FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Housing
Keys
Supplies and Rentals
Judicials
University Computer and Phone Networks
Mail on campus

Questions about Housing:

Q: Can I cancel my housing contract?
A: The Mount St. Mary's University Housing Contract indicates that the contract term is for One Academic Year. Students may cancel their housing contract during the year but may be assessed a $500 fee.  They may also not be eligible for a refund. Students should refer to the university's refund policy found in the catalog. Students must contact Residence Life in writing if they are terminating their contract (Release from Housing Contract).
 

Q: If I like my room, can I keep it for the following year?
A: It depends on where you live. Certain rooms are held for incoming first-year students, students with special housing needs, etc. The housing lottery typically takes place in the middle of the spring semester. You will receive more information before the process begins.

Q: Where do I find information on May Closing/End of the Year Closing?
A: The residence halls will close on May 8th, 2009 at 2PM. Please click here for more detailed information on May Closing and Checkout Procedures!

Q: What is the cost of housing?
A: If you live in the Apartments or Bicentennial, there is a $100 Differenential Room Rate per semester in addition to the below costs. However, you are not required to purchase a meal plan if you live in the Apartments, the LOFT House or the Grad House. If you live in any other residence hall on campus, you are required to purchase a meal plan.

Click here to for tuition, room and board costs!

Q: Can I make repairs to my room/university property?
A: Because of liability concerns, student repair of any damages is prohibited.

Q: How can I submit a work order for my room on campus?
A: You may contact the Physical Plant Work Order Line at extension 4858 from your room phone or 301-447-5377 from your cell phone. For more information, please check out this website Maintenance Requests.

Q: What is my room furnished with?
A: Most residence hall rooms have a desk, chair, bed, closet and dresser drawers. For the apartments, all of the above plus living room and dining room furniture.

Q: What is the size of my mattress?
A: All mattresses are extra-long twin (80").
 

Questions about Keys:

Q: What should I do if I lose my key?
A: If a student loses one or both of his or her residence hall keys, the student should immediately report the loss to the Department of Public Safety (Public Safety Webpage).

If a student loses his or her residence hall room key, Public Safety will coordinate the core change and key replacement process. When the core change is complete, Public Safety will issue a new key to the student. The core change and key replacement cost will be assessed to the student’s account.

Q: What if I get locked out of my room?
A: If a student is locked out of his or her room, Public Safety should be called. Public Safety will verify that the student requesting access to the room actually lives in the room. The student will need to provide a photo ID verifying his or her identity before Public Safety will unlock the door.

The student will also need to produce his or her room keys for the public safety officer after entering the room. If he or she cannot, Public Safety will contact the locksmith so he/she may initiate the core change and key replacement process.

Questions about Supplies and Rentals:

Q: Does the university supply curtains for the window?
A: No, the university does not supply curtains, but there are often curtain rods in the room and there are always standard issue blinds for each window.
   

Q: Can I get extra furniture for my room (beds, desks, tables, sofas)?
A: The furniture currently in your room is all that will be supplied by the university. Most residence hall rooms have a desk, chair, bed, closet and dresser drawers.

Q: Is there storage space available for my personal belongings? 
A: There is no on-campus storage for any of your belongings that do not fit in your assigned residence. In addition, all belongings must be removed at the end of the year.
   

Q: Can I put university furniture in storage?
A: University furniture must remain in the room, and you are responsible for its condition at the end of the year.
    

Q: How can I rent a refrigerator/microwave combination appliance?
A: Each room comes with one micro fridge so you do not need to provide a microwave or refrigerator.

Questions about Judicials:

Q: What happens to me if I am documented for something?
A: If you are documented for breaking the Code of Student Conduct, you will be contacted by email, phone or a written letter in the mail by a member of the Residence Life Staff. This communication will explain the charges you were documented for and the date and time of your judicial conference.

Q: How does the judicial process work? Am I automatically found guilty?
A: You are not automatically found guilty of the charges you were documented for. There are two options for you to resolve the judicial charges. The first option is to plead not responsible to all or some of the charges and present evidence/testimony relevant to the charges. In this case, the conference authority shall determine the responsibility on the basis of whether it is more likely than not that the charged student violated the Code of Student Conduct. Secondly, you may elect to accept responsibility for the charge(s) and elect for the conference authority to determine appropriate sanction(s).

Q: What sanctions can be imposed?
A: There are a variety of sanctions that may be imposed if it is determined that the student did violate the Code of Student Conduct. For more information on the possible sanctions and the judicial process, please review the Code of Student Conduct.

Q: Can I appeal the decision?
A:  Yes, you can appeal the decision by submitting a letter in writing to the appropriate next chain in command which specifically describes your claim for an appeal. Please refer to the Code of Student Conduct for more detailed information regarding the appeal process.

Questions about the University Computer and Phone Networks: 

Q: Does every resident have his/her own network connection?
A: Yes, each residence hall room is equipped with an Ethernet jack for access to the internet. For more information about the University Computer Network, please check out the IT website.

Q: Are telephones provided in the residence halls?
A: Students need to provide their own telephones and any kind of phone will work with the system. Since many of our students have calling cards or cellular phones, the university has discontinued our long distance contract. We recommend getting a calling card for use. Students can purchase calling cards in the University Barnes and Noble Bookstore as well.

All local calls are free of charge and the student simply has to dial ‘9’ plus the local phone number to make the call. The university provides a voice mail system for each room which is free and fairly simple to use.  If students wish to use their own answering machine, they may bring that and hook it up.
Effective June 2009: Residence Halls rooms will not be equipped with a phone line.

Q. How do I find out my phone number in my room?
A. If you would like to know your phone number in your room, you may contact IT at 301-447-5220 to obtain it.

Questions about mail on campus:

Q: What is my mailing address?
A: Student’s Full Name
    Mount St. Mary’s University
    16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd
    Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7799

Q: What address do I use for packages being sent to me?

A: Student’s Full Name
    Mount St. Mary’s University
    16300 Old Emmitsburg Rd
    Emmitsburg, MD 21727-7799

Q: When can I ship packages to my campus address?  
A: If you are moving to Mount St. Mary's from a long distance, you can ship packages to the university to arrive within the week of your arrival. The Receiving Department will store the packages for you prior to your arrival on campus. Students can have packages shipped to them any time during the regular school year.

If you do not find the answer to your question above, please feel free to contact us by email at residencelife@msmary.edu or IM us on AIM at Mount Housing.