Residence Life

As a four-year residential university, St. Lawrence considers the residential experience to be an integral component of the educational process.  Living in residence, students gain experience in self-governance, individual and social responsibility, and acceptance of different lifestyles and values.  The residential program seeks to provide an educational environment conducive to the personal growth of each student.

The Office of Residence Life joins the rest of the St. Lawrence community in its commitment to celebrating the rich diversity of people who live and work within our community.  All of our activities, programs, and everyday interactions are enriched by our acceptance of one another, and the knowledge we gain when we learn from each other in an atmosphere of positive engagement and mutual respect.

The residence life experience requires each of us to be thoughtful in our speech and actions so as to make this learning environment personally supportive and educationally valuable to all who live and work here.  As a member of the living-learning community, you will be expected to contribute to an atmosphere of encouragement and mutual respect by giving to others the respect that all students, staff and faculty deserve.  

Departmental Staff
The Office of Residence Life includes more than 55 student staff members and 6 professional staff members who are here to help you have a meaningful and productive experience living on campus.  Should you have any questions about the residential living experience, or should you encounter any problems or difficulties with your St. Lawrence experience, our departmental staff is trained to assist you.  The front-line staff with whom students have the most contact include the Community Assistants and the Residential Coordinators.

Community Assistants (CAs)
The Residence Life staff with whom residents have the greatest amount of contact are the Community Assistants, otherwise known as CAs.  Community Assistants are undergraduate student staff who live in the residence halls and suites in order to help build positive residential communities, which complement and extend classroom learning.  Accordingly, CAs assume many responsibilities.  For example, they help students understand how their choices and actions impact themselves and the community.  In addition, they provide programming and other opportunities for students to explore and clarify their interests, values and attitudes.  Community Assistants also provide personal and academic mentoring and referral.  One of the most important roles that CAs perform is developing positive living environments that enhance student academic success. 

Residential Coordinators (RCs)
Residential Coordinators are professional, live-in members of the Office of Residence Life. Residential Coordinators have primary responsibility for the student development, management and supervision of a residential area. Each Residential Coordinator supervises a staff of Community Assistants. 

Housing Information
St. Lawrence University has a variety of housing types.First-year students live in FYP Learning Communities in traditional style residence halls. Traditional style residence halls include Gaines, 62 Park, Sykes, Priest, Reiff, Rebert, Lee, Whitman, and Dean Eaton.  Residential suites include Hulett and Jencks.  Greek houses include Alpha Tau Omega and Kappa Delta Sigma.  There are also 10 theme cottages including Artist’s Guild, Black Women’s Residence, Coffee House, Greenhouse, Habitat for Humanity, La Casa Latina, Outdoor Alternatives, Pink Triangle, Ray Ross House, and Women’s Resource Center. One housing option exclusively for seniors is the Steiner Senior Townhouses.

One option available to upper-class students is “theme community housing” in which a group of students are housed in a cottage, suite or residence hall floor based on a common theme, vision, goal or attribute.  In return for the privilege of residing in a theme community, members of theme housing groups are expected to make programmatic contributions to the St. Lawrence and/or Canton communities.  Theme community selection and placement decisions are made in the spring semester prior to the room draw process.  Information about how to propose a theme community is disseminated in the spring semester.

Housing Assignments
At the beginning of the spring semester, all enrolled students receive information from the Residence Life office about the various housing options available for the next academic year.  Housing assignments are made through a multi-phased process that includes Senior Townhouse selection, theme housing, learning community housing, block housing and the general room draw.  Detailed information about each process is disseminated at the beginning of the spring semester.

For the 2007-2008 academic year, the rate for all University-owned single rooms (including spaces in the Senior Townhouses) is $2,810 per semester and the cost for all other rooms is $2,435 per semester.  If a student moves to a more or less expensive room type in the middle of the semester, the additional cost or credit will be prorated based on the date of the move.

Students planning to study abroad during the fall semester should complete their housing agreement in the prior spring semester.  Students are expected to reside in University or Greek housing upon their return.  Housing placements are made during winter break for the spring semester. 

Students who are studying abroad for a full year will be assigned to a housing space during the housing assignment process conducted in the spring semester prior to their return.  They should complete a housing preference form prior to their departure and have another student serve as their proxy in the assignment process. 

Due to the limited number of housing spaces on campus, the Office of Residence Life works closely with all Greek houses to ensure that they are full.  Accordingly, fraternity or sorority members wishing to reside in a location other than their chapter house must get permission from their chapter president.

Senior Townhouses
Students are selected to reside in the Steiner Senior Townhouses based on the quality and quantity of contributions that they have made to the St. Lawrence University community throughout their time here.

