RESIDENCE HALL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Concord’s Residence Life program is intended to facilitate individual responsibility. However, there are certain restrictions governing residence halls. Students share responsibility with those around them for making their residence hall the best possible place in which to live. In order to maintain health and safety standards, students are responsible for care and cleaning of their rooms as well as for sharing in the cleaning and upkeep of the hall.
Judicial Affairs
In order to create and maintain the most academically supportive
residence hall atmosphere, inappropriate or disruptive behavior
will be confronted. Residence Life Staff members are directly
involved in working with students and are devoted to creating the
best possible residence hall environment. Students will be held
responsible for their own actions and those of their guests, at all
times and places on campus. In addition, the student’s behavioral
record will very likely be as important a consideration as the
student’s academic record in influencing future opportunities. Just
as postgraduate schools and employers will want to know grades
earned so, too, will they wish to know what sort of citizen the
student was while enrolled therefore, the student should be
conscientious about both the behavioral and academic records
achieved in the university.
Please note, since the Fall semester, 1986, Concord University
has adopted a policy to mail grades and disciplinary reports of
“dependent” students to their parents. All students are assumed
“dependent” unless they officially establish their “independence”
with the University.
Lending your ID card or failure to present it when requested to do so by a University official (including Resident Assistant staff) is a violation of University policy and subjects the student to
disciplinary action.
Appliances
The following appliances are not permitted in any residence hall:
1. window air conditioning units
2. hot plates
3. stoves
4. emersion heaters
5. heat lamps
6. toaster ovens
7. electric blankets
8. electric heaters
9. any appliance not specified above that generates large amounts of heat or electricity and is deemed by the Office of Housing to be unsafe.
10. any student found to be in possession of any of the above specified items in a residence hall is subject to discipline under Article III Sections 2 and 23(a).
Evacuation Procedures
The following procedures have been developed for the health, safety, and welfare of persons residing in Concord University residence halls. Persons residing in the residence halls are required to observe these procedures and completely cooperate with staff and other personnel during any and all evacuation conditions. Failure to comply with any of the following procedures may result in disciplinary action under Article III Section 23(c) of The Student Life Policy.
General procedures for ALL Residence Halls:
1. When alarms sound, all persons will immediately proceed to the nearest exit in a quiet and orderly fashion.
2. If the nearest exit is blocked, proceed to an alternate exit.
3. Close door(s) as you leave.
4. Upon exiting the facility, move away from the evacuated building.
5. Listen for directions.
6. Report the observance of any fire or people who could be in danger to those individuals in charge.
7. Re-enter the building only after being instructed by staff to do so; silencing of the alarm is not a signal to re-enter.
8. Re-enter through the main entrance only.
9. Elevators are not to be used as a means of exiting a residence hall during an evacuation.
Note: Upon moving into a residence hall, each person is responsible for identifying the locations of various evacuation
exits available in case an emergency should occur. Be familiar with at least two, and preferably three, avenues of emergency exits.
When the alarm sounds, assume an emergency exists. There have already been fires in the residence halls, some legitimately threatening to life. Likewise, smoke and heat from a small fire can travel in unusual ways and catch the unwary off-guard. Therefore, it is important to vacate the premises immediately to reduce the possibility of being trapped.
The sounding of the fire alarm is the only warning received of a possible emergency.
Hints in case you smell smoke:
WHERE THERE IS ANY AMOUNT OF SMOKE, immediately
activate the alarm system and evacuate the building.
1. Keep in mind the following hints when regular fire
procedures are being followed:
a. Heat and most toxic gases rise. Therefore, you
should crouch or crawl to avoid the most dangerous atmosphere.
b. Take short breaths, breathing through your nose only.
c. If trapped, placing any room with a closed door
between you and the fire/smoke may offer
refuge. Wait at a window for rescue. Open the
window or break it out when breathing becomes difficult.
2. NEVER OPEN A HOT DOOR—SMOKE CAN BE
FATAL.
a. If there is enough heat in the hall to penetrate the
wood panels, there is more than enough to kill
you before you get to the head of the stairs or
exit the door. This is what you should do:
I. Place the back of your hand on the door panel above
your head. If there is heat DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR!
