Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Department of Residential Life will send out an email in early August that will inform you of your roommate(s), their email address, home city, state, and country (if applicable). We suggest you contact your roommate before September in order to ease your transition to Macalester.

Should I buy all the things for my room before I get to Macalester, or are there places nearby that I can purchase things?

If you don’t want to purchase things before you get to campus, stores like Target, Wal Mart, grocery stores, and a hardware store are just a quick car or bus ride away!

Refrigerator Rental

Rental of a 2.9 cu ft. refrigerator/freezer or a 2.5 cu ft. to 3.6 cu ft. refrigerator is available through Bedloft.com. Enter Macalester College at the Bedloft homepage for details.

Shipping your things to campus

We call it Trunk Storage. Please arrange for your boxes to arrive after August 15th. Address:

Your Name,
Attn: Trunk Storage
Macalester College
1600 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105-1899

Pick up times and location will be posted at the Campus Center. For more information contact Mailing Services.

Property Insurance

If you would like insurance coverage for your personal possessions while you are at Macalester contact:
National Student Services, Inc,
P.O. Box 2137,
Stillwater, OK 74076.
Or apply on line at www.nssi.com
Policies cover theft, fire, water damage, and breakage to personal property.

Telephone and Voicemail

Public access telephones are provided on each floor of each residence hall, college-owned home and apartment. Upon request a phone will be installed in a residence hall room; a voice mailbox is also available upon request, provided a phone has been requested. To request a room phone and/or voice mailbox send an email to Telecom@macalester.edu. In your email, include your name, hall and room number, and if you are requesting 1) a phone only, or 2) a phone with voicemail. There are no charges for these services. Your room phone and any interior public access phone is able to dial on-campus, local and 911 only. To call a long distance number from a campus phone, a calling card is required.

Student, staff and faculty contact information is accessible in the on-line directory. If you have questions about Telecommunications services at Macalester, please visit the Telecom Web pages, or send an email to Telecom@macalester.edu, or call 651-696-6566.

Registration/Classes

What should I do if I have a question about a class I’m interested in?

A description of regularly offered classes are included in the Course Catalog. To find information about any other classes, visit the Registrar’s website at http://www.macalester.edu/registrar/. If you have a more specific question, feel free to call or e-mail the professor that teaches that class.

When will I find out what classes I’m signed up for, and what happens if I want to change them?

You will receive a copy of your schedule when you arrive on campus. In August, information will be mailed regarding your First Year Course and advisor. First Year Courses cannot be changed once they are assigned. While preference is given to your top ranking, it is nearly impossible to give everyone their first choice. Completion of a First Year Course is mandatory for graduation from Macalester, and therefore you are not able to drop or withdraw from it.

ID card/Money/Mail

What is the purpose of my PlaidPass (Mac ID)?

Your PlaidPass is your official campus photo identification card. You should carry it with you at all times when you are on campus.

Your PlaidPass also is used as your:

Campus dining card. You are required to bring your PlaidPass to Café Mac in order to gain access to the cafeteria.
Library card.
Access card to the Leonard Center (athletic & wellness complex) and some other spaces on campus.
Laundry card. All laundry is done using your PlaidPass. Leave your quarters at home! Instead, in order to do laundry, you will need to add money to your PlaidPass to do laundry.
Your PlaidPass can also be used to make purchases at campus venues and some off-campus businesses.

How do I put money on my PlaidPass to use it on campus and to do laundry?

You can put money on your PlaidPass in two ways: (1) online with a credit card via ManageMyId or (2) at the ValuePort in the lower level of the Campus Center.
ManageMyId (macalester.managemyid.com) is an account-management website allowing balance inquiries, transaction histories, lost or stolen card reporting, and online deposits which allows students, parents, grandparents, etc. to easily add money (aux points) to their student’s ID card for use at campus venues. All payments are made online with a credit card. There is a $1 convenience fee when you use MMID.
The valuePort is a small machine where you can add money (Aux Points) to your PlaidPass using cash. The machine only accepts $1, $5, $10 and $20. There no fee for using the ValuePort.

What are Auxiliary Points (Aux Points)?

