House rules. Welcome 3. How to contact us 4. Practical Guidelines 5. Fire Prevention 9. Safety on campus 11. Participation 13.

Transcription

1 House rules Welcome 3 How to contact us 4 Practical Guidelines 5 Fire Prevention 9 Safety on campus 11 Participation 13 Conflicts 14 Useful telephone numbers 15 Housing Services Academic Year 2006/2007

2 Dear Student, Welcome to Student Housing Services. We wish you a happy stay and good luck in your studies here at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. When living in student housing from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel you are granted a lot of freedom, but this freedom does not come without responsibilities. As you are living with a large group of people in a relatively small area of living space, there are some rules that will make living together more pleasant for everybody involved. These rules are to be found in this document House rules, which you can also consult or download from our website This document exists in addition to the rent contract and it consists of a compilation of practical information and a few more formal rules. Official communications from Housing Services will only be through your e- mail address from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. So check your electronic mail regularly. You can find all information regarding housing on our website Printed brochures will no longer be available. Every student house has a residents committee, which you can become a member of by applying in writing before 15 October at the Housing Services office. More information can be found under the heading Participation. We are counting on your sense of responsibility and your active participation. Yours faithfully, Ludo Reuter Head of Housing Services T F lreuter@vub.ac.be 2

3 How to contact us 1 Housing Services Offices Campus Etterbeek Campus Jette Pleinlaan 2 Laarbeeklaan Brussels 1090 Jette T T F F huisvesting.housing@vub.ac.be mlcasier@vub.ac.be Office hours: 09:00 to 12:00 Office hours: 08:00 to 12:00 13:00 to 17:00 13:00 to 16:00 (closed on Wednesdays) 2 Caretaker (Concierge) The live-in caretaker contributes to a general feeling of safety and peace of mind within every student house. After the office hours of the Housing Services office he/she is your contact person. The caretaker is available each evening from 17:00 to 21:00. After that you can always get help from the security services (see below). Student quarter Campus Etterbeek, Student House Schoofslaan and Triomflaan Alain De Valck Schoofslaan 12 Ground floor T Mobile adevalck@vub.ac.be Student House Nieuwelaan Student quarter Campus Jette Karim Jawad Security Housing Services Office Entrance 147 Ground Floor Mobile Mobile T kjawad@vub.ac.be F

4 3 Security (24/7) Campus Etterbeek Campus Jette Building F - rotule 4 - level esplanade Student quarter across the entrance to the restaurant Housing Services office T Mobile F T bewaking@vub.ac.be F bewakjet@vub.ac.be Practical Guidelines 1 Your (postal) address The mail is delivered daily into the letterboxes in the entrance hall of your student house. You must put your name on your letterbox. Vrije Universiteit Brussel Vrije Universiteit Brussel Campus Etterbeek Campus Jette Studentenhuisvesting Studentenhuisvesting Your name + room number Your name + room number Pleinlaan 2 Laarbeeklaan Brussels 1090 Brussels Vrije Universiteit Brussel Vrije Universiteit Brussel Student House Triomflaan Student House Schoofslaan Your name + room number Your name + room number Triomflaan 19 Schoofslaan Brussels 1160 Brussels Vrije Universiteit Brussel Student House Nieuwelaan Your name + room number Nieuwelaan Brussels 4

5 Official communications from housing services will be through your address from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel! 2 Keys If you lose your keys you will be charged the following amounts for new ones: Campus Etterbeek: room key: 25 EUR front door key: 25 EUR key of Building P: 6 EUR letterbox key: 6 EUR Student House Schoofslaan and Triomflaan: main key: 50 EUR letterbox key: 6 EUR Student House Nieuwelaan: room key: 12,50 EUR front door key: 25 EUR letterbox key: 6 EUR kitchen key: 12,50 EUR Campus Jette main key: 50 EUR For safety reasons you are not allowed to place any extra locks on your door! 3 Decorating your room You can decorate your room as long as there is no damage to permanent fixtures (walls, doors, ). You can paint your room yourself in neutral colours. You can obtain free paint from the Housing Services office. 4 Telephone and vending machines In every student house there are public telephones that use phone cards or Proton. 5

6 If you have a telephone in your room, you first have to pay for phone credit at the Housing Services office before you can phone externally. In each student house you will also find vending machines with cold drinks and condoms. 5 Laundry There is a washing machine and tumble dryer available in the student house Nieuwelaan and at the Housing Services offices on Campus Etterbeek and Jette. Prices: washing machine 2.50 EUR per batch of laundry tumble dryer 1.25 EUR per bundle Near the student houses Schoofslaan and Triomflaan, on 1028 Waversesteenweg, there is also a private laundrette. 6 Repairs In every student house you will find a repairs book or box where you can report any defects. We will try to carry out the repairs as soon as possible. 7 Cleaning An external company cleans the communal areas weekly. There is a fixed cleaning day for every student house. To make this cleaning possible, you have to tidy up your housing unit first. Set up a roster duty for this. If your unit has not been tidied up, you will receive a first warning. Any infractions after that will cost you 25 EUR, which will be deducted from the deposit of each resident. If you have any comments about the weekly cleaning, send an to rita.de.brabanter@vub.ac.be Mouldy leftovers can be thrown out for reasons of hygiene. You must clean your room yourself! Showing your student card will enable you to borrow a vacuum cleaner. At Nieuwelaan you can also borrow a window cleaner. 6

