Housing and Residence Life Policies

The mission of Housing and Residence Life is to serve as a bridge to interdependent living, global citizenship, and responsible decision-making. We strive to cultivate a safe environment while working to advance personal growth, build independence, foster respect for self and others, and model an inclusive community.

Alcohol Containers

Alcohol containers, including those used for decorative purposes, are prohibited in the residence halls.

Animals in Campus Housing

1. No pets may be kept in or near campus housing for any length of time for any reason. Keeping a pet for a family member or friend or having a family member or friend visit with a pet for any length of time is prohibited. 
2. Only approved service/assistance animals are allowed in campus housing. Residents must contact the Student Office of Accessibility Resources to request an accommodation for a documented service/assistance animal under the Americans with Disabilities Act and will be expected to comply with the Service and Assistance Animal Guidelines established by the University. 
3. Fish are allowed. However, the container size must be less than 10 gallons. 
4. The resident determined to be responsible for the animal may be subject to a $300 fine and other sanctions. The residents within an apartment or room where an animal is found may also each subject to fines and other sanctions. Subsequent offenses will result in a doubling of any previous fines. In addition, the owner of the animal will be responsible for all damage and cleaning costs resulting from the animal. If there is a second violation of this nature, residents may be subject to student conduct action. Any animals discovered in violation of this policy must be removed within 24 hours following the notification of their removal by Housing and Residence Life. 
5. Animals are permitted on campus property only under the control of a leash.

Balconies, Patios, and Porches

1. Nothing (including bicycles and room furniture) may be stored or placed on the balconies or porches of Lakeside Housing and South Housing. Any prohibited items will be removed and disposed.
2. Personal outside storage for North Village residents is restricted to the confines of the assigned balcony or patio and may not extend over railings or be suspended from outside walls or columns. North Village residents may store bicycles or extra plastic deck furniture on their assigned patios or balconies.
3. University-owned furniture is not permitted on the balconies or patios.
4. The hanging of hammocks, flower planters, wind chimes or other items on balconies is prohibited. 
5. Throwing or lowering any object, including furniture, water balloons, trash, food, liquids or cigarette butts, from balconies, patios, or porches is prohibited.
6. The display of signage/flags on porches, balconies or patios is prohibited.

Bicycles

1. Bicycles may be stored in rooms with the permission of a resident’s roommate(s). Bicycle owners are responsible for any damage or uncleanliness caused by their bicycle.
2. Bicycles are not to be ridden inside any part of campus housing or Vinings apartments.
3. Bicycles left unattended in hallways, stairwells, North Village/Vinings landings, or other public access or exit areas are in violation of fire safety codes and are subject to being impounded. 

University Police requires students to register their bicycles annually with their office and recommends that students lock their bicycles to bike racks provided outside each building. To prevent the risk of damage or larceny, residents should take bicycles home for the summer.

Closing Procedures

1. Housing and Residence Life expects that residents will do their part to check out properly. All residents, except those who are graduating, assisting with graduation (singers, marshals, ushers, etc.), working for the university, or staying for May Experience, are required to be out of campus housing within 24 hours after their last exam. An extension is provided to graduating seniors until after the completion of commencement exercises. 
2. Housing and Residence Life expects residents who are no longer enrolled in classes at the University and/or who are taking a leave of absence to check out of campus housing within 24 hours.
3. Students who fail to check out properly may be subject to the following fines:
   • Improper checkout - maximum of $75 - failure to sign the Room Condition Report (RCR)
   • Late checkout - maximum of $300 - failure to move out of housing by the posted designated deadline
   • Lost key(s) - maximum of $50 in the residence halls; maximum of $75 in North Village and Greenbelt - failure to return the room key(s) by the designated deadline
   • Damages - fine depends on the cost of repair/replacement and/or cleaning
4. The Housing and Residence Life office will notify residents of specific closing procedures which must be followed before residents leave for the semester. Residents who fail to follow closing instructions will be fined for any procedures not followed and may be referred for further student conduct action.
5. Residents will not be able to gain entry to their rooms while campus housing is officially closed.  Residents should refer to the official university academic calendar for closing dates. Residents are responsible for making travel plans in advance so that they can be out by these times and should contact Housing and Residence Life to discuss any emergency situations.

