Residence Life Policies

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, Abare Hall, Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) A, B and C towers, and Sebastian House.

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. 

No alcohol will be permitted in first-year halls, commons spaces, lounges, or kitchens. Alcohol is only permitted in the Sebastian House when every occupant in the room is twenty-one (21) or older. This includes suites, where every resident in every room must be of legal drinking age or older. If a guest(s) is visiting the room, regardless of age, drinking is prohibited. If a guest(s) is visiting a room in the Sebastian House, and the occupants of the room are under the age of twenty-one (21), the guest(s) cannot bring alcohol into the room, even if the guests are twenty-one (21) years of age or older. 

Incidents of intoxication and/or misconduct involving the consumption of alcoholic beverages are subject to College disciplinary action. The use or possession of alcoholic beverages by students or their guests under the age of twenty-one (21) is prohibited.

Students who are at least twenty-one (21) may consume alcoholic beverages that are made available at events and programs on campus.  These beverages will be offered through Catering Services.  For more information please refer to the Alcohol and Illegal Drugs Policy.

The following items are prohibited on balconies: chairs, sofas, surfboards, mobility devices, grills, barbecues, televisions, speakers, unsupervised pets, garbage, fish tanks, bird feeders, hammocks, flags, or to hang clothing or towels over the balconies. Exceptions to the policy, students in Sebastian House may place outdoor furniture, store their non electric/motorized mobility devices and surfboards on their balcony.  In the event of a tropical storm or hurricane, all items must be removed. 

Doorbell cameras, door cameras, or personal cameras are not permitted to be mounted within or on any residence hall building. The only exception are cameras put in by Flagler College.

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 Division of Student Affairs. Any unauthorized stays on campus will result in a fine. (Also see Early Arrivals/Late Departures section) 

• Improper checkouts from Students will result in a $100.00 charge applied to their Student Account. 
• Students who are late for checking out will result in a $50.00 PER hour charge applied to their Student Account.
• Students who leave property in their rooms after moving out (after their contract has ended) will have a $50.00 PER bag charge applied to their Student Account. 
• Students who do not clean their rooms will receive a cleaning fee placed on their Student Accounts. 
• 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 outside of the established quiet hours: 10:00 pm to 7:00 am Monday-Friday, 12:00 am – 9:00 am Saturday-Sunday.

In order to ensure appropriate living conditions within the residence halls and to provide adequate opportunity for study, the Vice President of Student Affairs, the Dean of Students, or Director for Residential Operations and Student Living, reserves the right to dismiss a student from the residence hall. The student is still responsible for the financial obligation regardless of the dismissal. A dismissed student must submit keys and vacate the residence halls within the designated time or 24 hours.

• Students needing residence hall accommodations due to College-related activities are allowed to arrive early/stay late at the request of their coach/advisor and approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs or Dean of Students.
• Students requesting residence hall accommodations for the purpose of convenience will be allowed to arrive early/stay late at the approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs or Dean of Students or Director for Residential Operations and Student Living, Students approved to arrive early/stay late for the purpose of convenience will be required to pay a $75.00 convenience fee PER night. This fee will be charged to their student account. Approval for early arrivals/late departures will be limited to 2 days prior to their normally scheduled arrival date and 2 days after their normally scheduled departure date.
• Students requesting to move belongings only into the residence halls for the purpose of convenience will be allowed to move their belongings in at the approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs or Dean of Students or Director for Residential Operations and Student Living. Students approved to move belongings only into the residence halls early for the purpose of convenience will be required to pay a $50.00 convenience fee PER night. This fee will be charged to their student account. Approval to move belongings only into the residence halls will be limited to 2 days prior to their normally scheduled arrival date.

Electric (auto shut-off) iron, electric toothbrushes, shavers, curlers, curling irons, fans, hair dryers, radios, stereos, crock pots, George Forman type grills, and 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, pressure cookers, air fryers, Instapots or other appliances with a visible heating element are not permitted in the residence halls because of fire and safety regulations. 

The Director for Residential Operations and Student Living reserves the right to exclude any electrical appliance or fixture that may be judged as dangerous or a fire hazard (also see Refrigerator Policy).