Room Changes
The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to initiate changes in housing assignments, and to change or alter living arrangements in residential buildings.  Students may be required to move for reasons pertaining to health, safety and issues related to the Student Code of Conduct.  Failure to abide by university or residential learning community regulations, particularly with respect to health and safety, may result in disciplinary measures or the revocation of the housing agreement.

Since a principle philosophy of the Residence Life office is that residential living is a living and learning experience, students may be asked to participate in measures to open up communications between roommates before a room change can be requested.  Room changes are possible throughout the year, after an initial two-week waiting period at the beginning of each term.  Students wishing to make a room change must meet with and submit paperwork to the Residential Coordinator for their building.  Before a room change can take place, the Assistant Director of Residence Life must approve it.  Students who change rooms without proper authorization may be subject to administrative reassignment and disciplinary action, and a fine of $100.

Residential Facilities Opening and Closing
The closing and re-opening dates for winter recess are announced well in advance of that break period.  Occupancy of residences, including cottages and University-owned Greek houses is prohibited during this break period and no student is allowed to enter buildings before the announced opening time.  Students who enter residential buildings during this recess period are considered trespassing and will be subject to disciplinary action and/or arrest.  International students should meet with their Residential Coordinator to talk about living arrangements for the winter break.

The buildings do not officially close for the fall break at Thanksgiving or for spring break.  However, if a student needs to be here for either of those break periods, they must communicate that information to the Office of Residence Life at least two weeks prior to the break.  Please note that there is no food service scheduled for these break periods.  In addition, non-international students needing to remain on campus will be charged $100 for each break period that they are on campus.

It is important to note that University personnel conduct safety inspections of each residential room at the beginning of each break period.  At the end of the semester, students may occupy their rooms for 24 hours after their last scheduled exam or until the official closing time of the residential buildings, whichever comes first.  Students who remain past the semester closing deadline without prior permission of the Office of Residence Life are subject to a fine.  Those students who terminate enrollment before the end of the semester must leave within 24 hours.

Residential Access Control/ID Cards
Students may use their campus ID card to access residential buildings at any time that the university is in session.  Campus ID cards are valid for the entire time a student is enrolled at St. Lawrence University and are not reissued annually. Lost cards should be reported immediately to the Security and Safety Office.  The first replacement card is free; there is a $20 charge for additional campus ID card replacement.  Campus ID cards are not transferable.  There is a fine for misuse of campus ID cards.

Appliances
The following list of appliances is aproved for use in student room as long as they are UL approved:
Radios Heating pads   Popcorn poppers
Personal Computers    Hot pots           VCR/DVD players
Curling irons    Televisions      Hair dryers
Stereos            Electric blankets          Small microwave ovens

Refrigerators are permitted but they are limited to a size of no more than 3 cubic feet.  Only one refrigerator is permitted in each room.  Students who are using more than one appliance must purchase a power strip to avoid over-loading the electrical system.
Cable television is available in all residential rooms.  Accordingly, TV or radio antenna are not permitted to be placed on any part of a University building, tree or structure.
The following are not permitted in residential rooms:
Hot plates        Sun lamps       Ceiling fans
Toasters           Fog machines  Dimmer switches
Air conditioners           Darts and dart boards  Hot Tubs/Spas/Pools
Immersion coils           Charcoal or gas grills  Hookahs
Space heaters Halogen lamps

Please note that residence life staff will confiscate any of the forbidden appliances.  Flammable and combustible materials are not permitted in any residential building.

Art Objects
The Richard F. Brush Art Gallery is an academic and cultural resource whose mission is to acquire, exhibit, interpret, preserve, and otherwise make accessible works of art for the benefit of a variety of audiences in support of the educational goals of the University.  The Permanent Collection contains nearly 7,000 art objects and artifacts, which are frequently displayed in rotating exhibitions in the gallery as well as in other public spaces on campus.  Any individual who steals, damages, or defaces an art object is referred to the Student Judiciary Board with the recommendation for immediate suspension from the university.  In addition, the individual is responsible for paying for any related damage.

Banners/Posters
Consult with the residential coordinator prior to hanging any banner/poster for guidelines for hanging banners on or in University residential buildings.

Combination Access for Residential Rooms
Students are provided with a combination for their room door locks upon check-in.  DO NOT SHARE YOUR ROOM DOOR LOCK COMBINATION WITH ANYONE.  The Office of Residence Life may change the door lock combination at any time at the expense of the resident if it is documented that the student has shared the combination with non-residents of their room.  Because safety is of paramount importance to us, students who share their door combination with others may face disciplinary action. The fee is $25 to change a room combination. THE UNIVERSITY IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY LOST, STOLEN OR DAMAGED.  Accordingly, students should keep their doors locked at all times.

