http://depts.drew.edu/reslife
James Ramey, Interim Director of Residence Life, Hurst 14, x3394

The Office of Residence Life endeavors to create a purposeful, open, safe, fair, and celebrated living-learning environment in which all students may accomplish their personal and academic goals.  Under the supervision of the Director of Residence Life, professional live-in staff members, Complex Residence Directors (CRD) work to enhance the quality of life in the residence halls and are actively involved in establishing such an environment. The CRD supervises a staff of undergraduate Resident Assistants (RAs) and House Assistants (HAs) who are assigned to nearly every floor of a residence hall. All staff members receive special training and are available to students in many ways.
• Communicate the University’s goals, expectations, and mission
• Develop programs of an educational, social, or community-service nature
• Promote mutual respect and understanding in a diverse and open community
• Mediate and resolve conflicts
• Advocate for student concerns
• Forge alliances with other campus departments
• Refer students to other student affairs offices (such as the Health Service or the Counseling Center) when appropriate
• Act as peer counselors and educators
• Advise students about other University resources (such as clubs, organizations, and academic offices)
• Uphold community standards
• Act as liaison between students and other University offices, such as Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality and Facilities.

RESIDENCE LIFE: RULES & REGULATIONS

Banners: Banners may not be hung outside residence halls or residence hall windows without the approval of the Director of Residence Life, nor can outer walls be marked directly with chalk, paint, etc.

Chalking: Chalking is allowed for approved events/purposes in locations that may be cleaned by natural sources (rain). No chalking on buildings, stairs, walls, and areas under breezeways, if chalk appears on any of the prohibited sites it may be treated as vandalism and subject to disciplinary sanctions, including but not limited to fines to cover the cost of removing the chalk. Chalking should be cleared by the Director Of Residence Life, or their designee.

Check-in/Check-out: Students may check in only on the day assigned, as designated by the University calendar. A late-arrival fee will be assessed to the accounts of those students who arrive after the announced time. Early arrivals must be approved by the Director of Residence Life and will be billed per diem.

Prior to students taking occupancy of a room, the RA/HA will perform a careful inspection using an authorized check in form called a “Room Condition Report” or RCR. At move-in time, students should re-check the RCR and report any discrepancies to the RA/HA/CRD within 48 hours. When a student vacates the room, the room will be checked again for damage. Students are required to participate in the check-out process. Appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance for all check-outs. Students will be charged for conditions that are unacceptable or for damage that has occurred. Complex Residence Directors and a representative from Facilities make all final decisions regarding billing. Please consult with your RA/HA/CRD for more information regarding the check-out process.

Those who fail to check out properly are subject to a fine and waive one’s right to appeal any fines accessed to the resident’s account. An accelerated check-out can be arranged utilizing an Express Check-Out form. Use of the Express Check-Out form also waives one’s right to appeal damage charges. Late or improper check-outs will result in a charge assessed to the student’s account. (See Fines).

Common Areas: Damage done to public common areas is a difficult matter, one which is also the responsibility of each resident. Facilities has attempted over a period of time to resolve the difficulty of damages to public areas and the related problems of defraying costs for such damages. Excessive room or common area damage may result in the reassignment of those individual(s) found to be responsible. If the responsible individual(s) cannot be determined, the entire community may share the cost of this damage, whether the community of a wing, floor or entire building.
Damage charges are used to assist in repairing or replacing a damaged item. Faulty equipment and damage should be reported to a staff member. If there is damage in a room do not attempt to repair it yourself; this often increases the final cost of repair. University personnel are available for that purpose and can remedy the situation in a short time.

Lounges, bathrooms, kitchens, and hallways are deemed public spaces and must be maintained in acceptable fashion. Abuse can lead to expenses, which will be charged to all floors, or building residents (see Damages below). Prohibited common areas include (but are not limited to) building fire escapes, balconies, and roof tops. Students found in these areas will be held accountable for their actions.
Common area damage assessments are not appealable.

