Information and Procedures

Any student who intends to live in Oak Hall and may require accommodations, such as service or emotional support animals, an ADA accessible room, visual alarms, or assistance exiting the building in the event of an emergency, should notate this need in the housing application. To better assist residents who need accommodations, ResLife kindly asks residents notate their needs on every application for each term. 

Oak Hall is a six-story residence hall that houses more than 400 students. Every resident has a private bedroom within a 4-person suite, which includes a shared bathroom. The bathrooms include a dual vanity and an enclosed restroom stall. Every room is furnished with an extra-long twin bed and mattress, wardrobe, dresser, desk, desk chair, and micro-fridge, as well as wired and wireless internet. Students access the building, their hallway, and their suite with their TritonID, and utilize a hard key to access their private room. To ensure the safety of all residents, each student’s card is programmed to only allow the access needed. For example, students who do not live in Oak Hall cannot enter the building without being escorted by a current resident student. Other building amenities include: 

  • 24-Hour Front Desk for security, assistance, and questions. 
  • 24-Hour Emergency Coverage via On Call Phone System 
  • 24-Hour Laundry Room 
  • 24-Hour Convenience Store 
  • 24-Hour Community Kitchen 
  • 24-Hour Study Lounges in every hallway 
  • Saltwater Pool (Approximately May-October) 
  • Game Room with 60” Flat Screen TV 

ResLife provides commonly used but unowned items for free rental at the front desk. Students may borrow any item available by providing the Desk Assistant their TritonID. Items available to check out include: 

  • Sporting items (ping pong, pool, ball pump, footballs, basketballs, frisbee, etc...) 
  • Kitchen items (pots, pans, utensils, measuring cups, etc...) 
  • Utility items (ironing board/iron, hammer, screwdrivers, wrench, mop) 
  • Variety of board games & cards 

Students who do not return items within 24-hours of the time of check-out will incur a fine to replace the item. 

Residents may occupy their room at any time during holiday or break periods within the contract term with the exception of Winter Break. While students may (and should, unless moving out permanently) keep their belongings in their room between December move-out and January move-in, they are not permitted to access Oak Hall during this time unless expressly permitted by ResLife professional staff. Students opting to stay in Oak Hall for Winter Break must submit the appropriate form in the Housing Portal. 

The Student may request cancellation of their housing contract on the following terms and conditions:

  1. All cancellation requests must be received via online submission of a cancellation request through the Triton Housing Portal. Room charges will continue to incur until a formal cancellation is received AND the Student has successfully checked out of their assignment.
  2. Meal plans will be removed upon cancellation and the Student will be refunded as follows: any unused Declining Balance will be refunded at a prorated amount based on the nights remaining during the contract period OR based on the usage of the meal plan, whichever is a lesser value. Students moving out after November 1 (for fall semester) or April 1 (for spring semester) will not be granted any refund of declining dollars.
  3. The Student that officially withdraws or graduates from the University of Missouri – Louis will not be charged a Cancellation Fee but MUST still submit a cancellation form by the designated deadline. The Student will be responsible for incurred room charges.
  4. Full Academic Year Cancellation Fees:
    1. Students who cancel by June 1 will not be charged a cancellation
    2. Students who cancel between June 2 and August 20, 2026 will be charged a cancellation fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400). If a student is eligible and approved for a housing exemption during this time frame, they will be charged a cancellation fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200).
    3. Students who cancel after the move in date will be assessed a pro-rated nightly room charge, plus will need to pay 40% of the remaining Academic Year contract costs. If a student is eligible and approved for a housing exemption during this time frame, they will be charged a pro-rated nightly room charge, plus be responsible for paying 40% of the remaining fall term costs. If the cancellation request is received after November 1 (for fall semester) or April 1 (for spring semester), the student must pay the entire semester fee for room charges and no refund will be issued.
  5. Spring Cancellation Fees (only applicable to students who apply for a Spring 2026 contract):
    1. Students who cancel by November 1 will not be charged a cancellation
    2. Students who cancel between November 2 and January 14 will be charged a cancellation fee of Four Hundred Dollars ($400). If a student is eligible and approved for a housing exemption during this time frame, they will be charged a cancellation fee of Two Hundred Dollars ($200).
    3. Students who cancel after the move in date of January 17 will be assessed a pro-rated nightly room charge, plus will need to pay 40% of the remaining contract costs. If the cancellation request is received after April 1, the student must pay the entire semester fee for room charges and no refund will be issued.

