Residence Life

 

On-Campus Housing Policies

ADA Accommodations

Students needing special housing accommodations due to ADA requests must have the condition documented and approved by the ADA coordinator (Glendening 233). The ADA coordinator, in conjunction with the associate Dean of Students, reserves the right to judge whether a specific condition warrants a special housing assignment. Please contact the ADA coordinator in the Office of Academic Services for more information (240-895-4388).

Air Conditioning

Air-conditioned residences are Caroline Hall, Lewis Quadrangle, Prince George Hall, Waring Commons, and the Townhouses. The air conditioning in campus buildings is turned on in early May, when the outside temperature is consistently above 75 - 80 degrees. The air conditioning is turned off on campus in late September or early October, when the outside temperature at night is consistently below 65 degrees and the daytime temperature is consistently below 80 degrees. We therefore recommend that if a student living in Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Prince George, or Queen Anne needs air conditioning because of a medical condition, the student should have a window air conditioning unit in order to ensure his or her health (please see the information below for Lewis Quad and Waring Commons). Students living in the Townhouses are responsible for controlling their own air conditioning use and paying their own electric bills, so the housemates need to discuss climate control issues among themselves. Townhouse residents are not permitted to install window air conditioning units.

Students requesting air conditioning due to medical concerns must submit their request and appropriate medical documentation to the Health Center for review. Deadlines for submitting the documentation are as follows:             

	For 2011-2012	For 2012-2013:
Returning Students	March 5, 2011	March 5, 2012
New Admits	June 1, 2011	June 1, 2012

There is a $100 fee for submitting a request after the deadline. There is no guarantee that an air conditioning unit will be provided for any requests received after August 1. If the request is approved by the Health Center, the student will be permitted to have one provided by the College for an additional fee of $150 per year. Only students whose requests are approved are permitted to have an air conditioner. The Office of Residence Life will notify the student of the status of his or her request. The Maintenance staff will install the air conditioner for the student, usually prior to the student’s arrival in August, to ensure that it is properly installed and will not fall out of the window. The unit is to stay in the window for the entire year (Maintenance does not take it out for the winter and then reinstall it in the spring).

Lewis Quad and Waring Commons Air Conditioning Policy
Lewis Quad and Waring Commons have climate control systems that maintain a temperature range of 68ºF to 75ºF throughout the year. Window AC units are not allowed in Lewis Quad or Waring Commons. The College will maintain a comfort range of between 68 to 75 degrees. Students with allergy problems would be better served by purchasing an air purifier with a HEPA filter for their room.

Antenna, Electrical Wiring, Fire Safety, and Appliances

Residents are not permitted to install outdoor antennas or other devices on the exterior of any residence hall, suite, apartment, or townhouse or in adjacent trees or shrubbery. Under no circumstances may the electrical wiring in a room be altered. Installation or alteration of electrical equipment is prohibited. Fires in student rooms have resulted from electrical defects or careless use of electrical appliances. The following are appliances which may be operated in student rooms: answering machine, clock, computer and printer, curling iron, electric blanket (with heat control), electric curlers, fan, hair dryer, hot pot (must have closed heating element), iron, lamp (except halogen*), popcorn popper, refrigerator (less than 5 cubic feet capacity, only one per room), radio, sewing machine, shaver, stereo equipment, television, typewriter, VCR, DVD player.

Students living in the suites, apartments, or townhouses are permitted to have one microwave oven per suite, apartment, or townhouse unit. Students in traditional residence halls are not permitted to have a microwave in their rooms. One is provided in the common area kitchen.

Electrical appliances not included on this list are not allowed and may be confiscated and stored at the student's expense. No appliances may have an exposed heating element. All appliances must be UL-approved. Candles and incense are not permitted due to the danger of open flame and unattended heat sources. Window air conditioners are permitted only for those students with approved medical reasons who have received written permission from the Health Center and the Associate Dean of Students.

* Halogen lamps have been responsible for a number of housing fires across the country. Halogen bulbs burn three times as hot as incandescent bulbs. They are not permitted at SMCM.

Bicycles, Mopeds, and Motorcycles

Bicycles may be parked in any of the bicycle racks, stored in the bicycle room located on the ground floor of each residence hall (except Calvert Hall), or at the "bike barns" at Lewis Quadrangle or the breezeways of Waring Commons. For safety reasons, bikes may not be parked or stored in stairwells, hallways, lounges, or public rooms. Bicycles are not to be attached to light poles, benches, or railings on handicap access ramps. Bicycles attached to these items may be confiscated. Bicycles may not be ridden in the residence halls. Motorcycles and mopeds may not be operated or stored in the residence halls, suites, apartments, or townhouses because of the hazards. Contact the Office of Public Safety for information on the registration and parking of bicycles and motor vehicles.

Building Security Safety

in the residence halls is monitored by both Public Safety officers and Residence Life staff. All residences are locked 24 hours a day. Each student has a cardkey (the student’s ID card) which unlocks his/her living area.

To gain access to these residence halls, students must use their ID cards at the proximity readers located near the front door and one or two of the side doors. Students may get into their own building anytime using the cardkey system. Visiting students with a valid student ID can get into a building using the cardkey system until midnight. The front doors of Caroline, Dorchester, Prince George, Queen Anne, and the side door of Calvert have a combination lock that can be used in the event of a power failure or a problem with the proximity readers. In those instances, residence life staff will provide the residents with the combination. It will be changed immediately after the proximity readers are enabled. Students living in the traditional residence halls are issued a key which opens their individual room door. Students living in Lewis Quad will be issued a key that operates the outside suite entry door as well as the student’s assigned bedroom.

Students living in the Townhouses will be issued a key that operates the outside front and back entry doors. Students living in Waring Commons will be issued a key that operates the door to the student’s assigned apartment or suite and the student’s assigned bedroom door. The outside entry doors at Waring Commons can be accessed with the cardkey system or the key. Public Safety officers and Residence Life staff ensure after-hours safety in these areas. Please immediately report lost keys to your RA or the Office of Residence Life in order to ensure the security of your living area. Students should immediately report any problems with combinations or the proximity readers by calling Public Safety or contacting a member of the Residence Life staff. Residents should not copy or give their key out to anyone. Students will be charged for lost keys. Residents are encouraged to lock their doors at all times.