Community Standards: Each floor/house/building comes together at the beginning of the year to establish governing standards for the immediate community. These standards do not replace University policies and procedures, but do serve as additional standards for the members (and guests) of the community and students are held accountable for these standards.

Damages: Damage beyond normal wear and tear to a room or its furnishings or other University property will be charged to the student and may include additional fines for extra cleaning and/or vandalism. All common area damages not charged to an individual(s) will be assessed to individual floors, suites, or to the entire residence hall or house. Please consult your CRD on how to avoid damage assessments. Students who fail to check-out properly waive their right to appeal damage charges. Common-area damages may not be appealed. (Please see Common Area for more information.)

Decorations: Students may decorate their rooms in any appropriate way, according to their own personal tastes, and in consultation with their roommate(s), with the following exceptions:
• University furniture (with the exception of bed frames) may not be removed from the room. No bedroom or lounge furniture may be moved for outdoor use. Bed frames stored during the year must be put back in the room prior to vacating one’s room assignment to avoid fines. Students in “double singles” may not store the additional bed as the room must be ready should another student be re-assigned. Students are responsible for making sure all furniture is properly returned.
• Room surfaces and structural components of University property inside and outside the residence halls may not be altered or defaced in any way. This includes the painting of walls and the use of nails, tacks, tarps, industrial tape, etc.
• Decorative (“holiday”) lights may not be hung. Halogen lamps, neon signs, and branched lamps (i.e. octolamps) are prohibited. Only official UL tube lights are allowed.
• Candles of any kind are not allowed.
• No decorations may be hung from the ceiling, pipes, and fire sprinkler heads.
• No wire, rope or string of any kind is to be strung across the room for the purpose of hangings decorations.
• Wall hangings must be put up in a way that is non-destructive to the walls, furniture, doors or woodwork which precludes nails, bolts, and double-sided tape from being used.
• Tapestries, flags, or any fabric larger than approximately 5x7 feet, or 35 square feet are not allowed.

Deposits/Refunds: Please contact the Office of Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality, (HCH) at 973/408-3681 or the Bussiness Office at 973/408.

Fines: At the discretion of a University official, fines and/or community service can be levied for the following reasons:
• Tampering with fire safety equipment $100-$500
• Failure to vacate room during fire drill $50-$500
• Late arrival (after 5 p.m.) on an official check-in day $25
• Failure to leave room by official hall closing $100 first hour plus $50 for each hour
• Propping outside doors $100 first offense; second offense, removal from housing
• Possession of a prohibited pet $50
• Repeat alcohol offenses up to $500; keg or beer ball, $250
• Failure to complete assigned Community Service minimum $10 per hour assigned.
• Failure to remove illegal loft $125, plus $30/day
• Prohibited appliances/items up to $500
• Improper check-out of room $125
• Illegal room switch $125
• Failure to properly clean room at end of year $25 minimum
• Littering $50 minimum
• Excessive noise first offense $25, second offense $50
• Trespassing during vacation periods $250
• Vandalism up to $500 plus the cost of repair/replacement
• Wrongful possession of University property $50-$500
• Failure to comply with the directive of a University official up to $500
• Giving false information to a University official up to $500
• Disrespecting University official up to $500
• Furniture missing from room equals replacement cost of each piece
• Health & Safety Inspection Violations: $25 for a candle, candle warmers, halogen lamps, neon signs, branched lamps (i.e. octolamps), incense, outlet expander, cordless phones, personal wireless routers, extension cord, piggy back surge protectors, decorative lights, black lights/UV lights, paper lanterns, paper lampshades, paper lamps, University or other college local, state, federal, or privates/non-profit industry signage, and other first-time minor violations. Second incident $50. The fee for unapproved appliances is $100 for the first incident; $200 for the second. Unapproved appliances include any appliance that exceeds 500 watts (except hair dryers used in bathroom facilities). Refrigerators that do not abide by University guidelines, hotplates, deep fat fryers, toasters, open flamed, open coil, coffee makers, electric kettles, electric blankets, air conditioners, space heaters, ceiling fans, washing machines, dryers, freezers, other high voltage equipment, or personal grills of any kind. The fee for a microwave oven is $150 for the first incident; $300 for the second.
• Other Safety Violation Fines are a minimum of $50. Violations may include possession of fire arms and all objects with intention to cause bodily harm, fireworks, explosives, flammable liquids, match-light charcoal, volatile liquids, and substances of any kind including but not limited to fuels, lighter fluids, open cans of paint, paint thinner, and turpentine, motorcycles, mopeds, motorbikes, waterbeds, pools, pets, unapproved lofts.
Fines are subject to the discretion of University Officials. Other sanctions may be assessed by the Office of Residence Life or other University Officials.
A minimum of $25 will be assessed if a residence is not properly prepared prior to vacation departure.
Please note: Fines are separate and distinct from, and may be imposed in addition to, reimbursement for cost of damage.

