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Survey Results: 2005 Housing/Quality of Residence Life Survey
Guidelines for Community Living
Table of Contents
Dear Resident,
Congratulations on choosing to join our community of learners. “Live, Learn and Grow” is the motto used to describe our vision of this community; a residential environment designed to support the social, educational, and personal development of all its members.
Residence Life reaches beyond having a safe, affordable, comfortable place to live on campus. It’s about the people you meet and the experiences students have as they go through the academic year together. The informal social, support network that forms between residents contributes to a rewarding and memorable experience. The student experience is further enhanced by a variety of programs offered by the Residence Assistants.
Residence brings the advantages of greater interaction with peers, faculty, student and learning services, and an increased level of social/extra curricular involvement resulting in an overall higher rate of student success. We invite students to take advantage of the opportunities, challenges and new experiences residence has to offer. If you need assistance contact the staff in the office or one of our many student leaders. Welcome to your new home.
THE MISSION & GOALS OF OUR OFFICE
We are committed to strengthening relationships among people. We support interaction that promotes awareness and understanding of the diversity that exists within and outside the University community. We encourage acceptance and appreciation of people regardless of race, gender, age, ethnicity, able bodiedness, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, or religious affiliation. We believe each person has worth and should be treated with dignity and respect. We encourage all people in our community to reach out to each other and develop positive relationships.
We will do this by striving to:
The Resident Hall Director (RHD) oversees the department facilitating a vision that continues the development of facilities, policies, and student success programs. Assessing student satisfaction in each area of the residence operation is a critical part of staying connected to the student experience, ensuring the best value for residence fees is received by students, and providing safe and affordable accommodation that promotes the growth of a student. In addition to more formal opportunities to interact with students such as student advisory groups, focus groups and residence satisfaction surveys the RHD welcomes the opportunity to sit down with students informally to discuss challenges and successes.
Resident Assistants
Residence Assistants (RAs) are community builders who live in each hall of the residence. They serve as the primary resource to the residents for information and assistance. Selected on the basis of academic achievement, leadership ability, and commitment to residence hall living, they are full-time students trained to help with most situations that may arise. During the year, RAs will plan programs and activities to provide students with social and educational opportunities outside the classroom. RAs will also assist residents with upholding the University policies. Residence Assistants are on duty every night. They are responsible for:
Your residence hall room or apartment will be the center of your "living/learning" environment while at Thomas University. Our goal is to provide an environment that supports academic achievement and promotes individual development. The Office of Housing and Residence Life has arranged staff and programs which are designed to encourage students to:
Students wishing to live on campus must sign a Residence Hall Contract and a $250 reservation fee. The reservation fee guarantees your room for the entire academic year and is applied to the spring semester housing charge. Summer term is a separate contract period additional charges and an additional contract must be completed to obtain housing for the summer.
In the residence hall contract, the University and the student agree to services, policies, rules, and procedures that are, or may be, established concerning the operation of the residence halls. The student is responsible for being familiar with policies, rules, and procedures as stated in the residence hall contract and other information printed by the Director of Student Life. Residents should be aware that violators of housing and residence life policies will be subject to disciplinary hearings, which may result in loss of campus housing and forfeiture of fees, fines, restitution, and/or removal from the University or other appropriate consequence. All residence hall contracts are valid for one full academic year. However, those periods when the University is officially closed, such as Thanksgiving, Winter Break, and Spring Break, is not included in the agreement.
At the end of each term, Thanksgiving and Spring Breaks, all students residing in residence halls are required to vacate their rooms, as noted below or 24 hours after their last exam.
Under extenuating circumstances students may request to remain on campus during periods when the residence halls are closed. Permission to remain on campus may be granted, however it may also require the student to relocate rooms during the break. Requests to remain on campus must be submitted in writing to the Office of Housing and Residence Life with a minimum of one week notification. Students involved in athletics, academic programs and employed on campus must provide supportive documentation from their coach, academic program or supervisor.
