Housing Policies and Procedures

In addition to the policies already listed, campus residents must be in compliance with the following policies that pertain specifically to on-campus living and residential communities. These regulations are meant to ensure that a quality living-learning environment is achieved while ensuring the comfort and safety of all residents. Please speak with a Housing staff member, if you have questions about these guidelines or concerns about another resident.

Air Conditioners

Non-university air conditioners are not permitted in any residential communities.

Appliances

Appliances with open heating elements such as hot plates and space heaters may not be used in the residence com-munities. Industrial strength extension cords are permitted as long as they are plugged into surge protectors. As electrical capacities of buildings vary, residents may be required to stop using their microwave or electric water coolers. This reduces the possibility of disrupting electrical service. Small refrigerators (no larger than 2.9 cubic feet) are permitted in residence hall rooms. Small microwaves (no larger than 1.0 cubic feet and 900 wattage) are permitted in residence hall rooms.

Candles and Incense

Candles, incense, and other open elements such as live coals, are prohibited in the residence communities. They present a fire hazard and their odor may be disturbing to residents.

Checking Out of a Room/Apartment

Residents must obtain permission from their AC or the Housing Office prior to moving out of their room, either for a room or building change or at the end of the semester (see room/apartment change section). Failure to properly check in/out of a room or apartment at scheduled times will result in a $50.00 improper check-in/checkout fee. Failure to check out prior to building closure may also result in a daily charge and a charge to re-key the room/apartment.

Consolidation of Residence Hall Spaces

Two persons must occupy double rooms. Residents alone in a double room are responsible for finding a new roommate. In situations where a resident is not able to secure their own roommate, the Housing staff will assign a roommate. In such situations residents must either:

• Move into another room with an assigned roommate, or
• Accept another student assigned as a roommate, or
• Pay the single occupancy rate per the Housing contract.

Residents must accept the new assignment or demonstrate an unwill-ingness to allow a new roommate to remain in the room will be charged the private room rate during the period of single occupancy.

Contract Cancellation

Once a student signs a housing contract, s/he has five business days after the contract has been accepted and authorized by the Housing Office to cancel. There is a Contract Cancellation Fee of three hundred dollars ($300). After five business days, the student is obligated to the terms and a condition of the contract for the period indicated and is responsible for all semester/term housing fees.

Damages

Residents will be held responsible for loss of property or damage to individual units and furnishings. As a member of the residential community, residents will share responsibility for Com-munity damage within common areas. If the person(s) responsible for the damage is identified, he/she/they will be charged for the cost of repair/replacement. If the responsible person is not identified, the entire community will share the cost of repair/replacement. The University’s Physical Plant Office will determine the cost of the dam-ages and the AC will determine how the cost of repair/replacement will be distributed among the residents living in the community. Residentswill be notified in writing and the cost of the repairs will be billed to their student account. All damage charges must be paid in order for the resident to be readmitted to the university or to receive grades or transcript. In addition to costs, judicial action may result. Residents may not conduct their own repairs to damages in a room, apartment or common area. Residents should contact their RA to report repairs or damages to their room/apartment. Residents are encouraged to fill out the Online Repair Request located on the Housing website.

Garbage

Residents are required to maintain their room/apartment in a clean and sanitary manner. Residents are also responsible for bagging trash that accumulates in their room/apartment and disposing of trash by depositing it in the designated garbage and recycling receptacles. Students may not leave trash outside their room/apartment or building door. There is a $25 disposal charge per incident for improperly disposed trash.

Guests

A guest in a university housing living unit is considered a person who is not a resident of that particular living unit and whose purpose is to visit for a short time with another person who is a resident. The University of the Pacific reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of any resident to grant permission to enter the premises of any residence community.
Overnight guests must have the approval of all the residents of the unit. The University of the Pacific reserves the right to withdraw the privilege of any resident to grant permission to enter the premises of any residence community. Guests may stay in the residence com-munities for a maximum of three days and only up to four times each semester. If a special circumstance exists, residents must request and receive prior approval from their GRD and/or Area Coordinator for an extension to the length of stay. Roommates must agree to the extension. The following guest procedures must be followed:

• Residents are responsible for the proper check-in and checkout of each guest. Guests must complete an Overnight Guest Reg-istration Form. This form can be obtained from a Housing staff member. The guest must also show a photo I.D. at check-in.
• The maximum number of guests permitted to stay overnight in each living unit is two per room/apartment.
• Students are responsible for the conduct of their guest(s).
• Guests must observe all university regulations and adhere to the policies listed in the Tiger Lore. Any non-resident found in violation may be removed from the residential community and denied further visiting privileges.
• Any resident housing a non-registered guest(s) in University Housing is subject to judicial sanctions.

Identification

Upon request of a Housing staff member or university official, residents and guests must show University ID or Driver’s license.

Insurance

The University does not assume responsibility for any resident’s property that is stolen in the residence communities at any time. This includes periods when the resident is not in occupancy. It is strongly recommended that you insure your personal property (stereos, computers, jewelry, etc.)

