Residence Life Policies and Procedures
The Office of Residence Life promotes inclusive personal growth and leadership development by effectively challenging and supporting students through compassionate and memorable community experiences. Marian’s residence facilities have been designed to create a living-learning environment in support of the Mission and consistent with the Core Values of the University. Students living in or visiting the residence facilities are expected to live the value of community – respect for self, others, property, and authority – and develop an environment that fosters a culture of learning and reflection balanced with the development of healthy relationships and an enjoyable social life. In addition to following the University policies, students who live in or visit University owned housing facilities must comply with residential policies.
Housing Requirement
All first- and second-year students, unmarried and younger than 21, are required to live on campus. The only exception is if a student lives with a parent or guardian within a 35-mile radius of the University. Students who claim a commuter exemption, but do not reside with their parents, are subject to being charged for a residence facility room. Housing contracts are valid for one academic year, which is defined as the fall and spring semester. On-campus housing is only available to full-time students enrolled for a minimum of 12 credits and actively attending class at Marian University. Students not meeting these criteria are subject to removal from the residence facilities. If at any time a student drops below the required 12 credits, he/she must contact the Director of Residence Life. (A request for an exception for temporary part-time students must be made both in writing and in person to the Director of Residence Life.)
Consolidation
Three weeks into each semester, students living alone in a double room in the Cedar Creek Apartments, Courtyards, Duplexes, Naber Hall, and Townhouses will be asked to either consolidate or pay the single room rate. This gives others who wish to reside in single rooms the opportunity to do so, provided space is available. Students with a roommate who moves out for any reason must talk to their Resident Assistant or Residence Hall Director about consolidating or paying for a single room. Single rooms are granted on a first-come, first-serve basis and are generally not granted until the conclusion of roommate switch week. The University is not responsible for reassigning roommates who never arrived, changed rooms before arrival, or moved out after arrival. It is the resident’s responsibility to find a roommate when any of the above situations happen. If asked, the Residence Life staff will assist in the process. All room changes must be completed during roommate switch week. Switch week is typically the third week of each semester.
Contract Termination
If for any reason during the academic year a resident must terminate his/her housing contract, an appeal form must be submitted to the Office of Residence Life. Possible reasons for consideration include, but are not limited to: sudden loss of primary income, serious medical concerns, and extenuating family circumstances. Not all appeals are guaranteed. The Director of Residence Life, with input from Residence Life staff members, reviews all cases on an individual basis. The Director of Residence Life will review the request and return a written decision in a timely manner. Contract cancellation charges will apply to the student in the case that his/her contract termination is approved.
All decisions are final. Any student withdrawing from Marian University must check out of their residence within 48 hours after withdrawal or they may incur additional charges. Contract cancellation terms and schedule can be found on the Housing Contract.
Removal from Housing
The Director of Residence Life, Dean of Student Engagement, and Vice President for Student Engagement each have the right to dismiss a student from University housing at any time. It is not necessary for a student to be on housing probation prior to a dismissal. Any student charged with a felony will be required to immediately leave student housing. If the case is dropped or the case is tried and won by the student, the student shall be allowed to move back into student housing at such a time that space is available. If the student is convicted, the student shall not be allowed to live in student housing. First- or second-year students who are dismissed from housing, and who do not meet the commuter exemption condition of the residency requirement, will be required to immediately withdraw from the University. The student is required to complete the appropriate paperwork and turn in all keys at the time of dismissal. If key(s) are not returned at this time, the student will be charged the cost of a lock re-core and a $50 improper checkout fee.
Withdrawal from Housing
Resident students who do not attend classes may be required to vacate the residence facilities. Students who depart housing must remove personal belongings in a timely manner, as specified by Residence Life staff. University personnel may discard belongings not removed as directed.
Housing Options
First year housing is located in Naber Hall and designated Courtyard houses and penthouses as assigned. Should housing needs exceed capacity, rooms in the Courtyard houses may be tripled. Naber Hall and all other freshman housing are substance-free – alcohol, tobacco products, and illegal drugs are never permitted, regardless of legal age limit.
