Policies
On this portion of the web site, there are many - but not all - of the present official policies of the University. These policies have been established to create a safe and productive living and academic environment. All university employees and students are expected to be familiar with these policies and to follow them. Please review all the University policies and procedures in your student handbook. 


Prohibited & Restricted Items

Certain items are prohibited in the residence halls for safety and security purposes. These included, but are not limited to, the following items:

Air Conditioners; Alcoholic Beverages; Alcoholic containers or paraphernalia (including any type of posters); Ammunition; Blenders; Burners of any type; Candles; Coffeemakers Toasters (only permitted in the kitchen area of residence halls); Decorative Strings of Lights; Electric frying pans; Extension cords; Fireworks or explosives; Flame-Emitting Articles; Flammable liquids; Flammable liquids and other similar materials; Grills (indoor or outdoor) of any kind including electric, gas or coal; Guns of any type including BB guns, pellet guns, and water guns; Halogen lamps; Heaters of any type; Heating coils; Holiday trees or other live items such as sprays of green and wreaths, Christmas tree lights, etc., are not permitted in the residence halls; Hookahs; Hot Flammable liquids; Hotplates; Illegal drugs; Illegal Knives; Incense; Lava Lamps; Microwaves; No extra furniture allowed (sofas, beds, etc.); Ovens; Potpourri burners; Power tools (large); Rice cookers; Smoothie makers; Toasters (only permitted in the kitchen area of residence halls); Water gel or loft bed; Weapons of any type including sling shots, chukka sticks, knives, Chinese stars, bows and arrows, or any other dangerous instruments; Weightlifting Equipment (large);

The following electrical appliances are authorized for use in student rooms if an Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., label (UL label) is on the appliance: surge protectors, televisions, stereo component systems, clocks, fans, hair dryers, hair setters, 3.0 cubic feet micro-fridges, and personal computers.

Guest & Visitation Policy

Residents are permitted to have guests visit them in their residence hall room. All guest must be registered with security at the security desk in St. Joseph's and Stevenson Hall for all students residing in these areas. For students residing in Duplex and Garden Residence Apartment guests must be registers at the Campus Command Center.

Same Gender Guest: 24 hour visitation privileges for same sex gender guest will be granted with the understanding that they have signed in their guest consistent Guest Registration & Guest Policy.

Opposite Gender Guest: Guest of the opposite gender are permitted in the residents' hall rooms, suites and apartments only during visitation hours. Visitation hours will be posted in each residence hall 9:00am - 12:00pm Sunday - Thursday, 9:00am - 2:00pm Friday and Saturday.

A roommate must not be deprived of the right to privacy, study time, or sleep because of a guest. Thus, all students wishing to entertain an overnight guest must have the advance approval of their roommate(s) and/or suitemates.  Asking permission for guests each time they visit must always be extended to those sharing a room and/or suite. If a roommate feels her/his right to free access of the room is being violated, she/he should contact the appropriate Residence Life staff member as in any other roommate conflict situations.

Alcohol & Smoking Policy

Smoking - Smoking is prohibited in all residence hall rooms and common spaces. Smoking Violations =$50 fine

Alcohol - The possession or consumption (and being in the presences) of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in residence halls ... even if you are the legal age. Alcohol Violations = $50-$100 fine. Please see your student handbook under Sanctions for Alcohol repercussions.

Drugs - (Illegal drugs or paraphernalia)   In its simplest terms , students are in violation of the drug policy if they are found under the influence or in possession of any type of illegal drugs or paraphernalia. Students who are present while the policy is being violated could be subject to the same repercussion as if they violated they policy themselves. Drug Violation = Please see your student handbook under Sanctions for Drugs repercussions.

Quiet & Courtesy Hours

Because the college is concerned with providing an environment conducive to academic success, the Office of Residence Life maintains a policy requiring that students keep noise to an acceptable level. Working within the parameters established by the Office of Residence Life, each residence hall floor or living unit sets a policy of "Quiet Hours" for their community. During "Quiet Hours" music, talking, or other noises should not be heard outside of the students' individual rooms, and students should refrain from congregating and making noise in the hallways. At all times the college observes "Courtesy Hours. The "Courtesy Hours" policy ensures that all student Shave the right to request that others respect their right not to be disturbed by loud voices, music, or other noises. Students are expected to comply with requests from their peers to turn down music or to refrain from activity which is disturbing to others.

Each residence hall will maintain "Quiet Hours" from: Sunday-Thursday, 8:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m.

Sanctions

Sanctions will be based on an educational model and may include, but are not limited to,confiscation, restitution, disciplinary probation, residence hall probation, parental involvement,counseling, letter of warning, completion of educational programming or college service, loss of privileges, fines, removal from housing, suspension, or expulsion.

All sanctions will fall under a Level system, which was created to permit a student a teachable moment when policies are violated. Levels are assigned based on the severity of the policy violation(s). Levels are not always assigned on a gradual basis; students can skip a level or jump to a level II if the infraction is serious enough. Students may be placed on a Level III (which removes students from housing) even if the student had no previous violations, if the policy violated was severe.

Level I sanctions may include but are not limited to:
1. Alcohol and other drug information provided to student (for violations of the alcohol policy).
2. Letter of admonition for student signature, outlining consequences of further violations.
3. Possible participation in a University service project.
4. Fine of $50.
5. Residence hall or disciplinary probation.
6. Possible parental notification (written).

Level II sanctions may include but are not limited to:
1. Referral to campus counselor for assessment OR required participation in an Alcohol and Other Drug Education Course sponsored by the University (for alcohol infractions).
2. Student is required to comply with all recommendations.
3. Residence hall or disciplinary probation.
4. Parental notification.
5. Fine of $75.
6. Removal from residence.
7. Participation in a University service project.
8. In the event of no further disciplinary action, the record will be dropped to a Level I within one calendar year from the date of the infraction. The Level I will remain through to graduation.

Level II sanctions may include but are not limited to:
1. Automatic referral to on or off-campus counselor for assessment and possible treatment.
2. Student is required to comply with all recommendations.
3. Disciplinary probation and/or removal from University housing or suspension from the University.
4. Participation in a University service project.
5. Parental involvement.
6. Fine of $100
7. In the event of no further disciplinary action, the record will be dropped to a Level I within two calendar years from the date of the infraction. The Level I will remain.

Health and Safety Inspections

At least twice a semester the Residence Life staff will conduct a formal health and safety inspection. Guidelines for health and safety inspections will be distributed by the Residence Life Staff and are available on the Residence Life website. In addition to formal inspections, unannounced health, fire, safety or maintenance inspections may be made of residence halls or residents' rooms by University personnel or proper health officials. Maintenance personnel may enter student rooms throughout the year to make necessary repairs, and Residence Life and Maintenance Management will inspect rooms for damages at the end of the spring semester. For the safety of students' personnel belongings and the safety of University property, all rooms will be inspected at the onset of each break period to be sure the curling irons, televisions, lamps, etc. have been turned off and unplugged.