Residence Hall Community Standards
Overview
Group living centers around respect for each other and the facility. If you understand and abide by this concept, your residence hall experience will be more enjoyable, the common physical facility will serve you (and other students) better, and the community experience will be a positive one. It is also your responsibility to contribute to a positive environment and support those staff members whose job it is to build community and maintain the facilities.
Please note: this is not a complete list of rules or regulations. It is only a summary of the policies and procedures that attract the most attention. It is the student´s responsibility to familiarize him/herself with the residence hall contract, student handbook, college catalog, and other appropriate publications.
Intervisitation
Students may be on residence hall floors assigned to the opposite sex between 8 a.m. and 2 a.m. on weekdays (Sunday-Thursday). On weekends (Friday and Saturday) the visitation hours (8 a.m.- 2 a.m.) will remain in effect for students living in designated first-year areas. For individuals living in areas not designated for first-year students, open visitation will exist on Friday and Saturday nights.
Courtesy and Quiet Hours
Courtesy hours are enforced 24 hours each day. During courtesy hours, residents are expected to act in a manner that demonstrates respect for the rights of others to study and sleep in their rooms. Quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 11 a.m.; noise should not be audible outside of a resident's room with the door closed.
Emergency Procedures
The law provides that fire alarms, fire-fighting equipment, and exit lights must not be tampered with. Setting off a "false" alarm or disconnecting a fire alarm is also a violation of law. Offenders are subject to college disciplinary actions as well as federal, state, and local prosecution. A $300 fine will also be assessed to individuals tampering with fire alarms or equipment.
Appliances
Cooking in residence hall rooms is prohibited. However, appliances such as refrigerators, popcorn poppers, coffee makers, and hot pots are allowed to provide some of the comforts of home. Refrigerators must be less than 2.8 cubic feet in capacity. Appliances with exposed heating coils (such as desktop burners, toasters, toaster ovens) are not permitted.
Candles or Incense
Candles and/or incense are not allowed in the residence halls.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in the residence halls.
Guests
All guests must be registered with your RA. This aids in security practices and is useful in the event of a hall emergency. Guests and their behavior are the responsibility of the host. Please inform all guests of Luther policies and expectations. Guests may stay up to a total of three days.
Vacation/Breaks
Students are not permitted to remain in the residence halls during the two officially stated college vacation breaks (Christmas break and spring break). Residence halls are closed during these periods; only those students who must remain for college-sponsored events will be allowed to reside in their room or designated alternative room accommodations. Housing is provided for international students during vacation periods.
Chemical Substances: Use and Abuse
The Residence Life Office takes seriously the abuse of alcohol and chemical substances. This includes the illegal use of alcohol. Students should note that the possession of alcoholic beverage containers, either full or empty, will be taken as a presumption of use and possession, and as such, may be considered policy violations.
Most alcohol policy violations, in accordance with residence hall contracts, are handled via administrative disciplinary hearings and procedures and may not necessarily conform with all the judicial processes listed in the Luther Code. Students who engage in he use of illegal substances may expect college officials to involve local police in investigation and prosecution.
When, in the judgment of a staff person, a student is transported for medical attention or monitoring in response to alcohol or other chemical use, the involved student will be responsible for any costs incurred.
For more information, visit the "Alcohol and Other Drugs" section of the student handbook.