Policy Name:  Residential Living Policies and Procedures
Policy Number: STU-7024
Effective: Legacy
Revised: Not applicable

Policy Statement

Polices & Procedures

Move In, Move Out, and Closings

In signing a University housing contract, students agree to move into and out of their assigned spaces during the allotted times as designated by Residence Life. In addition, students may be asked to leave their housing due to suspension, withdrawal, other judicial situations, leave of absence, or termination of full-time status. Upon move out, students are expected to return the space to its original, clean condition. Failure to do so will result in fines being assessed.

There are limited instances when Residence Life permits students to access the residence halls prior to scheduled move-in dates or remain in residence beyond the scheduled move-out dates. All residents will receive an email with break and closing/opening information. It is the student’s responsibility to request, prior to the given deadline, if the student needs an exception. In addition, all hall closings and openings are listed online.

Students who are moving in or moving out, may only move outside of quiet hours to ensure that all residents are not disturbed by moving furniture, excessive noise, etc.

University Holidays and Break Housing

Residence halls and dining services are closed when the university is closed (i.e. winter break). If a student has an extreme circumstance and wants to stay during a break period, a student must submit a request to reslife@holyfamily.edu by the given deadline. Residence Life staff will review the request and respond to the student with an approval or denial. Students may be asked to consolidate into other buildings for reasons of safety and security during break periods. The dates and times for all hall openings and closings can be found on the website, posted in the halls, or on the University calendar. Family vacations, flights, and other personal reasons are not considered extreme circumstances and students should be planning ahead accordingly. Students who receive permission to remain on campus are subject to the break housing policies, must sign a break contract, and will be charged $25 per day for housing (charges excluding university related reasons such as in-season athletes). Students who fail to notify the Office of Residence Life and/or fail to follow proper break housing procedures are in violation of the code of conduct and will face sanctions and/or fines.

Students who have violated campus policy during a break housing period will be asked to arrange other accommodations for the remainder of the break period and will not be permitted to stay during subsequent break periods. Due to limited staffing during breaks, there are additional, slightly different policies for students to follow. Students here during breaks will be required to sign the break housing agreement, which lists all of the additional break policies. Students may not stay if they do not complete these agreements prior to the halls closing.

Due to limited staffing over breaks, the University has determined that the only residential buildings open during break periods will be Stevenson Lane Residence (SLR) and St. Joseph’s Hall (SJH). Therefore, the Garden Residence Apartments (GAR) will be closed for each break period, and students will not be permitted to reside in the apartments during these breaks for any reason. This area of campus will be closed. Break periods include Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Easter, and Spring Break. During break periods, Garden Residence students will be responsible for finding their own alternative lodging/meals. We ask that students keep this change in mind when signing up for the Garden Residence Apartments, especially if they are student teaching, have a practicum/internship, are an in-season athlete over a break period, are an international student/live far away, or have another University reason to need to be here during break. Break contracts will still be required for all students who remain during break periods in Stevenson Hall and St. Joseph’s Hall. Hall openings and closings are posted on the Residence Life website and will be emailed out in advance. It is a student’s responsibility to be aware of all hall openings and closings and to make appropriate plans as needed.

Room Changes

Room changes may be accommodated after the second week of the semester if there are available vacancies. Students are not permitted to make a room change without prior approval from Residence Life. Unauthorized room changes will result in disciplinary action. Residence Life will only support a room change if the students have exhausted all other options (i.e., roommate discussions, roommate contracts, and mediation), or for agreed upon swaps. No student, under any circumstances, can force another to vacate a space. The Office of Residence Life will not approve room changes solely on the basis of difference of race, religion, sexual orientation, physical disability, national origin, or age. Any such efforts will be referred for disciplinary action. Students who are in a double/triple room may receive a roommate at any time throughout the semester, and Residence Life reserves the right to consolidate rooms whenever it deems necessary. Students who do not want to consolidate, may be allowed to stay if there is space, but must pay the single room rate.

