Abandoned Property

Any personal belongings left unclaimed in the residence hall room will be removed and declared surplus property. Item(s) will be tagged with pertinent information, i.e., location and time/date, and turned into the Office of Residential Life. The Office of Residential Life will attempt to make telephone and/or written contact with resident(s) of room. Once notified, owner is given one year from time of notification to claim surplus property.

Access to Student Rooms

Residence hall staff may enter a student's room for the purpose of maintaining conditions of health, safety and inventory control, and enforcement of University and residence hall regulations.

Alcohol

The use and/or possession of any alcoholic beverages are prohibited on campus. If alcohol is found in your possession, disciplinary action will be taken.

Alcohol Containers

Empty alcoholic beverage containers, either on one’s person or in one’s room will constitute a violation. Alcoholic beverage containers are not permitted as room decorations. If an alcoholic container is found in your possession, the containers will be confiscated and disposed of and disciplinary action will be taken.

Antenna

Television and stereo antennas are not permitted to be installed outside of your room.

Appeals

All appeals must be in writing to the Office of Residential Life.  Appeals must be filed within five (5) days of notification by the Office of Residential Life.

Appliances

All appliances must be UL approved. General safety, fire codes, and insurance standards require that certain restrictions be placed on the use of electrical appliances in the residence hall. Any electrical appliance that has an open heating element may not be used in the residence hall room. Please be careful when you are utilizing electrical appliances in your room. If an electrical problem develops and becomes persistent, we will have no alternative but to request the removal of some of the electrical appliances.

Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action and having the item confiscated. 

• Items which will be confiscated by staff include:
  • Alcoholic beverage containers
  • Other miscellaneous illegal items
  • Alcoholic beverages will be disposed of by the responsible student(s) with staff observing. The cans or bottles will be retained by the staff as evidence for judicial action.
• Items which will be turned over to University Police include:
  • Drugs or other illegal substance and/or paraphernalia
  • Fireworks
  • Weapons
  • Traffic and safety regulation signs
  • Beer kegs and taps

Cooking

Cooking is permissible in a resident's room with approved microwave ovens and other approved cooking appliances.

Damages

You are responsible for your assigned room and its contents. The Office of Residential Life makes no provision in the budget for the replacement or repair of equipment due to student negligence or malicious behavior. You may be charged for any damage or extra cleaning necessary which results while you are living there. In the event that damage or a need for cleaning occurs in your room and it cannot be attributed to a responsible individual, it will be necessary to divide the charge equally among all room residents. If the damage occurs in public areas and the responsible individual(s) cannot be identified, the repair cost may be prorated evenly among the residents living in the specific section on the floor in the building.

Deliveries

The residence hall staff will not sign for and/or deliver any packages that are delivered by a commercial carrier.

Discrimination

The Office of Residential Life is committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable residential population. As a result, it is the department’s policy not to discriminate with regards to gender, sexual orientation, religious belief, interests, and race pertaining to housing assignment, staffing, residence education, and assistance.

Discipline Process

The residence life staff is committed to providing a safe and comfortable environment for all students. When a student violates one of the policies designed to endure the safety and comfort of others, the student will be held responsible for his/her actions through the discipline process. This process is designed to be fair, uphold student’s rights, and to be as educative a process as possible. The discipline process usually begins with an incident report.

You will probably hear more than a few things about incident reports: who they are for, who fills them out and why and what happens to you if you are named in an incident report. For the most part, incident reports are used by hall staff to document, in writing, an incident that occurs in the residence halls. Usually these incidents are policy or regulation violations that have occurred. They are generally used by hall staff to communicate with the Office of Residential Life the facts of the incident so the Office of Residential Life can take appropriate action. Incident reports also can be used to take down facts about a theft or unusual happenings to let the hall staff know what is going on. If you are named on an incident report, you may be asked to talk with a member of the Residential Life staff or a member of the Dean of Students’ Office. If you are found to responsible for the violation, you will be subject to disciplinary action. This action may be on an educational or formal level. 

Enrollment

Students residing in University housing must be enrolled as a student for the semester in which they live in the residence halls. All exceptions must be submitted in writing and approved by the Director of Residential Life.

False Fire Alarms

Pulling a false fire alarm is against State and University regulations. Anyone caught pulling an alarm will be dealt with severely. Also, withholding information concerning a false fire alarm is an offense.

A reward will be given, up to $500, for information leading to the arrest and conviction of a person pulling a false fire alarm in the residence halls. Contact Putnam County Crime Stoppers at 520-7867, 24 hours a day. The reward is being sponsored by Crime Stoppers and the Office of Residential Life.

Games

Bouncing of basketballs, skate boarding, use of paintball guns, frisbee throwing, throwing darts, roller blades, golf, use of archery equipment, water sports, playing catch, or any other similar activities or games inside or in close proximity to the halls and their respective parking lots are prohibited because of the possibility of damage and the resulting noise. The use of other games posing a threat to resident safety or facilities maintenance also is prohibited.

Graduating Policy

Graduating resident students and students who have a primary involvement with the graduation ceremonies are provided an additional 24 hours from the posted non-graduating hall closing date to check out of their residence hall.

Grievances

Students who have a grievance against a residence hall staff member should first, if appropriate, discuss the matter with the staff member. If the differences cannot be resolved, the student may file an appeal in writing to the Director of Residential Life, followed by the Dean of Students, Vice President for Student Affairs, and then the President of the University.

Guests

A guest is defined as a person who is not a member of the residence hall system.  You may have one (1) overnight guest of the same sex and the visit may not exceed two (2) nights per week.   All guests must be registered through your residence hall staff.   You are responsible for the actions of your guest at all times and are to respect the needs and rights of your roommate(s).  Guests must also obtain a visitor’s parking permit to park on campus from the University Police.  Guests may not be left alone in the room unless officially registered.  Guests must be escorted at all times when visiting the residence halls.

Make specific agreements about the times visitors will be welcome and about entertaining guests.  Always consider your roommate’s side of the situation, particularly when he or she has a heavy load of exams or papers.  After you have established some guidelines with which you both can live comfortably, agree to discuss this issue again any time either of you has a concern.  You need to be flexible.  Be assertive and communicate your needs.  Remember your hall staff is available to help you work out differences. 

Hate Crimes

Racism, in all forms, whether individual or institutional is a moral outrage. Racism, sexism, anti-Semitism, and homophobic acts cannot be allowed to exist in our residence halls. Please report all such acts to the Director of Residential Life.

Hazing

Hazing is not permitted in or around residence halls. A complete description of hazing is included as part of the Student Code of Conduct contained in the Student Handbook.

Holiday Decorations

Due to fire safety concerns, cut or live Christmas trees are not allowed in the residence halls. All electrical decorations must be UL/FM approved and only used in accordance with their rated application. Electrical decorations will be for interior room use only and must be 18 inches from combustible materials. No outside decoration will be allowed. Holiday decorations must be removed in an appropriate amount of time to students leaving for vacation.

(S/E 10/31/03)

Incense

Because the odor may be offensive to some people, and because it constitutes a fire hazard, the burning of incense and all incense paraphernalia is not allowed in the residence halls. Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action and having the item confiscated.

Lounge Furniture

Furniture in lounges and common areas is for the enjoyment of all residents and their guests. Lounge furniture may not be removed or rearranged without prior permission from the Director of Residential Life.

Lobby

The Office of Residential Life prior to the start of each year designates individual hall lobbies as either study and/or social.  Hall lobbies are not to be reserved for activities other than those determined to be in the best interest of the majority of the residence hall population.

Lock Outs

From time to time, you may lock yourself out of your room. Carrying room keys is an individual responsibility; however, assistance is available through your residence hall staff or Help Desk.

Loft Beds

The construction of a loft bed is not permitted.

Musical Instruments

Although you may call yourself a musician, your neighbors may not agree. Therefore, playing musical instruments in the residence halls is not permitted. Practice rooms are located in the Bryan Fine Arts Building.

Multi Plugs

The use of multi plugs is not allowed in the residence halls. Violators of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action and having the item confiscated.

(S/E 10/31/03)

Noise

Residence halls exist to support the academic mission of the University. Quiet and courtesy hours provide standards of acceptable noise levels for study, sleep and privacy.

During quiet hours, 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m., all noise must be contained within individual student rooms and at a level which is not disruptive to other residents. During final exams, 24-hour quiet hours are in effect beginning at 6:00 p.m., 48 hours prior to the first day of exams and extending until after the last exam. 

Open Flames

Items which require the use of flammable liquids or an open flame to operate, or which produce heat (i.e. Bunsen burners, lighted candles, alcohol burners, incense, and grills) are not allowed in residents' room.

(S/E 10/31/03)

Pets

With the exception of fish aquariums not exceeding 20 gallons and approved seeing-eye dogs, pets are not permitted in University housing. Fish aquariums may only be used for fish. Furthermore, no pets may be kept in a close proximity of your room.

Posting

• General Information

  A specific bulletin board marked GENERAL CAMPUS POSTING ONLY is provided in each residence hall. Individuals and/or groups wishing to post information must obtain the permission of the Office of Residential Life. All information posted must be in compliance with the rules and regulations for posting as outlined by the University.

  Information that does not have approval of the Office of Residential Life and/or that is improperly posted will be removed by the residence hall staff immediately. Possible disciplinary charges may be filed by the Office of Residential Life against the individual and/or organization.

• Resident Room

  Information signs or other decorations may not be displayed in the area between the window and the blinds and/or directly adhered to the windows. Additionally, no information signs or other decorations may be displayed on the interior and/or exterior doors of the residence halls

  Paper decorations, posters, fishnets, other wall decorations and/or a combination of may not cover more than 25% of the surface of any wall.

  (S/E 10/31/03)

Power Strips

The use of UL/FM approved power strips with a built-in fuse or circuit breaker is required on appliances and other electronic devices used inside a room. The strip must be of adequate wire size for the intended use.

(S/E 10/31/03)

Proper Disposal of Needles and Sharp Instruments

Contaminated needles and other contaminated sharp instruments should be placed in appropriate containers as soon as possible. Needles and sharp instruments should not be bent, recapped, sheared or broken. Containers should be closeable, puncture resistant, color-coded red or labeled with a biohazard symbol, leak-proof on the side and bottom, maintained in an upright position, replaced routinely, not allowed to over fill and be closed immediately. Proper containers can be purchased at Health Services (Infirmary) and returned to Health Services when full for proper disposal.

Public Areas

Public areas in residence halls are for the use and enjoyment of all residents. Individuals wanting to sponsor private social events should make arrangements to use other campus facilities. Smoking is not permitted in public areas. Also the grounds outside residence halls may not be used for private social events.

Release of Private Information

Release of private information to students or other interested parties is generally not permitted. For the protection of our residents, the Office of Residential Life will not release ANY type of information to requesting parties not serving in an official capacity with the University. Request for directory information--telephone numbers and campus box numbers--should be made to University Information at 3123.

Students requesting directory information not to be released should contact the Records Office, Room 102, Derryberry Hall.

Restricted Areas

Certain areas in and around the residence halls are off limits to students. These include, but are not limited to, roofs, ledges, mechanical rooms, crawl spaces, etc. For safety reasons, students are not allowed on the balconies or roof areas. Failure to cooperate will result in disciplinary action.

Smoking

In supporting a safe and healthy environment for our campus residents, TTU policy designates all campus housing as a smoke-free environment.  Smoking is not permitted in any residential facility or within 50-feet of any point of entry of a residential facility.

Solicitation

Solicitation for purely commercial purposes is prohibited in the residence halls by off-campus agencies or commercial enterprises or by students acting on their behalf. This includes magazine sales people. Please contact your residence hall staff or the University Police if you witness any solicitation in the halls.

To protect students against fraudulent involvement, sectarian promulgation, interruption of their studies, and to ensure that the property of the University is not used for monetary gain, door-to-door soliciting, sectarian, promulgation, or political propaganda in residence halls is prohibited, except in the common lounges with the prior approval of the Director of Residential Life. Fund-raising in University housing is limited to official residence life organizations and approved University organizations.

All surveys conducted in Tennessee Technological University housing must have the prior approval from the Director of Residential Life. Surveys will be limited to assessments of the quality of residence life, specific issues effecting campus life, University-sponsored surveys and official U.S. government business (i.e. census).

Thefts

If you feel that something has been stolen from your room, contact your residence hall staff and the University Police. The University assumes no liability for the loss of personal property. We recommend you lock your door upon leaving your room, regardless of the anticipated time of absence.

Traffic Control/Road Signs

Traffic control/road signs are not allowed on state property and will be confiscated by Tennessee Tech University Police.

Transportation for Emergencies

Residence hall staff members are not permitted to transport students requiring medical assistance. When such assistance is required, University Police should be notified.

Trash

Students are not permitted to leave trash in the hallways or outside their room doors. The residence halls are equipped with trash dumpsters outside the exits of most buildings. Students are expected to use these dumpsters only for disposal of trash.

Students found guilty of improperly disposing of trash or vandalizing the dumpsters will be subject to an assessment and disciplinary action.

Visitation

Tennessee Tech residence halls offer a twelve hour (12) hour visitation program open to host guests of both genders. All guests must be escorted from the lobby to the host/hostess' room from the room back to the lobby to check out. Guests are not to be unattended at any time.  Each guest must check in and out of the residence hall at the designated location in each lobby.

Residential Life staff members will be available during the entire staff period of visitation, except during zone coverage, during which time housing personnel will be responsible for a specified area.  During visitation, proper conduct and decorum are important and expected of both the host/hostess and the guest(s).  Guests may be asked to leave the building and/or be prohibited from visiting if found to be violating policies, damaging property, or being a potential harm to themselves or others.

With the increased visitation privileges, there is a greater responsibility to be shared.  The primary responsibility for management of the total visitation program rests with the individual resident, Residence Hall Association (RHA), and the residence hall staff.

Opportunities for differentiated visitation policies including no visitation at any time are available based on approval by the Director of Residential Life.

Weapons

Weapons are not allowed in the residence halls or anywhere on property owned or operated by Tennessee Technological University. Examples of weapons include, but are not limited to, guns and knives with blades of 4 inches or longer. State law prescribes a maximum penalty of six (6) years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $3,000 for bringing weapons on school property. Violation of this law is a felony. Even individuals with handgun permits may not bring handguns on property owned or operated by Tennessee Technological University.

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