Cleaning

It is your responsibility to keep your room, suite, apartment, or townhouse clean. Obtain any supplies that you will need to keep your home-away-from-home clean. The housekeeping staff is responsible for cleaning rooms prior to occupancy in August and for daily cleaning in the common areas of the traditional residence halls. Personal items should not be left in the common areas (bathrooms, corridors, common rooms, laundry rooms, recreation rooms) as this makes it much more difficult for the housekeeping staff to complete their work. On weekends, only a light touch-up is done in the buildings. RAs will take note of cleanliness issues while on their nightly rounds. RAs will notify at least one person in the hallway or suite of the following problems (this list is not exhaustive): excess pizza boxes, newspapers, magazines piling up, garbage not taken to the dumpster, dishes or personal belongings left in the bathroom sinks, on the countertops, or on the floor. The residents will need to correct the problem immediately.

Housekeeping staff will go into the suites (Lewis Quad and Waring Commons) twice a week to clean the common bathrooms as long as the bathroom area is accessible (personal items should not be left on the countertops, in the showers, on the floor, in the toilet stalls, etc.). Please note: residents are responsible for cleaning the private bathrooms in the LQ suites. In order to ensure that the housekeepers can adequately do their jobs, residents will be held accountable for cleanliness in their suites, particularly for cleaning the common living room area. Housekeeping staff will not clean this area. It is the responsibility of all members of each suite to ensure that the common areas in the suite (study room, bathroom, and stairwell, if appropriate) are clean, sanitary, and safe for the occupants. If a resident notices an unsafe condition, it should be reported to Maintenance or to an RA in a timely manner. Continuing problems with cleanliness issues in the suites may result in:

• Regular, unannounced inspections 
• Students (not housekeepers) being held accountable for cleaning the common areas of the suites 
• Billing suite residents for excessive trash removal 
• Judicial action 

Housekeeping does not provide cleaning services in the Waring Commons apartments or the Townhouses. Residents are responsible for cleaning their units regularly.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation (members of the opposite sex living together in the same room) within the residence halls and Crescent townhouses is prohibited. Married students may not live together on campus. Members of the opposite sex may share a suite, townhouse, or apartment - but not bedrooms - in Lewis Quadrangle, Waring Commons, and the old townhouses (on the Greens).

Consolidation of Vacancies

When vacancies occur in a student room, the remaining student may be required to accept another roommate or be reassigned to another room.

Construction and Modification to Residences

Any structural modification, alteration, or addition to the interior or exterior of rooms or townhouses is strictly prohibited without written authorization from the Office of Residence Life and the director of Physical Plant. Residents are not permitted to extend or hang objects from the windows or doors. Residents are also prohibited from making any alteration to their room or townhouse that could result in a fire hazard, fire code violation, or other dangerous situation.

Decorations

Hanging Pictures

We recommend that residents use the poster mounts or tacks, provided by the Office of Residence Life, on their walls. Repairs resulting from damages caused by using other devices will be charged to the residents in the room or unit.

All residents should avoid using duct tape and double-sided foam tape to hang pictures on painted or wooden surfaces. The residue left when the tape is removed is impossible to eliminate and will add significant costs to damage billings. In order to avoid chipping the paint and causing other damages, use removable mounting tabs (for example, Magic Removable Mounts, available in the CampusStore) to put up posters, etc. on the walls.

Holiday Decoration

Students may decorate their rooms and hallways for holidays.

1. All decorations must be UL-approved and marked "flame resistant" or "flame retardant."
2. Live trees and greenery, and decorations containing crepe paper or pyroxylin plastics may not be used.
3. Nothing should be attached to or touch the ceilings or floors, especially in the hallways (exception: decorations with a stand securely placed on the floor).
4. Open flames are not permitted.
5. Twinkle lights may be strung along the walls.
6. One extension cord per outlet is permitted, with only one device plugged into the cord (that is, the cord is NOT there to provide additional outlets) and is only temporary, not stretched across doors, floors, under rugs, etc.
7. Nothing should block a light fixture or smoke detector at any time.
8. Students are not permitted to decorate exit doors, door handles, electrical equipment (including lights, panels, and switches), fire protection equipment (including alarms, extinguishers, lights, panels, or smoke detectors), stairs, stairwells, and windows.

Decorations, Tapestries

Due to fire safety regulations, students are not permitted to block light fixtures or smoke detectors with tapestries or other material. Because windows and doors must be accessible in the event of a fire, students may not hang material in a manner so as to block easy access to these egress points.

Disorderly Conduct

This is defined as failure to comply with directions given by a Residence Life staff member or other College official, or to use any type of harassment or abusive language toward any Residence Life staff member or College official in the performance of assigned responsibilities. Such conduct is subject to judicial action.

Extension Cords, Electrical Outlets

Residents may not use electrical extension cords more than eight feet in length or four-way plugs in the outlets; both these practices may cause an electrical overload and fire hazard. All electrical extension cords must be UL-listed.

Fire Code

St. Mary's adheres to fire codes as noted in the NFPA Inspection Manual (seventh edition). As such, personal property cannot be left in corridors as "All paths of travel from any part of the building must allow the occupants to travel safely without obstructions to the exits. Corridors and passageways must be at least 44 inches wide and completely clear of obstructions." (NFPA, p. 351).

Furniture

Furniture from suites, apartments, townhouses, residence halls, DPC, or other College buildings must remain indoors and not be moved to other locations (for example, for seating on the track or on Townhouse Green). Lounge furnishings are provided for the use of all residents and guests. Students must not move lounge furniture from its location in the residence halls. Students who violate this policy will be subject to a furniture removal charge and additional disciplinary action.

Graduation Housing

Graduating seniors, residence life staff, ushers, summer employees, food service, and maintenance personnel who are resident students are the only individuals permitted to remain in housing just prior to Commencement. Seniors who are returning to SMCM in order to participate in Commencement exercises should contact the Office of Residence Life by May 1 to obtain College housing for Senior Week.  The residence halls and suites close at 3:00 p.m. on Commencement Day, and the Townhouses and Apartments close at 5:00 p.m.

Guests

A resident's guest (whether a student from another area, commuter, or someone not affiliated with SMCM) may stay no more than four days in a given month and at no time should a roommate be displaced. (Refer to the Cohabitation policy listed in the "On Campus Housing Policies" section.) Residents are responsible for informing their guests of College policies and are also responsible for the behavior of guests while on campus. Guests who are not members of the SMCM College community and who are in violation of College policies may be asked to leave the campus, and hosts may face disciplinary action.

Hall Sports

In the interest of safety and damage reduction, hall sports are prohibited. Please refrain from throwing balls, frisbees, or other items in the building. Additionally, students should not do the following: wrestle, box, hit or putt golf balls, bowl, play hackey-sack, hockey, or soccer, engage in water fights or water slides, skateboard, rollerblade, ride bicycles within the buildings, or engage in any sporting activity that threatens the safety of others or the destruction of property.

