Albertson College of Idaho

2005/6
Academic
Catalog

 

Policies

Residence Hall Policies

Policies are developed for three general purposes, to ensure the health and safety, especially fire safety, of residents; to clarify the business transaction and protect the college’s property; and to facilitate a reasonable living environment for residents. At the beginning of each semester residents of each floor and in some cases each residence hall meet to create residence hall standards. As a group, residents determine such community standards as quiet hours, bathroom and floor cleanliness and etiquette, use of common areas and the best way to maintain the established standards. Resident Assistants facilitate these meetings and post the standards for each community. These standards are based upon the Residents’ Rights and Responsibilities. This document was written by a committee of residents and adopted in 2001.

Rights / Responsibilities

Health and Safety

Alcohol and Drug Use
The possession, use, distribution, and/or sale of any substances defined by law as a controlled substance and/or any drug paraphernalia are prohibited. State law requires that only individuals 21 and over consume or possess alcohol. In collaboration with this law, and in the interest of providing a safe and educational environment, only students of legal age are allowed to consume or possess alcohol or alcohol-related paraphernalia. Open containers of alcohol are prohibited in all public areas and outdoors. Intoxication is not an acceptable justification for irresponsible or inappropriate behavior. Students of legal age who consume alcoholic beverages are expected to do so in moderation and in a manner that ensures other residents’ rights to privacy, sleep and study. Residence Life officials may initiate a non-disciplinary meeting with any repeatedly intoxicated resident to express and discuss behavioral and health concerns on the College's behalf. For additional information, refer to the Alcohol Policy information in the College Policy Statements section of this Student Handbook. In accordance with the Higher Education Act of 1998, the college has the right to contact the parent(s) or guardian(s) of students under the age of 21 involved in violations of college alcohol and/or controlled substance policies. For more information, see Disciplinary Proceedings and Judicial Procedures section.
Cleaning
Each residential unit is to be kept in order by its residents. We do have a professional cleaning crew for general upkeep (bathroom and common area cleaning under normal use conditions). It is important that all activities are cleaned up by those students in attendance in order to maintain a comfortable, sanitary living environment and avoid excess cleaning charges. In addition, kitchens should be cleaned after use. All hallways, stairwells, and common areas need to be kept clear of personal belongings. This is both to enhance the cleanliness of the building and to provide a clear way out in case of fire. Trash and recyclables must be similarly placed in a dumpster or recycling container outside the building. Students are responsible for the condition of their rooms. When moving out of a room (either to another room or off campus for any reason) it is the student's responsibility to remove all belongings and to leave the room cleaner than the condition in which it was found. In the event that adequate health and safety standards are not maintained or that the condition of the room discourages roommates, the college may have the room cleaned at the resident’s expense or other appropriate action may be taken. Students are expected to dispose of any bodily fluids in the appropriate receptacles, such as a toilet or garbage can.
Electrical Appliances
We wish to avoid fire hazards, circuit overloads and the unnecessary consumption of electricity. Electrical appliances such as televisions, stereos, electric blankets, clocks, irons, refrigerators under 4.5 cubic feet and other appliances having self-contained heating units may be used in the residence halls. Open-element appliances such as hot plates, toasters, electric fry pans, halogen lamps, etc., are prohibited and can be confiscated. Popcorn poppers, coffee pots, rice cookers, hot pots and small microwaves are permitted. To keep fire hazard to a minimum, cooking is allowed only in the kitchen facilities provided in each residence halls. If the number of otherwise permitted appliances operating on a single circuit creates a danger of circuitry overload, a residence life staff member may issue instructions for the safe use of the appliance in question or withdraw permission for use.
Emergencies
The college has the right to notify parents of students in emergency medical or criminal incidents. The college will take appropriate steps to get students proper medical attention.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is extremely important in a community living situation. Disregard for fire safety by ignoring evacuation procedures; placing false alarms; interfering with proper functioning of fire alarm, electrical systems or sprinklers; tampering with or removing bells, alarms, fire detection equipment, fire hoses, fire doors/door closures, exit signs, extinguishers or fire fighting equipment is prohibited. Use of fire or smoke-producing articles such as Bunsen burners, portable stoves, kerosene lamps, candles, and cigarettes unless authorized by college staff is also prohibited. Vandalizing, damaging or unlocking exterior building doors or locks, room doors or locks, security alarm systems, emergency phones, or other portions of a security system are prohibited. Fire Department personnel, college security personnel, and/or Residence Life staff may enter rooms during fire alarms to ensure compliance with evacuation procedures. The college reserves the right to assess living units for the cost of responding to false alarms.
Safety to Self and Others
The Director of Residence Life (or designee) may temporarily suspend or reassign a resident to another facility and restrict a resident from specific facilities pending an investigation and/or hearing. Whenever, in his/her judgment, the continued presence of a resident in a particular facility constitutes a danger to the student or the safety of persons or property in the residence halls or the seriousness of the allegations warrant such action, the Director or designee may also terminate that individual’s housing agreement. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to deny living arrangements to any student when the student’s presence may be detrimental or disruptive to the hall environment or pose a risk to the physical or mental well being of the student or others (see the ”Medical Review Process” section under College Policy Statements). The Director of Residence Life shall grant immediate review by the end of the next business day on request of any resident so suspended, reassigned or restricted.
Safety Hazards
Maintaining a safe campus is everyone’s responsibility. No person shall create a safety or health hazard in any residence hall through either their behavior or articles in their possession. Due to the documented affects of second-hand smoke and the proximity of residence windows to the exterior of the residence halls, smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of the residence halls. Accessing roofs or fire escapes creates a potentially hazardous situation and is prohibited. Nothing is to be thrown from a window or roof, or hung from the outside of windows, as these also create hazardous circumstances. Likewise, propping exterior doors and letting unidentified individuals into residence halls undermines the hall’s ability to be a safe living environment. Some furnishings, such as weight benches, waterbeds and lofts, create fire and weight hazards; these are also prohibited. Any instrument that is used or is readily capable of causing serious physical injury is considered dangerous and is therefore prohibited. College staff will confiscate prohibited items and individuals involved may be subject to disciplinary action, included expulsion. Examples of prohibited articles include, but are not limited to: bombs, knives, num chucks, throwing stars, air rifles, pellet guns, pistols, firearms, ammunition, hunting equipment, gun powder, fireworks, explosives, gasoline. If you have any questions regarding this policy please contact Campus Safety (x5151) or the Office of Residence Life (x5150).