Community Living

Residents are responsible for what occurs within the residence hall rooms and apartments to which they have been officially assigned. Therefore, when a policy violation occurs within a residence hall room or apartment, each resident of the assigned space may be held accountable. An exception will be made for a resident only when a preponderance of the evidence indicates that the resident was not present when the violation occurred and/or the resident was not aware that the violation was occurring.

Uncleanliness or damage to community property such as restrooms, hallways, kitchens, lobbies, fire equipment, laundry rooms, exterior lighting or exit signs will be the responsibility of all resident students in that particular area, unless the uncleanliness or damage is claimed by a student or students. For continued uncleanliness of common spaces, students may be fined a minimum of $25 each per reported incident.

Community Spaces

Housing and Residence Life provides 11 meeting locations in the residence halls, North Village and two outdoor spaces that student groups may reserve at no charge (except for weekends in the North Village Community Center). In order to reserve one of these locations, residents or student groups should complete the meeting space request form on the Housing and Residence Life website. Requests will be reviewed and must be submitted with a minimum 24-hour notice in order to be considered. A request does not guarantee that the room is available.

Access to community spaces

Access to the building and meeting room will be granted to the individual or individuals who are listed as responsible for the meeting space. Availability begins 30 minutes prior to and ends 30 minutes after the requested meeting times. The individual responsible for the meeting/event must “check-in” and “check-out” at the appropriate RA office.

Decorations

Only free standing decorations or table decorations are allowed in community spaces. Hanging or taping materials on ceilings, floors or walls is prohibited. All items, such as props and/or decorations must be removed from the area immediately after the event. Housing and Residence Life cannot provide storage for such items. Furniture layout in each room is noted on a diagram near the entrance. It is important that at the end of each meeting, the furniture is rearranged according to the diagram. Reserving organizations will be responsible for any damages, and a setup fee will be charged if the room is not left arranged as indicated on the diagrams posted in each room.

Responsibilities of scheduling groups

It is the responsibility of each group reserving the community space to be aware of all rules and regulations regarding the scheduling of these facilities. The group representative who submits the request form accepts responsibility for ensuring that all rules and regulations are followed. Groups should remove all trash when they are finished with using the community space. Groups will be held financially responsible for all damages which occur during their use, and also for clean-up which exceeds normal use.

Early Arrivals

During the summer, campus housing is usually filled to capacity. Since the time allotted to prepare buildings for the opening of school is limited, early arrivals must be kept to a minimum. Only groups whose functions are institutionally required and operationally necessary enough to require arriving will be permitted to arrive early. These group and whose leaders, administrators, or faculty are responsible to make prior arrangements are allowed to do so. Any group or individual who needs to move in early must submit an Early Arrival request as outlined on the Housing and Residence Life web site. A Housing and Residence Life official will review the request and determine whether the group/individual will be allowed to move in early.

Students approved to move in early are expected to abide by all university policies.  In cases where a student violates a policy, their early arrival permission may be revoked and they may face immediate departure from campus until the official move-in date.

Individuals who move in prior to their official check-in date without authorization, as well as any student(s) who assisted or knowingly allowed the unauthorized early arrival, will be required to return their key(s) and move out until the published arrival date, are subject to a $50 fine per day and will be referred for student conduct action.

