The director of residential life is responsible for the operation of all residential facilities and/or administering all residential life policies. In addition, the director supervises the student and professional residential life staff and develops programs designed to enhance student learning within residence halls.

The associate director of residential life (AD) is a professional residence life staff member who lives on campus and supervises residential facilities and the student residential life staff (RAs).  In addition, they are responsible for overseeing educational programming and assessment for the department as well as RA Selection. 

The area coordinators (ACs) are a professional residential life staff member who lives on campus and supervises residential facilities and the student residential life staff (RAs). In addition, the AC ey are responsible for developing positive residential communities and programs within the residence halls that will enhance the educational opportunities for students.

The graduate residential mentor is a matriculated graduate student who lives on campus. They oversee an independent living community, assist with Residential Life functions in the office, and serve as a resource for residential students. 

A Residential Mentor (RM) oversees an independent living community under the supervision of an Area Coordinator. The RM provides peer leadership for Resident Assistants and serves as a resource for residential students while facilitating a residential environment conducive to the overall development of students.

Resident assistants (RAs) are undergraduate students who receive training and are employed by the College to help promote and enhance a positive academic and social environment. Resident students are encouraged to get to know their RA. These undergraduate students live on each floor of the residence hall and are well informed about the College. They can answer questions about College services, activities, and programs. 

Additionally, the RAs help to manage and maintain physical facilities and resident student behavior in support of the rights of all residents to live, sleep and study in their rooms. RAs assist residents with roommate problems, and in planning and carrying out special floor or residence hall activities. Other major responsibilities include getting to know each person in their area; facilitating interactions between students and between students and faculty/staff; assisting in the development of social and educational programs; and familiarizing new students with residence hall policies, College policies, and the rationale behind such policies. RAs hope to form positive floor communities, which have a significant impact on student life. Lifelong friendships are frequently mentioned as one of the significant outcomes of residential living. 

Interference with or harassment in any form directed to any member of the residential life staff will result in judicial/student conduct action and could lead to loss of residency.

A student has the right to use their assigned room for sleep, study, and recreation; the right to sleep and study takes precedence. Roommates and hall residents are expected to cooperate in the use of their room, corridor, and public areas such as lounges. A student has the right not to be affronted in their room and corridor by noise or odors originating there or elsewhere or by behavior that impedes their pursuit of education. No student shall be subjected to conditions that might involve a violation of the law in their room or common areas.

Students who feel that their rights are being infringed on are urged to discuss the matter with the student(s) involved and to consult with their resident assistant or professional residential life staff in an effort to resolve the situation.

For regulations regarding the possession and use of alcohol in residential facilities, please refer to the College’s Alcohol Policy. Students are responsible for knowing the College’s Alcohol Policy, which is detailed in this Student Handbook.

Cooking in student rooms or hallways is prohibited. The use of electrical appliances is restricted to those with self-contained, thermostatically controlled heating elements. Such appliances must be used with extreme care. Appliances with open coils or burners (such as toaster ovens, hot plates, grills, and immersion coils) as well as non-thermostatically controlled devices are not permitted and are subject to confiscation. Halogen lamps, ceiling fans, window, and non-window air-conditioners may not be used in students’ rooms. All cooking must be confined to designated cooking areas. One microwave oven (maximum of 700 watts), one refrigerator (maximum of 4.5 cubic feet or must draw no more than 1.5 amps), and coffeemakers with automatic shut-off are permitted per room. If the use of an extension cord is necessary, either a surge protector or cord of a minimum of 14-gauge is required. Standard household extension cords (14- and/or 16-gauge) are not permitted. It is recommended that all electronics and appliances be plugged into a surge protector.

Individuals who wish to bunk their beds must obtain the necessary bunk bed pins from the residential life staff or the Mund College Center desk.

For safety purposes, campus public safety personnel regularly patrol campus grounds and periodically walk through residential facilities. Exterior telephones are placed at specific locations on the exterior of traditional residence halls, and the patrolling public safety officer may be summoned by using these phones or by calling 867–6111. College officials may authorize campus public safety personnel to make regular visits to residence halls where chronic behavioral problems occur.