Residence Hall General Policies

Bathrooms
Bathroom facilities are intended for one sex only. Individuals should never be present in bathrooms designated for use by the opposite sex.
Bicycles
In a small living environment, bicycles stored in hallways or common areas can create cluttered space, as well as become a fire hazard. Bicycles must be stored in student rooms or designated bike rooms or area.
Common Area Spaces
Each residence hall has study and lounge facilities. These facilities are intended for use by all members of the community. Removal of furnishings from these areas is prohibited, as it hinders all residents’ ability to use the space. Students wishing to use common area space for official functions must fill out an Event Registration Form and receive prior approval from the hall director or assistant hall director.
Community Responsibility
The enforcement of campus policies is the responsibility of all members of the campus community. Students are expected to take reasonable actions to confront behavior that is in violation of community or campus standards. Any student present when a policy violation occurs may also be held responsible for the violation even if he or she is not directly involved.
Destruction of community
No student shall be disruptive to staff, members or guests of the residence hall community or obstruct/disrupt any residence hall activity or process. Through doing so, residents jeopardize their own safety and the wellbeing of their community. Students also must comply with the directives of residence hall staff (including hall directors, assistant hall directors, RAs, desk attendants, etc.) and other college officials (e.g. campus safety) exercising assigned duties. Students may appeal to the Director of Residence Life for a decision of any official directive, but they must be in compliance with the directive at the time of the appeal.
Destruction of property
If damage other than normal wear and tear occurs anywhere in the residence halls, it is considered vandalism and is prohibited. Vandalism in common use areas (anything outside of individual rooms) that cannot be traced to a single individual becomes the financial responsibility of all community members living in that unit. Assessments of common area damages will be billed to the smallest identifiable group within a residence hall living unit and residents will be given notice of charges through postings. Common area damage charges cannot be appealed. Residents are encouraged to identify the person(s) responsible for common area damage to Residence Life Staff. In addition, the Office of Residence Life reserves the right to administratively remove students from areas where excessive common area damages occur. Residents are responsible for damages that occur beyond normal wear and tear to their rooms.
Community Nuisance
Some activities are not meant to take place indoors and by doing so add to wear and tear of the facility, as well as create a safety hazard and a nuisance to members of the community. Residents are asked to be mindful of their activities in the residence hall, and to monitor the impact the activity has on the community. If any activity is found to become a nuisance, it may be prohibited.
Gambling
Gambling for money or other valuables is prohibited within the residence halls.
Guest
A guest is defined as a person not assigned to a particular room but is in the room at the invitation of an occupant. A resident’s privilege to have a guest is subject to the following limitations:
  • A host of a guest must have the permission of roommate(s). Since the residents of a residence hall room are the ones most aware of the actions in that room, the residence life staff must rely on the roommate(s) to bring any guest policy infractions to their attention. If a roommate(s) is uncomfortable with guests in the room, he/she can seek the help of the residence life staff to rectify the situation.
  • The presence of guests must not restrict the free access of legitimate occupant to all common spaces and private spaces they may have or create any situation that infringes on the right of the roommate(s) to remain undisturbed.
  • The presence of a guest must not be constant or continuous.
  • A guest may not occupy a student’s room when the student is not present.
  • A resident may not give the guest a college issued key (room or marlock).
  • The resident must accompany the guest inside the building.
  • Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests and visitors. Residents may be subject to disciplinary action for the misconduct of a guest or visitor and are liable for any damages cause by a guest or visitor.
  • A person may be denied permission to be a guest in the future by residence hall staff. Such action shall be taken when a staff member assesses that the person may pose a potential threat to students and/or property, that the person’s presence becomes detrimental to the community, or that the person is not willing or able to abide by established college policies. The person shall be informed of the reason when she/he is asked to leave.