We request that students who desire to stay in these halls while they are closed submit a written request through the Office of Housing and Residence Life. There may be an additional charge for remaining in the residence areas after the halls are officially closed.
All TU students are required to live on campus unless they:
The terms of the housing agreement are for a full academic year, or if entered into after the start of the year, to the balance of the academic year (August – May or January – December). Students contracting for housing any time after the first day of classes each semester will be charged on a prorated basis.
After occupancy students are bound to the housing agreement for one full academic year. If you decide to move off campus during the year, you may cancel the contract by paying 30% of the remaining value of the contract and forfeiting the reservation fee of $250. For example: if you decide to move to an off-campus apartment for the spring semester, the $250 reservation fee will NOT be refunded and you will be charged 30% of the spring semester housing fee. You may request a release from your housing contract with refund and no penalty if you are graduating, suffering from an illness or injury which required withdrawal from the university, or participating in a TU off-campus program (i.e. cooperative education, internship, exchange). Each request will be decided by the Resident Hall Director of an individual basis.
When a charge is placed on your student account during the academic year, a “hold” will be placed on your record in the university’s computer system. With this “hold” on your record, you will NOT be able to graduate, register for classes, nor obtain an official transcript of your academic record. The “hold” is removed when all charges are paid.
The Office of Housing and Residence Life will assign all students to a space and may reassign students for reason of discipline, safety, health, unsolvable conflict, or to achieve maximum space utilization. Room selection for students returning to the residence halls is based on a combination of “squatters’ rights” and “first come first served” process. Each semester; room assignment and selection information will be made available for students for the next semester. Incoming freshman can expect to receive room assignment information during the month of July prior to moving in.
Students are assigned a housing space by the Office of Housing and Residence Life and shall occupy only that space. “Room Change Request” forms are available at the Office of Housing and Residence Life, at the Residence Hall front desk, with Resident Assistants or the Residence Hall Director. An unauthorized room change is a violation of policy and subject to disciplinary action and a $50.00 charge. The Office of Housing and Residence Life strongly encourages students to sit down with their roommates early in the year to discuss important issues of living together. In order to succeed in a roommate relationship, each person must invest a great amount of time defining how they feel about a variety of issues. Common topics include; the room temperature, policies about visitors in the room, personal verses communal property, study and sleep habits, music and noise
Preferences, and attitudes about drugs and sex. Some of these issues will be resolved quickly and easily while others may require a bit of negotiation. A “Roommate Courtesy Agreement” is provided by the Office of Housing and Residence Life at the beginning of the year to enhance this interaction. Student may see their Resident Assistant or Residence Hall Director to obtain a copy. Students with specific conflicts are encouraged to seek the counsel of their RA or RHD. Every effort will be made to resolve the conflict before a room change will be approved. Residents pay for half of the room in which they live. If at any time a student’s roommate should move out, that space become a viable room option for other residence on campus. The remaining roommate can expect to receive a new roommate at any time during the year. One-half of the room must be maintained in such a way as to accommodate a new roommate without prior notification. This means that the closet, dresser and desk of the absent roommate must be clear and ready for occupancy. The remaining roommate may place bedding on the unassigned bed. If at anytime the room is not available to accommodate a new roommate, the resident may automatically be charged for a private room.
When it comes to room decorating, students are encouraged to allow their creative juices to flow. Poster, plants and throw rugs are a few of the typical items used to personalize student rooms. Please remember however, that the room you occupy will be used by subsequent generations of students. When attaching things to walls and/or floors, care must be taken not to damage these surfaces. Removable mount tape is the ONLY approved product permitted in the residence halls. Contact paper and painting are NOT permitted. Student will be charged for the removal and repair of damage(s) caused by using prohibited materials. Rooms in residence halls and apartments are equipped with single beds, desks, dressers, closet space, window shades/blinds, and mattresses. Students should bring their own study lamps. The construction of lofts is prohibited. Concrete blocks may be used to raise free-standing beds. The blocks must be clearly identified with the student’s name and room number and the height may not exceed two blocks stacked horizontally. Occupants of each room or apartment are responsible for the proper care and condition of all furnished items. Any additional furniture brought in by residents must be removed at the end of the school year, or when the owner of the furniture vacates the room. Students will be charged for personal furniture that is left in the room after check-out.
