University Student Housing

https://www.montana.edu/housing/

University Student Housing

406-994-2661

housing@montana.edu

University Student Housing is made up of on-campus residence halls and student apartments. University Student Housing partners with Culinary Services and Residential Networking to provide a comfortable and safe environment for those students and families living on-campus at Montana State University. We encourage you to look at the additional tabs for more information pertaining to these various departments and entities.

University Culinary Services

www.montana.edu/culinaryservices

Meal Plan Options

Our meal plans offer students the flexibility and freedom to eat what, where, and when they want with the convenience of two locations across campus. Students living in the Residence Halls may choose between a 5-Day Meal Plan (Mon-Fri) or one of the 7-Day Meal Plans (Sun-Sat) options. All plans allow for unlimited entry and unlimited food at any of the two locations during hours of operations.

Residence Dining Commons Hours of Operation

Miller Dining Commons & Rendezvous Dining Pavilion

Choosing A Meal Plan

Bobcat Anytime Blue: This plan provides unlimited access to the all-you-care-to-eat residential dining venues seven (7) days per week during operating hours per semester.

Bobcat Anytime Gold: This plan is designed for students who will not be on campus on the weekends. It provides unlimited access to the all-you-care-to-eat residential dining venues five (5) days per week (Monday-Friday) during operating hours per semester.

Notes:

A student who is absent from his/her residence hall for one or more weeks of consecutive meals due to his/her own illness or participation in University-sponsored activities will be refunded based on a pro-rated system, provided the student notifies Culinary Services in advance of the University-sponsored activity. Requests for refunds based on absence due to illness must be submitted in writing to Culinary Services, accompanied by a statement from the Director of Student Health Services, or the student’s own doctor, indicating required hospitalization or home care.

ResNet

www.montana.edu/resnet

The MSU Residential Network (ResNet) is a campus network that provides secure wired and wireless connections for students living in the Residence Halls and in University Student Apartments. ResNet is available as part of the room and board plan. If you own a computer, laptop, tablet or smart phone or plan to purchase one, you will be able to browse the Web from the comfort of your own room, dining halls, or common areas and lounges. For those residents not bringing a computer to school, ResNet also provides computing facilities with network access, Microsoft Office software, and high speed printing in six computer labs located in the Residence Halls.

ResNet Help Desk

ResNet provides a full service help desk to those students living on campus. If you are experiencing any network related problems, general technical issues, or have questions about your service, ResNet's technicians are available 6 days a week as part of your room and board plan.

Montana State University offers convenient and affordable on-campus housing for students. University Student Housing is committed to providing an environment which is socially stimulating while enhancing the academic experience of the students who live on campus. Students with fewer than 30 earned credit hours (while in a residence hall setting) are required to live in the residence halls. Prospective students are urged to submit an application at the earliest possible date. A limited number of single rooms are available.

Living Options

There are many living options available that encompass academic and social enrichment for our residents; however, living options do change from year to year, based on student need, academic interest areas, and national trends. Our current living options are listed below.