Emotional support animals (ESA) may be permitted in the residence halls pending approval by the Disability Resource Center.  Appropriate documentation of the need for the animal must be provided to the Disability Resource Center. No animal should be brought to campus until written permission is received. A minimum charge of $100.00 per day will automatically be assessed to the account of any student in violation of these regulations. 

Approval of an Emotional Support Animal in residence halls is not an approval to take the animal into classroom buildings or other college buildings, even if leashed or caged. 

Students with approved ESAs (i.e. Handlers) of animals are responsible for the actions of their ESA, including bodily injury and/or property damage caused by the ESA.  Animals cannot pose a direct threat to the health or safety of others.  If an animal is deemed to pose a physical threat to others, actions will be taken to remove it from the residential environment. 

The handler is expected to maintain their assigned housing unit and will be accountable for any damage to the facilities and contents per existing policies.  Handlers will be assessed charges for damages caused by their animal and for any cleaning beyond normal levels necessitated by their animal. The handler is expected to ensure the cleanliness of their animal as well as the assigned housing unit. Handlers are solely financially responsible for the actions of the animal, including bodily injury or property damage caused to third parties by the animal.  Handlers are encouraged to review their own or their parent’s/guardian’s homeowners or other insurance policy in order to determine whether personal injury or property damage that may be caused by the animal is provided.

Handlers are not to neglect, mistreat or abandon their animal.  Handlers must ensure their animals are appropriately contained when the handler is not present during the day while attending class or other activities or is asleep. When handlers are not present, animals cannot be left in the care of a roommate or suitemate. Animals may not be left overnight to be cared for by any individual other than the handler.  Handlers absent from their residence overnight or longer; the animal must accompany the handler. 

Handlers are expected to provide routine care for their animal for health and safety reasons, ensuring monthly flea and tick prevention, de-worming, routine vaccinations, bathing, and annual examinations by a veterinarian.  Residential Life staff will inspect residential facilities on a regular basis as a part of routine health and safety checks of all residential spaces. If fleas, ticks, or other pests are detected during inspection, the unit will be treated using fumigation methods by the College-approved pest control service. Those costs will be billed to the handler.

The handler must ensure that their animal is not disruptive or a nuisance to members of the residential community. Disruptive behavior includes loud barking or other distracting actions by the animal unless said noises or behaviors are part of the needed service to the handler. An animal is a nuisance when it, among other things, produces excessive noise, causes physical harm to humans or other animals, disrupts instruction, and/or destroys property. To the extent possible, the handler should prevent the animal from sniffing people, dining tables, or the personal belongings of others. 

The animal must be on a leash or properly confined in an appropriate carrier if outside the handler’s assigned residence, such as when being transported to and from the student housing unit.  If the animal is of a type that must be taken outside of the room to relieve itself, the handler must take the animal to an appropriate area for animal relief and waste. The handler must keep the animal from urinating or defecating in the residential space, gardens or cultivated areas of the campus.  The handler is responsible for properly containing and disposing of all animal waste.  Indoor animal waste must be placed in a bag and tied securely before being disposed of in trash receptacles.  Animal litter boxes cannot be in bathrooms or shared common spaces with suitemates.  Handlers should remove waste from the unit every day, and in some cases, multiple times a day (when necessary to prevent odor and unsanitary conditions).  Outdoor animal waste, such as dog feces, must be immediately retrieved by the handler, placed in a plastic bag, and securely tied before being disposed of in outside trash receptacles.  Do not bring outdoor animal waste into any housing facility.  Hand hygiene is to be performed after attending to animal elimination needs. The handler is responsible for providing bags necessary to comply with these requirements.  If the handler does not comply with disposing of animal waste appropriately, the animal could be temporarily or permanently removed. 

Emergency Evacuation & ESAs: The college is not responsible for removal of the ESA during emergency evacuation events such as a fire alarm. Emergency personnel will determine whether to remove the ESA but will make a reasonable effort to keep the animal with student owner in the event of an emergency evacuation. If emergency personnel remove the ESA, they are not responsible for the care, damage to or loss of the ESA.

