Housing & Residence

Room assignments are made before the semester begins. The Office of Residence Life tries to honor requests for specific rooms and/or roommates to the extent that physical limitations and residence hall organization permit. There are a limited number of single rooms in the residence halls. Seniors have priority followed by juniors and sophomores. Incoming freshmen will be assigned to a room in the freshmen experience hall.

Meals are provided for residential students, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a late evening snack on Monday through Thursday with brunch and dinner on weekends and most holidays. The cost of this meal plan is required and included in the room and board fees charged each residential student. Housing is available during the winter and summer breaks for an additional charge; no meal service is provided in the winter, spring or Thanksgiving breaks, and meal service is optional in the summer when the dining hall is open.

There are five residence halls on campus: El Camino Hall, Howard Hall, Kratt Hall, Michaels Hall and O'Brien Hall. Each building has its own unique characteristics; however, each room is equipped with furniture needed for studying and sleeping (except desk lamps). Beds are 80x36 inches (twin, extra long), a matter to be considered when selecting bed linens. Students are expected to provide their own linens. An alarm clock, study lamp and wastebasket are also recommended. Students may add posters, radios, TV's, computers, etc., as deemed necessary. Laundry facilities are available in each building except El Camino Hall.

Residence halls are supervised by Resident Directors and student Resident Assistants who help create and maintain an environment conducive to personal growth and academic achievement. The Resident Directors and Resident Assistants are available to meet with students on educational and social matters and to confer on personal problems.

In addition, Resident Directors and ResidentAssistants are responsible for enforcing rules and regulations. Students are expected to adhere to residence hall policies established in the interest of maintaining a pleasant, respectful, and peaceful living atmosphere that is compatible and necessary for a positive educational environment. Policies are outlined in the Housing Application, as well as in the Student Handbook (which includes the Student Code of Conduct). Copies of the Housing Application are available from the Office of Student Student Affairs.

Once a student is accepted to Menlo, more detailed information and instructions regarding on-campus housing will be sent to her/him.

Telephone and Cable Service

Students have phone and Internet access in their dormitory rooms through the Office of Information Technology. Phone bills are the responsibility of the student to pay. Basic cable service is included in the room and board fees. Expanded cable service and premium channels must be arranged for separately, as the cable service will bill students directly for this extra service. For additional information about telephone and cable service, please contact the Office of Information Technnology.

Residence Requirements

Menlo is committed to the philosophy that an individual's college education is enhanced through the experience of residing on campus. Students benefit from associations with fellow students and faculty in the type of planned and spontaneous activities (social, educational, cultural, and athletic) and discussions that occur outside regular class hours in a residential environment. Residence hall living adds a measure of convenience to a student's life, creates increased opportunities for students to widen their circle of friends, and provides a quick immersion into campus life.

Menlo College's residence policies reflect intent to maintain a substantial on-campus student body. All unmarried students who do not attain the age of 21 before the start of a semester must reside on campus unless they live with their parents or adult guardian in the vicinity of the College (defined as within 30 miles of the College.) This policy does not apply to those students with junior standing or those who have lived on campus for four semesters. Students may not change from resident to day status after July 15 for the Fall Semester or after December 1 for the Spring Semester, regardless of their eligibility to reside off-campus, without incurring a financial penalty. All requests for change of status must be made using the appropriate form available in the Office of Housing & Residence Life.

All international students must live on campus during their first year at Menlo. This helps them become more comfortable in the American educational system and student life at Menlo College. However, international students with previous collegiate experience in the United States, or those who wish to reside with their parents in the immediate vicinity of the College, may petition the Office of Housing & Residence Life for a waiver of this requirement.

Resident Refund Policy

A student who officially withdraws, changes residence status, or who is otherwise removed from campus housing, may or may not be eligible for a refund. If a student is eligible for a refund, the date that the student officially checks out of his/her residence hall room with a staff member is the date that will be used to calculate residence fee refunds. Room and board fees will be pro-rated through the 20th class day of occupancy. Room and board is a combined fee, not separated for billing purposes. There is no refund beyond the 20th class day during a semester. Please see the section on "Tuition and Fees" for additional information.