X - Residence Regulations
Housing and
Dining Policy | University Housing Regulations
Room
Personalization | Room Search by University Officials
Table
of Contents
Students living in University housing are, in addition to Code of Student Conduct regulations, subject to the following:
- Housing
Clarkson is a residential University and all undergraduate students are required to live on campus. Implicit is the belief that the residential experience plays a vital role in the overall education and development of all students. Residence Life at Clarkson seeks to establish an enriching living learning community that supports the main mission of the University, especially in the areas of creating academic excellence, promoting diversity and alumni engagement. The residential program for first-year students is designed to facilitate a healthy and positive transition to Clarkson. Residence Life strives to meet the varied needs of all residents while providing the opportunity to build a vibrant community and promoting a safe and secure environment. Each student is expected to exhibit behavior reflecting responsible citizenship, integrity and acceptance. The residential program provides opportunities for growth and development, including housing options that reflect increasing independence and maturity as students approach graduation.
While all undergraduate students are expected to live on campus, some students are eligible to be considered for an exemption to the residency requirement as follows:- Student is married or a single parent
- Student will be 25 years of age or older
- Student is commuting from their parent's primary home, within reasonable (as determined by the Residence Life Office) driving distance
- Student is a member of a fraternity/sorority recognized by Clarkson (Potsdam College Fraternities/Sororities are specifically excluded), meets the eligibility requirements established by the Greek Affairs Office, and will be living at the chapter house filing a "legitimate bed space" as determined by the Residence Life Office
- Student is participating in a University authorized Experiential Learning program, i.e. Semester Abroad (the student to be exempted for the semester participation only) Students should address questions and concerns about housing assignments and requests for exemptions to the residency requirement with the Residence Life Office staff. In cases of irresolvable conflict, students can contact the Dean of Students Office. In the Dean's absence, the Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs may be contacted.
- Dining
Students residing in University residence halls are required to contract for food service.
Food service contracts are optional for residents of University apartments.
Students may elect a particular board plan, but cannot change plans after the first 10 days of the semester (see IX-Y Refund Policy).
- Access System IDs: Residence halls are electronically locked each night. The University ID serves as an access card granting authorized students access to their residence area. Students are expected to carry their University ID with them at all times. Fees will be charged for the replacement of lost ID cards.
- Air-Conditioners: Air conditioners are not allowed in University housing.
- Alcohol: Only those 21 years of age or older may possess or consume alcoholic beverages in campus housing. Public possession, i.e. hallways, lounges, is prohibited, unless the event is registered and approved by the Alcohol Review Committee. Kegs and not permitted. Empty beer cans and beer/liquor bottles in an underage person's room are considered a violation. Those of age are expected to exercise moderation and responsibility. For additional information, refer to Clarkson University Student Regulations 2006 – 2007, IX Policy Statements, IX-A Alcoholic Beverages.
- Change of Assignment: Request for change of housing assignment must be made through the Residence Life Office. The Residence Life Office reserves the right to make individual changes in assignment to address the needs of the overall residential community.
- Damages: Residents are held liable for damage to the rooms, apartments, furnishings, and common area facilities. Charges for unclaimed damages will be shared jointly by students. An appeal procedure is available to question charges made. Damage inquiries will be posted for each incident with a one-week appeal date. Assessment to individuals responsible for specific incidences will be made after an appeal period of one week.
- Drugs: The University cannot and will not condone any illegal act involving the possession, manufacture, use or sale of controlled substances (drugs) on campus, except where properly authorized by a physician.
- Fire Drills/Safety: The University will conduct fire
drills throughout the year. Fire alarms are to
be considered a mandate to evacuate the building. Failure
to do so will result in disciplinary sanction and a $100
fine.
- Turning in a false alarm endangers the lives of others and is a federal offense. Turning in a false alarm will result in a $100 fine and disciplinary sanction.
- To protect the lives and safety of those living in the residence facilities, the use of fire extinguishers and all other fire-fighting equipment is to be limited to valid emergencies only. Anyone caught tampering with fire equipment will be fined $100 and be subject to disciplinary sanction.
- Candles incense, halogen lamps and toaster ovens shall not be used in the rooms due to fire hazards.
- Flammables: No flammable substances may be stored inside residence facilities. LP tanks for gas grills, lighter fluid and the like must be a minimum of thirty feet from buildings. Those creating a fire hazard in residence facilities are subject to disciplinary action including expulsion from campus housing.
- Guests/Visitors: Students are permitted to have visitors and guests in their residence with the understanding that visitors are expected to adhere to all University regulations, including Residence Regulations. The resident host should understand that she/he is responsible for their guest's behavior and that hosts can be sanctioned for the inappropriate behavior of visitors and guests. Mutual consent of any and all roommates is required for overnight guests. The Residence Life Office reserves the right to remove any visitor when it is determined that a visitor has become a disturbing influence, violates University regulations, or presents a health/legal problem/hazard.
- Housing Assignment Terms:
The term of assignment to University housing for single
students is for the academic year. University housing
(unless otherwise specified) is closed during Thanksgiving,
winter and spring recess. Residence facilities must
be vacated within 24 hours after the last exam at the
end of the fall and spring semesters.