Proper security within the residence halls is the responsibility of each resident. All residents are encouraged to lock their doors when not in their rooms and at night. All residence hall exterior doors are to be locked at all times and all students are asked to assist with making sure these doors remain locked. All residence hall keys or access cards open specified doors of the students’ residence hall.

Exterior doors to residence halls should never be propped open because this creates a serious risk to the health and safety of all residents of the building. Any time of the day, a non-resident of a residence hall must be escorted by a resident of that hall from the entrance door to a room or lounge and from that area to the exit door. The presence of any suspicious individual must be reported to the residential life staff and to the Office of Public Safety. Losses or thefts should be reported immediately to public safety and residential life staff.

Candles and incense pose an extreme safety hazard and are prohibited on campus. Candles will be confiscated by the residential life staff.

On arrival, resident students will be given a Room Condition Report (RCR) form that was completed by the RA. Students should carefully complete this form and make appropriate notes of damaged items. The RA will review this form with the residential student. Students will be held responsible for all damages to their rooms during the school year. If In the event that damages cannot be attributed to a roommate, roommates will be held jointly responsible. Students are subject to being billed for damages not accounted for on the Room Condition Report form. Damages and losses will be determined through comparative inspections conducted when a student checks out of a room. Students will be assessed for damage such as defaced plaster or woodwork, broken windows, lights, furniture, or the deterioration of property due to misuse.

Whether checking out of the residence halls or changing rooms, students must follow proper check-out procedures. The staff will assess damage and cleanliness, using the Room Condition Report form completed earlier in the year, and will collect keys. The student’s signature on the Room Condition Report form will verify the condition of the room. Please note that residential life staff will check rooms in detail after you have completed check-out procedures and may assess additional charges at that time.

For health and safety reasons, all residential facilities have been designated as clean-air residence halls. Students living in College-owned residential facilities may not burn candles, tobacco, electronic cigarettes, incense, or any other substance in their living area.

The personal, institutional, or commercial use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration is prohibited on campus unless preapproved in writing by the vice president of finance and administration or the vice president of student affairs. UAS operators are solely responsible for any injuries or damage of any type caused to property and/or people by the UAS. The UAS Operator will indemnify, defend, and hold the College harmless for any costs or damages, including reasonable attorney’s fees, incurred by the College in connection with the use of a UAS. The College will not be responsible for any damages of any kind caused by use of a UAS.

Any operator of a UAS must register the UAS with the FAA and other governmental authorities as required. The operator must also follow all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Although the residential facilities are closed during all breaks except for Fall Break, the College recognizes that there may be some students who require housing, request to stay late, or request to return early during vacation periods (e.g., Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks.) Examples of exceptions granted may include:

• Athletic teams training within the NCAA regulations
• Students employed on campus by an academic or administrative department
• Students committed to student teaching, academic internships, academic reason, etc.
• International students
• Students having to travel great distances to their home
• Off-campus employment

The College will be closed between Dec. 24 and Jan. 1 and thus no students will be permitted to stay in a residential facility during that time. The only exception will be athletic teams training within NCAA regulations.

Any student who needs housing during a scheduled break must complete a written request in the Office of Residential Life at least one week prior to the beginning of the break. Students who do not obtain authorization but arrive early or stay late will be charged a daily fee and disciplinary action will be taken.

When the College is not in session, the policy for campus emergency services is as follows: during the semester break, summer break, holiday breaks, or other times when the College is not in session, no medical or counseling emergency services are provided; no residential life, counseling, or health services staff are on duty outside of normal office hours.

Due to limited time between the end of the summer conference schedule and the start of the academic year, the residential life staff restricts the number of students permitted on campus prior to the official opening day. This period is utilized by the facilities services and residential life staff to prepare the residential facilities for student arrival. The intensive training program of the residential life staff limits the availability to provide needed services to the students who arrive early.

The College recognizes the need for some students to return to campus during the week preceding the arrival of first-year students for training, orientation, or assisting in preparing a department for opening day. All others requesting to arrive early will be assessed a fee of $60 per day.

Violation of College policy during this time will subject the student to removal from College housing until the start of classes.

