General Housing Policies A-Z

While many housing policies are listed in other sections of this document, here are a few of the policies that have either not been mentioned or were not as defined as they are here.

Administrative Room Changes

Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to require single occupants living in double rooms to move into another room or to take a roommate for consolidation.

Advertising in the Halls

All advertisements, fliers, and posters must be approved and submitted to the webmaster to be placed on the electronic message boards throughout the residence halls. If hard copies of the advertisements are requested to be hung in the halls, it must first be approved by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. Once stamped the advertisements will be turned over to the Residence Directors to be hung up.

Any signage that has not been approved by the Office of Housing and Residence Life will be taken down immediately. Violators of the advertising policy may lose their opportunity to advertise future events. They also may face disciplinary action.

Air Conditioners/Space Heaters

Individual air conditioners and/or heaters are not permitted in the residence halls at any time. Although all the halls are air conditioned, residents may wish to bring small fans for use in their rooms. See “health and safety checks” in the general housing policies section for more information.

Alcohol Policy

Mississippi University for Women is a dry campus. No alcoholic beverages or alcoholic paraphernalia (empty alcoholic beverages used as decoration) are allowed in any of the residence halls at any time. If any alcoholic beverages or paraphernalia are found in a room during safety room checks, the items will be confiscated and the student will be charged with violating the student code of conduct.  (See Student Handbook Section 7.6, Drugs and Alcohol Policy)

Balconies/Roofs

Balconies are closed and secured for the safety of all residents. At no time can a student attempt to gain access to a balcony and/or roof of a residence hall. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action, which may include restitution for damages to secured doors/hatches.

Bicycles

Bicycle includes every vehicle, other than a motor vehicle, designed to travel on not more than two wheels in contact with the ground and propelled by human power. Bicycles cannot be parked on ramps, stairwells, hallways or doorways and they may not block or prohibit the use of fire exits or hall entrances. Bicycles may not be stored in your personal room or anywhere inside the residence hall. Bike racks are available outside of each residence hall for the proper storage of your bike. It is the resident’s responsibility to secure their personal bike to the rack. The university is not responsible for damage or theft of bicycles while on campus. At the end of each academic year, Office of Housing and Residence Life will require all residents to take their bikes home.  Two weeks after the close of the academic year, all bikes present on residence hall bike racks will be removed and properly disposed. Any student wishing to keep their bike on campus during the summer must be enrolled in summer courses and/or must speak to the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

Charges/Fines/Fees

Office of Housing and Residence Life has the right to levy and collect fines for unauthorized use or alterations of rooms, equipment or halls as well as for other judicial situations calling for restitution and/or recovery of damages as well as fines.

Computer Lab Usage

Most residence halls have a computer lab that is located in the building for the use of residence hall students. If there is a maintenance problem with any of the computers or printers, please report it to the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

Tampering with the computers may result in disciplinary action, along with charges and/or assessment of repair and replacement costs.

Priority for computer lab usage is given to residence hall students doing academic assignments. Students are strongly encouraged to be courteous to their peers in their usage of the computer lab. If there are any problems related to behavioral issues in the computer lab, please report them to a RA.

Cooking and Appliance Policy

Due to the nature of residence hall living, the physical facilities of the halls, and the concerns for fire and safety standards, only microwave cooking is permitted in student rooms (unless your suite is equipped with a kitchenette). MicroFridges (combination microwave, refrigerator, and freezer) are provided and the proper use of the MicroFridge is the responsibility of each student. Students are not allowed to have an additional refrigerator/microwave in his/her room. Cooking appliances (such as percolators, toasters, toaster ovens, electric skillets, crock pots, and hot plates) are not allowed in student rooms. George Foreman grills or similar products are also not permitted. Also see “fire prevention” in respect for self and community section.

Damages and Vandalism

You are responsible for the condition of your room at all times. Furniture must remain in the same condition in the room as it was upon check-in. Upon check-in to the residence hall, a Room Condition Report (RCR) will be issued for your room. This form should be filled out carefully when you move in because it is used to determine damages which occur during the year. If you have any questions regarding the RCR and/or check-in/check-out process, please talk to your RA.  If damage other than normal wear and tear occurs, you will be charged for any repairs.

The condition of public areas is the responsibility of all students. Please help maintain these areas by treating them with care. Damages which occur in public areas will be paid for by those persons doing the damage but can be charged to entire wings, floors or building if no perpetrator is identified. You can help keep your costs down by encouraging others to respect public areas and to assume responsibility for their actions.

Door Propping

Propping entrance doors and other such actions that allow other students or strangers to gain access to any residence hall are not permitted. If you are caught propping any exterior door to a residence hall or give access to an unauthorized person, you will be subject to disciplinary action.

Please note that the Office of Housing and Residence Life is not liable for any missing or damaged property as the result of leaving doors unlocked, allowing others access to your personal room or by leaving your property unattended in public spaces. You are encouraged to secure your belongings at all times and to purchase renter’s insurance for any missing/damaged items prior to your arrival to campus.

