Frequently Asked Questions - Residence Hall Services
ACADEMICS IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS
The residence halls are a vibrant part of the K-State academic community. We are committed to helping you succeed in your academic pursuits. Throughout the year you will have the opportunity to take advantage of a wide array of programs, resources and services in the halls that will help you meet the academic standards of K-State. Do not hesitate to seek out your hall staff for assistance with class-related problems, and do not be surprised if the staff approaches you about your academic progress. We care about your success, and we hope to be of assistance to you throughout the academic year.
ACADEMIC RESOURCE CENTERS
Conveniently located on the first floor of either the Derby or Kramer Dining Center, these facilities offer a wide range of academic benefits. These study headquarters have computer labs, study rooms and multimedia classrooms. Academic resource assistants staff the centers and help students with their scholastic concerns. Tutoring sessions, laser printing, photocopying and academic workshops are also available.
CABLE TELEVISION
Cable television service (Wildcat Cable) is only available through K State Computing and Telecommunications Services (CTS). Many types of service are available and the cost varies depending on selection. CTS bills you monthly for the service as it is not part of your hall contract. After a student has their eID and password they can sign up online at http://ksu.edu/cts. It is your responsibility to contact CTS with any residence hall change (e.g., hall or room transfer, contract cancellation, buyout, etc.). Contact CTS at 785-532-5921 for more information.
Attempts to connect service without the knowledge or permission of K-State Telecommunications is considered theft of services, and will be reported to the company. Theft of service is a violation of the law, university regulations, and residence hall expectations, and may result in criminal prosecution and/or university disciplinary action.
CHECKOUTS
If you move out of your residence hall room permanently or transfer to another hall or room, you will need to check out. The checkout procedure includes cleaning your room/suite, turning in your room key and forwarding address card, being accountable for all room damages, and having your residence hall staff conclude the checkout process. Failure to complete this procedure will result in charges for nonreturned keys, any damages that have not been assessed and appropriate improper checkout fees.
CONTRACT TERMINATION
This contract may be modified or terminated at the discretion of the director of Housing and Dining Services or an authorized designee of the director. Reasons for modification or termination include, but are not limited to: failure of the student to comply with the terms of this contract or be formally enrolled in the university; involvement of the student in actions or activities detrimental to the health, safety, welfare, or security of self or other residents, or disruptive of the residence hall community. If the contract is terminated, the student is required to pay the remainder of the contract based on the terms found in the cancellation section of this contract.
In addition, Housing and Dining Services reserves the right to terminate or modify the terms of the contract when the director of Housing and Dining Services, or an authorized designee of the director, learns that a resident has been charged or convicted of a crime or crimes against persons or involving any other conduct that may threaten the safety or security of other residents. Modification of the contract may include, but is not limited to: moving the student to another university housing facility; or restricting the student's access to housing facilities.
A student is given notice and an opportunity to discuss with the director, or an authorized designee of the director, and a representative of the Office of Student Life the basis for any proposed modification or termination of the contract. If the contract is terminated under this paragraph, the student's payment obligation shall be prorated to the date of termination.
DESK SERVICES
All residence halls, with the exception of Smurthwaite, have 24-hour front desk service. The community assistants can help you locate the staff on duty. They also provide other services such as distributing mail, checking out vacuum cleaners, computer and study room keys, games, kitchen utensils, and more.
ACCOMMODATIONS FOR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
Students who require accommodations to meet special needs should contact their hall staff.
Text telephones are available upon request.
To park in accessible parking spaces at the residence halls, students with disabilities must have both a state permit and a residence hall parking permit.
A shuttle service (a van equipped with a hydraulic lift) for residents with disabilities is available on campus, including residence halls. The shuttle service operates from 7:30 a.m. to 5:20 p.m., Monday through Friday. Contact Disability Support Services at 785-532-6441 for information.
(Click above for more info)
Residence hall students may sign up for an in-room ResNet ethernet connection to the K-State network and internet. With a ResNet ethernet connection you may use your personal computer to:
- Browse the Internet
- Access the library and class schedules
- Retrieve course information from the Internet
- Turn in assignments electronically
- E-mail professors, friends and family
- Conduct research for a paper
- Print to a laser printer (in most halls) for a nominal fee
- Check your grades/billing/student information
With a ResNet ethernet connection, you will never have to deal with modems that tie up your phone line, busy signals, or monthly ISP fees and limitations. ResNet supports PC, Macintosh and Linux systems.