In rooms with movable furniture, residents may arrange the furniture in any reasonable manner, providing that all furniture is returned to its original location at check-out. Furniture may not be unbolted from the walls or floors. Furniture may not be moved from one room to another. Extra furniture resulting from a vacancy in a room may not be moved into hallways or into storage. All University furniture documented on the physical inventory form at check-out must remain in the room at all times. Furnishings provided for lounges, study rooms, and recreation areas may not be moved into students' rooms. The Housing and Residence Life Staff is specifically authorized to return furniture to its proper location. Improper possession of University property may be viewed as theft and result in disciplinary action and/or monetary fines.
The Office of Housing and Residence Life recognizes that students may wish to decorate their rooms and other areas of the residence halls for a variety of holiday celebrations. The following standards must be met to prevent fires or other safety hazards.
Although most students feel that the residence halls and apartments at TU are relatively safe, thefts and various crimes against persons are problems experienced in residence halls at colleges throughout the nation. A truly safe campus can only be achieved if everyone gets involved with prevention. The following list of recommendations are provided so you can reduce your risk of being a crime victim in the residence hall:
Bicycles are permitted on campus. There are a number of bicycle racks located near the residence halls. Bikes that appear abandoned may be removed by housing staff. Although it is permitted, for fire safety, space, and maintenance issues, students are discouraged from keeping their bikes in their rooms.
There are several items students may want to bring for their rooms. Each student will be responsible for providing his/her own blankets, bedspreads, linens, and towels. Students have access to laundry facilities in the residence halls, The following items are additional suggestions generated by students who have lived on campus in the past:
Although most of these items are not "necessary," having some of them may allow you to personalize your room and make it feel like "home."
The following items are prohibited in residence halls:
NOTE: The preceding list is not all-inclusive. Any item that is a threat to public safety may be removed. The University will continually monitor all areas through staff visits and unannounced inspections by housing staff. The presence of prohibited items will be documented and students will be required to remove those items from the premises, and may be subject to disciplinary action as well as monetary fines.
The University does not provide storage space for trunks, suitcases etc. Closets, dressers, and under beds provide storage areas in students rooms/apartments. If possible, you should coordinate what you will bring with your roommate and plan to bring only items which will fit in your room and/or car. Storing personal property and furniture in the residence halls over the summer is not permitted.
All Students are expected to have a TU student identification card. Student ID cards are needed for entry into the residence hall. Students are to have their ID card in their possession at all times with the exception of visitation check-in policies. Identification cards are available through the Office of Student Life. The initial card is free. However replacement cards are available for a fee. Students are expected to present their ID cards when requested by housing staff, including student staff.
Each resident is issued a key to his/her room/apartment during check-in. Each resident signs a key card, which tells exactly which key they have been assigned. Keys must be returned at check-out. All keys remain property of the University and may not be duplicated. Students accidentally locked out of their rooms should contact their RA or the residence hall front desk. The staff will record the date and time of the lockout on the students key card (mentioned above), and let the student in their room. If a student loses their key they should report it to the Residence Hall Director immediately to obtain a new key. At anytime throughout the school year a lock change will be initiated as a result of the following:
A lock change for any of the above reasons will result in a $25 charge to be placed on the students account.
TU has a 0 tolerance alcohol policy. The use of alcohol in the residence hall is prohibited. In Georgia people under the age of 21 are not allowed to consume alcohol. Dangerous drinking practices are not allowed i.e. drinking games, funnels etc., wandering around the residences and/or outside the residence grounds with opened containers of alcohol is illegal. Failure to meet these expectations will result in removal from the Residence hall.
