![]() |
![]() |
|
|
Student Life: Housing Policy HOUSING POLICY
Any full-time, single student who is under the age of twenty-three on the first official day of registration for any regular semester is required to live in university residence halls and board in the university dining hall. To be exempt from this policy, students must meet one or more of these exceptions:
Students under 17 or over 25 years of age must be documented by the Office of Housing to be assigned in university housing. All commuting students must submit a correct address and phone number for residence during the semester. Changes that occur are to be reported immediately to the Office of Academic Records, Office of Student Life and Office of Housing. Students in violation of university residence policy are subject to disciplinary action including suspension. SOCIAL AND BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS Back To Top
1. Those sins of the spirit such as pride, jealousy, covetousness, and lust, while difficult to determine by others, are well-known to all of us. These are the root of behavioral problems, and therefore, the university expects all members of the community to be free from them. 2. Scripture forbids certain practices, and these will not be tolerated by Southern Wesleyan University. Such activities as fornication, adultery, homosexual conduct, drunkenness, occult practices, stealing, profanity, 3. Certain university standards are derived from a combination of Scripture, tradition, and common sense. While not expressly forbidden by Scripture, these standards are valuable for our life together. Other Christians may disagree with us; not even all of us agree on them. However, these are Southern Wesleyan University standards, and we do expect full compliance by those who have voluntarily chosen to be a part of this community. Therefore students are to:
GENERAL RESIDENCE LIFE AND HOUSING POLICIES ROOM ASSIGNMENTS Back To Top
ROOM DEPOSIT Back To Top A security deposit of $200 is required for Stuart Bennett, Childs Hall, and the North and South Apartments. The fee is to be paid before housing is assigned for new and transferring students. HOUSING CONTRACT Back To Top All residents are required to sign a Residence Hall Contract prior to taking occupancy of any room or apartment. The contract stipulates the rights and responsibilities of the university, the sign up/assignment process, liability guidelines and other information pertinent to housing. Signing the contract verifies that the resident has read and agrees to abide by the residence life policies and regulations as stated in the Southern Wesleyan University Student Handbook. FOOD SERVICE Back To Top
Only authorized ID cards or certified pass cards can be used for meals and may not be altered or transferred. Students may obtain a new ID through the Housing Office. Students entering the dining room without their ID or allowing someone else to use their meal pass will be subject to disciplinary action. If you are ill and unable to eat in the dining room, you may have a friend deliver your food to you. Call your residence director, resident assistant, or the nurse to make arrangements. Food service will prepare meals in accordance with a doctors orders for students who require special diets for health reasons. Students are responsible for bussing their own tray to the dish-room window. Students who are involved in disruptive behavior, leaving trays, or throwing food in the dining room may be suspended from the dining room for a period of time and be assessed a fine and cleanup fee or be required to perform community service. CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT Back To Top Upon moving into your room, you will complete, sign, and turn in a room inventory sheet, which will be an accurate and complete record of the contents and conditions of the assigned room. This inventory will serve as the basis for checkout process. The checkout process must be followed anytime a resident moves out of an assigned space. When leaving an assigned space, the resident schedules an appointment with a Resident Assistant to review the condition of the room/apartment. Residents are expected to remove all waste and debris, leave the room in an acceptable, clean condition, and return the key. Students are expected to check out of their rooms/apartments within 24 hours of their last class. Residents who fail to checkout properly will be assessed a $50 fine. Should extra cleaning by university personnel be required, a cleaning fee of $50 will also be assessed. Failure to return the key results in a $25 charge to Stuart-Bennett and Childs Hall residents and $75 charge to Apartment/Mullinax residents (see room key section). Damages to the living space beyond normal “wear and tear” will be assessed to the resident. Housing Deposits will be forfeited when deemed by the Residence Life or Housing Office for excessive damage to room or intentional misuse. ROOM MAINTENANCE Back To Top Needed repairs of rooms or university furnishings should be reported to the RA and/or Residence Life Coordinator, who will complete and turn in a maintenance request. The maintenance department will do all needed repairs if reported properly. Painting of rooms by students is not permitted. No waterbeds of any kind are permitted. No waterbeds of any kind are permitted.
