LIVING ON CAMPUS
Living on campus in a residence hall is a unique and wonderful experience, a catalyst for personal growth and independence. It provides innumerable opportunities to live with others who are different from yourself, to become a leader, to communicate well, to manage conflicts successfully, to make sound decisions, and to broaden your perspective on the world.
We invite you to embrace the spirit of community, take some risks willingly, meet your challenges and responsibilities honestly, learn from your mistakes humbly, and respect yourself, your neighbors, your community, and your environment energetically.
Because the university has set standards of behavior for all students, who sometimes live together in groups of 15 to 50, some additional guidelines are necessary. During community meetings you will talk about how everyone can show each other respect. Basic expectations of everyone living in community are listed here.
Amplified musical instruments and drums are not permitted due to the noise levels they create. The playing of other instruments is subject to the agreement of residents in the affected areas and must adhere to the quiet hours policy.
Antennas may be placed only inside a student’s room and should not extend beyond the window or door.
Athletic equipment may not be used in the residence halls or immediately adjacent to residence hall doors and windows. This includes but is not limited to: skate boards; roller blades; lacrosse and hockey equipment; golf and baseball equipment; basketballs, bowling balls, footballs, rugby balls, soccer balls, volley balls, tennis balls and racquet balls; frisbees and scooters.
Bikes are not permitted in lounges or stairwells. There are no storage facilities available for bikes in the residence halls. Therefore, they must be stored in your room or outside.
Breaks occur at Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break, Easter and the end of spring semester. All residence halls will close at specified times. Travel arrangements should be made to assure compliance with closing times because you are expected to vacate your room and building by the designated time. Although you may keep your belongings in your room, except for the end of spring semester, we recommend that you take your valuables home. You should take everything you need during break periods as access to rooms is very limited during these times.
Bernet, Pacelli, and Hamlin Halls will remain open through the end of the spring term with the exception of twelve days over the Christmas holiday when all halls will be closed. If you need to stay over a break, you must register in the Office of Residence Life. There may be a fee for staying. Guests are not permitted and all community standards will remain in effect.
Building security is everyone’s responsibility. Carry your keys, close doors, use an escort when in another residence hall, report unescorted persons, and do not give access to unescorted guests. All residence halls are locked twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Propping outside doors is a security risk to all residents, and so is not permitted.
Candles are prohibited in residence hall rooms if the wick is burned. Burning of candles is also prohibited.
Check-In. Consists of signing for keys, submitting an emergency contact card, and signing a Room Condition Report. Please review it carefully. It will protect you from being held responsible for damages that existed prior to your occupancy.
Check-out. Occurs at the end of the contract. You are required to leave the building within 24 hours of the completion of your last exam, or by the official closing time, whichever comes first.
There are two methods for checking out. The first is “express check out” which includes signing a waiver of room inspection forfeiting your right to the appeal process and returning your keys. The second includes your personal inspection of the room with a staff member, signing your room condition report and returning your keys. Failure to choose one of these methods will result in a charge of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) and forfeiture of using the damage appeal process.
Common area space is for every resident’s use. Various lounges provide televisions, pool tables, microwave ovens, kitchenettes and study areas. Residents are responsible for the daily upkeep of these areas. Therefore, your cooperation in maintaining a clean atmosphere is expected. Lounge furniture or cushions may not be removed from lounges.
Community damage is damage done in public areas. The public area losses or damages that are preventable and are not assignable to individuals will be billed in equal amounts to the floor or building members. It is the responsibility of all residents to be aware of their environment and to hold others accountable who vandalize property.
Consolidation may be necessary when numerous students are living in rooms without roommates. To make the best use of available space, students who pay the double-room rate may be required to consolidate with other students. When possible, students living alone in double rooms will be offered the opportunity to rent their double room as a "buyout" at an increased cost.
Contracts for university housing are legally binding documents and should be read carefully and retained for future reference. They are for the full academic year. The university reserves the right to deny a student access to university housing for sufficient cause. The university may remove from university housing a student who fails to meet proper standards of conduct and performance. Such standards include but are not limited to the terms of the Housing Contract and the regulations governing the residence halls.
Cooking is prohibited in the residence halls except as designated by the university. This is because of problems associated with the preparation of food in the residence halls such as rodents, insects, and potential damage to physical property, potential fire hazard, and unpleasant odors in the room/hall. Some halls have community kitchens and regulations for their use should be followed.
Decorating. The addition of furniture such as chairs, wardrobes, or clothes racks should be done with good judgment - mindful of safety and the ability of people to exit from your room. Any type of partition or hanging material that represents a potential fire hazard will not be permitted (i.e. banner/tapestries hanging over smoke detectors). You may hang your own curtains, but university issued drapes must be rehung before checking out of the room. Nails, thumbtacks, tape of any kind, and other devices (decals on mirrors and doors) that will damage any painted or wooden surface are not permitted. Tampering with or rewiring of electrical fixtures jeopardizes the safety of the building and is prohibited. The university reserves the right to judge what is “safe” for its buildings and occupants. Decorations used for special occasions must be of fire retardant material. All decorative lights must be for indoor use and UL approved. Live Christmas trees are not permitted in residence halls. Neon signs are prohibited in residence hall windows. When in the judgment of the university there is offensive material displayed on a door, in a window or in a room, the university reserves the right to require students to remove the display.
Disrespect for or interference with a staff member acting in the performance of her or his duties is considered an extremely serious offense. Any student who commits an act of disrespect against a Residence Life staff member will be subject to disciplinary action. A finding of responsibility in such a case may result in suspension or expulsion from the university.
Electrical appliances must be in compliance with the housing and fire codes of the City of University Heights. Each appliance must be UL approved. Approved appliances include stereos, computers, televisions, VCRs, refrigerators (3 cubic feet or smaller), microwaves (1 cubic foot and 700 - 900 watts), blankets, fans, coffee makers, desk lights, hair dryers, and curling irons. Prohibited items include toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates, hot pots, sun lamps, electric skillets and woks, grills (including the George Foreman grill), oil popcorn poppers, space heaters, percolators, air conditioners, halogen bulb lamps, and potpourri burners. Only UL approved, circuit breaker type extension cords and power-strips may be used.
Entering Student Rooms and Residences. Authorized university representatives may enter a student’s room to inspect, repair, examine, or make necessary alterations. In addition, university representatives may enter a student’s room to enforce university policy; to investigate possible policy infractions; to ensure that students have vacated the room in emergency situations; to inspect for cleanliness, health, and safety; or to place, replace, repair, or remove rented equipment.
A student is not allowed to enter another student’s room without permission from the occupant. University staff will only provide access to a room for the resident of that room.
No one is welcome in a John Carroll University student residence unless she/he resides in that residence hall, is a university employee working in that residence, is being hosted by a resident of that building, or is given permission by the university to do work in that building. Resident students are held responsible for the behavior of their guests. Guests always must be escorted by a resident while in the building.
Escorting your guests in the hallways, bathrooms, and lounges is your responsibility. This includes residents of other buildings who are visiting you.
