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The Office of Student Life is a department within the Student Affairs Division
which reports to the Assistant Vice President for Campus Life.
Office of Student Life
330 Memorial Union, Kingston, RI 02881
Phone: 401-874-2101; Fax: 401-874-5574; TTD: 401-874-2098 |
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7. Policies for Residence Halls and On-Campus Apartments. Welcome to on-campus community living. Each residential life staff member believes in the residential living experience and is committed to helping resident students achieve academic success and personal growth.
Although life in a residence hall proves to be beneficial and enriching to most students, it is not for everyone. Sharing a room and common areas with others requires patience, flexibility, and a certain amount of give and take. For those who are willing to make the necessary adjustments, residence hall living can make the college experience much more memorable. An important mission of the Department of Housing and Residential Life (HRL) is to maintain an environment conducive to community living and academic pursuits, in which the needs and rights of individual residents and those of the community as a whole are equally protected. We are also aware of the importance of a diverse community and therefore of an environment which respects varying lifestyles, backgrounds, and orientations. All residents will be responsible for abiding by all regulations and stipulations contained within this handbook and the HRL Housing Contract. All residents and their guests are expected to cooperate with HRL staff.
Within our on-campus living communities, residents are afforded certain rights and responsibilities. Personal rights will be balanced with responsibilities to the community. Each resident is entitled to sleep, study and pursue interests without the undue influence of others.
7.1 Bathrooms. Entering a bathroom facility designated for members of the opposite sex is prohibited. Students living in residence halls with suites are also responsible for cleaning their semi-private bathroom.
7.2 Athletic Equipment and Activities. Athletic equipment is to be used only in areas specifically designed for that equipment. Examples of unacceptable activities are: frisbees, ball-playing, darts, hockey, rollerblading, racquetball, tennis, squash, weight-lifting, bicycling or other disruptive behaviors in corridors, lounges, or rooms.
7.3 Use of Residence Hall Lounges, Study and Recreation Rooms. These areas are designed for use by residents, and their related functions will have priority. Any request for use of these areas beyond their intended function must be cleared through the Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC), Hall Director (HD) or hall council.
7.4 Social Events. HRL recognizes that socializing is an important part of the university experience. To ensure that all social events do not infringe upon the rights of others, and comply with state laws, students must adhere to the following guidelines and regulations and to those appearing in Sections 10 and 11 of this handbook.
a. While impromptu socializing in residence hall rooms is encouraged, no more than seven persons may occupy a student's room at any one time.
b. A social event is described as any planned gathering involving more than seven people and when food or beverages are purchased in advance of the event is provided. Any resident( s) planning an alcohol-free event in a residence hall must complete an Event Permission Form (available from the RHC/ HD) at least 72 hours before the event is to occur. The appropriate HRL staff must sign the Event Permission Form.
c. Only a small percentage of residence hall students are of legal drinking age. Therefore, it is expected that most residence hall socializing will be alcohol-free. Residents of legal age are asked to act responsibly and not to have excessive amounts of alcohol in their rooms. If a student (over 21 years old) has excessive quantities of alcohol in his or her room or on his or her person, he or she may be asked to remove it from the residence hall or dispose of it. Generally, staff will consider an excessive quantity to be more than a case of beer or its equivalent for residents who are of age. Guests 21 years and older may not bring into the residence hall more than one six pack of beer or equivalent for their individual consumption. See sections 2.18-2.34 of this handbook for a more complete list of regulations and guidelines concerning alcohol & other drugs.
7.5 Safety. All residents are responsible for taking reasonable measures to protect their own person and property and also that of their roommate( s) by routinely locking their private room door, by exclusively retaining their assigned key or lock combination, and by supporting and cooperating with efforts of University security personnel to provide a safe and secure residence hall community.
7.6 Unauthorized Entry. Unauthorized entry by any means into a residence hall is strictly prohibited. Allowing anyone entry during those hours when the exit doors are locked for security purposes, either directly or through negligence (including propping doors), is strictly prohibited. During the times when the doors are locked, all residents must use their access card to unlock the main entrances. If students do not have their room key or access card on their person, they must go to the Key Office in Roger Williams to borrow a key. No student may enter or exit a magnetically locked door.
7.7 Keys and Combinations. Only residents and authorized staff are permitted to have access cards, room combinations (combo's) and keys to the residence halls and rooms within their residence halls. Altering a door lock, unauthorized use of access cards and room and room combinations (combo's), having additional keys made or installing locks is prohibited. Due to safety and security needs, any missing, lost or stolen keys will require a lock change at the resident's expense.
