Residence Hall Community Policies and Procedures

Alcoholic Beverages

Beverages with an alcohol content of 3.2% or less are permitted within the rooms of those persons of legal age for consumption, as defined by the State of Kansas, and living in South Towers floors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 only. In all other residence hall areas alcoholic beverages are not permitted, regardless of age. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in any public area on Emporia State University property. Residents confronted by a university official regarding alcohol are expected to cooperate by furnishing their full name, student ID number/social security number, and current address. Police and Safety will be called to investigate any situation concerning alcohol in which a resident does not cooperate. Note: students living in South Towers floors 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 are not to consume alcohol in the presence of anyone under the age of 21. Those found in violation will be held accountable through the discipline system.

Alcohol Containers

To ensure compliance with the alcohol policy at Emporia State University, alcoholic beverage containers are not allowed on campus except in the areas listed above. Examples include, but are not limited to: cans, bottles, kegs, party balls, crates, cases, and wine boxes. Persons found in violation of the container policy will be held responsible for an alcohol violation, regardless of the amount of alcohol present.

Antennas

Antennas are prohibited outside the windows or in the hallways; however, residents may place them inside their rooms or on doors or windows providing no damage takes place.

Bicycles

Bicycles are to be kept in the bicycle racks provided outside the residence halls, or inside the student’s room. Bicycle use and storage is not permitted in the hallways, lounges, stairwells, entrances, or exits. The university will assume no liability for lost, stolen, or damaged bicycles.

Candles/Incense/Open Flames

Candles, incense, and open flames are not permitted at any time in the residence halls. There are to be NO decorative candles in a residence hall room. All candles will be confiscated.

Chain Letters

Chain letters are illegal and should not be distributed in the residence halls.

Cohabitation Policy

Cohabitation is the housing of anyone in a room they are not assigned to. Overnight guests staying more than 2 consecutive nights, or 4 nights in a week, is considered cohabitation. Cohabitation is prohibited in all residence halls.

Cooking

Cooking may only be done in student rooms on approved electrical appliances or in the designated cooking areas. Students using these facilities are responsible for cleaning the area and removal of all trash and supplies. Privileges may be revoked for failing to properly follow regulations. (See Electrical Appliances on page 12 for a list of appliances that are approved for residence hall use.)

Confiscation Policy

The Department of Residential Life reserves the right to confiscate property identified as a policy violation in this handbook and/or in the residence hall contract. Additionally, property or substances that are illegal to possess will be reported to Police and Safety. (See Property/Substance Violation of Residence Hall Policy on page 13 and Property/Substance Illegal to Possess on page 14.)

Consolidation

Should vacancies occur in any residence hall at the beginning of an academic semester, a consolidation of those spaces will take place (please refer to your Residence Hall Contract). The Complex Coordinator will work with students in making these arrangements. Students will have the option of finding a roommate, accepting the room as a private, or being moved to another room. Please note that there must be a minimum of three residents in a four person room. This process is designed to remain fair to those who are paying for a private room and to reduce the cost of operations for the halls.

Dartboards

The use of dartboards in student rooms is discouraged. Students having dartboards will be charged for any damage.

Decorations

Care should be taken when decorating rooms; be certain a fire hazard is not created. Flammable items may not be suspended from the ceiling (fish nets, sheets, flags, etc). During holiday seasons, live trees, wreaths, or garland are not permitted in the halls. Other decorations should be flame resistant and use low-heat UL approved bulbs. Contact paper is not to be applied to any part of the residence hall room.

Door Locking/Propping

Exterior doors of all residence halls will be locked 24hours a day / 7 days a week. To ensure the safety of all residents, no doors in the halls are to be propped open at any time.

Drugs and Drug Paraphernalia

The possession, sale of, and/or use of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia on campus are strictly forbidden. Possession or sale of drugs may result in removal from the residence halls. Residents removed for disciplinary reasons will be held fiscally responsible for all contract cancellation charges.

Electrical Appliances

Residents are limited in the type of electrical appliances used in the room. Only items with enclosed heating elements that are UL approved are permitted. These include portable electric hair dryers, portable refrigerators (not to exceed 5 cubic feet), razors, radios, computers, TVs, stereos, air popcorn poppers, coffee makers, George Forman grills, crock pots, toaster ovens, and microwaves (not to exceed 600 watts).

