UNDERGRADUATE STAFF
MANUAL
2014-2015
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAMMING .......................................................... 3 SIX I’s of COMMUNITY ........................................................................................................ 5 Programming Overview .......................................................................................................... 7 Residence Hall Association Overview ................................................................................... 25
RESIDENCE LIFE .................................................................................................................... 28 The Residence Life Staff ........................................................................................................ 29 Staff Performance Guidelines ............................................................................................... 30 Expectations Involving Staff and Alcohol .............................................................................. 31 Staff Evaluations ................................................................................................................... 32
RESIDENCE LIFE POLICIES .................................................................................................. 33 Alcohol Policy ........................................................................................................................ 34 Accidental Damage Policy ..................................................................................................... 35 Bullying Policy. ...................................................................................................................... 35 Prohibited Conduct Policy..................................................................................................... 35 Disruptive Behavior Policy .................................................................................................... 36 Drug Policy ............................................................................................................................ 38 Fire Safety Policy ................................................................................................................... 38 Prohibited Cooking Devices .............................................................................................. 39 Prohibited Room Heating Devices .................................................................................... 39 Prohibited Decorations ..................................................................................................... 39 Gambling Policy..................................................................................................................... 40 Guest Policy........................................................................................................................... 40 Hall Sports Policy................................................................................................................... 41 Independent Living Policy ..................................................................................................... 41 Lounge Use Policy ................................................................................................................. 41 Mural Painting Policy ............................................................................................................ 42 Noise Policy ........................................................................................................................... 42 Pet Policy ............................................................................................................................... 43 Policy for Recording Devices ................................................................................................. 43 Smoking Policy ...................................................................................................................... 44 Solicitation Policy .................................................................................................................. 44 Student Concern Policy ......................................................................................................... 44 Vandalism Policy ................................................................................................................... 46 Weapons Policy ..................................................................................................................... 47
PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES ........................................................................................ 48
Resident / Apartment Assistant Duty Procedures ................................................................ 49 Duty Coverage ................................................................................................................... 49 Duty Responsibilities ......................................................................................................... 50 Duty Expectations ............................................................................................................. 50 Duty Changes .................................................................................................................... 50
Other Levels of Duty ............................................................................................................. 51 Quick Rundown of What to Do on Duty ............................................................................... 52 In The Duty Binder/Bag ..................................................................................................... 53 Your Role as a Problem Solver .............................................................................................. 54 Confrontation........................................................................................................................ 54 Confronting Alcohol Use ................................................................................................... 54 Protocol for Addressing Underage Student Alcohol Use .................................................. 54 Alcohol Intoxication ......................................................................................................... 55 Confronting Drug Use ....................................................................................................... 56 Tips for Dealing With Emergencies ....................................................................................57 Emergency Procedures ......................................................................................................... 58 Medical Emergencies ........................................................................................................ 58 Maintenance Emergencies ............................................................................................... 58 Procedure for Fire or Smoke ............................................................................................. 59 Fire Safety Regulations to Review at Floor Meetings: ...................................................... 59 Fire Safety-Kitchen Usage ................................................................................................. 60 Stress/Emotional Breakdowns .............................................................................................. 60 Suicidal Intervention ............................................................................................................. 61 Protocol for Working with Students that Express Suicidal Ideations: .............................. 62 Group Disturbances .............................................................................................................. 62 Bias Intervention Response Protocol .................................................................................... 62 Bias Category Descriptions ............................................................................................... 62 Roommate / Resident Mediation ......................................................................................... 64 Roommate Conflict Mediation Process ............................................................................ 64 Room Change Procedures................................................................................................. 68 Theft and Crime Prevention.................................................................................................. 75 Confidentiality ....................................................................................................................... 75
DISCIPLINE ............................................................................................................................. 77
Two Different Discipline Processes .......................................................................................78 Residence Life Discipline ....................................................................................................78 University Discipline...........................................................................................................78 University Discipline Process .................................................................................................78 An Introduction Residence Life Discipline ........................................................................ 78 An Introduction to Communiy Standards ......................................................................... 80 Filling Out an Incident Report (IR) .....................................................................................81 Commonly Documented Violations / Incidents .................................................................82
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR NEW STAFF .................................................................................... 85 APPENDIX ................................................................................................................................ 111 Residence Life Calendar ...................................................................................................... 112 On-line Training Descriptions ............................................................................................. 123
Resident Assistant Job Description ..................................................................................... 124 Apartment Assistant Job Description ................................................................................. 127 Resident Assistant Contract ................................................................................................ 130 Apartment Assistant Contract ............................................................................................ 132
WELCOME
TO RUTGERS RESIDENCE LIFE! As a member of the Residence Life staff, you are charged with the challenging task of developing a strong inclusive community among a widely diverse group of residents. To do this well, you need to be a strong leader, a compassionate counselor, a knowledgeable resource, a responsive programmer, and an extroverted cheerleader. It is our hope that this manual, and the training that will supplement it, will provide you with the tools you need to succeed in your important Residence Life job. In addition to being a member of the community in which you live, and the campus on which you reside, you are also now a member of the Rutgers Residence Life staff community. Our department is one where every member, student or staff cares about the wellbeing of everyone in our community; where we strive to explore the importance of reflection and responsibility; where we create life changing opportunities to engage with the people and ideas surrounding us and where we celebrate the expression of all the various identities that define us.
MISSION STATEMENT
Rutgers Residence Life supports the mission of the University by fostering the creation of safe, comfortable, and inclusive
residential communities which are conducive to student development. These student-centered communities provide a sense of belonging and teach students to be independent, responsible citizens who value the worth and dignity of all. Residence Life values excellence, integrity, and innovation and strives to treat all students fairly, with respect and compassion. We work to provide all students with an educational, quality residential experience which meets their needs and interests.
WE BELIEVE: • • •
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Residents are our first priority. Success in our work can only be achieved through on-going assessment and improvement. Partnerships with the university community, including students, faculty, other university departments, and the families of students are critical for our work to be successful. Living on campus is an opportunity for students to gain life experiences in a supportive environment, sometimes learning through trial and error. The residential experience provides students with unique personal interactions and the opportunity to develop life-long friendships. Every staff member contributes to the student experience and should be afforded the opportunity to learn and grow in his or her position. Staff are most productive when treated fairly, with respect, and involved in decision making.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PROGRAMMING
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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Community development is a foundational element within our work. Living in a strong, vibrant community means creating an atmosphere where students will: feel respected and appreciated; gain insights and understanding into different cultures, ideas, and identities; and experiment with undertaking leadership roles to help define their own communities. All members of the Residence Life staff team play a role in building communities. More than anyone else, the staff residing with their students (Resident Assistants, Apartment Assistants, Graduate Apartment Assistants, graduate and professional staff) play a more integral part in the everyday life of the communities. In this spirit, your efforts at modeling friendship, leadership, care, compassion, and magnanimity will set the stage for teaching our burgeoning Res Knights what it truly means to contribute towards a greater good. Fred Rogers, host of an older children’s television show, used to end his opening jingle with a question: “Won’t you be my neighbor?” He has another famous quote: “When I was a boy and I’d see scary things on the news, my mother would always say, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people helping.” While this sentiment is particularly true in moments of crisis, it can equally apply to moments of serenity as well. Upon reflection,
most individuals who participated in any successful venture (e.g. winning a major sports championship, success in business, qualifying for the Olympics, earning a Nobel Prize) can easily identify the contributions of all the various individuals that led to their overall success. In our communities, each of us should act in service to others. We help our Res Knights define a strong community: a place where residents feel that they belong, are comfortable, and are cared for. A community develops when residents participate in common practices, depend on one another, make decisions together, and identify as a group rather than as individuals. Although this ideal may be difficult to achieve, we must continue to strive to reach it. Methods to achieve this goal include both formal and informal programming, social rounds, bulletin boards, and even our disciplinary approaches. This section will focus on how to develop a successful community. Staff should: ● Develop individual communities that encourage academic and personal growth. ● Promote inclusive communities (including special interest communities if applicable) that encourage acceptance and understanding. ● Encourage dialogue amongst residents to establish clear and feasible living expectations and support healthy relationships with apartment-mates. ● Engage students in proactive discussions about living independently. 4
● Create opportunities for residents to engage with others at the campus and University levels. ● Provide hall government support and encourage resident participation. ● Foster an environment that embraces concepts related to civic engagement and social responsibility. ● Implement a combination of formal programming and informal community development opportunities based on the needs of the community.
EVALUATION OF COMMUNITIES Successful community development is determined by the community itself. You and your supervisor will look continually at the community with these questions in mind: ● Are there isolated students in the community? • Do the students attend each others’ events? • Can the students tell you where other community members spend time? • Do the students have suggestions for community improvements? • Do the students feel they are a part of a larger community?
THE SIX I’S
OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT New staff members study the six I’s in the spring course, during the session dedicated to
community development. You’ll remember them as: •
Introduction
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Interaction
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Involvement
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Influence
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Investment
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Identity
The best means of utilizing the six I’s is as an assessment tool for evaluating the strength of your community. An analogy relating to long road trips may be helpful in understanding the role of assessment using the six I’s. When preparing to for an extended road trip, several steps should be taken to ensure that your vehicle is ready to successfully transport you to your destination, such as filling the gas tank, changing the oil, checking the tire pressure, or changing your wiper blades. If you only have a half tank of gas, you will not be able to arrive at your destination. Poor wiper blades will limit your visibility should you encounter a storm. Lower tire pressures will decrease the maneuverability of your car when you encounter an obstacle. The initial and ongoing assessment of your vehicle is key to arriving at your destination. In this instance, continuous evaluation of your community will help you understand what areas of improvement exist in your community and provide a direction for correcting a community that may encounter challenges in its development. 5
This analogy translates directly to the evaluation of the six I’s within your community. Investing significant amounts of time early on to ensure that each member of your community knows one another in some meaningful way will lead to their understanding the concerns of others when challenges arise. Communities where the members have high levels of awareness of who they are living with and who are provided multiple opportunities to engage in meaningful activities (Introduction and Interaction) will be more likely to take the next steps of engaging in setting standards for the community and assume responsibility for the betterment of the neighborhood (Involvement and Investment).
