GENERAL CONDITIONS

The policies and guidelines that have been established in the residence areas are designed to promote and maintain a living environment that enhances a student's opportunities to succeed academically and socially. The Housing Agreement is binding and in effect for the entire period during which a student is in residence and ends no later than the last day of final exams at 5 pm unless a student is authorized to participate in Senior Days Celebrations. Each residence area maintains, to some degree, its own identity and, upon a majority vote by the residents, may establish additional guidelines or set higher standards than those described in the Housing Agreement. Residents who fail to comply with the Housing Agreement will be held accountable for their actions and may face reassignment or revocation of residency. Living on campus is a privilege and not a right.

The well-being of the resident student cannot be ensured solely by any set of regulations as it also requires the student's acceptance of the concept of mutual accountability and respect for fellow students. All residents are expected to respect each other's individual needs. Residents are accountable for any disturbing activity. No person shall create, either intentionally or recklessly, a condition which endangers or threatens the safety or well-being of other persons or damages property; nor shall any person willingly create a health hazard or nuisance in any residence area.

Resident Status

All accepted full-time students are required to reside on campus. Students are permitted to reside off-campus if they are living at home with a parent or guardian or can provide  proof of independent status. Third- and fourth-year students in a bachelor's program may also reside independently off campus with approval from the College. Please note that based on Federal Government regulations, a person must be at least 24 years of age to qualify for independent status, or as verified by Student Financial Services. Students who believe there are circumstances that warrant an exception to the residency requirement should submit such a request in writing to the Assistant Dean of Students. Requests for a waiver of the residency requirement must be made by the end of the fourth week of classes. For details regarding the Institutional Refund Policy, please refer to the Academic Catalog. Any resident who withdraws or whose course load is reduced to less than 12 credits (part-time status) must notify the Office of Residence Life and check out within 24 hours. The Assistant Dean of Students must approve any exceptions to this policy.

Revocation of Housing

The College reserves the right to remove/dismiss students who are determined to pose a risk to the health and safety of themselves, others, or the College. Additionally, the College has the right to revoke residency for violations of rules and regulations and for the nonpayment of bills.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Enrollment Fee Deposit
All returning residents must pay a $200.00 enrollment deposit and pre-register for classes for the upcoming Fall Semester in order to participate in the Spring Housing Selection Process and reserve a space on campus. New students must pay a $200 housing deposit as well as the enrollment fee in order to reserve space. Each deposit will be applied as a credit on the student's account.

Housing Fee
The standard housing fee is $6930.00/year. Additional fees may apply as listed: $250.00/semester for a standard single and $300.00/semester for an expanded single.

Board Plan
All resident students are required to participate in the College's board plans. Special dietary arrangements, if necessary, can be made with Dining Services. The Bsic Board plan cost is $4030.00/year.


Damage/Relocation/Replacement Charges

Residents are expected to keep their room and its furnishings clean and orderly. Each resident is responsible for damage to or loss of furniture, fixtures, equipment and effects, provided to her/him by the College. In general, damages other than normal wear and tear will be assessed to the resident(s). In the event that two or more persons occupy the same room and it cannot be ascertained who is responsible for the loss, damage or violation, the assessment and/or judicial consequence shall be shared equally among those assigned to the space. Charges for moving furniture back to their proper location or for the replacement costs of furnishings will be assessed against the responsible resident(s). Room inventory forms are completed by each student to assist in the evaluation of damage.

We encourage students to report information leading to the appropriate individual(s) responsible for damage and ask students to take responsibility for the damage in which they, themselves, were involved. As a community, residents are responsible for the condition of the public common areas. Damage which cannot be assessed to the appropriate individual(s) will be pro-rated amongst the residents of the hall/house or floor.

Each room is assigned a set number of pieces. All furnishings assigned to your room must remain in your room. Furniture may be moved within your assigned room only and may not be moved out of your assigned room or lent to anyone. We regret that we do not have areas within the residence halls in which to store furniture you do not want.

Lounge furniture is intended for the use of all residents of a building. Lounge furniture is not allowed in private rooms. Student coveting lounge furniture for personal use will be fined and/or reported to a judicial hearing.

