Residence Hall and Apartment Community Handbook

Carry your keys and student ID, do not lend them to others.  Keep valuables secure. Consider insurance for personal possessions and record serial numbers of valuable items.

Report all building maintenance requests without delay. Send a detailed email of the issue to your building email, if it needs immediate attention call your buildings on call number or Campus Safety. 

Residence Life Email Addresses

Cook@minotstateu.edu

McCulloch@minotstateu.edu

Crane@minotstateu.edu

Lura@minotstateu.edu

PioneerHall@minotstateu.edu

CampusHeights@minotstateu.edu

Report suspicious individuals, security concerns, or hazardous conditions immediately to Residence Life Staff or Campus Security (701-500-2423). Do not share personal information with strangers.

Residence Life On Call Numbers

Cook Hall 701-818-7257

Crane Hall 701-818-7018

Lura Manor 701-818-7071

McCulloch Hall 701-818-7120

Apartment Resident Manager 701-720-4884

Avoid dangerous activities like horseplay, practical jokes, or attempting to access restricted areas like roofs or window ledges.

Fireworks, firearms, gasoline-powered equipment, and other hazardous items are prohibited in residences.

Follow all federal and state laws, and all university policies.

If feeling unwell go to the Student Health and/or Counseling Center. Notify Residence Life Staff should there be a need. 

Report plumbing, electrical, or structural issues immediately.

Room assignments can be changed based on availability. Please contact the Residence Life Office for assistance.

Failure to comply with the reasonable directives of University officials or law enforcement officers during the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so;

When such activity occurs on campus, the university shall initiate appropriate measures, which may include disciplinary action.

If you disregard directions from Minot State staff regarding a policy violation, you will be held accountable for that violation. This can result in educational consequences, additional disciplinary actions, and potentially removal from campus housing

If your GPA drops below 2.0 and your behavior causes major disruptions, the Residence Life Office may review your housing status.

Minot State University is a federally funded institution and hence follows federal law before state law.

Under state and federal laws, and with the necessary regulations and shared responsibilities of community living in mind, the Residence Life Office has established the following priorities:

1. To discourage and prohibit illicit and illegal drug usage.
2. To discourage and prohibit underage drinking.
3. To prevent problem behavior and to educate against alcohol and drug abuse.
4. To provide prevention, intervention information, and education for all residents, including information about confidential and effective guidance and counseling services for those with special concerns or needs regarding alcohol and drug use and/or abuse.

In incidents of suspected illegal drug use, possession, and/or consumption of alcohol by minors, law enforcement WILL BE contacted. During an investigation, a police canine team may be used. The Residence Life Office holds the right to evict any residents in apartments or residence halls found responsible for violating state or federal drug laws.

Residence Hall Alcohol Policy

Minot State has declared all residence halls drug and alcohol-free. Violations of this policy include:

1. Drinking alcoholic beverages in the residence halls
2. Being in possession of alcohol in the residence halls
3. Using illegal drugs or prescription drugs that are not prescribed to the student in possession
4. Abusing prescription drugs
5. Possessing illegal drugs or prescription drugs that are not written for the student in possession of the prescription
6. Being in possession of items that may be reasonably considered drug paraphernalia
7. Selling and/or distributing alcohol or other drugs from any location on campus
8. Entering a residence hall while dangerously intoxicated
9. Committing a separate policy violation while intoxicated (i.e. vandalism violation, noise violation, etc.)
10. Displaying or possessing alcohol containers, full or empty for decoration
11. Signs (including neon “bar signs”), posters, or other material advertising or encouraging alcohol use displayed in residence windows, or visible from the hallway of the residence

Apartment Alcohol Policy

Minot State permits alcohol in apartments where all leaseholders are over the age of 21. All federal and state laws apply. Abuse of this privilege will lead to eviction. 

1. Signs (including neon “bar signs”), posters, or other material advertising or encouraging alcohol use displayed in residence windows, or visible from the hallway of the residence
2. Drinking or possessing alcoholic beverages with a minor present
3. Using or possessing illegal drugs or prescription drugs that are not prescribed to the person in possession  
4. Abusing prescription drugs 
5. Being in possession of items that may be reasonably considered drug paraphernalia
6. Selling and/or distributing alcohol or other drugs from any location on campus.

