| Residence
Life Policies
Air Conditioners
Alcohol
Policy
Appliances
in the Residence Halls
Break
Housing
Candles/Open Flame
Care
for Commons Spaces
Care
for Room
Check-in/Check-out
Disregarding the Directives of a
College Official
Drugs and Other Controlled Substances
Eligibility
to Live On Campus
Furniture
Gambling
Guest Policy
Identification
Cards
Keys
Kitchenettes
Laundry
Facilities
Loss
and Liability
Noise, Quiet, and Courtesy Hours
Offensive Materials
Physical or Verbal
Harassment
Residence
Hall Contract
Rockford
College Staff Entering your Room
Room
Assigment
Room
Modifications
Roommate Change or Room Reassignment
Sexual
Harrassment
Smoke
Detectors
Smoking
Statement of Responsibility (SOR)
Summer Housing
Unauthorized
Entry
Underage
Roommates
Vandalism
Definitions
for policy terms listed above:
Air Conditioners
Most of the undergraduate residence halls at Rockford College are not air conditioned. Dayton Hall will be air conditioned as of August 2008. Residents who are living in Cummings, Ekvall, Olson, or Caster can bring their own window A/C units under the following guidelines:
- All A/C units must be casement units for vertical windows. Residents are responsible for making sure that the units are ready to install before requesting a work order from their RA.
- Only Rockford College maintenance staff can install and uninstall units. The work order should be placed by the RA for the building in order to properly schedule the service.
- Please have the A/C unit out and visible along with all parts including the arm and vertical window filler. Units cannot be installed if these parts are not available on date of scheduled installation.
- Rockford College requires that all A/C units are removed during the winter weather months. Notice will be provided to all residents before A/C units are to be removed. Residents may have their A/C units re-installed once the weather warms up and the heat has been turned down. All residents must have their RA complete a work order request in order for the units to be re-installed.
- Students will sign a liability waiver before a work order will be placed, and agree to pay a fee. The fee helps to cover the cost of running the unit and is only charged once per academic year.
- If a student has a medical condition requiring air conditioning it is the responsibility of the student to get the documentation from their physician to Lang Center for Health, Wellness and Counseling prior to installation. Students with medical needs will need to purchase their own A/C unit.
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Alcohol
Policy
Rockford College
currently allows students who are 21 years of age or older
to consume alcohol responsibility in the residence hall
rooms in accordance with the alcohol policy (link to alcohol
policy). Students who are under the age of 21 are not allowed
to consume alcohol at any time in the residence halls. Emerson
Hall is substance-free housing. In accordance with the alcohol
policy kegs, party balls, and hard liquor are not allowed
to be consumed or present in the residence halls. Alcohol
is not permitted in common areas of the campus (ex: hall
ways, stairwells, quads, etc.) Please refer to the Rockford
College alcohol policy or a member of the Residence Life
Staff with questions or for additional details.
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Appliances in the Residence
Halls
Students are allowed
to bring certain appliances when they move into the residence
halls. The only approved appliances are refrigerators that
do not exceed 4.0 cubic feet, fans, and a microwave. Any
other appliance must be approved in writing by the Director
of Residence Life or their designee.
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Break Housing
Residents are expected to comply with the opening and closing
schedules indicated in the official Rockford College Academic
Calendar. If additional housing arrangements are required
during break periods, residents must receive pre-approval
from the Office of Residence Life on or before posted deadlines.
Failure to comply with any registration deadlines may result
in an additional $50 administration fee.
Break
periods are not included in your room and board rate, therefore,
an additional fee will be charged for the days of occupancy
during a break period. Registration for Break Housing implies
an agreement to pay for all days requested. Refunds will
not be given for any "unused" days unless submitted
in writing to the Director of Residence Life prior to the
break. Students who remain on campus during breaks are reminded
that vacation times are used for hall maintenance. No meal
service may be available during these times. The College
reserves the right to control the use of all residence hall
facilities and rooms during vacation breaks.
Break housing is not guaranteed. It is offered only when
space permits and on a "first-come, first-served"
basis (unless another priority system has been established.)