• In the event of an emergency evacuation, the student may not be permitted to re-enter the building to retrieve an animal until permission has been granted by the appropriate authority (i.e., fire department, police, etc.). Failure to comply with this policy will result in referral as appropriate to the disciplinary process.
• The student is encouraged to have a plan for sheltering the ESA off campus in the event of a hurricane or other emergency by identifying a shelter that accepts an ESA. On-campus shelter facilities are not equipped to host animals other than service animals.

In accordance with Flagler College Policy Statement FCPS# 133

Fire Drills

Both announced and unannounced fire drills are held regularly. Primary and secondary routes are posted in each room. All students must vacate the buildings immediately when the alarm sounds and will be allowed to return to their rooms after the all-clear signal is heard. Failure to promptly vacate a room shall result in disciplinary action. 

Fire Extinguishers and Alarms

Discharging or tampering with fire extinguishers or causing any type of false alarm is considered a most serious offense. Anyone found guilty of discharging a fire extinguisher, unless using it on an actual fire, or causing a false alarm is subject to suspension or dismissal from the College. In addition, the guilty party will be assessed a fine of $200 plus the cost of refilling the fire extinguisher. The pulling of a fire alarm is illegal and punishable under the law by fines and imprisonment. The College will not have control if the fire department investigates. Each hall is equipped with several fire extinguishers in accordance with the fire safety laws and they are regularly inspected. Any tampering with fire extinguishers should be reported immediately to the Resident Advisor or Security Officer on duty. 

Fire Hazards

The use of air fryers, toasters, hot plates, non-approved refrigerators, non-approved microwave ovens, halogen lights and open-coiled appliances are prohibited in the residence halls. Also, the overloading of an electrical outlet will result in disciplinary action. 

The College prohibits the burning of candles, lanterns, incense, potpourri, etc. in the residence halls and on the campus grounds. Decorative candles are allowed so long as the wick has never been burned. Any candle that has had the wick burned or incense that has been burned will be a violation. Violators may be dismissed from the residence halls. Proper extension cords should be used; electrical items must be plugged directly into the wall outlet or into a power strip. Door and hall decorations can be potential fire hazards. Students should use care in the selection and choice of decorations. 

 Fire and Theft

he College cannot be responsible for losses incurred through theft or fire and will not be responsible for personal effects left on the campus during recesses and vacations. Stealing property of another student or individual is considered a major violation and is subject to severe disciplinary action. Students must keep their rooms locked and valuables stored in a locked, safe place. Further, students are urged to establish bank accounts at any of the nearby banking facilities and retain only limited funds in their possession. 

Fire Control and Escape Routes

All buildings at Flagler College are equipped with fire escape routes, smoke detectors and sprinkler systems. The fire control system includes an Aegis fire detection and warning system, an extensive water sprinkler system; and masonry-encased-with-steel fire escape towers. The Aegis system incorporates heat signals and smoke detectors providing simultaneous sound and visual signals of fire at both the College and the Aegis monitoring center. The entire system is checked and tested on a monthly basis. Also, regular and routine fire drills are conducted. Escape routes are posted in each room. 

• Placing items on the balconies intended for entering and exiting a room or building is strictly prohibited. 
• Tampering with any fire safety equipment is a third-degree felony and will result in disciplinary action. 

Food is to be kept in tin or plastic containers to achieve maximum health and pest control. Food, utensils, dishes, or glasses may not be taken from the Dining Hall with the exception of authorized to-go containers.

Each room has a bed, mattress, dresser, desk, desk chair, closet or wardrobe for each student and one wastebasket for the room. College furnishings are not to be removed from the room. College furnishings may not be dismantled. Bed risers are permitted on non-bunked beds.

There are mandatory floor meetings at the beginning and end of each semester and Resident Life staff will schedule additional meetings as needed for the residents on their floor. 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.

Room and/or ID/Key cards are distributed to resident students at the beginning of the semester in which they begin. All keys 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 $100.00 lock change charge. A $50.00 charge is assessed for the replacement of each key including roommates. Lost or damaged ID/key cards will be replaced at a charge of $50.00. College policy prohibits duplication of residence hall room keys, ID/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 open a room.

Residential students are encouraged to conserve energy and are requested to turn off lights and electrical equipment when leaving their room.