ROOM FURNISHINGS Back To Top The university owns room furnishings for all residence rooms and apartments. Each student is responsible for the furniture that appears on the room inventory sheet completed at the end of move in. University-owned furniture may not be moved out of rooms/apt for any reason. All Students must keep all furniture in their assigned room regardless of whether it is being used or not.with no regards to whether they are in a double room or single room. ROOM KEYS Back To Top The Residence Life Coordinator will issue a room key to each student upon check in. Keys are not to be duplicated or loaned. Lost keys should be reported to the Residence Life Coordinator. A duplicate key will be provided for a replacement fee ($25 for Stuart Bennett, Childs Hall, $75 for Mullinax or Apartments), which must be paid prior to receiving the key. LOCKOUTS Back To Top Since room/apartment doors should be locked, students should carry their room key with them. When students are locked out of their room, they may contact a resident assistant or the residence director to gain access. However, a fee will be assessed for repeated lockouts. STORAGE Back To Top Storage areas are not provided for students during the school year, breaks, or summer holidays. Students should be prepared to keep their belongings in their rooms during the school year or arrange for off-campus storage. Rooms must be completely cleared upon moving out. RESIDENCE HALL DAMAGES Back To Top Students will be charged for any damages, lost school property or unnecessary service costs caused by them to university residence halls because of neglect or intent. Students will be billed for damaged or missing furniture, equipment, or damages to the room/apartment itself. Where two or more students occupy the same room/apartment and the university cannot ascertain responsibility for damage or loss, the charge will be divided and assessed equally among the residents of the room/apartment. ROOM INSPECTIONS AND HOUSE-KEEPING Back To Top Residents are responsible for cleaning their own room or apartment, for removing waste materials regularly, and for maintaining acceptable sanitation and safety conditions. Residence rooms/apartments will be checked periodically to monitor cleanliness. Authorized personnel may enter your room for reasons of health, safety, general welfare, to make necessary repairs, or in response to conduct which is in violation of university regulations or law of the land. Insofar as possible, advance notice will be given. No room will be searched except by approval of the administrator in charge or a representative. ROOM DECORATIONS Back To Top All room decorations are to be in keeping with university policies and behavioral expectations. No road or public signs, which were public property, are to be displayed. Obscene or suggestive posters, pictures, literature, and other items that are not in harmony with the values and standards of Southern Wesleyan University are not acceptable. No alcoholic beverage containers may be used for any type of decoration. EMERGENCIES Back To Top In case of an emergency, please dial 9-911. Then immediately notify one of the following:
Be sure someone is posted outside the building the direct EMS to the emergency. All emergency situations involving students should be immediately reported to a Resident Assistant or Resident Life Coordinator. Emergency situations should be reported whether they occur on campus or off campus. FIRE SAFETY Back To Top Fire warning devices and safety equipment are to be used only in the case of emergency. The sounding of a fire alarm must be taken seriously, and occupants should evacuate the residence according to the appropriate procedures. The intentional sounding of an alarm (outside of an emergency situation) or tampering with emergency equipment is considered a criminal offense and the person(s) responsible will be treated accordingly. A minimum charge of $250 and criminal charges will be imposed for tampering with fire, smoke, or safety equipment. In cases where the person(s) involved are not identified after investigation, the floor/hall where the misuse occurred will be assessed the restoration fee. Fire drills are held in each residence hall at least once each semester. Students are to evacuate the residence during the fire drill by way of the marked exits. The building must be vacated during the fire drill. The possession or use of fireworks anywhere on campus property is prohibited. The Fire Marshall strictly prohibits the use of hot plates, candles, incense, and other flammable devices. Decorative candles are permitted in residence hall rooms and apartments, but they must have brand new, never-been-burned wicks. Candles with burned wicks are considered violations of fire safety. Such candles will be confiscated and each student involved will be assessed a minimum fine of $25.00 for each candle. Electrical devices should be used with caution. Students are limited to one extension cord (up to eight feet in length) and one power bar (4-outlet maximum, with built-in breakers). FIRE EVACUATION Back To Top If you hear the fire alarm:
SEVERE WEATHER PROCEDURES Back To Top A tornado WATCH means a tornado is possible in your area. A tornado WARNING means a tornado has been sighted and may be headed to your area. Go to safety immediately. In the case of a severe weather or tornado WATCH, the residence staff will notify residents. In the case of an upgrade to a WARNING, the residence staff will evacuate the residents. RESIDENCE HALL SECURITY AND SAFETY Back To Top