Sophomores, juniors, and seniors may choose housing from the Courtyard Efficiency Suites, Townhouses, Duplexes, or Cedar Creek Apartments. A limited number of single rooms are available in the Townhouses, Duplexes and Cedar Creek Apartments.
Living-Learning Communities (LLC)
Marian University offers first-year students the opportunity to live with other students with similar academic interests. Students choosing to live in an LLC will be provided with resources geared toward academic excellence.
Themed Housing
Marian University offers campus residences where like-minded upper-class students live together for the purpose of embracing and promoting a particular theme of mutual interest. The goals of theme housing include:
- Uniting students around a common interest or discipline
- Creating a community that fosters intellectual and social development
- Promoting campus pride and spirit through programming opportunities
Students establish clear goals for their group and plan how to be engaged participants in their community as well as the campus community. One-year housing applications are reviewed by the Office of Residence Life, and select groups are interviewed by the review committee. Themed housing selection is based on the quality and strength of the application, the commitment and organization of the house members, the needs of the University community served by the themed house, and the group interview. Current one-year groups reapplying for themed housing will also be rated upon past performance and future plans.
Appliances
Strongly Recommended:
- A 15-amp multi-prong outlet with circuit breaker and surge protectors
Allowed Appliances:
- 2-4-cup coffee maker with automatic shut-off
- Computer
- Microwave—800 watts or less
- Toaster (only in common areas)
- TV set—cable ready
- Refrigerator—4.0 cubic feet or less
*Residents may only have one refrigerator per room, no more than 45 inches in height.
Prohibited Appliances:
- Air conditioner
- Cooking appliances (with heating elements), unless authorized by Residence Life staff only for use in specified kitchen areas
- Deep fryer
- Electric blanket
- Electric skillet
- Grill (any size) and/or portable fire pit grill
- Hot plate
- Hot pot
- Microwave oven (more than 800 watts)
- Space heater
- Sunlamp
- Plug in air freshener
Babysitting
Babysitting is strictly prohibited in any residence facility.
Balconies & Patios
In order to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the Cedar Creek Apartments and to ensure the safety of students, the following rules apply to the apartment balconies and patios:
- No university-provided furniture may be located, at any time, on the balcony or patio.
- No one may be on the balcony at any one time.
- Throwing of objects off the balcony is prohibited.
- Grills are prohibited.
- No items should be hung from balcony rails (including, but not limited to: towels, rafts, signs, clothing, flags and lighting).
- This applicable from the top of the balcony and from below from the patio.
- Signs related to “school spirit” shall be permitted pending the approval of the Office of Residence Life.
- Balconies and patios may not be used for storage purposes (including, but not limited to: garbage, indoor furniture, and bicycles).
- Alcohol consumption is prohibited.
Bed Lofting
Bed lofting is only permitted through the appropriate use of a university provided bed that is designed to be lofted. Student built or procured lofts are not permitted.
Campaign Signs
Students are not permitted to hang campaign signs inside the residence facility windows. No signs are allowed in the yards of any of the University’s residence facilities. Students may display political preferences privately in their room with agreement for roommate(s).
Candles and Incense
Candles and candle warmers are prohibited in residence facilities. The burning of incense in any residence facility is prohibited. Special circumstances require approval from the Director of Residence Life.
Christmas Trees
Live Christmas trees are not permitted in any student residence facility.
Comfort and Service Animals
Residence Life and the Office of Disability Services must be notified of the need for service and comfort animals. Please contact the Office of Student Life (920-923-8091) for instructions on the documentation required for housing comfort and/or service animals.
Common Area Damage
It is expected that students, as adults, will be responsible for their behavior. The University holds individuals involved in damage responsible for repair or replacement costs. If the responsible individual is not found, all students of the wing/floor/house/apartment/ area pay such damages, as the students comprise a community and are therefore responsible for the public area adjacent to their living spaces. In addition to meeting the financial burden in a fair and equitable manner, the common area damage program supports the community concept of self-governance in residence facilities and contributes to the prevention of common area damage. Damage incurred to common areas is repaired by the Campus Services staff in order to assure proper maintenance.
Dartboards
Metal tipped darts and dartboards that use metal tip darts are not allowed in any residence facility.