7 8 Refuse You must sort the refuse and carry it yourself to the containers provided. Set up a roster duty for this. During the weekly cleaning the cleaning company only removes used rubbish bags. Each student house also has specific containers for glass, paper and batteries other than the containers used for general rubbish. At Jette there are also containers for PMD. (Plastic bottles, metal packaging and drinking cartons). The disposal of small amounts of dangerous household waste is possible at the Housing Service office. More information can be found in the special document on the website. Rubbish bags can be obtained free of charge from the housing office. The placement of refuse, refuse bags, bicycles, shopping trolleys,.. inside or outside the living units, hallways, or patios is strictly prohibited. In Nieuwelaan the refuse containers are situated in the parking lot. They are accessible via the garage door (from the street) or from the ground floor using the steps. 9 Responsible energy use The combined annual gas and electricity bill of all student houses amounts to approximately 600,000 EUR a year. To lower these costs and thus have more money available for renovations we are counting on your co-operation. Heating - adjust your radiator appropriately - do not open doors or windows for cooling off during the winter (you must, however, air your room for a short period every day, especially in winter, to prevent moisture and condensation problems) Electricity - switch off the lights in rooms that are not being used and when leaving your room 7

8 - only pots and pans with a flat bottom may be used on the electric hot plates (utensils that are not suitable will be removed) Water - do not waste any water - report any leaky taps or toilets 8

9 10. Smoking ban The university s board of directors has given its approval to a smoking policy valid for all buildings from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. This means that in student houses there will be no smoking in communal rooms. This naturally includes the shared kitchen and bathrooms within each unit. Smoking is only permitted in the bedrooms. If all residents of a particular housing unit agree that smoking is allowed in the communal areas then it is permitted, but only when no non-smokers are present (residents or visitors). 9

10 Fire Prevention Electrical Installations - do not tamper with electrical appliances, do not adjust the electrical fittings yourself; - do not connect a huge number of appliances to the same power point, it can overload and cause a fire; - only use extension cords or multiple plugs with a CE mark (on sale at the housing office) - do not place extension cords across the room, underneath carpets or in damp places; - do not jam extension leads between windows or doors; - make sure there is enough ventilation around hi-fi wires, TVs, computers,...; - place powerful halogen lamps at a safe distance from flammable materials; - electric appliances that you have brought with you must be supplied with a CE mark; Cooking - it is prohibited to cook in the rooms; - keep cooking appliances at a safe distance from flammable materials; - switch the hot plates off after cooking as well during cooking when leaving the kitchen; Flammable liquids - make sure the room is properly aired when working with liquids that are highly flammable (ether, white spirits, solvents,...). The fumes of these products can start a fire with the slightest spark. - immediately close containers that contain flammable materials; - highly flammable materials or other dangerous materials may not be stored in any of the rooms or student houses; Smoking - never smoke in bed 10

11 - do not throw burning cigarette butts away (in the trash can, through the - window...) Clear passageways The placement of refuse, refuse bags, bicycles, shopping trolleys.. inside or outside the housing units, hallways, or patios is strictly prohibited. As you are living with a large group of people in a small area, careless behaviour can have disastrous consequences. So think twice! 11

12 Some Emergency Situations Burning frying pan - switch the hot plates off or pull the plug from the wall - cover the pan with a lid or oven glove - never pour water on boiling oil or fat - do not try to move a burning pan TV on fire or TV implosion - pull the plug from the wall - throw water on it Trashcan or ashtray on fire - usually, cutting off the air supply of the burning object will do the trick - if this does not work use water or a fire extinguisher Burning clothes - do not run - lie down on the floor as quickly as possible and roll around - if you witness this happening to someone else, cover the person in a blanket If there is a chance of the fire spreading? - stay calm, do not cause a general panic - call the Fire Brigade 100 (external line) - or use the internal emergency number 88 for Campus Etterbeek 112 for Campus Jette - break the glass of the alarm button and shout that there is a fire - keep doors and windows closed as much as possible - use the available fire extinguisher and fire hose - leave the building (never use the elevator) 12

13 Safety on campus Security Services Students enjoy the open and relaxed atmosphere of the campus from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Unfortunately, however, such an environment can also attract people with less honourable intentions, individuals who wait for the right moment to strike, when people are less vigilant. In the framework of Facility Management at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Security Services (recognisable by their red coats) ensure your safety. In general the campuses from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel are safe environments, and your help could further contribute to this safety. You can help by: - recognising and avoiding potentially dangerous situations - protecting your own property and that of the institution by closing and locking all doors and windows properly - reporting all strange behaviour and events - being aware of how you can get help most quickly - not forgetting that general vigilance, which everybody should engage in, is the best way to guarantee safety. 24-hour emergency telephone Every campus has its own internal emergency number: 88 Campus Etterbeek 112 Campus Jette You can phone the number from any internal telephone. Emergency calls are also possible from inside every elevator. The guards are also available 24 hours a day at the following numbers: 24-hour guard duty Campus Etterbeek Campus Jette