Cancellation fees will be waived for the following reasons: graduation, participation in an UMSL sponsored student abroad or exchange program, marriage, serious family illness / death, active military duty, official withdrawal from UMSL, or academic suspension (collectively, ‘Exceptions’). Exceptions may also be made for extenuating circumstances at the discretion of Residential Life. Official documentation is required for all Exceptions.

In the course of health and safety inspections and other warranted visits to resident rooms, personal belongings may be confiscated if they violate policy. Staff will communicate with residents on the date and item taken. Residents must then coordinate with the Resident Director to retrieve personal item(s). Items will not be returned until they can be immediately taken off campus. If a confiscated item is found in the room or suite thereafter, residents may be subject to disciplinary action. Any confiscated item not claimed by the owner by the end of the academic year in which the item was seized will be disposed of without notification. When possible and appropriate, unclaimed items will be donated to a local charity. 
Authorized personnel may enter a student room for reasons of health, safety, general welfare, or to make necessary repairs to the room and/or room equipment. As soon as possible, advance notification will be given. The University of Missouri - St. Louis and The Department of Residential Life may, without notice, at any time, enter a room for any reason that we deem to be reasonable. The University of Missouri - St. Louis, as landlord, retains the right to enter student rooms for maintenance purposes. Maintenance requests by students will be considered to be permission to enter. In such cases, no notification of entry will be given. 

Below is a list of commonly incurred fines. This list is not exhaustive and may be modified at the discretion of the Director of Residential Life and Housing as circumstances warrant. Additionally, a 10% administrative fee may be assessed when deemed necessary. Personal belongings found with a perceived worth of $75 or more will be kept for 30 days. If after 30 days, the belongings have not been claimed the items will be donated. 

  • Cleaning (beyond common wear & tear) 
  • Floors- $20 
  • Large Item Removal- $25 
  • Trash Removal- $25 per bag 
  • Microfridge- $45 
  • Bathroom- $45 
  • Room- $200 
  • Keys 
  • Up to $110 
  • Damages 
  • Drywall Tear- $15 
  • Towel Bar- $25 
  • Toilet Seat- $25 
  • Blinds- $30 
  • Hole 0.24-10 inches- $33-$76 
  • Hole greater than 10 inches- By Estimate 
  • Mattress- $300 
  • Tampering or Loss 
  • Cable- $25 
  • Window Screen- $100 
  • Smoke Detector- Cost of Replacement 

Each suite is comprised of four single/private rooms connected by a hallway to the shared bathroom. Every bathroom consists of a stand-in shower, a toilet with privacy door, and double vanity sinks. Room dimensions vary by floor and suite but generally average 10’ x 10’. Every room consists of the items below. 

