Housing/Residential Requirements & Procedures
The Campus Housing and Residential Experience Offices at Saint Mary’s College work to provide a safe and supportive environment for all residential students and their guests. Residential students and their guests are responsible for complying with the Code, the Housing License Agreement, Residential Reference Guide and other College policies. These policies are established to maintain a community conducive to academic success, personal growth, and mutual respect. When an alleged violation occurs in the residence halls, staff or other students should report the alleged violation to their residential staff, the Office of Community Life, or to Campus Safety. The alleged violations are referred to the Office of Community Life for processing.These procedures are rooted in the college’s commitment to fostering an educational and formative residential experience. Key aspects include:
Eligibility & Housing Requirements
Full-Time Enrollment
All undergraduate residential students must be full-time students at Saint Mary’s College. Exceptions apply for graduate students with different full-time status requirements.
First-Year Residency
First-year students are required to live on campus unless an exemption is granted.
Meal Plan
All residential students are required to have a meal plan, which varies based on housing type.
Responsibility for Living Space
Students assume responsibility for the physical condition of their assigned rooms and furnishings. Any damages or poor conditions discovered during room inspections will result in charges, especially if individual responsibility cannot be determined. Proper maintenance and cleaning of personal spaces, including trash removal, is mandatory. Furniture provided by the college must remain in the room and in its original condition. Unauthorized removal or adjustment of furniture is prohibited, with penalties for missing or damaged items.
Housing Keys
Keys issued upon check-in are the property of the College and students are responsible for them. Lost or stolen keys incur a $100 replacement fee, and students are encouraged to always carry their keys to secure their living spaces.
Housing Reassignment and Room Changes
The College reserves the right to reassign students to different rooms based on health, safety, or other administrative needs. Room changes are handled through the Campus Housing Office and require prior consultation with residential staff. Unauthorized room changes are strictly prohibited, and students are expected to follow the established protocol for requesting a move.
These procedures, along with others such as gender-inclusive housing options and damage/loss to personal property can be found in the comprehensive Residential Reference Guide.
Housing/Residential Policies
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are enforced from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 8:00 a.m. on weekends, ensuring that all residents have the opportunity to study and rest without disturbance. Residents are expected to comply with these standards and be considerate of others at all times. For more about the Quiet Hours policy, click here.
Guests & Visitation
Guests are allowed in student rooms during specified hours and must always be escorted by the host resident. Overnight stays are limited to guests of the same sex, with prior approval required from roommates. All residents are accountable for the actions of their guests. For more details, click here.
Room Personalization
Students are permitted to personalize their rooms with decorations that do not damage the space or pose fire safety hazards. However, certain items, such as tapestries hung from ceilings, are not allowed. The room must be returned to its original condition at checkout. For more details, click here.
Prohibited Items and Activities
Items such as open flames, high-resistance electrical appliances and weapons are not allowed in the residence halls. Additionally, activities like playing sports inside the residence halls are prohibited to prevent damage to the facilities and ensure safety. For a comprehensive list of prohibited items and activities, please refer here.
These policies are integral to sustaining a respectful and orderly residential community, helping to create an environment where all students can thrive academically and socially. For more information about Residential Living Policies, please see the Residential Reference Guide.
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