Drug Policy

Students must observe federal and state laws regarding the use and possession of illegal drugs. The university does not permit the sale, distribution, use or possession of illegal drugs on campus, nor the use or possession of drug paraphernalia (i.e., bongs, pipes, hookah pipes, roach clips, etc.). Prescription drugs are to be used only by the person to whom they are prescribed and must be clearly marked on all bottles/receptacles, etc. (See Student Handbook Section 7.6, Drugs and Alcohol Policy)

Entering and Exiting Buildings

Residents are allowed to exit the building through any door that has not been listed as a prohibited exit. Residents may only enter through card accessible doors. Residents allowing access to a building by violating the door propping policy or holding the door open for another person may be subject to disciplinary actions.

Firearms/Weapons

Firearms and weapons are prohibited in the residence halls.  See Student Handbook Section 4.9, Firearms Policy.

If you have any other questions on whether something is considered a weapon and/or is prohibited, please contact the Office of Housing and Residence Life at (662) 329-7127 or The W Police Department (662) 241-7777.

Fireworks

Fireworks are prohibited in or near the residence halls. Any violations will be subject to disciplinary action.

Furniture

Residents may not remove furniture assigned to their room. Beds should not be on dressers or blocks, but should remain on the floor or in a bunked position. No waterbeds are allowed at any time. Residents may not bring other beds or chests other than university property into their room.

Furniture placed in lounges and other public areas are for the use of all residents and may not be moved into your personal room and/or suite area. The university reserves the right to check rooms for furniture or other university property at any time such property is missing. Students found removing lounge furniture, study room furniture or any other university property will be subject to disciplinary action.

Hall Closings/Exceptions to Stay

All residents are required to leave the residence halls during designated holiday recesses and semester breaks. Holiday recesses and semester breaks are not included in room and board fees.

Housing may be provided for individuals who demonstrate an exceptional need to stay late, overnight or during an entire holiday recess or semester break after the halls close. All exceptions must be approved by Office of Housing and Residence Life. Any student given an exception to stay is still subject to all policies and regulations of the student handbook.

Health and Safety Checks

Office of Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to administer health and safety checks of rooms, suites and halls at various times throughout the year. These checks will be administered by RAs each month (September, October, November, February, March, and April) on the first Tuesday/Wednesday between noon and 9pm. Any prohibited items found during these checks will be confiscated and policy violations will be documented. Prohibited items include but are not limited to: flammable items (candles, incense, fireworks, propane tanks, lighter fluid, etc.); weapons (See Student Handbook Section 4.9, Firearms Policy); alcohol (including empty bottles and paraphernalia); drugs (and drug paraphernalia); appliances (more than one refrigerator/microwave); George Foreman grills (or similar items); coffee makers; open heating elements; toaster ovens; halogen lights (or other high-intensity lamps); extension cords as permanent outlets; unauthorized furniture; waterbeds; road signs/public works signs from The W campus and/or local area; prohibited animals; lava lamps; space heaters; grills; etc.

The following will also be documented:

• Excessive trash/extreme uncleanliness.
• Obstruction/tampering of smoke detectors and/or fire alarms.
• Overloading of outlets/unauthorized modifications to electrical fixtures.

Violations of these and other health and safety measures will result in disciplinary action.

Lofts

Lofts are available for rent through the Office of Housing and Residence Life.

Lounge/Lobby Usage

Hall lounges/lobbies are intended for the common use of residential students. Therefore it is not acceptable for these areas to be used for storage; for furniture to be removed from these areas; and/or for these areas to be used for group activities that would infringe upon the rights of other residents to use these spaces. Groups may use these spaces with the consent of the Residence Director for events/programs.

Pets

Fish are the only pets allowed in the residence halls. Aquariums must not exceed five gallons in size. Any violations of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Room Decorating Policy

Office of Housing and Residence Life wants you to feel at home in your room and encourages you to decorate. In order to help maintain the condition of the rooms, certain rules must be observed when decorating:

• Students are reminded that the use of nails or glue on walls is prohibited.
• Masking tape or command strips should be used to attach posters and pictures. No scotch or duct tape should be used at any time.
• Permanent adhesives (double-sided masking tape, contact paper, etc.) are not to be used.
• Wall borders of any type are not permitted.
• All items brought into the facilities during the year must be removed from the building at checkout.
• All upholstered furniture brought into the student’s room must meet commercial fire code.

Smoking Policy

Mississippi University for Women is committed to promoting and providing a safe and healthy environment for its students, faculty, staff, visitors, vendors, volunteers, and contractors.

As part of this commitment The W is adopting a Tobacco-Free Campus Policy. Use of tobacco and simulated tobacco in all forms (including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, hookahs, pipes, blunts, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, e- cigarettes, vaping devices, and all other electronic smoking devices.

Solicitation

Soliciting (by persons not affiliated with The W) is not permitted in the residence halls. Ask salespersons to leave the building if approached. If they refuse, call The W Police to have them removed. Any other forms of solicitation (fund- raising, etc.) must be approved by the Office of Housing and Residence Life.