Residence Hall Rules and Regulations

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The College has established rules and regulations to provide guidelines essential for maintaining personal freedom, academic achievement and residential harmony. By selecting Southern Union, a student agrees to abide by the standards and regulations of the college. It is the student’s obligation to become familiar with the residential policies. If a resident has any questions, concerns, comments or recommendations they should contact the Residential Hall Council and/or the Residence Hall Associates. Residential life policies are subject to changes by the College’s administration.

RESIDENCE HALL VIOLATIONS:

Residence hall disciplinary issues are adjudicated by the Residence Hall Associates, Chief of Campus Police, and/or the Associate Dean of Student Affairs.

RESIDENCE HALL MEETINGS:

All residence hall meetings scheduled by the Residence Hall Associates, Deans, or President are mandatory. These meetings are kept to a minimum timeframe and provide important information to the residents.

ROOM SEARCHES - COLLEGE JURISDICTION:

A room may be searched for the safety, security, and maintenance of an educational atmosphere. Searches may be conducted if there is reasonable cause to believe that a student is using the room for a purpose in violation of federal laws, state laws, local laws, or college regulations. Room searches, except one conducted by law enforcement officers with duly issued search warrants, must be approved by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs and/or the Residence Hall Associates.

FACILITIES

  1. Students are responsible for the regular cleaning and general condition of their own room and bathroom.
  2. Furniture in the residence rooms and public areas of each hall may not be removed or altered.
  3. Students accept responsibility for their room and furnishings as of the date of occupancy and are responsible for any damages subsequent to that date including damage caused by guests. Charges will be assessed and placed on the student's account and must be paid prior to the release of transcripts for the current term or enrollment for the next term.
  4. Where individual liability cannot be determined, students sharing common facilities (rooms, hallways, bathrooms, etc.) will share equally in the cost of any damage.
  5. Students must place trash in designated receptacles/dumpsters outside.
  6. Mattress covers are required.

SAFETY, SECURITY AND LIABILITY

  1. Student rooms are subject to a periodic health, safety and maintenance inspection by members of the Residence Life staff.
  2. Individual student rooms and its contents may be searched without prior notification, when there is reasonable suspicion of a potential health, safety, security or policy violation related to that room or occupants.  The search is approved by the Associate Dean of Students Affairs and/or the Residence Hall Coordinator.
  3. Students are responsible for keeping their rooms locked at all times and for securing their room. Loss of a room key will result in a key replacement cost of $50.00 to the student. One complimentary reentry is granted to each student within the first two weeks of the semester. Afterwards, a $10.00 reentry fee will be accessed to the student for each additional reentry request.
  4. Propping open exterior doors to the residence hall is strictly forbidden. All residents share in the responsibility for the security of their residence hall and should close and report any doors found propped open at any hour.

LOSS OR DAMAGE

The College is not responsible for loss or damage to the residents’ personal property. The college reserves the right to dispose of unclaimed personal property after fifteen (15) business days. All residents should record their valuables including appliances, electronics, and cell phones by model number, brand name, serial number or any other markings that might be used to properly identify the item(s). Residents are urged to secure Renters Insurance coverage to provide for the security of belongings. Renters Insurance is not available through the college or campus police. Thefts should be reported to the Campus Police.

QUIET HOURS:

The first step toward success at Southern Union begins with good study habits. Reasonable QUIET TIME is expected in the residence halls at all times.

COURTESY HOURS are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all areas of the residence hall including student rooms, study suites, hallways, common areas and lobby. During courtesy hours a resident is encouraged to ask noisy residents to reduce their noise. The resident(s) causing the noise are expected to comply with re quests that reduce or eliminate noise. Please display courtesy to other students; playing a musical instrument, radio, tape/CD player or television loudly enough to be heard outside the room is prohibited.

QUIET HOURS are in effect each night from 11:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. with the exception of Friday and Saturday. On Friday and Saturday, Quiet Hours begin at 12:00 midnight and end at 10:00 a.m. the following morning. Unnecessary noises and disturbances are not permitted. During final exam week, all hours are considered quiet time.

VISITATION

The residence lobby is for the use and convenience of students and their invited guests. This area is not designed for unscheduled group activities. Residents and guests are asked not to create unnecessary noise. Violators will be asked to leave the area. All current residents may visit other residents at any time as long as they are invited and the roommate consents.

ALL guests and residents are required to comply with Southern Union policies and procedures.

  1. Visitors and host are required to sign-in and leave identification with the residence assistant at the lobby desk or staff in the office.
  2. Visitors must be at least 18 years of age, a Southern Union student or a member of the student's immediate family.
  3. The student or roommate has the right to refuse visitation.
  4. Visitors must be escorted by the host at all times.
  5. Overnight guests must obtain written approval from the Residence Hall Coordinator and pay the $15.00 per night fee in advance. Two free overnight guests are allowed per semester. The host student is responsible for the actions/behavior of their guest. All guests are expected to abide by the College policies and procedures.
  6. No loitering on campus after 11:00 p.m.
OVERNIGHT GUESTS:

Residents’ guests are welcome with the Residence Hall staff’s approval, provided there is space available.

  1. The resident host must accompany overnight guests to sign-in and sign-out at the desk in the lobby.
  2. Current residents are subject to a $15 charge when a guest remains in the residence hall for six (6) hours between the hours of 2:00 am and 8:00 am.
  3. Children under the age of 18 are not allowed to stay overnight in the residence hall, with the exception of approved Summer camps.
  4. Residence Hall staff may limit excessive overnight visits.