Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Housing and Dining



Office of Housing and Residence Life
230 Kryzsko Commons (507.457.5305)
Email: housing@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

Four residence halls complexes and four apartment buildings allow WSU to house approximately 1,700 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 with campus wifi network connection.
  • 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 residence hall entries are monitored after 11 pm. Residence hall staff and campus security work diligently with students to create a safe community.

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 320 students; some are 2-bedroom/2-bath units that accommodate two or four students, and a few are 1-bedroom/1-bath units that accommodate one or two students. Students must have a minimum of 24 earned credits to live at East Lake. All apartments are fully furnished (including washer and dryer); the housing fee includes all utilities.

Applying for Housing

In order to be eligible for on-campus housing, students must first be admitted to Winona State University. On-campus space is allocated based on the date of the student’s housing application. The application process is a 3-step process:

  1. 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.
  2. Promptly complete the housing application and agreement online.
  3. 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.

Campus Dining

Campus dining at WSU is an exciting and nutritious experience. Jack Kane Dining Hall is located in Kryzsko Commons. The area hosts an upper-level mezzanine as well as a lower-level with a private dining area. 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 or the GET Mobile App to access either dining hall. In addition to Jack Kane Dining Hall, students have the option of eating in the Kryzsko Commons Food Court (Zane’s) or Somsen Café. 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 Hall.
  • Grab & Go Lunches and Dinners: Available for students with work or class schedules that conflict with meal times.

WSU offers three residential meal plans: Warrior Anytime, 14, and 10. In addition, each meal plan includes cash credit (Dining Dollars) to make purchases in Zane’s or other food venues and convenience stores on campus. Meal plan changes can be requested on the student’s Housing Portal. 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.

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 (215 Kryzsko Commons).