Rooms and apartments should be locked when they are unoccupied and when the residents are sleeping. Exterior doors and ground level windows are not to be left or propped open. Both of these make vulnerable the residence hall, its occupants, and personal belongings. Students are not to enter/exit residence halls through windows or fire escapes. No articles or decorations are to be placed on outside ledges, left in hallways or stairwells, or suspended outside windows. Students are not permitted on the roof of any building at any time. Anyone throwing objects out of a window will be subject to disciplinary action. All window screens must stay in place. Students should immediately report any suspicious persons or occurrences to the residence life staff. LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL LAWS Back To Top Students must comply with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and any rules or regulations of any governmental board having jurisdiction. WEAPONS Back To Top No weapons or firearms, neither functional nor decorative, are permitted in the Southern Wesleyan University residence halls or apartments. Items prohibited include, but are not limited to, all firearms, air guns, sling shots, knives, swords, spears, and bows/arrows. Possession of a weapon or firearm is grounds for immediate dismissal. Pocketknives with a 3-inch or less blade are permitted. INSURANCE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY Back To Top The university assumes no responsibility for the personal property of students. Accordingly, the university does not provide insurance or any other financial protection for the personal property of students. It is strongly recommended that students obtain insurance protection against loss, damage, or theft of personal property. RESIDENT CONFLICTS AND ROOM CHANGES Back To Top Living with a roommate is usually a rewarding experience that results in a lasting friendship. However, most roommates will experience times of conflict over such things as values, personal habits and personality. Working through these differences takes a listening ear, an ability to verbalize feelings and work toward problem solving and sometimes outside help. QUIET HOURS IN RESIDENCE HALLS Back To Top Excessive noise is not permitted at any time. Daily quiet hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During this time residents should be able to study or sleep without disturbance. Residents are expected to politely take the initiative in confronting sources of disturbance. If these efforts fail, the residence hall staff is available to intervene. A simple rule-of-thumb for judging the appropriate volume of stereos, TVs, etc., is the knock rule. Simply stated, if someone knocks on your door and you cannot hear it, your room/apartment is too loud. Headphones are encouraged for students who prefer high-volume entertainment. Use of electric guitars and keyboards and percussion instruments is inappropriate in the residences. SOUND EQUIPMENT, VCRs, ETC. Back To Top Students misusing sound equipment will be warned. Further misuse may result in removing the equipment from the residence. Typewriters, computers, and printers should be used with discretion and regard for others. Students may operate television sets and VCRs in their rooms, provided they are used with discretion and regard for others. Students may operate VCRs in their rooms providing the movies viewed are in accordance with the standards of the university. Personal integrity and Christian character OVER-NIGHT OFF-CAMPUS Back To Top Resident students are expected to be in the residence hall overnight. Students wishing to spend the night away from the residence hall are required to complete a proper sign-out form including telephone number, location, and name of the person(s) being visited. Students are not permitted to sign out to residences of members of the opposite sex. Misuse of this privilege will result in disciplinary action. OVERNIGHT GUESTS IN RESIDENCE HALLS Back To Top Resident students may have guests of the same sex in the rooms overnight who are appropriately signed in with the RA or RD. A guest may stay in your room without charge for a maximum of three days after which a charge per day will be assessed. Guests staying in the residence hall or apartment must be registered with the residence director. Resident students are responsible for the conduct and dress of their guests and are responsible to assure that residence life policies are followed. Failure to register a guest may result in disciplinary action. BABYSITTING Back To Top Babysitting is not permitted in the residence halls. RESIDENCE HALL MEETINGS Back To Top Because of the important information that is communicated and the hall activities and projects that are planned, attendance at all residence hall meetings is mandatory. Every effort will be made to announce these meetings 48 hours in advance. Failure to attend without prior approval of the Residence Life Coordinator may result in disciplinary action. COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES Back To Top Commercial solicitation is prohibited without the prior consent of the residence director. Students may not use the apartments for any commercial business or purpose. STUART-BENNETT AND CHILDS HALL POLICIES Back To Top Residence Life in Stuart-Bennett Hall is designed to serve the needs of freshman students. It houses both males and females on separate floors. All students living in Stuart-Bennett are required to follow all rules and procedures regardless of academic class. Childs Hall is designed to serve the needs of upper-class female students. Male students are permitted in the main lobby from 8 a.m. until midnight. Male students are prohibited from the floor and rooms except during official visitation hours. LOBBIES AND LOUNGES Back To Top