Both the appliance and any cord used in connection with it must have a UL approved label. Power strips, surge protectors, or appliance drop cords should be used for refrigerators, microwaves, computers, and electronic equipment. When using these appliances, care should be taken to ensure that no damage is done to university property. Space heaters are not allowed unless provided by Residential Life staff. Tampering with electrical systems (dimmer switches, circuit breaker boxes, wiring, etc.) is not permitted to ensure the safety of all residents. Amplifiers, toasters, and hot plates are not allowed in student rooms.

Elevators

Smoking is strictly prohibited in elevators. Vandalism and horseplay (e.g. tampering with doors and control panels, jumping, rocking, etc.) will not be tolerated. In the event that an elevator should malfunction, use the emergency alarm and await assistance. Under no circumstances should an individual attempt to open the doors by force or use alarm bells for reasons other than an emergency.

Employee Harassment

Any attempt by a student or a guest to physically or verbally harass, intimidate, or otherwise restrict a residence hall employee in the performance of his/her duty will be viewed seriously and may lead to removal from the residence halls and other disciplinary action.

Escort Policy

A guest coming to visit must be let into the building by the Reception Center staff. The residents are then called and required to go meet their guest at the Reception Center. All guests must be escorted by their host at all times. For safety reasons, unescorted non-residents will be asked to leave immediately. (Also see Guest Policies.)

Finals Week Intensive Quiet Hours

In conjunction with the academic mission of the University, all residence halls will begin with 24-hour quiet hours on the Saturday night prior to the start of finals week.

Furniture-Removal from Public Areas

It is the policy of Residential Life that all furniture purchased for the use of residents living in university residence halls and designated for the common areas (lounges) shall remain in the common areas. The furniture is not to be taken by students to their rooms for personal use. If a student does not comply with the policy, there is a $1 per day charge for each item of furniture found in the room. If the date of origination cannot be determined, charges may be assessed from the beginning of the semester.

Furniture-Removal from Hall Room

Desks, desk lamps, chairs, dressers and beds are provided in your room. Your Room Condition Report (RCR) is intended to provide accurate records of the furniture in each room. All furniture must remain in your room. The university does not have the necessary facilities to store individual furniture. Charges may be assessed for furniture that is removed from a student’s room.

Gambling

Gambling with or for money, in any form, is not permitted in the residence halls. Gambling is a violation of state law.

Guest Policy

1. All residents must abide by their community’s visitation policy when hosting guests.
2. A resident must have permission from their roommate to have an overnight guest.
3. A resident may host only 1 guest at a time for no more than 2 consecutive nights. Exceptions to this limit are Family Day weekend, “Little Sibs” weekend, and any other time when the Director of Residential Life grants permission in advance.
4. All overnight guests must register at the Reception Center upon arrival and keep the Guest Registration Card with them at all times throughout the duration of their visit. (See Registration Policy.)
5. The host resident is responsible for the behavior of his/her guest and shall be charged for any damages that the guest may cause.
6. A host resident should be with the guest in the room and at all times while in the residence alls.
7. Any resident of a room has the right to ask a visitor to leave. If a visitor does not cooperate with a request, the floor RA, RAs on duty, or the Complex Coordinator may be contacted.
8. Keys are not to be loaned to guests.

Hate Speech/Harassment

Personally directed harassing speech within the halls, which is intended to threaten or elicit a violent reaction, is unacceptable.

Heating/Air Conditioning Concerns

Residents should first fill out a work order at the Reception Center and then contact their RA or Complex Coordinator about any heating/air conditioning concerns.

Highway Signs

Possession of road signs is in violation of state law. Information about road signs and their whereabouts in the halls will be made available to ESU Police and Safety.

Liability and Insurance

The university assumes no liability for loss, damage, or theft to the property of a student, although all reasonable efforts are made to protect such property. The protection of personal property and personal safety are the individual’s responsibility. Students are encouraged to review their parents’ homeowners and health insurance policies and to obtain adequate coverage. Students should contact their RA if damage or a loss occurs.

Littering

In the event that excessive littering occurs in a public area (i.e. hallway, stairwell, lounge) or the surrounding grounds of the building, students will be responsible for the cost of the clean up.

Loft Building

Lofts/bunk beds are allowed in student rooms, but are the full responsibility of the resident. A limited number of loft kits are available to residents residing on 5, 6, 7 and 8 South Tower. Contact your Complex Coordinator for more information. To construct and or have a loft, the student must follow these guidelines:

• You are limited to building a structure, which supports (and utilizes no more area than) the bed frame/mattress.
• The loft may not support any other furnishings, nor create any walls, ceilings, floors or enclosures.
• The loft may not place the top of the mattress closer than 36” from the ceiling.
• The loft must be freestanding and self-supporting; in other words, it may not be attached to or resting on or against the walls, ceilings or furnishings.
• No part of the structure can cover or block access to windows, electrical or heating system devices, or exits.
• University supplied furnishings or equipment may not be removed from the resident’s room.