Cooking in Residential Buildings
Students who reside in buildings that have kitchens are only permitted to cook in the kitchen within their residential facility.  Students must clean up after themselves when they are finished cooking.  This is not the responsibility of housekeeping staff.  Kitchens that are not kept clean may be closed for use at the discretion of the Residential Coordinator. With the exception of using a small microwave oven, students are not permitted to cook in their rooms.
Students are not permitted to store or use barbeque grills within 10 feet of a building.  Violations of this policy may result in a fine and disciplinary action.

Energy Conservation
Energy conservation should be a prime concern of every resident student.  We ask that you turn off lights, all electrical appliances and close windows when leaving your room.

Darts and Dart Boards
Metal-tipped darts and dart boards are not allowed in student rooms.

Guests/Visitors Policy
Each student assigned to a residence hall room has primary rights to occupy that room (i.e., the right to sleep and/or study in the room).  St. Lawrence University respects the right of students to have visitors in their rooms at any time, but does not allow students or non-students to live in a room to which they have not been assigned.  St. Lawrence University does not condone cohabitation.  There is a 72-hour limit within each 7 day period on the time a guest may visit a student on campus.  Repeated 72-hour visits may be questioned and visitation denied by residential coordinators or the director of Residence Life. (Guests are not permitted to sleep overnight in any common spaces including residential lounges.)

Students are responsible for the actions of their guests while the guests are on campus. Guests are subject to all rules of the campus community as outlined in the Student Handbook.  Hosts are billed for damages or fines as a result of a guest’s behavior and may be referred for disciplinary action.  In cases of guests visiting but not staying overnight, care must be taken to allow for the primary rights of roommates to their room.  Students are expected to respect the rights of their roommates or suitemates whenever guests/visitors are present.

Student Life staff may remove a guest from campus immediately for disruption of the community, infringement of rules and regulations, harassment of staff, or other safety or community concern.

Hall Sports
Playing games or sports in hallways of residential buildings is prohibited.  Games such as Frisbee, hockey, skate-boarding, roller blading, lacrosse, soccer, water fights, water guns, etc. can cause injury or set off false alarms, and often damage property. Violations are cause for disciplinary action, including fines.

Insurance
The University is not responsible for the loss or damage of personal property.  Residents are responsible for carrying their own insurance to cover personal possessions.  St. Lawrence University has contracted with Niagara National, Inc. to provide a relatively inexpensive student personal property insurance policy for those who might be interested.  Complete details on the Student Personal Property Insurance are available on-line at www.slustudenthealthinsurance.com or by calling Niagra National, Inc. at 800-444-5530 ext. 209 or 211.

Lofts
Privately purchased loftable beds or student-made lofts are not permitted in residential buildings.  Loftable beds are available for many residential areas—see custodial or residential staff for more information.

Lounge and Common Areas
Furniture in lounges and common areas of University buildings is for the use and comfort of all students and must not be removed from the building.  Students found with lounge/outdoor furniture in their rooms may be fined up to the replacement cost. Students who damage common areas are charged and are subject to disciplinary action. 

For health and safety reasons, lounges, kitchens and hallways must be kept clean at all times and free of personal items and property.  St. Lawrence reserves the right to remove and dispose of personal items that obstruct hallways and stairwell landings.  Overnight sleeping in common spaces including residential lounges is not permitted.

University furniture may not be removed from buildings.  Violators are subject to disciplinary action.  When lounge furniture, or other University furnishings are missing, residents will be given a 24-hour notice prior to a room search.  The repair or replacement cost of damaged or missing items from lounge areas or damage not charged to an individual will be charged equally to all residents of the building.

Pet Policy
No pets except fish are permitted in University-owned student rooms or other campus buildings.  Students who are found with pets, whether visiting or owned by the student, are subject to an initial fine of $100, community service hours and a continuing fine of $10 a day per pet.  Students receive written notice when the fine goes into effect.  If, one week from the date of written notice, the pet is not removed, the student is referred to the Student Judiciary Board.

This policy does not apply to the use of companion animals for those individuals with documented disabilities.