Medical Amnesty (North Dakota Good Samaritan Act)

To encourage those who may be in danger from alcohol/drug poisoning or alcohol/drug related injuries to seek proper assistance, no student seeking medical treatment for his/her alcohol or drug-related overdose, or assisting another student in obtaining such treatment, will be subject to University discipline for that Alcohol Violation. The incident will be documented for health and safety purposes.

Minot State University Parental Notification Policy

Minot State has a responsibility to help students whenever University personnel believe the student is in need of assistance. This responsibility extends to “notification of parents,” which is permitted under the 1998 Amendments to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Therefore, parental notification may occur at Minot State after any violation or serious offense where alcohol/drugs is involved if the student is under the age of 21.

The use, possession, charging or storage of Hoverboards, Segways, IO Hawks, motorized vehicles, Skywalkers and/or similar devices are prohibited in all residence halls and apartments.

Before leaving your room for an extended time—such as during breaks or vacations—please make sure to:

• Turn off all lights and alarms
• Unplug appliances
• Empty your wastebasket
• Close and lock all windows
• Lock your door

During break periods, University maintenance and residence hall staff may enter rooms without prior notice to check for safety concerns. These include issues like:

• Activated smoke detectors
• Water leaks or damage
• Open windows
• Room temperature problems

If any policy violations are discovered during these checks, the resident(s) of the room will be held responsible.

All residents of a building are responsible for the facilities and furnishings of that building, as well as the willingness to take responsibility for damages caused by yourself and/or your guests. When this does not happen, and when you are not willing to confront and, if necessary, report those responsible for damages, then all members of the living unit will take on the burden of paying for these damages. The increased costs of building repair and maintenance due to vandalism may lead to increased rent charges. Your cooperation in the investigation of the person(s) responsible for vandalism will result in cost containment.

Common damage charges will be billed to each resident of a floor/ building at the end of each semester, for any damages that occur within that living unit that cannot be attributed to specific individual(s). Common areas are defined as all building space outside of resident rooms/suite areas, including building and property damage and/or theft.

Violating residence hall policies during finals week will result in immediate disciplinary action, and if you no longer have any academic commitment on campus, you may be asked to leave the hall. You are encouraged to check out of your hall 24 hours after your last final exam.

Checking out of your residence hall room during Finals Week (End of Housing Contract)

There will be sign-up sheets in the building for signing up to check out with a staff member. If your RA is not available when you are planning to check out, you can sign up with any staff member. All residents must check out with a staff member.

1. Sign Up for a Check-Out Time(You must sign up 24 hours before you check out.)

• Using the sign-up sheets, schedule a 15-minute checkout with an RA. 
• **Failure to show up or be ready by your check-out time will result in an improper check-out fee of $25. 
• Be sure to sign your Inventory Sheet with your RA upon check-out.  

2. Clear the Room of All Belongings

• Room should be cleared of any and all personal belongings before your check-out time. Double check all drawers/suites. 
• Also make sure the room is clean, or a $25/hr cleaning fee will be assessed.  

3. Close Windows & Return Room Keys

• Make sure your windows are closed (both panes). 
• Return all room keys to your RA during check-out. $50 Lost Key fee. ($10 for mail)

For late departure (2 days after halls close) information, contact the Housing Office at  msu.housing@minotstateu.edu or sign up online through Campus Connection ($20/day).  

Potential charges if a checkout is not completed properly: 

$25 – Cleaning (per hour) 

$25 – Improper checkout 

$50 – Failure to checkout ($100 – Failure to checkout of an apartment)

$50 – Lost key

$$- Other damages billed as assessed (determined by room condition, etc.) 

Fire Safety policies that apply to ALL campus housing

These guidelines are developed to protect lives, property, and—ultimately—your campus home.