For the protection of students living in the residence halls, periodic fire drills are conducted by the residential life and public safety staff. All students are expected to evacuate the building when the fire alarms are sounded. Some drills may involve room checks to insure the building has been vacated. Students who tamper with fire alarm systems or other safety devices may be subject to the penalties imposed by the Annville Fire Department and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for violation of local and state ordinances. Heavy fines are imposed for the misuse of fire prevention devices. The College imposes judicial/student conduct action and a $300 fine plus the cost of resultant damage and possible removal from the residence hall or College Suspension.

Fabric may not be hung from ceilings or draped on walls. Fabric is extremely flammable.

Each student assigned to a room in a residential facility is furnished with a dresser, bed frame, mattress, desk, desk chair, and window treatment. No furniture may be removed from a room. Students must provide their own bedding and other room furnishings. Waterbeds, any type of air conditioners, and ceiling fans are not permitted in residence hall rooms. Beds in residence halls require extra-long sheets, except Vickroy Hall. No upholstered furniture is permitted outside any residential facility. Only furniture designed for outdoor use is permitted outside.

For safety reasons, students and student organizations are not allowed to possess or use charcoal or gas grills on campus unless the event has been approved by the student affairs or conference services staff.

Students may entertain guests in their residence hall rooms. Guests may remain for no more than three consecutive days or two consecutive nights with roommate consent. All guests must be hosted by a resident of that residence hall and be escorted by the host while within and when leaving the residence hall.

A roommate must be consulted prior to inviting a guest to the room to study, visit, or stay overnight. If a roommate does not give their consent to have a guest in the room, the guest must leave the room immediately. A student’s right to have a guest at any time is, in all cases, superseded by their roommate’s right to the use of the room.

A student’s overnight guest needs to secure a temporary parking pass from the Office of Public Safety.

The host or hostess is responsible for being present and informing the guest about residence hall regulations and College policy. Normally, no more than two guests are permitted at the same time. All guests are subject to College policy and the Student Conduct Code. The student host is responsible for the action and/or any damage caused by the guest.

Housekeeping personnel clean residence hall lounges, bathrooms, hallways, and all public areas. Students are responsible for cleaning their own rooms and they are expected to keep their rooms, apartments, or suites in a clean and orderly condition at all times. Vacuums are available in each of the residence halls for student use. Students are also responsible for cleaning public areas after group use. Fines and/or judicial/student conduct action may be imposed when conditions warrant such action.

To live in a College residential facility, a student must be a full-time student (carrying 12 credit hours). All resident students must sign a housing agreement prior to their first year on campus and renew their agreement on-line for each academic year. In doing so, the agreement reserves space for the student and the student accepts the conditions and terms set forth in the agreement, and the rules and regulations established by the Board of Trustees and the administration as explained in the Student Handbook. The housing agreement is binding for the entire academic year unless a student withdraws from the College, loses housing privileges, or is dismissed from the College. Any consideration of monetary refund is subject to the College’s Title IV refund policy. The change of housing status or the withdrawal/leave of absence of a student during the term of the housing agreement does not entitle the student to claim a refund of room charges or remove liability for payment of the full amount due for the semester. Students rooming in College residential facilities may not sublet their rooms, suites, or apartments, or change electric wiring, electric devices, or walls. The College reserves the right to void a housing agreement if the student course load falls below the full-time credit hour requirement.

Students receive a room key to access their bedroom and either an exterior door key to access their house or their Dutchman OneCard ID is programmed to permit them access to the exterior doors of their assigned residential facility. It is the student’s responsibility to carry keys and Dutchman OneCard ID at all times and to lock their room. Loss of a Dutchman OneCard ID should be immediately reported to the Office of Information Technology. Loss of a room key or residence hall key must be immediately reported to the RA. When a student reports the loss of a residence hall key, the College will issue a new key. Students must pay a $50 replacement fee for a room key. If keys are not returned by the end of the period or residency, students will be billed for the cost of changing locks and keys.

Because of risk to property and personal security, students are not permitted to allow another individual to use their keys or Dutchman OneCard ID. A student who allows another individual to use their keys or Dutchman OneCard ID may be subject to judicial/ student conduct action.

In the event students lose their access card, a new card will be issued at the Office of Information Technology. Students must pay a replacement fee.

Laundry facilities are provided in all campus residence halls. There are no daily use charges for these facilities. Any malfunctioning machines should be reported to the resident assistant and/ or facility services. All washing machines require the use of high efficiency detergents.