Noise

The problem of noise control in the residence halls is important in providing an environment conducive to the total development of students in an educational, social and cultural environment. Students are encouraged to discuss any concerns regarding noise with the staff members of the hall, but are expected to confront the situation first. Residents responsible for excessive noise and/or disruptive behavior will be subject to disciplinary action. Excessive noise will be defined as noise that can be heard 2 doors away. In addition, it may be necessary, in some instances, for the Complex Coordinator to require that students remove stereo equipment from the residence hall.

• Quiet Hours: The floors set quiet hours at the beginning of each semester. Minimum hours are 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. daily.
• Courtesy Hours: Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day and require that all residents and guests keep noise to a level that does not interfere with others.

Personalization of Student Rooms

Students are encouraged to decorate and personalize their rooms to the extent that it does not damage the room. Students are permitted to move the unattached furniture within their rooms. The use of posters to personalize your room is encouraged; some simple guidelines apply. Within the room, posters must not be placed edge to edge so that a continuous path of fuel is established in the event of fire. Posters should also be mounted in a way that does not damage walls or leave "tape scars." On the exterior of the room, posters must not extend past your doorframe. Posters of nudity or racially offensive content are prohibited on the exterior of the room or from being displayed in a manner which can be viewed from the exterior of the room.

Pets

Only pets that permanently survive under water are permitted in the residence halls. The maximum aquarium size is 10 gallons. The cost of extermination and cleaning will be assessed to the student if this policy is violated.

Physical/Sexual Assault

If you are the victim of physical or sexual assault, contact your Resident Assistant or Complex Coordinator and ESU Police and Safety immediately.

Students involved in the assault of another person within the residence halls may be removed from the halls. Residents removed for disciplinary reasons will be held fiscally responsible for the full cancellation cost of the contract.

Pipes

Water and steam carrying pipes exist in many rooms. These pipes were not designed to bear weight. Hanging items from the pipes may cause them to break or be punctured. For this reason it is not permitted to hang anything from the pipes.

Posting Fliers and Signs

The residence halls observe the posting policies used by the Special Events Office when posting campus information. Any material that you wish to post concerning an event sponsored by a recognized campus organization should be taken to the Special Events Office, located in the Memorial Union, for approval. The Complex Coordinator or the Associate Director of Residential Life must approve non-campus advertising for posting.

Property/Substance Violation of Residence Hall Policy

Items that are not illegal to possess, but are a violation of residence hall policy (i.e. candles, pets, hot plates, etc.), or are used to violate residence hall policy (i.e. stereos, etc.), may be confiscated by residence hall staff. These items will be held by the Complex Coordinators and will be returned to the student at a time determined in a disciplinary hearing. Students will receive written confirmation of any items confiscated from their room. Items that are confiscated and returned to a student, and are involved in a subsequent violation, must be removed from the residence hall. Note: guns, knives, arrows, and ammunition that are confiscated will be stored at Police and Safety for safety reasons.

Property/Substances Illegal to Possess

Items that are illegal to possess will be reported to Police and Safety and removal will be determined through their discretion.

Recycling of Aluminum Cans

The collection of aluminum cans is not permitted in the halls except in designated areas outside the buildings. For sanitation reasons, a can collection is not permitted in student rooms.

 Refrigerators

You may bring your own refrigerator, although residents can only have a refrigerator of up to 5 cubic feet. One refrigerator per resident is allowed. As of 2004-2005 the Department of Residential Life no longer provides refrigerator rental.

Registration Policy

Any guest visiting a room after midnight must be registered at the Reception Center of the particular building they are visiting. The guest must keep their registration card with them at all times. This is necessary for emergency purposes and is in no way intended to be a record of whom residents have as guests.

Roofs

Only authorized university personnel may have access to or be on the roof of any residence hall building or adjoining facilities.