Fire Hazards

1. Residence hall and apartment hallways, stairwells and landings are to remain free of any materials at all times. The Housing and Residence Life staff reserves the right to remove and dispose of any articles in these areas at any time.
2. Grills or other flammable devices are prohibited in or near campus housing (including porches and balconies). This includes, but is not limited to gas cans, charcoal, lighter fluid, and grills of any kind.
3. Extension cords are prohibited in campus housing. The suggested alternative is a power strip with an internal safety circuit breaker.
4. Only sealed-unit appliances such as coffeemakers, popcorn poppers and George Foreman grills (the small ones) are permitted in student rooms. Additional microwaves and refrigerators are prohibited, except for apartments which are not already equipped with these appliances. The following may not be used in student rooms: open-faced electrical or heating appliances (such as broilers, space heaters or toaster ovens).
5. The following items are prohibited in campus housing: mopeds/scooters, any type of flammable fuel or substance (i.e. gas, butane, propane), candles, oil lamps, incense or lamps with halogen bulbs, string lights, rope lights, pre-lit garland or trees, fiber optic trees/lights, electric blankets, live trees or live garland.
6. No flags or other coverings may be placed under or over electric lights, heat-actuating fire detection devices, smoke detectors, or fire extinguishers in campus housing. Covering or hanging anything on or near sprinkler heads, removing electrical switch/outlet covers and alternating and/or adding electrical fixtures is prohibited.
7. The minimum sanction for possessing any prohibited items and/or creating a fire hazard within and/or adjacent to campus housing will be a $100 fine and/or fire safety education.

Fire Safety Equipment

Rooms in campus housing are equipped with smoke detectors for fire safety. Residents should be aware that the smoke detectors are extremely sensitive to smoke, heat and aerosol sprays. Burning popcorn, burning food on the stove, smoking in the room/apartment, steam from extremely hot showers and spraying air fresheners can potentially set off a fire alarm, so residents are encouraged to be careful when engaged in these activities. Residents should be aware that they can be held responsible for inadvertently causing a false fire alarm due to these activities. The North Village apartments also have sprinklers for fire safety. Fire safety equipment can be easily damaged if those without proper training tamper with it. To avoid fines associated with damaging and/or tampering with such equipment, either accidentally or intentionally, students should call the appropriate officials when problems occur. Smoke detector and sprinkler problems should be immediately reported to University Police at 864.294.2111.

Health and Safety Inspections

Residents are expected to keep their rooms, suites, and/or apartments clean. This includes the cleaning of common spaces in suite style and apartment style units. Housing and Residence Life staff members will conduct room inspections on a routine basis for health and safety concerns. Residents will be given a minimum 48-hour notice for inspections.   Residents will be given 24 hours after the inspection to correct any issues.

Housing Assignments

Refer to the Housing and Residence Life web site for more detailed information regarding assignments policies and procedures.

Residency requirement

Studies have shown that students who live in campus housing are more likely to become involved in campus activities and graduate in four years. As a result, Furman requires that all students live in campus housing, except those approved by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.  Housing and Residence Life expects residents who are no longer enrolled in classes at the University and/or who are taking a leave of absence to check out of campus housing within 24 hours.

Guarantee of space

Since all students are required to live on campus, they are guaranteed campus housing. However, the university still considers the right to live in campus housing a privilege. Therefore, the Director of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to deny space in campus housing to any student even though approved for admission or continuing to be enrolled at the university.

New student room assignments

All housing assignments are made by the Assistant Director of Housing and Residence Life Administration and/or the Assignments Coordinator. All incoming students must submit a housing assignment request form which is usually due the first week of June. For the exact deadline, students should refer to the New Student web site.  Any room change must first be approved by the Assistant Director for the area in which the student lives.  Any unauthorized room changes are prohibited and subject to a $75 fine.

Upperclassman room assignments

Upperclassman room assignments are made in the spring semester through an online room assignment process. The “housing lottery” is designed to assign students in a fair manner based on the choices they provide. However, students are not guaranteed these choices. In addition, third-year and fourth-year students are not guaranteed North Village or The Vinings. The Housing and Residence Life office will notify students a semester in advance whether they will have the option to pay to reserve their space while studying away.  Any room change must first be approved by the Assistant Director for the area in which the student lives.  Switching bedrooms within an apartment in North Village or Greenbelt without first obtaining approval from the Assistant Director of North Village is considered an unauthorized room change and thus subject to a $75 fine.

