Parent and Family FAQs

Colorado Mesa University has a required on campus residency policy. All freshman and sophomore students who are single, under 21 years of age and not residing with their parents in Mesa County are required to live on campus, provided that space is available. Any exceptions to this policy (pdf viewer required) must be submitted to the Housing Office with appropriate documentation and then approved by the Director of Residence Life.

Prospective students can apply at any time to housing. Applications are found in the Colorado Mesa University Viewbook or Students can apply online. The housing application should be filled out completely and returned with a signed contract and $150 deposit to the Residence Life office. Applications without a deposit or contract on file will NOT be processed.

Please see Residence Halls tab for Living Option descriptions.

Each room on campus have extra-long twin size mattresses. North Ave, Grand Mesa, Bunting, Walnut Ridge, Orchard Ave, Monument, and Elm Halls have moveable furniture including: bunkable beds, desks, desk chairs, and wardrobe space. Rait, Tolman and Pinon Halls have furniture mounted to the walls and thus cannot be moved.

Keep in mind that we coordinate our placements on a first come, first serve basis. The earlier you turn in your application, contract, and $150 deposit, the more likely you are to receive your desired hall/room.

Hall/Room changes can take place if a problem arises that cannot be solved in any other manner. We encourage roommates to complete the Roommate Contract (provided at the first floor meeting) and discuss any concerning issues with each other, before asking for a room change. All hall/room changes need to be granted through the Area Coordinator or Hall Coordinator.

The Residence Life office sends this information to you via email and by regular mail prior to your arrival on campus. You can also check your assignment on the MyHousing page by logging in using your MavZone user name and password. The information includes your hall/room assignment as well as your roommate's name, home address, and telephone number. We encourage you to contact your roommate before the semester begins to discuss furnishings as well as living habits.

Go directly to your hall to check in on check in weekend between the hours of 8:00am- 5:00pm. You do have to claim your space before Sunday 5pm of opening weekend. If you are checking in on or after the first day of classes, please notify the Residence Life office ahead of time so that your room may be reserved for your arrival.

Individual halls will have emergency contact information posted on the front door. If you do not have a hall assignment, then please wait to contact Residence Life on the next business day.

Early move-in is reserved for athletic players, FYI students, or students who have been requested to come back by either their department or their college employer. There are extra charges for moving in early. If you have a special request to move on campus early, please contact Residence Life at 970.248.1536.

All residence halls are open during the breaks. Fall to spring room assignments do not change - the student may enter or leave their hall any time at their discretion.

No. However, as soon as you have made the decision to attend CMU, we suggest that you submit your Residence Life application. We assign rooms based on the the date we receive the applications and deposit; therefore, the earlier you submit your application, the more likely you will get your preferred room assignment.

There are single and super single rooms available. These two options are very popular so we recommend getting your application in as soon as possible. Again, rooms are "priority assigned" by the date the application and deposit arrives in the Residence Life Office.

Yes, we can accept Residence Life applications before you have been officially accepted to the University. Be advised that processing of the application does not constitute approval of academic admission to Colorado Mesa University.

Your ID number is the student ID number assigned to you when you’re admitted to CMU. If you don’t know your student ID, use your social security number.

There are many advantages to our Resident Meal Plans.

• All you care to eat in the dining hall. Visit us as many times during the day as you wish. Just use your Colorado Mesa MAVcard to verify your plan and you are on your way.
• Choose from 2 base meal plans that allow your day to begin at breakfast, 6:45am; or if you prefer at 10:30am.
• The Dining Hall is open until 8:00pm (Expanded Hours)
• Receive $150 in MAVmoney per year, added to the base meal plan.
  • MAVmoney gives you the ability to grab a snack or meal at one of our many retail locations on campus and on the Western Colorado Community College campus. Flexibility, that is what we are about!
• To Go meals, sack lunches, and sick trays are available to you!
• Do you have a special dietary request? Talk with our campus dining staff to make sure we have the selections for you!

 

Meal Plan A ($150 MAVmoney per year)            $3,992**

Unlimited dining hall access

• Monday-Friday
  6:45am-8:00pm (Expanded Hours)
  
• Saturday and Sunday
  Brunch is served from 10:30am-1:30pm
  Dinner buffet is served from 5:00pm-8:00pm on Saturday's Sunday dinner 5:00pm-8pm
• This meal plan includes $150 of MAVmoney for Fall Semester and Spring Semester.

