Residence Hall Policies

As a member of the residence hall community, each student has certain responsibilities to help ensure the safety and comfort of other students and the smooth functioning of the community. All students are expected to know and abide by university policies as outlined in the USF Student Handbook. In addition to university policies, residents are responsible for knowing and upholding residence hall policies as outlined in the Housing & Residential Education Student Handbook/Calendar. Below is a non-inclusive list of some of the Housing & Residential Education policies. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “residence halls” refers to all campus housing. Violations of residence hall or university policy are investigated and, if necessary, adjudicated, by an Administrative Hearing Officer from Housing & Residential Education and/or Student Judicial Services or by the Residential Community Conduct Board, depending upon the nature of the violation and the charged student’s choice of adjudication.

Alcohol

The possession and consumption of alcohol is a privilege provided to those of legal age living within on-campus housing with certain restrictions. These restrictions are designed to ensure the safety and well being of all students. Any behavior deemed disruptive that interferes with the rights of students living in the housing due to alcohol consumption will lead to disciplinary action.

• Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to interference in the cleanliness of housing interference with quiet and courtesy hours.
• Consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or possession of open alcoholic containers by those of age are strictly prohibited in public areas. Public areas include hallways, labs, lounges, office areas, stairwells, public bathrooms, any non-approved recreational areas, outside buildings and any other areas deemed public by Housing & Residential Education.
• Residents 21 and older may possess and consume alcohol only within the strict confines of their room or apartment. Residents who are 21 or older may possess and/or consume alcohol in the presence of their underage roommate. No drinking and/or open containers are allowed by anyone when underage guests are present in the student room/apartment. Guests of legal age cannot consume alcohol when the resident host of the room/apartment is under 21.
• Students may not possess excessive amounts of alcohol. The definition of “excessive” will be at the discretion of Housing & Residential Education staff. Kegs, party balls, trashcans, or large vessels that contain alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited within on-campus housing and surrounding areas.
• Progressive drinking parties are not allowed due to the prohibition of consumption or possession of alcoholic containers in public areas, potential for noise violations, and potential for illegal consumption.
• Private gatherings held in student rooms/apartments must be confined to that specific room or apartment. Housing & Residential Education staff reserves the right to determine if the occupancy of the room/apartment for private gatherings exceeds the amount that would be considered in violation of fire and safety regulations. Doors must be kept closed. Private gatherings must adhere to visitation and quiet hour restrictions.

Appliances/Cooking

Use of electrical appliances is permitted in rooms and apartments under certain guidelines. Due to concern for fire and safety standards, only microwaves which use less than 1,000 watts, automatic coffee makers, and refrigerators which do not exceed 4.5 cubic feet may be used in student rooms and suite areas.

The following appliances are not allowed to be used in individual bed rooms or suites: Appliances with open coils, such as toasters, the George Forman grill, hot plates, roasters, popcorn poppers, any type of heater. The above appliances are allowed in apartments that contain a kitchen area. For more information as to specific appliances allowed within your room, please see your RA or GA.

You must provide a power-strip with a built-in circuit breaker if you plan to operate any of the above appliances. The University encourages the use of multi-socket power strips with a breaker switch. The use of extension cords is not permitted within the halls.

Extreme care should be taken with appliances such as curling irons, hair dryers, and irons. Do not leave these items on when not in use or place them next to flammable areas such as on the carpet or on beds. To insure that the above guidelines are being followed, Housing & Residential Education staff will conduct semester room checks with at least 24 hours notice to residents.

Cooking is strictly prohibited in bed rooms or suites, but may be done in designated cooking areas in each building and within apartments that contain a kitchen area.

In order to prevent fires, food must always be attended to while cooking. Residents who consistently violate this policy will face disciplinary action and possible expulsion from on-campus housing.

Drug Use

The illegal possession, use or sale or an attempt to obtain any illegal drug or controlled substance is strictly prohibited in the residence halls.

Firearms, fireworks explosives and weapons

These and other dangerous items are not permitted in the residence halls.