If our efforts at community building are only directed towards Res Knights that are similar to ourselves, live right next door, or share our bathroom, then fewer individuals will feel the need or desire to partake in other activities that might benefit the community. The six I’s are a wonderful tool for assessing the strength of our communities. Utilizing the community map exercise with your supervisor is an excellent aid for understanding and evaluating the community’s progress. New staff members will engage in this exercise during the fall semester of the RA class. Returning staff, having already learned how to conduct this assessment, will utilize this tool with their supervisors during the first half of the fall semester.
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A VALUES BASED APPROACH TO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Care • Community • Welfare • Home/Neighborhood • Interdependence
Responsi bi Iity
Reflection
• Life Skills • Citizenship • Independence • Activism
Self-Awareness Learning Thinking Impact
Engagement • Involvement in the Community • Campus and Community Connections
Expression • Awareness and Exploration • Dialogue
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RESIDENCE LIFE VALUES Residence Life provides a unique experience for students living on campus. We need to look no further than Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to determine a baseline for what we must minimally provide: a physical space to provide safety from the elements of nature, secure from the predations of others, clean, etc. As the six I’s present a means for assessing our needs on the road trip, these values define the nature of the trip along the way. By employing these values in developing your community, you set the tone for the trip and create milestones that your community may encounter along the way. They help residents recognize important events and experiences, both past and present, and make the trip that much more memorable. These values provide a framework for students to have a commonality of experiences in living on campus while allowing some freedom to each staff to determine the best means of attaining this experience. Rutgers Residence Life seeks to provide an experience for students living on campus that exceeds providing the bare minimum essentials to meet students’ needs. We hope to craft an experience for students choosing to live on campus (e.g. our Res Knights) that exceeds the basic necessities and creates a standard for prioritizing a set of values that define a strong community. These values
come in two sets: emergent and aspirant values. Emergent values include those values that we believe are already present in our communities and common to our practice. These values emerged as evident in our reflection of the positive contributions of our work on the student experience. Care and expression are two values that existed within our communities and are reflected through the efforts of all our staff. Aspirant values reflect the choices we have made in what we hope for our communities to become. We realize that our communities have not or may not achieve an ideal state but that we continue to strive for greater degrees of engagement, responsibility, and reflection as we continue to work towards strengthening our communities. What follows is a definition of each value as it applies to the work conducted within Residence Life. The definition is then expanded to include synonymous terms and phrases to provide greater emphasis for broad understanding of the intent behind the selection of these values.
CARE We believe that Res Knights should be invested in the welfare of others within their “home away from home.” The level of care for each person reflects the policies and procedures of our staff at all levels. Our programmatic offerings reinforce this expectation through community interactions, which help each person to better know their
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neighbors and understand critical issues impacting the community. ● Community ○ Res Knights should be able to identify their community and contribute to it by attending programs regularly. ● Welfare ○ Res Knights should show that they care about themselves and the people in their community by sharing concerns and reporting concerning behavior. ● Home/Neighborhood ○ Res Knights should consider their community their home away from home and should demonstrate this by cleaning up after themselves and reporting vandalism or other concerning actions against the community. ● Interdependence ○ Res Knights should share a learning experience and understand the importance of getting to know their neighbors and how the community depends on the interactions and investment of all people in the community.
ENGAGEMENT We believe Res Knights should be active and involved with their campus and University communities and make meaningful contributions to their residence hall experience. We hope that each Res Knight feels that they are a part of something bigger and are excited to call their residence hall home. We hope that, through our programmatic efforts in the hall, our students
feel that they are fostering connections with one another, as well as staff, faculty, and other students at Rutgers. ● Involvement in the Community ○ Res Knights should be offered numerous opportunities for involvement in an effort to become an active member of the campus and surrounding community. ○ Res Knights should be presented with activities that enhance campus pride/spirit through participation in hall and campus traditions, annual events, and intramural activities. ● Campus and Community Connections ○ Res Knights should gain knowledge of campus resources that will aid them in their college and postcollegiate experiences. ○ Res Knights should understand the value of contributing to the greater good of their common and physical environment through interaction with other students and the larger community.
EXPRESSION We believe that Res Knights should celebrate and share their unique identities. In learning to engage in a dialogue with other Res Knights around commonalities and differences, each member will take the time to discover and explore new identities, roles, and ideas that can enrich their own personal experience. Res Knights should practice inclusivity and should feel like they live in an inclusive community.
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● Awareness and Exploration ○ Res Knights should gain awareness and explore self and others in areas of culture, ideas, traits, and behaviors. ○ Res Knights should develop skills which allow them to become proactive in personal development, compassion, cooperation, autonomy and investment in self and others. ● Dialogue ○ Res Knights should learn to dialogue respectfully around themes of difference, tolerance, acceptance, inclusion and social justice.
RESPONSIBILITY We believe that Res Knights should be invested in the success of their communities and take ownership of their own experiences. During their college experience, Res Knights should take on and learn about the different responsibilities that are both unique to them as individuals and common amongst every Res Knight on the larger scale. It is important for Res Knights to identify what their personal, academic, and professional obligations are and learn how to balance and manage these commitments. Res Knights can contribute to the success of their communities by consistently upholding the standards that are formed by the community. It is our hope that, in addition to this, Res Knights are getting involved in the Rutgers community in various ways and engaging in a global community through service initiatives and acts of responsible citizenship.
● Life Skills ○ Res Knights should be able to identify the skills needed to manage the college experience to achieve academic and personal success. This should be achieved through initiatives focused on: ■ Being an effective communicator; ■ Successfully managing one’s affairs (personal, financial, and professional); ■ Maintaining health and wellness. ● Citizenship ○ Res Knights should be able to develop a personal code of ethics to guide decision-making rooted in a sense of responsibility as a member of society. ○ Res Knights should contribute to the positive welfare of the campus, University, local, and global communities. ● Independence ○ Res Knights should hold themselves accountable for setting goals and developing strategies to achieve them. Res Knights should be able to: ■ Identify and develop personal skills, abilities, and growth areas; ■ Use knowledge and past experiences to make positive decisions.
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● Activism ○ Res Knights should demonstrate an increased confidence and increased sense of voice to advocate for what they believe in. Res Knights should be able to ■ Understand social, cultural, and political realities; ■ Demonstrate concern and respect for the rights of others and their personal beliefs; ■ Develop multi-faceted awareness of local, national, and international issues.
REFLECTION It is important for Res Knights to be students of life and learn from their everyday experiences. Res Knights should take time to reflect on their experiences and how these experiences have impacted them and others. Thinking critically about one’s decisions and interactions will help Res Knights move forward in a successful way. Reflection is intimately connected with our other values, as it is a continuing process that helps our students make meaning of their experiences.
○ Res Knights should become aware of their personal level of comfort regarding various topics as a result of reflecting on said experiences. ● Learning ○ Res Knights should develop an intellectual curiosity and desire for continual learning both within and beyond formal education. ● Thinking ○ Res Knights should engage in critical reflection as a means of personal and professional growth. ○ Res Knights should be able to explore their identity and values, answering questions such as: “Who am I?”, “Who will I become?”, “Where am I?”, and “Where am I going?” ● Impact ○ Res Knights should be able to identify actions that can be taken to better themselves and the surrounding community.
● Self-Awareness ○ Res Knights should learn how important it is to reflect on experiences and understand how their actions impact the surrounding community.
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STANDARDS, EXPECTATIONS, AND IMPLEMENTATION We established the framework for the first six weeks of the semester. We recognize that for every community, regardless of the population or building type, certain building blocks are necessary to allow every community the best opportunity to thrive and succeed. The first six weeks of a new academic year represent the formative stage that will significantly influence the future development and strength of any community, just like any first impression may influence another’s perspective of you in future interactions. These first six weeks are critical in establishing strong familiarity with individuals within the community and with the importance of the values we hope to promote within it. Following the first six weeks, we established a method for developing programs that will continue to expand upon community foundations. These are guided by five values (Care, Engagement, Expression, Responsibility, and Reflection). The expectation for all staff is to facilitate eight values-related programs in the fall semester and an additional six values-related programs in the spring semester. In this section, you
will find a list of suggested strategies for the types of programs that you should offer. Additionally, you may refer to the resource guide for information to assist you in planning a successful program. In addition to these values-related programs, we are also requiring that each staff member host reflection-based activities (two in the Fall, three in the Spring). The community reflections are both an opportunity to challenge students to think critically about their experiences in relation to our department values and to share important information regarding our residence hall communities. We hope to offer an activity that allows residents to reflect on their community and offer some form of feedback related to each value. This can take an active or passive form. While the expectation for hosting events or activities will remain consistent throughout the department, each RLC/E is empowered to determine the best strategies for their area based on resident population and buildingtype to showcase the different values. We believe that allowing this flexibility will allow each staff to take ownership for the format and types of events offered in their area.
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PROGRAMMING MODEL
SEMESTER TASKS ● Each door must be decorated with a door decoration for each corresponding resident of the space. Every bulletin board must be presentable with updated content and appealing decoration prior to the Saturday of opening weekend for first year students. ○ A minimum of one bulletin board per staff member must be changed on a monthly basis. ○ The pattern for replacement will be directed by the building supervisor. ○ Building supervisors may choose a different timing or pattern for board replacement based on the implementation plan designed the respective area.
FIRST SIX WEEKS ● Four (4) programs focused on Care and Engagement ○ Each RA/AA will have a welcome program for their residents. ○ Each RA/AA will have an educational roommate program/meeting for their residents in order to discuss the best strategies for living cooperatively. ○ Each community, led by the building/area supervisor(s), will have an alcohol and other drug program. ○ Each community, led by the building/area supervisor(s), will have a resources program. ● All programs in the first six weeks must be active.
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TOPIC
Community Interaction
VALUE
Engagement
OBJECTIVE AND SUGGESTIONS Res Knights should have an opportunity to get to know the RA/AA and interact with other students on their floor/stairwell/etc. Ex. Socials, fun activities that allow people to get to know the RA/AA and each other Res Knights should learn important skills needed to successfully live with other people, as well as learn how to be a good roommate.
Roommates
Care
Ex. First-year area/Traditional Halls: general guidelines on how to live cooperatively with other people. Upperclassmen/Apartments: how to share common spaces and common items, how guests can impact the living environment Res Knights should become aware of appropriate resources available to them.
