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Frequently Asked Questions
By Parents at Freshmen Orientation
- Does my son need to bring his own computer?
- Is a car necessary?
- How much money does my son need at school?
- Who does he see if he is having difficulty with his studies?
- Are there laundry facilities in the dorms?
- What are the dimensions of the freshmen dorm rooms?
- How much time should students spend on homework?
- What happens if there are roommate problems?
- What are the open house dorm hours?
- Are freshmen allowed to loft their beds?
- What happens if my son gets sick at school?
- Do parents get a copy of their son’s grades?
- What about mid-term grades?
- Is alcohol a problem on campus?
1. Does my son need to bring his own computer?
Students are encouraged to bring a computer however owning your own computer is not required. It’s simply a matter of convenience. Students who reside in the residence halls are provided 10/100 Mb Ethernet ports in their rooms. Students residing on the campus who do not own a computer are always close to a networked PC since all residence areas have them available 24-hours per day. In addition, students can also use computers in several access areas or labs on either campus that are open from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM on most days. These PC are loaded with academic specific and popular general purpose applications. Whether you own a computer or not, all students have network accounts with ample data storage space, backed up week days, that can be accessed from either their own computer or from any other PC.
Students are allowed to have a car on campus but parking is limited. Parking Permits are required. The Link (the inter campus shuttle service) provides free, safe and convenient transportation to and from each campus and St Cloud.
3. How much money does my son need at school?
The best way to address this question is to provide your son with a limited amount of money to start school, $50 for example. Most incidental expenses on either campus can be paid for by using the student’s ID card. Watch what his cash needs are to start school and adjust his cash allowance accordingly.
4. Who does he see if he is having difficulty with his studies?
Your son should discuss any difficulties he is having with his studies with his academic advisor, who is also his Symposium instructor.
5. Are there laundry facilities in the dorms?
Yes, and at no cost to the students. Students need to provide their own laundry detergent, etc.
6. What are the dimensions of the freshmen dorm rooms?
Mary rooms are: 17' 9" x 11' x 8' Mary Hall Info
Thomas rooms are: 18' x 11' x 8' Thomas Hall Info
7. How much time should students spend on homework?
The general rule is that students spend two to three hours on homework for each class meeting.
8. What happens if there are roommate problems?
Roommate problems should be brought to the attention of the Resident Assistant and your son’s Faculty Resident.
9. What are the open house dorm hours?
Sunday-Thursday: 9:00 am to Midnight and Friday-Saturday: 9:00 am to 2:00 am.
10. Are freshmen allowed to loft their beds?
Starting in the fall of 2007, students can no longer build their own lofts in any residence area on campus. Only lofts rented from Campus Lofts, Inc. can be used in residence areas.
11. What happens if my son gets sick at school?
Saint John’s maintains a Health Center in the south wing of the Quadrangle in St Raphael Hall. Primary and urgent care services are available, including lab, X-ray, pharmacy and physical therapy. Most major health insurance programs are accepted. Any student not covered under his family health insurance can elect to enroll in the group insurance offered through the University. There are also EMTs on duty 24/7. They can be reached anytime by dialing 2144.
12. Do parents get a copy of their son’s grades?
A copy of fall and spring semester grades are sent to parents only if they sign a dependent card, mailed with the July statement, or available at the Registrar’s Office.
13. What about mid-term grades?
Midterm grades are issued to first-year students and their advisors, but are not sent to parents. These midterm grades are not permanently recorded grades and have no effect on a student’s grade point average.
14. Is alcohol a problem on campus?
Alcohol is an issue on every college campus and Saint John’s is no exception. SJU does enforce the legal age drinking requirements established by the state of Minnesota. Any student not of legal drinking age discovered either drinking or in possession of alcohol on campus will face disciplinary action in accordance with University policy. Continuing violations by a student may lead to disenrollment.