As members of the TU and Thomasville City Communities, student living on campus are expected to respect the right of others by refraining from the production from loud volumes of noise (i.e., stereos playing out the windows, excessive noise from within a room, etc..). Students are expected to respect the rights of others during quiet hours and courtesy hours, and are also encouraged to approach the violation of quiet hours and courtesy hours before requesting the assistance of a Housing and Residence Life staff member.
Quiet Hours –During Quiet hours audible noise must not be heard from the room with the door closed. The following are quiet hours:
7pm - 7am Sunday through Thursday evenings
10pm – 10am Friday through Saturday evenings
Quiet Hours are effect 24 hours a day during finals week.
Courtesy Hours – Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Courtesy hours are provided to encourage students to be considerate of other students’ individual needs beyond the established quiet hours. Students are expected to comply with reasonable requests.
Quiet Zones – The area surrounding the residence halls and apartments have been designated as quiet zones from 7pm until 10am daily. During this time period, students and guests are expected to respect the residence hall and apartment residents right to a quiet environment.
Students are entitled to reasonable privacy in University residence hall rooms. However, the University reserves the right to make periodic inspections of and maintenance visits to all University residence hall rooms for reason of health, safety, security, and maintenance. Designated staff may enter University premises without prior notice in the case of emergencies which pose an immediate danger to life and/or property, or where the University has prima facie evidence that the residence contract or Student Code of Conduct is being violated.
TU has maintained a procedure of conducting bi-weekly inspections of all residence hall rooms/apartments. The purpose of the inspection is to monitor the general maintenance, cleanliness and fire safety issues of the residents’ areas. The problems associated with unsanitary conditions (i.e. trash not removed, spoiled food, etc…) can result in infestation of insects or rodents; avoiding power outages, and ultimately fire University staff also observe the students electrical outlets and any other fire hazards that may be in the room. During room inspections, students also have the opportunity to report un-repaired damage and/or respond to the cause of new damages.
Room inspections also assist the Office of Housing and Residence Life in lowering maintenance, housekeeping and repair costs, and ultimately lower residential fees. By having students maintain their room/apartments, it is understood that there will be less housekeeping services needed at the end of the year and an increased sense of pride in their room/apartment throughout the year. Students are responsible for purchasing the materials needed to effectively maintain their room/apartment. In most circumstances this will mean sharing in the purchase of a broom or mop, trash bags, and cleaners, etc. Students should not sweep items from their room into the hallways.
Although the inspection is for health and safety issues, the RA’s have been instructed to report any violation of University policy or Federal/State laws.
When possible, one resident of a room or apartment should be present at the time of inspection. The Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to conduct the inspection without a resident present. At the time of the inspection, the RA will leave a completed inspection sheet indicating a pass/fail result. If a room fails an inspection, a re-inspection will be held within 24 hours to insure that those items which failed have been corrected. If the room fails the re-inspections, a second failed inspection will be assessed with the following sanctions (per person):
First failure: $10.00 charge and written warning in disciplinary file
Second failure: $15.00 charge and disciplinary conference and sanctions
Third failure: $25.00 charge and possible termination of housing contract
See your RA for additional information
Any repair/replacement cost due to damage to common areas such as lounges and hallways may be assessed and charged to the entire floor to hall if the responsible individual(s) cannot be determined and/or there is reason to believe that responsibility for the damage lies among the residents of that area.
Each resident is responsible for keeping his/her own room in a reasonably neat and clean condition at all times. Common area bathrooms, including showers, are cleaned on a daily basis. Hallways, lounges, study rooms, and other public areas are cleaned at least twice a week. Students are responsible for removing trash from their rooms, and placing all trash directly into the trashcans located in the back of the residence hall.