Individual floor lounges are off limits to members of the opposite sex except during specified visitations times. Students should refrain from inappropriate public displays of affection that would make others feel uncomfortable. By interpretation of copyright laws, it is unlawful for showing of copyrighted films in publicly accessed residence hall lobbies and lounges. Therefore, the RD must grant permission before a VCR is used with a lobby or lounge TV. Southern Wesleyan University-sponsored movies as activities are licensed through special rental agreements for public viewing. FOOD PREPARATION IN STUART-BENNETT Back To Top Electric coffee makers, corn poppers, compact refrigerators (drawing 2 amps or less) and microwave ovens (1 cubic foot or less) are permitted. Heating and cooking appliances such as toasters, frying pans, sandwich grills, hot plates, waffle irons, George Foreman-type grills, etc., are prohibited. All food should be kept in airtight containers. Community refrigerators and microwave ovens are available on each floor except first. LAUNDRY FACILITIES Back To Top Coin-operated laundry facilities are located on each floor of Stuart-Bennett (except first floor), Childs Hall basement and Mullinax Hall basement. Change may be obtained at the cashier’s window in the lower level of the administration building. Problems related to the laundry facilities should be reported to the residence director. VISITORS Back To Top All non-Stuart-Bennett residents are required to leave the residence hall at midnight unless approved by the residence director. VISITATION Back To Top Residence hall visitation provides resident students the opportunity for informal interaction and interpersonal growth within the context of the residence hall atmosphere. Additionally, visitations are social events that can provide students the opportunity to meet other students within a group context. As always, but particularly during open hours, it is expected that students conduct themselves with discretion and a respect for the rights of others. In addition, students will be expected to be responsible for the behavior of their guests. Students must be careful to maintain a biblical standard of morality and be sensitive to community standards of good taste and decency. Violations of visitation guidelines will result in disciplinary action that, depending on the circumstances, may include monetary fines, social probation, and reassignment of residence. Childs Hall and Stuart-Bennett will host open visitation on Tuesday and Saturday nights from 7:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. and at other special occasions as arranged by the residence director. Visitation times are not intended to provide complete privacy. Therefore, in order to maintain a suitable environment during visitation hours in Stuart-Bennett, Childs Hall, and Mullinax Hall, the following regulations apply:
Residents are to be in the residence hall by midnight Sunday through Thursday and by 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. For safety and security reasons, the residence hall is locked at these times. Violations of curfew will result in disciplinary sanctions including monetary fines and loss of privileges for repeated offenses. Residents may not exit the residence hall after curfew without a late leave key or permission from the RD. The RD must be notified immediately of emergencies and other exigencies that prevent students from returning to the residence by curfew. SCHOOL BREAKS Back To Top All residence halls are open during official breaks in the academic calendar, though some additional guidelines may pertain to those staying on campus. There is no food service during the following breaks: fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring, Easter and Summer. Special permission to stay in university housing must be granted and documented for all of the breaks. An Application for Break Housing is available in the Housing Office and must be completed before each break.
APARTMENT COMPLEX POLICIES FURNITURE Back To Top The university provides the following furnishings to the apartments. All other furnishings and supplies are the responsibility of the residents. Common Area
Bedrooms
Phone Internet access – For new freshmen and transfers, a fee of $80 for internet card, access, and virus protection must be paid before installed. For continuing students, anti-virus protection is available for $5 for internet protection while they are students. Internet access can only be given when proof of anti-viral protection is checked and confirmed by Information Technology.
Central air and heat Existing furniture or fixtures may not be removed from the apartment. Missing or damaged furniture will be charged to the residents. Student-owned furniture must be removed upon vacating the apartment. No personal grills are allowed on the premises. Outdoor cooking may only take place in designated locations. Outdoor furnishings are not permitted on the stairwell landings or apartment grounds. Nothing is to be stored, hung, or placed on the stairwell railings or landings. Items left may be confiscated and disciplinary action taken. TRASH DISPOSAL Back To Top All trash is to be contained in plastic garbage bags and placed in the designated dumpster. Residents are responsible for the purchase of trash bags. CLEANING SUPPLIES Back To Top Students are responsible for keeping their apartments clean. The university does not provide cleaning supplies or vacuum cleaners. APARTMENT COMPLEX VISITATION Back To Top Visitation provides resident students the opportunity for informal interaction and interpersonal growth within the context of the residence hall atmosphere. Additionally, visitations are social events that can provide students the opportunity to meet other students within a group context. Visitors are allowed in the common area of each apartment from noon - midnight Bedrooms are off limits to any member of the opposite sex at all times. Disciplinary sanctions for visitation violations include monetary fines, social probation, and reassignment to Stuart-Bennett; especially grievous or repeated violations may result in suspension or dismissal. ELIGIBILITY Back To Top To be eligible for apartment living, students must be sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Students on disciplinary, academic, or chapel probation may be ineligible to sign up for an apartment.
|
©2008 Southern Wesleyan University P.O. Box 1020 - 907 Wesleyan Drive - Central, SC 29630-1020 1.800.CU.AT.SWU -- 864.644.5000 |