The hallway is already filled with deadly heated gases
II. If you cannot escape through a window, then REMAIN
IN THE ROOM with the door closed. Wait at the
window for rescue. Shout for help.
b. If the door does not feel hot you may open it slightly
provided caution is used:
I. Brace the door with your hip or foot.
II. Place your hand across the opening to determine
temperature of the air.
III. If the air is hot, or if there is pressure against the door,
CLOSE IT HARD. It is already too late to exit.
IV. If the hallway appears safe, use a planned exit and
loudly arouse other occupants as you leave.
Motor Vehicles and Parking
All students who possess a valid driver’s license are permitted to
bring and park their personal vehicle on campus. Any vehicle
brought to campus is required to be registered, and the
owner/primary driver is expected to obtain a numbered parking
decal annually at registration, or at the Office of Public Safety
located in the Physical Plant building.Parking permits are
purchased each semester. When purchasing a parking permit
for the spring term it will be valid through the summer terms.
Complete parking information is provided in the Concord
University Vehicle Registration and Parking Regulations
Handbook.
Glass
Glass items are allowed in the residence halls with some restrictions. However, The Office of Residence Life recognizes that glass bottles do represent a potential hazard for students, staff, and custodians. Residents are asked to be responsible with glass items in the residence halls. Students who create a hazard by shattering glass items may be written up under Article III Sections 2, 16, 17, or 23(a) of the Student Life Policy. The following policies apply:
1. Residents may not dispose of glass objects in garbage chutes. They must be disposed of in a recycling bin or public trashcan. Any student who disposes of glass objects in garbage chutes is subject to discipline under Article III Sections 2 and 23(a)
2. Residents may not throw any object from a window under Article III Section 16 of the Student Life Policy.
3. Residents may not create any threat to the health or welfare of others (i.e. intentionally shattering glass objects) under Article III Section 23(a) of the Student Life Policy.
4. Students may not litter on campus under Article III Section 17 of the Student Life Policy
The Office of Residence Life may, at any time instate a ban on glass if it is determined that infractions relating to glass are occurring on a widespread basis.
Harassing and Obscene Telephone Calls
Initiating abusive, harassing or obscene telephone calls is a violation of University policy under Article III Section 30 of the Student Life Policy. Students who receive annoying, harassing or obscene telephone calls should contact the Office of Public Safety at extension 5357, or by dialing 8-384-9334. If, for some reason, you are unable to reach the Office of Public Safety, please refer the concern to your Resident Director.
Keys
The following policies apply to residence hall keys issued to students:
1. Students must report lost or stolen keys to housing immediately. Students who fail to do so may be subject to discipline under Article III Section 2 of the Student Life Policy.
2. Room and suite keys are required to be returned to
Housing and Residence Life staff members between each semester and immediately upon discontinuing an academic relationship with the University. Students who fail to comply with this may be subject to discipline under Article III Section 2 of the Student Life Policy
University/Library Identification Card (ID) & Replacement Policy
The following policies apply to your identification card.
1. Student identification cards must be carried at all times pursuant to Article III Section 19 of the Student Life Policy.
2. Your ID card may be required for entrance to any residence hall between 12:00 midnight and 8:00 a.m. daily.
3. Transferring possession of your ID card to another student so that that student may mislead staff may subject you to disciplinary action as an accessory to Article III Section 20 of the Student Life Policy
4. Failure to present your ID card when requested to do so by a University official (including Resident Assistant staff) is prohibited under Article III Section 9(a) of the Student Life Policy
Indecent Exposure
Certain specific actions which are inconsistent with an academic environment are prohibited under Article III Section 12 of the Student Life Policy, including public nudity and other obscene conduct.
Microwaves
Microwaves may be no larger that 0.6 cubic feet. Any student who is found to have a microwave that does not conform to these specifications is subject to discipline under Section 2 a.
Refrigerators
Each residence hall room is permitted a total of two refrigerators which must be UL-approved with a three-pronged, unfrayed power cord. The maximum size for student refrigerators is 5.0 cubic feet.
