Residence Life Administrative Policies
You will be held liable for the cost of any damage to your assigned room, apartment, townhouse, entrance hallway, lounge or other common areas, or to the furniture, fixtures, equipment and effects they contain. When damage occurs in a common area, such as a hallway, bathroom or stairwell, staff will try to identify the responsible person(s). If that is not possible, the cost of the damage will be divided among the residents of the area.
Use care and good sense when nailing or applying any item to your residence walls, ceilings or doors. You are liable for all repainting and/or plastering costs when you leave. The facilities department recommends using small nails, tacks or pushpins wherever possible. The Office of Residence Life sends out monthly damage charges. Payment must be made before the end of the month. Interest charges are added to outstanding balances.
When two or more students occupy the same room, apartment or townhouse and staff cannot determine who caused the damage or loss, the amount assessed will be divided among the residents of the area. If you know who caused damage in a particular area, you should encourage that person to report it to the residence director.
To ensure proper materials, safety, and quality of workmanship, the university’s maintenance staff will complete all repairs. Repairs you make violate this policy and will not reduce the charges.
If your damage assessment reaches an excessive amount (usually $100), or you have maintained inappropriate living conditions, your residence status will be reviewed by the director of residence life. Possible consequences of this review include reassignment, residence probation or suspension.
You must complete an inventory form with the R.A. upon entering and again upon vacating your residence. All your possessions must be removed from your living unit before this inventory may be completed. You are responsible for informing the R.A. of your arrival or departure.
The inventory is the basis for assessment for damages or missing items. When you depart your residence, you and the resident assistant will conduct a preliminary review of the residence. You should indicate any damages, issues, or concerns. Making these statements does not absolve responsibility for charges. Your actual assessments are determined through the physical inspection by personnel from Residence Life and Facilities. Dollar amounts will be determined by the Facilities Department.
You will be held accountable for damage listed on the exit inventory, as well as other damage you might be found responsible for after signing your inventory. Thus, before you sign the inventory form upon arrival or departure, you should review the form for accuracy. Any discrepancies should be brought to the attention of the residence director and/or resident assistant within 48 hours.
You and your roommate(s) are responsible for resetting the furniture in your residence area to the original configuration. This should take place prior to finals week to avoid 24-hour quiet hours issues. You will be held responsible for costs for staff to reset the furniture in your residence.
During each semester, there is a scheduled room change period. If you want a new assignment, you must submit a completed room change request form prior to the room change period. Forms are available at the Office of Residence Life, Chocorua Hall. Approval is granted according to a seniority system based on raw score (raw score = completed credits X GPA).
The assistant director of residence life for housing operations will review all reassignment requests. In all cases, the university retains the final decision in roommate and room changes.
If your room change is approved, you must completely check out of the old room and into the new room within 72 hours of the approval.
Requests for room changes outside of the open room change period must first be discussed with the student’s residence director. Students who change rooms without prior approval will be assessed an administrative fee and may face additional disciplinary action.
To be eligible for an apartment, you must have lived a minimum of 2 semesters on campus or have sophomore status (30 credits). To be eligible for a townhouse, you must have lived a minimum of 4 semesters on campus or have junior status (60 credits). Preference will be given to upper class students based on credits earned.
Room selection for current resident students will take place mid-way through the spring semester for the next academic year (commuter students wanting to live on campus must submit a written request to the director of residence life). You will be ranked in order by your raw score at the time of room selection and will be called to make your room selection in that order. Complete information regarding the room selection process and your responsibilities can be obtained in the Office of Residence Life.
The Office of Reidence Life must approve all advertising in the residence halls. This applies to all university and non-university organizations. Solicitation is not permitted without prior approval from the Office of Residence Life.
Any time a business would like to promote a product or service within any of the residence facilities, a common meeting space or gathering area must be reserved after approval has been granted. All requests will be considered, provided that the product or service represents a benefit to the intended student population and the institution. Consideration is possible, provided that there is no interference with any contractual agreements of the university. The director of residence life must specifically approve solicitation and sales by anyone in any residence area.
Only clubs and organizations are permitted to market door-to-door, when prior written approval has been granted by the Office of Residence Life. Student groups requesting to conduct fundraisers must also receive approval from the Office of Student Life.
Conducting any business from any residence is not allowed.
All university residences close during the semester break. If you must stay, you need to have permission from the assistant director of residence life. A housing fee is charged during the break. Many university services are curtailed or eliminated during the break, so plan accordingly. During other vacations (Thanksgiving, or spring break), the university’s residences remain open. If you remain over these vacation periods, you must inform the Office of Residence Life. Students who are not approved to stay during vacation periods should not return to campus prior to the posted date of return. Students who return early from vacations/breaks will face disciplinary action.
During school breaks, residence life staff will enter each residence and conduct health and safety inspections to ensure that the residence area is safe and secure. Violations of the health and safety guidelines and any other university policies will be noted. Students will face disciplinary action upon their return to campus.
A weekly housing fee is charged for summer residents. Guest registration during vacation periods may be restricted should the need arise. Students staying on campus during vacation periods should refer to the guest policy and/or discuss theirneeds with the director of public safety.