  • Windows (inches)  
  • 1st floor: 62L x 38W 
  • 2nd floor: 86.5L x 39W  
  • 3rd-5th floors: 63L x 40W  
  • 6th Floor: 62L x 38W 
  • Furniture (inches)  
  • Dresser: 47H x 33W 
  • Bed Frame: 5” (low) -up to- 3’ (high)  
  • Mattress: 78L x 37.5W (Twin XL sheets only)  
  • Desk: 30H x 42W 
  • Top drawer: 14W x 16.5L x 4.5D 
  • Bottom drawer: 14W x 18.5L x 9D  
  • Desk Hutch (not always available): 26H x 40W  
  • Wardrobe: 77H x 49W x 22D 
  • Left side: 60H x 23W x 22D 
  • Right side: 43H x 22.5D x 22D 
  • Top: 12H x 47W x 22D 
  • Drawers: 20L x 20W x 4D  
  • Microfridge: 44L x 18W x 10D 
With prior notice, and for the purpose of verifying occupancy and ensuring health and safety standards are being met, Staff will conduct inspections in student rooms every semester. Residents do not need to be present for inspections, but it is recommended. Common violations found during inspections include excessive trash or expired food items, disruptions to entry/exit paths, and candles. Staff (RAs) will notify residents found to be in violation of any policy via written notice. Students are expected to comply with requests to resolve noted concerns within one week. Failure to correct concerns will result in fines and/or disciplinary actions. 

University policy requires first-time college students* to live on campus in Oak Hall. When students live in university housing, they belong to a community that supports and encourages their student success. Students are also close to resources, organizations, and social connections that directly contribute to their academic success. 

UMSL allows exceptions for students who: 

  • Are 21 and older 
  • Are enrolled in fewer than six (6) credit hours 
  • Are enrolled in online programs 
  • Are veterans 
  • Are married or student parents 
  • Live with their parents or legal guardians within 60 miles of campus 
  • Have documented health needs or considerations which cannot be accommodated in the university residence hall. 

First-time college students who fall into one of these categories and do not wish to live in Oak Hall must submit an exemption request. To do this, please visit the Triton Housing Portal. The exemption request form is located under ‘Forms & Resources’. Exemption requests will be reviewed and responded to via email within five (5) business days. Those who are not first-time college students may still, and are encouraged to, live in Oak Hall. However, these students who choose to live elsewhere are not required to submit an exemption request. 

*First-time college (FTC) students are those who are enrolled at UMSL for the first time, or who have not previously completed one academic year of college (less than 24 credit hours), regardless of when they graduated from high school, and who are under 21 years of age. Taking part in college-level classes, testing, or summer sessions are not considered enrollment. 

Students are issued a room and mailbox key on a security ring upon checking into Oak Hall. A student’s keys and TritonID should be carried with them at all times. Unattended rooms should be kept locked at all times. For the security of all residents and staff, hallway and entryway doors should never be propped open. Additionally, strangers, even if appearing to be a student or staff member, should never be allowed to ‘tailgate’, which is to follow someone closely to gain access without use of their own ID or key, into the building or any locked hallway. 

No person may duplicate a university key or request the unauthorized duplication of a university key. No person may transfer any university key from an individual entrusted with its possession to an unauthorized person or be in unauthorized possession of a university key. Keys in the possession of unauthorized persons may be confiscated. No person shall replace without permission, damage, tamper with or vandalize any university lock or security device. 

Keys or TritonIDs that are believed to be lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctioning should be reported as soon as possible to umslreslife@umsl.edu. When necessary, replacement keys will be made and available for pickup at Oak Hall. Dependent on circumstances, students may be liable for the cost of replacement keys, which is currently $110. In the case of a lost, stolen, damaged, or malfunctioning TritonID, students should, after reporting the issue to ResLife, visit the Triton Card Office in 190 MSC to obtain a fix or replacement. Dependent on circumstances, students may be liable for a $15 replacement fee, which would be billed to their student account. 

In the event a resident has locked their keys in their room, they may request a lockout key card from the Oak Hall front desk. This lockout key card can be used for a maximum of 10 minutes. Exceeding the 10 minutes will result in a fine of $10. An additional $10 will be charged for every day thereafter the key card is not returned. All fees and fines are charged to the student's account and can be paid via TouchNet. 

Students who lock themselves out during a University Holiday, or if the campus is on Winter or Summer Break, should call the on-call Resident Advisor at (314) 250-7086. If no response is received after 30 minutes from the on-call staff, campus police may be reached as a last resort at (314) 516-5155. 