The Vinings

The Vinings is an apartment complex located on Duncan Chapel Road that accommodates both Furman students and members of the local community. Rising fourth-year students may enter the Vinings lottery for the chance to live in this University-owned facility. Students may sign a 12-month lease (May to May, to include summer housing) or a 9-month lease (August to May, to exclude summer housing).  Refer to the Housing and Residence Life web site for current housing rates.

Off-campus exemptions

Each spring semester, students may apply to live off-campus for the following academic year if they satisfy one of the criteria listed below:

• living with a parent/guardian at the primary residence
• living in an officially recognized fraternity house
• living in the Vista house
• married
• dependent exemption
• medical/disability exemption
• financial hardship exemption

All off-campus exemptions must be approved by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

Keys

Upon arrival, students obtain their key(s) from the RA office in their respective area of campus housing only for their assigned room.  Access to any other room other than a resident’s assigned room is strictly prohibited and may result in student conduct action.  Room keys will only be issued to the resident of the room. South Housing and Lakeside Housing residents receive a room key and North Village/Greenbelt residents receive a front door key along with a bedroom key. There is a charge for each lost key and the fee must be paid upon requesting new keys.

• Lost bedroom key in a residence hall = $50
• Lost front door key in North Village/Greenbelt = $50
• Lost bedroom key in North Village/Greenbelt = $25 

Housing and Residence Life expects residents to lock their doors at all times.  Residents who lose their key(s) must go to their RA office or the Housing and Residence Life office to order a new key. Residents are required to return keys when vacating a room at the end of or during a semester if leaving campus housing, when making a room change, or at the end of the academic year. Failure to return keys upon vacating a room will result in a lost key charge. Residents studying away may have the option to pay for their space and retain their key(s) during their absence (this does not apply to students taking a leave of absence that is not travel-related). Students are strictly prohibited from making copies of university keys.  Students approved for a leave of absence are required to vacate their housing assignment and return their keys to the RA office for their respective area of campus.

Living Spaces

Construction

Making architectural changes to a room (such as building shelves, attaching anything to the walls or ceiling, paneling walls, wallpapering walls, installing screen doors, altering lighting or other electrical features, attaching mirrors to walls or doors, etc.), installing personal door or window locks, is prohibited.

Damages

1. Residents are responsible for damages to university property.
2. Residents must report immediately to their RA any damages noted when moving into a room and should list the damages on their Room Condition Reports (RCRs).  Residents will be provided an opportunity to document any pre-existing damages or issues with their room(s) during the first week of fall classes in order to avoid charges at the end of the academic year.
3. Riding skateboards or bicycles, rollerblading, hitting or bouncing any kind of ball, throwing Frisbees, and/or committing disruptive acts which may cause damage in campus housing is prohibited.
4. The removal of any doors in North Village is prohibited.
5. Damage to community property such as restrooms, hallways, lobbies, fire equipment, laundry rooms, exterior lighting, exit signs or water fountains will be the responsibility of all resident students in that particular area. Personal room damage and unclaimed community charges will be charged to student accounts. Damage claimed by a student or students in a community area will be charged to student accounts.
6. Needed repairs are to be immediately reported to the Housing and Residence Life Office. If needed repairs are discovered by Housing and Residence Life staff, repairs will be completed as soon as possible. This may require follow-up visits by the Housing and Residence Life maintenance staff and/or Facilities Services staff to rooms or apartments.
7. Residents will be held accountable for damages having occurred as a result of horseplay, malicious intent, neglect and/or other failure to report in a timely manner. Bills will be presented to the groups or individuals responsible as promptly as possible after charges have been assigned to student accounts. Additional fines may be imposed upon students responsible for damage to university property.

Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Units

The Facilities Services staff must routinely check and change filters in the HVAC units of all rooms and apartments. Students should not block or cover the units in any way and must maintain a minimum of three feet open space in front of the units so that access can be gained and so that air flow will not be interrupted. Students will be fined $25 for failure to remove items from in front of the HVAC units when notified.  Tampering with HVAC controls and/or thermostats in an effort to alter the campus-wide set range is prohibited.

Lofts and Other Bedding

1. To ensure that lofts are structurally safe and built with fire-retardant materials, only University-authorized lofts can be used. The authorized lofts are available for lease through the Housing and Residence Life office and can be ordered online.  Residents are prohibited from trading or loaning their lofts to other residents.  The Housing and Residence Life staff or an approved contractor will assemble and disassemble the lofts at the beginning and end of the year. Students will be fined $100 for unauthorized lofts. 
2. Only Housing and Residence Life staff or an approved contractor may assemble or disassemble lofts and other bedding.
3. All original furniture and bedding must remain in the room. If furniture is found to be missing from any room at any time, the residents will be immediately billed for the replacement cost of the missing items. 
4. Waterbeds and forms of alternative bedding other than the lofts mentioned above are prohibited.

Painting and Patching

1. Only university-employed painters are authorized to paint student rooms or apartments. Students are prohibited from attempting to patch and/or paint walls, doors or other surfaces on their own.  Rooms will be painted on a rotating basis unless extensive wear requires earlier painting. Rooms will not be painted just to change the color.
2. Students should not apply tape, contact paper or borders to painted surfaces as the removal will damage these surfaces. Plasti-tac or similar wall adhesive products should be used within the residence halls. North Village residents are restricted to using steel t-pins for hanging wall decor; these will be provided by Housing and Residence Life in limited quantities. Use of double-sided foam tape, nails, screws, hooks, or other adhesive products on ANY surface are prohibited. Residents will be fined for excessive damage to painted surfaces and should not attempt to repair any holes in walls or doors themselves.
3. Painting of any kind is prohibited within all areas of campus housing (such as rooms/apartments, community spaces, kitchens, bathrooms, balconies, patios, porches, etc.). Students or student organizations who wish to paint should paint outside and away from the building on grass or a temporary board or tarp that will not discolor sidewalks or pavement. Students and student organizations will be held accountable for any unauthorized painting within campus housing.

Repairs

Residents are responsible for reporting damages as they occur by using the maintenance request form found online. Only university-employed staff are authorized to make repairs.

Thermostats

Student rooms are equipped with thermostats for temperature control. To avoid fines associated with damaging and/or tampering with such equipment, either accidentally or intentionally, students should call the appropriate officials when problems occur. Thermostat problems should be immediately reported through the maintenance request form online.  Any tampering with thermostats in an effort to alter the campus-wide set range is strictly prohibited.

University Furniture

1. Each resident’s room and apartment is equipped with basic furniture. Residents may not move additional items into their rooms from public areas of campus housing or from other residents’ rooms. Furniture may not be removed from the resident’s room at any time. Removal of furnishings from a public area will be considered theft and dealt with as such. If, at any time during the school year, items of furniture are missing from a resident’s room, the replacement cost will be immediately charged to the resident’s student account.
2. For reasons of safety and potential damage to property, residents are prohibited from stacking any furniture (i.e. desks, dressers) on top of each other. 
3. Only Housing and Residence Life staff may assemble or disassemble University furniture.
4. The use of contact paper to cover furniture or line drawers or shelves is prohibited.
5. Putting screws and/or nails into the furniture is prohibited. 

Use of Residence Hall Rooms and Apartments for Business Purposes

The use of a residence hall room or apartment as a sales or service office (including any Internet sales or business) or storeroom, without permission in writing from the University Student Businesses Committee, is prohibited.  Students interested in launching and/or operating a business on campus must submit a formal proposal to the Director of Auxiliary Services to be reviewed by the Student Businesses Committee.

