The following is a list of Housing policies. Knowing these policies and following them are the responsibility of each person from the time he or she becomes a resident of University Housing.
Housing/Campus Policies
Individuals/groups who fail to comply with and/or violate these policies may find
themselves subject to university discipline. Students are responsible for their room
and suite and any activities that occur therein, including the behavior of their guests.
The assigned resident does not need to be present, actively involved, or even aware
that an incident involving his/her guests has taken place to be held accountable for
that incident.
Taking Responsibility for Confronting Noise and Disruptive Behaviors
Living in the residence halls and university suites helps solidify the educational
experience and contributes to the growth of an individual. Thus, students are asked
to assume initial responsibility in addressing complaints on their own.
If you have a problem with the noise/behavior of another student, you are expected to ask that student to reasonably change his/her behavior. If that student is uncooperative, you should then request assistance from a Housing staff member.
Disclaimer
Ferris State University reserves the right to amend or develop additional policies
or procedures as necessary to ensure the promotion of safety for the community. University
officials will make every attempt to communicate changes in a timely manner to those
affected.
Community Standards
In order to meet the educational and social needs of students, the University has
established a set of community standards for each residence community. These standards
are based upon four (4) fundamental rights of all University Housing students:
It is important to note that living on campus is a privilege, not a right. The information in this section is intended to communicate clear expectations regarding personal conduct, contractual obligations, and community responsibilities. Students may be charged with violations of these policies through the University’s student disciplinary process.
Housing staff members may convene community meetings periodically throughout the semester. These meetings provide important information, help students perform essential administrative tasks, and help residents learn to balance their rights, responsibilities, and privileges. Students are responsible for all information discussed at their community meetings and should contact a staff member if they are unable to attend.
Students may not open, tamper with, or otherwise manipulate pipe chase access doors and panels, or open or gain access to similar spaces of any kind. Improper access to such spaces may result in a $300 fine.
Individual or group activities that may result in a disturbance or distress to others or that cause or may reasonably cause damage or destruction to self or property are prohibited. When individual responsibility cannot be determined, the residents of a unit, floor, or wing may become collectively responsible for restoration costs. Examples of behavior covered by this policy include, but are not limited to, damage to building, graffiti, etc.
Air conditioners (INCLUDING WINDOW AND FLOOR UNITS) are generally not permitted. Such units may be permitted in residence halls if a medical necessity is verified by the Birkam Health Center and approval is granted by Housing Services. Air conditioner units must be provided by the student and may be installed only by the University staff. A fee is charged for such services.
In order to support legal and responsible drinking habits, the use or possession of alcoholic beverages is defined in the following areas:
It is not permissible for any resident to provide child/day care in the residence halls or suites.
Students and visitors may not enter or roam a hall or living unit where they do not live without an escort who is a resident of that hall or living unit. Allowing unescorted non-residents access to a building or living area, including walking through the residence halls or suites unescorted, is a violation of this policy.
Gambling of any kind in any form with monetary consequences is prohibited.
Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests and are responsible for enduring that their guests adhere to all University policies. Guests must be escorted by a resident of the building at all times. A guest is defined as anyone not assigned to the room, apartment, or suite.
Any mode of decoration that contains obscene, profane, pornographic, or otherwise offensive elements, as determined by the housing staff, will not be permitted. This includes the posting of symbols and/or materials identifying any organization that has been “banned” or “suspended” by the University. Postings and decorations are not permitted in common areas or hallways of suites except in designated locations.
Hall Directors must approve any usage of residence hall or suite facilities by residents, students, recognized student organizations, and/or any other person or group. Generally, residence hall and suites common area spaces are reserved for the exclusive use of the staff and residents of that building.
Situations or items such as piled, soiled clothing, open food containers, exposed food items, vomit or bodily fluids, unkempt bathroom or kitchen facilities (dirt, mold, pools of algae water), and the noxious odors emanating from such pose serious health hazards in the community and are prohibited.