Key/Access Card Policy and Procedures
Each resident student is responsible for the keys to his/her room and building and/or access cards to specific residence halls.

Replacement Key/Access Cards
Students requesting a replacement key/access card must complete a new key replacement form, ensuring that all information is complete and accurate. Forms are located in Woodward House. Authorization to issue a key/access card replacement is the responsibility of the Director of Residence Life. Once the form is approved and signed, the student must bring the form to the Lockshop in the basement of Dean Hall. Replacement keys can be picked up at the Lockshop Monday-Friday, 9:30am-10:30am and/or 2:30pm-3:30pm. The student must present a picture identification/ID card in order to receive replacement key/card access. Replacement fees will be assessed to the student for keys that have been lost or stolen.

Fees:
• Replacement ID card = $50.00
• Lock change and new key = $50.00

Key / Access Card Charges
Each resident is responsible for the keys to his/her room and building and/or access cards to specific residence halls. All keys and access cards issued by the College are the property of the College and may not be duplicated. Failure to return keys to Residence Life Staff at check-out or room keys that are lost or stolen will result in an automatic lock change with the cost of $50.00 assessed to the student. Loss of outside door key, access card, or mailbox key will result in a replacement cost assessed to the student.

Students who lock themselves out of their room must go to the Public Safety Office and sign a Public Safety Lock-Out Form. An officer will, upon verification of the student's identification and residence location, issue the duplicate key for the student's room, attach one of the key chains to the key, give a copy of the Lock-Out Form to the student, and advise the student the key must be returned within ONE HOUR or the student will be charged, in addition to the Lock-Out Fee, a replacement charge for a new lockset for the door. (Lockset replacement $50.00).

Depending on the availability of an officer, there may be up to a thirty minute wait for this service. The charges for lockouts are as follows:
1st - No Charge
2nd - $5
3rd - $10
4th - $15
5th or more - $15 and possible judicial sanctions.

Refunds
The refund of the housing fee for students who withdraw is determined by:
1) The initial cost of the assigned room
2) The date on which the check-out process is completed as defined by:
(a) completion of the Withdrawal Form
(b) completion of the Room Inventory Form
(c) return of all keys
(d) removal of all personal belongings from the room

No refund will be provided until all personal belongings are removed from the college residence area and keys are returned.

RESIDENCE LIFE STAFF

Each residence area on campus is supervised by a Residence Life staff member. Area Coordinators, Resident Directors and Community Advisors work with students to develop a sense of community in their residence areas to insure an atmosphere conducive to mutual respect and consideration. Staff are also instrumental in assisting students in developing positive attitudes and behaviors to deal responsibly with the establishment of a more independent lifestyle as well as the social freedoms of adult life including those addressed by the College policies on the use of alcohol and drugs and the rights of others. Throughout the academic year, in cooperation with residents, the Residence Life Staff conducts educational programs and social activities designed to meet the needs, interests, and talents of the residents.

ROOM ASSIGNMENTS

Room assignments are made for the entire academic year. Residency must be for one academic year unless the student is completing the requirements for graduation at the end of the Fall Semester, entering the College for the first time at the beginning of the Spring Semester or living where a housing vacancy has occurred which would permit occupancy for a shorter period of time. Returning students select rooms in the Spring Semester during the Housing Selection Process. New students are assigned a residence during the summer, based upon information provided by the student on a Housing and Dining Request Form. Dean College may require a three-month advance notification of any requested special housing accommodation. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to change room assignments whenever necessary or to deny roommate requests. No resident may refuse another assigned student the use of an unoccupied space.

Temporary Housing
Resident students placed in a temporary housing assignment will be required to vacate from that assignment and move to a permanent housing assignment when requested to do so by the Office of Residence Life. Permanent housing assignments will be made as each space becomes available.

Roommate Re-assignment
Living together successfully requires a willingness to openly communicate and compromise. It is essential that roommates appreciate and respect individual differences and each other's needs and rights. While students are encouraged to resolve concerns that may develop as they learn to live together, genuine incompatibility between roommates sometimes is inevitable. If roommates find they are having difficulty, the Office of Residence Life has a specific procedure which involves roommate mediation with a Residence Life staff member. There is a room change freeze for the first two weeks of each semester. The following two weeks are available for room changes if space permits. All other room changes will be handled on a case by case basis, but room changes cannot be guaranteed. Students may not exchange rooms without prior permission from the Office of Residence Life.