Health and Safety (H & S) Inspections

Residence Life staff will conduct health and safety inspections when we close for Thanksgiving Break (November), Winter Break (December), and Spring Break (March). We will focus on fire safety concerns, health & safety issues, and use these inspections in an effort to reduce end-of-the-year damage billing. If we catch potential problems earlier than May, that will help with the transition from academic year to summer-housing use, thus reducing the amount of time we spend on room inspections and damage billing.

Staff members will post notification flyers at least three days prior to each H&S inspection. Staff will write in the specific date and time of the inspection (residents do not need to be present). Staff will do a visual inspection of the room and will not open drawers or closets. Staff will be checking for:

• General cleanliness (especially in the apartment and townhouse kitchens and bathrooms)
• Disabled smoke detectors
• Overloaded electrical outlets
• Tapestries blocking lights, smoke detectors, doors, windows
• Excessive trash
• Evidence of pets, smoking, candles, incense
• Unauthorized appliances or lofts
• Obvious damage to College property
• Belongings improperly stored in HVAC closets (Townhouses only)
• Condition of the carpet (Townhouses only)
• Properly charged fire extinguishers (Apartments and Townhouses only)

RAs will note issues and concerns initially, share this information with residents, give the residents at least one week to correct the problems and then re-inspect. While residents may not make repairs to holes, etc., they must remove all other problems cited, such as tapestries, microwave, pets, etc. If the corrections are not completed, the RA will submit an incident report for follow-up.

The inspections will take place as follows:

• Tuesday, November 22 (Thanksgiving Closing)
• Friday, December 16 (Winter Break Closing)
• Friday, March 9 (Spring Break Closing)

Housing: Assignments

Returning students complete the room and meal plan selection process in March for the following fall semester. New students are matched with roommates and assigned to housing in June for the fall semester, and late December/early January for the spring term.

Returning students must submit a $200 housing deposit (electronically, or in-person at the Business Office) and a signed housing contract (electronically via the Portal) in order to be eligible for housing for the next academic year. Housing contracts are available online through the Portal system, in the Office of Residence Life, and from Residence Life staff members. Applications for suites, apartments, townhouses, and single rooms, as well as special housing request forms, are available online.

All contracts and applications for townhouses, apartments, single rooms, special housing requests, and suite applications for fall 2012 must be submitted to the Office of Residence Life (electronically or hard copies) as follows.

Deposit and housing contract	Friday, March 2, 2012 (due in the Business Office by 5:00 p.m. or online by midnight)
Apartment and convenience single applications	March 6 (notification by March 7)
Special Housing Requests	March 5 (notification by March 6)
Townhouse Applications	March 7 (notification by March 8)
Six-Person Suite Applications	March 21 (notification by March 22)
Ten-Person Suite Applications	March 26 (notification by March 27)
Convenience Single Applications	March 6 (notification by March 7)
Regular double, triple and quad rooms	March 29 (notification by April 2)

 Students who submit the deposit and contract but are not assigned to housing by the end of March will be assigned to whatever space is available beginning on April 1. More information about the room selection process will be available in late January 2011.

Housing: Guidelines for Continuous Housing

Purpose: To prevent students from moving off-campus for one year and then moving back on-campus.

Rationale: In recent years, a number of students have moved off-campus during the sophomore or junior year simply because they could not get assigned to a townhouse or single room. They live off-campus until they can obtain a townhouse or single room. Those students who live on-campus throughout their first three years should have priority for apartment or townhouse spaces or single rooms over students who live on-campus, then off-campus, then on-campus again.

Procedures:

1. Room selection for returning students (for the next academic year) takes place in March. Students currently living on-campus or who are participating in an approved College-sponsored, off-campus program (Study Abroad, NSE, distant internship) may select housing during this room-selection period.
2. All forms for housing (townhouse, special housing request, single room, room draw) will include a space for each applicant to indicate his/her current on-campus housing assignment. This information will be verified by the Office of Residence Life. Applications which include a commuting student may not participate in the room selection process.
3. Newly admitted students have the next priority for housing. Their assignments are made in June.
4. Commuting students may request to be wait-listed for spaces that become available during the summer, after new students have been housed.
5. Commuting students may submit a special request to obtain housing with returning students for special, extenuating circumstances. Such requests must be submitted to the Office of Residence Life by February 25 for the fall semester and October 31 for the spring term. A staff member will notify students of the decisions granting or denying the request in early March or November.
6. Appeals of the decisions made by the Assistant Director of Residence Life may be sent to the associate dean of students within seven days of the notification of the decision. The Housing Contract Release/Extension Committee will review appeals and make a recommendation to the associate dean, who will notify the student of the results.
7. All decisions by the associate dean of students are final.
8. The College reserves the right to temporarily suspend this policy when warranted by housing demands.

Housing: Contract Release Requests

Students requesting to be released from the Housing Contract due to participation in a College-approved program (for example, internship site outside of St. Mary's County, study abroad, NSE), or who are graduating, are automatically approved with no financial penalties. Housing deposits will be transferred to the semester in which the student returns to the College. Students who transfer or withdraw from the College are released from the Contract and must pay liquidated damages as noted below. A committee made up of faculty, staff, and a student representative will usually review requests from students who want to be released from the Housing Contract in order to live off campus, based on medical or financial need.

Written requests to be released from the Housing Contract are due in the Office of Residence Life according to the following schedule:

For release for the spring 2011 semester:

November 1:	No financial penalties
November 2 - December 1:	Assessed 10% of semester housing cost
December 1 - January 16:	Assessed 20% of semester housinng cost
January 17 and beyond:	Assessed full-semester cost of the room

For release for the fall 2011 semester:

May 1:	No financial penalties
May 2 - July 1:	Assessed 10% of semester housing cost
July 2 - August 27:	Assessed 20% of semester housing cost
August 28 and beyond:	Assessed full-semester cost of the room

Students who take a leave of absence or withdraw after classes begin are subject to the standard refund policy (refer to the College Catalog for more information). Students who decide to move off-campus after classes begin are assessed the full-semester cost for their room.

Students must remember that it is the College's goal to be at 100% occupancy. The College budget is built, in part, on having a certain number of students living on-campus throughout the academic year. The College has financial obligations that must be met (for example, payment to contractors, salaries, equipment purchases) and must therefore hold students liable for their financial responsibilities. At the same time, there are occasional extenuating circumstances, beyond a student's control, that may have an impact on his/her ability to live on campus.