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Candles/Open Flame
Rockford College prohibits the use of candles or any other
form of an open flame in the residence halls. If candles
are found they may be confiscated or the wick of the candle
may be clipped.
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Care for Commons Spaces
Residents of each hall/floor, together with the housekeeping
staff, are responsible for maintaining the common areas
of the building. Trash and recyclable materials should be
disposed of in proper containers. Accidents, such as broken
glass or vomit, should be cleaned up by the responsible
person(s). The residence hall staff will charge responsible
parties for areas which are not properly maintained, for
which housekeeping must spend an inordinate amount of time
cleaning, or for messes which are clearly a result of irresponsible
behavior.
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Care for Room
Residents will be held responsible for the cleanliness of
their room. They are expected to maintain reasonable health
and safety standards. Residents in suite-style rooms are
responsible for cleaning the bathroom.
Tack
strips are provided for displaying pictures, posters and
other wall decorations. Masking tape or other temporary
adhesive may also be used. Nails or screws should never
be put into the walls. Rooms must be returned to their original
condition at the end of the housing term.
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Check In/Check Out
When you move into the residence hall, you will be given
a Room Condition Report that must be completed and returned
to your RA. At the time of checkout any discrepancies with
this form may result in billing charges to your account.
Failure to complete the form may result in you being held
responsible for any and all damages to your room.
When
you move out of the residence hall, you need to remove all
personal items, return all keys issued to you, and be checked
out by an RA. Students are responsible for scheduling an
appointment to checkout with their RA at least 24 hours
in advance. Failure to properly checkout will result in
fines for the following:
- Improper checkout charge
- Failure to return key charge
- Additional fines may be accessed for extra cleaning
and/or removal of personal property.
Any items left
in storage, public areas or residence hall rooms will be
discarded. The College is not responsible for any lost or
stolen items. All residents are expected to vacate their
room within 24 hours after their final exams are completed
or by the indicated days/times the halls close for the semester
or spring break. If you need to remain beyond this period,
you must contact the Director of Residence Life, or their
designee, for prior permission.
A detailed instruction
sheet will be made available at least two weeks before the
residence halls close each semester. Be sure to follow these
instructions.
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Disregarding
the Directives of College Officials
All Rockford College students and their guests are expected
to comply with the directives given to them by Rockford
College officials when they are acting in the capacity of
their job. Resident Advisors (RAs) are considered to be
College officials as well as any other staff or faculty
member employed by the College. Students who fail to comply
with the directions given, including failure to identify
oneself when asked, will be subject to a student conduct
review per the Student Code of Conduct.
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Drugs
and Other Controlled Substances
Per state and federal laws, community members are not to
use, abuse, possess or distribute any state or federally
controlled drug, narcotic, barbiturate, hallucinogen, marijuana,
or amphetamine on College premises or property owned or
controlled by the College, except drugs prescribed by their
personal physicians.
The College has
the authority to enter and search any room or area of the
campus where there is reason to believe that established
standards of conduct or health and safety regulations are
being violated or when there is reason to believe that illegal
drugs/substances may be stored, used, sold or otherwise
distributed.
It is the College's policy to notify the Rockford City Police
Department whenever drugs or paraphernalia are found on
campus. Therefore, in addition to College disciplinary action,
students violating drug laws risk arrest and prosecution
by city, state, or federal offices.
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Eligibility
to Live On-Campus
To qualify for a space in the residence halls, a student
must meet the following guidelines:
- Acceptance into the Rockford College academic program
- Registered for minimum of 6 semester hours per semester
in a regular academic program at Rockford College
- Apply for housing in the Office of Residence Life
- Sign housing contract through Student Administrative
Services (SAS)
- Provide a nonrefundable housing deposit of $100.00
Approval to waive
these requirements must be obtained from the Director of
Residence Life. The Director of Residence Life will have
final determination regarding eligibility. For more information,
please contact the Office of Residence Life: residencelife@rockford.edu.
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Furniture
Residents assume responsibility for furniture assigned to
their room. Residents will be billed for the full-replacement
price for any furniture that is not present at the time
of checkout. Residents will also be billed for any furniture
which is not fully assembled (i.e., bed frames) at checkout.