Co-education allows men and women to contribute to one another’s overall education and to form genuine friendships. The University has developed visitation and overnight guest policies that will allow interaction that enhances shared experiences while maintaining the rights of individuals to have a private place to sleep and study. In the proper context, hosting a visitor is a privilege that can facilitate personal and social development, and enhance the quality of life on campus. Because students live by a variety of schedules, the university has established a variety of visitation plans for the residents to choose from. The university does NOT encourage overnight visitation with member of the opposite gender for social purposes. However, the university does recognize the need for students to have the opportunity to study at times that fit their schedule.
The university defines visitor and guest as: Students or non-students who are not assigned to the room and are in the room for less than an overnight period. They may use the facilities in a manner in which they would not be considered regular hall residents. They do not sleep in the room. Paramount to the goals of a residential community is the right of the individual to privacy and the opportunity to sleep and study in one’s room. The right to privacy to a resident outweighs another’s right to visitor privileges. The hosting of a visitor must not interfere with the roommate’s use of the room. If the presence of a visitor is at any time an invasion of the roommates’ privacy, the visitor must leave. The right to privacy extends to the restroom facilities located on the hall. Men must use restrooms designated for males and women must use restrooms designated for females. Common area restrooms are located on the first floor of each building. Under NO circumstance are visitors to utilize the showering facilities of the opposite gender.
The beginning of each semester will have 24 hours/ 7 days extended visitation. If at any time a floor feels they would like a more restricted visitation policy they conduct a vote. The residents of a room may always designate a more restrictive visitation policy for their individual room. A resident is guaranteed a room change to a floor with a visitation policy of their choice (if space allows).
Visitation Plans
Visitation by members of the opposite gender is permitted during the time designated
below:
Monday - Thursday 12 Noon - 12 Midnight
24 Hour Extended – Weekend Only
Sunday 12 Midnight
Visitation Policies
The opposite gender visitor must remain in the presence of her/his host while they are in the residence. It is a violation of the visitation policy for the opposite gender visitor to be unescorted by their host at any time. Hosts are responsible for the actions of their visitors. It is the host’s responsibility to inform the visitor of residence hall and university policies. Violations of policy may result in the immediate removal of the visitor, loss of the host visitation privileges and subsequent disciplinary action. The University reserves the right to remove from campus a visitor who has violated University policy. Removal is defined as complete separation from all University grounds, facilities and services. Visitors who are removed from campus will be prohibited from returning to campus and
will be viewed as trespassers and subject to arrest. Violators of visitation will be sanctioned by the Residence Hall Director. The exception to this is the habitual offender or uncooperative violator who may be referred to a judicial committee for
further disciplinary action.
TU does not allow students of the opposite sex to live together. Residents may have overnight guests of the same gender for a maximum of two consecutive nights. No guest may stay more than two nights by changing hosts. The hosting resident will be responsible for the conduct of the guest at all times. Overnight Guests are subject to residence hall and/or University regulations. Overnight Guests must be the same gender as their host.
Squatter Policy
A “squatter” is a visitor who has overstayed the permitted 2 nights per week or is an unwanted guest. The Housing and Residence Life Office reserve the right to investigate “suspicion of squatters” in any residence unit. If a squatter is found they will be asked to leave immediately and the students responsible for the unwelcome visitor will be in violation of housing policy.
Emergency / Commuter Housing is designed for students who have a need to reside on campus for a short period of time. Students are charged $25.00 per night, a maximum of two nights per week is allowed for their stay. Students are expected to provide all their linens and bedding. Students are also subject to all rules and regulations applicable to other residents.
All guests under the age of eighteen, with the exception of immediate family members accompanied by their parents/guardians, must be registered with the RHD while they are on campus. Those individuals not registered will be escorted out of the residence hall housing staff. Campus residents who host unregistered minor guests may be subject to disciplinary action. Campus Residents who repeatedly violate this policy may be subject to the immediate suspension of the housing contract and disciplinary action. Non-students who repeatedly violate this policy may be subject to trespassing charges. When a resident is visited by their own child of the opposite sex, or brother, sister, niece/nephew, etc., and that individual visitor is too young to have a picture ID, a visitation pass may be issued upon obtaining the resident’s TU ID. In cases where more than one family member of the opposite sex desires to visit a student, this is permissible but an ID needs to be collected for each visitor.