Web Cameras

The installation and/or use of web cams on the exterior of rooms/apartments is prohibited.

Windows and Window Screens

1. Throwing any object, including water balloons, trash, food, liquids or cigarette butts, from windows is prohibited.
2. Residents may not remove window screens for any reason. Residents will be fined for damage to or removal of window screens based on the actual cost of replacement.
3. Residents may not display any flag or signage in the windows of campus housing that is clearly visible from the outside of the building.
4. The display of any signage in the windows of campus housing facilities that would interfere with the integrity of campus housing facilities is prohibited.

Loss of Personal Belongings

Residents and parents are encouraged to evaluate their homeowner’s insurance policies since the University’s policy covers only the property owned by the university. Replacing personal items lost as a result of theft, fire, water damage, power surges or other unfortunate occurrences does not become a responsibility of the University. All residents are required to remove all personal belongings when vacating their housing space by the official deadline. The University cannot be held responsible for any items left after check out.

Lost and Found

Any items lost or found should be reported to University Police. Residents who are missing personal property are encouraged to file a report with University Police at 864.294.2111. To prevent theft, it is recommended that residents lock the door(s) to their rooms and apartments at all times. University Police will dispose of any items not claimed based on the item’s value within 39-90 days. The University cannot accept responsibility for items left behind in rooms or apartments when campus housing officially closes.

Misuse of a University Master Key

The use of a University master key to gain or provide entry into a residence hall room, apartment, storage or maintenance area, office, or roof area is strictly prohibited without the direct permission of Housing and Residence Life staff. Any resident or student staff member who has been found misusing a university master key will be referred for student conduct action.

Noise

In campus housing, it is imperative that all residents respect the rights of others living near them. In the apartments, residents need to respect those who live above, beside and/or below them. Residents who feel that their neighbors are being too loud are encouraged to talk with their neighbors about the disturbance and/or contact either their RA or University Police if the disturbance fails to immediately cease.

1. Residents or student groups who use community spaces within the residence halls or apartments (i.e. Judson Hall Lake Level Lounges, North Village J Community Center) for activities or events also need to respect the residents who live adjacent to those community spaces. The Judson Hall Lake Level Lounges are available throughout the night as study spaces. Quiet should be maintained during this time. There may be occasions where groups are given special permission to have events that extend beyond this deadline.
2. Any use of sound equipment should be confined to the individual student’s room and should be at a level that does not disturb other residents. Stereo speakers may not be placed in windows or on apartment balconies with the intent of listening to the stereo outdoors.
3. Courtesy hours are in effect at all times. Student staff members and all residents have mutual responsibility for encouraging peers to be courteous about noise levels. Any student has the right to respectfully approach another resident or group who is creating noise via a loud stereo or other means. Anyone approached about noise levels should make an effort to decrease the noise and contain it within their room.
4. The following quiet hours have been established:
   • Sunday-Thursday 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.
   • Friday and Saturday 11:00 p.m. to 11:00 a.m.
5. The playing of percussion, brass, string, woodwind or electric instruments is prohibited in campus housing except in practice room areas located in Lakeside Housing (all courtesy and quiet hours apply).

Posting of Flyers

Grip-a-strips are located throughout campus housing for the purpose of communicating information about campus events and student organizations to residents. Only Furman students, officially recognized student organizations, and Furman University departments may post flyers within campus housing. Flyers must relate in some way to Furman University or Furman events and cannot advertise for independent companies or entities. All flyers must bear a Housing and Residence Life departmental stamp with an associated end date indicating when the flyer is to be taken down after the event promotion has concluded. Housing and Residence Life Staff will remove flyers once the event promotion has concluded. Any flyers which do not have a departmental stamp and end date will be removed immediately.