All Female Halls (Hannon/Hapner)
All Male Hall (Langford)
Co-Ed Halls: Co-ed living environments are comprised of both men and women living on either separate floors or separate wings of the same hall (Headwaters Complex, Johnstone Center, Mullan, South Hedges, North Hedges, Julia Martin Apartments, Roskie, Yellowstone, Hyalite).
Headwaters Complex: The Headwaters Complex (Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin Halls) offer co-ed style living environments in two, three, and four-bedroom arrangements. This living option provides students with an increased level of privacy while maintaining the convenience of on-campus living. Madison is gender inclusive housing - please see below.
Johnstone Center: Pryor and Colter wings of Johnstone Center are co-ed wings with separate genders by floor. It is one of the living options exclusive to students over the age of 21 and/or Sophomore and Above class standing. This is a popular living option where students return year after year because they feel comfortable and at home. Also, many international students reside here, creating a fun and diverse community. Pryor and Colter wings offer single and double rooms with ample closet space, sinks, a lounge chair and carpet.
Living Learning Communities (LLCs): Dedicated to academic success, University Student Housing offers floors designed to assist students with similar majors or interests. Currently, Business, Creative Arts, Emerging Leaders, Engineering, Honors, Sense of Place, and Well-Being are scattered throughout all of the residence halls. Some of these LLCs may or may not have a course component and more information will be provided or can be found on the University Student Housing website.
1. Business LLC: The Business Living Learning Community is designed to provide career exploration and exposure to other majors/minors that allow for a career in the business field. Residents will have access to in-hall academic advising, study sessions, and evening presentations by business faculty and local business leaders. This living option is co-ed. (South Hedges)
2. Creative Arts LLC: Open to any student interested in exploring the academic options in the College of Arts & Architecture, and to students who have interest in creative industries and aligned careers. Residents gain experience with maker spaces on campus and a studio space on the floor. Meet MSU Artists-in-Residence and CAA faculty, practice critiques and portfolio reviews in a supportive environment, or join a student guild aligned with your favorite media. This living option is co-ed. (South Hedges)
3. Emerging Leaders LLC: Designed as a space for residents to explore their many roles as campus leaders. Open to all majors, check out various opportunities and relevant coursework with the Leadership Institute, the Leadership Fellows Certificate program, and the College of Education, Health and Human Development. Programming and mentorship will give residents unique avenues to learn and practice individual styles of leadership. Students do not need to have previous leadership experience but should be motivated to engage with others to learn and grow as an individual or floor. This living option is co-ed. (South Hedges)
4. Engineering LLC: Designed to give residents structure and motivation across the challenging curricula housed in the Norm Asbjornson College of Engineering. Attend programs and workshops to connect you with NACOE faculty and alumni and find opportunities to further your in-class experiences through group study sessions, concierge tutoring, and social events. (Hannon/Langford)
5. Honors College LLC: Designed to give students enrolled in the Honors College vibrant environments to live, learn, and grow together. Residents participate in social and educational activities that will promote intellectual engagement, independence, and curiosity. Residents benefit from the support that comes from being in a community with similarly motivated peers and gain enhanced perspectives through faculty persentations and social events. (Quads/South Hedges/Hannon/Langford)
6. Navigate MSU LLC: Designed to provide students with guidance and instruction on how to manage their learning and engagement to receive the full benefit of a university education. This program is situated to leverage the multiple dimensions and interface points between community/peer relationships, instruction, experiential learning, e-portfolios' mentoriing, tutoring, advising/coaching, alumni/speakers, and other experiences within the living environment to provide tools for students to help shape the life of the mind. This living option is co-ed. (South Hedges)
7. Sense of Place LLC: Designed and developed to encourage students to explore various majors or career pathways while they learn about and enjoy Montana. Supplemental advising, workshops in experiential education, and lots of outdoor opportunities will encourage residents to gain a sense of belonging and engage with local experts on campus while they hone their interests and discover academic options. This living option is co-ed. (South Hedges)
8. Well-Being LLC: Designed to encourage residents to find balance and thrive at MSU through programming developed for personal and academic well-being. Residents explore many resources on campus through the Office of Health Advancement, and have direct access to campus professionals to facilitate understanding and growth in all aspects of healthy living. (Yellowstone)
Gender Inclusive Housing: Montana State University is committed to creating a culture of intellectual and personal growth. Because learning is enhanced when topics are examined from diverse perspectives and because individuals possess unique outlooks which reflect the world around us, Montana State University is dedicated to creating an inclusive community that embraces a rich mix in the composition of its student body, staff, and faculty. (Madison)
1. Gender Inclusive Housing started as a pilot program during the 2018-2019 academic year at Montana State University that allows students to live in a suite, regardless of their sex or gender. This means that you may be in a suite with another student who identifies as a man, a woman, or any other gender identity.
2. Students will have the opportunity to participate in a number of hall and campus programs including Safe Zone Training, American Indian Heritage Day, Black History Month, India Night, Coming Out Day, International Food Bazaar as well as a number of other campus programs that are hosted throughout the year.
3. The community will have programs and resources provided throughout the year around various topics of diversity including race, gender, age, language, socioeconomic status, religion, political affiliation, geographical background, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, and ability status.
4. Residents are encouraged to have open dialogue with parent(s) or guardian(s) about their choice to reside in a gender inclusive unit.
5. Students that live in this community will be required to provide feedback to the University Student Housing department and the University about their overall satisfaction and suggestions for improvement to the living option in the future.
Julia Martin Apartments: These apartments are single-gender apartments situated in the Julia Martin complex situated near Miller Dining Hall and the Hedges Complex. Julia Martin Apartments offer the independence and space of an apartment with the convenience, RA staff support, and programming of a traditional residence hall and is offered only for sophomore & above, 21+ students, and transfer students.