Babysitting / childcare for any length of time is not permitted in the residence halls.
If you plan to check out or move over please book a time with an RA at least one week prior to your departure date. You must be ready when your inspector arrives. If you are not ready or are not present for your checkout there is a $25.00 fee. The whole room must be cleaned (floors swepted and trash off the floor) before the first checkout. All the occupants of the room are responsible for cleaning so it is important to have a meeting before the end of term in order to equally divide the chores. A clearance note will be issued to you at this time and you will hand in your keys to your inspector. If you do not hand in your keys you will be charged a replacement fee (please see the Key Policy for further details). If there are any damages or fines they will also be issued at this time.
If for some reason you are unable to continue living in your current room or with your current roommate it is important and necessary to speak with your RA. They may be able to give you some valuable advice and guidance to help solve your problems without having to resort to moving out. If this avenue is unsuccessful come and speak with the RHD. All requests for room or roommate changes must be submitted in writing. This form is available at the Residence Office. Please note, however, that no request is guaranteed and therefore we may not be able to accommodate your request.
The Community Event Policy includes both the Noise Policy and the Alcohol Policy. When you are going to have a community event you must advise your neighbors so that they have the opportunity to prepare to study at an alternate location. The RHD must sign off on proposed events, prior to the event. A Community Event Contract should be submitted to the Residence Office at least two business days prior to the date of the community event. All parties without a contract will be promptly shut down and there will be sanctions imposed under the Residence Code of Discipline. The number of guests is to be limited to those who can be contained comfortably within the patio and backyard. Public advertising is not permitted and the Residence Office must approve any residence-wide advertising. If participants are found consuming alcohol the community event will be shut down. It is your responsibility to ensure that no alcohol is consumed, that all attendees are of legal age and to ensure the safety and well-being of your guests. The host is legally responsible for all guests and hosts are legally liable for guests arriving home safely.
TU assigns an e-mail account to all students. It is responsibility of the student to periodically check this account.
Student mailboxes are located in the residence hall. Resident students are assigned a mailbox when they are assigned a room. Deliveries from Federal Express and UPS are delivered to the hall directed to the individual student's mailbox.
Residents are responsible for providing their own phone services. Only one phone line is permitted per room. Contact your RA if you need assistance.
Each residence hall room is equipped with cable service. This service will enable students with a cable-ready TV or a converter box to access the regular service channels that are offered. Premium channels are not available to residence hall rooms.
All fire alarms should be treated as actual fires, and the building must be evacuated immediately. Students and guests who do not evacuate the building will be subject to disciplinary action. The fire equipment in the residence halls and other buildings on campus should only be used in the event of an emergency. Although smoke detectors are checked monthly by the RA staff, it is the student's responsibility to notify maintenance if the battery needs to be replaced in a smoke detector. Misuse of or tampering with fire equipment will not be tolerated and may result in legal action and/or expulsion from the residence halls.
Fires occur in residence halls throughout the country and account for significant loss of and injury to life and property. Monthly room inspections are to help prevent fire; you too can help prevent a fire tragedy by taking very simple precautions:
When the fire alarm sounds EVERYONE MUST evacuate the building! If you are in the hallway or bathroom take the stairwell to the nearest exit
If you are in a room:
If you are trapped in a room:
If you can exit:
Outside:
If clothing catches fire:
The completion of a Work Request Form will notify Maintenance of deficiencies or repairs needed in your room. Work Request Forms may be obtained from your RA. It is the responsibility of residents to report maintenance problems. Students can help control their own living costs by taking good care of the facilities and by reporting problems before they become too large/expensive. The maintenance budget will cover costs of normal wear and tear; however, residents will be charged for damage caused by willful or irresponsible behavior. Room inspections will be scheduled during each session, to ensure health and safety standards are being maintained. Emergency conditions should be reported to an RA immediately.