 

Meal Plan B ($150 MAVmoney per year)               $3,744**

Unlimited dining hall access

• Monday-Friday
  10:30am-8:00pm (Expanded Hours)
• Saturday and Sunday
  Brunch is served from 10:30am-1:30pm
  Dinner buffet is served from 5:00pm-8:00pm on Saturday's Sunday dinner 5:00pm-8pm
• This meal plan includes $150 of MAVmoney for Fall Semester and Spring Semester.

Our dining hall located in the University Center is open 6:45am to 8pm Monday through Friday and 10:30am to 1:30pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00pm on Saturdays and Sundays. For Meal Plan Options visit the Campus Dining page.

We allow you to make meal plan changes through the first three weeks of classes.

Commuter Meal Plans

MAV 20   $160.00
20 anytime dining hall meals and $25 in MAVmoney which can be used at any of the campus dining locations.

MAV 40    $315.00
40 anytime dining hall meals and $50 in MAVmoney which can be used at any of the campus dining locations.

MAV 80    $615.00
80 anytime dining hall meals and $100 in MAVmoney which can be used at any of the campus dining locations.

These meal plans can be purchased in the MAVcard Office

MAVmoney
This is straight declining balance money that can be added in any denomination. This money can be used in the Bookcliff Cafe, Sandellas, Jazzman's Cafe, and the Scramble on the Bishop Campus. There is a 3% service charge added to all deposits. This plan may be purchased at the MAVcard Office.

Your MAVcard is your meal pass identifier and will be scanned each time you enter our dining facilities.

MAVmoney can be used at many venues, including:

• Dining Hall
• Bookcliff Cafe'
• Jazzman's Cafe' UC & ACB
• Sandellas Houston Hall
• The Scramble @ WCCC
• Juice Junction in the Hamilton Recreation Center

MAVmoney is now accepted at the following off-campus dining locations:

• Pita Pit
• Yoshi Bowl
• Main Street Bagels @ North Avenue Hall
• J's Philly Steaks @ North Avenue Hall
• Yogo Mojo @ North Avenue Hall

Deposits can be made in the MAVcard Office located in the University Center or on your student's MavZone under the "Campus Life" tab. Accepted payment types include cash, checks, and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover). There is no minimum deposit required and deposits may be made at any time throughout the school year. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to call the MAVcard Office at 970.248.1059 or toll free at 1-800-982-MESA xt.1059 to replenish their student's MAVmoney account.

The residence hall laundry machines operate on a first come, first serve basis. There is no charge for laundry in our halls and apartments.

There are no free parking spaces on campus. You will need to stop by the University Center Info Desk to purchase your permit before you can park in our lots. If you are just visiting, you can park in our pay-to-parking lots next to the University Center. Visit Parking Services for a Campus Parking Map.

After 8pm during the week and anytime during the weekends guest can park in any lot, except handicap and reserved. Otherwise they will need to park in our paid parking lots, or pick up a visitor's permit at the Parking Services Office.

You will need your MAVcard to get into your building every day. In Bunting, Grand Mesa, North Avenue, Monument Halls and Orchard Avenue Apartments it will also gain entrance into your room/suite.

A guest is any person who does not live on campus or in your residence hall/apartment and is visiting you. You are ultimately responsible for your guest’s actions and it is also your responsibility to inform your guest(s) of any and all housing policies and procedures. You will also explain to your guest(s) that they must adhere to all federal, state, local laws and Colorado Mesa policies or they will be asked to leave immediately from the residence halls/apartments. You can also be held responsible for any and all violations that are allegedly committed by a guest or visitor. If you are in the room when a violation occurs, you may be held responsible for the violation even if you are not directly involved in the perpetration of the infraction.

Escort - All individuals who are not residents of the halls they are visiting are considered guests. Therefore, all guest(s) are to be escorted within the residence hall at all times. This includes: Out of town friends; Other Mesa State students who live both off campus or in a different residence hall; Family. Any guest(s) who wishes to stay overnight has to be registered with the Resident Assistant on Duty of your residence hall/apartment. Registration is required to aid in locating guest(s) in the event of an emergency and to distinguish between invited and non-invited guests. You will inform both the Resident Director and the Resident Assistant where the guest will be staying, if the guest is not of the same sex.