Furniture

All furniture assigned to student rooms, apartments, floor lounges, and other public areas must remain in their appropriate locations. The removal of University furniture from student rooms and/or public areas is prohibited. Residents are responsible for the proper care of University furniture, and will be charged for any damages, repair and replacement costs at checkout. All furniture belonging to residents must be removed from campus prior to checkout time. Furniture left will be subject to removal at the owner's expense.

Visitation

Visitation is considered a privilege. A resident's right to comfortably study, sleep, and have privacy in their room or apartment at any time takes priority over any resident's ability to host a guest. A resident's request for any guest to leave at any time must be honored. The safety and security of a comfortable environment could be compromised if unwanted guests are present, or if guests refuse to leave because they are visiting within posted visitation hours. Guests must be escorted by a resident at all times. Visitation is defined as periodic visits of guests and does not encompass cohabitation in a room, suite or apartment as each space in university housing may be occupied only by the student to whom it is contracted. Only visitors of the same sex are permitted to spend the night and must have the explicit consent of the roommate. However, even with consent, no visitor may stay more than 3 nights in a 30-day period.

All residents will have the opportunity to vote for one of three guest visitation policy choices at the beginning of the Fall Semester.

1. No guest visitation.
2. Guest visitation between 10:00am and 2:00am, Monday through Thursday with weekend guest visitation beginning at 10:00am Friday and continuing until 2:00am Monday.
3. 24 hours a day/seven days a week guest visitation. Visitation within student rooms must be determined by mutual agreement among roommates.

Quiet Hours

Residents must respect quiet hours, which are: Sunday-Thursday from 10:00pm until 10:00am; and Friday-Saturday from 12:00am to 12:00pm. During these hours residents are expected to refrain from excessive noise and other disruptive activities. Non-designated quiet times are to be considered “courtesy hours”. Courtesy hours are in effect twenty-four hours a day. During these times, residents are expected to maintain reasonable volume levels including conversations in stairwells, slamming doors, and stereo volume. Students are expected to comply when a request is made by fellow residents or staff members regarding noise. During finals week 24-hour quiet hours are enforced through the end of the finals period.

Pets

Fish in aquariums limited to 10 gallons are the only pets allowed in on-campus housing. All other pets are prohibited. “Visiting” pets with the exception of fish are prohibited at all times within any residence halls.

Raised Beds

Building a Raised Bed - The guidelines established by the raised bed policy are designed to prevent damage to facilities and to insure that the raised bed is safe for resident use. A raised bed is defined as “any bed or structure that is raised from the floor.” [Note: Kosove, Castor, Holly, and Maple staff provide all hardware and instructions for raising beds with University supplied equipment in those buildings.] Residents must complete a Raised Bed Agreement with their RA prior to construction. See the Raised Bed Agreement form and the “Policies” section of this handbook.

Security

Residents are prohibited from giving their room keys and key card to anyone to use. It is the responsibility of the resident to report lost or stolen keys immediately. Propping exterior doors or giving non-residents access to the hall is strictly prohibited.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any area within the buildings including but not limited to student rooms, meeting rooms and office facilities or adjacent to the building area. Smoking must take place a minimum of 15 feet from the building.

Subletting

Rooms may be occupied only by the student to whom it is assigned. This contract may not be assigned, and residence hall space may not be sublet to another person (Source: Student Housing Contract).

Windows/Screens

For your security, the opening of windows is not permitted in the Andros Complex. Open windows also have a detrimental effect on the air conditioning for the building. Each window has been sealed to prevent water intrusion. A $50.00 resealing charge will be assessed to residents in a room with an open window (Note: Castor, Maple, Magnolia, Kosove, and Holly apartment windows can be opened by residents; however, residents should keep personal security in mind). Windows may only be used as a means to enter and exit a building in an emergency. Window screens are never to be removed from the window.


Above is a non-inclusive list of some of the Housing & Residential Education policies, for more information on these policies and community rules, you can refer to the 2008-2009 Resident Handbook (PDF).