The following actions or items are prohibited everywhere—residence halls and apartments—because they create fire or life-safety hazards:

For everyone’s safety, the following items are not allowed anywhere on campus:

• Firearms, imitation guns, or toy guns of any kind (including BB, Orbeez, airsoft, paintball, and Nerf guns)
• Ammunition
• Explosives, including fireworks
• Knives
• Bows and arrows
• Brass knuckles, num-chucks, and similar fighting tools
• Any object that could be used or seen as a weapon

If you are found with any of these items, you may face consequences such as eviction, paying for damages, and other disciplinary action as determined by the Residence Life Office.

All first-year undergraduate students at Minot State University who have earned less than 24 semester credit hours and are under 20 years of age must live on campus in our residence halls and purchase a required meal plan during their first year here. Exemptions to this policy may be granted when any of the following circumstances exist where the student:

• Is commuting from parents/legal guardian or family member's residence within 25 miles of Minot State University
• Is registered only for online courses
• Is married and living with spouse and/or has dependent children under their care
• Is a veteran of military service or active-duty personnel
• Has a disability requiring specialized accommodations

All requests for exemption from this policy must submit a Request for Exemption [pdf] form to the Residence Life & Housing Office by July 1 for the Academic Year contract and November 1 for the Spring Semester contract.

Students who live within the 25-mile radius of Minot can try living on campus until October 1. If at that time they choose to move home, they can complete the exemption form and will only be charged for the time stayed.

The common areas are not designed for sporting activities and may not be used for any sporting activities.

All sports-related activities should be held outside, the Dome, the Wellness Center, or Swain Hall. 

Students playing sports outside the buildings may be asked to move or cease if they are causing disturbance to those within the building or if their behavior may result in damage to a person or property.

Water fights (often beginning with squirt guns) are not allowed in the residence halls.

Wearing rollerblades is prohibited in on-campus residences.

Residents are responsible for the care and cleaning of their residence.

The residence hall staff performs routine health and safety checks. During this time, they are looking for overloaded outlets, unhygienic living environments, as well as anything that would be considered a violation of the Fire Hazard Policy. Any other policy violations that are found during this time will be documented and reported to the Residence Life Office. When possible, residents will receive 24-hour notice of entry.

Residence hall security starts with the responsible use of keys. Duplicating of University keys, allowing someone else to use your keys, or using another resident’s keys or ID card to gain access to a building or room are not permitted.

You are expected to report the loss of your keys immediately to your Residence Hall Staff. A $50 charge to re-core the door will be billed to your University account if appropriate.

If you are locked out of your room, contact the Hall Staff Member on call or Campus Safety. 

It is important that students keep their ID card and residence key with them at all times. Students will be required to verify their student ID number and residence number.

Repeated lockouts can result in a $25 charge/ entry.

The Residence Hall common area kitchens are here to supplement your meal plan, not replace it. They’re a shared resource meant for light cooking and occasional use.

When using the kitchen:

• Be safe and use appliances responsibly.
• Clean up after yourself immediately. This includes wiping counters, washing dishes, and removing food waste.
• Label all food stored in the community refrigerator, use a Sharpie to put your name and date. Unlabeled and expired food will be tossed.
• Minot State is not responsible for lost or stolen items stored in the kitchens.

If you misuse the space or leave it messy, you may lose kitchen privileges or face other disciplinary actions.

Drains Policy (Residence Halls and Apartments)

Only liquids may be poured down sinks, drains, and toilets. Disposing of any non-liquid items can lead to clogs and backups that might cause serious damage to your apartment or neighboring units. Such incidents may incur damage charges.

• Prohibited Items: Do not dispose of any of the following items in drains or toilets:
  • Paper Towels
  • Feminine Products
  • Grease/Oil
    • Special Note on Grease: Although grease is liquid when hot, it should not be poured down drains. As grease cools, it solidifies and can clog the system. Instead, pour hot grease into a glass jar and dispose of it in your garbage. Remember, hot grease can melt plastic containers.
  • Other non-liquid items
  • Food
  • Garbage
  • Baby wipes
  • Paper

Sink Plug Function: The sink plugs can be adjusted to allow only liquid to drain. This feature helps catch food particles and other debris.