Room Entry & Searches

To assure individuals of reasonable privacy and to protect the well-being of the community, Residence Life has adopted the following procedures regarding room access and room searches for University apartments, suites, and rooms, as well as common areas, occupied by students. 

In an attempt to ensure safety, health and welfare for all persons and properly, authorized University personnel (Maintenance, Residence Life professional staff, Resident Advisors, Public Safety Officers) may enter a student’s room for any reason. This includes, but is not limited to wellness checks, incident management, emergencies, health and wellness concerns, suspicion of Code of Conduct violations, completing work orders, etc. Staff will also enter a space if they have knocked and announced themselves, noise is heard or concerning smell is detected, but no occupants are answering the door. In addition, Residence Life has health and safety checks prior to every break, which are announced through email, with the standards on how rooms should be left. All residential spaces will be checked, even those with break request approvals.

Authorized University personnel may enter to search a space occupied by students, for the following reasons:

• When directed by the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Director of Public Safety, or by the Director of Residence Life or their designee(s).
• If there is reason to believe that a Code of Conduct violation or illegal activity is taking place, or has taken place in that space. Examples of this include, but are not limited to, underage drinking, drug use, theft of personal or University property, etc.
• If staff believes there is an activity causing a health and safety threat occurring, or that it has occurred in the past.

Law Enforcement may enter any space at any time, with the proper legal documents. Whenever possible, University personnel will accompany law enforcement during the entry/search process.

Authorized University personnel, in any combination, may conduct a room search. Student staff members may be present, but will not facilitate a search. There will always be at least 2 University officials involved in the search.

If the residents are present at the time of the search, they will be verbally notified of the authorization of the search, and the reason it’s being conducted. Even if one resident is suspected of a violation, but not the other (s), all items may be searched. Consent is not required by the student(s) to conduct a search when the University believes it has reasonable cause to conduct the search.

If the residents are not present at the time of the search, all residents of that room, suite, or apartment (whatever area was searched) will be notified through email that the search took place, why, and other additional details based on that particular situation. This includes if any items were confiscated or if additional follow up is needed. Advanced notice may be attempted, but is not guaranteed.

All areas of the living space may be searched, including desks, closets, drawers, etc. In addition, at the discretion of the personnel conducting the search, backpacks, bags, bins, suitcases, and other personal items may be searched as well. 

Residents will be required to provide access to any locked spaces/containers, as requested by personnel conducting the search. If this is requested and the student does not comply, any damage from accessing the personal item will be at the cost to the student, and the University will take no liability for damages. If a student is not present, University personnel may confiscate any locked item and secure it in a locked office, until the student is able to open it.

Seizure of Property: Any personal items violating University policies, deemed not appropriate for the residence hall, or creating a health and safety risk, may be confiscated at the discretion of University personnel. Depending on the nature of the confiscated item, it may be destroyed, given to law enforcement, or returned to the student at the semester’s end/prior to break, to bring home. 

Any violations found during an entry or search, will be documented and the student(s) will go through the judicial process.

University personnel may ask a student or their guests, upon entering a residence hall, to show the contents of their bag (or other personal item), if it’s deemed suspicious. If the student does not consent to the search of their property, that bag is not permitted in the residence hall and the student/guest must return without that item in order to enter.

Emotional Support Animals/Service Animals/Therapy Animals

Holy Family University aims to foster a healthy and positive experience for all campus community members. The University provides reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with a documented disability in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), the ADA Amendment Act of 2008, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Fair Housing Act (FHA). Holy Family University accommodates persons with disabilities requiring the assistance of a qualified service or therapy animal. Students with disabilities who intend to seek accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Services 30 days prior to the start of the semester for which the request is made.  

For more information, contact: 

The Office of Disability Services 
9801 Frankford Avenue, Campus Center
Philadelphia, PA 19114-2094
267-341-3231
disabilityservices@holyfamily.edu

Definition: Service Animal

A service animal under the ADA is a dog (or miniature horse) that has been trained to work or perform tasks directly related to the person’s disability. “Work or perform tasks” means that the service animal takes a specific action when needed to assist the person with a disability.