Residential Life does not permit the construction or use of resident-supplied lofts. If a student is interested in reserving a loft, please contact the Office of Residential Life and Housing at (314) 516-6877. Loft supplies are limited. Students may rent these components for an additional $100 per year. 
The Louie's Leaders Rate offers a discounted housing rate (approximately 10% of the semester room charge) for Oak Hall. This discounted housing rate is per semester, for students who are engaged on campus through student employment, recognized student organization leadership and/or athletics. This engagement and involvement will be verified only once prior to the start of the Fall and Spring semesters via MyView, Office of Student Involvement, or Human Resources. Please note that if your status changes mid-semester, you will not be eligible to receive the rate until the start of the new semester. 

Students who expect to receive paper mail while residing in Oak Hall should not make a permanent change of their address with USPS. As UMSL is registered as a business address, students will find great difficulty in getting it changed back after they leave UMSL. Instead, students may consider making a temporary change of address, or may simply change their address directly with the businesses from which they expect to receive mail. Mailboxes are located in the lobby of Oak Hall behind the wall of the desk. Student’s receive a mailbox key and mailbox associated with their room number and may retrieve their mail at any time. 

Packages, or anything large than a standard envelope, will be routed to the Oak Hall Main Office on the first floor, room 121. The Office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (excluding weekends and university/federal holidays). No mail is accepted at Oak Hall unless it is addressed to the name of a current resident. Therefore, in order to ensure packages are received and processed by ResLife, students must ensure their mail is addressed like so: 

Student’s Full Legal Name  
UMSL Residential Life  
2911 Laclede Lane 
Oak Hall Room # (i.e. Oak Hall 534C)  
St. Louis, MO 63121 

Mail not addressed to current residents by legal name will not be accepted and instead will be returned to sender. Additionally, it is important for students to know that all mail is often first delivered to the campus mail center, and then later brought to Oak Hall by UMSL Staff. Due to this and processing times, students should wait for an email notification from ResLife stating they have a package ready to be picked up. Students must bring an ID (TritonID accepted) to retrieve their package, and mail will never be given to anyone other than the addressee. 

Upon receiving notification from ResLife that a student has a package available for pickup, students must retrieve the package within one week. Students who do not retrieve their package mail within this timeframe will be given a final warning notification via paper slip at their suite. Packages that remain in the ResLife Office after the final warning period will be returned to sender. 

Moving onto campus is a very exciting time, both for students and UMSL staff. However, moving into a Residence Hall is more than packing and unpacking boxes. Moving into Oak Hall is a multi-step process that requires attention, engagement, and preparation. The preferred option for learning all requirements is to attend the Move-In Webinar. Details on the date, time, and location of this webinar will be sent out via email in the summer before classes begin. Should students not be able to attend, the information below is a general guide on necessities. 

Before Move-In Day Students Should: 

  • Log in and begin monitoring their UMSL email. Very important information regarding the start of the school year will be sent to students by multiple offices, including ResLife, prior to move-in. 
  • Contact their suitemates (available to view in the Housing Portal after July 1). Get to know each other and coordinate who will bring which shared items.  
  • Complete and submit all required forms, including immunization records and photo for TritonID. Both are required for checking in to Oak Hall. 
  • Make the required 25% payment on their student bill. 
  • Review the entirety of the “Current Resident Information” tabs on this page. 
  • Label ALL boxes, bags, and large items with full name and room number. 
  • Verify their specific move-in day.  
  • Our various student sections have specified move-in days and times. These will be advertised to all residents via email. 

On Move-In Day: 

  • Students may arrive at any time after their outlined arrival time on their designated move-in day. This includes late night and next day(s) arrivals. 
  • Students should attempt to move-in during the time communicated to them via email as that is when staff and volunteers will be readily available to assist. However, as that is not possible for all students, especially those traveling far from home, staff will be available 24/7 to check you in. 
  • Students arriving after their designated time slot should call the RA on- call to check in and receive their keys. 
  • Students with a legitimate need (determined on a case-by-case basis) to arrive prior to their designated move-in day should request an early arrival by emailing ResLife at umslreslife@umsl.edu at least 72 hours prior to their departure from home. 
  • Before unpacking, students must complete their Room Condition Report, which is emailed at the moment of check-in. Room Condition Reports allow students to document all pre-existing minor damages or defaults in order to avoid financial responsibility upon checkout. 

