Policies and Procedures

Jacksonville University is committed to the holistic development of students. Living on campus provides students with the opportunity to share experiences with peers and take full advantage of the learning that takes place outside the traditional classroom. The Office of Residential Life is responsible for developing and maintaining an on campus living and learning environment that promotes the academic, social and personal development of students.

Jacksonville University has established a two-year residency policy, requiring first-time college students to live on campus during their first two years. Living on campus provides students with the opportunity to share experiences with peers and take full advantage of the learning that takes place outside the traditional classroom. The Office of Residential Life is responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy as well as the enforcement of this policy.

Resident students should maintain a minimum credit load of 12 credit hours during the fall or spring semesters and six credit hours during the summer terms. Failure to enroll for a full academic load without prior approval will result in cancellation of room and board.

Residential facilities close for recesses and vacations published in the academic calendar. Notices of closings are posted prior to each period.

Statement on Liability for Losses or Thefts

The University does not accept responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to personal property of students. The University assumes no responsibility for items lost or stolen from student rooms, student automobiles, storage areas, etc. The University strongly recommends that all students carry insurance coverage for all items of property. Residential students are advised against keeping large sums of money or other valuables in their rooms.

Students are encouraged to guard against theft by recording serial numbers of all their personal property and marking all with their name. The best guard against property loss from a student's room is a locked door. Report any property loss immediately to the Public Safety Office and the Residential Life staff.

New Student Living and Learning Community ("LLC")

The New Student Living Learning Community ("LLC") is the residential life program for new students at the University. All new incoming students residing on campus are housed together in the LLC, separated by gender, in the residence hall complexes.

Aviation Living and Learning Community

The Aviation Living and Learning Community (LLC) is housed in the Village Apartments and provides a support network for students who make up the largest academic unit at the University. The Aviation LLC increases the availability of classmates to one another, helping them to establish connections with students who have similar interests and goals.

The application process for the Aviation LLC will be open to students in the Aviation Management & Flight Operations program. A committee of faculty, administrators, and peers will coordinate the selection process. To be eligible for the Aviation Living and Learning Community a student must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and cannot be on any form of disciplinary probation. A student must illustrate a commitment to the field of aviation by being involved in campus aviation organizations such as Alpha Eta Rho, the American Association of Airport Executives, or the National Intercollegiate Flying Association.

Wellness Living and Learning Communities

The Wellness Living and Learning Communities supply an atmosphere for students who choose a substance-free living and learning community that promotes healthy choices, academic success, and social responsibility. These communities are specified areas for students who do not smoke, use or possess alcohol and/or drugs. Students can be certain that this community will be free of alcohol and other drugs regardless of individual choices made outside of Residence Halls by their fellow students. This is a supportive community for students and their guests, who, for clinical, medical, or personal reasons choose not to smoke, use tobacco products, consume alcoholic beverages, use other illegal drugs, or misuse prescription drugs. Residential Life staff will continue to promote activities and programs for these students to ensure a healthy social setting and to discourage them from attending events where alcohol and drugs are present.

Residential Life Staff

Director of Residential Life: Provides administrative oversight and overall supervision of the Residential Life program.

Coordinator of Residential Life and Wellness Programs: Assists with the administration of the on-campus student residential community, advises the New Student LLC, and guides wellness programs that address student needs in diverse areas, including fitness, nutrition, substance use and other relevant concerns.

Coordinator of Residential Life and Campus Activities: Assists with the administration and management of the on-campus student residential community.

Community Leaders: Community Leaders are members of the Residential Life leadership team who serve as advisors to Community Advisors and provide direction in the areas of Desk Operation, Staff Development and Morale, Staff Recognition, and Programming.

Community Advisors and Peer Mentors: Community Advisors and Peer Mentors are responsible for maintaining and promoting academic, personal and social growth in the residential community by serving as resources and mentors to students who live on campus.

General Residential Life Policies and Information

Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages

The full University Alcohol Policy can be found in the "University Policies" section of this handbook.

Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in the public areas or outside of the residence halls or Village Apartments, or on apartment balconies.
Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages in moderation by students who are at least 21 years of age is permitted in individual rooms.
Possessing, storing, dispensing, or consuming alcoholic beverages in the presence of anyone who is under the age of 21 is prohibited.
Students of legal drinking age may not permit students under the age or 21 to possess, store or consume alcoholic beverages in the legal students' rooms.
Kegs are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments. Kegs and associated paraphernalia will be confiscated-and not returned to-students.
"Drinking games" and other activities which promote excessive consumption are prohibited, and any paraphernalia associated with such activities will be confiscated-and not returned to-students.
Non-residents may not bring alcoholic beverages into the residence halls or Village Apartments.
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted on the Village Apartments balconies.

Alcoholic Beverage Containers and Displays

Students of legal age to consume alcoholic beverages should dispose of all alcoholic beverage containers promptly and appropriately. Alcoholic beverage containers should not be stored, displayed or collected for any reason. Promotional signs or posters for alcoholic beverages may not be displayed in windows, external doors, or balconies.

Apartment Balconies (Village Apartments)

In order to maintain the aesthetic integrity of the apartment complex and to ensure the safety of students, the following rules apply to the apartment balconies:

No university-provided furniture may be moved to the balcony.
No more than six (6) people may be on the balcony at any one time
No throwing of objects off the balcony or excessive leaning over the balcony is permitted.
No grills are permitted on the balconies.
No items should be hung from balcony rails (including, but not limited to: towels, rafts, signs, clothing, and flags).
Balconies may not be used for storage of students' personal belongings, including bicycles.

Bicycles

Bicycles must be stored in designated areas and may not be stored in common areas of residence halls or storage rooms. Bicycles are allowed in resident's rooms as long as both roommates agree to store them there.

Changing Rooms and Roommates

Room and roommate changes will typically be permitted only during designated periods. Unauthorized room changes will result in a fine and possible disciplinary action. A student who wants to change rooms should follow these guidelines:

All students involved must complete a Room Change Request Form and obtain all necessary signatures.
All students involved must check out properly with their Community Advisor and the CA must complete a Room Condition Report (RCR).

Students must exchange keys appropriately with the Residential Life Office.

Closing of Residential Facilities

Residential facilities close between academic semesters. Students are expected to check out within 24 hours of their last exam, or by the posted closing hour at the conclusion of each semester. Failure to be checked out by the appropriate time will result in appropriate fines. Students should return rooms and apartments to the condition, in which the room was found upon move-in, or be subject to fines for cleaning and damage charges.

Community Living Standards

All resident students are expected to comply with established standards for community living. The following are violations of these standards:

Failure to maintain adequate standards of personal hygiene or room cleanliness such that it interferes with the general comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of the residential community.
Forcing, or attempting to force, resident students to move out of a room, suite or apartment.

Trash and other items left behind when students vacate rooms will result in cleaning and damage charges being applied to the students' accounts.

Consolidation of Rooms

Should a vacancy occur in a shared room or apartment, the remaining student(s) will either be assigned another resident, agree to the appropriate increased rate for a single room, or be assigned a different room. In some cases, students who have space in their room may be required to host visiting prospective students for one or two nights at a time.

Cooking Appliances

Electric coffee pots (with automatic shut-offs), small microwave ovens, and popcorn poppers are permitted. Cooking with open element appliances (e.g. hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, electric grills, etc.) is not permitted. Toasters are permitted in the Village Apartments.

Dangerous and Disruptive Activities

Activities that endanger students and/or the college community are strictly prohibited in residential facilities, including, but not limited to:

Being on roofs, climbing from windows and scaling or rappelling outside walls.
Releasing the security code for doors to unauthorized persons, improper use of security doors, or interfering with the locking of any door.
Throwing objects from windows.
Playing sports in the hallways and breezeways.
Roller-skating, roller-blading, or skateboarding.
Throwing/bouncing/hitting balls or Frisbees.

Flammables

The following items are not permitted in the residential facilities:

Candles: Candles with no wick may be displayed for decoration purposes only. University officials may confiscate candles that appear to have been lit.
The burning of incense.
Flammable liquids, such as propane gasoline and oily rags, are not permitted in residential facilities.
Halogen lamps.
Potpourri pots (including electric)
Use of live Christmas and holiday decoration trees. No trees of any type should ever be placed in corridors or stairwells.