Money that you put on your PlaidPass to use at campus venues is called Auxiliary Points (Aux Points). Aux Points rollover from year to year. Once Aux Points are added to your PlaidPass, they cannot be removed until you use them or until you permanently leave the college. Aux Points cannot be cashed in for cash. Any Aux Points left on your PlaidPass after you graduate will be returned to you via check post-Commencement.

Where can I use Aux Points on campus?

Atrium Market – subs & soup
Café Mac – you can purchase meals for family and friends
Highlander Store – convenience store & Macalester apparel
Information Desk – discounted bus passes and movie theater tickets, fax service, tickets to Mac-sponsored off-campus event
Laundry (our laundry machines do NOT accept coins or bills)
Textbooks
The Grille – grilled items, sandwiches, salads, smoothies, pastries, cookies, hot & cold beverages
Vending Machines

Where can I use Aux Points off campus?

Coffee News
CVS
Italian Pie Shop
Shish
St. Paul Cheese Shop
Subway

What happens if I break, lose or have my PlaidPass stolen?

If your card is lost or stolen, please report your card as lost or stolen via ManageMyId (Macalester.managemyid.com) or by contacting the Card Services Office ASAP. This will disable all services on your PlaidPass (e.g., aux points, meal plan, building access). You can purchase a new PlaidPass for $20 at the Card Service Office on the 2nd floor of the Campus Center. All services and Aux Points from your previous ID will be transferred to your new ID. The $20 replacement fee will be waived if your card is stolen and you have a police report documenting the theft.

How does the mail work? Where do I get the combination for my mailbox?

The Student Post Office (SPO) is located in the lower level of the Campus Center. You can go to the SPO window to get your combination once you get to school. You can also access your combination by logging into 1600 Grand and clicking the "Student Life" tab.

How can I get bus passes or movie tickets?

Students can get discounted bus passes and movie passes at the Information Desk in the Campus Center.

Where do I get cash?

There are US Bank and University Bank ATMs in the lower level of the Campus Center. If you have a Wells Fargo account, you can use the Wells Fargo ATM at Super America on Snelling (it's about 3 blocks from campus) or the Wells Fargo Bank on the corner of Grand and Fairview (about 5 blocks away from campus). Macalester College has different partnerships with all three banks, including an educational partnership with University National Bank, a local community bank which has a socially responsible deposit fund that supports economically disadvantaged communities in the Twin Cities. All three banks will be available during move-in day in the Campus Center.

Orientation Leaders/Contacts

What are Orientation Leaders (OLs) and how can I get in touch with mine?

Orientation Leaders are upper-class students who will aid you in your transition to Macalester. Over the summer your OLs will write you and provide you with their contact information. Feel free to ask them any questions or concerns you may have about coming to Macalester!

What are the most important activities of each day for Orientation?

Events that are mandatory include those concerning student employment (stop by the table in the lower level of the Campus Center, meet your supervisor, go to the large group meeting about work study), first-year class meetings, getting your ID card and the library/computer orientation (where you get information about email.) All of the other Orientation events during the day are strongly encouraged because they will help you with the transition to Mac. Evening social events are encouraged because they will help students meet other students!

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

If you have other questions and would like to speak to someone in person, feel free to call the Orientation Office at (651) 696-6842, or you can email the office at orientation@macalester.edu.

Other...

Are there activities for accompanying family members?

All family members including younger children are welcome to orientation, however please bear in mind that the programs are mainly for adults and incoming students and have nothing structured for children. They are welcome to bring items to entertain themselves.

Are transfer students eligible to participate in any of the "Pre-Orientation Programs ?"

The various "Pre-Orientation Programs" are structured largely for only incoming first year students and therefore transfer students may not apply or participate in these programs. Transfer students are however welcome to apply to the MacWard Bound program, but would need to note that first year students will have placement priority.

What are the requirements to qualify for a parking permit?

Registration for faculty and staff will be valid until such time as all vehicles are re-registered (typically 3 - 4 years). Resident student registration is valid for one year, September to August. Non-resident student registration is valid for one semester at a time. First year resident students are NOT eligible for a campus parking permit. Medical and work-related exceptions
may be requested from the Director of Safety and Security. Registration is not transferable. Parking permits are issued to Macalester faculty, staff, and eligible current students upon completion and signature of a vehicle registration form at the Facilities Services Office.