Each student in the residence halls is expected to exercise self-discipline and to respect the rights and privacy of other students. In a community living environment, certain rules and policies must be observed by everyone in order to maintain the operation of the residence halls, as well as the personal and academic success of all residents.
If a student engages in behavior that violates residence life or university policies, an incident report can be filed. Any student or staff member may file an incident report. Students and staff members should inform the involved parties when they are being documented for an incident. Residence hall policy violations will be subject to the student conduct process.
Appliances and Electrical Equipment
Students may not cook in their room. Electric skillets, broilers, hot plates, toasters and other equipment normally used to cook food are not allowed. For safety reasons, halogen lamps, space heaters, candle warmers, electric blankets, electric sheets or mattress pads, soldering tools and sun lamps cannot be used in student rooms. Students will be held financially responsible for damages caused. Other small appliances, such as coffee makers and popcorn poppers, can be used if the heating element is completely enclosed. Incandescent and fluorescent study lights are allowed. Small refrigerators and small microwaves are allowed. The electrical requirement limits are 120 volts, 60 hertz, 2.5 amps.
No antennas of any type are to be attached to the outside of the residence halls. This includes CB antennas and satellite dishes outside windows of student rooms.
Air conditioners are not allowed in the public areas or private rooms of residents. The buildings are not equipped to handle the electrical needs of such items. Anyone needing a window unit A/C must submit proper documentation to the Dean of Students office. The Dean of Students office will consider any documented, confirmed medical need for an accommodation
Check-In/Out Procedures and Dates
All residents must officially meet with a member of the Residence Life staff when checking into a room, when checking out of a room or when changing rooms. Failing to check in and check out is a violation of residence hall policy. Improper check-out will result in a fine of $150 or more. Students not leaving by the closing date will be charged $150/day. Damages or missing items will result in additional charges to the students’ account.
When moving into a room, students must fill out and sign a room condition report indicating necessary repairs, along with a checklist indicating the general condition of the room. When students check out of the room, students will fill out and sign the same room condition report. Students will be held responsible for damages to their rooms during the time they lived there or any missing furniture.
Students may also elect to do an express check out, in which case they return their keys and ID in an envelope provided by Residence Life. By selecting this option, students agree that any charges that may be applied at check-out cannot be disputed.
Students must check out either 24 hours after their last final or by noon on the Saturday of winter closing, or 5 p.m. the Friday of spring closing. Any belongings left in the student’s room after the official date of closing becomes property of the university and will be disposed of appropriately.
Dates for check-in are as follows: August 25, 2017, for new students and August 26, 2017, for returning students for the fall semester. Halls close for the winter break at 12 p.m. on December 16, 2017. Halls re-open on January 7, 2018 at 12 p.m. for the semester. Halls close for the year on May 6, 2018, at 5 p.m.
Common Areas
Commons areas are available for studying, socializing, meetings and programs. The lounge furniture is not to be removed for use elsewhere. If furniture is missing from a lounge or damaged or unusual cleaning is needed, the hall, floor, cluster, suite and/or wing will be held financially responsible. A charge of $25 per day will be assessed for unauthorized university furniture found in a student’s room. Resident students may not leave any furniture from their rooms or any other personal belongings in any common area of the university. Residence Life may conduct searches for missing common area furniture at any time.
A kitchen is available for student use adjacent to the Coughlin Commons. Students must supply their own cookware. Any damages in the kitchen will be included in the resident’s damage billing. Residents choosing to use it are expected to maintain the cleanliness of the kitchen. The kitchen may be closed down due to lack of cleanliness.
Sporting Equipment
Students are not allowed to use any type of sporting equipment in the residence halls, including student rooms, hallways, lounges, stairwells and restrooms. Wearing cleats, roller blades or skates is not permitted in any building. Dribbling, kicking, or other playing of balls/athletic equipment is also prohibited.
Disruptive Behavior
If, in the opinion of a university official, the number of people entering or occupying a room exceeds a reasonable number and a disturbance to the community is imminent, the university official may disband the people gathered in a room.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and midnight to 7:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. During these hours, residents are expected to reduce their noise level, both inside and in the vicinity of the residence halls, to a level that will not disturb other residents. During final examinations, the Residence Life staff will institute a strictly enforced 24-hour quiet hour policy.
Courtesy Hours
Courtesy hours are in effect at all times, 24 hours a day. Any student or university staff member can ask an individual to alter the sound that is disturbing at any time. Excessive noise will not be tolerated.
