Student Guide

Residence Life

The residence life program of Houghton College offers many different types of living environments from traditional residence halls to townhouses to community living options. The residence life staff endeavors to provide opportunities for personal development through social, spiritual, and educational programming. It is also our goal to support the academic program of Houghton College by encouraging our living areas to be safe, well maintained, healthy, and conducive to study.

Our residence halls and the townhouse/flats complex are supervised by resident directors (RD) who are actively involved in professional development through a cooperative student life graduate program with Geneva College. The RD oversees and supervises the overall planning, programming, and maintenance of the living-learning environment. Gillette Hall also has an assistant residence hall director (ARD). On each floor or suite there is a resident assistant (RA) who helps to orient students to the living area and to the campus. The RA is also available as peer helper and resource person. The residence life staff is charged with keeping our halls positive living environments by upholding the Statement of Community Responsibilities and Residence Hall Policies.

Residency Requirements

First and second-year students must live in one of the traditional residence halls. Third and fourth-year students may apply for townhouse or apartment housing or Community Living Options (CLO). Students under the age of 23 are guaranteed college housing within the limits of available space. All students who do not have a CLO must live in college-owned housing, with the following exceptions:

	Students commuting from a parent’s home
	Married students and students with children
	Students over the age of 24 on the first day of classes
	Students beyond their eighth semester of college life
	Student teachers assigned more than 40 miles from campus

All expectations of the Statement of Community Responsibilities apply to all Houghton students, regardless of housing status.

Community Living Options

Students who prefer to find housing for themselves within the Houghton community may apply for a Community Living Option. The number of CLO’s assigned each year is established by the Office of Student Life based on enrollment and housing capacities. Preference is given to students with the greatest number of earned credit hours. CLO application forms are available in January and students are notified in February if they have been approved. Students with CLO’s make arrangements directly with local landlords to rent rooms or apartments. Please note that when a student elects to leave college-owned housing, the college can no longer take any responsibility for the quality of their accommodations, furnishings, or financial arrangements with landlords. A listing of landlords in the community who typically rent to students is available in the Office of Student Life.

Mayterm Housing Policy

All Mayterm students (regardless as to whether or not they are receiving the Mayterm for free) are required to remain in and pay for the same type of college housing that they were using during their full-time semester(s). Exceptions to this requirement include students commuting from their parents’ home, CLO students who choose to live in college housing during May, and those on a trip for the entire Mayterm. Costs associated with trips vary and some may charge additionally for transportation, lodging and food. The board plan used for the previous semester(s) will be charged for Mayterm unless the student opts for a greater number of meals or if a particular plan is required for the course (as is the case for certain trips).

Board Plan Options

All students who do not commute from home are required to board in the college dining hall. All board is arranged on a contract basis with various plans available. All first-year students are required to be on the 21 meals per week plan or the 210 block plan. Sophomores, in addition to these options, may select a 14 meals per week or 165 block plan. Juniors and seniors living in the residence halls (on non-townhouse floors) may also choose from these options. Juniors and seniors living in townhouses, flats, townhouse floors in the residence halls, or off campus in addition to these options may select a 7 meals per week plan or 85 block plan. The contract period begins on the day preceding student validation and does not include meals during vacation periods. For current board plans and rates, contact the Office of Student Life.

Students wishing to change to a different board plan must submit this request in writing to Student Financial Services or to the housing director during the first week of the semester. Requests for changes will not be accepted after this.

Exemption from Board Plan Requirements

Requests for exemptions must be submitted in writing to the Student Financial Services Office. The following students may be exempted from board requirement:

	Commuting students
	Non-traditional students (age 24 or older)
	Ninth semester students (and beyond)
	Students with documented health problems that cannot be accommodated by Pioneer College Caterers.

The board plan the student selects for the school year will continue for Mayterm, at additional charge, should the student attend Mayterm.

Residence Life Policies and Information

Your Resident Director (RD), Resident Assistant (RA), or Head Resident (HR) will be communicating policy concerns to you throughout the year. All students, whether living in the residence halls or other college-owned residences, are responsible for adhering to the following policies:

Appliances

Due to fire regulations, electrical cooking appliances may not be used in student rooms. Kitchens are located on every floor in each hall. Most areas have a sink, stove, refrigerator and microwave. Some areas also have ovens. Students are responsible for proper use of these appliances and for clean up. Students should never leave stoves, microwaves, or other cooking appliances unattended while in use. All food stored in the kitchens should be clearly marked with the student’s name and room number.

Bicycles

Students are expected to park their bicycles in the racks provided outside of each residence hall or kept in the hall’s bike storage room. Bike rooms are available in Gillette, Shen, Rothenbuhler, Lambein, and the Townhouses. To obtain a key see your resident director.

Decorations

Please do not use nails, scotch tape, glue, tacks, pins, duct tape, or masking tape to adhere posters or pictures to your room walls. All of these leave scars on the walls. Check with the Resident Assistant for details about what materials are permitted for use on your walls. Concerning the “content” of the pictures or posters that you hang, please use discretion. Illegally obtained signs are prohibited. Decorations inconsistent with college philosophy may not be displayed. This includes sexually suggestive items, occult materials, and alcohol, drug, and tobacco advertisements or paraphernalia. The final interpretation of whether a decoration is appropriate will rest with the RD.