Students locked out of their rooms should first try to contact the residential life staff to request entry into their room. If the student is unable to contact a residential life staff member, then the request should be made to public safety personnel. The response by residential life and public safety personnel will be subject to other responsibilities that they may have at that time. Students must give their name and show their College ID when their rooms are being unlocked.

Main lounges are available in all residence halls for socializing and late-night studying. Furniture in these lounges is for the use of all students in the building and cannot be removed from the lounge. Students who take lounge furniture to their rooms are subject to judicial/student conduct action and fines and will be billed for the cost of removal. All furniture not accounted for at the end of the school year will be replaced at the expense of the residents.

Unauthorized entry into residential facilities during a break period will result in judicial/student conduct action and a fine. The residence halls will normally close for vacation at 6 p.m. on the day classes end and reopen at noon the day before classes resume.

Prior to leaving for vacation, residents should unplug all electrical devices, remove trash from their room, and lock all windows and doors.

At the end of each semester, rooms must be vacated within 24 hours after the student’s last final examination unless the examination is on the day of the official ending of the semester. In this case, the final ending hour is the exit time for all students. Students may leave their personal items in their rooms during the first and second semester vacations and between semesters, but the College will not assume legal responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged property.

At the end of the year, a student’s room must be completely vacated and left clean. A fee will be assessed for any damage to rooms and for unusual cleaning of a room.

Personal items may not be stored in residence halls during the summer. Special arrangements will be made for students traveling a great distance.

Activities producing odors considered offensive to members of the residence hall community must be curtailed on request. In the event that such odors are present, the residence hall staff may check common areas and residence hall rooms for the source.

A student carrying fewer than 12 credit hours during any academic semester must have permission from the student affairs staff to live or continue to live in a residence hall.

For health and safety reasons, dogs, cats, and all other pets are prohibited in any residence hall (except service animals). Fish are permitted in a 10-gallon tank. Individuals in violation of this policy will be subject to judicial/student conduct action.

The use of telecommunication equipment and services is a privilege granted to students. Misuse is subject to judicial/student conduct action including the denial of access to any or all of the College’s telecommunications services including cable services. Examples of misuse include making unauthorized calls; tampering with, or abusing telecommunications equipment including cable services; using another person’s authorization code without that person’s consent; and possession of equipment not assigned to that student’s room.

Students are responsible for the public areas in their residence halls. Public area damages that cannot be attributed to specific individuals will be billed on a prorated basis to the residents of that wing, floor, or building. The residential life staff makes every effort to determine which individuals are responsible for the damage. All residents have a responsibility to prevent damage and vandalism to College and personal property. Report all incidents of damage to the Associate Director of Residential Life, the AC, RA, or to the Office of Residential Life. 

The College provides cable television and network services in each residence hall. Typically, there is one cable television outlet per room and one network connection for each student in a room. Students must supply the television and/or computer(s) needed to make use of these services.

Students are responsible and will be charged for any damage to the cable television or network outlets while they are living in the room.

Note: Use of the campus network is governed by various policies and procedures including the Acceptable Use Policy for Computing and Communications.

Comcast Cable services are included in the room fee. This allows students access to high definition cable services on their television, phone, tablet or laptop.

If you have any questions related to these services, please see your RA, check the Office of Information Technology website, or call the Information Technology Solutions Center during business hours at ext. 6072.

For safety and security reasons, residence hall windows or screens may not be removed at any time. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in judicial/student conduct action and/or a fine. Students are not permitted to enter or exit through windows, or throw objects from windows. Occupants will be held responsible for any object thrown or dropped from the window of the room, or for any inappropriate, unacceptable verbal comments coming from the room windows. Occupants and their guests are not permitted to sit on windowsill(s), lean out room window(s), or pass through a window in order to gain access to campus roofs or overhangs. Stereo speakers may not be placed on windowsills and/or directed outside. Window air conditioners are not permitted in residential facilities.

The experience of sharing living space with another student is part of the educational nature of residential living. Students are encouraged to develop skills for living with a roommate and to actively seek to mediate any conflict that may arise. The area coordinators and resident assistants will work with roommates who are having difficulty.

