Office of Housing and Residence Life
235 Kryzsko Commons (507.457.5305)
Email: reslife@winona.edu
Housing
The Office of Housing and Residence Life provides residence halls that promote a welcoming, inclusive, safe and engaging living and learning environments that contributes to student success. 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 the WSU-Rochester section 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 a student’s education. The Housing and Residence Life staff members devote their time to providing resources, services, and programs to ensure a stimulating and supportive atmosphere for every student.
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 inclusion, 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 education. 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 leadership positions 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 positions 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 comprehensive application process, these upper-division students serve as peer advisors for residents, organize educational activities, and encourage participation in hall and campus activities.
Residence Halls
Twelve residence halls allow WSU to house approximately 2,500 students. See the campus maps for names and locations of residence halls. For a description of each hall and the different options, students should 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 with 80 available channels. Students have the option to purchase premium channels from a local cable provider.
- A laser printer at the hall reception desk for students’ use.
- Areas conducive to group study.
- TV lounges in each hall; each lounge has big screen TVs and lots of comfortable furniture.
- Kitchen facilities for preparing a snack or light meal; vending machines are available for those times when hunger strikes at odd hours.
- Laundry rooms equipped with Laundryview technology. This technology lets students know what machines are available and alerts them when their laundry is complete. Laundry is free for students living in the residence halls.
- Sports equipment, kitchen supplies, and games that students can borrow.
- A secure environment. Campus security monitors the halls throughout the day and conducts “check-ins” for everyone after 11 pm Residence hall staff and campus security work diligently with students to create a safe community.
Note: The Purple Pass can be used like an internal campus debit card to purchase goods and services throughout the campus. Money can be deposited onto Purple Pass accounts through cashiers at the Warrior Hub (209 Maxwell Hall) or online. A minimum deposit of $10 is required.
Residential Learning Communities
Residential Learning Communities (RLC) offer the residential student a dynamic opportunity to interact with faculty, other students, and the Winona community from their residence hall. Our communities are interdisciplinary, educational experiences coordinated around a one credit class (OR 201). Together the students and faculty participate in activities tied to a topic coordinated through the class. These communities are meant to be highly experiential with discussions, guest speakers, and field trips. The hope is the community members will share what they have learned and experienced with the other members for their residence hall. This year’s RLCs and how to join a community are available on the Housing website.
West Campus Houses
West Campus living offers students a unique educational opportunity in a residential setting where community, experience and exploration are celebrated. Students living in Lourdes and Maria Halls are given the opportunity to engage with students through the Residential House System. West Campus is the home of six houses: Eridanus, Pyxis, Octans, Hydra, Vela, and Volans. Each house hosts community events and participates in House Competitions.
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 four students; some are 2-bedroom/2-bath units that accommodate four students, and a few are 1-bedroom/1-bath units that accommodate two 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. It is important for applicants to complete the housing application as early as possible. The application process is a 3-step process:
- Apply for admission to WSU early in the senior year of high school. Included with your acceptance notification will be steps on completing the online housing application and a link to the Housing & Residence Life Online Guide, which offers more information about the residence hall living experience.
- Promptly complete the housing application and agreement online.
- Submit a $250 pre-payment ($50 non-refundable application fee) to confirm your space on campus.
Note: Residence Hall space is allocated by the date WSU receives your completed housing signed Agreement for Housing & Dining and $250 pre-payment. For first-year and transfer students for fall, $200 of the advance payment is refundable if the Housing Office receives the student’s written refund request on or before July 1. The $50 application fee is not refundable.
Payment for Housing and Dining Services
Payment for residence hall and meal plan is made on a semester basis. See Tuition & Fees for an estimated total of the minimum expenses for undergraduate students. View current room and meal plan rates.
Off-Campus Housing Referral Service
The Office of Housing and Residence Life (235 Kryzsko Commons) provides an Off-Campus Referral Service, which consists of listings provided by the landlords of apartments and other rental options. Information is available at the office during business hours or view the online off-campus housing list.
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 Center, located on the West Campus. The Jack Kane Dining Center provides 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 Lourdes Dining Center, located on the main floor of Lourdes Hall, provides additional convenience for the students living on the West Campus. See the WSU-Rochester section for information about dining options for the Rochester campus.
Students who are on a meal plan may use their student ID cards in either dining center. In addition to the two dining halls, students have the option of eating in the Kryzsko Commons Food Court (Zane’s), Somsen Café, Einstein Bros. Bagels & Caribou or the Lourdes Hall Snack Shop. The new Education Village will also host a dining venue opening Fall 2019. See Campus Card Services in the Student Life section for more information regarding purchasing meals with student ID card.
Meal Plan Advantages
- All you care to eat: Unlimited portions available on all items except premium entrees in the Dining Centers.
- Grab & Go Lunches and Dinners: Available for students with work or class schedules that conflict with meal times.
WSU offers a choice of four meal plans: 19, 14, 10, or 7 meals per week. In addition, each meal plan includes cash credit (Kryzsko Kash) to make purchases in Zane’s or other food venues and convenience stores on main and west campuses. Changes to decrease the number of meals in a meal plan can only be made during the first two weeks of each semester. Increases in the number of meals for meal plans can be made at any time. Meal plan changes can be made at the Housing and Residence Life Office (235 Kryzsko Commons).
The Dining Committee, comprised of students and staff from Housing and Dining services, meets weekly while classes are in session to provide 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 (220 Kryzsko Commons).
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