Move-out pertains to the process and procedures for residential students leaving Oak Hall for the summer after the conclusion of the spring semester. Students moving out prior to this due to cancellation should refer to the ‘Cancelling an Application’ tab above for proper procedures. 

  • Oak Hall closes at Noon on the Friday of finals week. Students must have all personal items removed from their room and keys returned to ResLife staff before this deadline. Card access to Oak Hall, the floors, and student suites will automatically shut off at noon exactly on this day. Students who do not meet this deadline will be charged a $75 improper checkout fine. 
  • Students must also tidy their room, hallway, and bathroom, including basic cleaning (such as sweeping and wiping down of surfaces) and removal of trash. 
  • Students should plan for packing and cleaning to take no less than three hours. Poor planning and time management are not reasonable excuses for late departure. 
  • Check for letter mail and packages one last time. 
  • Provide a forwarding address at the front desk and return all keys. 
  • Students remaining in Oak Hall for the summer term should still plan to pack, clean, and move to a new room. Specific instructions will be emailed to all students who have successfully completed and submitted a summer housing application. 
  • Students with special circumstances, such as graduation or far-distance flights, will be granted permission to check out at a later time appropriate for their situation. Students who have personal reasons for needing to move out after the deadline may be granted permission to do so on a case by case basis and will be charged the daily rate to do so. ALL students, regardless of circumstance, must request a late departure in writing to ResLife no later than the last day of classes, or one week prior to the move-out deadline. 
As with any structure, bugs and insects will sometimes find their way into Oak Hall. Students who notice several pests, or pests that may cause concern for cleanliness, health, or safety in their room or suite should immediately submit a work order. An infestation of pests or the presence of bed bugs should also be brought to the immediate attention of ResLife Staff via the on-call phone. 
Students may require proof of residency when obtaining a driver’s license, registering to vote, or any other number of governmental or personal reasons. For convenience, residents may at any time obtain a proof of address letter from the Housing Portal under ‘Forms and Resources’. 
Neither the University, nor the department of Residential Life and Housing, assumes responsibility for the loss of or damage to the personal property of a student. For this reason, residents are highly encouraged to purchase individual renter’s insurance through the housing application process using Grad Guard. While students are not required to purchase insurance, they must still navigate through these pages in the housing application in order to complete and submit their application. ResLife does not manage, nor can view, a resident’s insurance policy at any time. Therefore, questions or concerns about your coverage or policy should be directed to Grad Guard directly. Alternatively, residents may consider being added to a parent or guardian’s homeowner’s insurance. 
Students may desire a room change for a number of reasons, including irreconcilable differences with suitemates, a preference to live with a friend in another suite, medical need, or preference for a specific floor. To request a room change, students must first discuss the change with their Resident Advisor. RAs will be able to inform the student of the room change process and intervene to avoid a room change when possible and appropriate. The room change request form is in the Housing Portal under ‘Forms and Resources’ and is available after August 30th.

A Service Animal is an animal, usually a dog, that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Students who need to bring a service animal to UMSL are covered by Title II of the ADA, and may bring their service animal to campus, including to live with them in Oak Hall. Students with service animals are strongly encouraged to register with the Disability Access Services Office on campus, and should notify Residential Life via the housing application, to ensure they and their animal can be prepared for a smooth transition to living on campus. 

