Residence Living

Residence Life

General Information

It is the intent of the College to make the residence hall environment an integral part of the total college program. To this end, the College brings together individuals of widely varied backgrounds, personalities, and educational interests and endeavors to provide an environment in which the students can develop both intellectually and socially. Moreover, it is believed that the residence hall program complements the total College program by helping students to realize their educational goals, to work toward solutions of personal problems, to refine personal values, and to develop greater concern and respect for one another. Additionally, the residence hall program is intended to encourage students to be participating individuals and to take a greater role in regulating their living conditions.

The residence halls are located in Ponce de Leon Hall, Lewis House, Cedar Hall, and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) A, B and C towers. The residence halls are within close proximity to all other campus facilities including classrooms, faculty and administrative offices, the auditorium, the library, the dining hall, the gymnasium and other recreational facilities.

Musical Equipment

Radios, stereos, CD players, television, etc., should be played at a level not disturbing to others. Excessive noise may result in the removal of equipment by the Student Services staff. Drums or drum sets are not permitted. (Refer to COURTESY HOURS and QUIET HOURS below.)

Bicycles

College policy prohibits the entry of bicycles in any College building, including the residence hall. Fire safety evacuation precautions, room space allocation and resulting room and hall damage dictate this regulation. A violation will result in confiscation of the bicycle and a fine assessed. It is recommended that all bicycles be registered with College Security. 

Closing/Opening of Residence Halls

The contract for room and board begins and ends with the first and last day of classes as stated on the College Calendar. Residents may not reside on campus early; residents may not remain on campus beyond the indicated closing date unless they are graduating boarding seniors, approved athletic team members, or approved by the Office of Student Services. Any unauthorized stays on campus will result in a fine of $50.00 per night.

Courtesy Hours

In order to curtail excessive noise and establish reasonable quiet for those students who wish to study during the daytime, courtesy hours are maintained from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily. (Also see QUIET HOURS below.)

Dismissal from Residence Hall

In order to ensure appropriate living conditions within the residence halls and to provide adequate opportunity for study, the Dean of Student Services or the Student Judiciary Council reserves the right to dismiss a student from the residence hall. The student is responsible for his or her financial obligation regardless of the dismissal. A dismissed student must submit keys and vacate the residence halls within the designated time or 24 hours.

Electrical Appliances

Electrical toothbrushes, shavers, curlers, curling irons, fans, hair dryers, radios, stereos, VCR’s, hot pots, and small television sets may be used in the residence hall rooms.

Unauthorized refrigerators or refrigerator type devices (plug-in coolers), and microwave ovens are not permitted. In addition, toaster ovens, hot plates and other open-coiled appliances are not permitted in the residence halls because of fire and safety regulations. Electric (auto shut-off) irons may be used only in designated areas.

The Dean of Student Services reserves the right to exclude any electrical appliance or fixture which may be judged as dangerous or a fire hazard (also see Refrigerator Policy below).

Food in Rooms

Food is to be kept in tin or plastic containers to achieve maximum health and pest control. Food may not be taken from the dining hall, nor may utensils, dishes or glasses.

Furnishings

Each room has beds, mattresses, dressers, desks, chairs, closet space and a wastebasket. Students should bring an alarm clock, pillows, linens, study lamps and flashlights. College furnishings are not to be removed from the room. Bed risers are permitted, so long as they are approved by the Office of Residence Life.

Hall Meetings

Resident Advisors will routinely schedule meetings for the residents on their hall. These meetings are designed to provide residents with information pertinent to residence hall life. Residents are required to attend these meetings. Missing a hall meeting is subject to a fine.

Housekeeping

The Custodial Staff will clean corridor areas and provide minimal cleaning supplies for student use. Students may wish to bring additional cleaning supplies as well as a vacuum cleaner for their residence hall room.

Rooms and baths will be inspected at least monthly by authorized personnel. If this inspection reveals that a room or bath is not being maintained at reasonable standards of cleanliness, the incident will be reported to the Office of Student Services. Students who have rooms or bathrooms in need of cleaning will be notified and given ample time to rectify the situation. If, after reasonable time, the room or bathroom has not been cleaned, the Custodial Staff may be instructed to clean the area(s) with appropriate billing to the student(s).

Nothing may be painted, hung, or displayed that would alter the appearance of the room or damage the interior walls. Additionally, reasonable standards of propriety are required. Hanging items in windows, visible from the streets or sidewalks, are to follow reasonable standards of propriety.

Inter-hall Visitation

College policy does not permit inter-hall visitation. Students are not allowed to visit the rooms or the halls of the opposite sex. Students who violate this regulation are subject to disciplinary action. In the event of a violation of this regulation all parties involved, occupants and visitors, are held responsible.

Ironing

Ironing boards are provided in certain areas of the residence halls. Ironing boards may not be removed from the prescribed areas, and students must furnish their own (auto shut-off) irons. Irons may not be used in residence hall rooms because of fire regulations.

Keys & Key Cards (rooms)

Room and/or room card keys are distributed to resident students at the beginning of the semester in which they begin. All keys/cards must be returned at the end of the semester in which the student leaves or the end of the academic year. Keys not returned will result in a $30 lock change charge. A $5 charge is assessed for the replacement of each key. Lost or damaged key cards will be replaced at a charge of $20.00. College policy prohibits duplication of residence hall room keys, key cards, or entrance keys. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. Rooms should be kept locked at all times. Students are subject to a $50.00 charge for having security or the Resident Advisor open a room.

Lights

Resident students are encouraged to conserve energy. To this end, students are requested to turn off lights and electrical equipment when leaving their room.

Maintenance and Housekeeping

The Office of Student Services will conduct general maintenance and housekeeping inspections monthly. The primary purpose of these inspections is to evaluate the general condition of each residence hall room and to recommend any necessary maintenance operations. Students are responsible for reasonable care of all common areas near their own living quarters. Any damage to hallways or other common areas will be repaired and the cost assigned on a pro-rata basis to those deemed liable.

Overnight Guests

Visitors of resident students may spend the night in the residence halls if space is available. Guests are charged $3 per night. This applies whether a mattress is needed or not. In order to ensure that their stay will be a pleasant one, please observe the following procedures:

1. Notify the Office of Student Services three days in advance that you plan to have an overnight guest. You will receive guest registration forms to be completed. The charge is paid to the Office of Student Services. For failure to give a 3-work-day advance notice, the fee will be $10.00 per night. Payment must be paid at the time of registering a guest via a check or exact cash amount.
2. Any one guest may not stay more than two nights in one seven-day period.
3. Students who have an unapproved or unauthorized overnight guest will be assessed a fine of $50 per day.
4. Guests are required to comply with all campus rules, regulations and policies. Student hosts are responsible for the behavior of their guests.
5. No overnight guests are permitted in the residence halls during spring and Thanksgiving break or the first or last week of each semester.
6. Upon arrival, all guests should obtain a Visitor’s Parking Permit from the Security Officer on duty.
7. Age limits for guests who are family members is 13+ and non-family members is 17+.

Pets

For reasons of health, sanitation and pest control, pets (including dogs, cats, rodents, reptiles, birds, or other animals) are not permitted in or on the College premises under any circumstances. A minimum charge of $30 per day will automatically be assessed to the account of any student in violation of these regulations and the student will be billed additionally for any damage caused by such animals.

Privacy of Rooms

The Flagler College administration anticipates that students will comply with the regulations and standards as presented in this Handbook. However, for the safety and well-being of all students, it is necessary for the College to reserve the right to enter student rooms at any time for reasons of emergency, security, maintenance or to maintain order. Routine room inspections for cleanliness and orderliness will be conducted by the staff of the Office of Student Services. Students will be advised if the room is in need of improvement.

College officials may enter a student’s room and conduct a search for purposes other than those stated above when the following conditions exist:

1. There is probable cause to believe that a violation of law or institutional regulations has occurred or is taking place.
2. Imminent danger to life, safety, health, property is reasonably feared.

For these reasons, students are not permitted to install extra locks or dead-bolt security systems on their doors.

Property Damage

The College is responsible for property damage through normal wear and tear. However, for damage due to carelessness or malicious intent, the responsible individual(s) will be billed the cost of repair and/or replacement, and will be subject to disciplinary action. When the responsible individual(s) cannot be identified, the cost will be pro-rated and charged to all individuals living in the residence hall room, residence hall floor or wing.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are to be maintained within the residence halls from 7:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. daily. Radios, stereos, television sets, etc., are to be kept low so students wishing to study in their rooms may do so. Resident Advisors are responsible for maintaining quiet hours. Failure to cooperate with the Resident Advisor or comply with this regulation will result in disciplinary action by the Student Services staff.

Refrigerator Policy

Students who wish to have a refrigerator must rent one from Student Services on a first-come, first-served basis. No other refrigerators may be brought into the residence halls.

Residence Hall Policy

All new incoming freshmen must reside on campus, unless they live locally with their parents or are over 20 years of age. Transfer students who have completed less than 24 semester hours of credit are also required to live on campus. For students who enroll for the fall term, housing contracts are for the full academic year; thus, the student is responsible for the yearly room charges. Exceptions to this policy are students who will complete their degree requirements at the end of the fall semester; students who are dismissed from the College for academic or disciplinary reasons; students who are interning away or in a study abroad program; or students who choose not to return to the College for the spring semester. Students entering Flagler in January will contract for housing for the spring term only. Readmitted, for whatever reason (return from study abroad, dismissal), students are required to have permission of the Dean of Student Services for residing on campus.

Room Damage

All rooms are inspected before students move in and after they depart. Any damage to rooms during occupancy will be charged to the student(s) responsible. The cost for repairing damage to common areas will be pro-rated among residents unless persons responsible are reported.

Room Decoration

The use of decals, staples, tacks or tape on residence hall walls, furniture or doors is prohibited. For hanging wall decorations, the College recommends the use of “Fun Tac” or similar adhesive putty. It is the student’s responsibility to see that decorations do not damage the room or furnishings, or create a fire hazard. Alcohol containers may not be used as room decorations. It is assumed that good taste will be used in the selection of room decorations. Nothing should be placed on any part of the fire sprinkler system, including pipes.