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Residential Life Policies

All of the policies, procedures, and rules that govern University housing are detailed in the Residential Life Guidebook and Housing Contract. All University students, as well as their guests, should be familiar with the policies and procedures and comply with them. Please note: all policies, rules, and procedures apply within University housing as well as the areas surrounding the facilities.

Students should be aware that the following areas are discussed in full in the Residential Life Guidebook: telephone service, room keys, damage to University property, vacation periods, quiet hours, meal plan information.

General Conduct/University Housing and Residence Hall Conduct

Students are citizens of several communities-city, country, state, and nation, as well as the University. Certain types of misconduct may subject a student to the concurrent jurisdiction of, and the imposition of, civil, criminal, or disciplinary sanctions by both the University and the civil authorities. All students should understand that they are subject to and are required to comply with, observe, and obey the following:

  • The laws of the United States (federal laws)
  • The laws of the state of New Jersey
  • Local, city, county, and municipal laws and ordinances
  • The rights and responsibilities of the Residence Hall Contract and Residential Life Guidebook
  • The policies, rules, and regulations of Monmouth University including the Student Code of Conduct, as well as any policy, rule, or regulation that may from time to time be established and enacted.

The conduct of all students-residents or commuter, as well as their guests-is governed by the Student Code of Conduct and the Residential Life Guidebook. It is important to note that Monmouth University students will be held responsible for the actions of their guests.

Alcohol

Monmouth University has established an alcohol policy for the safety of all community members and in compliance with the New Jersey State Alcoholic Beverage Law. The alcohol policy is described in detail in the Student Handbook and all students are expected to be familiar with the policy.

To help students understand what is and what is not permitted under the alcohol policy, the following interpretation is included:

Persons 21-years-old and older MAY:

  • drink alcohol in their own residence hall room/apartment;
  • drink alcohol in another residence hall room/apartment if the host is 21 or older and is present;
  • carry unopened containers of alcohol on campus;
  • provide alcohol in their own residence hall room/apartment to others aged 21 or older; and
  • possess alcohol displays made up of alcohol containers if all residents are over the age of 21.

Persons 21-years-old and older MAY NOT:

  • drink alcohol in the residence hall outside of a private room (suite, hallways, lobbies, etc.);
  • drink alcohol in a residence hall room/apartment that has no resident of legal age or in which the legal age resident is not present;
  • provide alcohol to others under the age of 21;
  • charge in any way for alcohol consumption by others;
  • possess kegs or beer balls;
  • permit underage persons to bring in or consume alcohol in their residence hall room/apartment; or
  • drink alcohol in a residence hall room/apartment in which others under the age of 21 are present.

Persons under the age of 21 MAY NOT:

  • possess, transport, or drink alcohol any place on campus;
  • permit persons to bring in or consume alcohol in their residence hall room or suite;
  • carry opened or unopened alcoholic beverage containers any place on campus;
  • provide alcohol to anyone on campus; or
  • possess alcohol displays made up of empty alcoholic beverage containers.

For cases in which all residents of an assigned room/apartment are not of legal age, the following must be adhered to:

  • Alcohol may not be consumed in the presence of the underage roommate(s).
  • Alcohol displays made up of alcoholic beverage containers are not permitted.

Please Note: Knowledge of the presence, location, or intent to exercise control over alcohol will constitute constructive possession.

Business from Resident’s Room

Residents are not permitted to carry on any organized business for remunerative purposes from their room/apartment; inscribe or affix any sign, object, advertisement, or notice on any part of the inside or outside of the building premises; or use their room phone numbers for business purposes.

Consolidation/Proper Use of Room Space

The Office of Residential Life reserves the right to consolidate students who do not have roommates. If a student has a vacancy in his or her room, the options available to that student are as follows:

  1. Stay in the room and find someone who is also alone to move into the vacancy.
  2. Move into another residence hall space with someone of your choosing who has a vacancy in his or her room.
  3. Stay in the room alone with the clear understanding that residential life may move a student into the vacancy at any time, if necessary.
    1. In some instances, the student may not be notified in advance if the situation warrants an immediate move. This type of situation is unusual, but does occur.
    2. The room must be maintained at all times in a manner that would make it possible for another student to feel comfortable moving in:
      1. All original University property must be present in the room (i.e. beds, dressers, desks, etc.).
      2. Closet, bed, desk, and dresser space must remain available.
    3. The student must not discourage students seeking a room change from moving into the vacancy. If this occurs the student will be subject to judicial action for failing to comply with the consolidation policy.
    4. Resident assistants will check the room on several occasions to make certain it is maintained as described above.

