Graceland University -
Lamoni Campus | 1 University Place | Lamoni, IA 50140 | 641.784.5000
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Residence hall policies and regulations have been developed by students and staff members to safeguard the rights and property of all students. Living in a residential community requires the cooperation and understanding of each and every individual.
The policies and procedures listed here provide a framework within which all members of the community must operate. It is important to recognize your rights as well as the rights of others and to take full responsibility for your own actions.
Accommodating a Roommate
Residents who do not have a private room (see room selection), and who are not assigned a roommate, or the roommate moves out may receive a new roommate at any time during the term of the contract. Residents are expected to respond positively to a new roommate and to have clear and equitable space (half the room) for the roommate. Failure to accommodate a roommate or the refusal of a roommate to move in because of cleanliness, lack of space, etc., will result in a minimum $50 charge, and possible further sanctions.
Air Conditioners
Students making requests for special housing needs (including air-conditioning) must complete the permission to release information and forward the Residence Life Office Special Housing Needs Request Packet for completion by a physician. The submission deadline will be June 1 for the fall semester and December 1 for winter term or spring semester.
The Director of Residence Life will review the request and approve, approve with conditions or not approve the request. If a student is placed in a non air-conditioner residence hall and receives approval for an air conditioner, the student will bear the expense for the air conditioner. The unit must be installed and removed by Facility Services.
Requests submitted after the published deadlines will result in a late fee of $100.
Air conditioners that are installed must be between 5000-6000 BTUs and in good repair. Residents are encouraged to bring fans or purchase one from the Office of Residence Life for $15. Air conditioners will be removed and a $50 fine will be levied to students who are not in compliance.
Candles and Incense
Lit candles and incense are not permitted in residents’ rooms because of the fire hazard involved. Unlit candles are permitted for decorative and aromatic purposes. A fine of $50 will be assessed for a burning candle and a $5 fine for incense.
Cans, Bottles, and Containers
Possession of alcohol containers is prohibited. Because of sanitation reasons, can and bottle collections are not permitted.
Check-in and Check-out Procedures/Room Inventory Form
Check-in
Residents are required to check in with their House President/RA prior to occupying their rooms. At that time, residents will be given an inventory form that was completed prior to their arrival. Residents are required to sign the room inventory form. It is the resident’s responsibility to check the accuracy of the form and report any discrepancies they have with the form to their House President/RA.
Check-out
Residents are required to check-out with their House President/RA before leaving Graceland University Housing. Before checking-out residents need to:
All these steps are to be completed before residents will be checked out. During check-out, the room condition form will be reviewed and any damages or cleaning charges will be billed to the resident’s account. Failure to complete any or all of these steps will result in a $50 failure to check-out fine in addition to any cleaning charges.
Christmas Trees
Live Christmas trees are not permitted in residents’ rooms or hallways.
Damages/Cleaning Charges
Residents are not only responsible for their rooms but are also responsible for the environment in which they live. Any damages or excessive cleaning that cannot be billed to the person or persons responsible will be prorated among the members of the house or the entire hall. Please report any act of negligence or vandalism immediately to hall staff.
Darts
Due to the potential of personal injury and property damage, metal tipped darts are not allowed in the residence halls.
Emergency Notification
Residence hall residents are required to complete an Emergency Notification Card for each official break of the university: Thanksgiving, Winter, and Spring breaks. Failure to complete this form may result in a $10 fine if university personnel are required to attempt to locate the resident. Emergency Notification Cards may be completed online at MyInfo
Failure to Comply
Students are expected to comply with the directives of university personnel in performance of their duties. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary sanctions.
Fire Equipment and Fire Regulations
All students, including apartment residents, must leave the building if a fire alarm is sounded. Students may be fined $20.00 for failing to leave the building when the fire alarm is sounded. Tampering with the fire extinguishers or smoke detectors or setting off a false fire alarm will be cause for severe disciplinary action.