Housing: Deposits

A $200.00 non-refundable deposit for housing is due before students are assigned to campus housing. The deposit is due Friday, February 25. The deposit can be submitted online via the Portal system, or cash, checks, money orders, and credit cards (except Visa) will be accepted at the Business Office. The deposit is credited toward the next year's housing fee.

A $50.00 security deposit is required of all residence hall students and $150.00 from apartment and townhouse residents. This deposit will be refunded after the end of the term in which the student graduates or withdraws from College housing. Unpaid charges for damage to a student’s room or prorated charges for damages, unpaid parking tickets, or overdue and lost library books will be deducted from this deposit. The deposit is not applied to other College charges and is payable upon matriculation.

Housing: Ninth-Semester Policy

Purpose: To guarantee students on-campus housing for eight semesters.
Rationale: In recent years, the number of bed spaces for new, incoming students has been reduced due to the increased number of ninth-semester (and more) students continuing to live on-campus. The residential experience is designed to move students developmentally to living more independent and responsible lifestyles. It is assumed that new, traditional-aged students would benefit more from living on-campus than older students. The apartments and townhouses were designed to be a transitional living unit, preparing students to move off-campus. They were not designed for the same students to live in for two or three years. By guaranteeing space for only eight semesters, more apartment and townhouse spaces are available to more students, thus opening up spaces in the residence halls for an increased number of younger students.

Procedures:

1. Returning students are guaranteed on-campus housing, pending the submission of a housing deposit and Housing Contract by the published date in early March. All new students are guaranteed on-campus housing, pending the submission of the College deposit by May 1.
2. For any returning student signing up for on-campus housing, the number of semesters he/she has lived on-campus will be verified by the Office of Residence Life.
3. A student is guaranteed on-campus housing for a total of eight semesters, beginning with the first completed semester in which he/she is registered and enrolled as a full-time student.
4. Students who transfer into the College or who enroll in College housing after their first semester as a student will have their housing residency pro-rated.
5. Students wanting to live on-campus after the eighth semester will be eligible to get on the housing wait list for spaces that open up during the summer, after newly admitted students are housed.
6. Students who plan to stay an extra (ninth) semester due to double majoring, student-teaching, etc., are not guaranteed on-campus housing for their ninth semester, and may not apply for housing in March.
7. Students may submit a written request to be allowed to sign up for housing in March due to special, extenuating circumstances. The request should be submitted to the Office of Residence Life by February 15 for the fall semester, and October 31 for the spring term. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. A staff member will notify the student of the decision that grants or denies the request.
8. An appeal of the decision made by the Assistant Director of Residence Life may be sent to the Associate Dean of Students. The Housing Contract Release/Extension Committee will review the appeal and make a recommendation to the associate dean, who will contact the students with the results.
9. The decisions rendered by the associate dean are final.
10. The College reserves the right to temporarily suspend this policy when warranted by housing
    demands.

Housing: Requests from Students Participating in Study Abroad, Distant Internships, National Student Exchange, or Returning from a Leave of Absence

Students who are not living on campus for the above reasons may request housing for the semester they return to SMCM. To apply for housing, students must submit their housing deposit and Housing Contract by the following dates:

Spring 2012 occupancy:	October 15, 2010
Fall 2012 occupancy:	February 25, 2011

Each student should contact the Office of Residence Life with the name of the person who will be selecting a room in his or her absence (a proxy) or let the office know of his or her housing preferences by the above dates. Housing preferences cannot be guaranteed; however, every effort will be made to honor requests submitted by the deadlines. Please note that housing is usually very limited; therefore, it is important that students returning to SMCM submit their deposits and contracts by the above deadline. Failure to do so forfeits any guarantee for housing. Students are strongly encouraged to submit the deposit and contract prior to leaving campus.

Housing: Room Changes

Students are permitted to request a room change during the last two weeks of September, the last two weeks of the fall semester, and after the first two weeks of the spring semester. Requests made at other times during the semester will be considered for extenuating circumstances only. Students must submit a Request for Room Change form to the Office of Residence Life before moving into a new room. The request must be approved in writing before the room change can be started. Once approved, the student must complete a check-out inspection of the room being vacated, and a check-in inspection of the room into which he/she is moving. These inspections are to be completed within seven days of the request being approved. Students who change rooms without authorization may be required to return to their original room and may be subject to judicial action.

Housing: Apartment and Townhouse Assignments

The apartments and townhouses are designed to provide a transition opportunity for upperclass students. Hence, students living in the apartments and townhouses must have at least junior class standing. Exceptions are made for students who must be accommodated through ADA compliance (as recommended by the ADA Coordinator), for non-traditional-age students, and for new, incoming transfer students who are at least 20 years old.

Housing: Wait List

Students interested in moving into a different room, suite, apartment, or townhouse, commuters desiring on-campus housing, and students with special requests are encouraged to contact the Office of Residence Life to be put on the Housing Wait List. Students will be taken off the Wait List as space becomes available, according to the special need or credits. Students already assigned to College housing who want to switch rooms and new students who are guaranteed space have priority for housing over commuters.

Insurance

Property: SMCM is not responsible for theft, loss, or damage to students' personal property. Many families have homeowner policies that may cover personal belongings while students are attending college. Be sure to check with your family to see if your property is covered. While incidents of theft do occur, most involve rooms left unlocked by a student or an outer door propped open after the building is locked.

Health: All students should have health insurance. Many families carry health insurance that provides coverage to dependents while full-time college students. While St. Mary's College does not contract with any health insurance provider to offer policies for students, there are five companies interested in selling policies to our students. If you have a need for student health insurance, please click here for information on these companies.

Kitchen Facilities

Cooking is not permitted in student rooms; please use the kitchen facilities. A limited supply of cooking utensils can be signed out from the residence hall staff. Be sure to clean up after using the kitchen and its utensils.

Lofts and Bunk beds

Due to safety problems, homemade and/or privately purchased lofts and bunk beds are not permitted in the residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouses. Bed frames in Dorchester, Lewis Quad, Queen Anne, and Waring Commons suites can be lofted using College-provided lofting kits, or bunked. Bed frames in Calvert, Caroline, Prince George, and the Townhouses can be bunked. Mattresses and bed frames should not be elevated unless using a College-issued lofting kit or bunk bed pegs. (For example, bed frames are not to be raised up on cement blocks, placed on top of dressers, desks, or wardrobes, etc.) Resting a mattress directly on top of the two-drawer dresser units in Caroline and Prince George Halls (instead of putting the dresser unit under the bedframe where it is designed to go) can cause damage to the two-drawer dresser unit. Please keep the drawers beneath the bed frame.