Residents may
arrange furniture to suit individual tastes including bringing
personal furniture, provided such additions do not jeopardize
the health or safety of roommate(s) & abide by the conditions
established by the college and printed in the college brochures.
Furniture in the residence hall lounges, study rooms, etc.,
may NOT be used in private rooms. A fine for the misuse
or appropriation of common area furniture will be imposed
by the Office of Residence Life.
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Gambling
Gambling is not permitted on Rockford College property.
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Guest
Policy
Residential Students wanting to host a friend who is not
a member of the Rockford College community on-campus or
overnight must register the guest with their RA or with
the Office of Safety and Security. The hosting student is
responsible for their guest at all times while on Rockford
College property and will be held accountable if the guest
is found to be violating any of policies of the College.
Failure to register the guest could result in a student
conduct review for the Rockford College student. The College
reserves the right to ban any guest from campus if the conduct
of the guest endangers the safety and well-being of the
College community, including involving the Rockford Police
Department.
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Identification
Cards
All Rockford College students are required to have photo
identification cards. Students should always carry their
ID card and are required to present valid ID cards to cash
checks and have access to the library, cafeteria, and Fitness
Center. Identification cards also provide front door access
to residents of the Cummings Complex. They may also be used
by Campus Security or Residence Life staff for identification
purposes. Students are prohibited from loaning cards to
other students and/or guests.
Lost or stolen
cards should be reported immediately to the SAS (during
regular business hours) or Safety and Security (during weekends
or evening hours). A $25 fee is assessed for the replacement
of lost or stolen ID cards.
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Keys
Room keys, mailbox keys, and outdoor access cards (and keys)
are the property of the College. Residents are responsible
for all issued keys. Under no circumstance may keys be duplicated
or loaned to other individuals. Residents are encouraged
to keep unattended rooms locked to avoid theft. Full replacement
costs for lost or stolen keys will be assigned to the resident
to which the key was issued by the Office of Residence Life.
Lock outs will
occasionally occur over the course of the semester. If your
RA is unavailable the Safety and Security staff is willing
to assist you in gaining access to your room. Neither the
RA or a member of the Safety and Security staff will let
someone other than the resident into the room, this includes
registered guests. Rockford College is happy to help its
residents out; however, abuse of this service could result
in a student conduct review for the resident.
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Kitchenettes
Kitchenette areas are available in each residential complex.
The facilities may include the following: a sink, refrigerator,
and microwave. Kitchenettes are for resident use. Residents
are responsible for keeping, must keep these areas clean.
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Laundry
Facilities
Each residence hall complex is equipped with washers and
dryers for resident use only. If any machine is in need
of repair, please report it to the Residence Hall Staff.
The College is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged
personal property in laundry facilities.
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Loss
and Liability
Rockford College is not responsible for the loss, theft,
or damage of any personal property from any cause. For safety
purposes, we encourage all students to keep your room and
automobile locked at all times. All residents are encouraged
to purchase renter's insurance. If you are a dependant with
a parent/guardian, you may be covered under their home owner’s
policy. Please check with your insurance agent.
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Noise,
Quiet and Courtesy Hours
Courtesy Hours are in effect twenty-four hours a day. This
means that residents may request another resident or group
of residents to cease any activity which is interfering
with his/her ability to study, rest, or quietly enjoy the
community. Residents are expected to comply with such requests.
Quiet hours for each community are established by a majority
vote at the start of the year, but apply to only that community.
Disruption to another hall or floor is considered an automatic
violation of the noise policy. Campus quiet hours are 12:00
am - 10:00 am.
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Offensive
Material
Materials which are deemed to be obscene or which violate
the College's nondiscrimination policy are not permitted
in public areas (hallways, room doors, windows, etc.).
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Physical and
Verbal Harassment
Physical or verbal harassment is prohibited in the residence
hall community or anywhere else on campus. Students who
feel they are being harassed in this manner should contact
Safety and Security or a member of the Residence Life staff
immediately.
