Effective Date
July 1, 2019
Office of Primary Responsibility
Office of Residence Life
Summary of Policy
Students accept responsibility for damage in their room beyond normal wear and aging and will be charged accordingly.
In the common areas, charges resulting from damage or loss resulting from theft or destructive behavior are the joint responsibility of the residents of a building, section, or floor.
Reason for Policy
It is our hope that this policy minimizes the number of violations in the buildings and encourages all of the residents to be responsible for the place where they live.
Policy Statement
Property damage and loss in the residence halls affects all of us. Damages and losses often compromise the safety, security and comfort of community members, so we need to work together to reduce the impact that damages have on our buildings. Damage to student rooms is the responsibility of the occupants. Damage charges will be shared equally among roommates unless an occupant takes responsibility.
Damage to common areas is the responsibility of each resident in the community. When damages occur in the common areas of the building, Residence Life staff members make every effort to find the person(s) responsible. If they are unable to do so, the cost for cleaning, repairing or replacing is billed to the wing, floor, or entire building, depending on the type and location of damage.
Damage charges are used to assist in repairing or replacing damaged items. The charges also serve as a deterrent to unattributable common-area damage
Students are welcome to hang posters and other items on walls, doors, and closets with masking tape or white hanging putty or adhesive specially made for hanging posters that will not leave a residue. Do not use double-sided or duct tape, as these will leave a heavy residue and/or remove the paint. Also, because of the damage caused by self-adhesive decals, nails/bolts, they are not permitted. Students are not permitted to paint their residence hall room.
All rooms come with a bed, desk, chair, dresser, and a closet. All windows come with horizontal blinds. All furniture provided by the College must remain in the assigned room.
Depending on the nature of the charge, the amount is established in different ways. For violations of state or local fire codes, the Public Safety Office assesses a fine for each violation. These fines are collected in a safety/security account that is used to purchase items to help prevent similar situations from occurring in the future (propped door alarms, fire pull station covers, etc.). For damage to property, Physical Plant establishes the charge based upon replacement cost, including materials and labor.
Personal Responsibility: The College does not assume any legal or financial obligations for any resident’s personal property that may be lost, stolen, or damaged in its buildings or on its grounds. Students should carry their own insurance protection against loss or damage to their personal property. Items left in College-owned residential buildings after a student moves out and/or the end of the occupancy period will be discarded and/or donated.
Damages: The student must leave the room in good condition. This includes: returning all furniture to the standard location (unlofting/unbunking beds, lowering beds to the standard height; note that all College-issued furniture must remain in the room during the occupancy period), cleaning all surfaces and appliances, removing all personal items, and removing all items from the walls (including tape residue). Failure to complete this process or the presence of any damages to the room beyond reasonable wear and tear (as determined by the Office of Residence Life) may result in improper check-out fees, and/or charges to cover the cost to return the room to standard condition. Students will be notified of any charges by the dates outlined in the Housing Agreement. Appeals to any damage charges must be submitted in writing by the date outlined in the Housing Agreement. Appeals will be reviewed by Residence Life; students will receive a response to their appeal within 10 business days. The response to the appeal will be final.
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