Maintenance Fee

Each year a resident must pay a non-refundable maintenance fee of $50. The maintenance fee includes, but is not limited to, costs for any breakage, damage, loss of College property, default on townhouse utility payments, and any other financial obligation owed to the College. Students are responsible for damages that occur in public areas of their residence unless the damage can be attributed to specific individuals or groups. Students receive itemized statements of any charges assessed to their accounts. If these charges exceed the maintenance fee, the student will be billed the difference. Students who cause excessive room or common-area damage (in the residence halls, $150 or more; suites, townhouses, and apartments, in excess of $300) may have their Housing Contract revoked and face additional judicial action.

Meal Plan Exceptions

Students living in the residence halls and suites are required to participate in one of the A or B meal plans. Medical reasons for meal plan exceptions must be documented and approved by the Office of Health Services. The Associate Dean of Students, in conjunction with the director of Health Services, reserves the right to determine whether a specific medical problem warrants a reduced meal plan or a full meal plan waiver.

Paint Policy

Painting of the hallways and individual rooms is not permitted. However, door painting, wing projects, and recreation room murals in the traditional halls (Caroline, Calvert, Dorchester, Prince George, and Queen Anne) may be considered by the Office of Residence Life in conjunction with the Maintenance Department and the Office of Conferences and Events. All requests should be submitted (along with a detailed design and color scheme) to the assistant director of Residence Life.

Part-Time Status

In order to live in campus housing, students are required to be full-time, degree-seeking students in good standing. Students who drop below full-time credit (12 hours) must submit a written request to the Associate Dean of Students to remain in College housing. Last-semester seniors who need fewer than 12 credits to graduate must also submit a written request. If permission is granted (based on the reason for the request and past behavior), the student will have to continue to pay the full-time tuition rate, remain registered for at least eight (8) credits, and maintain exemplary behavior or face the loss of housing privileges.

Before dropping below 12 credits, students are strongly advised to discuss this matter with their parents to ensure that health, dental, and homeowner insurance policies will not be affected. Some insurance companies will provide coverage only if the student is registered as a full-time student. Please keep this information in mind and plan accordingly.

Parties

Due to fire regulations, the number of people permitted in a room (including the suites in Lewis Quad and Waring Commons), apartment, or townhouse is limited as follows:

Residence hall single:	3 guests plus 1 resident
Residence hall double:	5 guests plus 2 residents
Residence hall triple/quad:	7 guests plus 2 residents
Six-person suite:	15 guests plus 6 residencts
Eight-person suite:	20 guest plus 8 residents
10-person suite:	20 guests plus 10 rersidents
14-person suite:	20 guests plus 14 residents
Apartment/Townhouse:	30 guests plus 4 residents or 5 residents

A party is considered to be a gathering of 10 or more persons. Throughout the party, all guests with alcohol must be at least 21 years old and must remain behind closed doors (within the room, suite, apartment, or townhouse). Individuals are not permitted to drink in the stairwells or common areas of the suites in Lewis Quad or Waring Commons. The noise level should be kept to a minimum so as not to disturb neighboring rooms, suites, apartments, or townhouses. Unacceptable noise levels will be determined by Residence Life and Public Safety staff. All College rules, regulations, and policies must be upheld. The hosts (residents of the room, suite, apartment, or townhouse) will be held responsible for the behavior of their guests, invited or not invited, and any violations of policy. Food and non-alcoholic beverages must be available at the party. If problems develop with invited or uninvited guests, the hosts should contact a Residence Life or Public Safety staff member for assistance.

The following are reasons, either in combination or by themselves, for a Residence Life or Public Safety staff member to request that the residents of a room, suite, apartment, or townhouse disperse their guests and end a party:

1. The number of guests is determined to be in violation of fire and safety code standards.
2. It is determined that guests are being charged for attending the party or for the alcohol that is being provided.
3. It is determined that there is a keg or multi-liter container in or around the room, suite, apartment, or townhouse.
4. It is determined that there are underage guests who are consuming alcohol.
5. Damage has been caused and can be attributed to guests at the party.
6. The noise level is determined to be disruptive, either by complaints from neighboring rooms, suites,apartments, or townhouses, or by a Residence Life or Public Safety staff member.

It is expected that the hosts of a party will help facilitate its disbursement, with the assistance of Public Safety or Residence Life staff members. It is expected that all guests will leave in an orderly fashion.

Personal Property

The College shall exercise all reasonable effort to protect the personal property of students. However, the College is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property. Students should record descriptions and serial numbers of valuable possessions and have personal property insurance. Personal items such as bicycles and electronic equipment may be registered with Public Safety.

Personal Responsibility for Residence Hall Rooms and Other Spaces

Students are responsible for ensuring that the condition of and activities occurring within their assigned residence rooms are in compliance with all conduct standards and other expectations outlined in To The Point, the Resident Student Handbook, the College web page, and the Housing Contract. Residents will be held accountable for any disciplinary infractions occurring within the confines of their designated living space, regardless of whether or not they were present at the time of the incident, if it can be established that their action(s), or lack thereof, contributed directly or indirectly to a violation and or it is reasonable that they would know a violation is occurring. This responsibility also applies to other areas that include, but are not limited to, adjacent living spaces, shared room/floor spaces, lounges, residence entrances, and the residence community in general. Students should, therefore, remember to lock their doors in order to prevent unwanted, prohibited, or illegal intrusions, visitors, events, or incidents; avoid giving their personal room key and/or ID card to others; avoid allowing anyone who should not be in the residence to enter; report all suspicious activities and/or security liabilities such as lost keys, propped doors, broken windows, etc.; and ensure that guests/visitors understand and abide by all St. Mary’s College conduct standards, policies, and regulations outlined in the documents noted above.

Pets

In order to provide a safe and a healthy environment for members of the campus community to study, work and live, to comply with local animal ordinances, and to ensure public safety, it is the policy of the College to restrict animals from all campus buildings. One of the areas of concern for the College is the continuing presence of unauthorized pets on campus. Current College policy states that pets and other animals are not permitted in any College building because of health and safety concerns for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Animals as pets are not permitted in any campus building, including residence halls, classrooms, and public spaces. Animals in buildings may present health problems very different from those encountered in the home. The influence of these animals on the comfort and health of others should be a matter of concern to all in the campus community, and should be considered above the personal satisfaction of keeping a pet. Many persons are deathly afraid of pet animals, especially dogs, and when they enter a residence hall, office, lab, or classroom it should be their right not to have to encounter a dog or other pet in the foyer, lounge areas, or a corridor. Abandonment of pets, especially cats, continues to be a problem. This usually occurs just before long vacations or at the end of a semester.

