Residential Life Room Options

320.308.2166

Carol Hall

Residence Hall Facilities

Most of the residence halls include features and furnishings designed for comfortable, convenient living in an atmosphere conducive to academic achievement. All halls have areas set aside for study, activities, computing and laundry. The University furnishes the mattress, drapes, wastebasket, study desk, adequate study lighting, room chairs and closet space. Residents provide their own linen, blankets and bedspread for a twin-size bed. All rooms have direct-access computer, cable television hook-up and telephone service. The majority of SCSU's residential halls consist of double occupancy rooms. There are a limited number of single rooms available.

• Stateview apartments are a top choice with graduate students. Each apartment has four private bedrooms, living room, bathroom, and kitchen with basic appliances. Meal plans are optional and availble for an additional cost.
• Graduate students have found Benton Hall to be accommodating as it offers four-person suites with occupants sharing two bedrooms, a shared living space and bathrooms.
• Lawrence Hall has been renovated to house 50 pairs of international students and students in foreign languages or international affairs. The Center for International Studies and offices of foreign language faculty occupy the lower floors.
• At this time SCSU does not offer University-owned or operated family/partner housing.

Residence Hall Program
Residence hall living is designed to provide an experience in community, at the same time affording conditions conducive to academic achievement. A hall council elected in each hall shares governance of the hall with an undergraduate community adviser on each floor and a full-time director. Scholastic, athletic activities, and social committees are active in each hall.

The Office of Residential Life provides a full schedule of special programs, such as films, topical meetings on issues such as sexuality, racism and alcoholism, recreational and athletic competitions, small group interest sessions, skiing and roller skating parties, dances, and more.

Rates and Agreements
Room and board fees in residence halls for a double room range depending on the meal plan selected. Charges for room and board are payable in advance by the semester. Students may pay on a monthly basis if arrangements are made through the Business Office. Information about payment dates is included with each hall assignment.

All residence hall contracts for room and meals are for the full school year. The halls will be closed and no meals will be served during the days between semesters and during University holidays as listed in the Graduate Bulletin.

Applications and Contracts

1. Students enrolling at SCSU for the first time will receive application forms and residence hall information shortly after notification of acceptance to the University. Students who previously have been enrolled and summer school students may contact the Office of Residential Life for application forms.
2. Completed applications should be returned to the Office of Residential Life.
3. Notice of room assignments are mailed out early in May.
4. Notice of cancellation must be given 60 days prior to the opening of the fall term and 45 days prior to the opening of all other terms.
5. Contracts for all residence halls are for room and board for the entire academic year, and are paid each semester in advance or according to established pay schedules.
6. Room and board fees are subject to change by the MnSCU Board of Trustees, and depending upon meal plan selection.
7. Room without board is available for summer session students. Rates are subject to change by the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Board of Trustees.

Off-Campus Housing

Many graduate students elect to look for housing opportunities in the community. The housing market in St. Cloud is affordable. It is very important to plan ahead and start your housing search as soon as it is feasible.

What's available?
The St. Cloud community offers over 10,000 apartments within a 10-mile radius of campus. There are 50 apartment complexes located directly on bus lines that SCSU students can ride for free. A wide variety of living situations are offered from efficiency apartments to homes with eight or more bedrooms.

The city of St. Cloud offers free bus service within the metropolitan area with a St. Cloud State University student ID. SCSU students can use a campus ID card to travel wherever the city bus system travels. There are 50 apartment complexes located directly on bus lines that SCSU students can ride for free. Visit www.ridemetrobus.com. Regional bus service connects St. Cloud with the Twin Cities and other regions of the Midwest. Many local and national car rental companies are also in the area. Metro Bus fixed routes, including University and Campus Clippers, Husky Shuttle,Sundowner and Late Nite are free to SCSU students and employees through the U-Pass Free Ride Program by simply using your ID.

What's the cost?
Prices and quality can vary, so please plan on spending a day in town to tour your top choices.

• Studio apartments may range from $300 to $400 per month
• One-bedroom apartments may range from $450 to $550 per month.
• Two bedroom apartments may range from $550 to $650 per month
• Quads (four bedrooms with four persons) may range from $250 to $300 per person, per month.
• Homes with six to eight bedrooms may range per person from $250 to $350 per month.

Most apartment complexes design their leases to accommodate SCSU students. Students will find leases generally available for either nine, 10 or 12 months. A few facilities will offer a six month lease. Currently, there is an abundance of housing options in St. Cloud so students have been able to negoiate for perks such as a free garage, first month rent or last month rent free, etc.

Need help finding an apartment?
A student's best bet for quickly finding an apartment is to use one of the free apartment locator services. These companies will match a student's living requirements to the available apartments in the St. Cloud area. A student can arrange through their services a day to visit the open apartments that most closely match housing requirements.

• Apartment Finders can be reached at 320.259.4040 or 1.800.659.9233.
• Another free apartment search service is www.apartmentsoup.com.
• A free search for rental homes and townhomes can be found at www.rentalhomesplus.com.
• Listings are also available in the St. Cloud Daily Times, found on-line at www.sctimes.com and in the SCSU student newspaper, The University Chronicle, on-line at www.universitychronicle.com.

SCSU does not promote these services or assume liability for a student's transactions with them. These references are provided in an attempt to serve students. As a student visits potential apartments, he/she should make sure to check out the safety features such as secured outside doors, intercom systems, and deadbolts on doors, and secured windows.

Need help finding a roommate?
Many students are interested in sharing an apartment to save money but might not know others planning to attend SCSU. If possible, plan to visit the campus and look at the many postings for roommates found in campus buildings and in Carol Hall. SCSU students will also post at www.roommates.com. This is a commercial site and not associated with St. Cloud State University. The Office of Residential Life may also be able to assist you. Please call 320.308.2166 or E-mail to reslife@stcloudstate.edu.

If a student needs additional assistance with securing an apartment or roommate, please contact the Office of Residential Life at the numbers listed above.