Door Propping
Propping open exterior doors is prohibited.
Electrical Devices
Any electrical/electronic device used in University facilities must be UL-approved and used solely for its intended purpose. University personnel will remove any electrical/electronic device used improperly or deemed unsafe. Owners can retrieve their property from a hall director or from the Office of Residence Life for the sole purpose of storing it elsewhere than on campus.
Furniture
In order to prevent the misuse or damage of University property, all furniture and fixtures in residence facilities must remain in place throughout the year and may not be disassembled or moved to another room/area. When a student vacates a particular living space, he/she is responsible for returning the space to its original condition. Students may not remove furniture or fixtures from lounges or other public areas for personal use. Waterbeds are not allowed in residence facilities as they may damage floors. Personal air conditioners are not permitted in student rooms. Taking University furniture or any non-weatherproof furniture outdoors at any time is strictly forbidden. Only weatherproof lawn furniture is allowed for outdoor use at any time, in accordance with Fond du Lac City Ordinance.
Game Tables
Game tables such as pool, foosball, air hockey, ping pong tables (including anything resembling a pong table), and arcade games are prohibited in residence facilities.
Guests/Overnight Guests
A guest is anyone not assigned to the room/unit. Guests are welcome from 8:00AM-Midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 1:00AM Friday and Saturday. If a guest stays passed designated hours, they are considered an overnight guest.
Resident hosts must register their overnight guests 24 hours in advance. Guest Registration Link: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=eNHFzvCtTUm-rPj8MzR_eJODvOAkla1Dhyjn7JB-GBtUNUNJVzdYWlpFNFM2RlVIWlQwMkxEN0JTOC4u. Overnight guests can stay no longer than three nights in a row and no more than six nights total per month. Overnight guests between the ages of 13-18 need prior approval from the Director of Residence Life. Anyone under the age of 13 will not be permitted to stay overnight. Overnight guests will not be allowed during finals and break periods.
Guest Rules:
- Resident students may host guests provided that they have a completed Roommate Agreement on file.
- Resident hosts must have approval of all of their roommates/housemates prior to inviting a guest to visit.
- Resident students may only have three individuals registered as guests at one time.
- Residents are responsible for informing their guests of University rules and expectations and will be held accountable for the actions of their guests.
- Guests involved in any policy violation may be asked to leave immediately.
- Guests must not infringe on another’s right to privacy and the quiet enjoyment of the facilities.
- Guests should carry a photo ID at all times and abide by all policies of the residence halls and floors.
- Guests must remain with their resident host at all times during their visit.
If any part of the Guest Policy is violated, all future guest privileges may be revoked.
Ledges, Platforms, and Roofs
Ledges, platforms, roofs, and building overhangs are restricted areas and students are strictly prohibited from any access to them. The platforms on the Courtyards are reserved for the sole purpose of fire safety platforms.
Lights and Signs
Christmas/decorative lights may not obstruct normal operation of the windows or block or interfere with entering or exiting the residence facility. Decorative lights cannot be secured to any handrails along stairways. Security lights may not be removed, covered, or altered in any way to enhance the effect of decorative lights. Outdoor Christmas lights may not be installed prior to November 15 and must be removed no later than the last day of fall semester finals. Special circumstances require approval from the Director of Residence Life. Alcohol signs of any kind are not allowed in windows. Halogen lights are restricted from all residence facilities. Exit/emergency/corridor lights are kept functioning and lit continuously in accordance with law and may not be changed to colored light bulbs. All other lights are turned off when they are not necessary.
Locks and Keys
Misusing keys, tampering with locks, damaging lock mechanisms, or blocking security or maintenance doors is strictly prohibited. Students are prohibited from placing their own personal locks on their room/apartment doors. Students are required to lock their room, apartment, and house doors. Students must carry their keys with them in order to protect their person and belongings. Students may not give their room/house keys to anyone for any purpose. If a student has locked his/her key(s) in a room, a Resident Assistant, Residence Hall Director, or Campus Safety Officer may let the student into his/her room at their earliest availability. If keys are broken or bent, the Residence Hall Director should be notified immediately to replace the broken or bent key. If keys are misplaced or lost, the Residence Hall Director should be notified in order to issue a re-core of the locks for missing keys. The number of doors, cost of labor, and number of new keys to be cut will determine the cost for replacing the missing keys and new locks that is charged to the responsible student.
