Things Every Student Should Know...

Every year around this time, as the students begin to plan for their new school year at WSU, we find that they have many questions for us. Here is a list of commonly asked questions. We hope that you find them helpful, and if not, please feel free to contact us with any concerns that you may have.

1. What will my room look like? What furnishings are included?
Each room is furnished with a twin-sized bed (most beds are longer and extra long sheets are recommended). Also included are a desk and desk chair, dresser and mattress pad. All rooms have a closet for each student as well. If the room is being used to house an extra student than it is normally designated for (built-up room), the students will have to share the two desks, dressers and closets. Each student will have his/her own bed, and one set of beds will be bunked and the other bed lofted, at no extra cost to the student. Housing does not have the specifications for each closet in each room, unfortunately. (We have over 1,000 rooms!) There are window coverings on the windows in each hall, and carpet in all of the rooms, except for Lourdes.

2. How does the meal plan work and how do I activate my meal plan?

On your housing contract you selected a meal plan. Your ID card will be scanned each time you enter the dining hall, and the computer keeps track of how any meals you have eaten and the day and time you eat them. The meal week beings on a Friday and ends on a Thursday. If you have selected 14 meals per week, and have eaten all 14 by Wednesday evening, you will not be allowed to enter the dining area unless you use the "Kryzsko Kash" which has been posted on your card (explained in #3). Meals do not carry over from week to week, so it is "use it or lose it". You are entitled to up to one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner per day, until your meals for the week are used up. Since you won't get your ID card until you have started your orientation, you will be allowed to enter the cafeteria until the IDs are made available. Campus Dining

3. How do I change my meal plan?
If you decide during the summer that you want to change your meal plan for th next fall, simply e-mail us, Housing, or send a letter requesting the new meal plan. Once the school year starts, you will need to stop at the Housing Office in Kryzsko 130 and complete a Change of Meal Plan form. You have until the end of the first week of classes to make your change . After that time, you will have to wait until the beginning of the spring semester to make your change.

4. What is Kryzsko Kash?
Kryzsko Kash replaces the need to have cash on hand. Kryzsko Kash is a separate account which your ID barcode accesses. If you live in the residence halls or have an off-campus meal plan, a declining balance is placed on your card each semester for you to use as you wish in the Jack Kane Dining Hall, Lourdes Cafe, Lourdes Snack Shop or in the Smaug area. You can purchase a hamburger and fries, soda, pizza or items from the Wharf, to name a few. Any money left over will roll over to the next semester during that calendar year, adding to the new $115 that will be placed on your account. There are no refunds of unused amounts!

5. Where and when do I pick up my loft?
After completing the Loft Rental Forms (these are mailed to you in the spring) and mailing them to the address provided or signing up on-line, you will be able to pick your loft up the day the residence halls officially open. Signs will be posted as to where and when you may pick them up. You are responsible for setting your loft up in your room. Students in built-up rooms do NOT need to rent a loft-a loft will be provided by WSU and will already be set up in your room when you arrive. These lofts are rented through Collegiate Services , not Winona State University. Students in the Tau Center or East Lake Apartments rent lofts through their Hall Director.

6. Where do I pick up my ID card?
If you are a new freshman entering WSU, you will pick up your ID card with your orientation group. The cards will be located in our Media Services area in Howell Hall. Transfer students will need to go on their own to Howell Hall and have their pictures taken. Inquire at that time as to when your ID will be available for you to pick up.

7. How do I get my key for my room?

Upon checking in to the residence hall you have been assigned to, you will pick up your key.

8. When will I find out who my roommate is?
Roommate information will be mailed to you in mid-July. Since many changes and cancellations may occur before that time, we strive to give you the most accurate roommate information available at that time. If your roommate should change after you are initially notified, you will be notified again of any changes, unless the change occurs within a couple days of your arrival.

9. How much room is under my bed in case I want to buy storage units?
Depending on which type of bed you have, it is either 13.5" or 14.5" from the floor to the bed frame. There is a support bar under the middle of each bed that is 10.5" from the floor. A storage unit measuring less than 10.5" tall would work the best.

10. Can I break my housing contract once I receive a room assignment?

• You may break your contract at any time, but certain penalities will apply depending on when this occurs. If you break your contract before the cancellation date for the year, you will receive any deposit back.
• Students who choose to break their contract before they pick up their key for their room, but after the cancellation date, will only forfeit their advance payment. Once a student has picked up the key, he/she will incur a $50 administrative fee for breaking the contract.
• If the student withdraws from WSU completely for the rest of the school year, he/she is also charged for the room through the day of the official checkout with the RA and when the key is turned in. Refunds will be issued for any unused portion of the room and board he/she may have paid for.
• If a student breaks the contract to move to an off-campus apartment and remains a student at WSU, the same applies as for the student that withdraws from WSU with one exception. He/she will also be assessed a daily charge if the combined occupancy of all the residence halls fall below 100%. This charge begins with the first day occupancy falls below 100% and continues until the end of the school year. Students will want to give serious thought about breaking their contract.

11. How do I make long distance calls?
All students must use pre-paid phone cards or cell phones. Winona State University does not provide long distance service.

12. Is my room air-conditioned?
There are a very limited number of rooms that are air-conditioned, so for the most part, we say "no, they are not". We suggest bringing a fan for the early fall and late spring. Individual air-conditioners are not permitted.