Furman University students, student organizations, or departments that would like to post informational flyers in the residence halls or apartments must abide by the following guidelines:

1. Departments, students or student organizations must first bring a copy of the flyer to the Housing and Residence Life Office in Estridge Commons to verify the promoted event meets the guidelines for posting of flyers within campus housing.  It is highly recommended that all flyers be brought for approval at least 3-5 days in advance of the event to be promoted.  Housing and Residence Life cannot guarantee that flyers which are brought for approval less than 3 days before the event date will be distributed by the event date.
2. Once a flyer has been approved, it will be stamped with the departmental seal and a promotional end date, and the student organization/department can then make copies of the approved flyer.
3. Copies should be brought back to the Housing and Residence Life office for distribution to student hall staff.  Student organizations may also choose to hang their flyers once they have been stamped by Housing and Residence Life.

Recycling, Trash and Dumpster Diving

Recycling

Recycling is a priority of the university and as such, residents are urged to do their part in recycling efforts. Recycling containers are clearly marked and can be found throughout campus housing. Residents are encouraged to recycle using the appropriate containers. Garbage which cannot be recycled must be taken to the designated dumpsters near each hall and North Village apartment building. Residents are responsible for the individual recycling bins provided in their bedroom or apartment. A missing bin at the end of the semester will result in a $25 replacement fine.

Trash

Residents are responsible for the proper disposal of trash and items that can be recycled by using the dumpsters/trash compactors and recycle containers provided outside each campus housing area. South Housing residents should use the Blackwell compactor/recycle cans, Lakeside Housing residents should use the Gambrell compactor/recycle cans or the dumpster found near Health Services, North Village residents should use the dumpsters/recycle cans located in front of most buildings and Vinings residents should use the compactor/recycle cans located near the clubhouse. Students may not leave trash in the hallways or outside their rooms/apartments for any length of time as this is in violation of fire codes. Trash cans in public spaces, such as kitchens, laundry rooms or hall bathrooms, are provided for trash that is accumulated as a result of using those particular areas and may not be used for the disposal of personal room or apartment trash. Pizza boxes must be taken directly to the dumpsters. Individuals found responsible for the improper disposal of trash are subject to a minimum fine of $25. If an individual does not admit to being responsible, all residents in the area of the trash will be subject to a minimum community fine of $25 each.

Dumpster Diving

“Dumpster diving,” defined as the act of climbing or jumping into a dumpster for the reason of obtaining any items which have been placed in the dumpster, is strictly prohibited. In order to support educational activities related to sustainability, certain groups may be given permission for “dumpster diving” by Facilities Services. However, these activities, when approved, will be supervised by a representative of Facilities Services.

Roofs

Residents and their guests are not permitted to access the roofs or ledges of any campus housing facility.  Sitting in open windowsills is also prohibited. Residents who violate this policy will be fined a maximum of $500.

Room Condition Reports

When a resident checks into their room or apartment, they must review and sign the completed Room Condition Report (RCR). If a resident moves out of a room for any reason, it is their responsibility to have the room inventoried in accordance with the announced guidelines. Proper checkout consists of having the room inventoried and returning the room key(s). Failure to sign the RCR during checkout will result in a $75 fine. When a resident fails to vacate their room and building by the official checkout deadline, the resident may be fined a maximum of $300. The improper checkout fine does not include repair costs should damages be found during inspections.

Room Lock-outs

Residents who are locked out of their rooms should go to their RA Office during normal office hours. There is a charge of $10 per lock-out. After midnight in the residence halls and 10:00 p.m. in North Village/Greenbelt, University Police can unlock a resident’s door.  A student’s account will be billed for this service.

Study Rooms

Study rooms are located in the basements of Geer, Poteat, Ramsay and Townes. Food is allowed in the study areas. However, students are required to remove all personal belongings, such as food and books, when they leave a study area for more than one hour. Quiet hours should be maintained at all times in study areas. All study rooms are open 24 hours each day. Judson Hall Lake Level Lounges are set aside for study at all times meetings are not scheduled. A computer room with four terminals is located in the North Village Community Center (Bldg. J) and is accessible during the building’s hours of operation. The room is accessible to North Village residents only.

Tampering with Locked Residence Hall Doors

In order to protect the safety and security of residents living in campus housing, propping open or tampering in any way with a locked door within a residence hall complex or any other campus facility will result in a referral for student conduct action.

Visitation

Residence halls

The following policy concerning guest visitation in the residence halls has been established to provide balance of freedom, privacy and safety for on-campus residents. Within these guidelines, roommates should jointly determine when guests will be allowed in individual rooms. Abiding by these policies helps maintain a safer environment while respecting the rights of others in the residence halls. Individuals who violate these standards (through propping open entrances and exits, etc.) place at risk everyone who lives in the residence halls, and anyone found responsible for such infractions will be subject to student conduct action.

Visitors of the opposite gender are permitted to visit in students’ rooms in traditional residence halls during the following times: 10:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m. All other interior areas of the residence halls are off limits to members of the opposite gender except during official visitation hours. Residence hall apartments with exterior entrances are subject to the guidelines under “Apartment Housing” below.

Specific guidelines:

• Visitation privileges are subordinate to a resident’s right of privacy within their room. The presence of guests should in no way interfere with the rights of the roommate(s) or other residents. Visitation privileges may be revoked if it is determined that individuals are violating the rights of others.
• All individuals not currently enrolled at Furman must be escorted at all times by a resident when visiting any part of campus housing.
• Visitors should contact the resident with whom they wish to visit. The resident can then allow the visitor into the residence hall, and escort the visitor while they are in the building.
• Visitors are welcomed and encouraged to visit provided they observe the same community standards as residents.
• Card access is granted to and intended to only be used by residents to whom the access has been granted. Visitors may not use a resident’s access card to gain entry to a residence hall.
• Student staff members have the authority to request proper identification from individuals visiting the residence halls. Those individuals unable to provide ID upon request will be asked to leave the residence hall and/or be reported to Housing and Residence Life or University Police.
• Individuals found responsible for violating any part of the visitation policy may be referred for student conduct action. A student found responsible of violating any part of the policy twice may forfeit their visitation privileges for a period of time determined through student conduct proceedings.

Apartment housing

Housing and Residence Life offers North Village and Greenbelt housing residents a self-regulated visitation program through which the residents mutually agree upon and sign a contract related to their visitation hours. Additional information and contracts are available by request for each unit during the first week of classes. Contracts may be returned to the designated student staff members.

Common areas

The following common areas of the residence halls are open 24 hours daily:

• Daniel Lounge
• Earle Lounge
• Geer Study Rooms
• Judson Hall Lake Level Lounges
• Judson Lobby

Individuals who are guests and are not Furman residents must be escorted at all times when using common areas.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation is prohibited. All residents have the right to live in their room/apartment without the interruption of others whom they do not want to be in their living area. A resident must have the support of their roommate/suitemate/apartment mate for all guests brought into the room/suite/apartment.

Cohabitation is defined as sleeping/staying in the room for more than two (2) nights consecutively or more than six (6) nights in a month; using the bathroom or shower facilities as if one lived in that suite/apartment; keeping belongings, such as clothes and books, in the room as if one lived in that room/suite/apartment; or the use of a space which infringes on the rights and privacy of residents in the living area. Those individuals cohabitating are subject to the penalties of violating the visitation policy, which may include the loss of housing.

Guests

Guests are defined as visitors who are not Furman students. Residents are responsible for their guests’ conduct in campus housing. This includes hosting prospective students. Guests must be accompanied by their student host while in campus housing. No resident may have an overnight guest in campus housing for more than two consecutive evenings without written permission from the appropriate Housing and Residence Life official.