Any resident who is the only occupant of a double occupancy room must be prepared to receive a roommate at any time. This means keeping your belongings in only one portion of the room so that the new roommate has space for his or her possessions and will feel welcome. Inappropriate use of vacant space will be addressed by residential life staff members and may be addressed through the judicial process.

Courtesy and Quiet Hours

It is expected that each resident will show courtesy and consideration and be sensitive to the needs of other residence hall community members at all times. Courtesy hours are in effect at all times in the residence halls. Each resident and his or her visitors have the responsibility to act with consideration toward residence hall community members who choose to study or sleep.

Quiet hours are defined as periods of time when noise will be kept to a minimum. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 12 midnight to 11 a.m., Friday through Saturday. In addition, all residence halls operate on 24-hour quiet hours during finals week.

Noise heard outside of a closed student room door or within student rooms from the corridors will be considered excessive and in violation of the quiet hours policy. Stereos played at excessive volumes can be particularly disruptive to persons trying to sleep, study, or enjoy music of their own choice. For that reason, residents are expected to be conscious of the volume of their stereos and to use headphones when necessary and requested. Residents may be required to remove stereos, musical instruments, or any other device that causes disruptive noise as determined by the residence hall staff and/or community members.

The residents of each floor community are expected to maintain the above stated courtesy and quiet hours. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken for violations.

Drugs and Narcotics

The use of drugs by students can create conditions that are contrary to those deemed necessary for the maintenance of an optimal academic environment. Monmouth University affirms its responsibility to secure this optimal educational atmosphere by establishing the following policy:

The use, possession, or sale of alcohol, illegal drugs or narcotics, and/or paraphernalia by a student will be subject to disciplinary action and legal prosecution under federal, state, or local statutes. The decision rendered shall be determined by the circumstances of the student’s involvement. In addition, the presence of the odor of marijuana, and the possession of drug paraphernalia or any other device used to ingest marijuana in any campus residence hall, building, etc., may also be subject to internal disciplinary action.

Liability

Monmouth University assumes no responsibility for any and all losses to persons or property while in the residence halls by reason of any utility failure, accident, injury, loss, or damage, except for negligence on the part of employees of the University. The burden of proof in any claim of loss or damage due to negligence on the part of employees of the University rests solely and entirely with the complainant.

Parking

Residential decals will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis to registered students who reside in University residence halls. Parking is permitted in lots 1 through 6, and on University Road. However, after north-end parking has been distributed to capacity, resident students will be assigned parking according to availability. If we are able to provide parking, we will notify you by mail that a decal is available for you.

Please understand that if you fail to come to Police Headquarters to retrieve your assigned decal within five working days, you will forfeit your parking privileges for the remainder of the academic year. North-end resident students’ vehicles cannot be driven or parked on the south campus (lots 9 through 18, and 23). Violators will be subject to fines and their vehicles may be ticketed and/or towed at personal expense.

Pets

Due to maintenance and sanitation issues, NO PETS ARE PERMITTED IN THE RESIDENCE HALLS OR APARTMENTS. If found, the animal will be removed immediately and the student will be assessed a minimum of a $25 fine. The only exception to this policy is the use of service animals or emotional support animals for those persons approved by the Office of Disability Services.

Resident Student Contract Responsibilities

In addition to the information contained in the Residence Hall Contract, students are advised that the deadline date for submission of applications, contracts, and all applicable fees/deposits by the current residence hall students intending to return to the residence halls for the next academic school year will be published early in the spring semester. Students should be advised that failure to meet this deadline may result in the unavailability of housing for the following year. Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis. Students are also advised that submission of an application for housing for the next academic year does not, in any way, guarantee them space in University housing or any specific room assignment.

Room Damage/Common Area Damage

You and your roommate(s) are responsible for any damages to your room that are not the result of normal usage. At the time of check in, you should be certain your Room Condition Report form is accurate and complete. Room damages will be assessed from this form and monthly room inspections.

After the residence halls are completely closed each room will be inspected, in detail, by the residential life professional staff for damages. Clean-up and damage charges will be assessed and charged (if applicable). Excessive damages may also be addressed through the judicial system.