Exemptions are granted for service animals which assist people with disabilities, are used in education or research projects, or for full-time, live-on professional staff who have been given written permission by the associate dean of students/director of Residence Life. Resident students are permitted to have non-meat-eating fish and non-venomous reptiles in closed aquariums in their assigned room. Animals that are temporarily on the grounds must be licensed and under the control of the owner (leashed) at all times. Pets should not be left in cars (due to the potential of problems from heat or cold), and are not permitted to be “tied up” outside of buildings. Pets found tied up or running loose on campus may be taken by Animal Control. Faculty, students, and staff must also ensure that their visitors abide by the College’s pet policy. It has become necessary to strictly enforce this policy for all students, faculty, and staff in order to be in compliance with state laws and regulations, and the College’s policy.

Athletic Events: St. Mary's College of Maryland is concerned for the health, well-being, and comfort of all fans attending NCAA athletic events as well as all student athletes, coaches, and officials participating in NCAA athletic events. Pets and other animals are prohibited at St. Mary's College of Maryland athletic events. Any person found with an animal or pet at a St. Mary's College of Maryland NCAA athletic event will be asked to leave the premises. This excludes service animals, which are allowed per College policy, with proper documentation.

Minimum Expected Sanctions:
Commuting Students: Students may not bring their pets to campus while attending classes, except as noted above. Pet owners may face a $250 cleaning/extermination charge, community service hours, and/or education project. Repeat offenders face disciplinary probation and residence hall facility restriction or suspension.

Resident Students: The owner of the pet faces a $250 cleaning/extermination charge, community service hours, and/or education project. Repeat offenders will face loss of housing, disciplinary probation, and/or suspension. Residents who permit unauthorized pets in their room, suite, townhouse, or apartment face community service hours after their first offense and repeat offenders face disciplinary probation.

Your cooperation in following this policy is appreciated and will help to create better working conditions for our employees and reduce concerns about personal safety and problems and inconveniences associated with allergies, fleas, odors, and damages.

Porticos

The older Townhouses (Townhouse Green) have flat surfaces, porticos, above the front door. For safety reasons, Townhouse residents are not to sit, stand, lie upon, or place items on the porticos. Stay off the porticos!

Prohibited Items

The following items are prohibited in the residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouses. This list is not all-inclusive. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to prohibit items and practices which may not appear on the list but which are deemed hazardous or unsanitary.

• Firearms or weapons of any kind - including guns, BB guns, air guns, bows and arrows, and knives with a blade of 3" or longer
• Explosives or fireworks of any kind
• Volatile liquids including, but not limited to, propane gas fuel, paint, paint thinner, and turpentine
• Non-UL-approved multi-outlet plugs
• Beer kegs and "party balls"
• Gasoline motors, including motorcycles and mopeds
• Open burning elements, including cigarettes, pipes, candles, and incense
• Waterbeds, hot tubs (including homemade), saunas
• Electric heaters
• Gas grills
• Air conditioner (without prior written permission from Health Services and Residence Life)
• Flammable or non-UL-approved decorations, including live Christmas trees
• Unsanitary items
• Dead animals
• Major weight-lifting equipment
• Illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia
• Objects placed on window ledges or dangerously hung from windows
• Appliances which exceed the rated outlet capacity of 110V, 15 amp, or are considered fire hazards including, but not limited to, the following: crock pots, hotplates, toaster ovens, electric frying pans, toasters, submergible heating coils, microwave ovens, and halogen lamps

Quiet Hours, Noise (in and around the living areas, including DPC)

Quiet hours are 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and on weekends (Friday and Saturday), from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. During these hours, noise must be kept to a minimum in and around the living areas (including DPC). However, courtesy hours are always in effect, and residents should respect the rights of others who wish to sleep or study. Stereo speakers may not be directed out the windows due to the possibility of disrupting classes. Amplified music is not permitted in the near vicinity of the residences (for example, on Townhouse Green, inside Lewis Quad, within the Waring Commons complex, or adjacent to a residence hall). Sound equipment that violates the quiet hours policy may be removed from the resident's room. Residence hall wings may establish additional quiet hours by a two-thirds majority vote.

Bands are not permitted to perform in the rooms, suites, apartments, and townhouses. These areas are not suited for this type of activity. Arrangements for more appropriate performance space can be discussed with the Music Department.

Due to the special nature of Calvert Hall (faculty and administrative staff offices, and residence hall spaces), students living there are required to keep noise to a minimum during working hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.), as well as during regular quiet hours.

In all residence units, quiet hours are in effect for 23 hours during final exams. The one-hour "study break" is 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. nightly.

Students with quiet-hour complaints should do the following:

1. Work out the concern with those involved. Ask them to please keep the noise down and explain why it is important to you to have a quiet atmosphere.
2. If that fails to solve the problem, talk to a resident assistant or the RHC. He/she will intervene to reduce the conflict and address the concern.
3. If necessary, the staff member will file an Incident Report. Judicial action may follow.

Recreation Room Use & Reservations

Recreation rooms in the residence halls, including Waring Commons, can be reserved as follows:

• No more than two (2) weeks in advance (so that staff have a chance to reserve the rec. rooms for popular times or days before groups reserve them for their regularly scheduled meetings). Exceptions must be approved by the Associate Dean of Students. 
• No longer than two (2) hour increments (so that residents have a chance to use the rec. room before or after it is reserved). Longer programs may be approved by the Associate Dean of Students. 
• No more than one (1) group per building per night after 7 p.m. (including RA programs, so that there are no back-to-back groups meeting). Rec. rooms can be reserved during the day and at night. 
• Meetings and programs must end by 11 p.m. on weeknights (Sunday - Thursday) and 1 a.m. on weekends (Fridays and Saturdays) to ensure that the meetings or programs do not interfere with quiet hours. 
• The ORL Office Associate will send e-mails to the staff (and/or RHC) notifying them of the reservations for rec. rooms as they come in. 
• Residents should not be displaced while clubs/organizations are using the rec. rooms. 

To reserve a recreation room, residents should call Monica Armstrong in the Office of Residence Life at 240 895 4207.