Room Entry

The University respects the student’s right to freedom from illegal or unreasonable searches and invasions of privacy. However, the University reserves the right to enter into the living quarters of a student. Residence hall staff members have the authority and responsibility to enter students’ rooms under the following guidelines:

1. By authorized University personnel with 24 hours advanced notice to ensure that health, fire and safety regulations are maintained;
2. By authorized University personnel with 24 hours advance notice to make improvements and repairs and to provide routine maintenance services;
3. By authorized University personnel without notice if you request repair or maintenance work to be done in your living unit, whether or not you are home;
4. By authorized personnel without notice, in emergency situations to protect the health and welfare of the student or to make emergency repairs to prevent damages to the property of the University;
5. By authorized University officials without notice when there is reasonable cause to believe that there is/has been a violation of University regulations or federal, state, or local laws or ordinances;
6. By law enforcement officers in the performance of statutory duties and in accordance with legally defined procedures governing search and seizure;
7. By authorized University officials without notice for check-in/check-out, for safety checks at semester/holiday breaks, to investigate an activated alarm, to retrieve University property, and for work orders submitted prior to occupancy;
8. By authorized Housing, Maintenance, and/or Facilities Management personnel where a major remodeling project is taking place (e.g. replacing shower walls). The residents involved will be notified of any such projects.

In all instances, such entry shall be made only for the purposes set forth above. Observed alleged contraband will be confiscated and/or alleged violation of University policies will be referred to the Complex Coordinator for follow-up action. Note: Rooms will not be opened for anyone other than the official occupant.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment or unwanted sexual attention by one student to another is unacceptable. This includes both unwanted verbal and physical contact. Any situation concerning harassment should be brought to the attention of an RA or Complex Coordinator immediately.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in the residence halls.

Solicitation

Residence hall rooms are not to be used for any commercial purposes. Solicitation for business, charity, political, or religious purposes on residence hall grounds or residence hall buildings by anyone is prohibited. The sale of items in the residence halls by campus organizations must be approved in advance by the Director of Residential Life and is to be restricted to the main lounges at hours agreed to by the Director of Residential Life.

Sports

Sports or sporting activities are prohibited in the residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to, kicking, dribbling, hitting, or passing balls.

Sun Lamps/Halogen Lamps

Sun/Halogen Lamps or any lamp that produces heat sufficient enough to create a fire hazard (250 watts) are not permitted in the residence halls.

Theft

All students need to be assured that their personal belongings are safe and secure. Students involved in theft against ESU or another residence hall student may be removed from the halls. Residents removed for disciplinary reasons will be held fiscally responsible for the full cancellation costs of the contract.

Vandalism/Damages

Any damages done to university property, except for that which is defined as normal wear and tear, will be billed to the student. Common area damages are charged evenly to all students residing in that area.

Visitation Hours

The Department of Residential Life in conjunction with each residence hall sets visitation hours.

Standard Visitation: Sunday through Thursday noon to midnight, and weekends noon to 2 a.m. Students in all halls may vote as a floor to expand standard visitation to 10 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, as well as vote to establish 24-hour visitation on the weekend. A 75% vote of the total floor population is needed to expand visitation hours to those previously stated.

Extended Visitation: Extended visitation hours are Sunday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Weekend visitation is 24 hours, beginning on Friday at 8:00 a.m. and ending on Monday at 2:00 a.m.

24/7 Visitation: 24/7 is 24 hours visitation 7 days a week and is in no way a means for cohabitation.

Building Options for Visitation

Morse Complex - Residents have the option of voting for Standard or Extended Visitation.

Singular/Trusler Hall - Residents have the option of voting for Standard or Extended Visitation.

North and South Towers - Residents have the option of voting for Standard, Extended, or 24/7 Visitation.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds are not permitted.

Weapons/Firearms/Flammable Liquids/Fireworks

1. Firearms of any type are prohibited in residence halls and are against the law. This includes pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, or any other device designed with a firing mechanism.
2. Air rifles (BB or pellet), laser sights, and/or similar guns/sights of any type are prohibited as well.
3. Knives, other than pocketknives and/or kitchen knives with blades less than 4" in length are prohibited. Switchblades or butterfly knives are prohibited as well.
4. Bows and arrows are prohibited.
5. Any item specifically designed or intended to cause injury or death may not be maintained in the residence halls.
6. Firecrackers and/or fireworks are not permitted in the residence halls.
7. Flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, naphtha or benzene cannot be stored in student rooms.

Possession of firearms may result in removal from the residence halls. Residents removed for disciplinary reasons will be held fiscally responsible for the full cancellation costs of the contract.

Window Screens and Ledges

Removal of window screens is prohibited. Throwing, dropping, hanging, etc, any object from a residence hall window is prohibited. Entering or exiting a residence hall by way of a window is also prohibited. Sunbathing, sitting, or storing items on the ledge is not allowed. There will be a $10 charge for each removed screen and a $25 charge if the screen needs to be completely replaced because of damage.

 

Last Updated May 1, 2007