Furnishings in Common Areas

Furnishings in the common areas of the residence halls are provided for the use of all students and may not be taken to individual rooms. Protection of public areas and equipment is the shared responsibility of all students.

Guests (Non-Students) in Residential Facilities

All residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests while they are in the residential facilities. They are expected to insure that their guests observe all Residential Life regulations, University policies, and the Code of Conduct. JU students will be held solely responsible for the conduct of their guests, and violations will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action.
Guests must be signed-in appropriately and escorted at all times while in the residential facilities.
Guests are permitted to stay for up to three (3) days at no costs. After three days, the host/hostess is responsible for notifying Residential Life that the guest is staying. There is a nightly charge for the guests.
Guests visiting students of the opposite sex must use the restroom facilities in the lobby unless the resident being visited has a private bath.
At no time may a resident or a resident's guest deny a roommate access to his/her room or behave in a manner that causes the roommate to become uncomfortable.
Cohabitation is prohibited.

For information and policies on JU student guests, see "Visitation".

Health Care for Residential Students

Resident students participate in the University Infirmary Plan. The fee for this plan is included in the residence room charge. A doctor at the university's designated health care provider can see students enrolled in the Infirmary Plan who become ill during the semester. The University provides transportation through a local taxi service to and from the infirmary for students without their own transportation. After normal office hours, an on-call doctor can be reached by calling the health care provider. In an emergency, rescue is always called. The Infirmary Plan does not cover emergency medical needs. Students will need to file individual insurance claims for these services.

As advised by community health professionals, students diagnosed with a communicable disease, such as measles, mumps or chicken pox, will be quarantined in their room or in an unoccupied residence hall room when available. They will be asked to remain in their room as much as possible during the period in which they are contagious. Arrangements will be made to bring them their meals. All efforts to stop the spread of the disease will be made. Remember that your best protection against such diseases or common infections like the flu is a current immunization.

Hurricane Procedures

When Jacksonville University is threatened with severe weather, or some other natural disaster, it is sometimes possible to forecast the arrival of the severe weather sufficiently in advance to implement precautionary measures. When the weather forecast indicates that severe weather may affect Jacksonville University, the President, or designee, will activate the University's Disaster Preparedness Task Force.

In the event of a Hurricane Warning, all non-essential personnel will be advised, if possible, to leave the campus. All residential students will be encouraged to evacuate and remaining students will be consolidated to Botts Hall. Students who choose to leave campus MUST NOTIFY THEIR COMMUNITY ADVISOR/ PEER MENTOR BEFORE LEAVING CAMPUS. The Residential Life Office will devise and coordinate procedures for housing remaining students.

Keys, Lock Changes and Lock outs

All residential students are issued a key upon move in. If a student is locked out, he/she may visit to the Residential Life Office during normal business hours or contact a Community Advisor/ Peer Mentor on duty after hours. An ID card is required before a student will be allowed back in their room. If a key is lost, there will be a charge to change locks and supply new keys. Students who duplicate a room key or do not return their room key at the end of the academic year will be assessed a lock change charge.

Noise and Quiet Hours

Based on the principle in the Student Code of Conduct regarding "respect for others", the residential facilities must be reasonably quiet at all times. Designated quiet hours are published and residents of individual halls may vote to add additional quiet hours. Students who violate quiet hours will be referred for appropriate disciplinary action. The playing of musical instruments is to be confined to the designated practice rooms reserved through the music instructors. The use of electrical instruments and amplifiers is not permitted in the residential facilities.

Pets

For reasons of health and sanitation, pets/animals, other than harmless varieties of fish, are not permitted in the residential facilities. Students who are found in possession of a pet are subject to a daily fine until the pet is removed. If the pet is not removed within 24 hours, students are subject to further disciplinary actions, such as removal from the residential facilities without the refund of fees paid.