- The Residence Life Office reserves the right to make changes in assignment in response to facility limitations, change in enrollment, conflict resolution, etc. or to address the needs of the overall residential community.
- The University may for good and valid reasons suspend a student from University housing as a disciplinary measure. In such instances, there will be no refund of monies to the student.
- Personal Property Insurance: The University does not carry insurance of any kind on the property of students and accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to such property. Students are urged to lock their rooms at all times and carry their own personal property insurance. Students are asked to keep access doors to residence halls closed at all times.
- Pets: Pets are not permitted in any University residence facility.
- Public Areas/Lounges: Furniture cannot be removed from lounges, study rooms, cafeterias, etc. for the private use of students within their own rooms. Students possessing unauthorized furniture will be fined and face disciplinary sanction for possessing stolen property.
- Refrigerators: Full-sized refrigerators are not permitted in the residence halls.
- Refunds: Students should refer to the refund policy stated elsewhere in this booklet related to room and board charges for those withdrawing from the University.
- Roof & Basement/Boiler Areas: Boiler rooms and roof areas are OFF LIMITS at all times. No antenna or aerial attachment may be made on the roof of any University residence. The basements of Riverside Apartments are prohibited as living quarters.
- Room Alterations: Pools, hot tubs and spas of any kind are not allowed
- Room Keys: For each key not returned, at the termination
of room occupancy, a fee of $50* will be assessed to
change the door lock. (*Fine subject to change.)
Civil law defines the possession of unauthorized keys or access cards as being in possession of burglary tools. Those individuals having or using such keys or cards are subject to disciplinary action. - Quiet Hours: Quiet hours must be observed during specific periods as determined by each living unit.
- Safety Inspections: The University reserves the right to inspect premises for safety, damage and repair or upgrade planning.
- Students are responsible for keeping their rooms and apartments in a sanitary condition. The University will, as needed, conduct an inspection of the rooms in the interest of hygiene and safety. Rooms or apartments declared unsanitary and requiring the use of the custodial staff will be charged for the unscheduled cleaning.
- Signs: Unauthorized possession of federal, state, local or other public agency signs is not permitted in University housing. All signs posted in University housing must be approved by the Residence Life Office.
- Smoking: Smoking is not permitted anywhere in University housing. Smokers must be at least 30 feet from residence facilities, when smoking outdoors.
- Solicitation: No solicitation is permitted in University housing, unless approved by the Associate Dean of Residence Life or Dean of Students.
- Storage: The University is unable to store personal belongings. Residents are expected to remove all personal belongings when vacating campus housing.
- Substance-Free Housing: Students housed on a Substance Free Floor make a commitment to live within the general expectations of zero tolerance in regards to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. Failure to meet these expectations or those developed by the program participants as the academic year progresses will lose the privilege of living on a Substance Free Floor. In such a case, the student would be reassigned to another area of housing as determined by the Residence Life Office.
- Vacating Housing: Any student living in University housing that is withdrawing from the University, whether permanently or for a leave of absence, must vacate and remove all personal possessions within 24 hours. All rights to the room cease after 24 hours.
- Residence facilities must be vacated within 24 hours after the last exam at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
- Weapons: Possession of weapons or
firearms of any kind is strictly prohibited. Firearms,
explosive devices or materials, chemicals, bows, arrows,
dangerous knives, hunting knives, and other dangerous hunting
equipment shall not be brought into any room or residence
facility at any time.
- BB and pellet guns, air rifles, paint ball guns and all other air or spring propelled missiles are also strictly prohibited as are slingshots, fireworks, whips, knum chucks and martial arts weapons.
- Those bringing weapons to campus or residence facility are subject to disciplinary sanction which could include suspension from campus housing, suspension from the University and/or referral for prosecution.
Permanent changes to campus housing facilities, i.e. painting, IS NOT permitted. No changes to permanent fixtures are allowed. This includes built-in dressers, shelves, closets, closet doors and desks (except as authorized by the Residence Life Office). No tampering with electrical wiring, fixtures, breakers or panel boxes is permitted.
When hanging pictures, posters, etc. duct tape is expressly prohibited from use. The use of any tape other than "drafting" tape should be avoided. Tape marks, nail holes, etc. will be billed on a "per wall" basis.
X-D ROOM SEARCH BY UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS
Except under extreme emergency circumstances, premises occupied by students and the personal possessions of students will not be searched unless appropriate (written) authorization has been obtained.
For premises controlled by Clarkson University, the appropriate authorization for a search by University officials lies with the Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs and, in his or her absence, the Dean of Students. The written application to the Vice President for University Outreach and Student Affairs for such a search must specify the reasons for the search and the objects or information sought. Every effort must be made to have the student or students who normally occupy the premises present during the search. Copies of the application and authorization of the search must be presented to the student or students involved and present before the search is conducted or, in cases where the student or students involved cannot be present, as soon as possible after the search and before disciplinary action is initiated.
For premises not controlled by Clarkson University, the ordinary requirements for lawful search are necessary.
