Residential Life: Residential Halls, Rooms, Keys: Crookston

All residence hall students are governed by the University Student Conduct Code. The regulations and the judicial process by which a case is heard and settled are described in the code itself. The following policies pertain specifically to residence hall living, whenever students are on the grounds or within the residence hall system. Policy violations will be handled by Residential Life professional staff.

Any student offense not covered by residence hall regulations which would endanger the safety or wellbeing of other residents or the residence hall system (e.g., tampering with mechanical or fire alarm/safety systems, disorderly conduct, weapons) could result in interim suspension from the residence hall or relocation to another residence hall.

Access to Restricted Areas

Residents are not permitted in other residents’ rooms (unless invited by that resident), or other restricted areas such as storage closets, the food service area, housekeeping maintenance/kitchen areas, reception desk areas, administrative offices and student service rooms.

Changing Rooms or Roommates

Residents may be permitted to make room (which includes apartment rooms) changes after the second week of classes each semester. Students must make requests in person at Residential Life in Centennial Hall and a Room Change Request form completed in order to be considered. If approved by Residential Life, students must follow established procedures before changes occur (male-female combinations are not allowed). If room changes are made without proper approval, a disorderly conduct charge will be imposed and the resident will be required to move back to their original room. Residential Life may choose not to consider future room change requests from the student. Room changes are considered by Residential Life on a case by case basis.

When a roommate moves out of a student’s residence hall room for any reason after the second week, the resident has seven days to do one of the following:

• Find a new roommate of their choice. If this option is selected and no new roommate is found, the resident will be billed the single supplemental rate from the date of the departure of their former roommate.
• Accept a new roommate identified by Residential Life professional staff.
  • If such a person is not available, the resident may be reassigned to another half-occupied room in that residence hall (where available) or another available residence hall space.
• Request a single room contract for the remainder of the year provided there is no demand for the space and the resident pays the supplemental rate associated with that agreement.

If room vacancies occur, a new roommate may be assigned anytime (during the school year or during semester break). Due to time constraints, advanced notice of a new roommate may not be possible.

Residents are responsible for keeping the empty space clean and clear. Residents may not use the empty beds, dressers and desks. Residential Life reserves the right to enter, clear and clean space for new roommates and charges will occur to those current occupants who are occupying the extra space.

Disruptive/Disorderly Conduct

Residents are prohibited from engaging in disruptive behavior/disorderly conduct within or immediately surrounding the residence hall, including but not limited to:

1. engaging in brawling, fighting or prank activities;
2. disturbing an assembly or meeting not unlawful in its character;
3. using offensive, obscene or abusive language, or engage in conduct that would reasonably tend to arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others; or
4. threatening, harassing, sexually harassing or endangering the health, safety or welfare of a member of the University community.

Residents may not assemble to:

1. commit or intend to commit any unlawful act by force;
2. carry out or plan to carry out any purpose in such a manner as will disturb or threaten the public peace, even without unlawful purpose; or
3. conduct themselves in a disorderly manner so as to disturb or threaten the public peace, even without unlawful purpose.

Residents are further prohibited from vandalizing, damaging or destroying University or personal property or creating a condition that requires cleanup due to possible long-term damage and health and safety issues.

No sports are to be played in indoor public areas, private rooms or hallways including, but not limited to, in-line skating, ball playing, Frisbee, hoverboards and bicycle riding.

Guests in Residence Halls

All students residing in the residence halls are responsible for their guest, the behavior and actions of their guest, as well as the use of any residence hall room while the guest is in the building or on hall property.

Guests who are off campus UMC students and non UMC guests and will be in the halls after 10:00 pm, must be registered with the On Duty Community Adviser by 10:00 pm. Failure to register the guest may result in disciplinary sanctions.

Guests ARE NOT permitted in the residence halls over holidays, semester, or spring breaks.

UMC students with access to the Evergreen Honors Lounge must remain in the designated lounge after 10:00 PM. Off campus students may utilize the 24-hour, Heritage Hall classroom lobby.

Overnight Stays

All guests may be invited to spend a maximum of six nights per semester and no longer than two consecutive nights at any one time. This includes on and off campus students. If a guest plans to stay more than one consecutive night, the guest must be registered for each night they plan to reside in the halls. The decision to have an overnight guest and visitation of the opposite sex must be mutually agreed upon with the resident's roommate(s).

All guests must be at least 18 years of age to stay overnight in the residence halls.

If a parent or guardian visits the University with their student, they may not reside in the halls with their student or spend the night.