Residents found responsible may be charged for damages.

There are laundry facilities in each of our campus housing buildings. The laundry room is for resident use only.

• Do not overload the machines—only fill wash tubs ½ full or clothes won’t clean properly.
• Laundry is free, so wash as often as needed.
• Use a small amount of High Efficiency (HE) detergent.
• Remove your clothes promptly when cycles finish.
• Set a timer to avoid forgetting your laundry.
• Allow others 15–20 minutes to pick up their items before moving them. If needed, place clothes in a clean basket or on top of the machine.
• Keep the laundry room clean—wipe up any spilled detergent.
• Clean the lint tray at the end of every drying cycle.
• Leave washer lids open after use to help air them out.
• Only put dryer lint in the trash bin—no garbage or food waste.
• If you find personal items, return them to Residence Life staff.
• Minot State is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.

All lithium battery powered devices must be UL-certified.

Car batteries are strictly prohibited in all residential areas. 

Lounge furniture (including garbage bins) is not allowed in resident rooms. A $25 fine will be assessed for the removal of lounge furniture from individual rooms.

All furniture that is provided in a room must stay in the room. 

No person or organization, whether or not affiliated with the University, may advertise, sell, conduct a business, campaign, hold meetings or programs, or raise funds in University residences without receiving permission from the Residence Life and Housing Office.

You may not play a musical instrument in your residence hall room or apartment. Instruments that can be played without noise are permitted. Practice rooms are available in Old Main.

Students, staff, and campus guests who park their cars on campus are required to purchase a parking permit. Residents are responsible for understanding and following rules for parking cars.

Seasonally residents maybe asked to move their vehicles for snow removal or special events. 

Health policies do not permit pets in the on-campus housing, except for fish in a tank no larger than ten gallons.

Pregnant students’ on-campus housing status will not be altered based on pregnancy status unless requested by the pregnant students. Residence hall students may move to an on-campus apartment should they choose. Please refer to the Residence Life Apartment Lease for guidance on children within campus apartments.

The University is not responsible for the loss of personal property by fire, theft, or any other cause. All residents are strongly encouraged to secure their own renter’s insurance policy to protect against these and other losses. High winds, floods, fire, and loss of utility services can result in serious consequences for residents and the property. In the event of such an occurrence, the University shall attempt to restore the premises or services as soon as is reasonably possible. However, the University is not obligated to provide or pay for alternate housing in the event the premises are temporarily or permanently uninhabitable. Should the University determine a property to be uninhabitable, either permanently or for an extended time, the University may terminate the contract agreement.

Authorized University personnel may enter an on-campus residence without permission for the following reasons:

1. To provide routine maintenance and to ensure that residents are following health, fire, and safety regulations.
2. To respond to emergencies; i.e., situations that threaten the health and/or safety of room occupants, the safety of other students, or situations that require immediate maintenance to prevent property damage.

Authorization to enter a student’s room under this policy does not constitute authorization to search the room. Students must be present to search beyond plain sight. When a policy violation is believed, a student must comply with the request to view items in the room. Failure to comply assumes responsibility for the policy violation.

Authorized University personnel indicated above include:

• Full-time members of the Residence Life and Housing staff, including maintenance and custodial personnel
• Full-time members of IT Central, including approved part-time staff members
• Residence Hall Student Staff, subject to the following restriction: In non-emergency situations, staff must receive prior authorization from a full-time professional staff member when using the master key to enter a student’s room
• Campus Security
• Fire Marshall 

Master Key Use - Protocol for using the master key to enter a residence hall room:

1. No student room should be entered without knocking, regardless of whether the door is locked, unlocked, or open. The only situations in which staff are not required to knock are emergencies.
2. Before using the master key, university personnel attempting to enter a room should identify themselves and state the reason for entry. In addition, they should request that the door be opened.
3. If the door is not opened and authorized personnel deems it necessary, the master key will be used to enter the student’s room for one or more of the reasons listed above.

