Frequently Asked Questions
What meal plan are first year students on?
First year students are assigned to the 20 meal plan. The 20 meal plan is Carleton’s full board plan. This plan offers 20 guaranteed meals per week in either Burton or East Dining Hall, three per day Monday through Saturday and two on Sunday, with $75 in dining dollars that may be used in the Snack Bar or the dining halls.
A unique feature of the 20 Meal Plan is the meal equivalency. THIS IS NOT AVAILABLE WITH THE 5, THE 12 OR THE BLOCK 130 MEAL PLANS. Meal equivalencies are intended to provide more choice options for the 20 Meal Plan user, especially if all $75 dining dollars have been exhausted.
A meal equivalency allows you to buy food in the Snack Bar by using one of your weekly meal plan meals. The 20 meal plan allows the use of 1 meal per week as a meal equivalency. If you use a meal equivalency in a given week, then you have 19 meals available to use in the dining halls. If you don’t use a meal equivalency in the Snack Bar in a given week, then you have 20 meals available in the dining halls. There is no carryover of meal equivalencies that don’t get used.
All first-year students are automatically assigned to this plan for the year, but may choose the 12 meal plan or the Block 130 meal plan for winter and/or spring terms. Unused meals do not carry over to the next day, week, or term. Unused dining dollars are also not carried over from term-to-term.
Further information on the meal plans is available on the Dining Services site.
Other FAQs
- Are there phones in Cassat and Memorial Halls?There are phones available in every room of Cassat and Memorial Halls....
- What is an RCR and why do I need one for my room?For your protection, as well the College's, your Resident Assistant/House Manager completes the RCR (Room...
- What size are the beds in the halls?Carleton College uses bunkable beds with an 80" (extra long) twin mattress. When students arrive,...
- Can I move in any earlier than 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 9?We are able to accommodate first year students who must arrive early because of travel...
- Are refrigerators available in the residence halls?Refrigerators are available in every floor lounge. Many students enjoy having small refrigerators in their...
- Is there a place to store trunks, giant pieces of luggage, bikes and boxes?Yes, Carleton has limited storage available. Storage tickets can be purchased from the Bookstore. Contact...
- Is cable TV available in College-owned houses?Some of the College-owned houses are wired for Cable TV installation. Residents of the houses...
- What meal plan are first year students on?First year students are assigned to the 20 meal plan. The 20 meal plan is...
- Will there be a phone in my room? What will my phone number be?Each room has a phone. Your phone number will always start with 507-222-. The last...
- How does Carleton encourage sustainable living and what can I do to help?Sustainability is becoming more and more important on Carleton’s campus. For example, Carleton students are...
- Are there laundry rooms in the halls and houses? How do you pay for laundry?Each hall and most campus houses have laundry facilities on the main floor or in...
- Are there kitchens and lounges on each floor? What equipment do they have?There is a kitchen and lounge area on every floor but one. The kitchens have...
- I have additional questions about residential policies, problems, etc. Who can I turn to for answers?The Residential Life staff oversee residential facilities (room assignments and changes, keys, damage charges), but...
- I lost my key. What do I do?If you lose your key, Residential Life Office staff (Sevy G10) will issue a temporary...
- Do I need to purchase my own printer?No. Printers are available in the library and the many computer labs located around campus....
- Is housing available during the winter and spring breaks and during the summer months?Limited housing is available during the winter and spring breaks and during the summer months...
- How are first year student room assignments determined?Remember that Roommate Preference Questionaire you completed? Residential Life staff read each and every Roommate...
- What are the differences between halls, larger houses, small houses?There are differences in architecture, room size and type, privacy of bathrooms, student class years...
- What furnishings are provided in the rooms? What should I bring myself?All rooms are furnished with a bunkable bedframe, 80" (extra long) twin mattress, desk, desk...
- What are quiet hours and when are they in effect?The most common and potentially aggravating problem with hall life is excessive noise. Campus-wide quiet...
- What are the policies regarding alcohol and drugs?Students are expected to make responsible decisions concerning the use of alcohol. The College recognizes...
- I lost my OneCard. What do I do?Visit the OneCard site for instruction....
- Is cable TV available in the residence halls?There is cable TV available in the TV lounges of the residence halls. Cable TV...
- How can we decorate?We encourage you to decorate your room with posters/pictures that make your room your home....
- What do I need to do if I want to host a party or an event?Your RA and hall director have event registration forms with complete guidelines. Any use of...
- Is there a housing contract?The Conditions of Occupancy printed on the back side of the Room Condition Report is...
- Are pets allowed in the halls and houses?Fish, yes. Dogs, cats, gerbils, birds, snakes, lizards, or any other animal unable to live...
- What is a substance free area?The possession or use of alcohol, controlled substances and tobacco products by residents or their...
- May I look at my room during the summer?Carleton College's halls and houses are actually occupied during the summer months by summer program...
- When will I know what my housing assignment is for the fall and who my roommate will be?Residential Life staff complete housing assignments for new students in late July. As soon as...
- How can I reserve Commencement Housing?All parents of seniors receive a mailing about Commencement Housing in January. Parents who wish...
- Is my personal property insured anywhere on campus (your room or storage)?Carleton College does not insure and is not responsible for loss or damage from any...
- Are the halls air conditioned?All campus halls and houses have centrally-controlled heating since Minnesota can get quite cold in...
- Does every floor have bathrooms? What about co-ed bathrooms?Most floors have two bathrooms (male and female) but some floors have three or more....
- How big are the rooms/halls/houses? How many people live on a floor?The halls and houses vary in size a great deal. Floor plans for all residence...
- What type of cleaning is provided in the residence halls and houses?The residence hall public areas (lounges, hallways, kitchens and bathrooms) are cleaned daily (Monday through...
- How are fees assessed for room or floor damages at the end of the year?Resident Assistants, Hall Directors and Facilities Staff inspect all public and private rooms and bathrooms...
- Is smoking allowed in campus buildings or dorms?Carleton is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited in all indoor spaces, including but not...
- What is the "housing freeze?"Although the Housing Freeze sounds like something related to cold months in Minnesota, it actually...
- Can I host visitors in my dorm?Of course you can host visitors. When inviting or hosting guests, please be considerate of...