Maintenance/Housekeeping Walk-throughs
On a weekly basis, Residence Hall Directors conduct a maintenance/housekeeping walk-through of all residence facilities in order to establish any maintenance concerns and maintain University property. Residents of the Cedar Creek Apartments, Courtyards 8-20, and Townhouses are responsible for the cleaning of their own units. If the unit is found in an unacceptable condition, the residents will be given 48 hours to clean or an outside agent will be contracted and the residents will be held responsible for the cost. Any resident who fails to keep up his/her living environment risks the removal or denial of his/her resident status. Residence Life staff will also perform walk-throughs during vacation holidays and breaks. As a result of disciplinary action, unannounced walk-throughs may occur at any time.
Naber Hall Door Alarms
Activation of the door alarms will be 24 hours a day. Setting off the alarms will result in a $100 fine for the responsible party.
Painting
The University coordinates all exterior and interior painting. Students are not permitted to paint their individual rooms. Special circumstances require permission from the Director of Residence Life.
Pets
Fish are the only animal permitted in University housing units. However, fish tanks may be no larger than 20 gallons (dimensions for high fish tanks may not exceed 24¼” × 12½” x 16¾” and dimensions for low fish tanks may not exceed 30¼” × 12½” × 12¾”). Proper maintenance of fish tanks is expected. Only marble or glass bead bottoms are allowed in fish tanks (gravel bottoms are prohibited). Please see the Comfort Animals policy if you require more information about a pet that acts as a comfort animal.
Quiet/Courtesy Hours
University-wide quiet hours begin at 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights and end every morning at 8:00 a.m. Those hours not designated as quiet hours will be considered courtesy hours during which students extend courtesy to their neighbors by restricting the noise level of conversation, stereos, and any other electronic devices. Specific quiet hours may change at the discretion of Residence Life staff. Inherent in this policy is the understanding that students are chiefly responsible for holding one another to the established community standards. The City of Fond du Lac noise ordinance begins at 9:00 p.m. Students should be aware of this and respect surrounding neighbors.
Silent hours (24-hour quiet hours) are in effect during the week of final exams. Courtesy hours are designated from 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. during the week of final exams. Students are to operate on “normal noise levels” to vacuum or complete other tasks. If a resident student confronts another asking to be quiet, students are required to comply and respect the request.
Residence Facility Entry
The University’s right to enter or search a residence facility is exercised with discretion. A reasonable effort will be made to have the resident present if it is appropriate and necessary. Before entering, authorized University personnel should knock, announce their name and position, and receive permission to enter (if the resident is present). In cases where personnel suspect the violation of a University policy, he/she may enter after knocking and announcing himself/herself. The following personnel may enter a student’s room:
- Maintenance or housekeeping staff for routine maintenance or housekeeping functions.
- Residence Life staff, Student Life Staff, or Campus Safety Officers
- To resolve emergency situations (including, but not limited to: fire, accidents, sickness, or danger to student health and welfare).
- When there is evidence or reasonable information suggesting the violation of a University policy.
- Residence Life and Campus Services staff for facility opening and closing and general housekeeping inspections.
- Residence Life Personnel may enter common areas in an effort to build, develop, and sustain community throughout the day. Between the hours of 7 pm and 2 am, Residence Life Personnel (Resident Assistants) will enter common areas to maintain safe and civil living and learning environments.
Whenever a room is entered without the presence of the resident, University personnel will leave a note stating that the room was entered, by whom, and for what purpose.
When it is necessary for University personnel to enter a resident’s room for inspections (facility closings, vacation-time general housekeeping inspections, and regular maintenance checks) the student is given advance notice. The inspection may take place without the presence of the resident.
Resident Business Ventures
Residence facility rooms or common areas may not be used to carry on any organized business ventures (i.e. selling Avon, Tastefully Simple, or illicit substances of any kind).