For your safety and the safety of others, residents are expected to maintain their rooms in an orderly manner at all times in compliance with the following regulations:
House Activities
A house activity exists when the house leadership, house name and/or house funds are used. Full responsibility for house activities rests with the House President.
All house activities shall be concerned with the positive spirit of enjoyment, creativity and service, which will provide unity and fellowship. House activities must not conflict with or violate the standards and expectations of Graceland University. House activities must be designed to involve each member in a positive social program that will provide experiences which will maintain the health (mental, physical, spiritual and emotional) and safety of the individual.
The following house activity guidelines are given to clarify and are not intended to be exhaustive:
The following checklist is to be used as a guide when planning house activities. If you cannot answer “yes” to each of these questions, then your house must discard or discontinue this activity:
Violations of this policy by individuals may result in referral to the Council on Student Welfare. Suspension from the university is a possibility. If the violation involves a group from a house, the House Council will meet with the Associate Dean of Students and/or Vice President of Student Life. Resolution may include withholding of house funds and/or suspension of house privileges.
House Changes
A House Change Form is available in the Residence Life Office. A committee (the two affected House Presidents and the Residence Hall Director) will meet and decide on the advisability of the change. The decision of the committee will be communicated in writing to the person requesting the change.
Late Night Entrance
Access to the living areas in all residence halls is restricted to the residents of the building after midnight Sunday through Thursday and after 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Each resident will be issued an ID card that will allow entrance to the building in which they live.
Loaning an ID card to someone else, or propping a door open, jeopardizing the safety of all residents will result in disciplinary action.
Lounges
The main lounges in the residence halls are open 24 hours for visitation. Lounges may be closed for special events at the direction of the Residence Hall Director.
Microwaves
Residents may bring their own microwave providing it is equal or less than 700 watts. Graceland reserves the right to remove units that are not kept in acceptable sanitation standards.
Overnight Guests
Overnight guests must be of the same gender as the residents of the hall in which they are staying. All overnight guests need to register at the receptionist’s desk. All visits are limited to three days unless approval has been given by the Residence Hall Director. Children under the age of five are not allowed to stay overnight in the residence halls. The individual host or hostess is responsible for the behavior of his/her guests.
Petitioning to Live Off-Campus
Residence hall contracts are valid for the entire academic year. Juniors, seniors or students 21 years of age or older, who wish to cancel their residence hall contract, must notify the Residence Life Office in writing.
Cancellations must be received prior to July 1 for the fall semester and by December 1 for winter term and/or spring semester. Failure to meet this deadline will result in a $100.00 fine. Forms may be completed online or obtained in the Residence Life Office.
Pets
For reasons of health and sanitation, pets (except fish, in no larger than a 20 gallon tank) are not allowed in or near the residence halls, units or Tower Apartments. Violation of this policy will result in immediate removal of the animal, a $50 fine plus any cleaning charges.
Preliminary Room Checks
Preliminary room checks are conducted each spring during the last week of classes. The House President and Residence Hall Director will inspect the rooms to determine if there are damages or repairs. Students will have the opportunity to clear these charges before checking out.
Quiet/Study/Courtesy Hours
These hours guarantee that any individual in a residence hall may choose to study or sleep at any time. To maintain an atmosphere of study and scholastic achievement minimum quiet hours have been set from 11:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. Sunday – Saturday. Individual houses can extend quiet hours in their house. When quiet hours are in effect, residents are expected to:
Starting the day before final exams and continuing throughout finals week quiet hours will be in effect 24 hours a day.
Refrigerators
Residents may bring their own refrigerator providing it complies with the following specifications:
Graceland reserves the right to remove units that are not kept in acceptable sanitation standards.
Repair and Damage Charges
The university expects normal wear and tear through the everyday use of a student's room and the residence hall in general. However, any damage to the room and furnishings or to the public areas of the hall caused by a student's carelessness, negligence or improper conduct will be charged to the student. Costs are equally divided among all residents for unclaimed damages on their floor or section of the building.