Repairs
Students are not authorized to make repairs themselves and will be billed for any damage incurred while attempting to do so. Students who are in violation of this policy may also be subject to discipline under Article III Sections 2 and 23(a) of the Student Life Policy
Room Care
Rooms must be kept sanitary and free of obstructions to entrance and evacuation. Any student who consistently fails to maintain sanitary and unobstructed conditions in their room may be subject to discipline under Article III Sections 2, 5, and 23(a)
Solicitation
No door to door solicitation without the prior approval of the Director of Housing, either from on or off campus groups, is permitted in the residence halls.
(304) 384-5940 (fax), www.concord.edu/housing. (webpage)
Pets
Fish kept in aquariums (maximum of 20 gallons or equivalent per room) are the ONLY pets permitted in the residence halls. Semi-aquatic pets that can live in the same kind of aquarium may be allowed by housing on a case by case basis. Both residents must consent to keeping the pet in the room. If there is a dispute between roommates, housing will support the removal of the pet. Cats, dogs, ferrets, mice, gerbils, hamsters, birds, spiders, snakes, etc., are not permitted. The provided list of non-permitted pets is not inclusive. Accommodations will be made for disabled students who require trained animals to aid them. Any student who violates this policy may be subject to discipline under Sections 2 and 23(a) of the Student Life Policy.
Smoking
Smoking is only permitted in a student’s private room (when that student does not live on a substance-free floor), with the door shut, and with the prior consent of his/her roommate(s). Residents are required to observe this policy at all times. Tobacco use is prohibited in all designated substance-free and public residence hall areas. Roommate assignments are based, in part, on smoking preference; however, in the event of a roommate conflict over smoking in the student’s room, the University will support the position of the non-smoker. All academic facilities have been designated as smoke free environments.
Visitation/Guests/Escort
Visitation of the opposite gender is permitted in every residence hall between the hours of 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight, Monday through Thursday. Open visitation, with roommate consent, may occur on Friday beginning at 10:00 a.m. and lasting until 12:00 midnight Sunday. Every guest is subject to University rules and regulations which affirm each student’s right to study, sleep, and privacy. It is the duty of the resident host to monitor and accept responsibility for the behavior of guests. All guests in any residence hall must be escorted by the host resident of that building at all times. The University reserves the right to deny access to any guest if it has been determined that he/she has disturbed, disrupted, or endangered any residents.
Guests may stay only two consecutive nights on Friday and Saturday only. An administrative fee of $20.00 per night will be charged to the resident(s) for each visitor housed in violation of this policy. The resident will be subject to disciplinary action, and the guest will ultimately be banned from the residence hall if their behavior continues.
Please note, West Virginia State Law defines trespassing in a residence hall as follows:
1. If a person authorized to have access to a residence hall and by his/her presence or act interferes with the peaceful or orderly operation of the residence hall, he/she may be asked to leave the residence hall at any time.
2. If an individual other than a person authorized to have access to a residence hall enters such a facility, he/she may be asked to leave the residence hall notwithstanding the fact that he/she has not interfered with the peaceful or orderly operation of the residence hall or otherwise committed a breach of the peace or violated any statute or ordinance.
3. Such a request to leave may be made by the President of the institution, an employee designated by the President to maintain order in the residence hall, Director of Housing and Residence Life, Resident Director, a Public Safety Officer or their designee.
4. It shall be unlawful for a person to remain in a residence hall after being asked to leave. Any person who fails to vacate shall be guilty of misdemeanor trespassing.
Escort Policy: Each visitor(s) of the opposite sex must be accompanied by the host or hostesses within the residence hall they are visiting at all times. Residents can only serve as a host/hostess in the residence hall in which they live. Each resident may escort up to two visitors at a time and must stay with the visitor(s) while the visitor(s) is in the building. Each resident is held accountable for her/his guest(s’)/visitor(s’) on-campus behavior in accordance with University policies and procedures.
Waterbeds
Waterbeds are not permitted in the residence halls.
Weapons
Weapons or “look alike”/replica weapons may NOT be housed in or carried onto University property, especially in residence halls. Possession of rifles and firearms (including BB and paintball guns), ammunition, firecrackers, and/or explosive materials (including use of a carbide element) and similar items such as gas-powered guns (including paint and nail guns), and sharp tipped arrows are strictly prohibited. Hunting equipment should be stored elsewhere; for more information, contact your Resident Director or the Public Safety Office for any questions.