- Do I have to live on campus?
All single, full-time undergraduate students who have not earned thirty hours of college credit in a
residence hall setting must live on campus in university housing and sign up for a minimum 5-Day meal
plan. Exemptions may be granted for: (1) Single parents with custody of a child; (2) Married students;
(3) Students commuting from their parent/guardians home; or (4) Transfer students with 30 or more
credits earned in a residential setting. Advanced Placement credits will not be considered when
determining total number of credit hours earned. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, please
apply through the Residence Life Office.
- How can I get an application and information?
Prospective students must first apply for admission to the University. When the Residence
Life Office receives a Request for Information form, found in the View book & Application
booklet, a housing application packet will be sent to the student. Students can also apply
online for housing at www.montana.edu/reslife. The housing application should be filled out
completely and returned with a $200 prepayment to the Residence Life
Office. Applications without a deposit on file will NOT be processed.
- What are my living options?
Please see individual Hall Pages for Living Option descriptions.
- What is included in the room?
Each room (besides the Suites and the Quads, which provide regular twin beds) is furnished with extra long
twin beds that can be lofted, desks, desk chairs, and
storage space. Additionally, Hannon, Hapner, and Johnstone have sinks, and Johnstone rooms are carpeted.
- Why didnt I receive one of my 3 preferences?
Keep in mind that we coordinate our placements on a first come, first serve basis. The earlier
you turn in your housing application, and $200 prepayment, the more likely you are to
receive your desired hall/room.
- What if I dont like/want my housing assignment or roommate?
Hall/Room changes can take place if a problem arises that cannot be solved in any other manner.
We encourage roommates to complete the Roommate Contract (provided at the first floor meeting)
and discuss any concerning issues with each other, before asking for a room change. All hall/room
changes need to be granted through the Hall Resident Director and the Program Assistant.
- When do the residence halls open up to be able to move in?
The halls open at 9 am on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 for the fall semester.
- How do I find out my room and roommate assignment?
The Residence Life Office mails this information to you prior to your arrival on campus.
The information includes your hall/room assignment as well as your roommate's name, home
address, and telephone number. You can also access your room assignment information by
logging in to your My Info account.
Log in to the secure area,
click on the Residence Life link, choose your semester, and if you have been assigned to a
room, the information will be available for you to view. We encourage you to contact your
roommate before the semester begins to discuss furnishings as well as living habits.
- Where do I check in once I arrive on campus?
You need to check in at the residence hall that you have been assigned to. The halls are staffed 24 hours a day/7days a
week, so you may check in anytime after the advertised opening date and time.
- What if I am arriving after office hours, or on the weekends and do not have a room assignment?
The Residence Life Office is open Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm. You will need to visit our office
to fill out your housing application and we will give you your room assignment at that time, at which point you will be
able to check into your room.
- Can I move in early?
Early move-in is a possibility. For further information and guidance, please contact the Residence Life
Office at (406) 994-2661.
- Can I stay on campus over breaks?
Housing will be provided, at an additional charge, for students wishing to stay during Thanksgiving, Winter,
and Spring breaks. Please see Break Housing page for further information.
- Is there a deadline for submitting the Residence Hall application?
No. However, as soon as you have made the decision to attend MSU, we suggest that you submit your application
for housing. We assign rooms by the date we receive the applications; therefore, the earlier you submit your
application, the more likely you will get your preferred room assignment.
- Are there any single or double-as-single rooms available and how do I get one?
There are a limited number of single and double-as-single rooms available. These two options are very popular so we recommend getting
your application in as soon as possible. Again, rooms are "priority assigned" by the date the application
arrives in the Residence Life Office.
- Can I submit my housing application before I have been officially admitted to the University?
Yes, we can accept housing applications before you have been officially accepted to the University. Be advised
that processing of the housing application does not constitute approval of academic admission to the University.
- What does the ID number mean on the application?
Your ID number is the student ID number assigned to you when youre admitted to MSU. If you dont know your
student ID, use your social security number.
- What meal plan options do you offer?
All students living in the
residence halls are required to have a meal plan, of which we have two
options. The 5 day plan allows students to eat Monday through Friday
and the 7 day plan allows students to eat Sunday through Saturday.
- How does the meal plan work and at what times are the meals served?
Miller Dining Hall in the Hedges Complex and Harrison Dining Hall in Johnstone are open 7 days a week.
Hannon Cafe is open Monday through Friday.
| Breakfast | Snack | Lunch | Snack | Dinner |
| 7:00am to 9:30am | 9:30am to 11:00am | 11:00am to 1:30pm | 1:30pm to 4:30pm | 4:30 to 7:00 |
The Connection at Hedges and Harrison Dining Rooms are open 7 days a week. Hannon Caf�is open Monday through Friday.
- How long do I have to change my meal plan after the semester has begun?
If you signed up for the 7 day meal plan and wish to change to the 5 day, we allow you to make that change
throughout the first week of classes. If you have signed up for the 5 day meal plan and wish to change to the
7 day, you can make that change at any time throughout the semester.
- Do you offer meal plans for students that live off campus?
We have several options for students that live off-campus. The table below shows the different options
and prices for the 2007 - 2008 academic year:
| Off-campus meal passes |
| Type of Meal Plan | Price (per semester) |
| 14 meals per week | $1,290 |
| 10 meals per week | $976 |
| 7 meals per week | $680 |
| 5 meals per week | $488 |
- What do they use to look up my meal plan whenever I eat in the dining halls?