Common charges are listed below:
| Beds: | ||
| Mattress pads | $20.00 | |
| Mattress replacements | 120.00 | |
| Frame | 125.00 | |
| Lofting/Bunking Hardware | 5.00 | |
| Bookshelf | 237.00 | |
| Ceiling tile | 40.00 | |
| Chairs | 341.00 | |
| Desks | 250.00 | |
| Doors: | ||
| Room, replace | 220.00 | |
| Wardrobe, replace door | 80.00 | |
| Room Number Plate outside door | 10.00 | |
| Dresser | 429.00 | |
| Fire Extinguishers: | ||
| Missing | 40.00 | |
| Depressurized | 20.00 | |
| Floor: | ||
| Carpet hole/stain(s) | 30.00 | |
| Tile damage/replacement | TBD | |
| Lights: | ||
| Replace | 40.00 | |
| Replace cover | 25.00 | |
| Locks: replace combination lock | 300.00 | |
| Nailholes, each | 3.00 | |
| Mirror, replacement | 35.00 | |
| Shelving Unit: | ||
| Replace wood | 10.00 | |
| Brackets, each | 5.00 | |
| Smoke Detectors, replacement | 90.00 | |
| Thermostats, replacement | 25.00 | |
| Towel Racks, replacement | 18.00 | |
| Walls: repaint | 95.00 | |
| Windows: | ||
| Replace blinds | 60.00 | |
| Screen | 50.00 | |
| Window | 120.00 | |
| Windowpane | 50.00 | |
| Telephone: | ||
| Data Connector Box | 75.00 | |
| Replacement | 60.00 | |
| Television: | ||
| GU/Mediacom cables | 10.00 | |
Repair Requests
Any item in a students room needing repair is to be reported to Facilities Services (extension 5191). Please identify your residence hall and room number when requesting service. Repairs are expected within 48 hours. If a repair is not completed by this time, please notify your House President or Residence Hall Director.
Residence Hall Property
All university property (room furniture, lounge furniture, clocks, trash cans, etc.) is to remain in their designated areas unless approval is given by the Hall Director. Any missing items that are found in a resident’s room will be considered an act of theft. If the item is not located the cost to replace the item will be prorated among the members of the house or entire hall.
Roofs
No resident will be allowed on the roof of any residence hall without the permission of the Facilities Services Director.
Room Changes
Students are encouraged to work out difficulties with their roommates and to seek the help of their House President. After consultation with the House President, if the situation is still not resolved, the roommates may request a room change. No change will be made during the first two weeks of the school year without the direct approval of the Director of Residence Life.
Room Consolidation
The Residence Life Office reserves the right to consolidate students in order to better use available space. When such a situation arises, the Residence Life personnel will choose one of the several options which will best meet the needs of the individual and the needs of the residence hall as a whole. These options may include the following:
Room Entry/Search and Seizure
Authorized university staff and personnel have the right of entry into a student's room for purposes of repair and maintenance; assessment of damages and inventory of university property; determination of violation of public health, sanitary regulations; or emergencies where imminent danger to life, safety, health or property is suspected.
With the permission of the Dean or Associate Dean of Students, university personnel has the right to search individual rooms and/or room by room if there is suspicion that there is violation of university regulations.
Whenever possible, room searches will be conducted with the room resident(s) present. Following a search in which a student is not present, a written report will be given to the student(s) explaining when the search was conducted and for what reason. Substances and property not in compliance with university policy will be confiscated.
Roommates are equally responsible for violations occurring in the residence hall room unless the roommate has attempted to resolve the situation through the appropriate channels: the roommate, House President and/or Residence Hall Director.
Civil authorities have the right at all times to come onto the campus, including making entry into residence hall rooms, with or without the knowledge of the Dean of Students, for purposes of investigation of illegal activity, including search and/or seizure with a search warrant. If you need to contact the authorities, please call the Lamoni Police directly at 784-3700 or contact the Dean of Students (phone 784-5106) for assistance.