Fire Safety: In decorating your room, be sure posters, draperies, and other flammable items are not located over or near light fixtures/lamps or suspended to block the smoke alarm or door. (Please refer to the Decorations section for more information.)

Fire safety equipment is intended for the protection of all residents and is not to be tampered with. Misuse of this equipment (including, but not limited to, fire alarm pull boxes, smoke detector systems, alarm bells and sirens, fire extinguishers, emergency and electrical panels, etc.) is a serious violation and may result in judicial action.

Never hang items from, or interfere with, the sprinkler system, pipes, or ceiling. Students may only occupy zoned residential areas which do not include closets; fines will be assessed accordingly. Students (and their guests) may not sleep in residence-hall lounges. Fire marshals have advised Drew that no one is permitted to sleep in lounge spaces, even students preparing for a Drew-sponsored trip.
Students are required by state law to evacuate the residence hall when a fire alarm is activated. Propping open exterior hall doors or interior fire doors or circumventing any other safety/security measures is also prohibited. In addition, bicycles or other personal belongings may not be placed in stairwells or other public areas of buildings.

Furniture: No University furniture other than bed frames may be removed from a room. No bedroom or lounge furniture may be moved for outdoor use. A bed frame may be stored at designated times at the beginning of each semester. Space is limited, however, and will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Failure to retrieve a bed frame at the end of the year will result in a fine. Students in “double singles” may not store the additional bed as the room must be in tact should another student be re-assigned. Never place your room furniture in the hallway, as it is a fire hazard and will be removed and you will be charged the FULL replacement cost of that furniture. Students will be charged for replacement of ALL damaged or missing room furniture.

All non-University furniture brought to campus by students should be fire resistant and must be removed from campus prior to final check-out (i.e. it may not be left in rooms or hallways).

Grilling Procedure: Residents who wish to grill must remain 50 feet from any building for safety or where a built in grill is located. No grilling is permitted in areas where vehicular traffic is allowed. You are allowed to grill in any University designated grilling spots. These spots have grounded grills. You may only grill on actual metal grills with charcoal only. Ditches, wood, paper are not allowed; you may only use grills for food purposes. No lighter fluid or match-light charcoal may be used. Students are only allowed to grill until 10 p.m.

Guest/Visitation Policy: See Appendix

Incident Reports: These forms may be obtained from the Residence Life Web page. They may be filled out by faculty, staff, or students to report vandalism, accidents, thefts, or policy violations. They will be circulated to the appropriate University offices and, in the case of a policy violation, may lead to the onset of the student conduct process. Confidentiality and anonymity cannot be guaranteed.

Inspections (Bathroom & Health and Safety): In order to maintain a healthy, safe environment in the residence halls, the Office of Residence Life conducts room inspection several times during a semester. Fines are imposed for violations (such as possession of decorative lights, candles, and pets) and other infractions (i.e. alcohol in a room whose occupants are underage). Fines may be imposed for each infraction. (Please see Fines section). All illegal item(s) will be confiscated by the Office of Residence Life or a University Official. The owner of the confiscated item(s) may only pick up the confiscated material at the end of each semester. Failure to retrieve item(s) at the end of the semester may result in the item(s) being donated or thrown away.