Responsibilities of the Student (handler) with the Service Animal

The service animal must be under the control of its handler. A harness, leash or other tether must be used unless the handler is unable because of the disability, to use a harness, leash or other tether or if the use of a harness, leash or other tether interferes with the service animal’s safe, effective performance of the work of task. In such cases, the service animal must remain under the handler’s control, such as voice control.

The student must provide total care and supervision of the service animal. The University is not responsible for the animal’s care or supervision. The student is responsible to clean up after and properly dispose all animal waste, immediately. The animal must not be placed in a location blocking access for others. It is the handler’s responsibility to ensure that the service animal is in good health, clean, free of fleas and ticks and is at all times in compliance with all Pennsylvania State laws and requirements associated with licensing, vaccinations and other health regulations. 

Holy Family University may ask a student with a disability to remove a service animal from the premises if the animal is out of control and the student does not take effective action to control it or if the animal is not housebroken.

Documentation and Inquiries regarding Service Animals

The University is permitted to make the following inquiries to determine whether an animal qualifies as a service animal:

• Is the animal required because of a disability
• What work or tasks has the animal been trained to perform

When it is not readily apparent the individual has a disability or an animal is a service animal, the University may require the student to submit documentation from the treating health care provider with the following information in order to make a determination:

• The individual has a disability for which the animal is necessary
• How the animal assists the person, including whether the animal has undergone any training
• The relationship between the disability and the assistance the animal provides

Definition: Emotional Support or Therapy Animal

An “emotional support” or “therapy” animal provides comfort to a person with a disability which alleviates the disability but is not necessarily trained to do “work or perform tasks”.  While service animals are recognized under the Rehabilitation Act and ADA, the FHA provides a broader range of therapy or emotional support animals in campus housing.  Federal law does not give emotional support or therapy animals’ access to the campus as a whole.  While a college or university may be required to reasonably accommodate a therapy animal in a residence hall or campus apartment, the institution is not required to allow that student to bring the animal to other areas or building on campus. A therapy or emotional support animal does not have access to common space within the residence halls, the animal only has access to the specific sleeping area of the owner. The specific therapy animal must be in accordance with allowed animals under Pennsylvania Law, regarding dangerous and exotic animals. 

Documentation and Inquiries for Emotional Support and Therapy Animals

Students requesting an emotional support or therapy animal as a reasonable accommodation under FHA must submit documentation from their licensed health care provider. Determination is made on an individual basis. The documentation must contain the following information, from a licensed provider:

• The specific disability of the individual.
• The reason(s) the animal is necessary to afford the individual and equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling and the assistance the animal provides.
• That there is an identifiable relationship or nexus between the disability and the assistance the animal provides.

Responsibilities of the Student with the Emotional Support or Therapy Animal

The student is responsible for the care and supervision of the emotional support or therapy animal. The University is not responsible for the animal’s care or supervision. The student is responsible to clean up after and properly dispose of their animal’s waste, while on campus. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the animal is an animal in good health, clean, free of fleas and ticks and is at all times in compliance with all Pennsylvania State Laws and requirements associated with licensing, vaccinations and other health regulations.  

Student Responsibilities

All granted requests may be revoked if a student with an emotional support or therapy animal does not follow the standards of behavior listed below:

• The owner is responsible for assuring that the approved animal does not interfere with the routine activities of the residence.
• The owner is financially responsible for the actions of the approved animal, including bodily injury or property damage. The owner is expected to cover the costs associated with property damage.
• The owner’s residence may be inspected for fleas and/or other pests in accordance with residence life policy. In addition, the owner’s residence may be inspected for fleas, and or other pests on an as needed basis, if concerns arise. The owner will be billed for any pest treatment above standard pest management.
• Emotional support or therapy animals must remain in the student’s residential sleeping area at all times and are not permitted to be in any common space.
• When “out for normal care” the animal must remain on the least or harness. Animals are not permitted on University property other than the residence hall. Cleanup of all animal waste must be done immediately and with proper disposal practices.
• Owners are responsible for daily care, food and water.
• Animals must not be allowed to disrupt others by barking continuously, growling, scratching, etc.
• Residents in the possession of emotional support or therapy animals must take the proper precautions to ensure that other residents and
• Residence Life Staff are not harmed from the animal. Any animal that threatens or injures another person on campus will be subject to removal. The owner of an animal that injures another person on campus is liable for the actions of the animal.  Holy Family University bears no responsibility in this liability.
• The owner must keep a sign on the door that notifies others that an animal resides in the room and that individuals entering must use caution.
• Animals must be taken with student if they leave for overnight. No animal may be left with another on-campus resident, regardless if they have also received approval for an assistance animal. All emotional support and therapy animals’ requests apply only to the animal for which a student has been approved.
• The owner agrees to continue to abide by all residential policies.
• Should the approved animal be removed, the student is expected to fulfill their housing obligations for the remainder of the housing contract.

The owner must notify the Office of Disability Services in writing if the approved animal is no longer needed as an approved animal or is no longer in residence.  To replace an approved animal, the student must submit a new request.

Holy Family University may ask a student with a disability to remove an emotional support or therapy animal from the premises if the animal is out of control and the student does not take effective action to control it or if the animal is not housebroken.

Required Forms

If a request is granted, the student must sign certain forms, regarding the outlined rules and procedures. The student must also provide a copy of all required immunization records, licenses for the animal, a veterinarian report that the animal (if applicable) has been spayed or neutered and a certificate that the animal is healthy and free from any signs of infection or contagious disease, parasites, etc.

Grievance Procedure

Students who wish to appeal a denied request for use of an emotional support or therapy animal or service animal should refer to procedures related to Section 504/ADA and the appropriate Coordinator.

Removal of Animal

Service animals, emotional support or therapy animals may be removed from the residence halls for the following reasons:

• If an animal is considered a direct and substantial threat to the health and safety of individuals or itself, animal control will be summoned to remove the animal immediately. This may occur as the result of a very ill animal, a substantial lack of cleanliness of the animal, animal found to be left alone for an extended period of time, or the presence of an animal in a sensitive area like mechanical or industrial areas.
• Animals and animal owners who do not follow the standards of behavior are subject to disciplinary action and/or removal of the animal from University Housing.

Animal Allergic Response

Some students may have an allergic reaction to animals that are substantial enough to qualify as a disability. The University will consider the needs of both persons in meeting its obligations to reasonably accommodate all disabilities and to resolve the problem as efficiently and as timely as possible. Any student requesting allergy accommodations must contact the Office of disAbility Services.

Etiquette towards service, emotional support or therapy animals on campus

• Do not touch the animal without asking permission first. This is a distraction and may prevent the animal from tending to the human partner.
• Do not feed the animal.
• Speak to the person, not the assistance animal. Most handlers do not mind talking about assistance animals if they have the time.
• Do not startle the animal.
• Never make assumptions about the individual’s intelligence, feelings or capabilities.

Offers of help are appreciated, but ask first. 

• Always approach an animal calmly.
• Do not separate or attempt to separate an owner from their animal.

Fire Safety Precaution

All University residences are smoke-free. Students found smoking in the residence halls will face disciplinary action. Smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any University residence hall building entrance or exit, and under any covered walkway or building overhang. The University holds routine fire safety drills in accordance with Pennsylvania State Law, and all residents are expected to participate. Students may not disregard a fire alarm or refuse to evacuate a building in which an alarm is sounding, regardless of its nature (drill, false alarm, or actual alert). Student and/or students’ guests who tamper with alarms, fire safety equipment, who fail to leave during alarms, or cause a fire due to carelessness will face stern disciplinary action. This may include termination of University housing and/or referral to civil authorities. Initiating a false fire alarm is a clear violation of the University’s code of conduct and will be adjudicated as such.