EMERGENCIES consist of conditions such as:
The following are estimated, not all inclusive, charges that may be applied to the student account of a liable individual. Whether an item is damaged maliciously or by accident, the repair cost remains the same.
Furnishing
Cleaning
General
A. PREAMBLE
The Residence Code of Discipline has been created in order to uphold the principles in the Residence Code of Behavior and to provide a clear statement of what is unacceptable behavior. Sanctions and procedures have been designed in order to penalize and/or deter behavior that is inconsistent with the Residence Code of Behavior. The degree to which any one violation is committed will determine the level of adjudication and the consequences thereof. In some cases, serious incidents will also be referred to the Thomas University Student Code of Conduct.
If a student’s behavior does not meet University expectations or is in violation of the policies outlined in the residence hall agreement, this guidebook, and the student handbook, the student will receive disciplinary action. TU expects each student, as an adult, to maintain a standard of personal discipline that is in harmony with the educational goals of the institution, to observe federal, state and local laws as well as University regulations, and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of fellow students, faculty and administrators.
Prohibited Conduct
The following activities and actions are prohibited in residence halls and may result in disciplinary action:
B. CODE OF BEHAVIOR (Responsibilities of a Resident)
Residents shall: i.) Respect the rights, privileges and property of fellow residents and their guests, and of the neighboring community; ii.) Behave in such a manner as to ensure the good condition of the Residence buildings and grounds; iii.) Be responsible for the behavior of their guests; iv.) Recognize authority of the Residence Hall Director and Resident Assistants v.) Recognize the authority of Security Guards; vi.) Behave in such a manner as to permit Residence and University staff to perform their normal duties; vii.) Abide by the Residence rules and regulations; viii.) Abide by Thomas University’s Code of Student Conduct.
This Code includes behavior on Residence premises and elsewhere when such behavior has direct implications for the proper functioning and well being of the Residences.
C. WHO?
The Residence Code of Discipline applies to all students living in residence and to guests of residents. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests and will be accountable for any behavior of guests that is contrary to the Code of Behavior and residence policies. The Residence Code of Discipline is enforced in all residence buildings and grounds, and at all residence events held off campus sponsored by the Office of Student Housing and Residence Life.
D. LEVELS OF OFFENCE
| Levels | Possible Sanctions | Examples of Offenses |
Level One offenses are actions which disrupt the right of any student to reasonable use of his/her room or common area(s), or compromise the basic health, hygiene or cleaning standards of the residence. These behaviors are generally considered to be significant nuisances. | The possible sanctions for any Level One offense include verbal or written warnings and/or fines with a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $100. If a student commits two Level One offenses, the third and any subsequent Level One offense shall be escalated to and treated as a Level Two offense. The sanctions for simultaneous Level One offenses shall be meted out individually and separately. | Level One offenses include but are not limited to:
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Level Two offenses are actions that could be considered a significant disturbance to another individual(s) or to the surrounding community. | The possible sanctions for any Level Two offense include written warnings and/or fines with a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $150 and/or restitution and/or community service. If a student commits two Level Two offenses the third and any subsequent offense shall be escalated to and treated as a Level Three offense. | Level Two offenses include but are not limited to:
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Level Three offenses are actions that endanger the safety and security of another individual or the surrounding community. | The sanctions for any Level Three offense include but are not limited to any one or a combination of: behavioral contract, Director’s Fines, community service, restitution and/or denial of readmission. | Level Three offenses include but are not limited to:
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Level Four offenses are actions that contravene any municipal, provincial or federal laws. | The sanctions for any Level Four offense include disciplinary probation. They may also include but are not limited to any one or a combination of: denial of readmission, eviction from Residence and/or Persona Non Grata. Furthermore, students may be charged under the Thomas University Code of Student Conduct. | Level Four offenses include but are not limited to:
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E. DESCRIPTIONS OF SANCTIONS
1. Fines
Monetary fines may be imposed for Level One, Level Two and Level Three offenses. There are three kinds of fines. (a) Level One fines are either $20 or $100 depending on the number of times the offense is committed. (b) Level Two fines are either $50 or $150 depending on the number of times the offense is committed. (c) RHD’s fines range in sum depending on the seriousness and the nature of the committed offense. Payment must be made or a Payment Plan co-ordinated with the RHD within 5 working days of the issue of the fine.