Residents are expected to carry their student ID and key at all times. It is expected that students will take proper precautions to ensure the safe keeping of their student ID, University housing key, and residence hall room, suite or apartment. The Housing Staff should not be expected to key residents into their room. For safety and security issues, a resident should report a lost or missing key or ID immediately.
Abuse of another’s possessions or damage to equipment in the laundry room is not permitted. Any use of the equipment by or for a non-resident of that building is not permitted.
Public area (lobby, study room, lounge) furniture is not permitted to leave the building or designated space. Such furniture is not permitted in suites or in student rooms.
The painting of residence hall rooms or suites is prohibited. The University paints on a regular rotating schedule. Similarly, students are not permitted to decorate walls, ceilings or furniture with paint, highlighter, pencils, pens, washable paints, acrylics, laundry detergent, or any other substances.
Pets are not permitted with the exception of fish. Fish tanks may be no larger than 30-gallon total capacity per room. It is not the responsibility of housing staff to feed fish in a student’s absence. University staff may confiscate any other pets found in a residence hall or suite. For further information, please see Confiscation in Section V: Housing Regulations and Standards.
Possession or use as decoration or possession of stolen property including city, county, or state government property, such as road signs, is not permitted. Possession of stolen property is a violation of state law and University policy. Stolen or unauthorized property is subject to confiscation.
Residents have the right to sleep and study in their rooms at any time. When asked by someone to respect this right, residents are expected to demonstrate courtesy and consideration by complying with the request. This policy applies to noise that can be heard from both inside and outside a residence hall.
Ham radios and CBs are not permitted. Police or other scanner like devices may not be used to monitor or “listen in” on telephone calls. Stereos and radios are acceptable as a privilege and as long as they are used in compliance with Quiet/Courtesy hours. Violations of Quiet/Courtesy hours or other policies may result in the confiscation of the stereo/radio or device creating the disturbance.
Actions that infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others are prohibited, regardless of the intentions behind the act.
Satellite dishes, antennas, or similar devices are not permitted in the residence halls, suites, or apartments.
Smoking is not permitted in residence halls or East Campus Suites. Students must stand well away (minimum of 25 feet) from all buildings while smoking outside and ensure that smoke is not bothering building residents. The use of any smoking device or any simulated smoking device is prohibited.
Running, hackey sack, Frisbee throwing, hockey, in-line skating, skate boarding, bouncing balls, riding bikes, and other similar activities are prohibited in the residence halls and suites. No remote control toys are to be operated in the hallways. Staff members reserve the right to confiscate equipment used in violation of this policy.
Students are responsible for taking out their own trash. Trash must be taken to and deposited in the nearest available industrial dumpster outside the building. Students found to have disposed of any waste inappropriately will receive a fine, face disciplinary action, or both. All trash must be removed from all rooms regularly and before all break periods. Trash bags are available at the residence hall desks for residents’ use. NOTE: Medical waste must be disposed of strictly in accordance with the Health and Safety Policy concerning Medical Waste outlined in Section V: Housing Regulations and Standards.
Waterbeds are not permitted.
Firearms and other weapons or explosives are prohibited on campus. Firearms are not permitted, regardless of permit. Weapons include rifles, shotguns, hand guns, paint guns, laser lights, BB and pellet pistols, rifles which are spring, gas, or air propulsion, sling shots, whips, hunting knives, knives with blades longer than 2.5 inches, bows and/or arrows, ammunition, ammunition loading devices, etc. This includes any other item that is used as a weapon. Weapons will be confiscated and may not be returned to the owner. Ammunition of any kind may not be stored in the buildings.
Answers to questions or issues related to firearms or other weapons may be located in the University’s Campus Violence and Weapons Prohibition policy, which you may find at http://www.ferris.edu/HTMLS/administration/buspolletter/publicsafety/Campus-Violence-and-Weapons-Prohibition.pdf.
For safety purposes, window screens may not be opened or removed at any time. Removing or opening a window screen for other than emergency purposes may result in a fine. Throwing any object from a window or using a window as an entry or non-emergency exit is a serious safety concern.
Last updated: 04-05-2013