Fire safety is EVERYONE’S responsibility. Students have to be aware that carelessness affects not only their safety, but that of members of the community. Any false alarm or abuse of fire safety equipment will result in fines or suspension of guest privileges to the hall or building where the abuse takes place, unless the individual responsible can be identified. In cases where those responsible are identified, the individual(s) will be adjudicated and may be arrested. Therefore, students must understand that they are responsible for instances in which they create fire hazards in the residence halls. All residents must pay close attention to fire hazards.

Due to the safety of the community, students are not permitted to:

• Possess candles and incense. Open flame devices of any kind are prohibited which could include candles, candle melters/burners, lanterns, and incense, etc. This includes candles that have never been used.
• Possess improper light fixtures: i.e. halogen or quartz bulbs, black lights, lava lamps, medusa lamps with plastic shades, rope lighting (clear tubing that goes over the lights), or electrical decorations that are not UL approved.
• Use unapproved electrical appliances: hot plates, electric frying pans, sandwich makers, waffle irons, Forman grills, crock pots, and portable heaters as well as any appliances such as irons and coffee makers without automatic shut-off options. Residents may have refrigerators in their room that are UL approved and have a capacity of no more than 3 cubic feet. Microwaves are permitted in the kitchens of the Garden Apartments as well as in Stevenson Lane Residence rooms. Microwaves are in the kitchenettes on every floor in Stevenson Lane.
• Cover exterior of room door with flammable decorations, cover vents, or cover lights.
• Use non-fire retardant window coverings. If students wish to add or provide their own window coverings, they must meet the same standards as the University. Documentation/verification of retardant fire products will be required.
• Hang items or decorations improperly. This includes hanging items from fire sprinkler heads, heat detectors/ smoke detectors, and also from lights or ceilings, or using tape/nails, etc. that will cause damage to the walls..
• Hang lights out of windows, over window coverings (especially curtains) or over doorways.
• Overload electrical outlets or use multi-plug outlet cubes or extension cords. Students must use surge protectors only.
• Run electrical cords or wires under carpets, through door jams, or under doors.
• Store or use illegal or harmful items (i.e., excessive trash, garbage, paper, flammable items [paint, fuel, lighter fluid, etc.], explosive devices [fireworks, firearms, weapons]).
• Use open flames inside or outside buildings, such as barbecues or fire pits.
• Possess live Christmas trees.
• Store bicycles or large items in rooms, hallways, common areas, or walkways. Bicycles should only be stored outside and locked to a bike rack. Bike racks are located across campus and students are responsible for supplying locks and/or coverings when bad weather occurs.

This list is not all-inclusive. Additional items may be added as deemed necessary by University personnel or as outlined in the University’s housing contract.

Residents may not tamper with or alter the following in University resident buildings:

• Structure
• Plumbing
• Wiring
• Fire Safety Apparatus such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler heads, or CO detectors.
• Locks on doors or windows
• Door closures
• Exit signs
• Fire Extinguishers

It is the responsibility of the students to be sure all unused appliances are turned off when finished, and that they are using all appliances safely and properly. This includes items in common areas.

The University periodically conducts health and safety inspections to prevent fire safety violations. Misuse or abuse of fire safety equipment is taken very seriously. Tampering with fire or safety equipment will result in disciplinary actions being taken.  

Because this is a community issue, it is the responsibility of the community to ensure any violation of this nature does not occur. If individuals responsible cannot be identified, the fine will be divided among all members of the respective residence hall. Therefore, any person possessing information related to incidents of misuse or abuse of fire safety equipment is to notify Public Safety or Residence Life immediately.

Help Seeker Policy

The welfare of each person in the Holy Family University community is paramount, and Holy Family encourages students to offer help and assistance to others in need. In an effort to alleviate concerns of disciplinary action for those who seek help for others, the University has enacted a help seeker policy.

Students are expected to immediately report conduct or activity which poses a danger to the community or its members. For example, all students are expected to seek appropriate assistance for themselves or others in situations where help is needed to ensure proper care of a person who is significantly intoxicated or under the influence of drugs. Students should not hesitate to seek help because of fear of disciplinary action.