Violations

The University may bring disciplinary action against any resident for their guests’ violation of policies, including but not limited to noise, alcohol policy violations, or damages.

Housing Over Semester Breaks

Residence halls are not guaranteed to be open over semester breaks. If the administration has determined that one or more halls will be available during this time period, this information will be published. 

Students who wish to stay in the halls, if open during the semester break, must register in advance with the Office of Residential Life. Students will be assessed an additional charge for this time period.

Guests are not permitted during semester or spring break in the residence halls.

Kitchen Facilities

Residents using the microwave, oven, or burners must remain in the kitchen the entire time they are in use. Residents must clean the kitchen and remove cooking equipment/utensils promptly after use, and dispose of their garbage properly.

Personal Items

Residents are responsible for removing or disposing of, if necessary, any personal items they add to their rooms during the year. This includes any furniture they add or any bed lofting structures they build. Waterbeds are not allowed. Resident must leave University furnishings in their original room.

Residents will be charged a minimum $50 service fee for personal items left upon check-out. Personal items will be disposed of if left in rooms.

Pets in Residence Halls

Students are not permitted to have pets in the residence hall and apartments (fish in aquariums, 5 gallons or less, are the only exception). Violations will result in the immediate removal of the pet and a fee will be imposed. Students may also be assessed cleaning charges. Special provisions are made for those students who have service or support animals which are registered through the Disability Resource Center.

Posting of Materials on Room Doors

All residents must keep their residence hall doors free of all decorations, including but not limited to white boards, posters, and holiday decorations. The designated white boards are for resident use and should remain free of any permanent markings or adhesive materials. Harassing and discriminatory remarks will not be permitted to be posted.

Public Areas

Students are not permitted to engage in disruptive behavior or disorderly conduct within or immediately surrounding the residence hall is not permitted. This includes the following behaviors in a public or private place:

• engaging in brawling, fighting or participating in prank activities;
• disturbing an assembly or meeting not unlawful in its character;
• using offensive, obscene or abusive language, or engaging in conduct that would reasonably tend to arouse alarm, anger or resentment in others; or
• threatening, harassing, sexually harassing or endangering the health, safety or welfare of a member of the University community.

Students are also prohibited from assembling to:

• commit or intend to commit any unlawful act by force;
• carry out or plan to carry out any purpose in such a manner as will disturb or threaten the public peace, even without unlawful purpose; or
• conduct themselves in a disorderly manner so as to disturb or threaten the public peace, even without unlawful purpose.

It is forbidden to vandalize, damage or destroy University or personal property or create a condition that requires clean-up due to possible long term damage and health and safety issues. Residents are not permitted to play sports in public areas, private rooms or hallways including, but not limited to, in-line skating, ball playing, Frisbee, hoverboards and bicycle riding.

Printers

Printers are provided in residence halls primarily for academic use.

Room Keys/Security Keys

Students are issued a room key and security key/fob for that student’s residence hall and room only. Residents are prohibited from lending their keys to others, and it is strongly recommended that their room doors are locked at all times. Residents must report or turn in found keys immediately to the Residential Life Office in Centennial Hall.

• 1st & 2nd lockout = no charge
• 3rd & 4th lockout = $10 each
• 5 or more lockouts = $25 each

Heritage Hall residents will use their U Card to unlock exterior doors.

Restroom Facilities

Students and visitors are encouraged to use the restroom that is labeled with the gender with which they identify.

Room Privacy

A student’s room is considered private. Administration may not enter the student’s room without the student’s consent except in the case of an emergency, for check-in and checkout procedures, to clear and clean space for new roommates, for routine maintenance and/or repairs, or due to suspicion of illegal actions or possession of unauthorized materials. Maintenance/safety inspections will occur during breaks.

Screens

Residents are prohibited from removing the screens from residence hall windows.

Sleep/Student Atmosphere

A quiet atmosphere conducive to study must be present on a daily basis. Therefore, the following hours have been established to promote this atmosphere:

24 hour respect hours - 7 days a week Sleep/study hours:

10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday

12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday

Residents may receive warnings to inform them that the noise level is too loud at any time. No stereos or sound equipment should be audible outside one’s room.

The University reserves the right to confiscate sound amplification equipment from residents for repeated or flagrant violations of the above housing noise policy.

Soliciting Business

Residents are prohibited from conducting or soliciting business in the residence halls.

Unauthorized Possession of Goods

Residents taking or possessing (without authorization from the owner) goods belonging to other students or the residence hall (e.g., lounge furniture), is prohibited. Residents may not switch any room furniture with other residents. The furniture must remain in the original room at all times.