Because of health and safety reasons, the following items are not permitted in the Residence Halls: animals/pets (except for freshwater aquatic fish and service animals with prior approved documentation); any open coiled cooking appliance such as toaster ovens, George Foreman grills and hot plates; lighted candles or incense; firearms, pistols, ammunition, and explosives; drugs; alcohol or alcohol containers; waterbeds and hot tubs; connections to outside antennas; and kegs.

We take great strides to maintain a secure environment at MSC. Some of our efforts include: education of our security policy, talks with our Police Department and offers suggestions to students on how to protect themselves and their belongings; and the development of training and informational programs for all residence hall students to utilize in improving their security awareness.

Continued training with Residence Hall personnel on safety and security issues, and a close working relationship with Grand Junction Police help to protect our residents.

Residence Life is concerned about your student’s safety and security. While the campus is a relatively safe place, crimes do occur on campus. To ensure everyone’s security, students must take responsibility for keeping a safe environment.

No guns or weapons of any kind are allowed in the Residence Halls. All guns and bows must be checked in with Grand Junction Police at their substation located right across the street from Walnut Ridge Apartments. The items will be locked in a storage area. No ammunition is allowed in the Residence Halls. (Pistols and handguns are not allowed on campus.)

All Residence Hall doors are locked 24 hours, every day of the week. To prevent unauthorized persons from entering buildings, we require all students to use their MAVcard for entry. Your son or daughter should always carry their MAVcard which is acts as their student ID. We ask each student coming into the building to not “tailgate” or follow another resident into the hall. Please use your MAVcard to gain entrance into the hall.

Students should not prop open doors. Propped doors invite entry by non-residents, some of whom may commit crimes. Discourage your student from allowing unauthorized entry into the Residence Halls and their individual rooms by always locking their doors. If your son or daughter sees a propped door, or unauthorized entry occurring, they should report it immediately to the hall front desk or a Residence Life staff member.

Those students who violate weapons or security polices could be evicted from the Residence Hall system and may be suspended from Colorado Mesa University.

Students should avoid walking alone at night. If your son or daughter has a night class, encourage them to contact the Campus Safety Officers at (970) 260-2683. Student Campus Safety Officers work every night from 6pm to 2am (except for breaks). They are trained to keep a watch out for problems or situations that may need police intervention.

Bikes with good locks are rarely stolen. Students may also store their bikes in their rooms. Cars should be parked in a well-lit area and kept locked at all times. Valuables should not be left where they can be seen in a vehicle; they should be locked in the trunk.

Crimes should be reported. We encourage students to report any criminal act or suspicious behavior to Grand Junction Police immediately. This can be done by calling 911 or non-emergency dispatch at 970-242-6707. We take security very seriously, but ultimately it is up to each student to help us maintain a secure environment. At their age, your son or daughter may often feel invincible. Talk with them about safety before they come to MSC. The best lock in the world won’t work if students don’t lock it or if they prop a door open.

The Area Coordinator or Hall Coordinatorl will read the documentation (Incident Report) and determine if the violation should be handled within the hall or should be sent to the Conduct Hearing Officer/Conduct Board. Either way, you will receive a Notice to Appear email with a date and time and location that you will be required to attend the hearing.

When determining the date/time for a hearing, every effort is taken to find a time that will not conflict with your class schedule. If you are unable to attend the hearing for any other reason, you will be required to give a written statement that will be used in your absence.

Many individuals throughout the college campus provide programming/event opportunities for students, staff, faculty and community members to participate in. The Residence Life Staff and Residence Hall Association members, work very hard at creating these opportunities. Programs are provided so that those who attend can learn, expand their horizons, be challenged, have fun, meet people, connect to others and the community, etc. The large majority of these programs are free!

Each residence hall and Walnut Ridge apartments have a group of residents that form the Residence Hall Council. It is important for you to take an active role in your community and the Residence Hall Council is a forum for you to express your concerns and/or help create a positive and strong community. The Residence Hall Association is the umbrella organization that is made up of all of the individual Residence Hall Councils. RHA is also there to advocate for residents and to help in making positive change throughout the residential community as a whole. These two entities can only be sustained if you, the resident, takes an active role in supporting their efforts.

