1. Will the students who live in the apartments have the same rules as students in the residence halls?
The rules for students living in apartment-style housing will differ from those in Meredith’s residence halls. Click here to view the apartment living policies.

2. How much will it cost to live in the apartments?
Rental fees for the apartments are $3,425.00 for a 4-bedroom unit and $4,040.00 per student per semester for a 2-bedroom unit.   The rental fees for the summer are $1,370.00 for a 4-bedroom unit and $1,616.00 for a 2-bedroom unit.  Rental agreements are for 12 months. The apartment rental fee is included in the cost of attendance at Meredith, and will be considered when determining financial assistance packages for students for each term enrolled. 

3.  Why did Meredith building on-campus apartments?
If we continue to attract large numbers of freshmen and transfer students, we will soon run out of residence hall space. Moreover, for the last 15 years, Meredith juniors and seniors have moved off campus in increasing numbers. For example, in Fall 2007, only 24% of upperclassmen lived on campus.

We would like to encourage students to stay on campus—in part to provide role models for underclassmen and in part to help increase the year-round vibrancy of campus life throughout the week and weekend.

4. What are the policies for guests and alcohol for the new apartments?
Following two years of research, conversation, and campus votes, the Meredith Student Government Association proposed that students who live in the apartments be allowed to have male and female guests 24 hours a day and, if they and their guests are of legal age, that they be allowed to possess and consume alcohol within the apartments. This proposal was considered by the Academic and Campus Life Committee of the Board of Trustees at its meeting on September 28, 2007, and was approved by the full Board of Trustees at its meeting on October 26, 2007.

It is important to note that the College will design rules that will further govern conduct in the apartments. Some examples could include rules where the alcohol consumption may occur ( i.e., in apartments and not in public areas) or  limits on the number of times a guest could visit within a designated timeframe.

5.  How will we ensure that only students of legal age are possessing and consuming alcohol?
We expect to fill the apartments with upperclassmen—seniors and juniors.  The Honor Code will apply, and students take that code very seriously. We will continue to do programs that offer alcohol education.

6.  How will we ensure the safety of students and guests in the apartments?
From the time she is a prospective student, a Meredith woman hears how she is in large measure responsible for her own safety and the safety of her fellow students.  That will continue to be true in the apartments.  In addition to her personal responsibilities, a student living in the apartment will have significant campus resources on whom she can call.  For example, the proposed location of the apartments is within sight of the gatehouse at the front of campus, and we expect Campus Police to respond quickly to any call for assistance, as they do now for all parts of campus.  In addition, because of the increased numbers of students who will be living on campus, Meredith is exploring the need to increase the size of the Campus Police force, once the apartments are built.

 7. Will there be residence life staff in the apartments?
Yes. One full-time apartment manager will live in an apartment within the building and oversee the operation of the apartments. Student staff will work at a central information desk and serve as a resource to apartment residents. Other duties will include apartment inspections, administrative paperwork and assisting with apartment-related needs. The apartments will be run as apartments—not as a residence hall.

 8.   Will a residential junior or senior be required to live in the new apartments?
No.  Some juniors and seniors will continue to live in residence halls—some to serve as resident advisors, some to live with an underclassman, and some out of personal preference.  Rents in the apartments will be higher than the cost of living in a residence hall, though financial aid will apply as for any on-campus housing.  

 9.  Are there liability issues to be considered?
Yes, but there are liability issues associated with all campus activities.  Meredith will work with its attorneys to be sure that we have protected the College and its citizens by the rules and regulations we develop based on the policies approved by the Board of Trustees.

10. Will Meredith still be Meredith with new policies for the apartments?
Yes.  Meredith has thrived because of its ability to grow and change and serve the needs of its students for 116 years.  We are not changing the rules related to alcohol for the vast majority of our residential students, who are and will be under 21.  We are not changing the policies for campus sponsored events on or off campus.  We are encouraging women, whom we expect to learn, lead and achieve as adults in class and in organizations, to make mature decisions as individuals.

11. Will the apartments be furnished?
Yes. The apartments will be furnished and will include:

• full-sized beds,
  
• desks,
  
• a couch,
  
• dining room furniture and
  
• appliances, including washer/dryer and full-sized refrigerator

To submit a question for consideration or for more information about the apartments, email comments@meredith.edu.