher, the renovated space is definitely worth it!
To live in renovated space for the second half of the year, at no additional cost, choose Crawford B Hall. Both Crawford A and B Halls will be renovated next year, resulting in halls much like Crawford D. The Crawford A Hall project will occur during fall semester while students live in Crawford B Hall. Then, at the beginning of Spring Semeseter students living in Crawford B Hall will move to a corresponding room in Crawford A Hall. Then, the Crawford B Hall renovation project will begin.
How can I compare the costs of living on campus while I shop for housing?
When shopping for housing, make sure you take into account all of these services INCLUDED when you live on campus:
Heat
Electricity
Cable TV Installation
Cable TV Service
Telephone Installation
Local Phone Service
Internet Installation
High Speed Internet Service
Wireless Internet Service in Public Areas
Trash Removal
DVD Rental (at each front desk)
Furnishings
Meals
Flex Dollars
Red-Eye Shuttle
Access to Ice Machines
Laundry
Newspapers
Residence Hall Computer Labs
Cleaning of Public Areas
Planned Social Opportunities
Trained Staff to Help You
Plus, we don't require a security deposit, so you don't need worry about losing it at the end of the year!
Who else will live in the room if I don't choose a roommate now?
We encourage you to sign up with a roommate or suite-mates of your choice. After the Room Selection process, Residential Life staff will assign students to rooms and suites with empty spaces.
What about meal plans?
Many dining options are available to students each year. Each plan will two components: a meal plan and a flex dollar plan. Students living on campus must choose a meal plan. Meal plans for next year have not yet been
finalized. We will offer the opportunity to sign up for a meal plan beginning mid-December.
Have room and board rates been set yet?
We routinely consult with students about residence hall rates for the following year later in the fall. Based on historical increases, we havve calculated an example with estimated rates. The examples show the double and single room options in un-renovated halls, renovated halls, and Julia Sears all with the Maverick 14 meal plan for purposes of comparison.
What if I have other questions?
Watch for A GUIDE TO ROOM SELECTION in your mail box. You may also call the Department of Residential Life at 389-1011 or
email us.