Keys: Room keys must be returned when residents move out, and they must not be duplicated or loaned to anyone. Lost keys should be reported immediately to a member of the Residence Life staff as lost keys pose a potential safety violation. Students are responsible for authorized or unauthorized use of their key. unless reported lost or stolen. Likewise, a student is responsible for any violations or damage in his/her room as a result of key usage or leaving a room unlocked. New room keys will be issued at the following rates: $25 for a single; $30 for a double, $35 for a triple room, and $50-75 for a whole suite). Students must return the same key at the end of the semester or they will be billed for replacement.

Lock-Out: Students are encouraged to locate any complex RA/HA or CRD prior to contacting the Department of Public Safety. All CLA complexes have an RA on duty at all times. Students may contact the RA on duty between the hours of 9 pm - 12 midnight to gain access to their room. After 12 midnight, students must contact the Office of Public Safety for access into the building and/or room. Upon access to the room all students must present valid identification and their key to the University Official.

Grad/Theo students are encouraged to contact Public Safety at all times.

If a student is not able to present their University identification or key to the University Official upon completing the lock-out, the resident may face an extra fine and/or the cost to replace the missing property. Excessive lock-outs may result in a fine assessed to the resident’s account.

Lofts: Anyone desiring a loft must first consult the Office of Residence Life to obtain vendor information and then observe the appropriate guidelines. For example, furniture cannot be placed on top of a loft nor can a loft be created by placing a mattress on top of other University furniture (such as a desk). Failure to follow official guidelines will result in the immediate removal of the loft at the owner’s expense.
Please note that, due to fire-safety precautions, lofts cannot be stored over the summer.

Lounges: Students (and their guests) may not sleep in residence-hall lounges. Fire marshals have advised Drew that no one is permitted to sleep in lounge spaces, even students preparing for a Drew-sponsored trip.

Lounge Reservations: Student Groups may reserve Residence Hall Lounges via the ResLife website. Groups who do not reserve a Residence Hall Lounge may be removed if individual students require it for academic reasons.

Medical Housing: Students with special medical conditions may contact the Office of Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality, 973/408-3681, prior to room selection. Since there are a limited number of rooms designated as "medical housing," each student's condition will be evaluated by the Health Service and/or the Counseling Center before a room assignment is made. Once granted, re-assignment to medical housing is not automatic. Students must re-apply annually.

Microwave Ovens: Microwave ovens are prohibited in student rooms (unless they are part of a University-issued micro-fridge). They are installed in the kitchen areas of most residence halls and will be given standard care and repairs necessitated by normal use. If ovens are vandalized or stolen, and no resident admits responsibility for restitution, the unit will not be repaired or replaced by the University. Instead, the residents of the building will be responsible for raising the funds for a replacement.

Pets: Only non meat eating fish are permitted in residence halls.

Prohibited Items: To protect the health and welfare of the University community, the following articles are prohibited in residence halls. Please note: this is not a complete list. Please consult your Complex Residence Director and/or this whole document if you are unsure about an item.
• Firearms and objects of all kinds with the potential to cause bodily harm, including (but not limited to) guns, BB guns, knives, bows and arrows, swords, and martial arts equipment
• Fireworks, explosives, incense, candles, and flammable liquids
• Extension cords or “outlet expanders” (with the exception of surge protectors); surge protectors are allowed, but one may not be plugged into another.
• Decorative lighting (such as holiday lights, neon signs)
• Halogen lamps of any size and shape
• Illegal or non prescribed drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Kegs, beer balls, and other alcoholic beverages in bulk quantities. Empty containers, funnels, or other paraphernalia used for bingeing purposes will be considered a student conduct violation also and owners/room occupants are subject to fines
• Volatile liquids and substances of any kind, including (but not limited to) fuels, lighter fluid, open cans of paint, paint thinner, and turpentine
• Motorcycles, mopeds, or motor bikes
• Any appliance exceeding 500 watts (except hair dryers used in bathroom facilities)
• Refrigerators with built-in taps and/or internal dimensions larger than 4 ½ cu. ft. or starting current exceeding 7 amps. Each resident may have one small refrigerator
• Microwave ovens, microwave-refrigerator combo (other than University-issued), hot plates, deep fat fryers, toasters, open-flame or open coil appliances
• Air conditioners, space heaters, ceiling fans, washing machines, dryers, freezers, or other high voltage equipment
• Waterbeds, pools
• Pets, except for non-meat-eating fish
• University furniture other than that provided at the beginning of the year
• Unapproved lofts
• Alcohol if under the age of 21
• University, other university/college, local, state, federal, or private/non-profit industry signage
• Items attached to/hanging from fire-safety equipment
• Paper lamps
• Plug in grills, e.g. George Forman Grills or similar makes.

