Philosophy and Objectives
St. Mary's Residence, based on the ideas of Franziska Lechner, the foundress of the Daughters of Divine Charity, provides a temporary home under proper moral influence for women without regard to race, color or creed, in accordance with the ministry of the Roman Catholic Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Charity.
St. Mary's maintains a safe, clean, hospitable environment where residents can make their home while they continue their education or begin their professional careers. In an effort to provide services to as many women as possible, the length of stay at St. Mary's Residence is limited to four years.
Admissions
Prospective residents complete an application and are required to submit:
- a copy of their ID (valid driver's license, non-driver ID or passport)
- proof of employment and/or registration in a college, university, career school or internship program within the City of New York;
Proof of sources of income to pay the rent
- character reference letter
- certification of good health
- visa or visa waiver (if applicable)
- photo for access card (jpeg format)
Upon acceptance, prospective residents must sign a standard rental agreement, pay security deposit and the first 2 (two) weeks rent.
Departure Procedure
Residents planning their permanent departure must give two weeks (14 days) notice by submitting a departure form. Departure forms may be obtained at the main desk, upon request. Notification is not considered official until the Departure Form is signed and submitted.
Failure to give fourteen (14) days notice will result in forfeiture of the entire deposit. Loss of room keys/front door access keys will result in forfeiture of the key deposit (an additional fee will be charged for key replacement).
Final rent payments are to be made one week prior to departure.
Room keys and access key are to be left at the main desk by 11:00 A.M. on the day of departure. Departures after 11:00 A.M. are subject to a day's fee.
Departing residents are expected to take all of their belongings with them. Nothing may be stored in other residents' rooms, left in the lounges or in the mailroom, to be picked up at a later date. Rooms are to be left clean and free of refuse.
Upon notification of expected departure, the room will be inspected for damage. Payment for repairs will be deducted from initial security deposit. Excessive damage may necessitate additional charges.
Courtesy
Residents are invited to consider St. Mary's their home during their stay. As in every group living situation, courtesy is required for harmonious existence. Special consideration should be taken not to monopolize the use of the laundry room, the television, the refrigerator, or the stove in the common lounge/kitchenette.
In order to ensure the opportunity for adequate rest for all, residents are asked to refrain from unnecessary noise, loud talking or music, particularly between the hours of 10:00 PM and 9:00 AM. Lounge doors are to be kept closed during these hours.
Moral Standards
Residents are expected to appear in all public areas (hallways, lounges, laundry rooms, lobby, mail room and snack room) suitably attired. Health regulations forbid bare feet in public areas.
Disorderly conduct, drunkenness, theft, dishonesty, or evidence of the use of drugs or of lewd conduct are not tolerated and are grounds for eviction.
In compliance with the New York City Clean Indoor Act, this is a smoke-free building. SMOKING IS NOT PERMITTED in any area of the building.
Suggestions/Concerns are to be emailed to [email protected].
Civility Policy
St. Mary’s Residence is committed to creating and maintaining a positive living and working environment. While it is understood that disagreements will occur in a close-living quarters setting, open communication, intellectual integrity, mutual respect for differing viewpoints, freedom from unnecessary disruption, and a climate of civility are important values that we embrace.
Civility requires cooperation, tolerance, acceptance, inclusiveness, kindness, courtesy, and patience. It is expressed, not only in the words we choose, but in our tone, demeanor, and actions. All residents, employees, and Sisters of the St. Mary’s community are responsible for and expected to exemplify and promote civility.
Examples of civility include:
- Respect and courtesy in language, demeanor, and actions;
- Respectful acknowledgement of individual differences;
- Empathy and patience;
- Refraining from insulting, disrespectful, dismissive, or humiliating language and/or actions;
All residents, employees, and Sisters deserve to be treated with dignity and respect at their place of residence/work. They deserve to live/work in an environment free from incivility, harassment, physical attack, or bullying. Actions must be evaluated, not only in light of what the actor intended, but also by what the recipient felt, i.e., impact as well as intent is important.
St. Mary’s Residence will provide for the safety of residents, employees, and the Sister, to the extent reasonably practicable.
Once a breach of this policy is brought to management’s attention, St Mary’s Residence management will meet with residents and/or employees and/or Sisters to resolve the issue amicably. St Mary’s Residence management will not provide therapy, legal advice, psychological advice, life coaching, or mediator assistance in any manner. The topics that arise and suggestions made by St. Mary’s Residence management are only opinions and are not to be construed as professional/ medical, legal or psychological advice in any way.
After the second breach of this policy is brought to Management’s attention, the residents involved will be given a 14 day notice to vacate the Residence and their lease will be terminated on the 14th day after they are given the Notice to Vacate.
