Student-Parent Housing Policies and Procedures

The comfort and safety of you and your family is extremely important to us. Below are specific policies created for and by the student-parent community. Each fall, you will have the opportunity to give feedback and assist with establishing community standards.

In addition to following the guidelines below, you are expected to read and follow the policies and procedures outlined in the Residence Life Handbook.

General Policies and Procedures

Playtime

Please supervise your child while he/she is playing in and around Alberta Apartments.

• Children are not allowed on the second or third floors of Alberta unless they are accompanied by a parent.
• Children may play in the first-floor hallway between 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. when supervised by an adult.
• Please speak to your child about when it is appropriate to knock on other apartment doors. Please do not allow your child to walk into an unlocked apartment.
• Loud noise is not acceptable at any time. Please be courteous of the other students living in the building.
• You are responsible for the conduct of your children and guests at all times.

Baby-sitting and Unattended Children

At no time do we recommend that you leave your child unattended. In addition to possible assessment by Ramsey County Child Protection Services, failure to properly supervise your child may result in college-sanctioned disciplinary action.

Access and Success has many baby-sitting resources to assist you in long-term or emergency care. Please visit their office in Coeur de Catherine 491.

Community Appearance and Storage Shed

All toys, bicycles, and other personal belongings must be removed from public areas (hallways, under stairwells, etc.). The sidewalks and grass areas outside of Alberta should be kept clear of toys and bicycles for the safety of all residents.

Toys and other equipment may be stored in the green shed outside of Alberta. The following may not be stored in the shed: coal, lighter fluid, grills, or food/beverages. The shed is for toys, children’s bicycles, and other play equipment only. The college is not responsible for loss or damage of person items left inside or outside of the shed.

• Small “kiddy pools” are allowed outside of Alberta, provided children are attended at all times. When not in use, pools must be emptied and stored in the green shed or in your apartment.
• Grilling is allowed outside of Alberta (30 feet from the building). Please be cautious as your children are playing.
• Any items left in common areas or outside of the building are subject to disposal.
• Use of rollerblades, skateboards, bicycles, etc. is prohibited inside of the building.
• Please keep the common areas of Alberta clean to avoid pests, and to keep-up the appearance of the building.

Immunization Requirement

All student-parents living in Alberta must provide proof that all children living on campus are current on all immunization. Proof of immunization must be provided (upon move-in) for all children and kept up to date in Residence Life. It is the responsibility of the parents to provide this information in a timely manner.

Storage of College-owned Furniture

• Storage is available for the following items only: dressers, bed frames and mattresses provided by the College of St. Catherine.
• Personal property of student parents will not be stored.
• Student parents must contact one of their Apartment Advisors in order to make arrangements and receive approval for items to be stored.
• Once approval has been granted, all items must be labeled with the resident's name and apartment number.
• Beds must be unassembled prior to going into storage.
• Items to be stored must remain in the student's apartment until they are removed by Environmental Services.
• Items placed in the hallway or under the stairwell will not be stored for students.
• Storage space is provided on a first-come, first-served basis as storage space is limited.

Emergency Procedures

We hope you will discuss safety and emergency procedures with your children as you feel appropriate.

General Tips

• Get to know the building – emergency exits, equipment, phones.
• Review and practice emergency procedures with your family and baby-sitters.
• Mitigate possible hazards. Look around your apartment for safety concerns.
• Keep a list of medications and emergency numbers near your phone(s).
• Fill out the on-line emergency form on the Residence Life website.
• Know where your apartment advisors live.
• Attend community meetings where important safety information may be discussed.

Building Safety

Each resident plays a role making sure the building is safe.

• Escort your guests at all times.
• Keep an eye on children playing in the hallway or outside of Alberta.
• Report all suspicious activity to Public Safety (x8888) including unescorted guests. College maintenance staff can be identified by their shirt and/or name tag. If the college uses outside maintenance crews (cleaning or painting), we will try our best to inform residents that they will be in the building.
• Apartment advisors are on duty every weekend (5 p.m. Friday until 8 a.m. Monday) and conduct regular safety rounds in Alberta during the weekends. Please call (651) 324-2358 during duty hours for assistance or to report any safety concerns.
• Be sure to lock your door when you leave your apartment.
• Do not open your window screens unless it is an emergency. There is a $50 fine for opening your window screen in a non-emergency situation.

Fire Safety

Alarms and Drills

No alarm will ever be treated as a false alarm. It is mandatory that you and your family evacuate during any and all fire alarms and drills. This is strictly enforced by the college and the St. Paul Fire Department. The City of St. Paul may fine you up to $3,000 for failure to evacuate during an alarm (drill, false, or real).

The college conducts one fire drill per semester as mandated by the St. Paul Fire Department. You will be notified via e-mail at least three days in advance of the fire drill so you can prepare your child(ren). We conduct the Alberta Apartments fire drill before 5 p.m.

Fire Equipment

Smoke Detectors

Each apartment has an individual smoke detector. There are also smoke detectors in the building corridors. Facilities Management tests all smoke detectors on a regular basis. If your smoke detector sounds the low-battery tone or if the red light comes on, please try replacing the battery on your own (9-volt battery). You may need to press the re-set button on the smoke detector when replacing the battery or after it is activated. Activation of your individual smoke detector does not sound the building-wide alarm.

Pull Stations

There are multiple pull stations in corridors of Alberta. These pull stations activate the building-wide alarm and Public Safety is immediately notified through a remote alarm to their radios and computer. The St. Paul Fire Department is also called when the building alarm is activated. Please speak to your child(ren) about when it is appropriate and not appropriate to use the pull station alarm (see procedures below).

Fire Extinguishers

There are multiple fire extinguishers in the corridors of Alberta. Please use only if you are properly trained. Always pull the alarm before attempting to put out the fire. Please do not place yourself or others in harms way. It is always more important to evacuate and be safe than to save personal items.

Fire Procedures

1. If you see or smell smoke or fire, pull the fire alarm (pull station) immediately.
2. Attempt to put out the fire only if you are properly trained to do so, and only if it can be done safely.
3. Evacuate the building with your children. Please put on appropriate attire (shoes, jacket, etc.). Close your apartment door behind you.
4. If safe to do so, please assist other families trying to evacuate as you leave the building. Bang on doors as you pass through the hallway.
5. Always take the exit closest to your apartment if not blocked.
6. Once outside, please gather on the lawn next to the tennis courts. Do not stand in the roadway or parking lot, as this may impede the fire department’s approach to the building.
7. Please wait for instructions from Residence Life staff and Public Safety before re-entering the building. Under no circumstances should you re-enter the building without approval.
   

Severe Weather

Severe weather can be monitored on WCCO 830 AM radio or WCCO Channel 4 television. At the sound of the sirens or when directed to do so, please go into the hallway on Alberta first floor, making sure all apartment doors are closed. You may re-enter your apartment when the sirens are silenced or when Public Safety tells you it is safe.

Medical Emergency

Please call Public Safety at x8888 or 911 in the event of a medical emergency. Public Safety officers are trained as first-responders.

Facilities Emergency

If you experience a maintenance emergency (power outage, water leak, etc.), please see the facilities guide inside the front closet of your apartment for further directions.

Have a question about a policy or procedure listed here? Contact Residence Life at x6617.