Resources
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Engagement
Care
Ex. First-year and transfer students may need to learn about Residence Life and its role, as well as RUPD, CAPS and specific resources for their community (DRC, academic departments, etc.). Upperclassmen/Apartment students may need to learn about resources related to their potential career, financial counseling, legal services, etc. Res Knights should be aware of potential dangers in respect to alcohol and other drugs. Ex. First-year students may need to learn about the consequences of underage drinking. Apartment residents may need to learn about the party-registration process and how to be a responsible host.
REMAINDER OF FALL SEMESTER (POST-SIX WEEKS) ● Completion of a community map will be required for all staff members (firstyear and returning) by the end of the first six weeks. ● Minimum of four (4) programs focused on the values
○ Focus on remaining values (Expression, Reflection, and Responsibility) ○ At least half of the programs must be active ● Two (2) Community Reflections ○ Information-Relaying and Feedback-Collecting 14
○ See Community Reflection Agendas SPRING SEMESTER: ● Minimum of six (6) programs focused on the values o At least half of the programs must be active o Refrain from doing two passive programs back to back o Three (3) Community Reflections • Information-Relaying and Feedback-Collecting • See Community Reflection Agendas *All programs must be approved by the supervisor. The supervisor has the autonomy to set additional standards and guidelines. Certain areas may require supplemental initiatives to assist in the community development process. Staff members and their respective supervisors will determine any areas of need and create a strategy utilizing additional community development initiatives.
CELEBRATING RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS A PATHWAY
Our appreciation for the expression of various identities within our communities is core value of Residence Life. One aspect of many student’s lives revolves around the celebration
of religious holidays. Each year, we debate requests from students and staff who wish to program around a particular holiday; most commonly Chanukah or Christmas. As representatives of a diverse community, our hope in creating a pathway for the recognition and celebration of religious holidays is to craft a series of events that reflects our inherent multicultural identities present in our communities. In this light, the following list contains a number of holidays (by semester) as a sample of how to program towards a broadly representative series. FALL TERM ● Eid ● Diwali ● Chanukah ● Christmas SPRING TERM ● Lunar New Year ● Holi ● Passover ● Easter A staff member, or staff team, wishing to celebrate any one of these holidays in a given semester must also accept responsibility for programming for each of the other holidays occurring during that period. The above sample can be amended with substitutions of alternative cultures or faiths in consultation with the professional staff responsible for supervising your area. The online version of the manual will contain more specific information on decorations, activities, dates, etc. pertaining to a variety of celebrations.
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PROCESS FOR THE ANNUAL SELECTION OF A PHILANTHROPIC BENEFICIARY FOR DEPARTMENTAL INITIATIVES For the past several years, the Department of Residence Life hosted numerous philanthropic initiatives: fund raisers, clothing and food collection drives, service hours, etc. All of the recipient causes are worthy of the time, attention, and resources that our student population can muster towards providing support. In order to consolidate and amplify the efforts of our Res Knights, we have created this process for the selection of one philanthropy to serve as the recipient of all departmental initiatives. While serving to focus our programming and our efforts, this process also brings a necessary level of transparency to the awarding of our efforts. OVERVIEW This process will allow for the annual selection of one site/organization/cause to be the recipient of all Res Knight donations and service efforts for the period of selection. PROCESS Students wishing to have a site/organization/cause selected must first provide to their Assistant Director documentation (digital or hard copies) of the nature of the organization. This documentation should include information pertaining to: • Identifying the recipients of the organizations efforts • Other sources of funding, support, etc. • Nature of the organizations’ advocacy
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Forms of support that are acceptable (e.g. service hours, monies, clothing, food, toys, books, etc.)
The above list is a sample of information and is not comprehensive. More information (or less) may be required depending on the widespread awareness of the organization. The Assistant Director will then provide signature sheets to the student(s). A minimum of 50 signatures from resident students are required for submission of the request for consideration. Once signature forms are submitted and the names confirmed as resident students, the petition will be included for consideration. All accepted petitions will be posted online for voting by resident students. Online voting will remain open for a minimum of two weeks and will include at least two email notifications to residents. Students submitting petitions, or wishing to support a given petition, may provide flyers or poster to the hall supervisor for posting in the building.
TIMELINE • January: Announcement of the beginning of the process • March 1: Signature petitions due • April: Voting Occurs • Prior to last: Announcement of the selection of the following year’s recipient organization 16
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Day of classes
EXCEPTIONS Any subset of the campus community (typically a floor, perhaps a building) can select an alternative recipient with the approval of the Assistant Director. Such an exception will be considered if there is a member of that community that is personally affected by some issue during this period, the community can choose to show their support of that individual by seeking an exception to this process. For example, if the mother of a Res Knight is affected by heart disease, that community may choose to seek an exception, through the AD, to do fundraising activities for the American Heart Association; even if that is not the organization selected by that campus for that year.
OFF CAMPUS TRIPS POLICY Any departmentally sponsored trips require the attendance of chaperones to provide assistance to any students in attendance. LESS THAN 10 STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE • One (1) chaperone required MORE THAN 10 STUDENTS IN ATTENDANCE • Two chaperones for first 25 participants o One MUST be a professional staff member
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One additional chaperone per additional 25 residents o Any event requiring four or more chaperones requires that AT LEAST 2 must be professional staff
FOR BUS TRIPS • One chaperone MUST travel on the bus with the participants • A professional staff member must travel in a separate vehicle following the bus. It will be the responsibility of the individual in the follow car to remain behind with any student unable to make the return trip (i.e. due to injury or arrest, etc.) • For trips with a travel time in excess of 3 hours one way, a second staff member is required to travel in the follow vehicle to allow for safe driving periods. o Additional persons may travel with the follow vehicle, HOWEVER, sufficient space must remain in the vehicle for up to 2 additional persons to travel on the return trip if necessary CHAPERONE RESPONSIBILITIES • Insure waiver collection and completion. • Verify attendance lists • Provide contact information for each participant in case of emergency. • Remain with an participant unable to return to campus. STUDENTS UNABLE TO RETURN TO CAMPUS In the event that a student participant is unable to travel with the group returning to campus (e.g. due to injury, arrest, etc.) the professional staff traveling in the follow 17
vehicle must remain with the participant. The staff member will remain until one of the following criteria are met: • The student is released and cleared to travel. The student will then travel with the professional staff member back to campus. • The parent or legal guardian of the participant arrives on the scene. • You are granted permission by the Assistant Director of your campus, the Director of Student Support, Director of Residence Life or the Associate Vice President for Residence Life.
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Professional staff remaining with a student shall have all related expenses paid for by the department. As soon as this possibility arises, the staff member should immediately contact either the Assistant Director for her/his campus or the Assistant Director on Duty. The AD is authorized to arrange payment for any hotel accommodations required for a stay. In addition, receipts for meals will be reimbursed at the rate established within the University’s guidelines for approved travel. WAIVERS • Staff are responsible for obtaining waivers approved by risk management (samples are included within the manual.) • Waiver form should include a cell phone contact for participant and an emergency contact. • Each student must legibly sign and submit the waiver PROCESS
A roster of attendees must be printed before departure. Each chaperone must have a copy of the roster. One roster should be used to record attendance prior to departure from campus. A second roster should be used to record attendance prior to departure from the event location. The attendance sheets must be reconciled by two chaperones. A final head count should be conducted immediately at departure. Participants should be directed not to get on lines, rides or new admissions up to one hour prior to departure.
PROGRAMMING TYPES PASSIVE PROGRAMMING Passive programs convey information in a logical, interesting format in which no active participation is necessary. Residents are able to absorb the information at their own pace. To have a successful passive program, one must follow the three P's format with: planning, presentation, and placement.
ACTIVE PROGRAMMING Active programs are planned and facilitated by a Residence Life staff member that engages and promotes participation from the resident audience.