Room assignment changes can only be made with approval and authorization from the residential life staff. Failure of the student to obtain such authorization will constitute a violation of the housing agreement and judicial/student conduct action and/or a fine may be imposed. Room changes may not be made during the first or last 14 days of any semester. Students involved in a room change must return their original keys to the residential life staff, check out of their room with their RA, and update a new Room Condition Report form.

Students in rooms with vacancies should expect to be assigned a roommate at any time. The room must be maintained in a manner that would make it possible for another student to feel comfortable moving in. A student who has a vacancy and discourages a student from moving in will be moved or will be assessed for a single-double room.

Single-Double Room Buyout

Students in double rooms with vacancies may be given the opportunity to pay a single-double room charge to keep their room as a single room for the remainder of the semester. The charge would be equal to the difference in price between traditional and premium housing. Availability for single room buyouts is contingent upon space availability across campus as determined by the director of residential life.

At the end of the fall semester, in the event that a vacancy in a double room cannot be filled, students in a double without a roommate may be consolidated and relocated to another room at the discretion of Residential Life personnel.

The College reserves the right to enter a residence hall room in order to ensure proper maintenance; to provide for the protection, safety, and welfare of students and the College; and/or to investigate when reasonable belief exists that a violation of residential life policy or College policies, procedures, rules or regulations, or health and safety concerns has occurred or is occurring.

When students request routine maintenance repairs, authorized personnel will enter rooms during normal working hours.

Searches by Civil Authorities Pursuant with a Search Warrant: In the event a search warrant is issued by civil authorities for a residence hall or part thereof, student affairs personnel will accompany the authorities executing the search warrant solely to facilitate entry in areas.

Inspections of Student Rooms to Investigate Suspected Violations: If there is reasonable cause to belief that College policies, procedures, rules, or regulations are being violated, the vice president of student affairs and dean of students or their designee may authorize entry into a student’s room. This may be done either verbally or in writing. Such inspections are considered a reasonable exercise of the College’s responsibility to maintain discipline and an educational atmosphere. When practical, the inspection will be conducted in the presence of the occupants of the room. At least two members of the College staff will conduct the inspection and a full written report of the inspection will be given to the vice president of student affairs and dean of students. College officials with probable cause may search a residence without approval by the vice president of student affairs and dean of students, particularly when there is reason to believe that illegal drugs are being used, sold, bought, or given away in that residence or if other potentially dangerous situations are present.

Confiscation of Items or Property: During the course of any inspection, if any property is observed which is unlawful or in violation of College policies, procedures, rules, or regulations, the property may be confiscated. The decision to confiscate property is made on the basis of common sense, property value, and the likelihood of rapid disposal. All confiscated property will be given immediately to student affairs or public safety staff, and the staff member will send a full report to the vice president of student affairs and dean of students. Confiscated property will not be returned if it is deemed in violation of College policies, procedures, rules, or regulations.

Student rooms are inspected for health and safety policy compliance once each semester. These inspections are conducted to check for fire and safety hazards and to evaluate the condition of the room and furnishings. These inspections will be announced in advance. When the College is in recess, these inspections will be conducted by a member of the College staff. Areas that are found to be substandard will be documented and residents will be given a designated time period to rectify the problems. If the problems are not resolved, the situations will be handled as a judicial/student conduct matter involving fines and other sanctions. Violations of College and residence hall policies that may be observed during the inspection are also addressed through the judicial/student conduct process.

When a vacancy occurs in a room, suite, or apartment the remaining student(s) have the opportunity to identify a student to fill the vacancy. Should the student(s) not be successful in identifying a student, staff will fill the vacancy. The residential life staff may also consolidate vacancies and relocate students to other rooms on campus.

Request for room repairs should be directed to the resident assistant on the floor. Repairs resulting from normal wear will be fixed without charge. Repair resulting from other than normal wear will be billed to the student. Students are not permitted to replace or repair any damaged item.

Whether present or not, occupants of a room, suite, or apartment are held responsible for any unacceptable behavior, unacceptable conditions, etc. It is therefore the responsibility of residents to maintain a secure house, room, suite, or apartment, preventing unauthorized use and to be present in their room, suite, or apartment when visitors are present.