Residence Hall Closing Time (See also "Vacation Periods")

Opening and closing dates and times for room occupancy are specified on the College calendar and must be observed. Therefore, residents are reminded that they may not check into their residence hall rooms early nor will they be allowed to deliver personal property to their rooms before the residence halls, suites, apartments, and townhouses officially open. Residence halls are closed during vacations and no student is permitted to remain in them during these periods. All students must leave by the appointed time. If transportation problems arise, students must make other arrangements. Students must check out of their residence hall, suite, apartment, or townhouse in the presence of a staff member following established check-out guidelines. Failure to do so will result in a $50 improper check-out fine and loss of the right to appeal damage charges. Additional fines will be assessed for students not complying with dates and times for closings.

Room Entry

College officials, including Residence Life staff members, reserve the right to enter a student's room, locked or unlocked, at any time it is deemed necessary, for policy enforcement, monthly health & safety inspections, maintenance and repairs, concerns about fire safety and well-being, and other similar emergencies. College officials and Residence Life staff will attempt to notify residents in advance.

Room Inventory (Room Condition Reports and Townhouse Condition Reports)

Each residence hall room and townhouse is inspected by the Residence Life staff for major repairs prior to the opening of the halls in the fall term. Residents are expected to inspect their room/suite/apartment/townhouse for any and all damages and fill out a Room Condition Report (RCR) accordingly. Failure to fill out an RCR will result in an administrative hold being placed on the resident's account and a blank RCR being placed in the student's file. Residents may not make any repairs to College property.

At check-out (after a room change or at the end of the year), the room will be inspected again by the Residence Life staff to determine the charges, if any, to be assessed to the residents for repair or replacement of items damaged or lost during their occupancy. Except for normal wear and tear, items noted at check-out that were not noted at check-in will be billed back to the assigned residents. When individuals responsible for damages cannot be identified, all the residents of the room, suite, apartment, or townhouse will be held liable. Failure to complete a "Room Condition Report" or "Townhouse Condition Report" and the inspection process will result in a $50 fine. Personal belongings left in any room, suite, apartment, or townhouse after the space has been vacated will be discarded.

Room Refunds

For students officially withdrawing or taking a leave of absence from the College, a refund schedule for tuition, room, and board is available. Students who withdraw from housing but remain enrolled in the College are also eligible for refunds based on the College's established refund schedule. Please refer to the College Catalog for more information.

There is no room refund for students who are removed from housing due to a housing contract violation or judicial sanction (housing revocation, suspension, or expulsion). The meal plan charges will be prorated on a weekly basis based on the official date of departure from housing or the effective date of the restriction, suspension, or expulsion as noted by the judicial adviser. For more information, please review the housing contract and the College Catalog.

Single Rooms

A limited number of single rooms are available in each residence hall. Singles are assigned first on a medical or psychological basis or ADA compliance, then by seniority based on earned credits. Medical reasons must be documented and approved by the Health Center. Psychological reasons must be documented and approved by the Counseling Center. ADA reasons must be documented and approved by the ADA Coordinator. The Associate Dean of Students, in conjunction with the director of Health Services, director of Counseling Services, or the ADA Coordinator, reserves the right to judge whether a specific medical or psychological problem or ADA reason warrants a single room.

Solicitation

In the resident facilities, solicitation and selling (for example, merchandise, food, magazines) door-to-door, from a student room, or in a public area is not permitted without authorization from the Office of Residence Life. Soliciting by telephone or by using the all-student e-mail system is also not permitted, and students should not assist vendors who attempt to enlist students by telephone or e-mail to arrange campus canvassing. Residents should contact Residence Life staff members when unauthorized solicitors are canvassing in College housing, including people selling pizzas, perfume, candy, T-shirts, magazines, etc.

Storage

The College has no storage space for personal belongings. No room furnishings can be placed in storage. All College furniture must remain in the room, suite, apartment, or townhouse. Be sure to lock your doors to guard against theft of personal property. Also, make sure you or your family has adequate insurance to cover loss or damage to personal property. Several self-storage facilities are available in Lexington Park.

Each townhouse unit contains one storage closet. HVAC closets and attic crawl spaces must NOT be used for storage. In Waring Commons, hot water heater rooms, mechanical rooms, and attic spaces must NOT be used for storage.

Study Rooms

Study rooms are available in each residence hall and are to be used for study purposes only (except for overcrowding situations). These rooms are not intended for socializing or recreation. Students are expected to respect the needs of fellow students using the room for study.

Trash Removal

All residence hall students should put their trash directly into the dumpsters, located near their residence hall as noted below: Calvert: Anne Arundel Hall: east parking lot Caroline, Dorchester, Prince George: Parking lot behind Caroline and Prince George Lewis Quadrangle: Entrance to the fire lane near suite 24 Queen Anne: Queen Anne parking lot Townhouses: DPC parking lot, near Trueschler 6, near the entrance to Lot R Waring Commons: Centrally located between units 25 - 26 Lewis Quad and Waring Commons residents should not leave trash or personal items in the stairwells at any time due to fire codes. Due to our concern for the health and safety of our students, as well as for College property, students are not permitted to throw trash in the janitor closets. Dumpsters will be located outside some of the buildings during check-in in August and during exam week in May to assist in trash removal. We ask that you assist the Office of Residence Life and the housekeeping staff in maintaining a clean and sanitary living environment. Students found discarding their trash improperly will be billed for trash removal. Students are encouraged to use the recycling bins located in the laundry rooms or at some of the dumpster pads. Trash Removal Residents in the Townhouses and Waring Commons are responsible for trash disposal. Students may keep a trashcan and their recycling unit on their back patio (Townhouses) provided it is emptied on a regular basis. Waring Commons residents should not leave trash or personal items in the stairwell at any time due to fire codes. The Maintenance Department will remove (at $40 per incident) any trash left in front of townhouses, disposed of improperly, or attractive to animals. Five dumpsters are located in the townhouse area, each surrounded by a wooden fence. Trash and recycling bins are centrally located for the residents of Waring Commons (between units 25 – 26). Students are to put their trash into one of the dumpsters. Residents, especially those in the Southern Crescent, should not use the garbage cans in the Schaefer Hall parking lot for trash disposal. Remember, it is your community. PLEASE KEEP IT CLEAN!

Trash must not be kept in the HVAC mechanical closet or the hot water heater closet.
In the Townhouses, the air intake for the heat and air conditioning is located in this closet, and, therefore, odors will be drawn throughout the entire unit.

Containers for recycling aluminum cans and glass are available at designated dumpster sites. Please recycle!