Room Changes
Room changes are not encouraged and are not allowed until the third week of the semester. After this time, a room change is warranted only after both residents of the room have attempted to work out any differences. Any resident wishing to change rooms should contact his or her RA who will mediate a conflict resolution meeting. If a room change is still requested, Residence Life staff will meet with the students involved to determine a resolution and/or room change. Students must follow proper check-out and check-in procedures when changing rooms. If a student changes a room without authorization from the Office of Residence Life, he/she is subject to a $50 fine.
For room changes that are mutual swaps and agreed upon by all parties, students need to fill out the room change form from the Residence Life website. For students whom are unhappy with their current room and would like to change rooms, they can go on the wait-list, also available on the Residence Life website. Residence Life will review the wait-list periodically each semester. For any students switching rooms at the semester break, all rooms must be completed prior to leaving campus in December.
Room Condition
Rooms should be in the same general condition when residents move out as when they moved in. Residents should be careful not to cause any permanent damage to their rooms. Rooms must be returned to their original condition at the end of each year.
If a resident damages his or her room, the Office of Residence Life will bill the resident’s account for the damage, replacement and labor cost. The Office of Residence Life has discretion with regard to billing students for damages and improper check out. Final charges for damages will be assessed after check-out and cannot be disputed after June 15, 2018.
Students may not make permanent structural changes in their rooms. This includes painting, wallpapering, wallpaper borders, attaching loft panels and paneling. Residents are asked to use masking tape to fasten pictures and posters to the walls. Glued picture hooks, nails, and/or scotch tape are not permitted. Waterbeds are not permitted. Lighted signs, alcoholic beverage signage, alcohol container displays, and street or public works signs are not permitted and will be considered stolen property. Window screens must remain in place and closed at all times. Residents may be charged for screens that are not in place.
The outside of a room is considered a common area. This includes the door and windows. Displays offensive to others or decorations that are a fire hazard are prohibited.
Room Consolidation
The Office of Residence Life has the authority to move a resident into a double room that is being occupied by only one person. Freshmen are rarely allowed to occupy single rooms. Freshmen will be consolidated into double rooms if at all possible. Any student who has been assigned to a double room as a single may be assigned a roommate at any time. Advance notice will be given to those students, when possible.
Room Entry and Search
The university reserves the right to inspect residential rooms and regulate the use of these premises in accordance with university rules and regulations consistent with the student’s constitutional rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure.
University officials may enter rooms without the consent of the residents in the following circumstances:
- When the staff has reasonable cause to suspect violations of health or safety regulations or of university or residence hall policy.
- When the staff has reasonable cause to believe an emergency exists involving immediate danger to life, safety, health and/or property.
- When the staff has reasonable cause to suspect that a particular item or piece of information (such as medication or telephone number) is located in the room and would be useful in responding to an emergency involving immediate danger to life, safety, health or property.
- When a disturbance exists in the room (i.e. continual alarm sounding, telephone ringing or loud stereo playing).
- When the staff has reasonable cause to suspect illegal use of drugs or alcohol or evidence of another crime or policy violation.
- When the staff has reasonable cause to think some act of vandalism has occurred or is occurring.
- For periodic environmental checks (i.e. furniture inventory, engineering/cleanliness concerns). These will be conducted during fall, winter and spring breaks and at the discretion of the university.
Room Inspections
Scheduled room inspections occur before breaks and after the halls have closed. These inspections are conducted to ensure that building maintenance, safety, sanitation and property control requirements are being followed. The Director of Residence Life and/or his/her designee will notify students of a room inspection explaining how to properly prepare the room. Failure to prepare one’s room is considered a violation of policy.
An unscheduled room inspection may happen at any time. Students should be aware that any items prohibited by law or residence hall policy may be confiscated. Disciplinary action will follow such instances. The university will conduct room inspections at least twice a semester.
If a student leaves belongings in their room after they move out of the residence halls, those items become property of the university.
Theft
Thefts should be reported to campus safety and security staff immediately. Doors should be locked at all times and personal belongings should not be left unattended. Dominican University does not accept any responsibility for loss or theft occurring in the halls. Residents are financially responsible for all damage and loss of university property. Students are encouraged to obtain renters’ insurance policies. If students would like the River Forest Police called for an alleged theft, they can make that request to the Public Safety staff.
Vacation and Break Housing
Residents are expected to vacate the residence halls during break periods. Some dining, recreational and other university services may not be available during university break periods. Students who receive permission to stay during school breaks may be assessed a housing charge and may be required to participate in a university meal plan. At the end of each semester, all students must officially check out of the residence halls within 24 hours after completing their last final examination or by the time the residence halls officially close, whichever occurs first.
Since students receive the university schedule at the beginning of each year, travel plans must be made accordingly. Extensions to arrive prior to the start of a semester or stay after will not be given readily. Early arrivals or drop-offs will only be made in special situations.
All students must vacate the residence halls by May 6, 2018, at 5:00 p.m.