The basic rule that shall govern University Living is to respect the property and rights of others. Treat other people and their property, as you would expect yourself or your property to be treated.

A student is in violation of regulations when they are involved in any of the following:

• Possession or use of illegal drugs or narcotics;
• Possession, use, or in the presence of alcoholic beverages in the residence hall;
• Excessive noise and/or disturbance which infringes on the rights of others;
• Possession or use of weapons and/or explosives;
• Violation of escort/visitation policy;
• Misuse of residence hall services or property;
• Physical abuse, intimidation, verbal abuses or threats of violence;
• Failure to comply with the reasonable directions of University officials, including Residence Life staff, acting the performance of their duties;
• Use of the roof or ledge of the hall;
• Misuse of common area furniture;
• Theft or possession of stolen goods, including street signs;
• Malicious destruction, damages, or misuse of private, public or University property;
• Breaking the peace or contributing to the breaking the peace;
• Lewd, indecent or obscene conduct or expression;
• Solicitation in the residence hall without approval from Student Life;
• Possession of pets;
• Removal of window screens;
• Failure to honor decisions of judicial authority or giving false testimony to a judicial board;
• Skating, skateboarding, bicycling, or roller-blading in the hall;
• Behavior that threatens the safety of others;
• Violation of policies that a student has reasonable access to, such as this guide, the Student Housing Contract and the policies outlined in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Specific Policies

Off-Campus Housing Policy

When demand for campus housing exceeds capacity, students who meet the following criteria may be considered for lodging in University-leased, off-campus lodging.

• Sophomore classification
• 2.50 cumulative GPA required; 3.00 cumulative GPA preferred
• No disciplinary violations

All students who meet these criteria will be interviewed by the Coordination of Student Life staff for selection and final recommendation to the Dean of Student Services.

Air Conditioners

To reduce the cost of maintaining the building, students are asked to turn off their air conditioners and heaters when the temperatures are between 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. The air conditioners can freeze up if the windows are left open and the air conditioners are being run. Please give your air conditioner a break occasionally and let it thaw out.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on University property, which includes the hall. All alcohol confiscated from a resident will be disposed of by the resident in the presence of Residence Life staff.

Balls

Due to the possibility of breakage and the potential for injury ball playing is not permitted in the residence hall. Ball bouncing is also not allowed because of noise.

Common Area Damage

In situations where responsible parties can not be determined all residents will be charged for damages to common areas, such as hallways, the recreation room and stairways.

Controlled Substances

The use, possession or distribution of any illegal substance in or around the residence hall is prohibited and will result in West Plains Police involvement.

Courtesy Hours

Students are asked to extend courtesy to their fellow residents. Please extend courtesy to residents. If they ask you to turn something down please do so. At no point should your stereo or television be heard more than one door down.

Darts and Dartboards

Due to the potential personal injury and property damage, darts and dartboards are not permitted at any time the residence hall.

Electrical appliances

No open coil appliance should be in the residence hall. If you have a question ask the Coordinator.

Escort Policy

For safety’s sake residents must accompany guests wherever they go in the hall. You are responsible for the actions of your guests during their stay.

Explosives

For safety’s sake and for peace and quiet no fireworks or other explosives are allowed in the residence hall or around it.

Fire Alarms and Equipment Abuse

The fire alarm system, fire extinguishers, exit doors, sprinkler system, and lights are installed for the residents’ protection. Tampering with fire equipment including smoke detectors, and sprinklers, can result in civil prosecution, disciplinary measures and/or possible fines.

The University regards false fire alarms and arson as serious threats to the well being of the residence hall community. Reflecting this priority, rewards are paid to individuals assisting in the conviction of persons tampering with the fire alarm system and/or those involved in arson activities.

A $100 reward shall be paid to an individual(s) providing information that leads to the conviction in the campus judiciary system or in a court of law of a person(s) guilty of turning in a false fire alarm or activating the sprinkler system on the university campus.

A $100 reward shall be paid to an individual(s) that leads to the conviction in the campus judiciary system or in a court of law of an individual(s) responsible for arson activities on the University campus.

Fire Doors

The fire doors at either end of the hallway are considered part of the fire safety equipment of the residence hall. Improper propping or rigging of the door to prevent it from closing is a direct violation of University policy.

Flammable Fluids/Chemicals

Use of storage of flammable fluids and/or chemicals is prohibited.

Guests

All guests shall be registered with the Coordinator. No guest shall stay over 3 days and the visitation policy should be followed during the stay of the guest.

Hazing

The University prohibits acts of hazing. Hazing includes any act that puts a student in mental, physical, or emotional danger. At no point should a student feel unsafe during any initiation ceremony or at any activity of the University. Students may contact the Office of Student Life, for further information about this policy.

Insurance Coverage

The University cannot be responsible for any damage or loss of property due to fire, facility failure, theft, severe weather or other acts of nature. Students are, therefore, encouraged to carry their own personal property insurance.