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EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMMING INITIATIVES: BACK TO BASICS VALUE(S): CARE We all know midterm and final exam periods can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Oftentimes our residents simply need a quick timeout to refocus and relax. Create an atmosphere where residents can de-stress but also take away valuable exam success tips. Coloring, crafts, Playdoh, stress balls, snacks and cartoons – nothing stressful about these items! Assemble a variety of activities such as coloring books with crayons and markers; board games; finger paints; ingredients to make Playdoh and stress-balls; put on your floor’s favorite cartoon or funny movie and let the good times roll! Surf the web to find coloring book free templates, recipes for how to make Playdoh and stress balls, and even find old-school cartoons. Your building and campus office has many of the remaining resources you’ll need to get this party started! Be sure to have study tip handouts for everyone that attends or, use that information and other stress-relief activities and make a bulletin board. Perhaps ask residents to make a card or craft for another resident who may be feeling stressed at this time. TODAY I FEEL… Value(s): Care, Expression, Responsibility Looking for a creative way to introduce the Counseling Center and resources to your community? Wouldn’t it be helpful for you and others to know how your residents were feeling? Consider inviting a representative from the Counseling Center to speak to your
community about the many services they offer, including recognizing distress in others, and how to best refer someone to the Counseling Center. In addition, introduce the poster board of ‘emoticons’ (happy, sad, frustrated, grumpy, excited, etc.) as well as the necessary craft supplies to complete their individual emoticon display. Whether added to individual room doors, or as part of a passive bulletin board, residents can change their emoticons as needed. Simply print out a variety of emoticons from the web, provide popsicle sticks with resident’s names written on the stick, have snacks ready, and after speaking with the Counseling Center, collaborate on the development of a handout with Counseling Center information. CLUE – DINNER THEATRE Value(s): Care, Reflection, Responsibility It was resident “X”, on the 2nd floor with a laptop! Do your residents leave their doors unlocked? Are you tired of hearing, “I left for just a minute and someone took my “X”? Here’s a fun way to create a learning experience around personal safety without an actual theft happening. Invite your residents to a floor spaghetti dinner, informing them it’s simply a social event. Before the dinner however, work with other residents or staff and create a video (using staff or resident rooms – with approval) showing a mock-theft of personal items. During the dinner, have an actor come to you as the RA/AA stating their items were stolen and they need help finding the culprit. Use your dinner guests to trace the steps and attempt to identify the person(s) responsible. Ask: Who was in the building when the incident occurred? Was anyone mad 19
or upset with you? How long were you away? Did you have guests? Etc. Eventually you’ll share safety tips with your dinner guests so they can learn from a mock-theft. Ask residents to reflect on their role in making the community safer and preventing crime in the hall. RUPD is available to assist in speaking to your guests about personal safety. Make it a passive program by sending your community your video along with safety tips, or assemble a bulletin board with tips and photos of funny items being stolen. SCREAM THEATRE - STUDENTS CHALLENGING REALITIES AND EDUCATING AGAINST MYTHS Value(s): Care, Engagement, Reflection, Responsibility SCREAM Theater is a peer educational, interactive theater program that educates students and initiates dialogue about issues of interpersonal violence including sexual assault, dating violence, same-sex violence, stalking, bullying, and peer harassment. The skits created and acted out by undergraduate students from Rutgers University, can address tough, but important topics. Ask students to reflect on their role in creating a safer environment and being engaged bystanders. For more information on scheduling a SCREAM performance, please contact the Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance at 848-932-1181. Note: requests for performances should be made two to three weeks in advance! CUSTODIAL APPRECIATION Value(s): Care, Engagement, Expression, Reflection, Responsibility
Have you thanked your hall custodial staff recently? It’s no surprise that our custodial staffs are members of our hall communities and therefore should be treated with the same respect and kindness as you expect for yourself. Empower your community to pause and appreciate the role they play and the service they provide. Whether it’s a giant floor thank you card and breakfast, a video from your floor sharing the many ways the custodial staff are appreciated, or a series of homemade thank you cards; your custodial staff deserve recognition. Consider interviewing your custodial staff and making a bulletin board to connect a personal story with a name. Better yet, be sure to add your custodial staff’s photos to your ‘Meet the Staff’ information at the start of the year! Encourage the students to think about how they can assist the custodial staff in maintaining an aesthetically pleasing space. BE POWERFUL, BE HEARD! Value(s): Care, Engagement, Responsibility Did you know an estimated 23 million young Americans under the age of 30 voted in the 2008 presidential election, an increase of 3.4 million compared with 2004? Consider the role you can make as just one person… help register your residents to vote! The process is much simpler than you think. Set up a time and date for the voter registration drive. Be sure you have enough table space for students to complete the necessary voter registration forms. Although many of our residents come from New Jersey, be sure to have the generic form that works for all 50 states. Gather enough volunteers, depending on the size of your drive and provide enough pencils and 20
state-specific mailing envelopes pre-prepared for each state. Information that comes with voter registration forms will help answer any frequently asked questions. Kick it up a notch and focus on two areas outside of basic registration: education and mobilization. Registration alone does not get voters to the polls. Post objective candidate profiles and educate students on how to locate their home polling location. At the conclusion, count the votes, send them in, and finally publicize the results. It may take some planning but consider the difference you’ll make! For NJ election information visit: http://www.njelections.org/.
markers, stickers, scissors, tape etc.) residents can use to decorate their doors. Go on a Dollar Store adventure and see how many fun items you can add to the mix. Consider purchasing foam or plastic frames; roommate photos on doors can help residents remember who lives there. Use materials to spell out name(s), showcase personal or academic interests, majors, hometowns, and more! Purchase some fun snacks, play music in the background, or have pre-made ‘getting to know you’ questions ready to get the conversation started. You can kick it up a notch too with a competitive spin! Organize judging for: the most telling door decorations, most colorful, most original, etc.
SUSTAINABILITY 101 Value(s): Care, Reflection, Responsibility College is a time when students are finding their way and living on their own for the first time. This is when we can empower residents to start making a solid effort to make a change and go green. It can be overwhelming when someone first starts trying to go green, but there are a lot of simple ways to make a change. Educate your residents on simple ways to be use more sustainable practices – either through an active program or by posting ‘easy ways to go green’ information and tips on your bulletin board. Recycle, Reduce and Reuse. Wash clothes in cold water; take notes on a laptop instead of notebook paper; get an ecofriendly water bottle; turn off the lights behind you – as options.
FLOOR MUSIC VIDEO Value(s): Expression Work with your community and identify a song, or songs, that represent your floor. Schedule and advertise times for residents to gather, over food perhaps, and plan the various scenes. Who wants to act? Who can direct? Who can edit? Who wants to help with costume design and decorations? Be sure to create a role for every resident interested. When the video is complete, plan a viewing social or share the video link with your community. Encourage your peer staff members to do the same – perhaps you can create a theme “80s”, “90s” music or create floor video competitions! Create memories that last a life time!
DOOR DECORATING – CONTEST Value(s): Expression Assemble various craft materials (i.e. construction paper, magazines, newsprint,
PAJAMA-JAMA Value(s): Expression Walk the cat-walk in the latest PJs fashion! Here’s a great way to get your residents 21
together and in the most comfortable way – in their PJs! Advertise a Pajama-Jama to your community complete with ‘free food’, assorted board and video games, and yes, even a runway contest. Create categories for judging (best PJs, best runway walk), identify a great catwalk space and award winners with fun and inexpensive prizes. Take pictures and create a post-program bulletin board showcasing winners. Consider preparing ‘getting to know you’ or ‘If’ questions in advance, to get the conversation started.
EVERYTHING IS PINK! Value(s): Engagement, Expression, Responsibility Don’t assume your residents know how to do laundry. Either as part of a “How to” series or as a stand-alone event, schedule an opportunity for residents to learn how to successfully wash clothes without ruining the batch. Consider purchasing a laundry basket, detergent and fabric softener as a contest prize. Ask attendees to line up behind the purchased laundry baskets in several smaller groups. Place a hula hoop or create a circle with an outfit in the middle (one outfit per small group) and instruct the first member of each team, in relay fashion, to run to the hoop, put on the outfit, run back to the laundry basket, remove the outfit and continue the process until the first full team completes the task. The winning team receives the basket(s) and goodies! At the conclusion, instruct residents how to: properly separate clothes, use the correct amount of detergent, and ways to use
fabric softener. Post Laundry 101 tips or distribute as handouts. EVERYONE LOVES A TOURNAMENT! Value(s): Engagement Spark that competitive spirit; organize a tournament for your floor around ping-pong, pool, board, or video games. Oftentimes you’ll find a shared interest in a particular game or hobby can really connect people regardless of background, major, etc. Assess the interests of your residents as well as your building’s resources. Do you have a ping-pong table? How about a pool table? Are board games or video games more an interest? Whichever is more attractive, ask all interested residents to sign up by a given date/time. Then, create a bracket, post it in the community, and begin the tournament. Consider hosting a practice day so any resident can learn and participate. Review campus programming resources as most of the tools you need have already been purchased! Consider providing snacks, prizes for winners, and be sure to announce tournament winners to the greater community. STUDY BUDDIES! Value(s): Care, Engagement, Responsibility You may have noticed that when you’re explaining something you’ve learned to a friend, you begin to understand it better yourself. It makes sense, when you explain an idea; you need to think more deeply about it. Helping your residents create study groups can offer multiple benefits including: reinforced note-taking, sharing of talents, covering more ground through delegation, creating a support system and of course, socialization and 22
networking. Create a simple survey or bulletin board asking your community which classes they are taking, who would be interested in joining “X” study group (Expository Writing for example) as well as who feels comfortable tutoring “X” subject. Once you have sign up lists, facilitate study nights. You may decide to provide some light snacks as well. If you have separate stairwells, consider merging each signup sheet when complete and send out the full sheet to your community. Or, consider using a group Facebook page to facilitate participation.
PICTURE ACADEMIC SUCCESS: SCAVENGER HUNT Value(s): Engagement, Responsibility Rutgers provides a myriad of academic and personal supports however many residents don’t know they exist, or if they do, where to find them. Here’s a fun way to get residents moving, embrace team-work, and learn the locations of important resources around the University. Being mindful of your community (particular majors, class year, transfer, etc.), create a list of ‘check-points’ teams will have to visit (i.e. Learning Centers, Writing Centers, Career Services, Recreation Centers, Professor’s offices) on their journey, as well as rules and expectations associated with ‘winning’. Perhaps each full team must take a photo in front of each check-point and the first team back, having taken photos at each checkpoint, wins. Get creative! Provide clear directions, consider prizes, and be sure to announce winners!
LANDING THAT INTERNSHIP Value(s): Engagement, Reflection, Responsibility Landing an internship can be one of the most important yet stressful things students do before graduation. Encourage your students to start thinking about what steps they need to take in order to transition into life after college. Between resume and cover letter writing, professional etiquette, and interview preparations, how can you help residents rise to the top of the list for their dream internship? Work with Career Services and set up a mini ‘fair’. Be sure to visit Career Services’ online site for a variety of tips and resources. Set up tables or different ‘stations’ responding to specific topic areas: resume critique, professional etiquette and attire, mock interviews, etc. Prepare handouts with important tips and facts, especially Career Services contact and program information. Remember, when working with other departments, be sure to communicate effectively, (what role you each play in the program) but also plan in advance. Career Services will need advance notice to mobilize their efforts.
HERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF PROGRAMMING IDEAS: NEWSLETTERS • These can be a great way to stay connected to your residents. These can be weekly or monthly or even per semester and can be in paper form or electronic. Add community updates or fun facts and advertise programs. 23
o Should be approved by supervisor before printing and dissemination occurs BULLETIN BOARDS • This is a great way to pass on information to your residents and to have them participate in the community. o Should be interactive, educational and visually-appealing SOCIAL MEDIA • This is a great way to stay connected to residents throughout the year. This is a great medium to do contests, polls and to advertise programs and events. o Should be inclusive and you should monitor the page regularly BROCHURE (SERIES) • Create a brochure that is informative and relates to subject-matter or information you want to share with your community. o Should be approved by supervisor before printing and dissemination occurs MEETINGS • These can be room, floor, or building meetings • Reflection and agenda included with floor/community meetings • Reach out to non-attendees to ensure all residents received information SOCIALS • This can be fun and educational. This is your chance to plan and facilitate a “traditional” program.