The common area damage policy is one that stresses student responsibility. The living areas in the residence halls are part of your community, and you are expected to take responsibility for those areas. Public areas such as hallways, lounges, suites, etc., are not assigned to individuals. Damages in these areas can be very costly to everyone. Those directly responsible should bear the burden of paying and accepting judicial responsibility for the damage rather than having all students pay for such damages. The residents of an affected area are charged for damages only when the responsible person is not identified and billed for damages. This is done as a last resort because we expect individuals to accept responsibility for damages they cause. We also expect persons living in affected areas to assist in identifying these people. In addition, our staff makes every effort to find the responsible person(s).

The benefits of this policy are: persons actually responsible for the damage pay for it; student responsibility and self-discipline are increased; and there is community responsibility for common living areas. The residential life staff is there to enable your community to function effectively, but a cooperative effort from everyone is needed to ensure maintenance of community areas.

Room Entry/Protection of Students’ Property

The right to privacy is of paramount importance and should not be violated. However, entry into or search of student living quarters may be conducted by the following persons as detailed below:

  • A residential life or student services staff member may enter your room for visual inspection if there is probable cause that a violation of a University policy is taking place.
  • Residential life staff will inspect your room or apartment when you check out during vacation periods to ensure you have left using proper closing procedures.
  • Residence hall rooms and apartments will be inspected periodically for cleanliness, health and safety standards, and other reasonable housing regulations as outlined in this document. Residents will be given at least 24 hours notice prior to scheduled inspections.
  • Law enforcement officers may perform statutory duties in accordance with legally defined procedures governing search and seizure.
  • Your submission of a service order request form authorizes maintenance personnel to enter your room or apartment in order to make the necessary repairs. Maintenance personnel may also enter your room/apartment without permission for emergency repairs.

The University provides locks on the rooms and keys to each resident to ensure the safekeeping of money and other valuables. However, the University cannot protect the student against himself or herself and the student’s failure to use common sense. Never keep large sums of cash in your room or on your person. To do so is an open invitation to theft. Students should keep their door closed and locked at all times when leaving their room and when they will be out of sight of the room, even when just going to the bathroom or taking a shower, and should always take their keys with them any time they leave their room.

Students are advised that it only takes 15 seconds for a theft to occur under the aforementioned conditions, and in most cases the loss is permanent. Report any and all thefts to the University police and the residence hall staff immediately. Prompt reporting of thefts, regardless of value, dramatically improves the possibility of recovering property.

Monmouth University cannot be responsible for loss of, or damage to, the personal property of any resident student. During vacation periods students leave personal possessions in their rooms or in the residence halls at their own risk. Parents and students should ensure that their property insurance is adequate, or request that their homeowner’s insurance policy be extended to cover their student’s personal property while at the University. Most policies do cover such items and circumstances; however, it is recommended that you check your policy and be sure of the amounts of coverage and procedures in case of theft. In many cases, contacting your insurance agent will avoid delays and problems, and enhance your protection when you follow their recommendations.

Students should be alert to the presence of strangers in the residence halls. Such persons should be reported immediately, along with a complete description, to the University Police and residence hall staff.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in all University owned or sponsored housing per New Jersey state law. Smokers must be at least 25-feet from the entrance of the building in order to smoke.

Social Affairs

The planning and hosting of social affairs by members of the residential community are both permitted and encouraged by the Office of Residential Life and the University.

Social affairs involving more than 10 persons may be conducted only during the hours of 6 p.m. and 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Such affairs must be scheduled with the Office of Residential Life by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday preceding the event. Residents hosting the event must complete the Social Affairs Registration Form available in the residential life office.

Smaller affairs or gatherings of fewer than 10 persons, such as birthday celebrations, or programs conducted or sponsored by residential life staff may be conducted without obtaining permission, but are subject to all quiet, study hour, and noise restrictions and in no case may they extend beyond 11 p.m. on weekdays (2 a.m. on weekends). In addition, alcoholic beverages may not be sold, distributed, consumed, or possessed at such affairs in any way that constitutes a violation of any alcohol policy cited in the Student Handbook, Residence Hall Contract, or any other published document outlining such restrictions. Residents cannot charge admission to these parties.

It is expected that at all times during the day, evening, and early morning hours, students will remain considerate of those around them, as well as the rights of all persons residing or present in or near residence hall premises.

Soliciting

For the residents’ protection against fraudulent sales and annoyance, soliciting is not permitted in University housing without the prior written approval from the vice president for student services and/or his or her designee. This does not include fundraising events conducted by officially recognized University organizations. However, these organizations must have the approval of the Office of Residential Life in order to sell any product or service in the residence halls or apartments. In the residence halls, food and soft drinks may only be delivered to the main lobby. Any approved soliciting and selling is restricted to the main lobbies of the residence hall and should NEVER occur on residence hall floors.