Returning students select their rooms for the next academic year in April. Each year before room selection, resident assistant staff rooms are reserved by the director of residential life. Requests for roommates and halls are honored when possible. Housing assignments are made without regard to race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. In order for returning students to participate in the room selection process or be assigned room space, the student must be registered for classes for the next semester, pay a non-refundable $100 room deposit, and have a housing agreement on file in the Office of Residential Life.

New students receive their room assignments and the name(s) of their roommate(s) by mail in mid-July.

For health and safety reasons, smoking tobacco, vaping electronic cigarettes, and use of hookahs are prohibited in all areas of the residence halls, including rooms, public areas, rest rooms, lounges, hallways, and stairwells. All tobacco substances, synthetic tobacco substances, electronic cigarettes, and use of hookahs are prohibited in all classrooms and College buildings. Failure to follow this policy will result in judicial/student conduct action. Students who choose to smoke/vape should do so at least 25 feet from doorways and residential facility entrances so that passers-by are not affected by second-hand smoke.

The director of residential life and director of disability resources evaluate documented conditions and make reasonable housing accommodations. Special housing accommodations will be made only in situations where the documentation clearly indicates that the reasonable accommodation is medically necessary. Returning students should contact the Office of Residential Life prior to room sign up in March and new students should contact the office in early June. All students requesting special housing must complete Form A or Form B on the Residential Life website.

Summer storage areas are not available. All personal items left in any residential facility, storage rooms, or public areas after the end of spring semester will be discarded. Students will be billed for the removal of personal items.

Due to consideration for the health and safety of residents, sport activities are not permitted in common areas of the residence halls.

Stereos, radios, and televisions are permitted but may not be used in a manner that is annoying to others. Residents may be ordered to remove such equipment if, after complaint(s) by residents or hall staff, its use continues to disturb study and/or living conditions or is judged to be hazardous.

Antennas and other articles are not permitted on the exterior of any residence hall. Splicing into existing television cables is prohibited and constitutes a violation of the College Policy.

Conduct and noise interfering with study and sleep of residents is unacceptable.

The College has established the following study and quiet hours for all residence halls: Sunday through Thursday, 10 p.m.–8 a.m., Friday and Saturday, midnight–8 a.m. Each floor may lengthen the time of the study and quiet hours but the established hours must include the above noted times.

At times other than study and quiet hours, courtesy hours are in effect. During courtesy hours, students are expected to respond positively to requests from other residents or the residential life staff for increased quiet. Students returning to the residence hall after midnight on the weekends are expected to show consideration for other residents of the hall.

Noise that disturbs others, regardless of the time of day, violates the rights of others. Individual residents are expected to request quiet from floor mates. Study and quiet/courtesy hours are a shared responsibility, with each resident responsible for their own conduct and for letting others know when they are infringing on the right to a quiet living environment. Failure to observe study and quiet hours or courtesy hours may result in removal of the student from their floor or hall and judicial/student conduct action will result.

Noise heard outside of a student’s room or within a student’s room from the corridor will be considered excessive. Playing a musical instrument in the residence is prohibited. During final exams, 24-hour quiet hours are in effect.

The College has declared certain residential facilities within the residence halls as substance free. All students who have requested a substance-free living community must make a commitment to refrain from use of tobacco, alcohol, incense, or luminary products in their living area and refrain from returning to the living area under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Any student requesting substance-free living will be required to live by that pledge and may face immediate removal from the community if found in violation of that pledge.

Students are responsible for placing personal trash and recycling items directly in the appropriate containers identified for their residence hall. Personal trash and recycling items may not be placed in hallways or public areas. Failure to follow this policy will result in judicial/student conduct action.

The College is not responsible for students’ personal property that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Students are responsible for the care and safety of their own personal property. Students’ personal belongings are not insured by the College against theft or damage. The College cannot be held liable directly or indirectly for loss of, theft of, or damage to the personal property of individuals. In some instances, homeowners’ insurance companies will cover possessions of students while they are at college. Students are urged to confirm whether their personal property is covered under their parents’ homeowners’ insurance policy and to arrange for additional insurance coverage, if necessary. All students are encouraged to lock their doors when absent from their rooms and report all theft to public safety staff. Students’ property is the responsibility of each individual student and no reimbursement from the College can be expected for lost, stolen, or damaged property.