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is any animal that provides emotional support alleviating one or more symptoms or effects of a person’s disability, but do not have special training to perform tasks related to the disability. Emotional Support Animals are not covered by ADA laws and regulations. Any student wishing to bring an ESA to Oak Hall must register with the Disability Access Services Office (DAS) on campus, which will notify Residential Life of approval once all appropriate documentation is received. Upon approval from DAS, Residential Life staff will then communicate with the student via their UMSL e-mail on additional requirements specific to Oak Hall, including but not limited to a photo of the animal and standards of care and behavior of the animal while in Oak Hall. Residents may not bring an ESA to Oak Hall until approved by both DAS and ResLife. 

The Standard of Conduct exists to support the mission of the University of Missouri as an educational institution. The expectations set forth in the Standard of Conduct have been established in order to protect a specialized educational environment conducive to learning which fosters integrity, academic success, personal and professional growth, and responsible citizenship. In accordance with Section C Part 12 of this document, the Oak Hall Community Guide and the policies herein are, in effect, an extension of The Standard of Conduct. Students are therefore responsible for knowing and understanding all policies and will be subject to the Conduct Process when alleged violations occur. 
One of the many benefits of living on campus is the exposure to people of different backgrounds, upbringings, and identities. This typically lends itself to positive experiences that forge new friendships, allow for a widened worldview, and lead to a greater appreciation for the ways in which we are all unique. That being said, it is also natural for the transition to college and living with new folks to lead to conflict. One way to reduce the chance of future conflict, or to have a means of resolving conflict when it occurs, is by completing the Suitemate Agreement, a form sent to all residents in the first week of school designed to assist suitemates in agreeing on how they wish to live together. Residents who do not complete the suitemate agreement and end up in conflict will be asked to engage in a mediation process, by which the Resident Advisor will assist all suitemates in restoring any harm caused and establishing agreed upon rules. Residents are not eligible for a room change until they attempt mediation. 

Guest policies and procedures are designed to ensure safety and fairness of all residents and guests. Residents are responsible for knowing and following these procedures. 

Check-In & Out: Residents are required to check in their guests at the front desk at the time of entry to Oak Hall. Residents and guests (when 16 or over) are required to have a valid, active, government issued ID. Student IDs, Driver's Licenses, State IDs, and Passport Cards are accepted. Expired IDs, IDs without a photo, and Passports are not accepted. Residents are also required to check out all visitors at the front desk. Visitors may not check themselves in or out without the resident present. 

Daytime: Guests who visit between 8:00 a.m. and 12:59 a.m. are considered daytime guests. There is no limit to the number of times you may have a daytime guest. However, only 2 guests per resident are allowed at any one time. Exceptions are made for move-in, move-out, family weekend, or other occasions or circumstances deemed appropriate and necessary by the Director of Residential Life. 

Overnights: Guests who visit between 1:00 a.m. and 7:59 a.m., no matter the duration, are considered overnight guests. Residents and guests shall not have more than two consecutive overnight visits. Additionally, residents are limited to 10 overnight visits per month. The visitation month begins and ends on the 15th of every month. While desk staff may provide courtesy reminders of your number of overnights, it is the responsibility of the resident to know how many they have used. Guests attempting to check in when the resident or guest has reached or exceeded the allowable amount will be asked to leave and may only return during the daytime or after the start of a new visitation month. 

Age: Guests under the age of 16 must always be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, who is subject to the same check in and out procedures as any other guest. Guests under 16 years old may only visit during daytime hours. Guests under 16 years old may only visit for a duration of one hour without prior approval. For visits with guests under the age of 16 that expect to last longer than one hour, residents must request approval from ResLife, via email at umslreslife@umsl.edu, 48 hours in advance of the visit. 

Approval: Another instance that requires prior approval includes residents who wish to visit with more than two people at a time. For prior approval, the resident must email ResLife at umslreslife@umsl.edu at least 48 hours in advance of the visit. 

Accompaniment: All guests, including but not limited to, parents, coaches, siblings, non-resident UMSL students, and children, are required to be accompanied by the hosting resident at all times. Under no circumstances should any guest be anywhere in Oak Hall without the hosting resident directly present, including when the guest is checking out to leave.