7.8 Guest and Room Use Policy. A person in a residence hall who is not a resident of that hall and is not the guest of a resident of that hall will be considered a trespasser.
a. Residents are responsible for their guests' conduct and will also be held accountable for any violations of University rules and regulations, damages and/ or loss of property caused by their guests.
b. Whether or not they are present, students are responsible for the use of their room by guests or others.
c. Night Receptionists are present on varying nights of the week in residence halls. When a receptionist is present, all guests must present identification and sign in when entering the building.
d. Overnight Guests. Residents may have an overnight guest in the residence hall provided permission from the roommate is received and the laws of the state of Rhode Island and all University regulations are observed in all cases. Any one guest cannot stay in a residence hall longer than 4 nights within a month. Any exception must be granted in advance by the RHC/ HD.
7.9 Emergency Exits. Stairways, corridors, and doors are emergency exits, and objects of any type cannot be kept in these areas at any time. Objects of any type, including bicycles, left in these areas will be confiscated at the owner's risk and expense.
7.10 Smoking. Smoking is prohibited in all public and private areas within University owned or operated residence halls, houses, and apartments. For smoking cessation information, call Health Education at 874-5954 or see www. uri. edu/ smokefree
7.11 Window Coverings and Carpets. Regulation window coverings have been provided in all residence hall rooms and all common areas. These may not be replaced except by HRL. All carpets provided by students must have a "fire spread" rating below 25 and a "low smoke generation." A certificate from the manufacturer, adhering to the above, must be available to the HRL on request.
7.12 Balconies. Balconies may not be used as storage areas for personal and/ or University belongings. Only furniture designed for outdoor use is permitted. University issued furniture is not permitted on balconies. Climbing between and throwing items from balconies is strictly prohibited.
7.13 Damage Billing. Students who are identified as being responsible for damages to residence hall furnishings, structures or equipment will be charged by HRL for the labor, materials, and administrative costs necessary to complete the repair. When the damage or loss is caused by a student( s) within the living unit but that student( s) cannot be identified, as a last resort, the cost of repair will be charged to all members of the appropriate residential unit (building, floor, or suite). The students in question will be notified in writing when community billing is to occur and may appeal that billing through the established grievance process. In cases of malicious damage or other violations of community standards within a residential community, disciplinary action may be taken against the student( s) in addition to their being billed. Bills must be paid promptly, and excessive or repeated damages will result in warnings and/ or termination of the student( s) HRL Housing
Contract. While repairs will be made as soon as possible, the damage billing process operates separately from the repair/ replacement process. Students may contact their RHC/ HD or the HRL for a price list of standard charges.
7.14 Check-In and Check-Out. Each resident must officially check into and out of his or her residence hall with the RHC/ HD or designated staff during the posted scheduled hours. In the check-out process, each resident is responsible for turning in his or her room key and having the room inspected before departure. Upon check-out, a room must be left in the same condition as at the time of check-in. If a room is left in unsatisfactory condition, the resident will be billed for restoration charges. If a semi-private bathroom is left in unsatisfactory condition, the assigned resident( s) will be billed for any related restoration charges for the facility.
7.15 Modification of Student's Room or Furnishings. Occupants may not dismantle, refinish, paint, dye, or alter in any way the furniture or furnishings in the room without permission from HRL. Lofts or any bed support systems of any kind (except those provided by HRL) are prohibited. Repair or renovations of room by any external source is not permitted without the expressed approval of HRL. Residents are not allowed to have any University furnishings in their room except those present at check-in. With the exclusion of beds, students may add their own furnishings to the room. Residents are not allowed to relocate their beds to any room other than that to which the student is registered without the hall director's approval.
7.16 Room Painting. Students are not allowed to paint their rooms unless approved by the RHC/ HD. In many residence hall locations, students may paint their rooms by completing a Paint Authorization Form, which is available through their RHC/ HD. UNIVERSITY PROVIDED PAINT MUST BE USED.
7.17 Changes. Students will not be allowed to initiate any room changes during the first three weeks of the start of a semester unless there is a problem of a serious nature that can only be alleviated by changing rooms. Prospective roommates are not subject to any preconditions or approval that would deny them access to any room, and students may not refuse prospective roommates. If, at the end of the fall semester, a student wishes to move, then that move must occur before the intercession, or by the date and time specified by HRL during the spring semester opening period.
7.18 Banners. Resident students may not hang, drape, or display any banner or object from or on the outside of balconies or windows at any time except for the purposes of official University business with prior approval from the Department of Housing and Residential Life.
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