14 The guards are on guard duty on campus and in the buildings 24 hours a day. They are trained in all safety aspects and are here to guarantee your safety. While on duty the guards use modern communication devices. Some guards also have specially-trained guard dogs with them. Helping out Opening and closing of rooms In emergencies the guards can open your room for you and then lock it again. Do not forget to identify yourself straight away. The guard will of course check to make sure he does not let a stranger into your room. 14

15 In cases of illness or accidents The guards are trained in first aid and can help you in emergencies. In the case of a serious accident or illness the guards will immediately phone the doctor on duty or the emergency services. If you have car engine trouble the guards will help you to contact the automobile breakdown services. Tips - Make sure you lock the door of your room, even if you are only going away for a short while. A thief only needs a few seconds to steal your wallet or laptop from your room. - Do not leave objects lying around in your car! - Close all windows and doors properly, even if you are not on the ground floor. An open window is an opportunity and that is all a thief needs. - If you feel threatened on campus or if you see anything suspicious, immediately report it to the security services. - Report any broken outside lighting or doors that do not close properly as soon as possible to the Technical Services during office hours or to the security services. - NEVER jam doors to let friends or acquaintances in later. Some criminals take an open door as an invitation to steal or do something worse. - Never let an unknown person enter through the front door of the student house with you. - If you discover that you have been robbed, immediately contact the security services. They will supply you with the necessary forms to report to the police. - If your room has been broken into, also report it to the housing office and the caretaker. - Store the emergency numbers in your mobile phone. Contact Details Campus Etterbeek Building F - rotule 4 - level esplanade across the entrance to the restaurant T

16 F Campus Jette Studentenwijk: Housing Services office Mobile T F bewakjet@vub.ac.be 16

17 Participation Residents Committee The Residents Committee is a sounding board, which looks after the interests of the student house and its residents. In every student house there is a residents committee that is formed annually (the student houses in Triomflaan and Schoofslaan have one residents committee). Any resident of the student house can become a member of the residents committee by applying in writing before 15 October to the Housing Services office. The new residents committee is then installed by Housing Services in the second half of October. The mandate lasts from inauguration to the inauguration meeting of the following year. The members select a chairperson and a deputy chairperson among themselves, who will both be responsible for communicating with Housing Services, and a representative in the Housing Commission. The chairperson calls the meetings of the residents committee, sets the agenda and leads the discussions. Housing Services are also invited as an Advisory member to the residents committee. When a motion is put to the vote, the majority vote wins. If there is no majority, the vote of the chairperson is decisive. Housing Services can act as a mediator if there are any problems with the organisation or daily running of the residents committee. Your participation is of vital importance for a pleasant student house. 17

18 Conflicts Sometimes major conflicts can arise from minor squabbles: noise (from 23:00 onwards student houses must be quiet!), unwashed dishes, rubbish lying around, food taken from the fridge, a breach of the smoking ban... As adults living together, you have to talk about the problems and try to solve them yourself. If this does not work or there are other complaints, come to Housing Services. If there are lasting problems, Housing Services can, after extensive investigation and when all attempts at problem resolution have failed, take certain measures. If you do not agree with their decision you can, within 10 calendar days after the decision has been made, make a well-argued appeal in writing to the President Student council, student facilities chapter. The President will present the appeal to the Appeals Council whose decision is final. In Art. 6 of the rent contract some standard situations are provided in which the rent contract can be terminated or dissolved by both parties. Appeals Council The President Student council, student facilities chapter calls the Appeals Council to meet. Composition: - President Student council, student facilities chapter - President of the residents committee concerned - Head Student Affairs - 1 member of Student Social Services - 1 member of Housing Services The President can also invite other people who are able to give additional information. 18

19 The person who has made the appeal can be present at the meeting to plead his/her case. He/she can be asked to leave the meeting while the members of the council discuss the case among themselves. The decision is made by majority vote. If there is no majority, the submitted complaint is sustained. 19

20 Useful telephone numbers Internal Emergency Number Campus Etterbeek 88 Internal Emergency Number Campus Jette 112 Fire Brigade 100 Medical Emergency Services 100 Police 101 Anti-poison Centre VUB Security Services Campus Etterbeek VUB Security Services Campus Jette AZ-VUB Campus Jette Medical Services Campus Etterbeek (office hours) Flemish General Practitioners on night duty (Vlaamse Wacht Huisartsen) General practitioners that make house calls in the Studentenwijk on Campus Jette: Dr Sumio Yoshimi Dr Marc Huylebroeck Kasteellaan 130 b 2 De Limburg Stirumlaan Koekelberg 1780 Wemmel T T Housing Services Campus Etterbeek

21 Housing Services Campus Jette Caretaker campus Etterbeek,Schoofslaan/Triomflaan Caretaker Nieuwelaan