Residential Life Introduction Residential Life Mission Statement Community Diversity Service Responsibility

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1 RESIDENTIAL LIFE Introduction...56 Residence Hall Staff and Organizations...57 General Information...58 Roommate Bill of Rights...59 Financial Matters...60 S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K 55 R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E

2 Residential Life Introduction University housing is one of the many learning experiences you will enjoy at Quinnipiac. University housing consists of traditional residence halls, apartment-style units and off-campus houses. Each of these options provides an opportunity to interact with students from a wide variety of geographical locations and cultural backgrounds. Your experiences with your fellow students will be enhanced by your tolerance, respect for others, and regard for the standards of good citizenship. Living in University housing is a privilege; not a right. Resident students are subject to the conditions set forth in the housing contract and the Student Code of Conduct. Students may be dismissed from University housing for violations. All students, whether living in one of the on-campus residence halls, apartments, or off-campus properties are subject to the same University policies and procedures. Just like the students who live in them, each of our housing options possesses its own personality, yet each is a part of the entire educational process of Quinnipiac. The Quinnipiac founders placed their emphasis on the individual student and his or her overall development, rather than on intellectual training alone. The development of the whole individual is the foundation for our housing program. The goal of each of the units is not only to provide a place to sleep, but to supplement learning and provide a variety of educational, social and recreational activities. Residence halls and other housing options are living/learning centers for today s students. The Department of Residential Life has two convenient locations for students. The Mount Carmel office is located in the Student Affairs Center on Bobcat Way. The telephone number is The York Hill office is located in the Rocky Top Student Center. The telephone number is Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Residential Life Mission Statement The Department of Residential Life at Quinnipiac University is committed to providing students a supportive and inclusive living environment that enriches their educational experience. We challenge and support our students as they develop into responsible members of the community. The Department is guided by these core values: Community: Encourage students to become positive and active members of the campus, local and global communities. Diversity: Challenge students to explore, understand and accept the unique differences that each member brings to the community. Service: Promote student involvement in activities that serve the community while enhancing their growth and development. Responsibility: Strive to help students make responsible decisions and understand how their choices impact themselves and others. S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K 56 R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E

3 Residence Hall Staff and Organizations Resident Assistants and Community Assistants Resident assistants and community assistants are there to assist you in your journey as a University student. The RAs and CAs are upper-class students who are knowledgeable about Quinnipiac policies and the sources of help within the institution. As advisers they will help you with any problem or question you may have. Resident assistants and community assistants are selected by the Department of Residential Life because of their dedication to the community, proven maturity and sense of responsibility. Each RA is responsible for a separate unit of students within a residential area. The RAs provide personal and individual assistance to each student and are responsible for individual and community development. A community assistant is an experienced RA who serves as a resource and support for seniors living in University housing. Residence Hall Directors Residence hall directors are full-time professionals who live on campus and are responsible for one or more living area. They report to an associate director or assistant director and supervise resident assistants or community assistants. Their responsibilities include providing support and guidance to students, implementing policies and procedures, training staff, serving as primary conduct meeting officers, and performing on-call responsibilities. Assistant Directors The assistant directors are full-time professionals who report to the associate vice president/director of residential life. The assistant directors responsibilities include supervision of the residence hall directors at the York Hill Campus; social media and publications; coordinating staff selection; assisting in policy formulation, crisis management training and serving as a student conduct officer. Associate Directors The associate directors are full-time professional staff members who report to the associate vice president/director of residential life. The associate directors responsibilities include coordinating University housing, managing the room selection process and billings, and selection, training and supervision of the residence hall directors. Residence Hall Council The Residence Hall Council is a body of students composed of elected members from each hall. Its purpose is to develop collective programming experiences and address student concerns in the residence halls. Area Councils Area Councils are located in each of the residential living areas. The purpose is to provide leadership opportunties for resident students and social activities within the residence areas. S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K 57 R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E

4 General Information Making Yourself at Home Your residence hall is your home during your stay on campus. Quinnipiac supplies your room with a bed, dresser/wardrobe, desk and chair. To make yourself comfortable, you should bring extra-long sheets, pillow, curtains, towels, blankets, lamp, light bulbs and, if desired, rugs and extra furnishings. All University-supplied furniture must remain in the living unit. All common building furniture, including lounge, suite and apartment furniture must remain in the respective common areas. Most residence areas are equipped with a variety of vending machines (water, juice, soda, candy). Washers and dryers are provided in each residence area. Apartment-style housing units are equipped with kitchenettes. Study lounges are located in Irmagarde, Dana, the Complex, the Commons, the Ledges, the Crescent and Eastview. Statement of Responsibility Each student is required to agree to the Quinnipiac University Statement of Responsibility at the time they move into the residence hall. This document explains the expectations and responsibilities of the condition of their living unit. Residence hall rooms are inspected for damage prior to opening at the beginning of the fall semester. Residence hall staff complete a room condition form for any rooms where pre-existing damages are found. If a student finds damage in his/her room at opening that has not been documented the student should contact the residence hall staff to complete this form. Work Request Systems Quinnipiac students have access to both an online Facilities Work Request System and a Computer Help Desk Work Request System through the MyQ portal. If you experience a problem with your computer or Internet connection, you should submit a work request through the Computer Help Desk web page and a professional from that department will address your concerns. If you are having a problem with something in your room (i.e., the light bulb has burnt out), you can submit a work request through the Facilities web page. Work requests are handled as quickly as possible, usually within hours. Students living in University-owned houses will find the off-campus work request form in the Residential Life section of the MyQ portal. QCARD and Key Procedures Students use their QCARD to gain access to their hall and room. Students QCARDs are validated at the start of the academic year and remain valid when the residence halls are officially open. Students should be aware that their cards will not be valid to access their hall or room during vacation/break periods. If you lose your QCARD, you must go to the QCARD Office, located at Administrative Services, during business hours to obtain a new QCARD. Students will be charged the current fee for replacing lost, stolen or damaged cards. Students must carry their QCARD with them. In the Complex apartments and off-campus houses, the bedroom doors are opened and locked by a key. If you lose your bedroom key, you must go to the bursar s office. There will be a $20 charge for a replacement key. After paying the charge at the bursar s office, you need to go to the facilities office to receive a new key. Lockouts In the event you find yourself locked out of your building or room, contact the Department of Residential Life. After hours, you should contact the RA in central duty on your appropriate campus: Mount Carmel Campus York Hill Campus Each resident student will be permitted two lockouts per academic year. Subsequent lockouts will result in a $25 fine. S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K 58 R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E

5 Roommates One of the most important experiences you have in college involves your relationship with your roommate(s). Incoming students roommates are selected by the Department of Residential Life, according to information provided by each of you. As returning students, you have the opportunity to choose your roommate(s). All residents will be required to complete a room and/or suite contract within three weeks of the fall semester. Successful group living is built upon mutual respect and respect for the rights of the individual. As guidelines, we offer the Roommate Bill of Rights (see box). Violation of the Bill of Rights is handled by the residential life staff and may result in conduct action. Room Selection Room selection is done through a lottery process in the spring semester. Information and materials regarding this process will be distributed to all resident students during the spring semester. Students participating in the process must have paid their housing deposit on time to be eligible to return to the residence halls. Room Change Procedure At the beginning of each semester, there is a two-week freeze on room changes. Prior to any room changes students should meet with their resident assistant and residence hall director. The University reserves the right to fill any vacancies that occur in student rooms. Students changing rooms should go to the Department of Residential Life to have their QCARD access changed. Medical Accommodations Students who request housing accommodations must complete a housing accommodations form available in the Department of Residential Life. This form must be submitted to the Department of Residential Life and accompanied by all relevant information pertaining to the need for the accommodation. Individual student requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Residence Area Closing The residence areas typically shut down over vacation and recess periods. With the exception of those who need to remain on campus, students must vacate the residence areas. All unauthorized students who do not vacate the residence areas by the designated time are subject to immediate removal, possible fine and disciplinary action. Non-Quinnipiac Housing The Department of Residential Life maintains a list of local properties available for rental, which is available through the MyQ portal.these facilities are not owned by Quinnipiac University and Quinnipiac is not responsible for them. Roommate Bill of Rights All residents are entitled to the following rights, regardless of agreements in the contract: 1. The right to read and study without interference, unreasonable noises and other distractions 2. The right to sleep without undue disturbance 3. The right to have privacy in one s own room 4. The right to live in a clean environment 5. The right to be free from intimidation, physical and emotional harm 6. The right to expect respect for one s belongings 7. The privilege to host guests, but with the understanding that the guests will honor other residents rights S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K 59 R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E

6 Financial Matters Housing Policy/Deposits Quinnipiac guarantees housing for the first three years of a student s college experience and seniors and graduate students are housed on a space-available basis. Housing is guaranteed to two groups of students: incoming students who choose housing at the time of their admission to the University and returning students who pay their housing deposit by the designated deadline. Each year students who wish to live in the residence halls for the following year must pay a non-refundable housing deposit by the established deadline. Failure to do so may result in loss of housing privileges. In addition, each student must pay a security deposit when he/she moves onto campus. Whenever damage charges are assessed, students must replenish their security deposits. Withdrawal and Refund Policy Students wishing to withdraw from campus housing for the spring semester must complete a residence hall withdrawal form. At the end of the academic year, all students who are not returning to campus housing must complete this form to have their security deposit refunded. Students who withdraw from the residence halls forfeit their right to housing, and may be placed on a waiting list if they wish to return to the residence halls. For further information, refer to the Financial Information and Refund Policy effective each fall semester. Eligibility to Reside on Campus To be eligible for campus housing, individuals must be full-time matriculating students, who are in good financial standing with the University and have paid their housing deposit according to established policies. S T U D E N T H A N D B O O K 60 R E S I D E N T I A L L I F E