Your CAT CARD is your meal pass identifier and will be scanned each time you enter one of our dining facilities. You also have the option
of hand scanners for entry to the dining hall. Please contact the CAT CARD office for more iformation.
- At what locations on campus can I use my flex money on my CAT CARD?
The $100 flex money can be used at any University Food Service location. These locations include Union Market,
Bobcat Court, Avogadro's, Sweet Shop, SRO, etc. When you use your Flex account at these locations you will
receive a 10% discount on purchases. You can also use your flex account to purchase additional meals in the
dining facilities for guests or for yourself at only $4.00 per person.
- How do I use the laundry facilities in my hall?
The residence hall laundry machines operate only with the CAT CARD, so you must deposit money into your CAT CARD debit account to wash and dry clothes. It costs $1.00 for each load in the washing machines and $1.00 for each load in the dryers.
- How do I deposit money on my CAT CARD?
You may deposit money into your CAT CARD debit account when you arrive on campus or you may make a deposit in advance by
check or credit card to avoid standing in line when you get here. To make a deposit by mail, send a check to:
CAT CARD Office
Room 107, Strand Union Building
MSU-Bozeman
Bozeman, MT 59717-0401
To make a deposit over the telephone using your credit card, call the CAT CARD office at (406) 994-2273 or the Residence
Life Cashier at (406) 994-2942. Once youre on campus, you can also deposit money on your ONE CARD at the Cashiers
window located in the Hedges Complex. Visit the CAT CARD homepage to deposit
money online with your credit card.
- What do I do about parking?
There are not any free parking spaces on campus. You'll need to stop by the University Police Station and purchase your hangtag before you can park in our lots. If you're just visiting, you can park in our paid parking lot across from the SUB. Parking Rates.
- What do my guests do about parking?
Guests need to purchase a guest pass at either the ticket booth across from the SUB, or at University Police. The
cost is $2.50 per day.
- Is my CAT CARD used to gain access to my hall?
You will need your ONE CARD to get into your building between 10pm and 7am every day. The North Hedges Suites are
locked down 24 hours a day, thus students need their CAT CARD at all times to enter.
- What is the Residence Hall visitation policy?
Students may entertain guests in their rooms during visiting hours provided that the rights of the other students
on the floor, and in particular their roommates, are not violated. Due to the excessive noise caused by large
numbers of people and potential fire hazards, no more than ten people may be in the students room at any given time.
Any non-resident guest visiting after 10:00pm must present a photo ID and be checked-in at the hall Front Desk.
Residents are responsible for the conduct of their visitors/guests and must remain with them at all times.
Additionally, members of the opposite sex must be escorted between the hours of 10pm and 7am in Langford,
Hannon, and Hapner Halls.
Students living in the residence halls may have overnight non-resident guests as long as their guests abide by
the rules and regulations of the University and residence halls and their stay is no longer than 3 days.
- What items are not permitted in the residence halls?
Because of health and safety reasons, the following items are not permitted in the Residence Halls: animals/pets
(except for fully aquatic fish); any open coiled cooking appliance such as toaster ovens, George Forman grills and
hot plates; lighted candles or incense; firearms, pistols, ammunition, and explosives; halogen lamps; waterbeds and
hot tubs; connections to outside antennas; and kegs.
- What safety measures are taken in the residence halls?
We take great strides to maintain a secure environment at MSU. Some of our efforts include: distribution of a
brochure to each student which clearly states our security policy and offers suggestions to students on how to
protect themselves and their belongings; and the development of training and informational programs for all
residence hall students to utilize in improving their security awareness.
Continued training with residence hall personnel on safety and security issues, and a close working relationship
with University Police help to protect our residents.
The Office of Residence Life is concerned about your safety and security. While the University is a
relatively safe place, crimes do occur on campus. To ensure everyones security, students must take responsibility
for keeping a safe environment.
No guns or weapons are allowed in the residence hall living areas. All guns and bows must be checked in at a hall
desk, where they will be locked in a storage area. No ammunition is allowed in the residence halls. (Pistols and
handguns are not allowed on campus.)
All residence hall doors are locked at 10pm each night. To prevent unauthorized persons from entering buildings,
we require all students to show their photo ID for entry. Your son or daughter should always carry their student ID.
We lock the doors and identify residents for everyones protection. This only takes a minute - we encourage students
patience and courteous approach to the security personnel.
Students should not prop open doors. Propped doors invite entry by non-residents, some of whom may commit crimes.
Discourage unauthorized entry into the residence halls by following the night check-in procedures.
If you see a propped door, or unauthorized entry occurring, please report it immediately to the hall desk or a
Residence Life staff member.
Those students who violate weapons or security polices will be evicted from the residence hall system and may be
suspended from Montana State University.
Students should avoid walking alone at night. If you have a night class, please make arrangements to
walk back and forth with others who may have a class nearby.
Bikes with good locks are rarely stolen. Students may also store their bikes in their rooms. Cars should be parked
in a well-lit area and kept locked at all times. Valuables should not be left where they can be seen in a vehicle;
they should be locked in the trunk.
Crimes should be reported. We encourage students to report any criminal act or suspicious behavior to University
Police immediately. This can be done by calling x2121 directly or by reporting the crime anonymously by e-mail at
switness@montana.edu
We take security very seriously, but ultimately it is up to each student to help us maintain a secure environment.
The best lock in the world will not work if you don't lock it or if you prop a door open.
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