Early Arrival

Students are not generally permitted to live in college-owned housing prior to or after the official school opening
         and closing dates as printed on the college calendar. Students who report to school prior to the official opening
         date or stay after the closing date without prior permission will incur a charge of $20.00 per day. Exceptions are
         made for those students who are on campus at the request of faculty or staff for an official college function or
         program which include, but is not limited to: pre-season athletic training, residence life staff, FYI leaders, student
         government, student teachers and international student orientation.

        The opening and closing dates for each campus break are printed on the college calendar. There are no
        exceptions to this for those students living in one of the four traditional residence halls. Residents of the
        townhouses and flats may remain in their living units during breaks but must notify the resident director of their
        plans. A list of students given permission to remain in the townhouses and flats will be given to the Directors of
        Safety and Security, Residence Life and Facilities.

Fines

The resident director may impose fines or community service upon residents for the violation of residence hall
policies.

Fire Safety

Tampering with fire safety equipment or taking actions which potentially endanger the health or welfare of others
          may be grounds for immediate dismissal from the College. Any resident responsible for a false fire alarm due to
          malicious or careless actions will be fined $500.00, which will be donated to the Houghton Volunteer Fire
          Department.

Fire drill information including escape routes and exits is posted in each residence hall. Each student should
familiarize himself/herself with this information. Fire drills are held regularly throughout the year.

Corridors, stairways, landings, doorways and exits are to be kept clear at all times. Items such as boxes,
clothing racks, bikes, furniture, sports equipment, shoes, etc are to be kept out of all the areas listed above.

Appropriate college personnel will dispose of any items left in these areas. Stairwell doors and other fire doors
are to remain closed at all times.

Guests

Students may invite visitors of the same gender to stay in student rooms free of charge for three nights per
          semester, per guest. A $10 fee is charged for each night after the third – not to exceed five nights. No member
          of the opposite gender including parents, siblings or other relatives) may visit your room at any time – other than
          open house - unless it is cleared in advance with the RD or ARD.

Leadership Councils

Each residence hall elects residents to serve on its leadership council. This council is responsible for organizing
social events and guiding hall policy. Each student is assessed a residence hall activity fee of $10, which is used
for floor and all-hall activities.

Hall Damage Fee

Residents of Rothenbuhler Hall, townhouses, and the Flats are charged a $150 damage deposit, which is
refundable if you are not individually or corporately responsible for any damage to your living area. (This includes
leaving the room/unit clean.)

Hall Lounges

The main lounges in the residence halls are to be used for relaxing, studying, socializing and for entertaining
visitors and friends. Public displays of affection by couples, excessive noise, and sleeping are not in good taste
and will not be tolerated.

Hallway Safety

In order to provide for the safety of residents and visitors alike and to avoid damage to college property,
students are not to throw objects in the hallways. Frisbees, balls or other sporting equipment are not to be used
in the residence halls. Violations will result in a $50.00 fine.

Hours

For security reasons, all doors except the main entrance of the hall are locked by 8:00 p.m. Residence halls remain open until midnight Sunday through Thursday, 2:00 a.m. on Friday, and 1:00 a.m. on Saturday. Main entrances are locked when the residence halls close. All residence halls are equipped with an electronic access system. It is imperative for the safety of our residents that entry doors are never propped open. ID cards are never to be borrowed or attempted to be copied. Not only could you be liable for inappropriate use for the card if you let others borrow it, but you put other residents of your hall at risk. Misuse of cards, propping of exterior doors, and other attempts to compromise the security of the residence hall are a violation of college policy and may result in a $50 fine.

Laundry Facilities

Laundry facilities are available for your convenience in each college-owned residential facility. All residential
         students pay a fee each semester for the use of laundry facilities. Any non-residential student found using the
         laundry facilities will be fined $50.00. Any mechanical difficulties with the washers and dryers should be promptly
         reported to the resident director.

Locks

It is imperative that residents keep their rooms and locking drawers locked at all times. The college cannot be
liable for loss or damage of any personal items. Students are encouraged to check their parents’ homeowner’s
insurance policy for coverage of losses while away at college.

Lofts

Due to safety and fire regulations, hand-built lofts and bunk beds designed for residential use may not be used in
         the residence halls or in the college-owned houses. Beds may not be elevated on any furniture or platforms.
         Cinder blocks may not be brought into the residence halls. Closet doors may not be removed at any time for any
         reason.

Microwave Warning

Never, for any reason, leave the microwave unattended while it is in use. If the fire alarm is set off through
careless use of the microwave or other appliances you will be liable for a minimum fine of $50.00 to be donated to
the Houghton Volunteer Fire Department.

Musical Instruments

Musical instruments, with the exception of non-amplified guitars and electronic keyboards with earphone, are not
to be played in the residence halls.