Room Modifications/Lofts
Guidelines and regulations govern room décor changes. As a general rule, walls, doors, ceilings, and floors must remain unchanged. Homemade lofts are not allowed. Products recommended for use on walls and doors: In Units, Graybill, and Tess Morgan, you may use yellow or white ticky tac on walls and doors and s-hooks; in Gunsolley, yellow or white ticky tac on walls and doors are acceptable; in Walker, students may use small staples for walls, ticky tac for doors.
Roommate Rights and Responsibilities
The basic rights of residents include but are not limited to:
The basic responsibilities of residents include but are not limited to:
If the resident feels that their rights are being violated or a resident(s) is not living up to their responsibilities, they are encouraged to discuss the issue with the person(s) causing the problem. If difficulties continue, contact the House President or Hall Director.
Room Selections
Guidelines
Room assignments within the house for the succeeding year are determined by drawing lots by each group of roommates. Priority for room assignments are given to:
A certain number of rooms on any floor are designated as private. Private rooms not selected will be held for incoming transfer/non-traditional students. Eligibility to draw for private rooms is by seniority. Additional private rooms or changing the site of a private room must have the approval of the Director of Residence Life. If a returning student chooses a room and requests a space to be held for a "new" student, the space will be held until June 1.
Groups which include seniors are given preference over juniors; groups including juniors are given preference over sophomores. If rooms are vacant at semester, the same priorities will be used. Two-person semi-private rooms are selected by seniority of roommate pairs.
Unit Selection Procedure
Priority for the Units are given to:
After private rooms are filled, roommate groups will be given preference over individuals requesting rooms. Individuals selecting double occupancy rooms may be assigned a roommate over the summer or be asked to move in order to fill double occupancy rooms.
Screens
The screens in the windows are permanent and are not to be removed or tampered with under any circumstances. A minimum charge of $50 will be charged for missing or loose screens.
Sound Systems
External powered or non-powered subwoofers exceeding 50 watts are not permitted in the residence halls or units. Sound systems are not to be projected out windows. In accordance with Graceland University values and mission, music that has profanity or is offensive in nature is not to be played loud enough to be heard outside of the room. If a stereo or other equipment becomes a problem, it will be confiscated and stored until the resident is able to take it home.
Trash
Residents are responsible for carrying trash to the dumpsters provided outside the residence halls. Residents who leave their trash in the hallway will be fined $25 and face possible further sanctions. If Residence Hall staff is unable to identify the individual responsible, the charge will be prorated among the entire house or hall.
Unclaimed/Abandoned Personal Property
Residents are expected to remove all personal property from their rooms and storage closets at the end of the academic year or when their contract is canceled or terminated. Any property left more than thirty (30) days will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of Residence Life personnel. Anyone wishing to store their belongings over summer break must have a contract for the following year.
Visitation
Guidelines and Regulations
The responsibility for visitation rests individually and collectively with each resident student, and the administrative staff of the halls.
Hours
Visiting hours will begin the first day of classes and will be as follows:
Rules
Rights of Residents During Visitation
System of Fines and Disciplinary Action
The Residence Hall Director, Assistant to Residence Hall Director, Resident Assistant, or a House President will impose fines on students who are found in violation of the visitation policies as follows:
The student will be referred to the Dean of Students or the Council on Student Welfare (CSW) upon the third occurrence of any violation. Fines will be based on violations within the current academic year only.
Major violations, or the intent to commit a major violation (i.e. entering residence area outside of guest hours, violation of guest hours by more than one half –hour will result in direct referral to the Residence Life Council.
Students may appeal a visitation violation which has taken place during visiting hours or up to thirty minutes after visitation hours have ended. The student will write a letter of appeal and submit it to their Residence Hall Director. Appeals will be forwarded to the Residence Life Council. The Residence Life Council will make the decision to grant or dismiss the appeal and relay the decision to the student.
Semester Break
The residence halls are closed over winter break. Before leaving for break, residents are required to:
Failure to do any of these things will result in a $20 improper check-out fee and possible cleaning charges.
Residents who are moving off campus or leaving the university after the fall semester are required to remove all belongings and follow check-out procedures.