Lights

To replace burned out light bulbs, contact the custodial staff for replacements. Also, to reduce the electrical usage you are asked to turn off your electronic items when you are not using them.

Maintenance and Damages

The University employs staff to keep the residence hall in good working order. Any requests for maintenance should be taken to an RA or the Coordinator.

Any damages that occur during the year should be reported to the RA or Coordinator. Damages will be assessed at the end of the year and charged to the student. Damages to common areas will be charges to all residents if a responsible party can not be determined.

Offensive Odors and Open Flames

Candles and incense are not to be burned in the residence hall.

Pets

Only animals that can survive under water for 24 hours, i.e. fish are allowed in the hall.

Posting Policy

There are bulletin boards in the residence hall. The Coordinator must approve all postings. Materials must be taken to the office from 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday, to obtain approval for the posting. Residence Life staff will then post approved materials.

Room Decorations

General Guidelines

• Nails, screws, foam backed, double-stick or duct tape on or in the walls, furniture, or fixtures are prohibited. Only masking tape or poster putty are to be used to hang posters and other decorations;
• All furniture must stay in the assigned room/suite;
• A receipt must accompany Traffic/street signs if a student wished to hang them in his/her room;
• Pictures that could be considered objectionable must not be visible outside a student’s room (alcohol posters, nudity, etc.);
• Alcohol or other can collections are not allowed in the residence hall;
• No candles or open flames are allowed;
• You may not cover an entire wall with decoration, as it is a fire hazard.

Holiday Decorations

• All the above rules apply for holiday decorations.
• All materials used must be flame-resistant.
• Trees and other greenery must be artificial.
• Lights must be UL-approved and of low wattage.

Room Entry

The University respects a student’s right to privacy. University staff may enter a resident’s room for any of the following conditions:

• To provide room maintenance inspections or repair service.
• To conduct periodic trash or health inspections
• When there is reasonable cause to believe that University regulation or laws are being violated.
• When there is reasonable cause to believe an emergency situation has arisen that requires that the room be entered.
• When a resident permanently vacates the room.
• When a resident vacates a room for a break period, authorized personnel may enter a room to provide room maintenance inspections, repair service or trash and safety inspections.

Illegal materials in plain view may be confiscated if they are noticed in the course of inspections or in response to violation of University or departmental policy. The resident will receive written notification of this action if confiscation is required.

A student’s room will never be entered without knocking. A sufficient lapse of time will be given for the student to answer the door. Before entering a room with the use of a key, staff members will identify themselves.

Room Modifications

Talk to the Coordinator about painting or other modifications.

Telephone Harassment

Telephone harassment includes, but is not limited to, annoying, abusive or obscene phone calls designed to irritate, anger, or threaten a listener. Such harassment is in violation of University and housing policy. Students found responsible for or associated with the harassment of a resident are subject to University and residence hall disciplinary action.

Students receiving harassing phone calls should notify an RA or other staff immediately.

Threats to Community Safety and Security

No students hall engage in any activity that compromises the safety of property, safety, or well being or another member of the University community or their property. The following are defined specifically as dangerous practices in a residential community:

• Propping open doors or permitting unauthorized access to the building by persons not in possession of a key.
• Providing keys to any person other than the individual to whom the keys have been assigned.
• Entering restricted areas such as the roof.
• Tampering with safety equipment, such as elevators, fire equipment, exit signs or other such notices.
• Possession, use or storage of flammable materials, open coil devices, or open flames.
• Throwing objects, including but not limited to, bottles, cans, food, trash, water balloons and balls in or from the hall.
• Removal of screens.
• Group activities that may lead to injury or destruction of property.

Tobacco Policy

Smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco are prohibited on campus and at all university activities.

Visitation Policy

Residents of the hall may have guests visit them in the hall. This is provided that it does not cause problems with the roommates or suitemates. Visitation hours for the residence hall are:

Sunday – Thursday	8 AM – 12 AM
Friday and Saturday	24 hour visitation

During these times guests may be of either sex. At times other than these only same sex guests will be allowed. Overnight guests of the same sex may stay once the resident has notified the Coordinator.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds are not allowed in the residence hall.

Weapons

Weapons such as firearms, BB guns, ammunition, bows and arrows, and knives for other than cooking and kitchen purposes are prohibited in the residence hall due to the inherent danger.

Windows and Screens

For safety purposes residents must follow the below policies:

• Residents may not remove the screens from their room window or other residence hall windows at any time, nor take any action that may tend to damage the window, screens, tracks or closures.
• Residents are instructed not to lean against any window to stand upon any structure(s) or item(s), such as heating unit, crates or books in front of any window in the residence hall.
• No objects may be thrown, dropped, push out of, placed outside of or allowed to fall from any residence hall window.
• No one is permitted on ledges, nor are items to be placed on ledges.

Due to the severity of this safety concern, the Office of Student Life and Development will hold the resident of the room responsible for any damage to any part of the window and the students will be assessed a $100 fine.