Open House

Definition: A designated time during which a student’s room is open to opposite gender visitors. Visitors must
         sign in and out at the residence hall desk and leave their student ID. Non-student visitors must leave a driver’s
         license. During open house visitation, the participating student’s door must remain completely open and the
         light on at all times. Those in the room should be easily visible to those outside the room.

Residence halls may have up to four Open House evenings each week, one weekday evening from 7:00 p.m. –
         11:00 p.m., weekend evenings (Friday and/or Saturday) from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., weekend evenings (Friday
         and/or Saturday) from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. Each residence hall staff, in conjunction with hall council, will
         determine the number of open houses to be held each week.

Pets

All animals other than fish are prohibited in all college-owned housing. Please be advised that aquariums must
remain unplugged during college breaks.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours have been established in each residence hall to provide resident with the opportunity for adequate
          study and rest. The policy has been created to encourage a sense of community responsibility and to
          demonstrate consideration for all residents.

         Quiet hours are in effect from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. every day with additional quiet times implemented during
         final exam periods. All residents are expected to refrain from causing any noise or disruption that would infringe
         on the rights of fellow students to study or sleep. Music and other forms of noise should not be heard outside
         the room for which it is intended.

Because this policy can only be effective if the floor works together, residents are expected to ask for
          cooperation from others. Each member of the residence hall is responsible to confront others concerning noise.
         When those confrontations are not heeded, the RA will be involved. Students who refuse to cooperate with the
         RA or who continue to violate the policy will be subject to discipline by the RD.

Repairs

Report any needed repairs to the RD of your residence hall. The maintenance crew is responsible for repairs
across campus. Requests for repairs will be honored as soon as possible.

Required Residence Hall meetings

Hall and floor meetings are held when necessary. All residents are required to attend, and permission for an
absence must be secured from their RD or RA in advance of the meeting time. A $10 fine will be charged to
students for an unexcused absence.

Room Inventory & Condition (RIC) Report/Room Contracts

When you move into a new room, your RA or HR will fill out and have you sign an RIC form and Housing Contract.
By signing, you agree to be responsible to return the room and its furnishings in the same condition when you
move out. You also agree to abide by all residence hall policies.

Storage

Storage areas are available year-round. Clearly mark any items which you choose to store with your name and
          room number. The college assumes no responsibility for items stored. Students will not have access to storage
          areas during vacation periods. Please note that if you do not claim your stored items at the end of the summer,
          they will be held for one semester only and then donated to charity.

Telephones

        Students who live in college housing are provided an on-campus voicemail extension and unlimited local calling.
        Houghton College no longer provides students with long distance service. It is still possible to make long distance
         calls from your room using a calling card or third party calling service. Calling cards are available in the Campus
         store, Citgo gas station, and Jubilee grocery store. These locations are only mentioned as options. Student may
         freely shop around for a calling card service that is right for them.

Vacations

College rooms are rented to you ONLY when classes are in session. All rooms must be vacated during
          Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring breaks. Students must have their rooms inspected by residence hall
          personnel when the building closes. Written notification containing checkout procedures, meal schedules, hall
          closing hours and dates are distributed to all students prior to vacation periods and at the close of each
         semester. Speak to your Resident Assistant for more details and consult the official calendar or the Scoop
         (delivered to each student via email every week) for opening and closing dates of the residence halls.

Windows and Screens

Screens are not to be opened or removed for any reason. A minimum $30.00 service fee will be charged any time
         a screen is removed. If the screen is damaged, the replacement cost will also be charged to the student.
         Students should not throw anything in, out, or at windows. Due to noise and privacy concerns, conversations
         should not occur through residence hall windows and playing music out of residence hall windows is prohibited.

Restricted Items

The following items are not permitted in college buildings and will be confiscated by the resident director if found
on the premises:

· Halogen lamps

· Hot plates

· Toaster ovens (acceptable in townhouse and apartment kitchens as well as residence hall kitchens)

· Microwaves (microwaves are provided in kitchens)

· Candles

· Incense/potpourri

· Heaters or air conditioners

· Pets (fish are permitted, but please be advised that aquariums must be unplugged over college breaks)

· Objectionable posters

· Items/posters advertising alcohol

· Weapons

· Explosives/fireworks (illegal in New York)

· Full-size refrigerators (compact size permitted)

· Cinder blocks (including those for shelving)

· Hand-built lofts or bunk-beds

· Road signs

· Satellite dishes

The following items are permitted in residence halls but may only be used in the kitchens:

· Coffeemakers

· Toasters

· Popcorn poppers

· Hot pots

· Crock pots

· Electric fry pans/griddles

The following items must be stored in the Safety and Security Office and checked out for appropriate use:

· Any weapon powered by pump action, including any BB gun

· Any weapon powered by compressed air or CO2 cartridge including all pain ball guns

· Any firearm, including black powder weapons

· Any blowgun or similar weapon

· Any type bow (archery)

· Any Martial Arts weapon (i.e. nun-chuks, throwing stars, throwing knives, etc.

· Any knife with a blade six (6) inches long or longer

· Any knife with a double-edged blade

Residence Hall Security

Students can do a few simple actions to protect belongings in the residence halls. Some of the simplest and most effective are: