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Section III: General University and Housing Policies Regarding Misconduct
General Residence Hall Policies
The following is a list of Housing policies. Knowing these policies and following them are the responsibilities 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 or apartment 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 apartments helps solidify the educational experience and contributes to the growth of an individual. Thus, students themselves 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 residence hall students:
- Sleep and study in one’s own room or apartment
- Live in a clean and sanitary environment
- Have a means of addressing concerns
- Be free of fear from intimidation and physical or emotional harm
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, contract obligations, and community responsibilities. Students may be charged with violations of these policies through the University’s student disciplinary process.
Residential life staff members 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 an RA if they are unable to attend.
For information on a particular area click below:
- Access Panels
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 disciplinary action and/or a $300 fine.
- Activities Resulting in Disturbance, Distress, or Damage
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
Air conditioners (INCLUDING WINDOW AND FLOOR UNITS) may be permitted 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.
- Alcohol Policy
In order to support legal and responsible drinking habits, the use or possession of alcoholic beverages is defined in the following areas:
a) Consumption of alcohol may only occur in a residence hall room where ALL assigned residents are 21 years of age or older and ALL guests present are also 21 years of age or older.
b)
Under no circumstances are kegs or other types of “common sources” of alcohol allowed in the residence halls.
- Child/Daycare
It is not permissible for any residence hall student to provide child/day care in the halls.
- Escorts
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 unescorted, is a violation of this policy.
- Gambling
Gambling of any kind in any form with monetary consequences is prohibited.
- Guests
A guest is defined as anyone not assigned to the room/apartment. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests, and are responsible for making sure their guests adhere to University policies.
- Hallway or Lobby Area Decorations
Any mode of decoration that contains obscene, profane, pornographic, or otherwise offensive elements, as determined by the hall 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.
- Hallway or Lobby Area Usage
Hall Directors must approve any usage of residence hall facilities by residents, students, recognized student organizations, and/or any other person or group. Generally, residence hall spaces are reserved for the exclusive use of the staff and residents of that building.
- Health Hazards
Situations or items such as piled, soiled clothing, open food containers, exposed food items, vomit or bodily fluids, unkempt bathroom facilities (dirt, mold, pools of algae water) and the noxious odors emanating from such that pose serious health hazards in the community are prohibited.
- Laundry Facilities Abuse
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.
- Lobby Furniture
Public area (lobby, study room, lounge) furniture is not permitted in student rooms.
- Painting
The painting of residence hall rooms is not permitted. The University paints the halls 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
Pets are not permitted in the residence halls, with the exception of fish. Fish tanks may be no larger than 30-gallon total capacity per room. It is not the responsibility of hall staff to feed fish in a student’s absence. University staff may confiscate any other pets found in a residence hall. For further information, please see Confiscation in Section V: Housing Regulations and Standards.
- Public Property, Possession or Use as Decoration of
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.
- Quiet Hours/Courtesy Hours
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.
Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a general rule, at no time should noise be heard from a resident’s room more than 2 doors away, or from another floor.
Quiet hours are in effect from 9:00 PM until 8:00 AM weekdays, 12:00 AM until 10:00 AM weekends (Fri. and Sat.). Quiet hours means that sound must not be audible beyond the limits of any individual room, hallway, or lounge. During finals week, 24-hour quiet hours will be in effect. Any student removing a loft at the end of a semester or academic year must do so before 24-hour quiet hours begin or wait until final examinations are completed.
- Radios/Stereos/Scanners
Ham radios and CBs are not permitted in the residence halls. 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.
- Rights and Freedoms
Actions that infringe upon the rights and freedoms of others are prohibited, regardless of the intentions behind the act.
- Satellite Dishes and Antennas
Satellite dishes, antennas, or similar devices are not permitted in the residence halls.
- Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in residence halls. Students must stand well away (minimum of 25 feet) from all buildings while smoking outside.
- Sports in the Halls
Running, hackey sack, hockey, in-line skating, skate boarding, bouncing balls, riding bikes, and other athletic/sport-type activities are prohibited in the residence halls. 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.
- Trash Removal
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 during break periods. Trash bags are available at the front desks for students’ 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
Waterbeds are not permitted.
- Weapons
Firearms and other weapons or explosives are prohibited on campus. Firearms are not permitted in the residence halls, 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 residence halls.
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/bpl0319.pdf.
- Windows and Screens
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, disciplinary action, or both. Throwing any object from a residence hall window or using a window as an entry or non-emergency exit is a serious violation.
- Visitation Policy
Guests are permitted from the hours of 7 AM until midnight Sunday through Wednesday and from 7 AM until 2 AM Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Guests may stay overnight on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but roommates must agree in advance and the overnight visitation program must be followed.
a) Child Visitation: Children under the age of six (6) are not permitted as overnight guests in the residence halls. Visitation for children under the age of six is from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily. A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age of six AT ALL TIMES! When registering a minor for an overnight visit, please be prepared to provide proof of age.
b) Overnight Visitation Program: The Overnight Visitation Program (OVP) permits one or two overnight guests on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights; a total of no more than two (2) guests per room are permitted. Guests must be registered prior to 2 AM.
To register an overnight guest at the hall front desk, the host must obtain his/her roommate’s permission and guests must show picture identification. OVP guests must carry their yellow copy of the form as a means of identification at all times.
All guests must adhere to the escort policy. All guests under 18 years of age must have a letter signed by a parent or guardian granting permission to visit and stay on campus.
No overnight guests are permitted Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday nights. The University reserves the right to limit frequency of visits when the rights of the roommates or suitemates are compromised.
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