The Custodial Staff will clean corridor areas and provide minimal cleaning supplies for student use. It is recommended that students bring additional cleaning supplies as well as a vacuum cleaner for their residence hall room. Facilities 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, floors, buildings (including exterior), and/or other common areas will be repaired, and the cost assigned to those deemed liable.

Residence Life staff will conduct Health and Safety inspections of rooms and baths at least monthly. 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 Residence Life. Students who have rooms or bathrooms in need of cleaning will be notified and given ample time to rectify the situation. If, after a 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, is not permitted. 

The College will provide a microwave and mini-fridge combination for each room. No other microwaves or refrigerators or freezers are permitted.

Non-service mobility devices (e.g., bicycles, skateboards, balance wheels, rollerblades, scooters, and other self-balancing wheeled scooters). Depending upon room space allocation, residents can store their non-electric/non-motorized mobility device in their room with the roommate's written consent within the roommate agreement. 

• Bicycles or scooters may not block or obscure room entry points or prevent egress for Life/Safety purposes. Bicycle racks are available at the perimeters of residential communities and throughout campus.
• Mobility devices are not to be ridden or stored in common residential areas, courtyards, or near the entrances and exits of the residential areas.
• For safety concerns, bicycles or scooters may not be hung in or around any room, suite, or apartment. 
• Mobility devices may not be stored or attached to stairs, stairwells, fences, railings, walkways, balconies, light poles, on landscape vegetation, (i.e., trees, bushes, etc.), or within the pool area. Mobility devices are also not to be stored under the stairwells.
• Mobility devices may not be stored or attached to stairs, stairwells, fences, railings, walkways, balconies, light poles, or landscape vegetation (e.g., trees, bushes, etc.). They are also not to be stored under the stairwells.
• Residents of Sebastian House may store their bicycles on their balconies but must remove them in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane. 
• Mobility devices stored improperly are subject to removal without notice and a fine assessed. Confiscation of the mobility device may result in the cutting of the lock. 
• It is recommended that all bicycles and scooters be registered with the Office of Campus Safety and Security and be locked in a bike rack using a heavy-duty U-lock. 

Non-service electric or motorized mobility devices (e.g., e-skateboards, hoverboards, Segways, e-balance wheels, e-bicycles, motorcycles, scooters, or other self-balancing wheeled e-scooters). Are not to be ridden or stored in the residential areas, courtyards, or near the entrances and exits of the residential areas. 

• Segways, electric bicycles, electric skateboards, electric scooters, and hoverboards are not permitted in the residence halls. 
• Motorcycles, motorbikes, scooters, and any other motorized vehicle must be parked in parking lots with proper decals. Improperly stored vehicles will be removed at the owner’s expense. 
• Riding or storage of motorcycles, scooters, or other motorized vehicles in residential courtyards and enclosed areas (e.g., rooms, hallways) is not permitted. This list is not exhaustive. As new mobility devices and motorized vehicles become available on the market, the Department of Residence Life reserves the right to determine if the device or vehicle is permitted in residential communities. 
• Mobility devices may not be stored or attached to stairs, stairwells, fences, railings, walkways, balconies, light poles, on landscape vegetation (i.e., trees, bushes, etc.), or within the pool area. Mobility devices are also not to be stored under the stairwells.  
• Mobility devices stored improperly are subject to removal without notice and a fine assessed. Confiscation of the mobility device may result in the cutting of the lock. 
• It is recommended that all e-bicycles and e-scooters be registered with the Office of Campus Safety and Security and be locked in a bike rack using a heavy-duty U-lock. 

Radios, stereos, CD players, television, Bluetooth speakers, etc., should be played to a level to disturb others. Excessive noise may result in the removal of equipment by the Residence Life staff. Drums, drum sets, or amplification equipment are not permitted. (Also see Courtesy Hours and Quiet Hours below)

The term overnight guests refer to any guest who remains in the residence hall where they are not a contracted resident past midnight. Resident students may request one (1) guest to stay overnight for a maximum of two (2) nights. Only one (1) guest per room is allowed. There are NO GUESTS allowed during the first and last week of the semester, Finals Week, Spring Break, or Thanksgiving week. Students must register their overnight guests by submitting an Overnight Guest Request Form to the Division of Student Affairs during regular business hours (8:30am – 5:00pm). Charges will be applied to the student’s account.