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Residence Hall
Contract
The room and board contract is issued for the entire academic
year (fall and spring semesters). Residents are required
to sign an application and contract which incorporates the
policies, procedures and certain additional requirements
contained therein.
Cancellation of
a residence hall contract requires permission from the Director
of Residence Life. There must be a compelling reason to
cancel a contract. If the decision of the Director of Residence
Life is to deny a contract cancellation, the resident will
be obligated to fulfill the contract. If granted, contact
Student Administrative Services (SAS) for a schedule of
refunds.
The Office of
Residence Life reserves the right to cancel an Application
and Contract for the following reasons: no longer registered
for classes, falling below the minimum 6 credit hours needed
to eligible, nonpayment of a bill, serious or numerous residence
hall/College policy violation(s). Residents will then be
given a specific date to have all personal belongings removed
from the residence hall.
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Rockford College
Staff Entering your Room
Rockford College and the Residence Life staff believe your
right to privacy is important and will be respected whenever
possible. However, the College reserves the right for designated
authorities to enter a student room/suite at any time without
prior notice. The following are several reasons for entry
into a resident room:
- Health, safety, maintenance, or personal welfare checks
- Clear indication that established standards of conduct
are being violated, or to protect college property
- Semester Closing and Break Periods
Designated authorities
include the Dean of Students, Assistant Dean of Students/
Director of Residence Life, Residence Hall Directors, Campus
Security, maintenance staff, Officers of the College or
their appointed representatives.
If a College
staff member finds it necessary to enter your room when
you are not present, s/he will attempt to leave you a note
or let you know afterwards that your room was entered and
the reason.
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Room Assignment
The Director of Residence Life oversees all room assignments
and makes every effort to see that they are made in the
best interest of the resident. The general guidelines used
in the assignment process are listed below. The Office of
Residence Life reserves the right to change this process
at any time and will make reasonable attempts to inform
students prior to the change.
New Students:
- Specific requests for roommates are honored when possible.
- Personal living styles will be matched as much as possible
according to when the Housing Application/Contract is
received and the responses provided on the "Housing
Preference" form.
- Special consideration is given to those preferring
a nonsmoking roommate or floor. However, in the event
smoking and nonsmoking individuals are assigned to the
same room, the nonsmoker's rights prevail.
- Requests for particular room types (i.e., single rooms)
will be considered only after a completed Housing Application
has been received by the Office of Residence Life. A completed
application includes the Housing Contract, Meal Contract,Preference
Form, and $100 housing deposit.
- Room and floor/hall assignments are made at the discretion
of the Residence Life staff with preference first being
given to returning residents and earliest deposit dates.
Returning Students:
- All renewal process information will be made available
by the residence life office prior to renewal dates.
- Living preferences of returning students will receive
priority for those who are in good judicial standing.
- Students not participating in the renewal process or
currently living off-campus may select a room for the
next academic year any time after renewal, so long as
they meet the requirements to live on-campus, submit a
completed housing application, and $100 housing deposit.
- All applications received after June 1, will be made
according to the guidelines established for new residents.
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Roommate
Change or Room Reassignment
Requests for room or hall changes can be made after a previously
designated time. Room changes require permission from a
Residence Hall Directors or the Director of Residence Life.
If the reason for a request is due to a roommate conflict,
residents may first be asked to try to work the problem
out. (Residence Life staff may help you with this attempt
at resolution.) If the change is approved, residents will
be given a room change application form to complete and
return to the Residence Hall Director.
There will be
an announced week within two to three weeks of the start
of each semester. This is the only time when room changes
will be permitted. Once a request has been approved, the
resident will be expected to complete the move within 48
hours.
Consolidation Policy: The College reserves the right to
reassign students who are without roommates, whose roommate
withdraws or is dropped from the College, or who have not
registered for classes in the specified length of time.
A few weeks into each semester, students living alone in
double rooms will be asked to consolidate or pay the double
as a single room rate. The College reserves the right to
change the resident's living unit within the residence life
facilities on a 24 hour notice for reasons of health, student
welfare, administrative necessity, or disciplinary action.
In all cases, final determination of room assignments rests
with the College.
