Station policies

Overnight guests of registered station users are not allowed. Anyone staying overnight at the station must be registered through [email protected] and will be charged the daily station use fee.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in public places on the Itasca campus, including all laboratories and classroom buildings, student bunkhouses, the Biome Center, Assembly/Dining hall, campfire areas, playing fields, parking lots, and ALL other public indoor and outdoor areas. In compliance with the UMN Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus and Drug Free University Policies, smoking is not permitted on campus and recreational use of THC containing products is not allowed.

Checkout is by 10:00 am unless other arrangements have been made through [email protected]. Prior to departure, you must: 

• Place trash in outside collection bins near your cabin by 7:30am for pickup
• Take recycling to the central collection bins near Cabin 2
• Sweep cabin; clean and put all dishes away
• Close windows and turn off lights

A $50.00 surcharge may be applied if your living quarters are left in an unsuitable condition.

Attend all meals you have arranged to take at the dining hall. If you must miss a meal, notify the dining hall at least 24-hours in advance on the signout sheet posted on the stairs between the Dining Hall and Assembly Hall. To be added to meals, email [email protected] at least 24-hours’ in advance. All children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult through the buffet line. Children five and under should not touch anything in the buffet line; an adult must dish up for them. Special diet meals are reserved for only those who have made prior arrangements with station staff.

Labs and classrooms are for designated users only. Users must follow all posted lab policies. If you have not reserved a lab/classroom, do not enter these spaces. They are not common spaces.

We are inside Itasca State Park; all individuals at the station are subject to Park regulations. Park Rangers and local law enforcement patrol the station. Other than the Main Park Drive, the Park closes at 10pm, including the swim beach, picnic grounds, and all trails. State Park quiet hours begin at 10 pm and end at 8 am. See the MN DNR website for a full list of State Park regulations.

Pets, including support animals, are not allowed at the station due to allergen and cleaning considerations in our close communal living setting. Those who do not follow this policy will be asked to leave immediately, and those using station overnight lodging will be charged a $200 minimum cleaning fee. Trained service animals are permitted, but station staff must be notified before arrival so arrangements can be made. See the UMN Policy on Animals on Campus and the ADA definition of a service animal for more information on the distinction between support and service animals.

All vehicles are required to display a Minnesota State Park sticker. The speed limit on station roads is 10 MPH. Driving or parking on the grass is prohibited. Station vehicles may be driven only by those who have been authorized by IBSL staff.

Pontoons, motorboats, and John/V-hull boats are for field courses or research purposes only, and their use must be pre-arranged with IBSL staff (see our Motorboat Protocol for more information). Registered station users have access to canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards. Use these watercraft at your own risk. Minnesota law requires one U.S. Coast Guard approved, properly sized, and easily accessible life jacket for each person on the boat. All children under ten are required to wear an approved life jacket when the boat is underway. While not required by law, we recommend that everyone wear a life jacket when on the water. All participants in station sponsored water activities will be required to wear a life jacket. Station boats are not permitted on the lake after dark. See our Health and Safety page for more information about waterfront safety.