HOUSING AND DINING
Department of Housing and Residence Life
Kryzsko Commons, Room 130 (507-457-5305)
www.winona.edu/housing
Email: reslife@winona.edu
HOUSING
The Department of Housing and Residence Life provides a comprehensive variety of residential opportunities to WSU students with an equal focus on the following areas: student learning, outstanding service, leadership development, and facilitation of a positive sense of community and connection to WSU. The University does not offer a residential experience at the WSU-Rochester campus. See page 35 for information about housing as it relates to the Rochester campus.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING
WSU offers more than a place to sleep and study. WSU offers a total living and learning environment that supports our academic mission and promotes leadership and community development. Students enjoy a quality residential experience filled with activities and programs that extend learning beyond the classroom to include (1) recreational and social pastimes with friends from across the country and around the world and (2) abundant opportunities to expand their intellectual horizons and hone their leadership skills.
At WSU, we believe that living on campus should be a special and rewarding part of the student’s education. The Housing and Residence Life staff members devote their time to providing resources, services, and programs that ensure a stimulating and supportive atmosphere for every resident.
Throughout the school year, every residence hall sponsors high-quality programs that complement classroom learning and encourage leadership and citizenship. The programs—many of which are organized by hall residents—touch on different areas such as diversity, career development, intellectual and creative enrichment, social and recreational activities, community service, and other issues important to students.
A full-time hall director resides in each residence hall; the majority of our hall directors hold master’s degrees in fields related to College Student Development. Hall directors provide supervision and leadership, working with a team of upper-division resident assistants (RAs) to create a comfortable, secure, and supportive environment for all students.
Residence Hall Council and Resident Assistants
In each hall, a Residence Hall Council offers opportunities for students to develop a variety of leadership and management skills. Comprised of students elected to various posts by their fellow residents, the council is responsible for organizing the hall’s educational and social activities and for encouraging students to take ownership of their hall. Council members attend regional and national conferences devoted to student leadership and host leadership conferences on campus. First-year students are strongly encouraged to get involved with their hall council; new students may also find their leadership niche by running for one of the six Freshman Senator posts in the WSU Student Senate.
A well-trained and responsive team of RAs plays a key leadership role in the daily life of each hall. Selected through a rigorous application process, these upper-division students serve as peer advisors and counselors for residents, organize educational activities, and encourage participation in hall and campus activities.
Residence Halls
Nine residence halls allow WSU to house approximately 2,100 students. See the campus maps for names and locations of residence halls. For a description of each hall and the different options, students should request a copy of the Residence Life Viewbook or visit the Residence Life website.
While the specific housing options vary within each facility, students can expect to find the following in every WSU residence hall:
• A room fully furnished and wired for laptop computers, local telephone service, and hook-up for cable TV.
• A laser printer at the hall reception desk for students’ use.
• Areas conducive to group study.
• Fitness facilities—aerobic equipment and weights—are available in some halls. All halls have TV lounges with big screens and lots of comfortable furniture, kitchen facilities for preparing a snack or light meal, vending machines for those times when hunger strikes at odd hours, laundry rooms, and sports equipment and games to borrow.
• A secure environment. Campus security monitors the halls throughout the day and conducts “check-ins” for everyone after 11 p.m. Residence hall staff and campus security work diligently to make the halls safe.
University Apartments at East Lake
University Apartments at East Lake is located at the corner of Franklin and Sarnia Streets. The complex consists of 100 apartment units, housing a total of 360 students. Most of the apartments are 4-bedroom/2-bath units that accommodate 4 students; some are 2-bedroom/2-bath units that accommodate 4 students, and a few are 1-bedroom/1-bath units that accommodate 2 students. All the apartments are fully furnished (including washer and dryer); the housing fee includes all utilities except long distance telephone service.
Applying for Housing
Students must first apply for admission to Winona State University. WSU is an early application school, and on-campus space is allocated based on the date of the student’s application. Therefore, it is important for applicants to return the housing application as early as possible.
The application process is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Apply for admission to WSU early in the senior year of high school. The housing packet will be sent to you following your letter of acceptance from WSU.
2. Promptly complete the housing application/contract. It is recommended that you complete the application as early as possible, but not later than
March 1 to guarantee a space in the residence halls.
Note: Residence hall space is allocated by the date WSU receives your completed housing application/contract.
3. Submit a $250.00 payment (which includes a $50 application fee) on or before March 1 to confirm your space on campus.
Note: $200.00 of your advance payment is refundable if the Housing Office receives your written refund request on or before May 1. The $50.00 application fee is not refundable.
Payment for Housing and Dining Services
Payment for residence hall and meal services is made on a semester basis. See page 10 for an estimated total of the minimum expenses for undergraduate students. View current room and board rates at www.winona.edu/billing.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING REFERRAL SERVICE
The Office of Housing and Residence Life provides an Off-Campus Referral Service (Kryzsko Commons, Room 130), which consists of listings provided by the landlords of apartments and other rental options. Information is available at the office during business hours. The listing is available on the Student Answer Center website (www.winon.edu/sac).
WSU makes no representation as to the kind, quality, or quantity of facilities listed by the landlords. The University also does not control any changes to the information; cost and availability are subject to change by the landlords. WSU assumes no liability arising from relationships between students and landlords as a result of these listings. All questions should be addressed to the landlords.
The University does not own nor does it operate housing facilities specifically for married students. To apply for subsidized housing, students should contact the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Winona, 165 E. 4th St., Winona, MN 55987.
CAMPUS DINING
Campus dining at WSU is an exciting and nutritious experience. WSU has two dining halls on campus, the Jack Kane Dining Center, located in Kryzsko Commons, and the Lourdes Dining Hall, located on the West Campus. Built in 1994, the Jack Kane Dining Center follows a riverboat theme, providing an atmosphere that complements fine dining. The area hosts an upper-level mezzanine as well as a lower-level with a private dining area. The newly renovated Lourdes Dining Hall, located on the main floor of Lourdes Hall, provides additional convenience for the students living on the West Campus. (See page 35 for information about dining options for the Rochester campus.)
Students on the meal plan can use their meal cards in either dining location. In addition to the two dining halls, students have the option of eating in the Kryzsko Commons Food Court (known as the Smaug) or the Lourdes Hall Snack Shop.
Meal Plan advantages include:
• All you care to eat: Unlimited portions available on all items except premium entrees.
• Grab & Go Lunches and Dinners: Available for students with work or class schedules that conflict with meal times.
• Under-the-Weather Trays: If students are ill and need to have a meal brought to them, they can arrange this service through the Residence Life Staff.
WSU offers a choice of three meal plans: 14, 10, or 7 meals per week. In addition, each meal plan includes cash credit (Kryzsko Kash) to make purchases in the “Smaug” or at convenience stores on the main and west campuses. Changes to decrease the number of meals in your meal plan can only be made during the week of final examinations or during the first week of classes each semester. You may increase the number of meals in your meal plan at any time.
The Food Service Committee, comprised of students, provides input and suggestions to enhance WSU’s campus dining experience.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
Campus dining also provides employment opportunities; it is one of the largest student employers on campus. Students who are interested in on-campus employment should contact the Campus Dining Office (Kryzsko Commons, Room 229).