In most circumstances, the help seeker will not be charged with a policy violation under the University Code of Conduct. However, help seekers may still be required to meet with a University hearing officer regarding the incident for administrative follow up. In rare circumstances, such as cases of repeated, flagrant, or serious violations of the University Code of Conduct (e.g., bodily harm, sexual misconduct, physical or verbal abuse or harassment, distribution of drugs, hazing, theft) or violations that caused the harm to another person requiring emergency response, a student’s behavior may warrant going through the judicial process.

Pet Policy

Due to health concerns associated with animals living in the residence halls, the only pets that are permitted are fish in tanks no larger than 5 gallons. Only one tank per person, per room, is permitted. No other pets are permitted, including pets visiting from home. Students must take fish home with them whenever they leave for break periods. Staff is not responsible for maintaining fish tanks or feeding them. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Posting Policy

Any flyers or advertisements students wish to hang in the residence halls must be approved by the Student Engagement Office and Residence Life professional staff member prior to posting. Please see our University’s Posting and Advertising policy for more information.

Room Access/Search Policy

To assure individuals of reasonable privacy and to protect the well-being of the community, Residence Life has adopted the following procedures regarding access/search of University rooms occupied by students. In an attempt to ensure safety, health and welfare for all persons and property, authorized University personnel may enter a student’s room. In a situation where there is reasonable suspicion of an illegal act, rooms may be entered by Public Safety and/or Residence Life staff. Rooms may also be entered for maintenance, repairs, or safety inspections. Personnel will announce themselves prior to entering a room. If any contraband or items of suspicious nature are discovered by University personnel while conducting a maintenance or safety inspection, judicial follow up will occur with the student(s) in whose room it was found. Any illegal substance or material will be turned over to the police.

Release of Information

Periodically, individuals and companies that contact the Office of Residence Life seek addresses and telephone numbers of resident students. Residence Life will not release the campus address and telephone numbers of any resident student, except sometimes for room/roommate assignment notification purposes. Holy Family email addresses will be shared during roommate notifications. Information may also be released for emergency purposes.

Solicitation

Any group which is not affiliated with the University and seeks to solicit in residence halls must be approved by the Office of Residence Life. Any campus clubs, organizations, or residence hall groups wishing to sell items for fundraising purposes must also have the approval of the Office of Residence Life. Students may not use their residence hall rooms as a principal place of business. Any student who suspects that an individual or a group is soliciting illegally should contact their Resident Advisor immediately and /or contact the Office of Residence Life or Public Safety.    

Vandalism

Holy Family University operates under a code of conduct. When that code is violated, as in the case of vandalism, the University may impose fines to help offset the cost of damages or repairs to the community. Residence Life levies, certain fines in order to deter students from dangerous and negative behavior in our residential community. Fines may be imposed singularly or in conjunction with other disciplinary actions. 

Visitation and Guests

The University’s policies on guests and visitation are anchored in a concern for residence hall security, privacy rights of roommates and building residents, and the maintenance of an atmosphere conducive to academic achievement. Hosting guests is a privilege, not a right, which can facilitate personal and social development and enhance the quality of life on campus. The University has set the following policies concerning registering guests and visitation hours. A guest is a person who is not an occupant of the room in which they are present. 