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Room
Modifications
Room modifications must first be approved by the Director
of Residence Life. Please pick up a room modification form
in Nelson Hall 2nd floor.
Approval is subject
to final inspection of the modification. If found unsatisfactory,
the resident will be required to make the appropriate changes
within the specified period or return the room to its original
condition. All rooms must be restored to original condition
upon move out. Failure to do this will result in a fine.
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Room Repairs/Maintenance Requests
Concerns or issues in your residence hall requiring the
services of the maintenance department at Rockford College
should be brought to the attention of your RA or a member
of the Residence Life staff. Once a staff member is notified
they will put in a work order. Maintenance will follow up
and work to correct the issue. Questions about the time
line for repair or any follow up items should be directed
to your Residence Hall Director.
Repairs as a result
of damage to Rockford College property will be handled according
to the vandalism policy.
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Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of Rockford College that the working and
learning environments shall be free from sexual harassment
of the students, employees, and those who apply for student
or employee status. All students and employees should be
aware that the College shall take action to eliminate sexual
harassment. Students with complaints should contact their
Residence Hall Director, a member of the Sexual Harassment
Board, or the Human Resources Manager.
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Smoke Detectors
The College provides each residence hall room with a working
smoke detector at the start of the academic year. The College
also periodically checks the smoke detectors to ensure that
they are working properly. If you suspect that your smoke
detector isn’t working property immediately contact
your RA or the Residence Hall Director. Since smoke detectors
are essential to the safety of all residents it is expected
that residents do not tamper with the smoke detectors in
anyway. Residents found to have tampered with the smoke
detectors will be fined for the replacement cost and may
also face disciplinary action.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted in any of the residence halls,
including individual rooms, common areas, or restrooms.
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Statement of Responsibility (SOR)
A Statement of Responsibility (SOR) is needed by residential
students who are at least 21 years old and who want to host
a party in their room with alcohol for 10 or more people.
The person obtaining the SOR must be the resident of the
room where the party is taking place, and must remain sober
for the entirety of the party. SOR permits must be obtained
through the Director of Residence Life no later than 24
hours prior to the day of the event. For more information
on the SOR and the responsibilities of the host(s) please
refer to the Alcohol Policy.
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Summer Housing
Limited summer housing may be available on campus and requires
an additional fee. To be eligible for summer housing, students
must meet the following criteria:
- Complete a housing application/contract form
- Be enrolled in the academic summer session and/or work
on campus to be given first priority.
- Students working in town will also be given consideration,
but not a discount on housing.
- Be in good judicial and academic standing with the
College
If summer housing
is available occupancy in the assigned hall can take place
one day before summer classes begin, and closes the day
after the last class. Occupancy during other times is at
the discretion of the Director of Residence Life. All students
are subject to the same regulations as during the academic
year.
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Unauthorized Entry
Only residents and their escorted guests are authorized
access to their assigned residence hall. Forcible or unauthorized
entry into any building, structure, facility, or room through
a door, window or other means on the premises of College
owned or controlled property is prohibited and subject to
disciplinary sanction.
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Underage Roommates
Students who are 21 or older may keep and consume alcohol
in their rooms (following college guidelines). However,
roommates (and guests) under 21 are not permitted at any
time to posses or consume the alcohol. If minors are found
possessing and/or consuming alcohol, all alcohol in the
room will be disposed of on site. The minors found in violation
will be documented and the residents who reside in the room
will be documented for providing alcohol to minors. If neither
roommate is over 21, it is expected that no alcohol be brought
into or stored in their room.
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Vandalism
Any malicious damage to private or College property is prohibited.
Persons responsible for damage will be billed for repair
and replacement and may face disciplinary action. Residents
will be notified by public memo/posting of any common area
fines or damages.
When two or more
residents occupy the same room/space and responsibility
cannot be determined, the cost of repair or replacement
will be divided evenly between the residents of the room/space.
If damage or loss occurs in a common area (lounge, hallway,
etc.) and no one can be identified as the responsible party,
all residents in the living unit (hall/floor) will be charged
for the repair/replacement costs.
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