The housing selection process for upperclass students is structured in a way that gives preference to a student’s class standing.  Within the various classes, room selection order is determined by a random drawing of numbers.  For example, all juniors will have first choice during general room drawing, and will draw numbers to determine the order in which junior roommate pairs will select rooms.  Sophomores, and lastly, first year students, will follow.

SUITED ROOMS -- EICHENAUER HALL
Eichenauer Hall's rooms are arranged so that two double occupancy rooms typically share a common bathroom.  Should residents create a suite-style living arrangement between those rooms, the College would consider the three rooms as one shared living area.  For example, if four students were to move four beds into one room and living room/study furnishings into the adjoining room, it would be considered one shared suited area.  Consequently, all four residents would also share in the responsibility for all three rooms (two living/sleeping rooms and bathroom) in that suited living arrangement, including its contents and activities. 

ROOM CHANGES
Part of Westminster College’s educational mission is to assist students in developing the skills necessary to maintain harmonious and healthy relationships with others.  Students experiencing difficulties with their roommate and the subsequent room assignment have the responsibility to first work toward reaching a resolution to the conflict.  All RAs and RDs are trained to assist students in working out these problems.  The Student Affairs Office will consider room and roommate changes only after the students involved have made a serious effort to explore all alternatives to a change.  For administrative reasons, room changes cannot be permitted during the first two weeks of the fall semester for upperclass students, and the first month for first-year students.

CONSOLIDATION POLICY
At times it may be necessary for the Office of Student Affairs to consolidate within the residence halls.  Students from one room may be split up or moved from one room to another.  This usually occurs for reasons of discipline, safety, health, irresolvable conflict, maximum space utilization, or for other situations deemed necessary by the College.  The Student Affairs Office will attempt to give the students involved at least 48 hours notice when a move is made.  In emergency situations, this may not be possible.

VACANCIES
If a student does not show up for the opening of school, or later vacates the room, the remaining occupant(s) must provide ample area in the room in the event another student is assigned to that vacant space.  The College reserves the right to fill vacancies in rooms at any time, and to relocate students if circumstances require.  Students living off-campus while abroad and/or student teaching are guaranteed a residence hall space when they return to campus.  The College tries, but unfortunately cannot guarantee a specific housing assignment.

CARE OF FACILITIES AND DAMAGES
An important part of living in a community is demonstrating respect for fellow residents by taking responsibility for the community environment.  Residents assume a shared responsibility for the proper maintenance of their rooms and the common areas of the residence halls.  Westminster College provides daily cleaning service to all public areas of residence halls, and students are expected to help maintain these areas. 

Students are liable for damage to College or student property caused by negligent or willful actions. In extreme cases, when the persons responsible for damages cannot be identified, the College may assume the financial loss for the initial vandalism.  However, subsequent damages by unidentified persons will be the financial responsibility of the community.  Please keep damage costs down by playing sports outside of the building.  Residence Life and Physical Plant Staffs regularly inspect all rooms and common areas.

A Room Condition Form is completed by Residence Life staff prior to a student moving into a residence hall room.  The exact condition and contents of the room are noted at that time.  When a student checks out of a room, the initial condition of the room will be compared against its current state.  Any damages beyond normal wear and tear will be assessed to the room’s occupants. Residents who wish to check out of their rooms must do so with their RA to complete the necessary steps and paperwork involved.  A
$15 improper check-out fee can be avoided by taking the few minutes necessary to meet with Residence Life staff when rooms are vacated.

FURNISHINGS
Westminster College furnishes beds, mattresses, desks and chairs, curtains/blinds, closet space, drawer space, and wastebaskets.  Furnishings provided by the College may not be removed from the room without prior approval from the Residence Director.  Students should provide their own telephone, bedding, towels, rugs, and other personal necessities. 

Students are permitted to furnish their rooms with lofts/bunk beds brought from home.  To ensure that standards of safety are met, students should contact the Office of Student Affairs to obtain a Loft/Bunk Bed Construction Agreement Form.  Permission to bring lofts to Westminster is limited by the available storage space in the residence halls.  College staff will conduct loft inspections as necessary.  Platforms and lofts designed to accommodate furnishings larger than a single mattress are not permitted.  Waterbeds are permitted, but only on ground floors/basements of residence halls.

KEYS
Each resident student is issued a room key.  Your Titan Card is used to access your residence hall.  Card readers are installed at all main entrances to the residence halls.  Replacement cost for your room key is approximately $50, due to the necessity of an entire lock change.  This cost is nonrefundable and subject to change during the year.  To ensure the safety of a student and his or her belongings, lost keys or Titan Cards should be reported to the Residence Director within 24 hours.  A spare key may be obtained from a Residence Life staff member until a lock change occurs and new keys are cut.  College keys are not to be duplicated by students.

Residence hall room keys must be returned during the official checkout period. Students will be billed for any keys not returned at this time.

If a student is locked out of his or her room, a Residence Life staff member will unlock a room for a nominal fee.  A student will not be allowed entrance into rooms other than his or her own for any reason.

PERSONAL BELONGINGS
Residents are responsible for the security of their personal belongings.  Westminster College cannot assume responsibility for stolen, lost, or damaged articles in residence halls.  It is recommended that students insure their personal property and always lock rooms when unattended.

TELEPHONE AND COMPUTER
Each occupant is provided with a computer port and phone jack but is responsible for supplying his or her own touch-tone telephone. Cordless phones are permitted; however, be aware that too many cordless phones in a concentrated area may cause problems with interference and “cross chat.”  Each occupant has the option to sign up for the College’s long distance service.  Other calls may be made on pay phones on campus.

Computer information regarding hardware and networking requirements is available through Information Systems. 

OPEN LOBBIES
Residents may have male or female guests in their main lobbies at any time.  In all of Westminster’s residence halls, students are responsible for the conduct of their guests.  The Residence Life staff is authorized to ask guests to leave the building if their conduct disturbs the orderly operation of the residence halls.

ROOM PAINTING
Westminster strives to provide students the opportunity to personalize their home away from home.  Students who wish to paint their rooms should obtain a Room Painting Information Packet from the Office of Student Affairs.  Rooms may not be painted without prior approval from Physical Plant and the Office of Student Affairs.  Charges will be assessed for the unauthorized painting of a room, or if the College has to paint over anything a student may have added to the wall (writing, stenciling, graffiti, etc.) during the course of the year.

SEASONAL HEATING
To address residents’ comfort while conserving energy, Physical Plant follows this schedule:  Heat is provided from October 1 through April 30. As the need arises, the Physical Plant Office, in consultation with the Student Affairs Office and the National Weather Service, may adjust the established heating “on” and “off” dates.  Due to the size and complexity of the College’s heating system, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 hours for the effects to be realized within the halls.

LAUNDRY
Washers and dryers are available free of charge to the residents of each hall.  Residents are responsible for adhering to posted laundry room regulations.

VENDING MACHINES
Snack vending machines are available in residence halls for the students’ convenience.  If money is lost in the machine, notify Main Desk staff so that a refund may be obtained. Malfunctioning vending machines should be reported immediately to Main Desk staff.  Illegal or improper use of vending machines is subject to disciplinary action, including suspension or civil prosecution.