Residence Life and Housing Policies

Standard policy requires students living on campus to be at least 17 years of age. Exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis with special approval from the Student Life Office.

Note: These guidelines do not apply to College-owned private houses, or living spaces required to be occupied by College employees as a part of their duties (i.e. staff on-campus housing). See the Office of Student Life for more information. For clarity, these policies are listed alphabetically.

I. Animal Policy

1. Support Animals 
   1. May reside in residence halls only after approval through the Office of Disability Services. Students must follow the Office of Disability Support Animal Policy and all requirements of their approval. 
   2. Residence Life must be notified of the approval before the animal enters the residence hall.
   3. Unapproved animals are not permitted in residence halls and must be removed in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
2. Fish
   1. Students may keep fish in their residence hall room under the following guidelines:
      1. One aquarium per room, with a maximum capacity of 5 gallons.
      2. The aquarium must be maintained in a clean and sanitary condition.
      3. Students are responsible for the proper care of their fish and for any damage caused by the aquarium.
      4. Aquariums must be placed in a safe location and may not create a health, safety, or maintenance concern.
      5. Students are responsible for removing aquariums and fish from campus during extended breaks when required by Residence Life.

II. Break Housing

Limited break housing is available in an alternative residence hall for students who qualify to remain on campus during winter or summer. 

a. Winter Break Housing

1. Students may be required to remove all personal belongings from their room during winter break if their assigned residence hall is designated as the Winter Housing Residence Hall

b. Summer Break Housing

1. All students must move all their belongings out of the halls over the summer, even if they plan to live in the same unit the following academic year. On-campus storage is not available. 
2. Only students who are taking a summer class with Georgetown College, are working on campus at Georgetown College, or are doing an internship related to their major are eligible to live on campus over the summer. 
3. The cost to live on campus during the summer for students who meet the eligibility requirements above is $15 per day ($105 per week). This fee is in addition to the regular Fall and Spring semester housing charges.

III. Cleanliness, Odor, and Trash

All members of the college community are responsible for contributing to healthy, supportive learning and living environments in the residence halls. Students are responsible for maintaining their personal spaces and following the cleanliness, odor, and trash expectations outlined below.

Cleanliness
Students are responsible for maintaining their rooms and personal spaces in a clean and sanitary condition.

• Food must be stored in fully sealed containers.
• Rooms must be maintained in a condition that does not create a health or safety risk for the student or the residence hall community.
• Students must keep pathways to their doors clear to allow for quick and safe exit in an emergency.
• Students in Hambrick, Rucker, East, and McCandless are responsible for cleaning the entire apartment, including living spaces, bathrooms, and kitchens.
• Students who fail to maintain a clean and sanitary living space, create a health or safety concern, or cause permanent damage to their room or furnishings may be subject to fines and/or charges through the Student Conduct process.

Odor

1. Students may not create or allow odors that are excessively strong, offensive, or disruptive to the residence hall community.
2. Odors may come from a variety of sources, including, but not limited to, cigarette, cannabis, cigar, or pipe smoke; perfume; air fresheners; food; or large amounts of dirty laundry or trash. The use of tobacco indoors and cannabis products is prohibited as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
3. An odor may be considered a violation when it is strong enough to affect others or continues to linger in a residence hall. If an odor can be traced to a specific room, person, or clothing, the student(s) responsible may be subject to fines and/or charges through the Student Conduct process.

Trash

1. Students are responsible for properly disposing of personal trash and recyclable materials in the appropriate dumpsters on campus.
2. Personal trash may not be disposed of in bathroom, laundry, or common space trash cans.
3. Students are responsible for removing trash from their rooms and personal spaces on a regular basis.

4. Failure to properly dispose of trash or maintain a clean living space may result in fines and/or charges through the Student Conduct process.

    

IV. Common and Shared Spaces (Lounges, Kitchens, etc.)

1. Most residence halls have a variety of common and shared spaces, such as lounge areas, kitchens, study areas, and others. Residents are expected to remove garbage and any leftover food, dishes, and silverware that are used in these spaces and are responsible for keeping the kitchens clean.
2. Residents are expected to abide by community decisions regarding the use of common area space as communicated by Residence Life Staff in the halls.
3. Hallways, lobbies, and study rooms may not be used for storage of belongings for any length of time, even on a temporary basis. Objects left in public spaces may be confiscated by Residence Life staff or disposed of by maintenance or housekeeping. Housing-provided furniture in kitchens, lounges, and hallways/lobby areas may not be removed from the public space.
4. Students or student groups who improperly store furniture in these areas, or who remove furniture from these public spaces, may be subject to automatic fines and/or charges or sent to the Office of Student Conduct for further sanctions.

V. Compliance & Identification 

1. Students are expected to follow all College policies and residence hall expectations while on College property. Students must also comply with reasonable requests and directives from college staff and officials.
   1. This includes being asked for their name or student ID when requested by a college staff member or official.
   2. College staff and officials include, but are not limited to, Area Coordinators, Residence Hall Coordinators and Resident Assistants, and Campus Safety Officers.

VI. Damages & Charges 

1. All students will be charged a $100 Damage Deposit by the Business Office.

   i. Students who officially withdraw, graduate, or do not return for the next semester may receive an appropriate refund of their damage deposit after properly completing the housing checkout process.

2. Students are responsible for damage to their assigned rooms, furnishings, and applicable shared spaces. Any additional housing charges will be included on the billing notice sent to students by the Business Office.
    

3. Common Areas:

   i. Damage charges may apply when damage is caused by a student or when damage to a common area cannot be attributed to a specific individual or group. In such cases, the cost may be divided among the residents of the affected living area or residence hall.

   1. Damage to common areas, including restrooms, lounges, study rooms, and apartment common spaces, that cannot be attributed to a specific individual or group may be charged equally to the residents of the affected floor, building, or apartment.
4. Standard Housing Charges can be found here:  

VII. Decoration & Displays

1. Students are not permitted to display items that are obscene, inflammatory, or offensive in nature, as determined by a Residence Life Staff member.
2. Decorations that do not align with the mission of the College are not permitted and will be required to be removed (unless previously approved by the Director of Residence Life).

VIII. Doors & Safety

1. Students are responsible for taking reasonable steps help maintain the security of the residence halls.
2. Students should:
   • Lock their room doors when leaving their rooms.

   • Never prop open exterior residence hall doors
     * This includes never propping exterior apartment doors.

      

IX. Fire Safety

1. To comply with applicable life safety standards, including NFPA 101, all residence hall furnishings and decorations must be arranged to maintain safe and unobstructed means of egress.
    
2. Students caught tampering with fire safety equipment or activating the fire systems will be subject to the College’s Student Conduct process. The Fire Department may also pursue criminal charges to the full extent of the law.
    
3. It is important that everyone understands that each time an alarm is activated, a report is given to the State Fire Marshal, and they may wish to pursue criminal charges themselves. Our intent is not to charge anyone; however, we must work to keep every person on campus as safe as possible, which may include necessary conduct or legal charges, or appropriate fines.
    
4. Criminal Violations (Misdemeanor or Felony charges) Violations of the fire code in the residence halls include:
   • Covering or removing smoke detectors that prevent activation or proper operation. This will result in an automatic $150 fine on the student's account every time it is found. If it is a reoccurring issue, it will also be sent to the Office of Student Conduct where additional sanctions may be incurred.
   • Pulling a fire alarm in a false and/or malicious manner, or intentionally falsely reporting an incident.
   • Dividing the room with anything that could impede the travel of smoke thus causes a delay in the activation of the smoke detector.
   • Playing with or discharging a fire extinguisher in a non-emergency situation.
      
5. Code Violations:
   • Appliances with exposed heating elements: (i.e. hot plates/George Foreman grilles/toasters/toaster ovens/coffee makers, etc.) Note: Single-serve or other hot drink makers are allowed as long as they meet the following requirements:
     • Rated less than 700 watts.
     • Does NOT have an exposed warming plate
     • Shuts off after each use
     • Does not keep the water warm between uses
   •  Non-UL-approved extension cords – (power strips with surge protectors that are UL certified are approved)
   • Flammable material (i.e. lighter fluid, gasoline, paint thinner, etc.)
   • Blocked exits out of residence hall rooms, hallways, stairwells, or buildings
   • Propped stairwell or exterior doors
   • Items left in the hallways and stairwells that could impede ingress/egress
   • Approved electrical appliances/devices placed beneath a bed or in closets
   • Tampering with or penetration of the surface of the ceiling or ceiling tiles
   • Beds less than 36 inches from the ceiling
   • Smoking inside of residence halls or doing so less than 12 feet of any public building entrance, window, or ventilation system
   • Candles in college buildings
      
6. College Policy Violations
   • Any of the above-named criminal violations or code violations
   • Halogen lights and portable heaters inside the residence halls
   • Use of non-college-approved beds. Lofts and loft-like structures are not permitted to be used in the halls.
   • Mounting, affixing, or otherwise penetrating the ceiling with any material; hanging or displaying items from the ceiling
   • Candles, incense, lanterns or similar “open flame” items
   • Blocking the air intake of the room HVAC with any object (the area in front of the room HVAC unit must have a minimum of 18” of clearance to function properly)
   • Microwaves, computers, refrigerators, and any other electrical appliances that produce heat cannot be stored under beds or inside of closets.
      
7.  Fire & Maintenance Inspections are completed monthly in the residence halls by Residence Life staff. Georgetown College and the appropriate authorities reserve the right to remove all potential fire hazards discovered in any residence halls. The expectation is that the college and community will work together to ensure that all regulations are enforced
    
8. College insurance requirements and other safety regulations, as well as college policy, prohibit student access to roofs and the tops of entrance awnings.
    
9. Students who access these areas are subject to the Student Conduct process and may be placed on deferred suspension or suspended from the College for unauthorized entry/trespassing in these areas.
    
10. Students are not permitted to use college facilities (including hooking hoses to housing units) for washing automobiles or personal equipment.
     

11. Fire Pit Policy

    i. Fire pits may only be used in College-designated areas and must be used safely and responsibly.

        ii. Safety

• Fire pits must be inspected before use and may not be used if damaged or unsafe.
• Users must have a bucket with water in it (one gallon minimum) kept near the fire at all times.
• Fire must remain fully contained within the pit and may not exceed 2 feet above the top of the pit.
• Fire pits must be at least 25 feet from buildings, structures, and fences.
• Fires must be fully extinguished before the area is left unattended.
• Ashes must be completely cooled and disposed of in a designated metal container.
• Smoke and embers may not create a nuisance, affect neighboring areas, or create a fire hazard.
• Fire pits may not be used during a local or campus fire ban.

        iii. Fuel and Materials

• Only dry, seasoned firewood may be burned.
• Do not burn trash, plastics, rubber, leaves, furniture, pallets, treated or painted wood, or construction materials.
• Gasoline, kerosene, lighter fluid, and other accelerants are prohibited. Only approved fire starters may be used.
• Fire pits must be commercially manufactured or constructed of non-combustible materials such as metal, brick, or stone

      iii.Liability

• Student organizations sponsoring fire pit activities may be responsible for costs or damages resulting from improper use, or property damage

X. Furnishings

a. Residents are permitted to place neat and clean couches, chairs, or the like in their rooms so long as space permits. Furnishings in an obviously deteriorated or damaged condition are not permitted. Any furnishings in the room must not block the air intake at the bottom of the HVAC unit in the room and be a minimum of 18” away from the air intake (in traditional halls the air intake is from the bottom of the unit, so nothing can block it). For fire and safety reasons, excessive personal furniture (items cannot impede egress to windows or doors), ceiling fans, and bed lofts are not permitted.

b. The use of waterbeds, major household appliances (such as George Foreman Grills, toaster ovens, full-size refrigerators in traditional halls, etc.), and other non-standard furnishings are not permitted in campus housing.

c. Students must keep all college-provided furniture in their rooms at all times. If, at any point during the academic calendar, college-owned furnishings are missing, students are subject to the replacement cost of the items, with this cost being billed to their student account (please see charge list above for costs).

d. Students may not decorate their room with empty alcohol containers or any items that reference drugs or drug paraphernalia.

e. Due to electrical constraints within the buildings:

• Refrigerators cannot exceed a maximum of 4.6 cubic feet
• Microwaves or other appliances may not be greater than 700 watts
• Portable air conditioners and heaters are not permitted in residence halls

f. Ceiling fans may not be installed in residence hall rooms.

g. Students are permitted to have gaming systems, stereos, televisions, sewing machines, fans, and comparable appliances in their rooms.

h. Students are permitted to have computers and computer equipment in their rooms. However, the College specifically assumes no liability for damage to equipment, software, disks, text, other files, and the like due to power surges, theft, or other hazards. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Facilities to request a check for properly grounded electrical outlets.

i. Students are not allowed to set up personal Wi-Fi wireless networks within the hall. Violation of this policy will result in the personal wireless network equipment being confiscated by Residence Life and the responsible student being subject to the Student Conduct process.

XI. Housing Waivers

a. As a residential campus, Georgetown College expects all undergraduate students to reside in college housing, except as provided below. Students who meet one or more of the following conditions may apply to be exempted from the College residential requirements:

b.  Students who meet any of the following conditions must do so within a 30-mile radius of the College campus.

• Students who are deemed to be the heads of a household, as defined by the IRS.
• Married students.
• Students who are 24 years of age or older.
• Students who are military veterans.
• Students enrolled for less than 12 credit hours for a given academic term.
• Students who are 5th year seniors as verified by the Office of the Registrar.
• Students who reside with an immediate family member. The immediate family member must also be at least 24 years of age and deemed to be heads of household.
  • “Immediate family member” for the purpose of a Georgetown College housing waiver application is defined as a brother or sister, either parent, an aunt or uncle, or a grandparent(s).
  • Other appropriate reasons as determined by the Dean of Students.

c. Students who drop below full-time status may have their residential assignment revoked and be required to move off campus during the time that they are part-time students.  Any students who are below full-time student status at the time of housing signups or over summer, will not be given an on-campus housing placement.

d.  Applications for Housing Waivers must be submitted by the first week of the academic year for which it is being requested. Any request submitted after that time period may not be considered.

e. Students should not assume a waiver is approved until they receive official notice from the Office of Residence Life.

f. Approved waivers remain effective as long as the student’s living arrangements do not change. Students must notify Residence Life immediately of any change. Changes may affect waiver eligibility and, if not reported, may result in the waiver being revoked. A new waiver application may then be required.

g. Students who are approved to live off campus will see a 25% reduction in their institutional aid, and this change will be reflected on their bill. 

XII. Hoverboards & Electric Scooters

Due to concerns about the electrical systems causing fires, and in consultation with the local Fire Marshal, hoverboards and electric scooters are not permitted in an building on the Georgetown College campus, including their usage or storage within the residence halls.

XIII. Lockouts

Students are responsible for the keys they are assigned and for access to their rooms. When a lockout occurs, the student involved should contact their roommate first, then their Residence Life staff on-call in their hall to assist in gaining access to their room. After that, if a student is unable to gain access to their room, they may contact Campus Safety to complete a lockout for them.

1. After a student’s first lockout, a $25.00 service fee will be added to their Student Account for the 2^nd and 3^rd subsequent lockouts acquired that semester.
2. More than 3 in a semester, the student requesting the lock out will be charged a fee of $55.00 for each subsequent lockout after the 3^rd time of that semester.

XIV. Lost/Broken Keys

When a room key is lost or broken:

• Students should submit a “Lost Key Form” through their Portal. Lost key charges are $125.00 and will be billed to the student’s account.
• If you make a lost key request, receive a new key, and then find your old key, the fine for the new key being cut will not be removed from your student account.

When you move out, whether it be mid-year or end of year, and do not turn your key in, the missing key charge will be added to your Student Account.

• Mailing a key in after moving out is not grounds for a key charge to be removed and therefore will remain on your Student Account.

XV. Meal Plan

Students participating in their semester of student teaching may be eligible for the 7-meal plan. To see if you qualify, please contact the Student Life Office. 

XVI. Modifications to Residence Hall Rooms

1. Any physical changes made to the residence hall and any modifications to the school's furniture are not permitted.
   1. These modifications can include, but are not limited to, alterations to doorknobs and locks, permanently installed hooks, painting, making holes or other penetrations in the walls/doors/ceilings, television mounts, flooring modification, etc.
2. Beds
   1. Students may be allowed a maximum of 8 inch bed risers. 
   2. Residents may not loft beds or use any loft-like structures (this includes the use of cinder blocks for loft beds)
   3.  hang beds from the residence hall ceilings or walls.
   4. Microwaves, computers, refrigerators, and any other electrical appliances that produce heat cannot be stored under beds or inside of closets.
3. Walls 
   1. Students are not permitted to paint rooms.
   2. Paneling, wallpaper, border, and similar wall coverings are not permitted.
   3. In the apartment style housing (East Campus, Hambrick Village, Rucker Village, and McCandless Honors Commons), students are not permitted to drill holes into the wall for any purpose and should avoid the use of tape that leaves residue or adhesive foam tape on the walls.
      1. Students in these halls are permitted to use small-sized nails for hanging and must limit the use of these nails in the unit.
      2. Any damage caused by the making of excessive holes in the walls or the removal of mounting strips will be charged to the student’s account. All mounting products must be removed at move-out.
   4. In the traditional residence halls, students are not permitted to drill holes into the concrete for any purpose. 
      1. Any damage caused by the making of holes in the walls or the removal of mounting strips will be charged to the student’s account. All mounting products must be removed at move-out.
   5. Students may not hang adhesive-backed LED light strips or any similar products on any walls in their rooms or common areas. Any damage caused by using the prohibited light strips and/or the removal of these lights will be charged to the student’s account.
4. Ceiling
   1. Removal of the ceiling tiles or placing anything above the ceiling is not permitted.

XVII. Opening and Closing of Residence Halls

1. Students are not permitted to return to campus prior to the dates announced by the College for the academic year and are to vacate their rooms according to the announced closing dates. In those exceptional instances when a student must return early or stay past closing time, arrangements must be made in advance with the Director of Residence Life.
   1. Residence Halls close by 6PM on the last day of finals and therefore students must be out by that time.
2. Students who are employed by the College and/or are participating in College-sponsored activities (e.g., intercollegiate sports, working orientation, Residence Life staff, etc.) are to make the necessary housing arrangements through the appropriate coach, sponsor, advisor, or supervisor, and these arrangements must be communicated to the Director of Residence Life to be approved.
3. It is the responsibility of each student to remove all personal belongings from the residence halls. The College will not assume any responsibility for personal items that are left in the residence halls or rooms after the designated date and time at which the halls close.
   1. These items will be disposed of or donated as appropriate, and the student may be subject to fines to their Student Account for improper checkout (please review the fines above for items/trash left behind as well as the improper checkout fee of $150).
4. Moving Out
   1. Sign up for a move out time with their Residence Life Staff.
   2. Clear everything out of their rooms, including trash, everything off the walls and properly clean.
      1. Apartment style housing must also ensure that common spaces are properly cleaned, including living rooms, bathrooms, and kitchens.
   3. Complete a checkout form with their Residence Life Staff.
   4. Failure to complete the official checkout process will result in an automatic improper checkout fine to their Student Account of $150.
      1. Students may not move out and leave their key in their room without properly checking out with Residence Life. This is considered an improper checkout.
      2. Students may not call Campus Safety to return their key after moving out instead of checking out with Residence Life. This is considered an improper checkout.

XVIII. Outdoor Furniture

1. Residents are permitted to place neat and clean patio furniture, such as a chair and/or small side table on the patio outside their own assigned apartment space, so long as space permits. Furniture that is used or placed in the apartment patio area that is not neat or outdoor furniture, must be removed. Students who do not remove the furniture in question may be subject to the Student Conduct process.
2. Furniture used must not impede the entry or exit to the apartment, nor may they block the use of the patio for foot traffic.
3. Furnishings in an obviously deteriorated or damaged condition as determined by Residence Life staff are not permitted. Any furnishings that are discovered to be in an obviously deteriorated or damaged condition must be removed from the space. Students who do not remove the furniture in question may be subject to the Student Conduct process.
4. Grills and Grill Storage         
   1. Grills may only be used in outdoor grilling areas (at least 10 feet from a building). 
      1. Grills may not be used or stored inside residence halls, apartments, balconies, porches or inside any College buildings.
   2. Grills must be attended while in use and completely extinguished before being left unattended.
   3. Propane tanks, lighter fluid, charcoal, and other flammable fuels may not be stored inside any College building.
   4. Grills must be completely extinguished and cool before being moved or stored.
   5. Personal grills may not be stored in hallways, stairwells, balconies, or other common areas.
   6. Students are responsible for properly storing their grills and for any damage or safety concerns caused by their use or storage.

XIX. Party Policy

1. A “party” is defined as the presence of more than 2 guests per present resident in an apartment/lobby where another policy violation is occurring.
   1. Policy violations that contribute to a Party Policy violation include, but are not limited to alcohol, drugs, visitation, quiet hours/noise, etc.
   2. Residents who are caught hosting parties will be subject to the College’s Student Conduct disciplinary procedures, and sanctions.
   3. Any residents in apartment or townhouse-style housing caught throwing a party may be subject to the loss of apartment-style housing and required to move into a traditional residence hall.
2. Students living in East Campus, Rucker Village, Hambrick Village, or the McCandless Honors Commons, may not utilize their apartment to host “parties” of any kind.

XX. Pregnant Students

1. Pregnant students have the ability to continue to reside on campus if they choose. Student Life encourages students who are pregnant to contact the Health Services to discuss plans for pre-natal care, arrangements for labor and delivery, and the Office of Disability Services for class arrangements when necessary.
2. Once the child is born, it is expected that the mother and child will live off-campus and move to commuter status. If the mother would like to return to being a residential student without the child living in the residence hall with the mother, such an arrangement would be permissible, as reviewed by the Dean of Students.

XXI. Private Rooms

1. At an additional charge, a limited number of private rooms may be available to students, so long as the housing needs of the College and space available permit.
   1. When the demand for on-campus housing warrants, students initially assigned a private room may be required to accept a roommate. In such cases, forfeiture of private rooms is determined according to class standing and/or cumulative grade point average (GPA). Time of application may also be considered.
   2. If a student is approved for a private room after the beginning of the term, the cost of the private room will be prorated for the remaining time in the current term.
2. Students who are assigned to a double room space without an assigned roommate are required to keep 1/2 of the room empty so that a roommate can move in at any point.
   1. This means one closet, desk, chair, bed, and dresser should always be unused and left open, so that in the event another resident is assigned to the space, these items are move-in ready.
   2. Failure to do so will result in the Residence Life staff moving belongings so that these items are open and available for use by the newly assigned student to the space and a potential fine under the Student Code of Conduct.
3. Students who fail to find a roommate or accept a roommate as assigned by the Housing Coordinator may be subject to the assignment of a roommate to that space, or an appropriate private room charge may be added to their Student Account.
4. First-year students are not permitted to live in private rooms or apartment style housing unless deemed medically necessary and/or are officially approved by the Office of Disability Services or Dean of Students. After students have completed 2 semesters of full-time college coursework, they are eligible to apply for private rooms.
   1. Official approval must be sent to the Director of Residence Life and/or Housing Coordinator by the Office of Disability Services prior to any reasonable room for accommodation being arranged.

XXII. Quiet Hours

1. College: Students who reside on campus should show consideration for other residents at all times. The hours between 10:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. are observed as quiet hours in the residence halls. The purpose of quiet hours is to give consideration to those who desire to sleep or study.
   1. Students who violate their halls' quiet hours will be documented and sent through Student Conduct if it were to become a repeated issue.
   2. Organizations in violation of this policy may receive an automatic $100 fine along with receiving other sanctions such as social probation. 
   3. Beginning on Reading Day and through Finals Week, quiet hours are enforced 24 hours a day, and students who violate the 24-hour quiet hours will be subject to the Student Conduct process and/or may be asked to vacate their residence hall.

XXIII. Residence Hall Maintenance

1. Routine maintenance requests (e.g., light bulbs, leaky faucets, etc.) should be made through the HeroHQ online maintenance request system, which can be found on the Portal by clicking the link labeled ‘Maintenance Request’ in the left-hand column under Quick Links.
2. Genuine emergencies (e.g., broken water pipes, loss of heat/AC, broken windows, etc.) may be reported directly to your Area Coordinator from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Campus Safety Office (8111) during nights and weekends.

XXIV. Residence Hall Mandatory Meetings

1. When a mandatory hall meeting is called in a residence hall, each resident of that hall is required to attend (this includes athletes, and these meetings are communicated in advance to athletics coaches and directors).
2. Students unable to attend should inform their Residence Hall Coordinator in advance. 
   1. When a resident is excused by their RHC from a hall meeting, they are responsible for catching up on missed information/material that was covered in the meeting.
3. Disciplinary sanctions may be imposed if a student fails to attend a meeting and has not been excused by the Residence Hall Coordinator.

XXV. Residence Hall Visitation

1. Visitation in the private living areas of the residence halls is not permitted outside the visitation periods for the residence halls.
2. Traditional Hall Visitation: Anderson Hall, Fraternity/Sorority Buildings, Flowers Hall, Allen Hall, Collier Hall, Pierce Hall
   1. The visitation hours are as follows for traditional halls:
      1. Sunday – Thursday 12:00pm Noon – 12:00am Midnight
      2. Friday – Saturday 12:00pm Noon – 2:00 AM
3. Apartment Style Housing Visitation:  East Campus, Rucker Village, Hambrick Village, McCandless Honors Commons
   1. Apartment Style Housing residents may have a 23-hour visitation.
   2. The visitation hours are as follows for upscale housing:
      1. Mon-Sun:  4am-5am:  No visitation in any area of the apartment
   3. This visitation schedule allows residents to have visitors of any gender, 7 days a week except for the 4am-5am hours.
   4. The purpose of this policy is to allow students to have the freedom to visit as they wish; however, this policy will not facilitate or enable cohabitation under any circumstances. If concerns over cohabitation occur, the guest may be trespassed from the residential space, and the host is subject to the loss of upscale housing privileges as well as the Student Conduct process. Students are not allowed to reside in another individual’s assigned residence.
4. Guests are required to be escorted by their hosts at all times while in any College residence hall.
   1. Unescorted guests and strangers in the residence halls can pose a security risk to residents and should be reported to Campus Safety.
   2. To help combat the presence of unescorted guests or strangers in the halls, students should never prop open external doors.
5. Opposite gender guests should use the appropriate restrooms in the lobby in the traditional halls and must be escorted by their host to and from the restroom.
   1. Opposite-gender guests are not permitted to use the bathrooms on the residential floors.
6. Visitors are expected to abide by all regulations and policies of the College. Violations may result in termination of the guests’ visit and disciplinary action against the host(s). 
7. Students with guests who exceed the number of days permitted for visitation may be documented and subject to the Office of Student Conduct.
8. Students are not allowed to reside in another individual’s assigned residence.
9. Violation of visitation policies may result in disciplinary action through Residence Life or the Student Conduct process.
10. Overnight Visitors 
    1. Visitors of the same sex are permitted to stay overnight for up to two consecutive nights and no more than 10 nights per semester with prior approval by their Area Coordinator for Residence Life.
    2. Overnight visitors must be 18 years or older, unless approved by the Director of Residence Life or Dean of Students.
    3. Visitors of the opposite gender are not allowed to stay overnight and must follow all rules regarding visitation and quiet hours.

XXVI. Room and Residence Hall Changes

1. Students may not change rooms except during the designated room change period and will only be approved to be made during the official Residence Life Room Change Request period as sent to students via email.
   1. The dates on which students can change rooms will be determined and made known each semester via email.
   2. Exceptions may be made in cases of temporary assignments, approved changes as a part of the roommate mediation process, changes necessary to avoid private room charges, or other reasons deemed appropriate by the Housing Coordinator, Director of Residence Life, or an Area Coordinator for Residence Life.
2. If a change is granted, the student moving must complete a check-out form with the RHC of the room they are moving out of and return the key to that room. They then must complete a check-in form and collect the key for the room they are moving into.

XXVII. Room Assignments

1. Cohabitation
   1. Cohabitation between romantically involved couples is prohibited in Georgetown College housing, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Violations will result in disciplinary action through the Student Conduct Office and moving to a new housing assignment.
2. Every effort is made to accommodate reasonable individual preferences in making on-campus housing assignments (private rooms, specific residence halls, etc.). When competition exists for specific preferences, housing decisions are made based upon class standing (senior, junior, sophomore, and freshman), cumulative grade point average (GPA), and other relevant housing considerations (i.e. the need for disability access).
   1. East Campus Apartments are open to students with 52 or more completed credit hours at the time of sign-up or request, and who have a minimum of 2.50 cumulative or above grade point average.
      • Continuing, returning students to the College will be given preference on placement, as space permits.
      • Incoming first-year students may not live in East Campus apartments.
      • Students with more than two Student Code of Conduct violations occurring within a year prior to residing on East may not be eligible for East Campus living.
      • Students must meet all these requirements to be eligible. Students whose Student Code of Conduct history reaches this threshold while living on East Campus may no longer be eligible.
      • Any subsequent Student Code of Conduct violations that occur while residing at East Campus may result in immediate removal from the apartments.
   2. Hambrick Village, Rucker Village, and the McCandless Honors Commons are open to upperclassmen students (i.e. freshman/first-year students are not permitted to live in these apartments).
      • Continuing, returning students to the College will be given preference on placement, as space permits.
      • Students with more than one Student Code of Conduct violation occurring within the past twelve months, or a history of more than three violations may not be eligible to live in Hambrick Village, Rucker Village, or McCandless Honors Commons.
      • Any subsequent Student Code of Conduct violations that occur while residing at Hambrick Village, Rucker Village, or McCandless Honors Commons may result in immediate removal from the apartments.
   3. If a student’s housing assignment is not filled to capacity (and that student has not been approved for a private room), Residence Life may assign another student to the space to fill the room to capacity as the need arises.
      • For example, if a group of only 4 students find themselves assigned to or sign up for a 6-person apartment, Residence Life may assign 2 more students to that apartment even without the consent of the initial 4.
      • While a reasonable effort may be made to notify students of changes and updates to their residential space regarding updated assignments and roommates, certain circumstances may not allow this to be the case; Residence Life is under no obligation or requirement to make notifications of updates or assignment changes about open spaces in rooms/apartments/etc.
      • If a student is eligible for a housing assignment, they may live in that space, if space availability permits.
      • Students that reside in a housing assignment first do not have the ability to deny occupancy to other eligible students to open space in that assignment.

XXVIII. Room Consolidation

1. Residence Life may conduct a room consolidation process throughout the semester. A student who is living in a double room, but does not have a roommate, may be asked to consolidate with another student from the same residence hall in which they reside or have another student move in with them.
   1. Housing may give students the opportunity to self-consolidate with someone they know first. After that time, students will be consolidated at random and may no longer make requests.
2. During the summer, once the housing sign-up process ends, remaining students without a roommate who are not paying for a private room as granted through the private room request process may be consolidated.

XXIX. Room Inspection or Search

1. The College reserves the right to enter any room, at any time, including for maintenance, health, well-being concerns, reasonable suspicion, safety inspection, or other official business as conducted by an official representative of the College.
   1. Official representatives can include but are not limited to: College staff and officials, Area Coordinators, Residence Hall Coordinators, Resident Assistants, and Campus Safety Officers.
2. The College also reserves the right to enter and conduct a search of any room if a violation of College regulations, code, or policy is suspected. When appropriate, during room inspections or searches, the College reserves the right to confiscate items found to be in violation of established policies and regulations (e.g., alcohol or other drugs).
3. Students who accept College housing agree to be bound by the inspection and search procedures of the College as they now exist or may be amended in the future.
4. Students who accept College Housing understand that their rooms will be subject to monthly Fire Safety checks, usually taking place during the first week of every month.
   1. During these monthly checks, if any rooms are found to violate any of the college's policies and procedures, the residents are subject to being sent to the Office of Student Conduct, receiving automatic fines, or having paraphernalia confiscated as outlined previously.

XXX. Roommate Mediation and Conflict

1. Part of the residential education experience is the expectation that roommates will work through issues that arise, and learn to live together in a healthy, respectful, and constructive manner. Setting boundaries and expectations for living together and discussing some of the expectations as you begin to live together will make for a more fulfilling and smooth living experience. While one may think that it could be awkward or uncomfortable to address these kinds of things, or that you’ll be able to deal with problems as they arise, this may not always be the case – it is good to set boundaries and expectations from the beginning.
2. Students who are experiencing issues with their roommate or housemates should request to meet with their Resident Assistant or Residence Hall Coordinator in order to discuss the issues and/or set a time to hold a roommate mediation.
   1. Students having issues with their roommates will not be moved unless they have completed a roommate mediation and are given 2–4 weeks for the mediation to take effect. (Unless in the case of an immediate emergency as determined by the Director of Residence Life or Dean of Students.)
3. In a roommate mediation, all roommates will sit down in a Student Life Conference Room (a neutral meeting space where professional staff are available to assist as needed) with their residence hall staff, to both candidly and respectfully discuss the issues that have occurred and collaborate to agree to mutually beneficial solutions to the issues at hand. At the end of the roommate mediation, all roommates will sign the roommate mediation contract that they created together, which they agree to abide by while living together.
   1. Those who break the agreed-upon contract or do not uphold its terms may be subject to fines, further action, or the Student Conduct process.
   2. In the event of an unsuccessful mediation, the Director of Residence Life will require that both roommates move to a new housing assignment.

XXXI. Smoking

1. Georgetown College prohibits smoking in all indoor areas, including residence halls. This includes smoking, vaping, and/or the use of any type of e-cigarette or liquid/vapor/solid substance-based device that simulates smoking or creates smoke or vapor in any indoor area, including but not limited to residence halls, administrative buildings, or other buildings on College property,
2. In accordance with Georgetown City ordinance, smoking is prohibited within 30 feet of any public building entrance, window, or ventilation system.

XXXII. Students with Serious Health Concerns

1. For certain infectious diseases, or in certain cases concerning mental/physical health, students could be directed to leave campus and/or have their on-campus housing removed until they are cleared by a medical professional to be able to return to campus without risk of danger, harm, or infection to other students.
   1. Upon return, these students will be required to provide documentation of clearance to return and as needed, with plans for ongoing care as stated in treatment notes to the Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life.
   2. In exceptional cases of infectious disease, the college may be able to provide quarantine spaces on campus, but this is not guaranteed and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
       

XXXIII. Theft and Liability

1. Georgetown College does not assume liability for any damaged, lost, or stolen, personal property.
2. Any thefts or vandalism should be reported to Campus Safety to be documented. To help prevent theft, students should be sure to secure their personal belongings in their locked rooms.
3. Residents are encouraged to purchase renter’s insurance to cover issues such as those described above. Renter’s insurance may be purchased through a family homeowner’s insurance policy or from an insurance company such as GradGuard.

XXXIV. Withdrawal from Campus Housing

1. Students who withdraw, or students who are dismissed from the College therefore terminate their Housing Contract and must vacate the residence hall within 24 to 48 hours of their withdrawal/dismissal.
2. Upon checking out, each resident must turn in their room key and complete a checkout form with their Residence Life Building Staff in order to be properly checked out.
3. The Business Office will make an appropriate refund of the student’s dorm deposit only after these conditions have been met.
4. Failure to check out properly will result in a $150 improper checkout charge being added to the student’s account.