Macalester College
- Campus Strictness

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Every floor in each dorm hosts a resident assistant that lives with students and assists them with any needs they may have. Most dorm residents have a happy relationship with their respective RAs, but there are situations that arise when an RA needs to step in and assert his or her power. The three most common reasons RAs might “write up” a student include: noise levels after quiet hours, underage drinking, and drug-related offenses. Often, more than one of these three situations are combined, which makes penalties a little more severe. RAs will need to call security (especially for drug-related offenses), and they make up a sort of good cop/bad cop duo. With that being said, RAs aren’t out to get students or ruin anyone’s fun; they’re students, too, and being an RA serves as their student employment, so they’re obligated to report certain situations to the administration.

Security guards at Macalester are generally friendly, helpful, and willing to assist students whichever way they can. They patrol campus at all hours, so don’t be surprised if you stumble into one of them as you walk through campus at 5 a.m. (walk of shame, anyone?). Happiness in the dorms depends on a matter of respect for the other people living in those close quarters, so for every person that likes partying hard on a Friday night, there are others that need to study in a quiet atmosphere or that are uncomfortable with certain substances. Students that want to have fun and party merely need to be responsible and discreet. Know how to mask that musky smoke, how to keep pingpong ball bouncing to a minimum, and how to turn down the music when you think there might be a reason for an RA to show up knocking at the door. Skating through dorm life unscathed isn’t difficult after mastering the art of the good cover-up.

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Campus Strictness at Macalester College

iambatman

'11

International Studies

3.8

B+

Nothing Wrong

There's really not much wrong with the school's strictness. Sometimes I wished my freshman dorm smelled less like pot, but what are you going to do about that? I never really had a run-in with the law, though, so I don't know.

Apr 19, 2011

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Campus Strictness at Macalester College

macalestergirl

'12

Psychology

3.8

B+

Residence Hall Policies

While residence hall policies are emphasized, there are not huge consequences for first, second, or even third time violators. Students generally don't get too out of hand. RAs only write students up when absolutely necessary or when a situation becomes unsafe. Overall, the campus is supportive and has a fair amount of common sense. It doesn't feel very restrictive.

Apr 19, 2011

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Campus Strictness at Macalester College

CarlMarks

'11

Environmental Studies

2.3

C

Can Be a Buzzkill, If You're Not Careful

RAs tend to only care about one thing: noise. If you're being loud, they will come and bust you, and then write you up for drinking/smoking/whatever it is that you're doing. Consequences are pretty light until it happens multiple times. The police on the other hand have been cracking down on off-campus parties. I know students that have been fined for noise violations and having underage drinking in their homes. Just watch where you go and be a good neighbor, and it shouldn't ever be a problem.

Apr 07, 2011

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