St. Mary’s Residence is not liable or responsible for either tenants/residents or employees words or actions towards other residents, Sisters or employees.
Food
Meals are not provided by St. Mary's Residence. Snacks and drinks are available from the vending machine in the basement.
Light cooking may be done in the kitchenettes located on each floor. Residents who avail themselves of these facilities are responsible for maintaining safety, cleanliness and order as a courtesy to others. Never leave the kitchen while cooking or leave food unattended on the stove or in the oven. Be sure to turn stove/oven off after cooking, before leaving the kitchen. Cooking is not permitted after 10:00 PM.
Residents supply their own cooking and eating utensils.
Food stored in the refrigerator should be labeled with resident's room # and date of purchase. Food that is not labeled will be discarded. All food should be checked daily for freshness. Please limit the purchase of frozen and bulk items to prevent overcrowding.
Only non-food items are to be stored on cabinet shelves. No number swapping, please. Items should not be left to dry in dish drains or soaking in the sink for an extended period of time. Please wash, dry, and promptly remove all items.
When ordering food to be delivered, be sure to give your name and room #. The receptionist will call you down to the lobby to meet the delivery person. Please make sure you will be home to receive your delivery. The front desk will not accept food deliveries on your behalf. Deliveries are not permitted after 10:00 PM.
*** ST. MARY’S RESIDENCE ASSUMES NO RESPONSIBILITY AND MAY NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR LOST or STOLEN ITEMS (eg. FOOD, KITCHEN & PERSONAL ITEMS). ***
Furniture
A bed, desk, chair, closet, sink and medicine cabinet are provided in each room. The arrangement of furniture is not to be changed. Existing furniture may not be removed.
Residents are permitted to have radios, televisions (there is no cable access in rooms), computers and small refrigerators.
The following are not permitted: additional furniture, window or portable air conditioners, bicycles, microwaves, toasters, hotplates, rice cookers, slow cookers (any cooking devices), halogen lamps, candles (and pets/animals of any species).
Laundry
The residence does not supply bedding, pillows or towels. Please bring your own.
A laundry room is located on each floor. Laundry cards may be purchased (and refilled) from the machine in the mailroom.
Please bring your own iron and allow it to cool before bringing it back to your room or placing it on any surfaces.
As a courtesy to others who use the facilities, please do not leave clothing in the machines or on the drying racks longer than absolutely necessary.
Be aware the laundry rooms will be locked each night during posted hours.
Mail is received by the main office on regular delivery days. It is distributed to residents' individual boxes in the Mailroom on the first floor, adjacent to the office.
A notice indicating the receipt of a parcel will be placed in your mailbox and parcels may be claimed at the main desk during business hours (8:00 AM to 10:00 PM). We accept and sign for all mail and packages, including certified and registered items.
The nearest post office is located at 217 East 70th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues). Drop boxes for outgoing mail are located on street corners. The closest drop box is on the north east corner of 72nd Street and 3rd Avenue.
Main Desk
Endeavoring always to serve the residents in whatever way possible, many services are provided by the staff at the main desk in the lobby. Phone calls are forwarded. (Messages are taken through voicemail only). Deliveries from dry cleaners, etc. will be accepted, if prepaid. Dry cleaning pick-ups are not permitted.
If there is any way we can be of service to you, please do not hesitate to make your needs known.
Please use your extension telephone (dial "0") to communicate with the main desk.
Maintenance
Residents' rooms are cleaned thoroughly once a week, according to the schedule posted on each floor.
*** Room cleaning is NOT optional. ***
Each resident is expected to make her own bed and maintain a neat, clutter-free room. Please cooperate with the cleaning process by removing your belongings from the floor and sink area and leaving your room while cleaning is in progress. Do not allow your room to become so cluttered that cleaning is impossible.
Only masking tape may be used on the walls of the rooms. Please do not place hooks, tacks, pins or nails in the walls or closet doors. Please refrain from using tape of any kind on the closet doors or the metal room doors. Please do not hang heavy items or wet clothes on closet doors.
Residents will be charged the cost to repair damage caused to the carpets, furniture, walls, etc., as a result of the inability to clean properly or due to negligence on the part of the resident.
Before leaving your room, close the windows, check the faucet, turn off the heat/air conditioner and the lights.
Be sure to lock your room and take your keys. A spare key is available at the main desk if you lock your key in your room. It must be returned within 5 minutes. Lost room keys/access keys will be replaced at your expense.
Fire safety regulations state:
- nothing is to be placed on the windowsills – inside or out - including plants, books, papers, etc.
- hallways and stairwells are to be kept clear at all times. Do not leave any personal items - mats, boxes, shoes, umbrellas, etc. - outside your door.