Please visit the University Student Housing website, contact the University Student Housing Office at 406-994-2661, or email housing@montana.edu for the specific halls and floors which provide the living options outlined above.

Facilities

Room Equipment and Furnishings

All rooms have closets, extra-long twin beds (except Quads and Roskie which have standard twin beds), chests of drawers, study desks, wastebaskets, chairs, and window coverings. Each room is wired for secure wired, and wireless internet connections. It is the responsibility of the residents to maintain order and cleanliness in their rooms.

Laundry

Laundry rooms are in every hall with the exception of the Madison and Jefferson Halls in the Headwaters Complex (laundry can be washed in North Hedges Hall). Laundry is included in room and board fees.

Residence Hall Association (RHA)

All students residing in the residence halls are members of the Residence Hall Association. Organized on floor, hall, and inter-hall levels with programming and governmental committees, RHA strives to uphold and promote the interests of students residing in the residence halls and to provide an active voice in residence hall administrative policy and operating procedures.

Personal Funds and Property

Students are urged to help safeguard their personal funds by establishing local checking accounts. All other valuable personal property should be adequately protected by the student. Montana State University is not insured nor responsible for the loss or destruction of any personal property of students. Students are encouraged to carry their own personal property insurance. University Student Housing has selected a preferred Renters Insurance company, GradGuard, and has additional information on the University Student Housing website.

Montana State University has strict regulations regarding firearms on campus; contact University Police for details.

Board Charges and Meal Plans

All residence hall students are required to have a meal plan. Meals are served in the dining halls during Thanksgiving Break and Spring Break on a modified schedule. Meals are not served in the dining halls during Winter Break, which is reflected in the meal plan charges.

Student meal plans can be viewed on the Culinary Services website.

In addition to these meal plans, off-campus students (only) have the option to purchase a variety of commuter meal plans, which can be viewed on the Culinary Services webpage.

Semester Charges

Prices for the current academic semester can be obtained through the Residence Hall Room & Board rates page.

Note: Charges listed are estimates for the semester and are subject to change without notice.

Payment of Charges

Room and board fees, ResNet, and the RHA social fee are paid in full at the beginning of each semester during the fee payment period. Installment payments for room and board must be arranged in advance with the Office of Student Accounts. There are no deductions for room or board for late arrivals (at the beginning of the semester) or for early departures (at the end of the semester).

Application for Housing

Apply online on the University Student Housing Portal.

Prepayment

A $300 non-refundable prepayment is required when submitting a Residence Hall Application. The University will not process housing requests until the student has submitted a completed housing application and the $300 nonrefundable prepayment. The $300 will be applied to the total housing costs upon payment of fees.

Prepayment Forfeiture

Failure to occupy the room or cancellation of the contract before or during the contract period will result in the forfeiture of the $300 prepayment. Partial refunds are evaluated based on the current Application Agreement that is completed prior to completing the application.

Refunds of Room and Board Payments

Students who withdraw from courses or have an approved Contract Release during a semester will receive a percentage based refund of their room and board payments based on check-out date and based on the University Student Housing Refund Schedule unless they are suspended by the university or evicted for conduct.

Rooms are held until the first hour of classes on the first class day of the semester.

Exemptions from On Campus Living

All incoming students with fewer than 30 credits (not including AP credits) in a university residential setting are required to live on campus for their first two academic semesters. However, there are some criteria that, if met, may qualify a student for an exemption from living on campus. Qualifications for exemption are as follows:

Marriage.
Physical custody of a dependent child.
Have completed one full academic year at another college/university while living in a residence hall.
Will be taking 6 or fewer credit hours.
Financial Hardship
A medical or disability condition that precludes a student from living in the residence halls.
Will be living at home with an immediate family member (mother, father, brother, sister, grandmother, grandfather) or legal guardian.
Current active military or veteran's status.
Have other extenuating circumstances.