Resident Mail
Resident students are required to check their assigned mailboxes on a daily basis. Mail for resident students, as well as student organizations, is distributed Monday through Saturday by 4:00 p.m. to the mailboxes located in the Hornung Student Center. Students are requested to include 750 E. Division St. and their mailbox number for their mailing address to send and receive mail. Packages too large for mailboxes may be picked up at One-Stop. The student’s ID card must be presented to collect the package. No mail will be forwarded during the winter and spring interim breaks. Upon completion of the academic year and/or termination of the housing contract, resident mail will be forwarded to a designated address for 30 days, after which it will be returned to sender. If a resident is not returning to University housing, then the resident is responsible for providing the Office of the Registrar with his/her forwarding address. It is also the student’s responsibility to notify businesses from which they receive mail (i.e. banks, credit card companies, magazines) of their change of address.
Room Condition
When a student occupies and vacates a room, the student is responsible for completing a Room Condition Report in conjunction with a Residence Life staff member. Failure to complete the report or note prior room condition issues will result in the student being held responsible for all room condition issues when the room is vacated. When vacating a room, it must be returned in the same condition as when it was first occupied. Damages to a room or failure to remove belongings subject all students in the room or housing unit to common area charges, unless a specific student is identified as responsible for the damages.
Room Search
The University reserves the right to enter and search a residence facility if there is reason to believe that:
- There is a possibility of imminent harm to a person or property.
- There is a possible violation of University policy, or state or federal law.
- Contraband items are present, but may be concealed from view.
Reasonable suspicion is defined as knowledge suggesting that a violation of University policy or public law has occurred or may occur.
- Authorization for a room search must be obtained from the Director of Residence Life (or designee).
- University personnel make every effort to have one or all students present during the search and inform the students of the purpose of the search.
- Searches may be conducted of rooms or belongings that may contain items in violation of University policy or state or federal law. This includes, but is not limited to: backpacks, bags, closets, desks, packages, or refrigerators.
- The student will have the opportunity to cooperate and turn over any items under reasonable suspicion. If a student chooses not to cooperate, he/she will be informed that the search of the room and belongings will occur.
Roommate/Housemate Conflict Resolution
When roommates/housemates develop differences or conflicts that are adversely affecting their living environment, the following steps should be followed to aid in resolving the disagreement:
- A meeting should be held by all of the students involved in the conflict. Residence Life staff may be present at this meeting. A verbal and written agreement will be crafted at this time. All roommates involved should agree to comply with and sign the terms of the roommate agreement.
- If the meeting agreement is broken, the students involved in the conflict should schedule a formal meeting with the Residence Hall Director.
When roommates/housemates have followed the appropriate steps and it has been determined that they have irreconcilable differences, they may request to no longer live together. The following policy will be upheld if the students choose to move: the resident whose paid contract was received the earliest will be permitted to remain in the room/house in question. The other resident will move out of that room and into another room on campus. In the event that both contracts were received the same day, the student with the longest resident status will be given the first opportunity to remain in the room/house. In the event that the students have the same status, higher total credit hours as stated on the student’s Marian transcript will determine placement priority.
Screens
In order to avoid damage to screens and for safety reasons, students may not remove or tamper with window screens. In the event that a window screen has been removed or tampered with, the students of the room will face disciplinary action.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke detectors are located in all residence facilities as required by law. Fond du Lac City Ordinance requires each resident to sign a form at the beginning of his/her residency as to the working condition of each smoke detector. Willful and/or malicious tampering with any smoke detector or fire safety equipment is prohibited. False activation of fire alarms will result in a fine up to $500 for the responsible party.
Sports in Residence Facilities
Athletic activities are strictly prohibited in residence facilities due to the potential danger to students and facility damage. Such activities include, but are not limited to: basketball, baseball equipment, cycling, football, golf, hockey, skating, throwing objects, and water fights.
Vacuum Cleaners
Vacuum cleaners are available for resident use and can be checked out through the Resident Assistant. To check out a vacuum, the resident must leave his/her student ID with the Resident Assistant, which will be returned upon return of the vacuum. All vacuuming should occur before quiet hours.