Cost

• $10 per night
• $50 per night for each unregistered guest.

Non-aggressive fish are allowed in the residence halls. Fish are to be kept in a bowl/aquarium no larger than 10 gallons. 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 $100.00 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. *See the Emotional Support Animal Section and Service Animal Policy for guidance on service-related animals. 

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. The staff of the Office of Residence Life will conduct routine room inspections for cleanliness and orderliness. 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, or property is reasonably feared. 

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

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 charged to all individuals living in the residence hall room, residence hall floor or wing, building (including exterior), commons areas, and/or entryways.

Quiet hours are to be maintained within the residence halls from:

• 10:00 pm to 7:00 am Monday-Friday
• 12:00 am – 9:00 am Saturday-Sunday

Radios, stereos, television sets, etc., are to be kept low so students wishing to study in their rooms may do so. Resident Life staff are responsible for maintaining quiet hours. Failure to cooperate with the Resident Life staff or comply with this regulation will result in disciplinary action by the Student Affairs staff.

As a Flagler College Resident, you signed a Residence Hall Contract. This contract states the following:

A non-refundable deposit serves as a Binding Agreement to fully pay for room and board for the next academic year. Once the deposit is received, the student will not be released from the housing contract. The right of the student to occupy the room terminates when they cease to be registered as a full-time student; however, the student will still be charged for the room. The College may require the student to move from the residence hall as a disciplinary or other impacting measure, in which instance there will be no refund. The Flagler College Housing Contract is for the full academic year and no refunds will be given. Flagler College does offer GradGuard, an insurance policy covering tuition and housing expenses, for an additional cost.

All new incoming freshmen must reside on campus, unless they live locally with their parents or are over 20 years of age. Factors considered for approval of a freshman commuter request include but are not limited to distance to campus, who the student plans to reside with, and having reliable transportation.  All incoming transfer students are permitted to live off campus. For students who enroll for the fall semester, housing contracts are for the full academic year; thus, the student is responsible for the Fall and Spring semester 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 semester only. Readmitted students, for whatever reason (return from study abroad, dismissal, etc.), are required to have permission of the Dean of Students to reside in the residence halls.

• Room changes are not allowed until 2 weeks after move-in
• Students are allowed one room change without any requirements.
• Students must stay in the new room a minimum of 2 weeks.
• For each requested room change after the first one, students must do the following:
  • Participate in roommate mediation with their current roommate(s) or pay a $50 room change fee. This room change fee will be charged to their student account.
  • Complete a roommate contract with their new roommate(s) and submit it to Residence Life Staff.

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 charged among residents unless the persons responsible are reported.

The use of decals, staples, tacks, tape, or 3M style hooks 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 their 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. Drug paraphernalia cannot be used for decoration.

Residence Hall Visitation: College policy does permit residence hall visitation by currently enrolled students who do not live in the hall they intend to visit if they are a guest of a student who does live in that hall. Residents must escort the guest at all times and can only proceed to the resident’s room. Roommate agreements are necessary before any guests are allowed to visit the room. All guests must be either an enrolled Flagler College student, or at least 18 years of age if they are a non-Flagler College Student. All guests must vacate the residence halls by midnight if they are not registered as an overnight guest. Residents may only have two guests per visit. This policy applies to all Residence Halls. Students who violate any part of this regulation are subject to disciplinary action by the Dean of Students. In the event of a violation of this regulation all parties involved, occupants and visitors, are held responsible. The privilege of any individual, floor, or building may be revoked at any time.

The College provides a work order system for the campus to use so that our Facilities Team can be notified of any facility issues in a timely manner. Residential students are expected to utilize this work order system to log any facility concerns or issues within their rooms. By filling out the form, they are giving our Facilities Team permission to enter their space and fix the issue. Students will have 24 hours to submit a maintenance request from the time that the concern arises. A failure to do so can result in a fine placed on their student account as well as damage costs for the excessive wait period. Students should not utilize this system to order a lost key; they must contact the Office of Residence Life for a replacement key. No one can submit a maintenance request for a student on their behalf.