Please do not include Colorado Mesa University and do not include the name of the building/hall on the envelope, or the mail will be delayed. Please only write your student's name, the street address, room number, city, state and zip code as follows:

Albers Hall Student's Name 1172 Elm Avenue Rm# Grand Junction CO 81501 Bunting Hall 1280 Cannell Rm# Grand Junction CO 81501 Elm Avenue Hall 1460 N 12th Street Rm# Grand Junction CO 81501 Monument Hall Student's Name 1102 Elm Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction, CO 81501 Grand Mesa Hall Student's Name 1200 Houston Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction, CO 81501 North Avenue Hall Student's Name 936 North Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction CO 81501

Pinon Hall Student's Name 1159 Mesa Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction, CO 81501 Rait Hall Student's Name 1115 Texas Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction, CO 81501 Tolman Hall Student's Name 1140 Texas Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction, CO 81501 Four Point Apartments Student's Name 1222 Elm Avenue, Rm# Grand Junction CO 81501 Walnut Ridge Apartments Student's Name 1120 Texas Avenue, Building/Rm# Grand Junction, CO 81501

Yes! Your student's room phone is the primary contact method used by the Department of Housing as well as by other offices on campus. An answering machine is not necessary as voicemail is provided. Your student can ask any Residence Life staff member for help in setting up their voicemail, or consult the Phone Mail Tree printed in the Student Handbook

During the fourth of school, students are permitted to change rooms for free. After this one week period, students who are alone in double occupancy rooms receive a letter giving the opportunity for students to find a roommate if they wish, to have a roommate assigned to them or to pay the difference between the double and single room so that they can keep their room to themselves. The additional purpose and benefit of room consolidation is to keep costs down by conserving resources, lowering the number of rooms that require maintenance attention and decreasing the wear and tear.

We value the community and relationships that your student has built with neighbors so we do not ask students to move outside of the floor that they live on. A student may, however, choose to move to another building or floor if they have a friend with whom they choose to live. If there are multiple students within a floor that choose to have a roommate assigned, then the person with the most recent housing deposit received date is the one to move. Room changes involved in the consolidation process are at no charge to the student.

If your student does not return the letter to their Area Coordinator or Hall Coordinator by the deadline provided in that letter, we will assume they are happy with their housing situation and they will be charged the single room rate which is prorated based on the first day after the letter is due.

In most instances, assignments are made by floor, wing of a building, suite or apartment. There are some instances where men and women live next door to each other; however, suite (i.e. bathroom) assignments are always gender-specific.

The primary reason students attend MSC is to pursue an education. As such, we strive to make our residence hall environments conducive to study and other academic endeavors. In all areas, the right to quiet supersedes the right to make noise. We do realize, however, that noise is a healthy sign of social interaction in a community living environment. Because of this, our staff sometimes find themselves in a precarious position – how much noise is too much? Generally, more noise is tolerated during the day, less noise is expected during the evening and nighttime hours. In addition, quiet hours may be designated by hall councils to assist in providing more specific parameters. Finally, we encourage our residents to take responsibility for their own living area and address issues as they arise. This is one of the most effective means of maintaining community standards.

Yes, your son/daughter should purchase insurance coverage. The college does not carry insurance to protect possessions brought in by students and does not assume obligation or liability for lost, stolen, or damaged items of personal property under any circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange insurance for such personal possessions. (Often a parent's policy can be extended to cover the student's belongings while they're away at college).

Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms as well as the connecting suite bathroom. In community bath areas, custodial staff clean and maintain the bathrooms. Custodial staff also clean the corridors, stairwells, lounges, lobbies and laundry rooms on a daily basis.

Yes, it may be possible. The application form itself asks whether you'd like double occupancy or single occupancy. Remember, though, that single occupancy is more expensive. Single occupancy rooms are assigned on a space-available basis only.

Potentially. The College directly applies financial aid awards to the student account. Tuition is the first fee to be covered. If there is aid "left over" after tuition has been paid, it will then be credited to other charges, such as housing and dining. The promise of financial aid cannot be substituted for the application fee and prepayment amounts. These are due separately, up front, at the time of application. Rent and meal plan charges are then due each semester.

High speed data connectivity is part of room charge. Direct connections are available in all of our halls and apartments. The residence halls are now wireless as well. Your student's computer must have an Ethernet card and you will need a cat5 Ethernet cable. Technical support is available on-site once you arrive at MSC to help with computer set-up and Ethernet connectivity.

Cable TV is also part of the room charge. Enhanced basic cable is provided in all residence hall rooms and apartments.

Yes. Any student may bring a vehicle to campus. Vehicles parked in a residential parking area are required to display a current MSC parking permit. Students who live in campus housing may park in the lots immediately adjacent to their living area, providing there is space.