It's Your Responsibility to Know
One of the main reasons this calendar is published is to make sure you are aware of the many services offered. You are also responsible, however, for being aware of the policies and procedures within the Department of Residential Life. The regulations listed here are not all inclusive. Please see the Student Rights and Responsibilities booklet, the Residential Life Contract, the Policies and Procedure Brochure as well as any other distributed Residential Life notices for additional information. If you have any questions, please ask any Residential Life staff member.Introduction
Living on campus at Oklahoma State University is an integral part of a student's educational experience. The purpose of living on campus is to provide opportunities and services beneficial to your success. We expect you to be a responsible and involved citizen in your residential community. You will carry this experiential education with you long after graduation. When you live on campus, you become a member of an interesting and unique residential community. As a member of this community, you have the opportunity to be an active participant in making and carrying out decisions affecting you and the community. As a student living on campus, you will be given freedom in controlling your life and the environment around you. This includes responsibility for maintaining a healthy environment and respecting other members of the community. You are responsible for your room and all activities which occur there regardless of your presence. You are also responsible for your actions, the physical environment, and the residential community as a whole. Each resident is a crucial and integral part of the overall functioning of this community and is expected to participate as such. The knowledge and experience gained from this involvement will be invaluable to you throughout life.Like any community, the residence facilities have certain policies governing care of facilities, safety, and protection of rights of all. Living in university housing is a privilege offered to all students and carries with it responsibilities for fulfilling the terms and conditions of your contract.
Criteria for Living on Campus
Individuals will be allowed to reside in on campus residential facilities for brief and continuous periods of time if they are a participant in any program, conference, course, degree plan, or other event sponsored by the University. Residential Life reserves the right to assign and change assignments as necessary, based on the time of year, nature of resident's stay/participation in University activities, and other facility management issues. Any resident has the opportunity to participate in the Dining Services program offered by Residential Life. Dining Services facilities' hours may be adjusted during the contract period.If an individual is not enrolled in an officially sponsored University program or event, and/or if their bursar's account is delinquent, he/she no longer has the right to live on campus and should make arrangements to vacate following the appropriate guidelines immediately following termination of participation in University programs or obtain an exception to this policy. Failure to move out may result in contract termination and personal possessions being removed. Individuals convicted of a felony will not be permitted to live in on-campus housing.
Room Occupancy Check
Upon your arrival, you will receive a Room Occupancy Check (ROC) sheet to record the condition of your room. Be sure to note any and all problems (i.e. did you look on both sides of the mattress?) and keep your copy. The same form will be used during check-out to identify any damages for which you may be responsible. You will be billed for missing items or damages when you check out that are not specifically noted on the ROC.Room Decorations
Almost anything goes with room decorations, but you cannot ignore policies or safety. No adjustments to facilities will be allowed. This includes the installation of ceiling fans, dimmer switches, etc. When hanging curtains, pictures, posters, etc. be careful not to damage the walls or furniture. You will be charged for damages, no matter how small. If you have any questions on what you can and cannot do, see your Student Staff MentorLofts
Lofts are popular space creators. Constructions that you design and build will allow better use of space, either by raising your bed or by creating a split-level room with the bed on the floor. Lofts must be constructed so that they are not permanently attached (free standing), utilize the floor for support, and do not cause damage to your room. You will be billed for any damages, no matter how small, caused by lofts when you check out of your room. Wood lofts must be fireproofed. All lofts should be inspected by a staff member after they are built. It is recommended that residents remove lofts prior to finals week in consideration of other residents who may still be studying for finals.Room Cleaning
You are responsible for cleaning your own room! Housekeepers are employed to clean community bathrooms, corridors, and lounges. As a resident, you are responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of your room, as well as the general upkeep of your common areas. Vacuums may be available at the front desk or office for your use. All rooms must be cleaned prior to check out or you will be assessed a cleaning fee.Elevators
Appropriate conduct should be observed whenever using elevators. Persons who misuse an elevator will be subject to disciplinary action and held financially responsible for any damage.Heating/Cooling System
All halls are heated and air conditioned. To avoid overloading the electrical circuits, the University enforces a policy of no room air conditioners. No appliances which extend beyond the windows are allowed. Ceiling fans are not allowed except in the halls where they are provided (Allen, Booker, Bost, Davis, Jones, Kamm, Patchin, Peterson-Friend, Morsani-Smith, Sitlington, Stinchcomb, Young, and Zink Halls).In Kerr-Drummond, Parker, and Wentz the air conditioning system is a "zone system." The rooms are divided into zones in an effort to better control the temperature of a large area. If all of the rooms in the zone are not comfortable, it may be due to stuffing and/or covering vents and/or opening windows. The only way to maintain a comfortable temperature within the buildings is for all residents to work together and not tamper with any vent, or open any windows. Windows in Drummond, Kerr, Parker, and Wentz Halls must remain closed at all times.
Painting
You may paint your room/unit FREE of charge if it has not been painted within the past five years. If your room/unit has been painted within the past five years, you can still paint for a charge. The new Village Suites are not eligible for painting. Contact your Residence Area Coordinator's office to find out if your room/unit is eligible and an estimate of the costs. Remember, you must follow University policy and use University paint. Failure to follow this policy will result in the cost of restoring the room to OSU standards. Colors available: Bone, Light Gray, Light Yellow, Light Blue, and Light Pink.The cost will vary depending on the amount of paint needed. All painting decisions and color choices must be agreed upon by all roommates. They will be asked to sign a paint contract, and agree to a completion date. If materials are not returned to the Residence Area Coordinator's Office/Physical Plant after the agreed upon completion date, the student's Bursar account will be charged for non-returned materials. The beginning of Spring Break is the cut-off date for beginning any new painting projects for the semester. No paint and/or supplies will be distributed after this date, so please make your plans accordingly.
Painting is not restricted to your room. Paint will be provided to decorate your hallway, lounge, or community space if it has not been painted in recent years (there is a charge if it was recently painted). You may have a theme (music, movies, Monopoly board, cartoon characters, etc.), paint simple graphic designs, or go with a single or two-tone color.
Take a tour of your building, as well as others, and you will appreciate the creativity fellow residents have displayed. This paint request procedure is similar to that for your room, and your student staff member and/or your Residence Director will help you with the planning. After that, just find a convenient weekend for a "painting session." The beginning of Spring Break is also the cut-off date for beginning a hall or lounge painting project.
As always, there is a certain amount of responsibility that is coupled with this freedom. Any painting work that is begun must be completed. Keep this in mind before undertaking any major projects. For instance, at least two-thirds of the community must be in agreement with a floor design and colors - if you sign the agreement you are also agreeing to help in the paint project. You will be informed of the proper cleaning procedures as well as where you are able to clean the equipment. Do not rinse paint brushes, etc. in the bathroom sinks. These sinks will clog up quickly and could become stained. The cost for correcting problems will be charged to you (see Common Area Damages).