Telephone

The University provides on-campus telephone service for all students who reside in the residence halls. Information will be provided prior to the start of each semester. All students will receive a personal identification number (PIN) that will enable them to use outgoing phone service. Students are responsible for all calls that are made with their PIN. Additionally, students are responsible for all phone calls made from their phones (e.g. telephone calls made with fraudulent, unauthorized, or stolen PINs).

Vacation Break Housing

For reasons of security, inability to maintain liability coverage for students, insufficient supervision, and energy conservation requirements and programs, all students are required to vacate the residence halls during a vacation period. Students may live on campus during these periods only if they reside in campus apartments, are enrolled in special courses (e.g. co-op programs), or if they participate in intercollegiate athletics. Any other students needing to stay during these times must submit a formal request in writing to the director of residential life and housing operations at least two weeks prior to closing. Please note that normal services are not offered during these times (e.g. meal plans, mail distribution, RLA staffing, etc.).

Scheduled breaks include Thanksgiving, and Winter and Spring Break. During these periods, students are expected to vacate their room no later than 8 p.m. on the day before a vacation period begins. Students are cautioned that their Residence Hall Contract is valid during these periods, and they must abide by all University rules and regulations. A student who remains in a residence hall building without permission during these periods is trespassing and will be treated with accordingly.

Housing is available for those students taking summer classes. Applications will be made available in late April and will be processed according to the order in which they are received on a space availability basis.

Visitation and Guests

Residents are not restricted in their rights to have visitors, providing the practice of this privilege does not infringe upon the comfort and rights of others. As such, residents are responsible for their visitors at all times. Overnight visitation is limited to 48 hours, and only with the consent of the roommate.

  • Monmouth University housing is only opened to assigned residents, University officials and staff, and guests of assigned residents. Residence halls are special purpose buildings and are not open to the general public.
  • A guest is defined as a student from another residence hall or non-student who resides off campus.
  • An overnight guest is defined as a person who stays overnight in a room to which he or she is not assigned.
  • Residents are responsible for the actions and behaviors of their guests.
  • Overnight guests may stay no more than two consecutive nights and/or no more than four cumulative nights per month.
  • An overnight guest is limited to no more than 16 nights in any one semester. During the summer sessions, an overnight guest is limited to eight cumulative nights, but no more than two consecutive nights per given week.
  • If a resident student violates any provision of this policy, the following consequences will apply:
    1. First Offense
      A written letter of warning will be sent to the student and a copy will be on file in the Office of Residential Life.
    2. Second Offense
      Loss of visitation privileges for a period of 90 days from the date of the infraction and a monetary fine.
    3. Third Offense
      Immediate suspension from the residence halls and the cancellation of the Residence Hall Contract.

Windows and Screens

  • Window screens must not be unfastened or removed. A fine will be issued for the removal or tampering of security stickers.
  • Food may not be stored between windows and screens or outside of windows at any time.
  • Students may not verbally communicate from their windows.
  • Displays in windows which are deemed inappropriate by the residential life staff and not removed by the resident(s) will be removed by housekeeping and the resident(s) billed for this service.
  • Under no circumstances will the throwing of objects from any windows in the residence halls be tolerated. Such conduct poses a danger to the health and safety of other residents. Residents assigned to a room from which an object is thrown may also be subject to judicial action.
  • Attachments to or through windows (such as antennas, air conditioners, etc.) are strictly prohibited.

Withdrawal from University Residence Halls

A student who lives in the residence halls and who is withdrawing from the University and/or the residence halls must complete the following:

  1. Formally withdraw from the University by obtaining appropriate forms from the Office of Registration and Records and follow all procedures specified in the Undergraduate Catalog.
  2. Notify, in writing, the Office of Residential Life of his or her intent to withdraw from the University and from University housing.
  3. Notify his or her Area Coordinator and complete the necessary checkout and room inventory procedures and forms, including having his or her room inventoried and the Room Condition Report completed by his or her resident assistant or hall director, as specified in the section entitled “Room Inventory” in the Residential Life Guidebook.
  4. Sign the Room Condition Report in the appropriate location.
  5. Return keys if you are withdrawing from the residence halls. All students must return all keys before leaving at the end of the spring semester. Failure to turn in keys prior to leaving will result in being charged for such whether or not they are returned at a later date.
  6. Once all procedures have been completed, a resident student must vacate the room within 24 hours, including the return of all keys belonging to the University.