Room Changes
Students requesting a room change must complete a room change request form, available at Woodward House, and ensure that all information is complete and accurate. After the form is submitted, the student must meet with a member of the Residence Life Staff and receive authorization to move. Keys can be picked up during the hours listed above. The student must then move from their current residence hall to their new residence hall within 24 hours. The Check-out portion of the Room Inventory Form must be completed with the Resident Director of the hall that is being vacated. A new Room Inventory Form must be completed with the Resident Director in the new residence hall room. It is the student's responsibility to ensure all room inventory forms are completed and signed.

All key(s)/access cards are the property of Dean College and are merely on loan to students. Failure to return key(s)/cards as stipulated may result in a breach of the student housing agreement. Students will be held accountable for the replacement cost of the key/access card and/or lock cylinder replacement. Duplication or altering of any Dean College key/access card, lockset, core or lock cylinder is strictly prohibited. Students found to be in violation of this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action under Dean College and/or legal action under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 266, section 49.

Room Vacancies/Room Consolidations
When a vacancy occurs in a room designed for multiple occupancy, the Office of Residence Life may assign a new roommate. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to consolidate vacancies. Consolidation of rooms requires students who reside in rooms where vacancies exist to move in with one another.

Single Rooms
While students are normally assigned a roommate, there are occasionally a small number of single rooms available. These single rooms are assigned on a space-available basis, with priority given to second year students. Exceptions may be made only for students with documented medical needs, if space allows. Students who request a single due to documented need must coordinate their request with the Director of Residence Life. No single rooms are guaranteed; however, requests are taken at the end of each semester. Letters of request should be sent to the Director of Residence Life. There is an additional charge for single rooms.

CHECK-IN/CHECK-OUT PROCEDURES

Moving In
Students must check into their residence area prior to the beginning of classes each semester. Failure to do so may result in the student losing his or her room assignment. Loss of assigned space will mean reassignment by the Office of Residence Life as space permits.

Each resident must complete and sign the required Room Inventory Form and housing agreement within 24 hours of occupying an assigned space. It is the resident's responsibility to complete and sign the room inventory form with a Residence Life Staff member.

Moving Out
Students must remove all of their personal belongings (including furniture and rugs) from their assigned room once their residency status has ended. This removal must be completed within 24 hours of terminating housing (mid-semester move) or no later than three hours after the resident's last exam in the Fall & Spring semesters, and immediately after commencement for graduating residents. The College is not responsible for any belongings left behind by a student. The College will enter the room for housekeeping purposes and will remove and discard any personal belongings left behind.

At the expiration of the occupancy period, the Room Inventory Form, when counter-signed by Residence Life Staff, will be a basis for assessment of any damage or losses or violations attributable to the resident. Residents are required to sign up for a check-out time with their Community Advisor or Resident Director at least 24 hours in advance of their departure. At the time of check-out, each resident is responsible for insuring the completion of the Room Inventory Form and obtaining the signature of the Residence Life staff member for their area. It is expected that each room will be in the same condition upon check-out that it was upon check-in. A resident's space must be swept and clean and the assigned bed must be fully assembled. The Residence Life staff review of the condition of the room will be final and appropriate billing/action will follow. Failure to complete this process will result in the resident assuming full responsibility for damages and/or violations evident after his or her departure and a possible charge for improper check-out.

VACATION PROCEDURES

The residence areas close for all vacation periods (listed below). Only students whose permanent residence is more than 500 miles from campus may remain in a campus residence during vacation periods. Students wishing to stay in their assigned residence after their last final exam must submit a request for an Extension of Residence, in written form, to the Office of Residence Life at least one week prior to the date of their last final exam. The written request must include a detailed explanation of why the extension is needed, as well as copies of any pertinent documentation which may impact the final decision (i.e. copies of airline tickets, bus tickets, receipts, etc.). This request for extension of residence will be reviewed by the Director of Residence Life and a decision will be rendered (approving or denying the request) to the student applicant in writing. The final decision will be based on student need, disciplinary record, and recommendation of the student's Resident Director. Students approved for an extension of residence may be billed $45.00 per overnight stay in residence. Any student found in residence more than three hours after their last final exam without written authorization may be fined $100 and this fine may be imposed on a per night basis.