You’re welcome to make your room feel like home—as long as you don’t damage or permanently change anything. Damages are charged out to the residents.

Please follow these guidelines:

• Do not use tacks, nails, or duct tape on doors or walls. You may use blue painter’s tape instead.
• Do not paint the walls or any fixtures.
• Do not hang anything from the ceiling, including plant hangers.
• Decorations like posters and pictures that are visible from outside your door must be respectful and not offensive to others.
• Lofted beds and waterbeds are not allowed.
• Area rugs should not be rubber-backed. They can be jute backed and must not be taped to the floor.

Mini-fridges

• Minot State collaborates with College Products to provide rental mini-fridges to students. Details on renting one can be found at: College Products Website. 
• Residents may bring their own mini-fridge. 1 per resident. No larger than 4.5 cu. ft. Must be UL approved.

The Residence Life Office recognizes that living in community has it challenges as everyone has different expectations, values, and experiences. Please refer to the Residence Life Community Responsibilities. 

At the start of each semester, the Residence Life Staff will provide a Roommate Agreement. We strongly encourage you and your roommate to complete it together to support open and respectful communication. We will keep these in the office.

If you and your roommate—or other residents—are having difficulty living together peacefully, please speak with your RA. They can help guide a conversation to resolve the issue and amend the contract if needed.

If that conversation doesn’t help, contact the Residence Life Office to complete a room change request form. Residents may not move to a new room, or swap rooms with another student, until written approval has been received from the Residence Life Office.

As a resident, you also have the right to submit a written complaint if you're experiencing ongoing issues with another resident’s behavior. Residents have the right to read and know who files a complaint against them. 

Residents must remove all personal belongings from the suite area on the days it is cleaned. If personal items are not removed, then the suite cannot be cleaned. Residents who repeatedly miss suite cleaning will be documented through the Student Conduct process.

Suite Cleaning Schedule:

Lura Manor Monday’s 5th Floor, Tuesday’s 4th Floor, Wednesday’s 3rd Floor, Thursday’s 2nd Floor Friday’s 1st Floor

Crane Hall Monday’s 1st Floor, Tuesday’s 2nd Floor, Wednesday’s 3rd Floor

Minot State University is a tobacco-free campus.  Federal law states that you must be 21 years old to possess tobacco. Smoking on University property, indoors or outdoors, or in vehicles on university property is prohibited at all times, including residential buildings.

For purposes of this policy, “tobacco use “means the personal use of any tobacco product, whether intended to be lit or not, which shall include smoking, as well as the use of:

• An electronic cigarette or any other device intended to simulate smoking
• Use of smokeless tobacco, including snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless pouches, and any other form
• The use of unlit cigarettes, cigars, and pipe tobacco
• Any other device intended to be used to simulate smoking

Students are expected to follow campus procedures during extreme weather conditions. The University has an Emergency Broadcast System for messaging during emergencies. In some cases, residents in the building are alerted by their hall staff. The procedure to be followed for tornado warnings will be communicated from Campus Safety through the campus notification system.

You are responsible for taking out your own trash.

• All personal room garbage must be placed in the dumpster located next to the building.
• Do not throw your room trash into the cans in the bathroom, lobby, laundry room, or any other shared space. These bins are only for small items like paper towels, tissues, dryer lint, etc.

Important: If your trash is found in bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, or any common area, you may be charged at least $25. If we can’t identify who left it, everyone in the building may be charged for the violation.

Any defacing or destruction of University property is considered vandalism and is a violation of the Student Conduct Policy.

A violation of this policy may result in restitution of the costs involved in the repair and/or replacement of the vandalized item(s). Additional consequences may include eviction from the residence halls and/or suspension from Minot State University. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.

To keep our residence halls safe and comfortable for everyone, please follow these guidelines when hosting visitors:

• You are responsible for your guest at all times. This includes making sure they follow all University and residence life policies.
• Never let someone into the building unless you’re willing to take full responsibility for them.
• If your guest breaks a rule, you will be held accountable for their actions.