To take advantage of this, students need a 10/100BaseT ethernet card or wireless card (802.11g) installed in their personal computer. Please bring any disks and documentation for your card and computer with you to campus. You will also need a 25-foot ethernet cable, which is available for purchase from either of the Quik Cats student stores or the K-State Student Union computer store.
Network registration of student computers is required to gain full access to the computing resources of K-State and the World Wide Web. Registration of student computers requires acceptance of the On-Line Registration User Agreement which includes the Residential Networking and the K-State Technology Usage Policies.
HEATING AND COOLING
The heating system operates when outside temperatures are consistently lower than approximately 55° and the cooling system when outside temperatures are consistently higher than approximately 68°. When the system switches, it takes several hours before the transition is complete.
HOUSEKEEPING
You are responsible for the cleanliness of your room. Vacuum cleaners and other cleaning equipment may be checked out at your residence hall front desk.
Community areas such as bathrooms, lounges and hall corridors are cleaned daily by the housekeeping staff Monday through Friday. As a courtesy to others, you are expected to clean up after yourself in public areas.
IDENTIFICATION CARD
Your K-State ID card bearing your name, WID number and picture is your permanent ID card to use while attending K-State. This card provides you with door access to your hall and meal access. Report lost cards immediately to the ID Center, any dining center or the Pittman Building.
Misuse of an ID card includes loaning, falsifying, or altering it in any way, or any unauthorized use of the card. Misuse can result in disciplinary action or prosecution as well as a misuse fee by the department, as dictated by university policy.
KEYS
When a room key is reported missing or unaccounted for, the department replaces the lock cylinder to help ensure your security and the safety of others. If you lose your key(s), inform a staff member to initiate a lock change. You will be charged $37.50 for the cost of replacing the lock and creating new key(s).
If you are locked out of your room, you may rent an extra key at the front desk. Your first five rental keys are free. After that, each rental key is $5. If the rental key is not returned within 24 hours, another 24-hour key loan period will be charged to you, and we may change your door lock at a cost of $37.50 plus the key rental charge. These charges will be added to your Housing and Dining Services account.
LAUNDRY FACILITY
Washers and dryers, to be used only by residents, are conveniently located in each residence hall. Laundry rules are posted in each laundry room, and residents are expected to follow these rules as consideration of fellow residents.
To utilize the washing machines or dryers, students will need to activate the machines by swiping their K State ID cards through the card reader within the laundry facility. Charges for laundry will be deducted from the student’s Cat Cash debit account. This account is a declining balance. Funds can be added at http://housing.k-state.edu, the Pittman Building or by calling 785-532-6453.
Please report any malfunctioning machines to your residence hall front desk staff. At that time you may complete a refund request form. Tampering with and/or maliciously damaging laundry appliances or facilities is a violation of the law, university regulations and residence hall expectations. It may result in criminal prosecution and/or university disciplinary action.
Use your Cat Cash in the new laundry facilities.
Add money to your Cat Cash account here using ManageMyID.
MAIL
All incoming mail addressed to hall residents is delivered daily, Monday through Saturday, except holidays. U.S. mail distribution is regulated by federal policies. Campus mail is limited to official university communication. Each floor in a residence hall has a specific zip plus four code. Please refer to the
Sending Mail page. Utilization of the zip plus four code assists in the timely distribution of your mail.
MAINTENANCE
Maintenance problems in your room, or elsewhere in the hall, should be reported immediately to a staff member. Be specific about the problem and give the staff member permission to enter your room. Students may contact either the community assistant at the front desk or their resident assistant to submit a work order. The work order will be placed in the electronic work order system. If a work order is in by 3:00 p.m., it will probably be completed the same day. For emergencies, student service techs (SSTs) are available during non-business hours every day of the year.
PARKING
Residence hall parking lot assignments are allocated to residents in accordance with certain criteria including the number of years you have lived in the residence halls, academic class standing, number of credit hours and leadership involvement in residence halls.
Once you receive your parking permit you can park in any unreserved spot in your assigned lot. All residence hall parking lots are reserved 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To avoid being ticketed, park only in your assigned lot.