During semester breaks and summer sessions, students who remain in campus housing will be charged a weekly fee to be determined prior to the start of each time period.
No provisions can be made for late departures or early arrivals. Residents are advised to plan travel arrangements accordingly.

Vacation Periods

Thanksgiving Holiday: Close 11/ 20 at 5:00 pm and re-open 11/25 at 12 noon
Fall Semester Closing: Close 12/14 at 5:00 pm*
Spring Semester: Open 1/21 at 12 noon
Spring Break: Close 3/7 at 5:00 pm and re-open 3/16 at 12 noon
Spring Semester Closing: Close 5/8 at 5:00pm*

• Candles, lanterns, incense, potpourri, halogen torchiere-style floor lamps and open flames of any kind. Candles of any kind, even if not burning, are prohibited and will be confiscated and discarded.
• Flammable decorations such as live evergreen (i.e. fir or pine trees) and streamers. Mini lights (UL approved) are permitted.
• Space Heaters
• George Foreman Grills
• Permanent adhesives on walls or anything that may cause damage when removed
• Indoor or outdoor grills, hot plates, electric frying pans, irons and coffee makers without automatic shut-off, immersion coils and other similar cooking or heating devices.
• All appliances (except microwaves of 600 watts or 3.6 cubic feet max. refrigerators)
• Sheets or tapestries hung from ceilings, over windows or as room dividers.
• Firearms, fireworks, knives, numchucks, cap guns, explosives, chemicals or other dangerous weapons or substances. Everyday eating utensils are allowed.
• Flammable liquids including but not limited to gasoline, turpentine, oil based paint.
• Pets or animals of any kind (excluding fish in a small bowl - less than 1 gallon).
• Water beds and other liquid-filled furniture, including tanks.
• Air conditioning equipment and outside radio or television aerials.
• Lofts of any kind.
• Alcohol, alcohol bottles or cans or alcohol containers containing liquid of any kind and alcohol paraphernalia including, but not limited to, taps and funnels.
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.
• Multiple outlets ("3 in 1" plugs, plug strips, etc…) or adapters. Surge protectors with reset buttons are the only permissible outlet adapters.
  

• Removing screens from windows.
• Using cellophane, adhesive tape, paste, glue, stick-on decorations, nails or tacks on walls, furniture, ceilings or woodwork.
• Entering onto or occupying roofs.
• Cooking in resident rooms. Cooking must be confined to common area kitchens (where applicable).
• Painting any College property.
• Making structural modifications to any room.
• Tampering with electrical wiring. Use of power strips is recommended.
• Participating in any sports in the hallway/building, including but not limited to biking, skateboarding, and rollerblading.
• Sleeping in or on facilities/quarters not designed for that purpose.
• Collecting excessive garbage inside or around residence areas.
• Propping outside doors and tampering with locks.
• Failing to evacuate a building during a fire alarm.
• Smoking in any residential or College facility.
• Leaving windows or doors to living space unlocked.
• Tampering with any fire safety equipment and facilities including alarms, fire doors and smoke detectors.
• Removing furnishings provided by the College from rooms or common areas (lounges).
• Possessing unauthorized keys.
• Duplicating keys.
• Lending room and/or building keys to another person.
• Throwing any objects from windows or balconies.
• Playing musical instruments.
• Lighting fires in fireplaces.
• Using opposite sex bathrooms.
• Placing objects in window sills or on door exteriors that may be deemed offensive or inappropriate, i.e. signs that promote alcohol or illegal activity, discriminatory statements or symbols.
• Passing objects through windows.
• Collecting alcohol containers.
• Using furniture as room dividers or otherwise blocking direct access to exits with furniture or other items. All beds must be visible from and have easy access to the door.
• Gambling.
• Placing a bunked bed within three feet of a window.
• Tampering with TV cable lines in any way.
• Tampering with heating or cooling system controls.
• Taping or installation of any materials on window or door frames.