2. Verbal Warnings
These are statements issued verbally outlining the violation(s) of the Residence Code of Discipline or the Residence Code of Behavior.
3. Disciplinary Probation
Probation will occur as a result of many violations or of serious offenses. This may include a Behavioral Contract. Breach of the terms of probation will result in eviction and perhaps Persona Non Grata (PNG) status.
4. Community Service
A stated number of hours of work within the Residence or larger University community related to the violation(s).
5. Denial of Readmission
Students who have committed numerous violations, or have committed a Level 3 or Level 4 offense, shall face possible denial of readmission. Students who have been evicted will not be invited back for the next academic year.
6. Eviction
Students will be required to leave within a time period that is relative to the seriousness of the offense. The standard time period is within 24-48 hours. They will receive written notification of the eviction stating why and how long and listing any other conditions.
7. Persona Non Grata
Persons trespassed from residence or various parts therein, may not enter alone or accompanied by another. If found or seen in areas of banishment this may result in formal charges with local authorities. Thomasville Police will be notified of all PNG cases. Students may request to have their PNG status lifted after a period of one year. The request must be in writing and will be reviewed by the Director of Student Life.
8. Restitution
This includes payment for any damage or loss either to Residence, University or personal property. Payment must be made or a Payment Plan co-ordinated with the Resident Hall Director within 5 working days of the date of invoice. A fine may accompany the restitution costs.
RESIDENCE CODE OF DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES
A. REPORTING & INVESTIGATIONG INCIDENTS AND INFRACTIONS
Residence Assistants are responsible for responding to behavior that does not uphold the Code of Behavior and Residence Policies.
Residence Assistants:
1) Stop behavior when in progress.
2) Deliver a verbal warning for level one offenses if possible. In all other cases behavior, incidents or infractions will be reported to the RHD by writing an Incident Report.
The Residence Hall Director:
1) Review the report and meet with the parties involved and any witnesses.
2) In the meeting with the resident or witness the RHD will review the Incident Report with the student and the student will be given an opportunity to respond to the report in the meeting (Students who fail to appear for their meeting will face further disciplinary action).
3) Deliver sanctions for Level One, Two and Three offenses if required.
B. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS
1) Level One offenses are sanctioned by the Residence Assistants. Residence Assistants can sanction verbal warnings for level one offense all other reports of incidents or infractions will be forwarded to the RHD.
2) Level One, Two and Three offenses are heard and sanctioned by the RHD.
3) Level Four offenses are heard and sanctioned by the Director Student Life.
C. APPEALS
1) All students have the right to file an appeal.
2) Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Director of Student Life, within 5
working days of the imposition of a sanction.
3) Appeals will be heard by the party that did not hear the original case. The Director of Student Life will hear appeals to Level One, Two and Three offenses and Level Four offenses will be heard by the Senior Staff.
4) Appeals may be based only on the following conditions:
i) The Residence Code of Discipline process was not followed or incorrect sanctions were imposed
ii) New evidence was found after the hearing was held. Therefore, appeals will only be granted where there is an error or omission in either fact or procedure.
Appeals that do not meet these criterions will be denied.
5) Appeals involving new evidence will not be restricted by time, within the applicable year.
Portions of this document adopted from Valdosta State University
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