Residential Life Professional Staff Cohabitation Policy

Policy Information


Policy Name: Residential Life Professional Staff Cohabitation Policy
Owner: Vice President of Academic Affairs, & Interim Vice President of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management.
Author: Associate Vice President of Student Affairs.
Effective Date: 7/26/2023
Applicable Laws, regulations, compliance: None

I. Purpose

Professional staff members who are required to live on campus (“Staff Members”) are provided with an assigned, furnished apartment as a condition of their employment. By accepting the position, they agree that they and all additional approved Cohabitants (as defined below) of the apartment are subject to certain requirements that may limit traditional tenant rights they may have otherwise if residing in off campus housing. The College of St. Scholastica will strive to protect the privacy and day to day needs of Staff Members and Cohabitants consistent with the primary use of residence halls as housing for CSS students.

Therefore, the College must always keep at the forefront the personal safety of all the building’s occupants, and the protection of all persons, equipment and facilities related to the College. The College reserves the right to determine the best and safest use of its facilities.

Residential Life does allow for Staff Members to have Cohabitants and has created the following policy to outline the expectations of the Staff Member and those who cohabitate with a Staff Member in the Staff Member’s assigned apartment.

II. Definitions

• Spouse – An adult legally married to the Staff Member, or an adult who, together with the Staff Member, is a party to a legally-recognized civil union.

• Cohabitant – A Spouse, or a person under the legal guardianship of the Staff Member.

III. Policy

 

  1. A Staff Member may have Cohabitants living with the Staff Member in the assigned apartment at no charge to the Staff Member or to the Cohabitant.
  2. At the time when a Cohabitant will commence cohabiting with the Staff Member in the assigned apartment, the Staff Member and the Cohabitant must certify in writing that the Cohabitant does in fact satisfy the above definition of Cohabitant. Based upon good faith or reasonable suspicion, at any time the College may require the Staff Member or the Cohabitant to provide proof satisfactory to the College that the Cohabitant does in fact satisfy the above definition of Cohabitant.
  3. A Staff Member may not charge rent from a Cohabitant.
  4. All Cohabitants of legal age must undergo a background check through the Human Resources Department at their own expense, prior to moving in. It is strongly encouraged that the Staff Member and any Cohabitant have renter’s insurance.
  5. Cohabitants will receive a Saints Card for entry into the building and apartment in which they will reside. Staff Members are required to purchase a staff parking pass but will have a reserved parking space in a lot near their apartment.
    Cohabitants must also purchase a parking pass, however they will not receive a reserved parking space. Each Staff Member is provided one guest parking pass to be used for short term guests. Cohabitants may use their Saints Card on the Duluth Transit Authority, at the Burns Wellness Center if they’ve purchased a pass, as well as at Storm’s Den, Einstein’s Bagels, and the Greenview Dining Room if they’ve purchased a meal plan or dining dollars.
  6. The Staff Member is responsible for following all policies, rules and regulations as outlined by the state of Minnesota, Residential Life Handbook, Student Handbook, or Staff Handbook and for ensuring that their Cohabitant(s) and/or guest does not violate any policies, rules and regulations as outlined by the state of Minnesota, Residential Life Handbook, Student Handbook, or Staff Handbook. The Staff Member is expected to resolve any violations. If the Staff Member is unwilling or unable to resolve violations, termination of the cohabitation may result.
  7. If the person cohabitating with the Staff Member no longer qualifies as Cohabitant, the Staff Member must notify the Director of Residential Life, and the person must move out immediately (48 hours) and all benefits will end immediately for that person.
  8. Upon the end of the Staff Member’s employment, the Cohabitant’s housing is also ended, and the Staff Member and the Cohabitant(s)are expected to vacate the apartment no later than two weeks after the Staff Member’s last day of employment.
  9. The Staff Member, Cohabitant, or Director may terminate the cohabitation at any time.
  10. No cohabitation or Cohabitant may interfere with the execution of the Staff Member’s employment responsibilities.
  11. Adherence to this policy will automatically continue each fiscal year as long as the Staff Member’s employment relationship continues. Staff Members may be directed to move apartments and will be given as much notice as possible if that is required. Any exceptions to the above information must be approved by the Director of Residential Life.

IV. Individuals and entities affected by this policy


Professional Residential Life staff members who live on campus and their Cohabitants.

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