LECTURE SERIES • Bring in a faculty or another professional staff member to talk about a topic that is relevant to your community • Include a handout or written information of some sort UNIVERSITY EVENT • Take your residents to an event that is happening on campus (RUPA event, lecture, etc.) o Create your own publicity for the event and make sure to get a supervisor-chosen number of residents to this event. DEPARTMENTAL EVENT • Take your residents to a departmental event (Step into the Spotlight, Big Pink, etc.) o Create your own publicity for the event and make sure to get a supervisor-chosen number of residents to this event. TRIP • This can be a museum, theme park, community service initiative, etc. o Waivers and Professional staff chaperones are necessary o Pre-sell any needed tickets COMMUNITY SERVICE • This can be anything from raising money to collecting items in-hall to going out and volunteering time. o Refer to the community service manual.
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RESIDENCE HALL ASSOCIATION (RHA) OVERVIEW MISSION The mission of Residence Hall Association (RHA) is to celebrate the unique campus residential cultures while bringing together the larger New Brunswick/Piscataway residential community. RHA will provide educational, service, and social programming, leadership development opportunities and student advocacy as the representative body for students living in residence.
RHA”). Every hall on campus has its own Hall Government that is run by an elected executive board. Regular meetings are attended by any resident in the building who wants to be actively involved in their community. LEADERSHIP POSITIONS AND TITLES The executive Committee of the overall RHA consists of the RHA Executive President, Executive Vice President, Director of Advocacy, Director of Leadership Development, Director of Technology, Director of University Relations, Director of Finance, and the National Communications Coordinator (NCC). The executive committee also includes RHA Residential Council Chairs and Vice-Chairs for Livingston, Busch, College Avenue, and Cook/Douglass. Each Hall/Apartment Government will also have an executive board elected to represent each hall community on Residential Councils and the university-wide General Assembly.
WEB ADDRESS: www.rha.rutgers.edu EMAIL ADDRESS: reshalls@rci.rutgers.edu THE RESIDENCE HALL ASSOCIATION CONSISTS OF: • The overall RHA organization is run by the Executive Board. RHA has General Assembly meetings every Monday which are attended by the entire executive board and a member of every hall government on campus. • 4 different Residential Councils. These 4 organizations are run by the Chair and Vice Chair for their respective campus. Residential Council meetings also happen on a weekly basis and are attended by a member from every hall government on that campus. • Hall Governments. Some halls use the term Hall Governments, some use the term RHA (such as: “I belong to the Metzger
ELECTIONS Elections for the RHA Executive Committee and Presidents for upper-class halls are held in the spring of the year prior to service on RHA. Each Residence Hall and Apartment staff will provide information to residents about Hall/Apartment Government involvement at the beginning of the fall semester and elections will occur in September of each year for the other positions in upper-class halls and all positions in first year halls. Specific hall and apartment representatives will be elected by members of their particular hall/apartment to represent the community on their respective campus and university-wide governing bodies. Elections may be held at various times during the academic year in the event of unanticipated openings. 25
MEETING TIMES HALL AND APARTMENT GOVERNMENTS Each residence hall and apartment will determine the day and time in which their respective government will meet. General assembly and Executive Board meetings should rotate on an every other week basis for your Hall Government. Resident Assistants and Apartment Assistants will be expected to be supportive of hall/apartment government initiatives and should attend at least one general assembly meeting per month. RHA GENERAL ASSEMBLY & RESIDENTIAL COUNCILS The RHA General Assembly is RHA’s universitywide governing body which will be comprised of one representative (usually the VicePresident of the Hall/Apartment Government) from each hall/apartment government. The General Assembly will focus on university-wide advocacy, community development, and RHA sponsored initiatives. Residential Councils serve as the governing bodies for individual campuses and will focus on community development and the implementation and execution of RHA sponsored initiatives on the campus level. RHA General Assembly meetings will take place on Monday evenings at 8pm. Individual residential council and hall/apartment government meetings will be determined by the students who make up these groups once they are elected in September. RHA GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Mondays, 8pm – McCormick Lounge (Busch Campus) BUSCH RESIDENTIAL COUNCIL: Wednesdays, 8pm COOK/DOUGLASS RESIDENTIAL COUNCIL: Wednesdays, 8pm
COLLEGE AVENUE RESIDENTIAL COUNCIL: Sundays, 8pm LIVINGSTON RESIDENTIAL COUNCIL: Wednesdays, 8pm INVOLVEMENT There are several opportunities for your residents to become actively involved in Rutgers Residence Hall Association! They can run for a position on your Hall/Apartment Government executive board, attend RHA General Assembly, Residential Council or individual Hall/Apartment Government meetings, serve on a committee, or attend an RHA sponsored program or event! GETTING INVOLVED IN RHA AT RUTGERS IS REALLY SIMPLE. HERE ARE A FEW WAYS THAT YOU CAN GET YOUR STUDENTS EXCITED ABOUT GETTING INVOLVED IN RHA: •
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Take your students to an RHA sponsored event. RHA events are a great opportunity for you to connect with your residents and can also serve as an opportunity for students to get excited about residential leadership opportunities. These programs can be large scale programs put on by the greater RHA, or smaller programs put on by your Hall Government Talk to your residents about their past leadership experience and encourage them to get involved in RHA or Hall/Apartment Governments. Sometimes all it takes to get students really excited about Hall Government is a suggestion from one of their peers. If you hear a resident talking about something they want to change or an idea they have for the hall/campus, tell them that they should go to Hall Government/Residential Council/RHA and bring up the idea. Giving students the 26
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chance to be empowered and make an impact on their halls is a powerful thing. Ask your residents to help you plan a program. Allowing your residents to help you in the program planning process may spark their interest and will provide them with the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. Take your students to an RHA or Hall Government meeting. General Assembly meetings serve as a forum for students to express ideas, concerns, and opinions about policies and/ or procedures that impact the residential community.
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Most importantly, you can support your residents in their student leadership endeavors by recognizing their efforts and talking with them about what’s happening in Hall/Apartment Government. Once they are involved, make sure to support them. Ask them how things are going and what they are creating. Take the 5 minutes to write an Of The Month (OTM) nomination to recognize their hard work at www.otms.nrhh.org.
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RESIDENCE LIFE
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RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
RESIDENCE LIFE STAFF
The department of Residence Life has many different staff positions created to best serve the needs of our students. For Resident and Apartment Assistants the staff structure looks like this:
RAs/AAs are essential to the work we do in our residence halls and apartments – you are the link between our students and our department. Your job description and a sample copy of your contract can be found in the appendix of this manual.
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STAFF PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES
As an employee of Rutgers Residence Life, Resident Assistants and Apartment Assistants are expected to fulfill the expectations and duties of their position. Upon occasion staff members make mistakes and fail to fulfill the duties/responsibilities. THE GOALS OF RESIDENCE LIFE IN THESE SITUATIONS ARE TO: • Work with the RA/AA to improve their performance • To provide consistent and timely feedback • To provide consistent expectations for all staff • To be fair and equitable when dealing with staff who fail to meet the expectations /responsibilities. • To help identify fit for the positions, because ultimately this position may not be for everyone. GENERAL SUPERVISION: RAs and AAs will meet regularly with their supervisor to receive job performance feedback. In addition to this feedback, if these staff members fail to fulfill any of their expectations/responsibilities stated in their Job Description, Contract, Performance Appraisal and/or content identified during training, the staff member can expect that his/her supervisor will initiate a conversation about not living up to that expectation.
THERE ARE SOME SITUATIONS THAT MIGHT RESULT IN A CONVERSATION FOR THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENS. THESE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • Not checking staff mailbox regularly • Not posting flyers and information in a timely fashion • Being more than 15 minutes late for staff meetings • Missing a paperwork deadline • Missing a one-on-one • Not meeting availability expectations • Having a negative attitude/behavior as a team member • Mistaken breach of confidentiality • Missing training without the permission of supervisors • Being late for hall duty • Making a mistake in following protocol for policy/crisis response • Not completing Community Development or Programming Goals THERE ARE SOME EXPECTATIONS THAT MIGHT RESULT DIRECTLY IN A PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT PLAN (PIP) AND/OR PROBATIONARY STATUS. THESE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • Continually turning in paperwork late • Continually coming to meetings and programs late • Not being in the building for duty • Ignoring student policy violations • Not completing duty responsibilities If a staff member fails to meet expectations more than once, particularly in the same area of responsibility as the initial conversation, the staff member will meet with their supervisor/supervisors and create a plan of action that will outline how they will change their performance to meet our expectations. This is referred to as a Performance Improvement Plan, which will 30
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include specific timelines and measurable outcomes. The Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) is an official document that will be placed in the staff member’s file. There are some issues/expectations that are so serious in nature that a mistake with these will require an immediate meeting and investigation with the supervisors. If after the investigation it is believed that the staff member did fail to meet expectations, it is possible that a PIP will be developed. Again the goal of the PIP is to create a path for improvement that has specific timelines and measurable outcomes. It is also possible that a probationary period is recommended. Probation, like the PIP, is designed to allow the staff member to improve his/her performance while underscoring the need to not repeat the same mistake again. UNFORTUNATELY THERE ARE SOME ISSUES THAT MIGHT RESULT IN TERMINATION. THESE INCLUDE BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO: • Intentionally not providing duty coverage • Violation of the alcohol expectations • An act of bias • • • • •
Misuse of the Master Key Failure to meet the expectations in a PIP created An intentional breach of confidentiality Being found responsible of a violation of the University Judicial code An act that renders a staff member ineffective in their role
In these situations, RA/AAs can expect that Residence Life will conduct a full investigation of the incident. In situations where there is a possibility of termination, the Hall Director, RLC/E, Assistant Director
and Director of Residence Life for Personnel will be directly involved in the investigation and determination of the outcome. The RA/AA will meet with the supervisors to discuss the investigation and the findings. If termination is recommended, the RA/AA will work with the campus staff to create a smooth transition. If after the investigation there is a belief that the staff member did not meet the expectations but a termination is not recommended, the RA/AA will be placed on probation for a minimum of one semester and a PIP will be developed.
APPEAL PROCESS
TO APPEAL PROBATION The appeal is to the Director of Residence Life for Personnel. The appeal must be put in writing within 2 business days of the notification of the probation. The Director will investigate and respond in writing to the appeal within 3 business days of receipt of the appeal request. TO APPEAL A TERMINATION The appeal is to the Executive Director of Residence Life. The appeal must be made in wiring within 3 business days of the notification of the termination. The Executive Director will investigate and respond in writing to the appeal within 5 business days of receipt of the appeal request.
STAFF AND ALOCHOL
EXPECTATIONS
For many staff this area creates some particularly difficult decisions. It is important that staff is aware of the use of 31
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picture tags in facebook, and the capabilities of cell phones in videotaping behaviors. We encourage all staff to have discussions with their supervisor about these regulations and think carefully about the decisions that are made. • • • • •
RAs must obey all state, local, and federal laws regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. RAs under the age of 21, may not drink alcohol, nor be under the influence of alcohol, on campus. RAs, regardless of age, cannot be publicly intoxicated in the residence halls. RAs, regardless of age, cannot consume alcohol on any day that they are on duty. RAs, regardless of age, cannot host social gatherings/parties which include alcohol, in their assigned room/suite.
STAFF
EVALUATIONS During the course of employment with Rutgers Residence Life each staff member will have the opportunity to both receive and give feedback from their peers and supervisors. Our goal in providing feedback to staff is to work to continually improve our service to students and to make each staff member as successful as possible in their position. In addition to on-going feedback there will be two formal evaluation periods during the course of the year. The first evaluation will take place in January with information gathered from students, peers and supervisors. A second formal evaluation will occur in April to identify changes that have occurred since fall semester and for staff that are not returning provide a summary evaluation /reference to be place in the staff members personnel file. In addition, 2 informal evaluations with the direct supervisor will take place 6 weeks into each semester. During the evaluation process staff will also be given the opportunity to provide written feedback to their peers and supervisors. A copy of the evaluation form that will be used will be available by the beginning of August.
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RESIDENCE LIFE POLICIES
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ALCOHOL POLICY
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Alcohol cannot be possessed or consumed in rooms, suites, or apartments where all residents are under the age of 21. Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed in a public area of the residences. All areas in a residence hall, except for private rooms, are considered public areas. When the door of a private room is open, the room is considered a public area. Only those of legal drinking age may transport closed containers of alcohol. Individuals under the age of 21 may not consume alcohol. Only those of legal drinking age may be served alcohol. Individuals may not provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age. Those who do are subject to penalties under University regulations and under New Jersey state law. Drinking games or other behaviors designed for the purpose of rapid and/or excessive consumption of alcohol are prohibited. At no time should activities which encourage excessive drinking and/or lead to the endangerment of the individual served take place in the residence halls. All parties and social events which include alcohol in apartment and/or suite-style living environments, must be registered and approved by the Residence Life Coordinator no less than 48 hours prior to the event. All registration forms must state the type of, and amount of, alcohol to be available at the events, as well as the
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specific names of sponsors, monitors, and bartenders. Students living in apartment and/or suite-style living environments who fail to register social events with alcohol, may lose their privilege to host any gatherings in the future, and may go through the residence life adjudication process. No tap alcohol beverages, including kegs, are permitted in the residence hall rooms or suites. A ban on keg deliveries is imposed in the residence halls and suites. In apartments, a limit of one ¼ keg, is permitted with the permission of the Residence Life Coordinator At least half the beverages provided to guests must be non-alcoholic. Food should be available in sufficient quantities. One student must be provided to check IDs and one student to serve alcohol. Bartenders must be of legal drinking age. Sponsors, monitors, and bartenders must not drink or be intoxicated while serving in their positions and will be held responsible for the behavior and actions of those attending the event. All parties and social events must end by 1:30 am. Those persons registering the social event are responsible for the behavior and actions of all persons attending the event. The Residence Life Coordinator may limit the number of registered social gatherings in any hall or area. It is a University regulation that parties and social gatherings involving alcohol may only take place on Fridays and Saturdays. In accordance with the University and College policies, the Residence Life staff 34
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may intervene in, or terminate any parties or social events that are illegal, unregistered, or disruptive to the community. • Any student, regardless of age, found to be acutely intoxicated, will be evaluated by Emergency Services for possible hospital treatment. Any student, regardless of age, requiring hospital treatment, will be subsequently evaluated by the Alcohol and Other Drug Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students. • All Residents will be held responsible for the behavior of their guest, which includes Rutgers students. As a new addition to the New Jersey State law, the following applies to our students as well as it relates to law violations: • An underage person and one or two other persons shall be immune from prosecution under this section if: o one of the underage persons called 9-1-1 and reported that another underage person was in need of medical assistance due to alcohol consumption; o the underage person who called 9-1-1 and, if applicable, one or two others persons acting in concert with the underage person who called 9-1-1 provided each of their names to the 9-1-1 operator; o the underage person was the first person to make the 9-1-1 report; and o the underage person and, if applicable, one or two other persons acting in concert with the underage person who made the 9-1-1 call remained on the scene with the person under the legal age in need of medical
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assistance until assistance arrived and cooperated with medical assistance and law enforcement personnel on the scene. The underage person who received medical assistance also shall be immune from prosecution under this section.
ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE POLICY
Students may be held accountable for damages associated with the property of other students or University property. Students may be held responsible for damages they cause intentionally or accidentally. For example, this could include damages resulting from a cooking fire, playing hall sports, or setting off the sprinkler system. If your negligence results in damage to the property of others or to the University, you may be held responsible for the subsequent damages.
BULLYING POLICY
POLICY AGAINST VERBAL ASSAULT, HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, BULLYING, AND DEFAMATION STATEMENT OF PRINCIPLES • Intolerance, bigotry, and bullying are antithetical to the values of the 35
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university, and unacceptable within the Rutgers community. One of the ways the university seeks to effect this value is through a policy of nondiscrimination, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, atypical heredity or cellular blood trait, military service or veteran status in university programs. In order to reinforce institutional goals of nondiscrimination, tolerance, and civility, the following policy against verbal assault, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and defamation is intended to inform students that the verbal assault, harassment, intimidation, bullying and defamation of others violates acceptable standards of conduct within the university. (This policy is not intended to supersede the university’s policy against sexual harassment.) Verbal assault, harassment, intimidation, bullying, or defamation interferes with the mission of the university. Each member of this community is expected to be sufficiently tolerant of others so that all students are free to pursue their goals in an open environment, able to participate in the free exchange of ideas, and able to share equally in the benefits of our educational opportunities. Beyond that, each member of the community is encouraged to do all that she or he can to ensure that the university is fair, humane, and responsible to all students.
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A community establishes standards in order to be able to fulfill its mission. The policy against verbal assault, harassment, intimidation, bullying, and defamation seeks to guarantee certain minimum standards. Free speech and the open discussion of ideas are an integral part of the university community and are fully encouraged, but acts that restrict the rights and opportunities of others through violence, intimidation, the destruction of property, or verbal assault which has the effect of inciting violence or causing undue alarm, even if communicative in nature, are not protected speech and are to be condemned.
PROHIBITED CONDUCT POLICY
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ACTS, EVEN IF COMMUNICATIVE IN NATURE, ARE PROHIBITED "SEPARATION OFFENSES" (CHARGES THAT COULD LEAD TO SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROM THE UNIVERSITY) UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE UNIVERSITY CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT: •
Use of force against the person or property of any member of the university community or against the person or property of anyone on university premises, or the threat of such physical abuse. (Verbal assault
36
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
•
• •
• •
•
may be prosecuted as a "threat of ... physical abuse.") Theft of, or intentional damage to, university property, or property in the possession of, or owned by, a member of the university. (Acts of graffiti or other vandalism may be prosecuted as "intentional damage to ... property.") Bullying, intimidation, and harassment: a person acts with the purpose to bully, intimidate, and harass another by: Making, or causing to be made, a communication or communications (including the use of electronic and/or social media) anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm; or .Subjecting another to striking, kicking, shoving, or other offensive touching, or threatening to do so; or. Engaging in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committed acts with purpose to alarm or seriously annoy such other person, such that the behavior substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the institution or the rights of other students to participate in or benefit from the educational program. Defamation, which is judicially defined to mean, and here means, the unprivileged oral, written, or electronic publication of a false statement of fact that exposes the person about whom it is made to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or subjects that person to loss of the good will and confidence of others, or so harms that person’s reputation as to deter others from associating with her or him. Defamation is considered a separation
•
offense under the University Code of Student Conduct as a "heinous act." While any of the four categories of acts listed above is a separation offense, that, if proven, could lead to a sanction of expulsion or suspension from the university under the provisions of the University Code of Student Conduct, clearly minor instances of such prohibited behavior, while not treated as separation offenses requiring a university-level hearing, may still be inconsistent with community standards. The initial judgments of whether a particular act is of a separable or non-separable levels are made by the appropriate university official and are subject to review by the Senior Student Affairs Officer or designee. Students who believe themselves to be victims of verbal assault, intimidation, bullying, harassment or defamation should report such incidents to the dean or the dean of students of their college, school or campus. In addition, the following individuals have been identified to handle complaints: NEW BRUNSWICK • Joe DiMichele, Director of Student Conduct 115 College Avenue, Rm 104, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (p) (848) 932-9414 • Judy Ryan, Director of Compliance for Student Affairs 83 Somerset Street, Rm 101 New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281 (p) (848) 932-2406
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RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CAMDEN • Mary Beth Daisey, Associate Chancellor for Student Affairs 303 Cooper Street, Camden NJ 08102 (p) (856) 225-6050 (00076 150.1 / 009762) • Thomas DiVa Ierio, Associate Dean of Student Activities Campus Center, 326 Penn Street, Camden, NJ 08102-1410 (p) (856) 225-6161 NEWARK • Charnette Hockaday, Office of Judicial Affairs and Ethical Development Robeson Campus Center, 350 ML King Jr Boulevard, Rm 352 Newark, NJ 07102-1898 (p) (973) 353-5022 • Gerald Massenburg, Associate Chancellor for Student Life Newark Chancellor’s Office, 123 Washington Street, Rm 590, Newark, NJ 07102 (p) (973) 353-5541 Individuals who wish to discuss any matter with the police or if they feel they are in need of immediate police attention may contact the Rutgers University Police Department: • New Brunswick - (732) 932 -7111 • Camden - (856) 225-6111 • Newark - (973) 353-5111 Some complaints can be and should be resolved by informal methods, while others will require the implementation of formal procedures. All complaints are treated confidentially; complainants are encouraged to report incidents even if they do not
wish to pursue the matter beyond the reporting stage.
DISRUPTIVE BEHAVIOR POLICY
Living in a residential community requires students to take independent responsibility for their own self-care and the impact of their behavior on others. Students whose behavior disrupts the community may be asked to adhere to an action plan and/or leave the residence halls if such behavior continues to disrupt the residential community. If the disruption constitutes a violation of law, the Rutgers Police will be notified.
DRUG
POLICY
Any suspicion of illegal drug use in residence halls will be immediately reported to Rutgers University Police. Use or possession of illegal drugs may result in arrest, loss of housing without refund, and mandatory assignment of substance counseling. Distribution of drugs will result in arrest and can result in permanent expulsion from the University.
38
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
FIRE SAFETY POLICY •
•
Due to the extreme dangers presented by fire hazards in student rooms, the University will continually monitor all living areas through Residence Life Staff visits and formal, unannounced inspections by representatives of the University Fire Department, the Division of Housing, and Residence Life. Fire extinguishers, smoke and heat detectors, fire alarm bells, and pull stations are critical to life safety and should never be damaged, vandalized, or misused. State and Federal laws require stiff penalties for the abuse of these items, including possible arrest.
PROHIBITED
COOKING DEVICES • • • • • • • •
Hot Plates Immersion Coils Electric Skillets Broilers Toaster ovens without safety shut-off Hot Pots without safety shut-off Microwaves not provided by the University Portable stoves / grills
Cooking is not allowed in residence hall or suite rooms, or in areas other than the kitchens of apartments or the community kitchens in designated residence halls.
PROHIBITED
ROOM HEATING DEVICES Room heating devices not issued by the Division of Housing are prohibited in all housing areas. This includes all space heaters.
PROHIBITED
DECORATIONS Oil lamps, candles, and incense are expressly prohibited in all residence areas. Decorative candles with wicks removed are NOT permitted. No more then 30% of the wall surface may be covered with posters. Large flags, fish netting, tapestries, or large cloth hangings are not permitted on walls or ceilings.
OTHER PROHIBITIONS •
• • •
No flammable liquids, such as paint thinner, oil based paint, dry cleaning fluid, etc. shall be stored in any resident rooms or areas not specifically approved for such storage. No motorcycle, moped, or gasoline engine shall be permitted within any residence building. Fireworks and sparklers are prohibited in all residence halls, apartments, or suites. Extension are not permitted, instead, you can have a surge protector. Cords may not run under rugs or closet doors, nor secured to building surfaces or furniture. 39
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
•
Torchiere halogen lamps are not allowed
COMMON SENSE RULES
Residents are urged to be fire conscious at all times. Observance of the common sense rules listed below will help to protect your life and perhaps save the lives of your friends. • • •
Do not place combustible articles on radiators or radiator covers. Do not attach anything to the ceiling light fixture or ceiling mounted sprinklers and/or smoke detectors. Do not overload electrical outlets. Multiple plug adapters are permitted ONLY when not more than two (2) appliance cords are attached. Only one (1) plug adapter is permitted per wall receptacle.
GAMBLING POLICY
In compliance with New Jersey state law, gambling of any kind is prohibited in the residence halls. Activities including, but not limited to poker, card games, sports pools, or any wagering where money or something of value is risked upon the uncertain outcome of a contest or future contingent event may not be held or advertised within any public space in the residence halls or any residence hall room. Gambling can also be a crime/disorderly persons offense
GUEST POLICY
University Housing is provided for the exclusive use of Rutgers students as assigned by the campus housing offices. Guests are permitted for no more than three nights; all the while, residents are advised that they are responsible for the behavior of their guests. A student may not permit visitors to use the housing facilities for any period of time, over the objection of their roommate(s), if it becomes a source of complaint by other residents or university staff, or when its use becomes, through duration or frequency, a de facto subcontracting of space to an unauthorized person. Violation of the guest policy may result in judicial action and/or termination of the resident's housing agreement and removal of the guest from university housing. When you invite a guest to visit you, provide him/her with your telephone number and ask that s/he calls upon arrival. Do not prop any entry doors open, an alarm may sound and your convenience could lead to another resident being robbed or injured. It is your responsibility to meet your guest at the building entrance. Do not allow strangers into your home. Persons making deliveries are not allowed in the facility unless met and accompanied by a resident.
40
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
HALL SPORTS
LOUNGE USE
For the safety of other students and the integrity of our facilities, residents may not engage in any sporting activities within the residence hall rooms, lobbies, hallways or other public areas. Sporting related activities include but are not limited to, rollerblading, Frisbee, hockey, golf, bowling, as well as the use of skateboards, scooters, or water guns of any kind. Students found in violation of this policy will be responsible for any damage caused by their conduct.
Lounges and recreational areas located within residence halls are for the exclusive use of Residence Life Staff including Hall Government officers and section leaders. Those staff members who hold concurrent positions with other student clubs or organizations may not utilize these spaces in their roles within these extracurricular activities.
POLICY
INDEPENDENT LIVING POLICY
Living in a residential community requires students to take independent responsibility for their own self-care and the impact of their behavior on others. Student self-care includes, but is not limited to getting enough rest, eating well, maintaining personal hygiene, managing illnesses, and seeking the appropriate care wherever necessary. Students are encouraged to use the many resources on campus prepared to assist them in this goal of independent living. Students who are unable to care for themselves or whose behavior disrupts the community may be asked to adhere to an action plan and/or leave the residence halls if such behavior continues to disrupt the residential community.
POLICY
All social programs must be sponsored by Residence Life Staff, Hall Government, and/or Special Interest Section Leaders. Social events must meet the following guidelines: • • • •
•
•
•
Events cannot be advertised outside the building. Admissions fees may not be charged at the door. Audience size may not exceed fire regulations. If more than 100 people are expected to attend, the event must be approved by the Residence Life Coordinator and Rutgers Police. The sponsoring staff and Graduate Supervisor must determine together who will be responsible to monitor the event. The event must be in compliance with all Rutgers University and Rutgers Residence Life regulations including (but not limited to) maximum occupancy, fire regulations, security requirements, and alcohol restrictions. Outside organizations may co-sponsor educational programs with Residence Life Staff and other in-hall leadership 41
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
•
•
•
•
positions in accordance with the following criteria: Submission and approval of a proposal for co-sponsorship to the Residence Life Coordinator responsible for that area. All advertising must include the cosponsorship of the Residence Life Staff and must be approved by the Residence Life Coordinator. The event must be open to all building residents and may not be limited to members of the co-sponsoring organization. The event must be in compliance with all Rutgers University and Rutgers Residence Life regulations including (but not limited to) maximum occupancy, fire regulations, security requirements, and alcohol restrictions.
MURAL PAINTING POLICY
Students who wish to paint murals in the halls in which they reside must submit a written proposal to the Assistant Director for Residence Life on their campus. Students must indicate in the proposal that they understand that they are accepting complete responsibility for the proper completion of the mural without damage to that hall. The residents of each hall may be allowed to paint one mural in the public area of their hall. This mural may only be painted in the space designated, by the Assistant Director of Residence Life and the Manager
of Housing, to be the appropriate place for the mural. This space will then be covered by the Division of Housing with greenboard. The image painted on the wall must receive prior approval by the Residence Life and the Division of Housing. An image will not be judged solely by its artistic value. The most important criteria in judging an image will be its appropriateness for a diverse residential setting. Once students have begun the painting of the approved mural, they have one month in which to complete the mural. If the mural remains unfinished at the end of that time, the mural wall will be painted over and the cost of the repainting will be billed to the students who were approved to paint the mural. Purchasing of paints and supplies must be approved by Residence Life. Painting must be supervised by building Residence Staff. It is the responsibility of the student painters to obtain the support from the Residence Staff to provide that supervision. Any damages caused by the student painters will be billed to the students who received approval to complete the mural. Each mural must remain on the wall for at least three years from the time it is painted. No mural proposals will be accepted prior to the end of that period of time.
NOISE POLICY
Every student living within a residence hall at Rutgers University has the right to 42
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
privacy in her/his own room. Just as a student has the right to reasonable protection against unwarranted physical intrusion, s/he also has the right to reasonable protection against the uninvited intrusion of noise. Each student should expect to be able to sleep, study, converse, listen to the music of her/his choice, etc. within the privacy of her/his own room, reasonably free from disruption resulting from the activities of others. No time of day or day of the week may curtail these rights. A UNIFORM NOISE POLICY HAS BEEN ADOPTED BY RESIDENCE LIFE AND IS SUMMARIZED HERE: • Noise, particularly sustained, must not be readily audible within the private living quarters of other students. • Electric guitars, subwoofers, drums, and other instruments or amplification devices producing excessive volume, are prohibited in the residence halls. • The general noise level within the hall must be such that it does not interfere with the above-mentioned rights. • Sustained, loud noise originating outdoors but audible within residence halls or other University buildings will not be allowed. • Noise emanating from within one hall must not be audible within any other hall or University building. • No amplified sound is permitted at outside events without the prior permission of the Assistant Director of Residence Life. AS FOR SPECIFIC HOURS AND TIMES: • Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • Quiet Hours are in effect, Sunday through Thursday from 11pm to 10am.
• •
Quiet Hours are in effect on Friday and Saturday from midnight to 10am. 24-hour Quiet Hours are in effect during reading days and exam periods.
Note: In apartment and suite settings, there may be an extended quiet hour period for registered parties. Students living in those areas will be notified beforehand.
PET
POLICY
No pets are allowed in residence halls or apartments except service dogs and other service animals in training.
RECORDING DEVICES POLICY
In accordance with the Code of Student Conduct, Section 10 (u) and 10 aa the following behavior is prohibited and will result in notification of the Rutgers Police and possible arrest, as well as possible removal from the university: Making or attempting to make an audio or video recording of any person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. Section 10 (aa): Undisclosed and unauthorized recording of other individuals within the University community* 43
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
* Students are expected to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the University community. Accordingly, students are not permitted to make or attempt to make an audio or video recording of private, nonpublic conversations and/or meetings on University premises, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. In such circumstances the uses of undisclosed hidden recording devices is prohibited, as is the transmission and/or distribution of any such recordings. This provision does not extend to the recording of public events or discussions, or to recordings made for law enforcement purposes.
SMOKING POLICY
Smoking including electronic cigarettes are prohibited in all areas of all residence halls and apartments including those not owned by the university such as Rockoff Hall. Smoking should be done 25 feet away from the main entrances of all buildings.There is a disorderly persons charge for smoking in a number of locations.
