Alvernia University

University Policies

Visitation Policies A guest is defined as anyone who does not live in that

residence hall (even if they live in another AU residence hall).

A student’s right to have a guest is superseded by the roommates’ right to uninterrupted use of the room/suite.

Visitation hours:Sun-Thurs: 9:00 am-12:00amFri & Sat: 9:00am-3:00am

Residents must escort guests when in residence halls at all times.

The host is responsible for ensuring that guests are familiar with and comply with all university policies/procedures.

Visitation Policies-Overnight guests

Guests must be the same gender as the host (unless s/he is a sibling under the age of 13).

Residents may have only two (2) overnight guests per night. B/T roommates, there can be no more than three (3) guests per room per night.

Limited to three (3) consecutive nights and may not stay for more than fifteen (15) nights per semester.

Overnight guests must be registered by completing the Overnight Guest Form.

The guest is issued an overnight guest pass which must be carried at all times.

If the guest is not properly registered, then the guest will not be permitted to stay in a campus residence.

Quiet Hours

Each resident is obliged to maintain an environment conducive to studying and sleeping.

Students are expected to respond cooperatively to staff/others who make a request for quiet.

Electronic equipment that is causing the noise violation may be confiscated.

Sun-Thurs: 10:00 pm-9:00am, Fri & Sat- 1:00am-9:00am

Safety & Security Room, exterior and hallway doors serve as a

safety feature and also help to prevent fire from spreading.

Do not prop open doors. If you see a door propped open, close it.

Lock doors even when you are going to the shower/bathroom.

Report damaged locks immediately!

Secure valuables in a locked box.

University ID cards are to be carried at all times and are not transferable. Lost cards should be reported to Public Safety.

ID cards should be presented immediately upon request by a university official.

Electrical Appliances Items with the underwriters Seal of Approval are permitted

in rooms: radios, stereos, televisions, clocks and hairdryers.

String lights are permitted in any residence hall as decoration. – Lights must not be hung around doors or obstruct egress

One microwave only is permitted per room (max 120v/10amps).

Only one microwave is permitted in the kitchen of the THs.

Prohibited Appliances:– Cooking appliances, hot plates, toasters/toaster ovens, electric, coal or

gas grills, sunlamps, halogen lamps are not permitted in any area of the residence halls or THs.

Unauthorized/dangerous items will be confiscated and will not be returned.

Fire Safety

All candles, incense, incense burners and any open flame materials are prohibited in residence halls.

Halogen lamps are prohibited.

No hazardous materials, ammunition, explosives may be stored in a students’ rooms.

Fire Safety (cont.) Residents are expected to familiarize themselves

with the emergency evacuation plans. At the sound of a fire alarm, residents are to evacuate immediately. Fire drills will be conducted periodically.

Personal items/room furniture must not block or inhibit egress from a room, hallway or building.

Live Christmas trees are not permitted in residence hall rooms, lounges or townhouses.

Compliance with Staff

Residents and their guests are to follow the instructions of Residence Life and University Staff (Administrators, Public Safety Officers and RAs) in compliance of their duties.

Noncompliance with abuse or threat of (physical/verbal), or any behavior that restricts/prevents a member from effectively executing responsibilities will be subject to disciplinary actions.

Harassment

AU strives to maintain an environment where all employees and students are free from harassment. AU does not tolerate harassment of any type. Furthermore, no employee/student is to be discriminated or retaliated against for bringing alleged issues of harassment to the attention of the university. Feelings of harassment should be reported ASAP to ORL, Public Safety or VP for University Life.

Hazing

Hazing is any action taken or situation created that does/might mental, physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule. Hazing is an abusive, insulting and/or humiliating act on the part of an individual, group or organization that violates the mission of the university. Hazing is also a violation of PA Law. Violation of this policy WILL RESULT in disciplinary action against an offending individual/group.

ID Policy

All new students at AU are issued their first ID card at no charge and are required to carry their card at all times.

Failure to produce a valid card when requested, fraudulent use, transfer of an ID to another person may result in confiscation, loss of privileges and/or disciplinary action.

Lost cards must be reported to Public Safety ASAP. Lost or stolen money on the card can not be refunded.

Posting & Advertising Policies

Approval of the Director of ORL or designee is required to post materials in residence halls.

Flyers must not be “socially offensive” set for by the mission of AU.

Flyers must NOT be posted on painted surfaces, glass, departmental bulletin boards, attached to light fixtures, statues. Flyers must be removed by those who post them.

Chalking is not permitted on the exterior of buildings, light fixtures, benches, statues, trash receptacles.

Solicitation/Sales Policy

AU policy prohibits door to door sales, sales meetings, placing hand flyers on cars or under residence hall doors. Also restricted are sales or promotional tables in the lobbies of residence halls. Unapproved solicitation on campus should be reported to Public Safety.

Keys Each resident is issued a room key and a

mail box key. AH, CH, FH, JH, VA1, VA2 and VH residents will use their ID card to access the building.

Loss/Failure to return will result in re-core and replacement key charges.

It is prohibited to duplicate keys, students may not lend keys to others. Routine lock outs may be subject to fine/disciplinary action.

Lost/missing keys should be reported to Public Safety ASAP.

Confiscation Policy

All items which are forbidden, illegal, or inappropriate by law, rule or policy can be confiscated by RAs, PS Officers or anyone else representing the administration.

Confiscated items will not be returned.

Room Inspections/ Entry by Staff

While AU recognizes each residents right to privacy, it also reserves the right for authorized representatives to enter student residences for the following reasons:

– Regular/Emergency housekeeping and maintenance, for fire hazards, testing of fire safety equip., maintenance, health, sanitation and pest control.

– When there is probable cause that university policies are being violated. Probable cause is defined as anything that would lead a reasonable person to believe that a violation of policy or a crime is/ has been committed.

(Cont.) Room Inspections/ Entry by Staff

Prohibited items found are subject to documentation and confiscation. This may include alcohol bottles/cans, shot glasses, ashtrays, candles, pet food dishes, Dinning Hall Dishes, etc…

Except in the case of an emergency, a member of the ORL will accompany any university representative or official searching residences along with Public Safety.

ORL staff may request that residents open any refrigerator. If the student refuses, GHD should be contacted. GHD should notify ADRL.

(Cont.) Room Inspections/ Entry by Staff

With reasonable amount of evidence that an individual is bringing prohibited items into a residence hall or TH, ORL Staff may ask an individual to open bags, boxes, laundry baskets etc…

Failure to comply with the request violates university policy and the university, will expect that the item in question will be removed from campus.

All items that are confiscated are donated to a local charity or deposited in the trash

Damage Policies

When damage occurs in residence halls, repair and/or replacement costs are billed to the students responsible if the responsible party(s) cannot be found then all student that have reasonable access to that space are billed.

All residents share responsibility with others in the floor, hall or TH. This includes the removal of common area furniture.

Room Decorations The hallways of residence halls are considered

“public access” therefore limitations may be imposed. The following apply to room decorations:– Nothing may be displayed in public space that is

considered in poor taste, lewd or offensive– No sheets, banners should be hung outside windows or

the exterior portion of any residence hall. No item may be hung from a light fixture/safety

device, no decorative candles or potpourri burners, no stickers or glow in the dark stars may be affixed to walls, ceilings etc…

Finally, no resident can paint, wallpaper, panel rooms, construct attached structures in rooms. However, students are allowed to bunk or stack beds.

Pet Policies

Pets are NOT permitted in the residences for the following reasons: inhumane in close quarters, potential health problems, cause destruction to property, disruptive to other students.

One exception: students may have fish in an aquarium no larger than fifteen (15) gallons.

Students may be assessed a non-negotiable charge for the disinfecting of a room.

Pets may also be confiscated by the Office of Residence Life.

Smoking Policy

Smoking anywhere in residential facilities is not permitted.

Smokers are required to be 25 feet from residence halls for courtesy and to avoid having smoke drift into the buildings. Smokers are expected to use the receptacles outside of buildings.

Alcohol Policyunderage <21

May NOT consume alcohol anywhere on campus.

May be in the presence of alcohol in “their living unit” as long as no guests are present (only legal age roommates).

May NOT carry or display any alcohol containers (full or empty).

Alcohol Policy >21

May possess/consume alcohol in their living unit as long as: – all those who are present are of legal

age or a roommate – no underage guests are present

May possess/consume alcohol in other living units as long all present are of legal drinking age.

Alcohol Policy Regardless of Age

No students may consume alcohol in “dry” buildings (CH, VH, FH)

No student may be visibly or overtly intoxicated

No students may consume alcohol outside of a living unit (stairs, hallways, in the Quad)

Possess kegs, party balls, or paraphernalia that promotes excessive consumption of alcohol. (i.e. shot glass, beer bongs, funnels, ect.)

Please make sure to read the University Policy on pages 57-67pp.

Additional Information

Please see the Alvernia University Student Handbook for more detailed list of policies.– Please focus on pages 44-69pp.

Please note that some minor changes may be made to the handbook over the summer. These changes will be highlighted during training.