To initiate the exemption process, you must submit the required written documentation listed on the exemption application. This must be received by the University Student Housing Office prior to the academic period requested. Exemptions received after the start of any term will be considered, but rarely approved. The Request for Exemption form can be found in our housing portal.

The specific opening/closing dates for the residence halls will be sent to students with their room assignments. If this information is needed earlier, please contact the University Student Housing Office at 406-994-2661, housing@montana.edu, or check out the University Student Housing website.

Although the residence halls officially close during Winter break, students are able to stay on campus. Students living in some halls may be required to temporarily move during the break period. There is an additional charge for students who stay on campus during Winter break housing as winter break period is not included in academic year room & board rates; these costs are not assessed to students who do not utilize the services. Only authorized individuals are allowed in the residence halls during breaks, therefore guests are not permitted as this is a service that we can provide to hall residents only.

Hall residents will be able to stay in their assigned rooms during Fall and Spring breaks with no additional cost.

Work Opportunities

For students needing to work while attending Montana State University, there are a number of employment opportunities available in residence halls, at front desks, and with the various dining services on campus. Information regarding employment may be obtained by contacting the University Student Housing Office and Culinary Services or through the Employment webpage. Work study/financial aid status is not necessary to qualify for student employment although it is preferred.

University Student Apartments is pleased to offer convenient, affordable housing as a service to enable families, married couples, graduate students, single parents, and those in a legally dependent relationship to continue their education.

University Student Apartments offers over 550 units in one, two, and three bedroom apartment/house configurations in six different communities. Units are on-campus and a quick 10-15 minutes to campus buildings and amenities. While each apartment complex varies, available options include: washer/drier hookups, free laundry (in apartment complexes without washer/dryer connections), ResNet connection, dishwashers (Paisley and Branegan units), storage areas, playground equipment, and picnic tables.

All utility costs are included.

As a benefit to our tenants, University Student Apartments offers a variety of services to assist with making the transition to campus-life: a team of community assistants (CA’s) who help to provide 24/7 service to tenants; a monthly newsletter to inform tenants of upcoming campus and community events; close proximity to the ASMSU Day Care Center, available for children 2-1/2 years through kindergarten; events and programs catered to adults, children, and families to help connect with neighbors; a staff of skilled craftsmen to assist with any maintenance problems; a 24-hour call-out service to assist with emergencies; and more.

Eligibility Requirements:

ELIGIBILITY: University Student Apartments are intended to provide students enrolled in Montana State University and Gallatin College Workforce programs with affordable housing in an environment conducive to academic and personal success. Students with families, single graduate students, and eligible undergraduates may apply for available housing units. Any student that has been given housing restrictions from the MSU Campus Safety & Welfare Committee, or as a result of any student conduct process, is not eligible to live in on-campus housing. During the application process, criminal background checks will be conducted on all non-student household members over the age of 18. Applicants will be charged $50 per background check. All tenants over the age of 18 must self-disclose any changes in their criminal background status during their tenancy. Failure to disclose such changes may result in termination of housing eligibility.
1. Student Status: The Student must be and remain a degree-seeking student of Montana State University or enrolled in a Gallatin College Work Force Program. Students must be registered for and complete a minimum of nine (9) undergraduate credits or six (6) graduate credits during each semester of occupancy in an approved, in-person academic program. Students who register for but do not complete the required number of credits may lose their eligibility status and be removed from housing at the discretion of the University. Failure to maintain eligibility status during a semester (e.g., dropping below the required number of credits) may result in denial of housing for future semesters.
2. Undergraduate Single Student Eligibility: Single undergraduate students with more than 72 earned credits may reside in Grant Chamberlain, Peter Koch Tower, and Nelson Story Tower only if space remains after meeting the demand for graduate student applicants. WWAMI students may reside in University Student Housing Apartments, provided program and class registration can be verified, and program participation continues to require Student presence in Bozeman, MT. WWAMI students must meet contract registration requirements each semester of tenancy. 60 Day Notice requirements may be waived upon WWAMI reassignment and relocation.
  1. The Student must have a primary role as a student. Students meeting all other criteria who are also an MSU employee at .75 FTE or greater are not eligible to reside in student housing. 
  2. Spouses/partners of MSU employees receiving the family tuition waiver are not eligible to live in University Student Housing.
  3. Students enrolled in an online degree program do not qualify to live in on campus housing.
3. Registration: Students must pre-register for classes or demonstrate intent to register (as verified by an advisor), no later than June 15 for fall semester, and November 30, for spring semester, of each calendar year to maintain eligible student status.
4. Length of Tenancy: The following parameters apply to the duration of tenancy in all University Student Housing options:
  1. Students may continue to live in University Student Housing if they progress to the next degree level, provided it is their first degree at that level. Undergraduate students should be in their first undergraduate degree and not exceed six years (72 months) living on campus.
  2. Master's degree students should be in their first master's degree program and not exceed three years (36 months) living on campus.
  3. Doctoral students should be in their first doctoral program and not exceed six years (72 months) living on campus.
  4. The maximum cumulative time that any student may live in student housing (all degrees and all housing options) is nine years (108 months).
  5. Once a student has a terminal degree (doctorate), they are no longer eligible for on campus housing.
5. Family Status: Students meeting eligibility requirements with families may reside in University Student Housing Apartments only with those for whom the Student has or shares a legal responsibility: students with partners/spouses, students with dependent children, dependent parents, and/or dependent extended families, and students with disabilities who require an MSU approved live-in personal care attendant.
  1. Student applicants must provide documentation of their legal relationship to those persons residing with the student prior to picking up keys for their assigned unit. Such documentation includes:
    1. A marriage certificate; Civil Union License, Declaration of Domestic Partnership Relationship Form, Affidavit of Common Law Marriage, or equivalent.
    2. Children’s Birth Certificate(s), court ordered custody decree, adoption certificate, or legal/notarized letter of guardianship. A student must have physical custody of a dependent minor for four or more months of the academic year to maintain eligibility.
    3. Mutual Will, Shared Health Insurance, Insurance policies listing one another as beneficiaries, significant combined financial investment (i.e. shared loan, shared credit card).
6. Graduate Student Status: Single graduate students, meeting student status eligibility (above), are eligible to reside in designated graduate student housing. Graduate students may be placed in a single-dwelling, one-bedroom apartment OR in a two-bedroom apartment with a graduate or undergraduate (junior or senior level) roommate who meets student eligibility as defined above. Single student tenants are able to find their own roommate. Graduate students may choose one of three housing options:
  1. Reside in a one-bedroom apartment as a single occupant in Nelson Story Tower or Peter Koch Tower (limited availability).
  2. Reside in a two-bedroom apartment with a (housing-eligible) student roommate (Grant Chamberlain Drive). Tenants will each pay one-half of the apartment rent. Tenants are expected to maintain their unit in such a manner that a new person can move in within 48 hours’ notice.
7. Summer Occupancy: To continue occupancy during the summer months, the student Tenant must either:
  1. Be and remain a registered student for Summer Semester (six (6) undergraduate credits or three (3) graduate credits) and be pre-registered for the following fall semester by June 15 if planning to continue living in University Student Housing Apartments.
  2. Be and remain a full-time registered student for Summer Semester (six (6) undergraduate credits or three (3) graduate credits), and plan to vacate within 14 days of the last date of summer classes if not intending to continue eligibility and residency in University Student Housing Apartments.
  3. Have completed at least nine (9) undergraduate credits or six (6) graduate credits for the preceding spring semester, be in good scholastic standing for the preceding spring semester, and be pre-registered, by June 15, for the following fall semester.
  4. Be pre-registered for the upcoming fall semester (this only applies to students seeking a new housing assignment, moving in during summer months, and otherwise eligible for student housing).
8. Change in Status: If there is a change in marital status, residence of spouse/partner, residence/dependency of children or parent, change to credit load, or other status related to eligibility, the Student must notify University Student Housing immediately. If the Student’s change in status results in ineligibility for specific housing types (e.g., family housing or 3-bedroom units if they no longer have children), the Student will be required to move to a different unit within fourteen (14) days. If the Student becomes ineligible to live in University Student Housing entirely due to the change in status, they must vacate the unit within fourteen (14) days regardless of when University Student Housing was notified. Students who fail to notify University Student Housing of their change in status will be charged an administrative fee of $100.