REFRIGERATORS
Refrigerators no larger than 5.0 cubic feet are allowed in the residence halls.
ROOM CHANGES AND HALL TRANSFERS
Your residence hall assignment is made on a first-come, first serve basis (based on the date we received your contract and payment). If your initial hall or room preference is not met, you may inquire about the hall or room transfer process at the front desk in your hall after the official hall opening. Transfers are made when space is available. Changing rooms without permission from your residence life coordinator is not permitted.
ROOM ENTRY
Students agree to allow periodic and/or emergency access to their rooms by authorized personnel to determine university property is being maintained satisfactorily and to ensure the protection of the health and safety of residents. Staff check each room during all university breaks. Filters will be changed at major breaks. To do this maintenance will need to access the room.
SAFETY AND SECURITY
Residents have access to their own hall at all times the university is in session. The main entrance doors are locked from 9:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. All other hall access doors are locked 24 hours a day. Students may enter their own hall by sliding their K State ID card through the access card reader installed near most doors. These doors will not be accessible during the hours of 9:00 p.m.–7:00 a.m. Everyone entering the hall during these times must go through the front lobby doors. There will be a Door Assistant (DA) at the main entrance door during limited access hours. This person will verify only residents and their registered guests are entering into the hall. You are encouraged to lock your door and carry your room key and K State ID card at all times.
The halls have appropriate fire protection equipment including a smoke detector in each room and a general fire alarm system in each hall. Community assistants, hall staff, and emergency facilities management staff are available 24 hours a day to respond to the needs of students. A university police officer walks the perimeter of all halls on a scheduled basis. A Campus-sponsored escort program is available to assist residents walking on campus after dark.
TELEPHONE SERVICE
Campus telephone service and the 911 feature are provided as part of your hall contract; however, you are responsible for providing your own telephone. This is the main way faculty and staff can contact you. Students are encouraged to plug a landline telephone in so emergency notification systems can reach them. Reverse 911 through the K State Police Department which, in emergency situations, allows the campus police to contact all residence hall rooms and is provided at no additional charge. Each room has an active telephone jack restricted to campus and 911 calls. The telephone number is provided on the wall jack. If you would like to have local service from your assigned room you will need to sign up with K State Computing and Telecommunications Services for this service for a $5.00 monthly charge. After a student has their eID and password they can sign up online at http://ksu.edu/cts. Local service will allow you to call off campus within the Manhattan area and receive calls from anywhere in the world. With the local service a resident may use any long-distance calling card.
If you receive annoying, harassing or threatening telephone calls, please report them immediately to a resident assistant, residence life coordinator or assistant residence life coordinator, as well as the university police. You will be given a telephone harassment form to complete. Placing annoying or harassing calls or making threats by telephone is a violation of the law, university regulations and residence hall expectations. It may result in criminal prosecution and/or university disciplinary action.
UNIVERSITY BREAK HOUSING
The continuous housing option is available ONLY in Marlatt, Moore, Haymaker and West Halls for an additional cost. Students signing continuous housing contracts are allowed to stay in their assigned rooms in Marlatt, Moore, Haymaker or West Hall during scheduled university breaks and have access to a hall front desk, equipment and the Moore student store. Meals are not served during university breaks. All other halls are closed during scheduled university breaks.
VACATING RESIDENCE HALLS
Rooms must be vacated within 24 hours of the student’s last final examination each semester, by the official residence hall closing time or by official withdrawal from classes, whichever comes first.
Students leaving the residence hall system must officially check out with residence hall floor staff to stop additional daily charges from accruing. An official checkout includes returning all keys, completing the room condition card with staff and completing a forwarding address card for the mailroom. Failure to complete these steps will result in charges for improper checkout, lock replacement and daily accrued charges being added to the student's housing account. The resident agrees that Housing and Dining Services may dispose of all items lost and abandoned by students at the end of each semester.
VENDING MACHINES
Vending machines containing snack items and beverages are provided in each residence hall. If you find a machine empty, broken or failing to provide a product you have paid for, report it to the front desk staff. You may ask to complete a refund form.
Tampering with and/or maliciously damaging any vending machine is a violation of the law, university regulations, and residence hall expectations. It may result in criminal prosecution and/or university disciplinary action.