Utilities

The residents assume the cost of utilities in the townhouses (not in Waring Commons). Utilities include electricity and heat. Every townhouse is equipped with an electric meter that is read every other month (November 1, January 1, March 1, and at the end of the school year) by a member of the Maintenance staff. The total electric bill is divided among the residents of the townhouse. Technology Services generates a bill for each resident at the end of the month. Your bill will be posted to your Portal account. The bills should be paid in the Business Office within two weeks.

During vacation periods, residents are still responsible for their electric bill. This helps students to learn about conserving energy and face one of the realities of transitioning into life away from college. Once again, the total electric bill is divided among the residents of the townhouse.

Students are strongly encouraged to conserve energy at all times. Some measures that can lower your electric bill include lowering thermostats in cold months (wear a sweater or sweatshirt); raising them in warm months; turning off room lights, stereos and other equipment when not in use; refraining from taking long showers; and not storing anything in the HVAC closet. (Items stored in the closet can interfere with the airflow and normal operation of the equipment maintained in the closet.) During all College breaks when the townhouse is unoccupied, students are advised to keep their thermostats set at 55°F to prevent the pipes from freezing and bursting.

Residents who are given permission to remain in a townhouse during a break period will have to work out with their housemates how to divide the electric bill. If the residents permit someone from a residence hall to stay in the townhouse during break (and if permission is granted by the Office of Residence Life), the residents will need to work out arrangements for paying the electric bills. Students employed by various departments on campus, engaged in academic endeavors, or participating in winter athletic teams will also be responsible for paying their electric bills if living in a townhouse over a break. Residents are encouraged to consolidate in townhouses during vacation periods. Regardless of who lives in a townhouse during a vacation period, the total electric bill is divided among the assigned residents of that townhouse.

Problems with HVAC and electrical systems should be reported immediately to a Residence Life staff member. When reported in a timely manner, persistent problems will be noted so that they do not adversely affect the billing cycle.

Electric Bill Credit for Technology Services Equipment Townhouses Units TA 1, TB 1, TC 2, TD 2, TE 2, TF 1, TG 2, TH 18

Residents of these units will not be penalized (with higher electric bills) for being assigned to the eight units that house the Technology Services equipment (switches for the Townhouse Complex). They had no choice about being assigned into these units, nor can they control the consumption of electricity by this equipment. The course of action noted below is designed to equalize the electric bills for the residents in these specific units.

The residents in these eight units will receive a credit on their electric bills. The credit will be determined at the beginning of each academic year based on the average electrical consumption of the switches multiplied by the electric rate (as determined by Maintenance and communicated to Residence Life and the Business Office). The credit will remain consistent for the academic year and will change if and when the electric rate changes or a student vacates the residence.

The Office of Residence Life will provide a list of the residents (and changes) in these eight units to the Business Office. The Business Office will credit the appropriate amount to each student’s account prior to rolling over the electric bills to the students’ accounts.

Vacation Periods (See also "Residence Hall Closing Time")

Students may not stay in any residence hall during the period of a vacation or break. Residents in the suites, apartments, or townhouses may remain in their units during Thanksgiving vacation and Spring Break with approval from the Office of Residence Life. Except in highly unusual circumstances, residents may not remain in campus housing during the December-January break.

When necessary, residence hall students may stay in a suite, apartment, or townhouse unit, provided all residents of the unit are in agreement. If this option is chosen, students are responsible for identifying and making the appropriate arrangements. When you have identified a space, you will need to follow the posted closing procedures pertaining to remaining on campus during a break. Only those students who are approved through the Office of Residence Life to remain on campus during a break may do so. The registration and approval process during the past few years has decreased undesirable activity on campus, thus reducing incidents such as break-ins and theft.

Townhouse residents will be billed for electricity during break periods.

Residents should be aware that the Residence Life staff is not available during College breaks (Thanksgiving, December-January, and Spring), and the College assumes no responsibility. During the breaks, the dining hall will be closed. In case of emergencies, contact the Public Safety Office at ext. 4911.

The residence facilities will open and close during the 2010 - 2011 academic year as listed below:

• Open for new students/Orientation Thursday, August 25 at 9:00 a.m.
• Open for returning students Aug. 27 & 28 at 10 a.m.
• Close Tuesday, November 22 at 10:00 p.m. Reopen Sunday, November 27  at 2:00 p.m.
• Close Friday, December 16 at noon. Reopen January 15 at 10:00 a.m.
• Close Friday, March 9 at 5:00 p.m. Reopen Sunday, March 18 at 2:00 p.m.

End-of-year closing schedule for 2010-2011:

• Tuesday, May 8 at 5:00 p.m. for non-graduating students
• Saturday, May 12 at 3:00 p.m. for graduating residence hall and suite residents
• Saturday, May 12 at 5:00 p.m. for graduating apartment and townhouse residents

Specific information will be provided before each closing. Please be sure to read and follow the closing procedures.

NOTE: When leaving during College breaks, townhouse residents should never turn the thermostat below 55° (lowering the temperature may cause the water pipes to freeze and burst).

Visitation

SMCM has developed a visitation policy that provides for a degree of flexibility to accommodate varying lifestyles. Because some students prefer a restricted visitation policy and others desire a greater degree of choice in entertaining guests in their rooms, roommates must determine their own limitations.

Our visitation policy is based on our confidence in the ability and inclination of SMCM students to make mature decisions about their social behavior. We also believe that no individual has the right to infringe upon another's freedom, privacy, happiness, and safety, and that students are willing to accept both the rights and responsibilities of such a policy.

Open visitation hours are not to be construed as permission for students or guests to sleep overnight in another's room or to conduct themselves in such a way as to invade a roommate's privacy and full use of the room. Should such behavior come to the attention of Residence Life staff, disciplinary action may be taken.

Should visitation arrangements lead to problems between roommates, they should feel free, after trying to resolve the problem privately, to ask the Residence Life staff to assist. The staff in turn will participate in the resolution of the problem, which might include, among other things, a change in housing assignments.

Residents are responsible for escorting guests within the building. The College recommends that male guests use the bathrooms on a male wing and female guests use the bathrooms on a female wing. Some buildings have bathrooms located in the lobby for guest use.

Windows, Screens

For health, safety, and maintenance reasons, screens should not be loosened, propped open, or removed from the windows. Storm windows are not to be removed at any time.

Weapons

Firearms, knives of any kind with a blade of 3 inches or longer, explosives, dangerous chemicals, or other illegal weapons are strictly prohibited on College premises. If found, the items will be confiscated and the student will be addressed through the judicial system.