Property Damage: The University is not responsible for damage to, or loss of, students' personal property due to fire, facility failure, theft, or severe weather. Students are encouraged to check on their parents' insurance coverage or obtain personal property insurance prior to arriving to campus. All items that are believed to be lost or stolen should be reported to the Department of Public Safety within a timely manner.

Quiet Hours: The creation of an environment conducive to academic excellence and achievement requires that each resident show consideration of others by keeping his or her noise level down. Students live in such close proximity that, naturally, noise can cause problems. Everyone must be able to sleep and study. The minimum campus quiet hours extend from 12 midnight to 10 a.m. Sunday-Thursday; 2 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday/Saturday. Individual halls are free to adjust quiet hours within the minimum standards and 24-hour “courtesy hours” are always in effect (meaning that students must turn down their TVs or stereos, or cease making noise, if a fellow student complains).

Refrigerators: Students are allowed to have a refrigerator, and may bring their own, as long as the internal dimensions are less than 4.5 cubic feet and starting current does not exceed 7 amps. However, if you prefer a combined refrigerator/microwave, only University-issued micro-fridges are permitted. Information regarding rentals of small refrigerators and micro-fridges is distributed at the beginning of fall semester or can be obtained by contacting the Office of Residence Life. (See Prohibited Items above).

Repairs: Students should not attempt to make repairs or alter University furniture/facilities. If repairs are required, contact the Facilities Department directly at 973/408-3510.

Room and Roommate Changes: Students are expected to keep the rooms and roommates assigned to them for the academic year. Roommate problems should be directed initially to RA/CRDs for resolution and then, if a move seems necessary, a room-change form will be initiated by the Office of Residence Life or by Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality. Students are required to have the CRD’s signature authorizing the move before they approach the housing assigner.

Students may not take up residence in any room other than the one to which they are assigned unless a room-change has been processed. Students are encouraged to be mindful of the needs and rights of others. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to intervene in situations where a roommate's rights are not being observed or when policies are not being followed.

Roommate Agreements: All first year students living in Brown, Holloway, Tolley, and Welch Halls are required to complete a roommate agreement. It is important students have an understanding of each other’s expectations in order to facilitate a successful roommate relationship. . Should one of the roommates violate the roommate agreement, students may be required to participate in a roommate mediation managed by the Complex Residence Director or designee. Should a student violate the agreement that arises from a formal mediation process, that student(s) may be referred to the Associate Dean of Campus Life and Student Affairs.

Upper-class students may be required to submit a roommate agreement if deemed necessary by the Complex Resident Director or Director of Residence Life. RAs/HAs will provide students with the necessary forms and instructions.

Room Searches: See the Appendix.

Room Selection: This four-day process occurs in April following registration for the Fall semester. Returning students must be registered for at least 12 credits in order to be eligible for room selection. The order of selection is determined by the Office of Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality.
New students are assigned a room in July and are notified by early August. Every effort is made to match roommate compatibly. Each housing application is carefully read and roommates are matched according to the information furnished by the student.

Search and Seizure: See the Appendix for Regulations Regarding Search and Routine Room Inspection.