Residence Hall Association (RHA)

"RHA" is the Residence Hall Association and all residential students are members of this governing and programming organization. The purpose of this organization is to enrich the lives of residential students by promoting events designed to create unity and community spirit, while stimulating cultural, intellectual, athletic, and social growth. Involvement opportunities are also available by becoming a floor representative of your living unit. Please contact the Residential Life staff for additional information.

Smoking

In accordance with the 1992 Florida Clean Air Act, all campus facilities, residential facilities, including student rooms, balconies and breezeways are smoke-free. Smoking of tobacco products is permitted only in designated outdoor smoking areas. Violation of the Clean Air act by a student results in a fine being directly assessed to the student's account and may result in other disciplinary sanctions. The fine escalates for repeated offenses as follows: first offense $100, second offense $300, third and additional offenses $500. "Hookahs" are not permitted in the residential facilities and possession and/or use of a hookah will be considered a violation of this policy.

Solicitation and Sales

Salespeople and solicitors are not permitted in the residential facilities at any time. Unauthorized salespersons should be reported to the Residential Life staff and Public Safety immediately.

Trash Disposal

Students should promptly dispose of trash and other refuse in the residential facilities. In the residence halls, common trash containers are provided in the hallways and for larger quantities of trash and large items, dumpsters are available adjacent to the residence halls. Village Apartments residents should dispose of all trash and other refuse in the dumpsters located adjacent to the complexes. Excessive trash in the residential facilities or failure to properly dispose of trash will result in fines being placed on students' accounts as well as possible disciplinary action for repeated offenses.

Visitation (JU Student Guests)

All building guests who are Jacksonville University students and hold a valid JU ID card may enter a residence hall unescorted if they are visiting a resident of the same gender.
If a JU student is visiting a resident student of the opposite sex, he/she must be signed-in appropriately and escorted at all times within the residential facilities. This applies to all areas of all floors.
Guests visiting students of the opposite sex must use the restroom facilities in the lobby unless the resident being visited has a private bath.
At no time may a resident or a resident's guest deny a roommate access to his/her room or behave in a manner that causes the roommate to become uncomfortable.
Cohabitation is prohibited.
Students living in a 24-hour hall may entertain guests at any time. In 12-hour halls, the designated visitation hours must be strictly observed.

For information and policies on JU non-student guests, see "Guests".

Withdrawal from Housing Process

A student who has decided to leave the residential facilities must follow these procedures:

Inform the Residential Life Office of his/her intent to leave. The office will give the student a "Withdrawal from Housing" form.
Coordinate a time with the CA to complete the existing room inspection and the "Room Condition Report."
Return the key and "Room Condition Report" to the Residential Life Office, and initial their check-in registration card.

Students who are removed from the residence halls or apartments for disciplinary reasons, will not be eligible for any room or board refunds.

Damage Policies

Damage to residential facilities shall be classified as either accidental or malicious. Accidental damage is damage occurring through unintentional, chance happenings. Malicious damage is disruptive behavior resulting in damage. Disciplinary action will be taken and restitution assessed to students involved in malicious damage. Restitution will be assessed for accidental damage. Repeated occurrences of damage by an individual or group will be investigated to determine whether further disciplinary measures are warranted, including dismissal from university housing.

Individual Room Damage

Room and apartment damage will be assessed for cost of repairs or replacement and charges as follows:

To any individual who accepts responsibility or is found to be responsible for the damage.
To occupants of a room where the damage was done and direct responsibility cannot be determined.

Common Area Damages

Common Areas are defined as any space other than individual student rooms in the residential facilities, such as bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, lounges, elevators, lobby areas, etc. Common areas also include the grounds surrounding residential facilities, which include outside lights and the irrigation systems.

In Common Areas where excessive damage occurs and direct responsibility cannot be determined, it will be necessary to hold responsible all occupants of the section, floor, or building where the damage occurs.
Individuals and groups held accountable for damage to common areas will be held financially responsible and appropriate charges will be placed on the students' accounts with the University.
In cases of malicious or reckless damage, responsible students will not only be held financially responsible for the damage, but will also be referred for disciplinary action.
If an individual or group has been held financially responsible and does not feel they were responsible for the damage, appeals must be made to the Director of Residential Life within five (5) days of notification of being held financially responsible.