Visitation is a privilege, not a right. The Residence Life Office can remove visitation privileges at any time, for any reason.

Every student has the right to sleep, study, and feel safe in their room. This right always comes before another student’s right to have a guest.

Additional guidelines:

• There are no time limits on when a guest can visit (visitation is allowed 24/7).
• Roommates and suitemates must agree on how guests are hosted—communication and respect are key.
• If a guest stays more than one night, inform the Residence Hall Director.
• Cohabitation is not allowed. Only students with a current housing contract may live in the building or occupy a room.

Remember: hosting guests is a shared privilege that depends on trust, respect, and personal accountability.

Screen Use

Removal of screens in the Residence Halls is not permitted.  A fine of $50 – $75 will be assessed for the removal and/or damage of any screen. In addition, any fees for the repair or replacement of a damaged window screen in a residence hall room will be the responsibility of the student(s) living in that room.

Apartment residents may only remove screens following the A/C unit installation policy.

Window Use

North Dakota winters are extremely cold. Leaving your windows open—even briefly—can cause serious pipe damage. Cold air drops straight down from open windows, rapidly freezing the hot water in the heating pipes. Frozen pipes may burst, releasing steam and water that can damage your personal property and affect adjacent apartments by causing loss of heat and water damage.

To prevent these issues, residents must:

• Keep Windows Secure: Ensure all windowpanes are fully closed and sealed tightly.
• Report Window Problems: If you experience issues with your windows, contact the Housing & Residence Life Office or your Resident Manager (RM) immediately to request a work order.
• Report Heating Issues: If you have problems with your heating system, contact the Housing & Residence Life Office or your RM immediately to request a work order.
• No Space Heaters: Space heaters are not permitted in Minot State Apartments.

Why This Matters: Hot water freezes faster than cold water, making it easy to underestimate the time windows can be left open in subzero weather. When water freezes, it expands—like an ice cube—which can split pipes open. Whenever temperatures (or the combined effect of wind and temperature) drop below 32°F, please take extra precautions to avoid expensive "freeze-ups."

Residents are responsible for any repair charges resulting from negligent damage.

Air Conditioning Units

Residence Hall A/C unit policy

Lura Manor and Crane Hall have A/C. Cook Hall and McCulloch Hall do not have A/C and the rooms cannot handle the power of window A/C units. During the Fall and Spring semesters, the average North Dakota temperatures are moderate.

            Apartment A/C unit policy (2025)

Minot State Apartments do not include built-in air conditioning. Residents may install their own A/C units provided they adhere to the guidelines below.

Campus Heights Apartments

• Window Type: Horizontal-opening
• Approved Units:
  • Units must operate on 110-volt power and not exceed 10,000 BTU.
  • Only free-standing, portable, hose-vented units (external ventilation) are permitted.

Pioneer Hall Apartments

• Window Type: Vertical-opening
• Approved Units:
  • Units must operate on 110-volt power and not exceed 10,000 BTU.
  • Dimensions must be less than 24 inches wide by 14 inches high.
  • Both window-mounted and free-standing units are allowed.

Installation Instructions

Minot State Maintenance Installation:

• Residents may submit a work order for campus maintenance to install window units.

 Resident Installation:

• Modifications: No electrical modifications or window alterations are allowed.
• Window Panels:
  • Must be made of plywood or particleboard (available at local hardware stores).
  • Residents are responsible for cutting the panels to the proper size.
  • Accordion panels provided with the A/C unit are acceptable.
  • Do not use cardboard, Styrofoam, plastic bags, or similar materials to fill the window opening.
• Liability: Residents are responsible for any personal or property damage resulting from the installation or use of the A/C unit.
• Sun Protection: The use of tinfoil on windows to block sunlight is strictly prohibited, as it may cause the window to break. Residents may use sun-darkening shades or curtains.
• Attachments: Do not screw, hammer, or permanently affix any brackets to the interior or exterior of the building.
• Inspection: Once installed, submit a work order so that Minot State Facilities personnel can inspect the installation. Non-compliant units will be required to be removed.