FAQs and Policies

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers!

Here are the answers to some of our most commonly asked questions about Residence Life at the Mount.

FAQ  |  Residence Life Policies 

Am I required to live on campus?

Mount Saint Mary College has a 3-year residency requirement for all traditional, full-time undergraduate students with less than 90 credits. The exception to this policy includes students who reside with a parent or guardian at their legal, permanent home address in Orange, Dutchess, Ulster, or Putnam County. 

How are roommates chosen? Can I choose my own roommate?

For first-year students, roommates are generally paired by a brief questionnaire found on the housing application. Our office can ONLY guarantee mutually requested roommates. To guarantee a roommate, both students MUST request each other by listing each other's name on the housing application, which is sent in late May. We cannot accept suitemate requests. Returning students choose their roommates and room during the housing lottery, which takes place each April.

What housing options are available to freshmen?

Freshmen are housed in Sakac Hall.

What does the room/suite include in the freshmen buildings?

Each suite includes one or two bathrooms, cable access, beds, mattresses, dressers, desks, desk chairs, and two closets per bedroom. Two and three person suites also feature a couch, table, and two chairs in the common area.

Does each person have his or her own Internet access?

We provide a wireless network that works with most wireless laptops and desktop computers.

Is there security in the Residence Halls?

Yes. There is a 24-hour staffed security station in the lobby of Sakac Hall. Building residents are required to swipe their ID card to gain access to areas beyond the security station. Likewise, access to the living areas of the College Courts is restricted to individual building residents by swiping their identification card. In addition, ground level windows in all residential rooms are equipped with tamper resistant security screens. 

Can my friends visit me?

Normally, yes. There is a visitation policy that applies under normal circumstances.

For upperclassmen, the visitation policy is Sunday through Thursday 10 am to 1 am and Fridays and Saturdays 10 am to 3 am. Overnight visitors of the same gender are permitted.

For first year students, visitation hours are 11 am - 11 pm Sunday through Thursday and 11 am to 1 am Friday and Saturday. Overnight visitors of the same gender are permitted. No overnight visits of the opposite gender are permitted for any student. For the complete visitation policy, please review the student handbook.

Do freshmen have a curfew?

Yes, students must be swiped into their building by 1 am Sunday through Thursday and 3 am Friday and Saturday.

What kind of staffing can be found in the residence halls?

There are Residence Assistants on each floor and/or wing and a Residence Director in each area. 

How do students do laundry?

Laundry rooms are located in College Court 12, 21, 392, and 408, on the ground floor of Sakac Hall, and on the fourth floor of the Dominican Center.

Can beds be lofted?

Yes. During opening day/week, a member of the maintenance staff will be able to raise, bunk, or loft beds. We allow one loft per bedroom.

How many residents live on campus?

Approximately 1,000 students live on campus. 

 Is housing guaranteed for all four years?

We guarantee housing for residents who pay the required housing deposit before the deadline set by the Residence Life Office. This is subject to bed availability.

Will I be assigned to a triple?

Very few of our first-year students are assigned to a triple room. The triple rooms are de-tripled as space becomes available. Students are able to request a triple.

Can freshmen have cars on campus?

Resident freshmen are permitted to have a vehicle on campus for the current academic year. While this policy is subject to change, first year residents who need to maintain employment (within the nine approved counties) may request an exemption to the parking policy through the Residence Life Office. Please contact us directly for further information. 

Am I required to have a dining plan?

Yes, all full-time residential undergraduate students required to live on campus must participate in one of the college meal plans. 

Residence Life Policies

The primary focus of residential living at the College is the development of an environment conducive to the educational and personal growth of students. This encourages students to live in a community setting and learn from each other’s backgrounds. The college trains residence life staff to help students achieve these goals. 

Returning resident students must pay a nonrefundable $300 room deposit to reserve a room on campus, and will be asked to pay this each spring before room selections.

New incoming full-time traditional undergraduate freshmen and transfers will pay this deposit as part of the $250 Admissions fee. June 1 is the deadline for special housing requests related to medical issues for all incoming freshmen and transfers.

Residence Life policies include a 3-year residency requirement. 

3-Year Residency Requirement 

Mount Saint Mary College has a 3-year residency requirement for all traditional, full-time undergraduate students with less than 90 credits.  The exception to this policy includes students who reside with a parent or guardian at their legal, permanent home address in Orange, Dutchess, Ulster or Putnam County. A student's status as a residential or commuting student is determined at the time of admission to Mount Saint Mary College.

In addition, because residential living is fundamental to the mission of the college and the experience of a MSMC student, all full-time residential undergraduate students required to live on campus must participate in one of the college meal plans. The residency requirement does not apply to our commuter students who reside in one of the counties listed above.

Students must retain full-time academic status to live on campus. Exceptions for students taking fewer than 12 credits may be made on an as-needed basis by the Director of Residence Life.

Residency requirement exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. The two primary grounds for seeking a release from the residency requirement are medical accommodation or financial need. However, we understand that life can be dynamic and therefore special circumstances and/or hardships are considered as well. If a student is seeking to be released from the residency requirement, they should email reslife@msmc.edu and our Director of Residence Life will reach back out with the proper documentation and procedures.

You can review the Residence Life Policies, Housing Agreement, Drug & Alcohol Policy, and other information in the Mount Saint Mary College Student Handbook.  

Sexual Misconduct Policy

All students are required to abide by the Sexual Misconduct and Grievance Policy, which can be found here.