Fire Safety Procedures

Fire drills, false alarms and genuine fire alarms are indistinguishable from one another. Students must evacuate residential facilities whenever a fire alarm is sounded. Because of the variations in physical design of each of the residential facilities, see the Residential Life staff in your building for specific evacuation instructions. STUDENTS FOUND RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT EVACUATING A BUILDING DURING A FIRE ALARM WILL BE FINED ON EACH OCCASION.

Fire Alarm Procedures

When a fire alarm sounds:

Proceed immediately to the nearest designated exit.
Once outside of the facility, stay away from the area immediately surrounding the building.
Do not reenter the building until given permission by a university official.

Smoke Detectors/Life Safety Equipment

Life safety equipment, such as smoke detectors are placed in student rooms for safety. Any student found tampering with such equipment in any way will be subject to disciplinary action and fines. Tampering with common area life safety equipment will also incur fines and disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension from the residential facilities. Report any damaged or inoperable fire safety equipment to the Residential Life staff.

To help prevent fires:

Do not overload circuits. Never use multiple plugs or extension cords.
Do not place electrical wiring under rugs, carpets, mattresses, bedsprings or around door and window casements. Never use frayed or broken electrical wires.

Room Care and Inspections

Furniture

Students are responsible for the condition of their rooms and all furniture assigned to it. Residents may rearrange furniture, but must use it only for its intended purpose. Upon checking out of a room, all furniture must be reassembled as it was originally found. If additional furniture is brought into the residential facilities it must be removed when the residence halls close or when students leave the University. Students will be charged for the removal of any furniture or other personal items left after vacating their rooms/ apartments.

Inspections and General Policies

In order to insure the health and safety of all residents, residence hall rooms and apartments are checked monthly by the Residential Life Staff. Room cleanliness, arrangement and hygiene issues that interfere with the comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of the residential community will be addressed during these inspections.

Residents must adhere to the following:

Room windows must remain closed when the air conditioner is operating. The air conditioning equipment does not function properly when windows are open.
Stickers, transparent tape and double-sided tape may not be used on floors, walls, woodwork or doors. Thumbtacks, push-pins and non-marring adhesive materials are permitted.
Waterbeds are not permitted.
Built-in shelves and unauthorized lofts (see "Loft Beds" policy) are not permitted. Students who have constructed these items will be given written notice to remove them. Failure to remove these structures within 24 hours of notice will result in a daily fine being assessed directly to the student's account.
Daily room care and cleaning are the responsibility of each student. Rooms should be orderly at all times.
Airflow vents should never be obstructed. Blocking the airflow can create a fire hazard.
Installation of ceiling fans or air conditioner units is prohibited.

Search and Seizure Policy

Authorized University officials may enter students' rooms for normal inspection and maintenance purposes. Staff members who need to enter a room during the performance of their duties will knock and identify themselves. If there is no response, a passkey will be used to enter the room.

Items prohibited by law or University policy in clear view may be confiscated by the staff member and used in a disciplinary proceeding. Such items will not be returned to students.

If a University staff member, who enters a room to perform his or her duties, has reason to believe:

Items prohibited by law or University policy are concealed from view,
There is a violation of public law or of University regulations or standards, or
There is a possibility of imminent hazard to persons or property;

The staff member may contact the Residential Life staff who may exercise the University's right to search the room. The Dean of Students or designee shall have the right to conduct or order a search on University property and premises under emergency circumstances, and/or when violations of civil or criminal law or University regulations are in question. Reasonable effort shall be made to have the student present during any search, and the student shall be informed as to the reasons for the search and the objects or information sought, except when the Student Life Office or designee believes that a serious emergency exists.

When a designee of the Student Life Office reasonably suspects that suspect items are contained among a student's locked possessions, the student shall be requested to make such locked possessions (including cars) accessible. If a student has refused to give access to his/her possessions, the suspect items may be confiscated for investigation, and used in any disciplinary proceedings.

The University reserves the right to adjust the Residential Life Policies as it determines necessary in order to assure fairness, order, efficiency or the physical and emotional security of individuals.

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