Minor Guest Policy

Any guest who is not a resident of the facility that has entered must be signed in by a resident of that facility. Children under 18 years and younger are not permitted to sign into a University residence hall without a parent/legal guardian and are not permitted to stay in University residence halls past 10PM unless approved by Residence Life for University functions (i.e., admissions overnight and or athletic recruiting visits). Babysitting of minor family members or friends is not permitted in the halls, even with written parental permission. Holy Family does not offer family housing, but in the event that the resident student is the parent, the minor must still be with the resident at all times and must leave by 10PM. If any child becomes a distraction in the residence halls, the child can be asked to leave and/or be barred from entering, depending on the situation.  Please note that all overnight guests must be the same gender as the host student. Any student who is not a resident of the facility that has entered must be signed in by a resident of that facility. The non-resident must surrender his/her identification card to the desk officer. Any guest who is not a member of the University community must provide photo identification to be signed into the residence facility. Guests who do not have proper photo identification (such as a driver’s license or student identification from another college or university) cannot be signed into the facility as a guest. Public Safety has the ability to accept or deny identification as valid. Signing in and guest registration is only valid in the building in which the host resides. Residents signed in are limited to a 48-hour period, and a guest cannot exceed 4 nights over the course of a month. These four overnights may not be done back-to-back and breaks must be taken between 48 hour periods at minimum of 3 days. Each time a guest leaves the host’s building, the guest must sign out. Subsequent visits will require the host to register and sign his/her guest in again. Male guests may be hosted overnight only in rooms reserved for men; female guests may be hosted overnight only in rooms reserved for women. Permission of the room’s other occupant(s) must be obtained by the hosting student for an overnight guest. A guest is considered to be overnight, if the guest stays past midnight or 2AM, depending on the visiting hours of that day.

The hosting of guests in individual rooms must not interfere with the roommates’ use of the room. Residents are responsible for their guest’s behavior and observance of the University rules in rooms and throughout the residence halls and on campus. A resident may lose their guest privileges if a guest is involved in a violation of University policy. Violation of the guest policy will render students subject to disciplinary action. Residence Life suspends guest privileges during University break periods, even if the residence hall is housing students during the break period. The University reserves the right to remove a guest who has violated University regulations. Sleeping in student lounges and other public spaces is prohibited.

Guests who have been removed from campus and return are viewed as trespassers and are subject to arrest. The occupants of an individual room/apartment may wish to set more guidelines pertinent to guests and may do so as long as they stay within University policies. For assistance, please seek out a Resident Advisor and consult the roommate agreement form.

Stevenson Lane Residence Guest Registration

Each resident student is permitted to sign-in two guests (visitors who are not building residents). In order to facilitate this privilege, Public Safety has initiated the following procedures: 

• Registering a guest is only valid in the building in which they were signed into, not in any other campus residence facility. The host must meet the guest and escort them into the building to sign in. Proper Photo ID is required of the guest.
• The guest must be with the host at all times.
• The guest can retrieve their photo identification by signing out at the security desk.
• The guest and sign-in policy does not allow for in and out privileges. All non-residents must sign-out every time they leave the building and sign in again if they return. It is the responsibility of the host to ensure that guests sign out when their visit is over.

Students who sign in a guest for another student, or who knowingly violate the guest policy, will be held judicially responsible. No student should sign anyone in who is not their guest and who they are not hosting during the duration of their stay.

Garden Apartments and St. Joseph Residence Hall Guest Registration Policy

Since there is no Public Safety office to sign guests in and out, guest procedure offer additional flexibility and privileges to those students living in this area.  With additional flexibility and privileges comes additional responsibility to know and understand the policies and procedures listed in the student handbook.  Students who are not following the guest/visitation policies, and who live in the Gardens or St. Joe’s Hall, will be subject to the same judicial process just as students who live in Stevenson Lane.

Visitation Policy

Accordingly, visitation hours for residence halls are established as follows: 

Same Gender Guests: 24-hour visitation privileges for same gender guests will be granted to residents with the understanding that they have signed in their guest consistent with the Guest and Sign-in Policy. 

Opposite Gender Guests: Guests of the opposite gender are permitted in residents’ rooms and suites only during visitation hours. Visitation hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Sunday-Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday-Saturday. For Garden Apartments, the visitation hours apply to the entire apartment, not just resident rooms. 

Occupancy Policy

Each resident can have up to two guests (according to the guest policy) at a time. The occupancy of each space may not allow for every resident in the apartment or room to have two guests at one time. The maximum occupancy in any SLR suite is 9 people and in an apartment is 10.  

SLR students who want to have visits from their parents and/or siblings, may sign in more than two people, but all guests must remain in the first floor game room or large, TV lounge on the first floor of SLR. These family members still must abide by guest/visitation hours and all other University policies. The student host must remain with these family members at all times.