Privacy and Personal Property
University staff and students must respect the privacy and personal property of individuals in residence.  The University reserves the right for staff to enter and inspect University residences for the following reasons: emergency; fire safety and health standards; safety of personal property; proper evacuation procedures during fire alarms and drills; general maintenance and repair; and inspection of furnishings (i.e., for stolen University property).  Staff members will knock and identify themselves and their purpose for knocking.  Failure to respond cooperatively and in a timely manner can be cause for the staff member to let him/herself in and could be cause for disciplinary action.  When possible and appropriate, advance notice will be given. 

Confiscation:  The University reserves the right to remove any item in “plain sight” which does not conform with University policies or New York State law.  “Plain sight” is defined as something in open, plain view, which can be seen without moving other items.

Room Searches: A formal search, as distinguished from an inspection, involves a thorough examination of a student residential hall room.  For this to occur, a warrant must be obtained from the chief justice or, in his or her absence, another justice of the Student Judiciary Board (“J-Board”).  If no justice is available, the University’s judicial officer may issue the warrant.  The request for a warrant should be signed by the vice president and dean of student life and co-curricular education.  The warrant should describe with as much particularity as practicable the objects being searched for and the premises to be searched.  The warrant should be supported by sufficient information to evidence that there is a reasonable basis to believe the described objects will be located on the premises to be searched.

While every effort should be made to ensure that one or more of the persons occupying the premises to be searched are present for the search, where circumstances support a search even in the absence of the occupants, the chief justice (or person acting in his or her stead) may so authorize.  A neutral student representative (Thelmo or J-Board representative or, if none are available, another student) should be present during a search. Subject to the rules on “plain view,” evidence uncovered during a search which does not support the stated purpose of the search is not normally used against the student.  Exceptions can be made by the Student Judiciary Board (or such other body hearing a case) when considered appropriate.

Safety Inspections: All residential rooms are inspected at Thanksgiving, between semesters, and at Spring break to insure that safety systems are functioning and that residents are maintaining their space in a manner which is safe for themselves and other students. Disciplinary action will be taken when violations are found during room inspections.

If a room door is open it is assumed that observations of behavior or objects by staff have been made with permission of the occupants.

The University is not responsible for personal property left behind by students at the end of the year or after the date of their withdrawal, transfer, departure, suspension or dismissal from any room or suite in University housing.

Property Use and Maintenance
In order to maintain a safe and comfortable atmosphere within University housing, residents must abide by the following policies.

Fire escapes should be used only in case of emergency.

Screens must remain intact and may not be removed.

No roofs of University buildings may be used for sunbathing or any other purpose.  Potential for falls are both a safety risk and an insurance risk.  Any person found on a roof is subject to a fine and disciplinary action.

Items may not be thrown from or through windows. Violators are subject to dsiciplinary action and a fine.

Hallways and stairwells must be kept free of obstruction in order to allow people to pass through at all times.  This is of special concern during building evacuations.

Students must properly dispose of their garbage in their designated recycling room.  Garbage in hallways is a safety/health hazard for everyone.

Quiet Hours/Noise
Residential buildings must maintain an atmosphere that supports the academic mission of the University.  Consideration for others and mutual respect for persons and property are among the most important components for successful residence hall living.  Noise levels that negatively affect study, sleep or other activities are not tolerated regardless of the time of day.  All residents are expected to be considerate of others so that an environment conducive to academic success and personal happiness is maintained. Students who violate quiet hours are subject to disciplinary action and community service work.
Minimum quiet hours in all campus residences are 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday.  Quiet hours on Friday and Saturday nights are 1:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.  During final examinations, quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day. Students who violate quiet hours during finals week are subject to a fine of $25 for each violation.

It is important to note that although there are posted quiet hours, all times of the day and night are considered “courtesy hours” during which residents are expected to maintain noise levels that neither disturb neighbors nor prohibit other students from their right to have quiet for study and rest.
Playing musical instruments (electric guitars, drums, etc.) is not generally permitted.  While there is no desire to prohibit students from enjoying music, limits must be observed which allow students to study or sleep without being disturbed.  Abuse of the privilege to use a stereo, disc player, radio, etc. will lead to restrictions or withdrawal of the privilege to keep the equipment in a residential room.

Room Damages
Students are responsible for damage to their rooms.  Students complete a room condition report when a student moves into the room and again when the room is vacated.  It is the resident’s responsibility to make sure the inventory is accurate.  The Office of Residence Life bills damaged or missing furniture to residents.

Charges are assessed if extra custodial service is needed to clean rooms or remove excess items such as extra furniture, cement blocks, lofts, etc. upon a resident(s) leaving the room. Room mattresses are checked at the end of each year. Students are responsible for complete replacement costs if the mattress is soiled or damaged.
Students are not permitted to make their own repairs or install fixtures.