Keys/Access Cards

Students are issued a key, laundry card and/or an access card upon check-in to university housing. Students are responsible for the key(s) and/or card(s) and must pay a replacement fee if either is lost or stolen. Keys/Access cards may not be transferred, duplicated, or given to other persons. The installation of non-university locks is not permitted. Lost keys/access cards must be reported immediately to Public Safety, an RA or to the Housing office.

Loft Beds

Freestanding loft beds are permitted as long as they conform to all safety specifications. Please contact Housing office for current loft specifications.

Personalizing Your Room

Residents are expected to leave the room in the same condition as when they moved in. Residents will be charged for damages or unauthorized alterations in their living space. Residents are not permitted to:

• Suspend beds and/or furniture from walls or ceilings.
• Affix materials to the walls, windows or ceiling in a manner that might damage the surface, e.g. nails, duct tape, etc.
• Place wallpaper or "contact"-type paper on the walls or windows.
• Place contact paper in cabinets or on shelves.
• Paint living unit (walls, doors, floor, etc.). This includes writing on walls with detergent.
• Remove window screens at anytime.
• Replace light bulbs in apartment fixtures with black lights.
• Place carpets/rugs in apartments that will cause damage to doors.
• Use cinder blocks to raise or prop furniture or for other purposes in rooms/apartments.

Posting Policy in Residential Communities

All postings and posters must be approved prior to posting in any University Housing facility. No one is permitted to place official materials on, at or under resident room doors without permission of the residents of the room/apartment. Additionally, Housing restricts posting in the following areas (unless permitted in policies listed above):

• On windows, ceilings, floors, exterior doors, or any non-bulletin boards surface.
• On elevator doors.
• On bulletin boards designated for a specific use (e.g., Housing or RHA).
• Students are also responsible for taking down postings.

Practicing Musical Instruments

No one is permitted to practice amplified musical instruments or percussions in the residential communities. Practice rooms are available on campus for this purpose.

Privacy and Security

Residential living in an academic community provides opportunities for educational and social exchanges within the residence communi-ties. These exchanges should not be permitted to interfere with the rights of individuals to privacy and to use of their rooms and adjacent areas for study and sleep. Members of the community must conduct themselves in ways that will not infringe upon the rights of roommates or other residents. Social events scheduled in residential communities are expected to end by 11:00 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday and by 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Prohibited Items

Examples of items prohibited in University Housing include but are not limited to the following:

• Firearms, explosives, fireworks and flammables as described above;
• Pets of any kind (except for fish in a maximum 5 gallon tank);
• Illegal drugs and controlled substances, and paraphernalia;
• Open flames; candles; sun lamp4s; incense;
• Large holiday/string lights;
• Smoking in any residential facility, room or apartment
• Space heaters or other open elements;
• Stolen merchandise such as milk cases, etc. and all street signs;
• Motorcycles, motor bikes, scooters and any type of gas powered engines;
• Water-filled furniture;
• Exterior antennas;
• Outdoor clotheslines;
• Halogen Lamps;
• Metal tipped dartboard sets;
• Dead plants or trees;
• Items on any windows other than those provided by the University;
• Any attachments to interior/exterior walls and doors by means other than provided for that specific purpose;
• University furniture outdoors; and
• Extension cords without a UL approved circuit breaker

Room/Apartment Changes

Room change requests will begin to be processed 10 working days after the start of each semester.

Residents may not change rooms/apart-ments until after this period unless approved by the Housing office. Residents who wish to change rooms/apartments within their residential community must contact their GRD/AC after they have spoken to their RA. Room/Apartments changes will not be permitted without this authorization. Roommate changes are considered on an individual basis after the students have made a serious effort to explore alternative ways of resolving their differences. If approved, the move must be completed within a reasonable time. Residents must have authorization to make any room or building change

Room Furnishings

All university furniture must be kept within the resident’s room or apart-ment. No furniture may be stored on apartment patio or balcony areas. Any personal furniture, trash, or other belongings may be subject to removal at a cost to the resident. Personal furniture must not block any entrances/exits to any room/apartment. There is no storage for room or apartment furnishings at anytime. Residents will be charged for the current market cost of replacing damaged furniture.

Sports in the Hallways

Disruptive behaviors such as biking, rollerblading, skateboarding, golf, Frisbee, and rough play are not permitted in residence halls, apartments, lounges, hallways, courtyards, or patio areas. This is to reduce the potential for injury, common area damage, and noise disturbances.

Stereos

Residents must keep stereos, video games and computer equipment at a reasonable volume with speakers directed inside their room/apart-ment, not pointed out the windows. These are a privilege not a right and any abuses of this may result in the loss of this privilege

Throwing Objects From Windows

At no time shall any article be thrown, dropped, or suspended from a residence community window, roof, or balcony. Objects thrown from a building or towards a building pose a threat to life and property and contribute to an unclean environment outside of the community. Screens must be kept on windows at all times.