Keys
Room, entry and in some cases storage keys are issued to the resident at the beginning of the occupancy period. Keys are to be used only by the person to whom they are issued and may not be transferred or given to other persons. It is illegal to duplicate any college keys. Lost or stolen keys present a security risk and must be reported immediately to residence hall staff. If a resident misplaces his/her key(s), she/he may sign out a temporary replacement (loaner) key. If the resident’s original key(s) are not found/returned within five (5) working days, the room lock will be changed at the resident’s expense. Unauthorized possession or use of a master key is considered a serious violation and could result in expulsion from the school.
Pets
Only fish that can be kept in aquariums no larger than 20 gallons and animal companions required for medical reasons are allowed.
Repair Requests
Requests for room repairs should be submitted to residence hall staff or, in case of emergency, through email to physicalplant@collegeofidaho.edu. By making a repair request, a student is authorizing college staff permission to enter her/his room to make the requested repair. Modification of college furniture is prohibited.
Storage
Very limited storage space is available in each residence hall. The college is not liable for belongings lost or damaged while in storage. Property left in a residence hall facility after the end of the agreement period shall be considered abandoned property.
Telephones
Each student must supply his/her own touch-tone telephone set and a calling card for long distance service. The college provides voice mail. Problems with telephone service should be reported to a Resident Assistant.
Residence Hall Funds
The residence hall enhancement funds program was established as a method to provide funds for the enhancement of residence hall common areas. However, if damage occurs in a common area and the individuals responsible are not identified, the cost of the repairs will be charged against the enhancement funds for the respective living unit. The office of Residence Life reserves the right to use Hall Enhancement Funds for building improvements. Hall enhancement funds are not refundable. This program does not preclude the possibility of common area damage assessments for living units with high amounts of damage.
Solicitation and Entrepreneurship
The residence halls are considered students’ private sanctuaries. Door-to-door solicitation by off-campus individuals or organizations is strictly prohibited. Elected residence hall representative and staff may go door-to-door in the living units they represent to conduct the business of their association or philanthropic efforts. Resident students may also use designated bulletin boards to advertise and sell personal property purchased for personal use. The operation of any commercial business in the residence halls is prohibited unless cleared through the Director of Residence Life.

Community Standards

Each community is responsible for forming their own policies around certain issues. These issues are listed below. If the community is unable to agree upon standards, the following descriptions will be used as the policy.

Decoration Policy
Students are free to display posters and other personal possessions within their assigned rooms and doors. However, possession or displays that are inconsistent with community standards or that could be construed to create a hostile environment cannot be displayed in general view of the public. Decorations in question must be removed if deemed to create a hostile or threatening environment or create an atmosphere that is inconsistent with community standards and a safe, respectful learning environment.
Noise and Quiet Hours
Residents are expected to be courteous about the noise they create at all times. Quiet hours are from midnight to 10 a.m. every day. During finals week, quiet hours will be extended to 24 hours a day beginning on the last day of classes until exam week is over.
Noxious Odor
A noxious odor is any aroma of such intensity that it becomes apparent to others. Any odor can become noxious or offensive when it is too strong. Examples include, but are not limited to body odor, smoke, incense, perfume, air freshening spray, spoiled foods, garbage or dirty laundry. When a noxious odor can be localized to a particular room, the resident(s) and/or guests are responsible for taking immediate corrective action.
Common Area Use
Each residence hall maintains common area spaces such as study lounges, game rooms and volleyball courts. RHA’s and Residence Life staff determine specific purposes and hours of operation.

Albertson College of Idaho • 2112 Cleveland Blvd. • Caldwell, ID 83605
(208)459-5011 • Fax (208)459-5175
Copyright © 2005 Albertson College of Idaho. All rights reserved.