Signs: The Director of Residence Life and department designees have the final say on the posting of signs within Residence Halls. If you would like to post a sign(s), it is suggested you obtain approval from the Director of Residence Life prior to posting. The posting person/organization is responsible for removing signs. No materials shall be posted on windows, walls, doors or glass panels either inside or outside the residential buildings. Signage may only be posted in designated areas. The only exceptions is materials relating to fire, health, or safety (such materials must be approved for posting by the Director of Public Safety).

Solicitations: To protect the privacy of residents, solicitations, sales, canvassing, fund raising and contribution drives are restricted. Permission can only be granted via the Director of Residence Life. For more information, contact the Office of Residence Life. If someone is seen soliciting on the residence hall floors or main areas, please contact your RA/HA, CRD or the Office of Residence Life.

Smoking: Drew University is a smoke free campus as it applies to all academic, student support and residential buildings. This means that smoking is not permitted in the building at any time. Smoking is not permitted in any residence halls. Ash trays are placed in designated spots outside buildings. Smokers should be respectful of residents who reside near doorways.

All private (residential rooms, suites, townhouses, bathrooms, etc) and public areas (main lobby, common lounges, study rooms, hallways, laundry facilities and stairwells) in all residential facilities are considered smoke free. Resident students and their guests must smoke outside of the University owned residential facilities. It is strongly recommended that smokers remain far enough from the building to respect the rights of non-smokers.

Storage: Students are advised to take valuable items home over vacations and breaks, as the University does not assume responsibility for items left in storage. The Office of Residence Life identifies local storage facilities and notifies students about summer-storage options.
Due to lack of space, the only University furniture that can be stored is bed frames during the academic year.

Students without Roommates: At any time during the semester, a room with a vacancy may be assigned an additional roommate. Unfortunately, because housing on campus is limited, students do not have the option of retaining a double room as a single or a triple as a double, etc.

Vacations: The residence halls close during stated vacation periods including, but not limited to, Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring Break. Any student seeking to stay longer, or return earlier, must gain approval from the Housing Office and the Director of Residence Life. Requests that are approved will be at the established per diem rate.

Interim Housing will be provided as needed and students will be charged for the full term of the closing. Information on interim housing will be available from Housing, Conferences, and Hospitality approximately two weeks before the vacation period.
To allow staff members to begin their own vacations, students must leave their rooms on time within 24 hours of their last final exam or by the official closing time, whichever comes first. A fine for late departure will be charged at the closing of the halls during any break period or end of year closing (See Fines). At the end of spring semester, only students participating in Commencement may remain in their room, and they must vacate rooms by 7 p.m. the evening of Commencement.

Vacation closing times are posted in residence halls and are sent to all students via summer mail and email. In addition, they are listed on the Web pages of the Registrar and the Office of Residence Life.

Vandalism: There is no acceptable excuse for purposely damaging University or personal property. When incidents of vandalism occur and no individual takes responsibility, or the act goes unreported to a CRD or Public Safety, it unfortunately becomes the responsibility of floor residents to pay collectively for the damages and their accounts will be billed. In the case of graduating seniors, funds to repair the damage are deducted from the deposits assessed to each student.
Vandalism should be reported in writing via an official Incident Report (See Incident Reports), to your Complex Residence Director, or to the Department of Public Safety. It is important to report these damages as soon as it is noticed and prior to the closing of residence halls for any break period.

Vendors: The Office of Residence Life provides trusted vendor information to all students. Information pertaining to insurance, refrigerators, linens, bed lofts/risers, storage information, and local accommodations are available by request at the Office of Residence Life. While all of these services are optional we know that having these items available may be of assistance to you. Please know that while you may purchase your own refrigerator, due to facilities and safety concerns the only microwave-refrigerator combination unit allowed in the residence halls is that from our approved vendor. It is important to note, that other companies may be sending you information, but only the companies provided by the Office of Residence Life have been reviewed by our department.

The Office of Residence Life is not responsible for any business conducted between the student and the vendor and is not responsible for any charges, fines, or any other matters of business with the vendor.

Violations: Violations of residence hall regulations may lead to student conduct sanctions. For specifics, see the Student Conduct Policy in the Appendix.