You are a temporary guest of the facility.
Administration retains the right to unannounced inspection of rooms at any time to assure the safety of the residents and the proper maintenance of the building.
Building maintenance staff retains the right to enter the rooms for repairs and emergencies. You will be notified, in advance, when possible.
Repeated violations of residence policy may result in eviction.
Voice Mail Instructions
Getting Started
- Call the system, Dial 2900
- Enter your Personal ID = 9+Extension (ie. 91804 or 92004)
- The system will ask you a few simple yes-and-no questions (Press 1 for "yes" and 2 for "no") to allow you to record your name and personal greeting and to set your security code.
- When the system tells you your mailbox is set up, Press 1 to confirm your settings.
How to Check New Messages:
- Dial 2900
- Enter your Personal ID = 9+Extension
- Enter Security Code (To have this number cleared if you have forgotten it, contact the main desk.)
Religious Services
Advance notice of religious services will be posted.
Rent
Rent is payable in advance. Please follow payment instructions.
RESIDENTS WHO ARE TWO WEEKS IN ARREARS MAY BE REQUESTED TO LEAVE.
Notice of rent increase will be given by the Administration one month, in advance.
Requests for Repairs
Maintenance staff may enter resident rooms at ANY time to make necessary repairs. Advanced notice will be given to residents when possible.
Residents who discover anything in need of repair are kindly asked to make a work order request at the main desk, as soon as possible.
Personal property in need of repair is not the responsibility of the residence and is to be done at the resident's expense.
After showering, please mop up water outside of shower stalls to prevent slips/falls and leaks.
Safety
Fire Safety Regulations prohibit the use of halogen lamps, hot plates, slow cookers, rice cookers, toasters, broilers, percolators, immersion heaters, irons, electric frying pans, electric kettles and other heating or cooking devices in individual rooms. Cooking devices should be used in the kitchen only and should not be left unattended.
The simultaneous use of several electrical appliances and/or the overloading of power strips may result in an electrical overload and the loss of electricity to an area of the building.
SMOKING IS PROHIBITED. The Residence is a SMOKE-FREE building.
In case of fire, do not use the elevators. Exit via the stairs at either end of the hall. Fire boxes are located on the walls near the fire exits on each floor.
Please do not loiter in front of the building, in the entrance, lobby or reception area.
For your own safety and for the protection of your belongings, lock your doors at all times. The
Residence is not responsible for lost or stolen items. Spare room keys are not to be taken from the building.
A security guard is on duty in the lobby weekday nights and weekends.
For security purposes, access keys must be used at all times when entering the building.
Do not give your room or access keys to anyone.
Telephones
Incoming calls may be received on the residence extension phones during business hours, 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM. Voicemail is included.
Internet
Private phone lines (separate from extension phones) may be activated in rooms for internet access. St. Mary's Residence assumes no responsibility for resident private phone line installation and activation. Accounts are to be billed directly to the resident. The office should be notified when activations are scheduled. Residents must be present for activations - NO EXCEPTIONS. Activations may ONLY be arranged Monday through Friday.
Wireless Internet access is available throughout the building.
Vacation
For the most efficient handling of calls and mail, please notify the office when leaving the residence for an extended period of time and upon your return.
There is no reduction in rent for vacationing residents.
Visitors
Visitors are permitted between the hours of 9:00 AM and 11:00 PM. All visitors are expected to report at the main desk upon arrival.
ALL Guests who will visit residents in their rooms are to sign in and out on the visitor’s log - located at the main desk. They must leave photo ID with proof of age at the main desk while upstairs. These visitors must be female and 18 years of age or older. Residents will be notified of their guest’s arrival so they may accompany her through the building.
Visitor's will not be permitted to go upstairs if a resident is not home, does not answer her phone and/or does not have ID with proof of age.
Residents are not permitted to have a visitor stay in their room in their absence. Room keys will not be given to visitors under any circumstances.
Gentlemen visitors and those under the age of 18 may only be received in the first-floor visitor's lounge, adjoining the lobby. This is our formal reception area - no food or drinks are permitted. Appropriate conduct and attire is required.
Please do not lie down, sleep or put your feet on the couches or the tables in the visitor's lounge.
All visitors are requested to leave by 11:00 PM
Overnight Visitors
Residents may have an overnight guest for a maximum of six (6) nights. A cot, pillow, sheets, blanket and towels are provided.
Overnight guest requests must be made two (2) days in advance.
Residents may only have one overnight guest at a time.
Residents are not permitted to have overnight guests in their absence.
Payment is due, in full, upon arrival.
There is an additional charge for late requests.
Please be advised, you are charged for having a guest, not for use of the cot.