Room Configuration and Maintenance
Although in many of our rooms, movable furniture can be reconfigured, for fire and life safety reasons, there must be direct access to the door and windows.

Each room is provided a bed, desk, desk chair, dresser, and closet space for each possible occupant.  Students must keep university-owned room furniture items in their designated student room.  Personal furniture items may only be added if they do not pose a fire hazard.

Occasionally, even in the cleanest of buildings, we have insects drop in for a visit.  If you happen to see a problem related to the presence of insects, you should inform your Residential Coordinator.  Facilities

Operations contracts with a commercial pest control company.  In order to minimize the recurrence of problems, keep all food in closed containers and properly dispose of garbage.

Students are responsible for maintaining rooms to an acceptable cleanliness standard.  Students may personalize their rooms within acceptable practices; however, painting or defacing walls/ceilings is prohibited.  Room decorations must be hung in a manner which does not mar the walls or furniture.  Since they often leave glue or marks that are hard to remove, decals and stickers should not be placed on doors, windows, walls or ceilings. Public signs (e.g. street signs) are not permitted and will be confiscated with disciplinary action to follow.

In addition, nothing may be hung from the ceiling, light fixtures, or water pipes.  Likewise, nothing may be placed on the outside windowsills.

Bars of any configuration are prohibited. Waterbeds are prohibited because of potential damage to individual rooms and building structure.  Violations will result in disciplinary action.
Special care should be taken at holiday times, as decorations can be a fire hazard.  All decorations must be fireproof.  Live Christmas trees are prohibited.

Procedures for Reporting a Problem
Room maintenance problems should be reported via the on-line work request system (www.stlawu.edu/facilities/workorder.htm). If emergency conditions arise (flooding, broken window, loss of power, temperature under 58° F after 11 pm, safety/security concerns) after-hours, the condition should be reported to Facility Operations or Security immediately.

Room Responsibility
Whether present or not, occupants of a room are held accountable for any and all unacceptable behavior or unacceptable conditions until responsibility is determined otherwise. Occupants are also responsible for any object thrown or dropped from the window of the room, or for any inappropriate/unacceptable verbal comments coming from the room. It is therefore your responsibility to maintain a secure room, prevent unauthorized use, and to be in your room when visitors are present.

Fine and Damage Assessment
During the academic year, students are notified by campus e-mail regarding fines and damages for individual and small group charges. Assessments for fines and damages are entered on the student’s university bill and should be paid by the due date as shown on the bill.

Fines
Students will be fined for certain violations of University or Residence Life policy including infractions of fire safety policies (open flames such as candles/oil lamps, incense, tampering with fire safety devices or equipment), keeping a pet, firecrackers, possession of residential lounge furniture, presence of non-University loft, trash/recycling in common areas, alcohol infractions.
Fines are also levied for the following:
Any violation of the Motor Vehicle policy
Sanction of the Student Judiciary Board
Library fines for overdue books or library assessments for the replacement cost of unreturned materials.
Infractions of Dining Services policy (lost or transferred meal tickets or taking food or equipment)
Students found on roofs or fire escapes.

In addition to the above, residence life staff and Residential Coordinators are authorized to assess fines and/or creative sanctions for excessive noise, hall sports, waterbeds, smoking in public areas, and other safety hazards or infringements on the rights of students.

A fine of up to double the replacement cost will be assessed for taking University property (i.e., residential common area furniture, outdoor furniture) for private use or using indoor furniture for outdoor use.

A fine of $250 may be assessed for tampering with the integrity of ACCESS Control Systems including vandalism, external door propping, and unauthorized use of or lending ID Cards.

A fine of up to $250 plus costs for damages or cleaning will be assessed to individuals that check out improperly at break and end-of-the year closings.

A fine of up to $100 plus costs for damages or cleaning will be assessed to each resident of a building if common areas are left improperly at break and end-of-the year closings.

Damages
Damages will be assessed for deliberate or careless acts beyond normal wear and tear which result in destruction of property and/or extraordinary clean-up charges.  The residence life and/or facilities operations staff shall determine the amount of damage.
The billing amounts are finalized by residence life staff, in collaboration with Facilities Operations, prior to charging individual student accounts for damages, labor or fines.  Students have 30 days to file a written appeal for a billing to the residence life office.

When necessary all residents of a wing, floor, cottage, Greek house or hall may be billed an equal portion of fines and the cost of a damaged item or accumulation of damaged items for a period of time not greater than one academic year.  For example, all members of Sykes Residence “A” wing may be billed an equal portion of damages that occurred on the 2nd floor of Sykes Residence where responsible individuals were not identified.