SOLICITATION POLICY
No door-to-door soliciting or canvassing is allowed in residence halls or apartments at any time. University recognized student groups may request permission to have a table for solicitation in the main lobby of
each hall by contacting the Residence Life Staff. Public area solicitation is prohibited without explicit permission and instructions from the Assistant Director of the Campus. Residents should report violations to the Residence Life Staff.
STUDENT CONCERN POLICY
When any Residence Life staff member is notified that a residential student cannot be located, he or she should: • •
During business hours, contact the Professional Staff member on the campus where the student lives. After hours, contact the Professional Staff member on duty (Cook/Douglass/College Ave: 732-5580736; Busch/Livingston: 732-439-2210).
It is important to treat such situations carefully and seriously in order to expedite locating students and to comply with state and federal statutes. Every report of concern for a student should be treated as such, with the urgency and discernment necessary. Professional Staff will adhere to the following policy in an attempt to locate the student. QUESTIONS TO ASK A PERSON REPORTING CONCERNS ABOUT A STUDENT • The caller’s name, reliable contact information (home/work/cell 44
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• •
•
•
phone numbers and address), and relationship to the student. The student’s name and identifying information (RUID, on-campus address, cell phone number, etc.). When was the last time the student was heard from? o What attempts were made to locate the student? o Who was the student last seen with? (Obtain name and contact phone number) Does the caller have any knowledge of where the student might be? o Does the caller know of any friends who might be better able to locate the student? (Obtain names and contact phone numbers) o Is the student dating anyone? (Obtain name and contact phone number) Is there a reason that the caller is concerned for the student’s safety? o Does the student have any disabilities or medical conditions? o Is the student currently under medical and/or psychological care? o Has the student threatened to harm him or herself? o Are there any additionally pertinent circumstances concerning the caller?
* Advise the caller that they may be contacted with follow-up questions by Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD)
* If the caller wants to call the police directly, they should not be discouraged from doing so. ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE STUDENT BY IMMEDIATELY DOING THE FOLLOWING: • Contact the student’s cell phone instructing them to call them back immediately. • Have a Professional staff member from that campus and or the Professional Staff on duty stop by the student’s room. • During the day, have Housing staff check the activity on the student’s ID card IF THE STUDENT CANNOT BE QUICKLY LOCATED, CALL RUTGERS UNIVERSITY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO NOTIFY THEM OF THE SITUATION. FOLLOWING NOTIFICATION OF THE POLICE: IF THE STUDENT DOES NOT RESPOND: Only a Graduate or Professional Staff member will use the master key to enter the student’s room with another staff Graduate or Professional Staff member, preferably RUPD. IF THE STUDENT IS IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE: • Contact Mike Tolbert. • Contact Rutgers University Police Department who can dispatch Police and/or Emergency Services. IF THE STUDENT IS LOCATED AND NOT IN NEED OF ASSISTANCE: • Residence Life Professional Staff should notify all other involved administrators that the student has been found. • Encourage the student to call his or her parents while you are on scene. 45
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
• • • •
Speak with the student about concerns raised and follow appropriate Residence Life protocol accordingly. If student is not located, Professional staff will refer to the Missing Student Policy. Notify Michael Tolbert or Joan Carbone in Residence Life at 848-932-4371. Remain available for additional contact from RUPD and provide accurate contact information where you can be reached.
VANDALISM POLICY
The cornerstone of your community is you, the resident, and your responsibility to other students and yourself. Residents treating each other and the building with respect will provide everyone with a high quality, affordable living environment. All residents are expected to help prevent and report vandalism, thereby supporting a safe and pleasant experience for all. VANDALISM is defined as any intentional behavior which causes damage, when that behavior violates policy, or is reckless or negligent in that a reasonable person would know that engaging in that behavior could cause damage. Students are expected to refrain from behavior which can damage their residence or the belongings of others. In addition, students should choose their guests carefully, as they are responsible for the behavior of their guests in their residence.
by their guests. In addition, students responsible for vandalism are subject to residence hall discipline which can include mandatory service to their community. Behavior coupled with substance use will also include mandatory substance counseling. Large scale, bias-motivated, or dangerous vandalism is antithetical to community and will result in eviction and referral to the University Conduct office.
FOR VENDING MACHINE VANDALISM:
If the damage occurs a second time to the same machine and/or another machine in the same building, we will a) not refill the machine for two weeks and post on the machine a poster explaining why it is empty, b) hold floor meetings to discuss the issue with residents in an attempt to get the behavior to stop and/or fin d out who is responsible. If damage occurs a third time to the same machine and/or another machine in the same building, the machines will be removed/ emptied for the remainder of the semester
FOR FACILITY VANDALISM:
If similar damage occurs a second time in the same building, we will hold floor meetings to discuss the issue with residents in an attempt to get the behavior to stop and/or find out who is responsible. If damage occurs a third time in the same building, consult with your Assistant Director to develop a plan of action.
Students will be billed for the costs of any vandalism which they cause, or is caused 46
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
WEAPONS POLICY
All types of guns (including paintball guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, etc;), bows and arrows, tasers, and all other weapons are prohibited in residence halls. Any device that has the appearance and/or function of a serviceable weapon or is being used in a manner of a real weapon is also prohibited in residence halls. Any student or guest in possession of an illegal weapon in a residence hall or apartment will face possible arrest.
A "weapon" can be defined as any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, cause injury or incapacitate, or create a reasonable fear of harm, including but not limited to, all firearms, including air rifles and pellet guns; bow and arrows; ammunition; knives (other than kitchen knives); martial arts weapons; brass knuckles; explosives; and dangerous chemicals or poisons that are possessed with the intent to injure another or to cause damage to property.
47
RESIDENCE LIFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
48
RESIDENT / APARTMENT ASSISTANT
DU TY PROCEDURES Being on duty is one of the most important job responsibilities of the Resident/Apartment Assistant position. The RA/AA on duty is a critical link in the emergency situations and will often be the first responder on scene when dealing with student crises. In all cases where a violation of law is suspected, witnessed or reported, the RA will call Rutgers University Police by calling 911 and the Professional staff person on duty, in that order. In addition to responding to emergencies, the RA/AA on duty will be available and accessible to students who have questions or concerns, and will use this time to build relationships with individual residents and the community at large. The RA/AA on duty will also help to maintain the facility itself by checking for and reporting maintenance concerns. Other administrative tasks may be completed at this time as well.
DUTY COVERAGE
In order to provide high-quality services to students, Residence Life Staff will serve in duty rotations at several levels, assisting students when University offices are not open. Therefore:
•
•
•
• •
There will be at least one Resident Assistant per residence hall and one Apartment Assistant per apartment complex on duty every night (with the exception of University Breaks & Holidays). The hours of duty are Monday through Thursday nights, 8pm – 8:30am the following morning. Weekend duty coverage includes continuous staffing from 8pm Friday night until 8:30am Monday morning. All RAs/AAs assist in a Campus duty rotation to staff the campus Residence Life office between 5pm – 8pm, Monday through Friday. Half staff of RAs/AAs cover 24 hour duty over university holidays in buildings that remain open over breaks. RAs/AAs must remain in their building for the duration of their duty coverage. Staff on duty may not leave the building for any reason, even if they bring the duty phone.
POLICY FOR WEEKEND AND BREAK DUTY COVERAGE FOR MEALS For staff teams that are comprised of four or fewer staff members, we have devised the following allowances for meals during weekend and break duty periods. When possible, staff should seek out any other staff members in equivalent positions within the building to cover duty while the staff member assigned for the weekend or break period goes for a meal. Because staff teams comprised of four or fewer staff have fewer resources to draw upon for coverage, we have added an additional layer of coverage. These staff members may partner with an adjacent building staff to allow for the person on duty for that building to hold the duty phone. Building supervisors for 49
staff of 4 or fewer may choose to provide this coverage at their discretion. • Available to staff teams comprised of 4 or fewer staff members • Staff from ADJACENT buildings may provide duty coverage o Assistant Directors will designate building pairs that may provide this coverage • “Duty Coverage” is defined as holding the duty phone for that building, answering any calls and responding to any requests for assistance or support within the building • This duty coverage is for MEALS ONLY o Coverage period should not last more than 60 minutes o Staff may not leave your assigned campus during this time o Exceptions may be allowed during break periods when hours of operation do not accommodate meals o Exceptions may ONLY BE GRANTED by immediate supervisor or pro staff on duty if your supervisor is unavailable
DUTY RESPONSIBILITIES
While on duty, RAs/AAs are often the first responders to student concerns. Therefore, it is important that all duty staff remain accessible to students at all times, as well as to the graduate and professional staff on duty. In addition, student staff will have campus and building specific responsibilities that aid them in building community, maintaining the facility, and responding to emergencies in their area. Some university wide responsibilities include: •
Completing two sets of rounds when on duty Sunday – Wednesday and three sets of rounds Thursday – Saturday.
•
• • •
• • •
During weekend rounds, it is important that at least one of these rounds is performed in the morning so that you can respond to issues that came up overnight. On rounds you will change duty signs, remove and post flyers, interact with students, report facilities concerns, and confront policy or safety concerns as they are presented. Sitting desk in all residence halls and apartments, where applicable, from 8pm to 12am. This presents countless opportunities to engage with students all the while, remaining accessible to all students. Assisting the Community Assistant (where applicable) with signing in residents and their guests. Assisting students who have been locked out of their rooms. Documenting the events of a duty night in the duty binder log sheets, as well as incidents in the Incident Report Database. Responding to emergencies and student concerns according to Residence Life protocol. Escalating problem situations to the graduate or professional staff on duty. Calling RUPD and the professional staff on duty, in that order, for all witnessed or reported violations of law.
DUTY EXPECTATIONS
The primary role of RA/AA duty is to be available and accessible to students. Therefore, any behaviors that limit your accessibility to students should be avoided while on duty. AT THE DESK • Work to get to know students and to build relationships with individuals as well as the community at large. 50
• • • •
Avoid large congregations of students to ensure you remain accessible to students with concerns. Realize you are a role model for students and maintain professionalism while on the job and at the desk. Do not use ear phones or play music while at the desk. Respond to emergencies and student concerns as needed, even if it means leaving the desk. However, never leave the duty phone, binder, or personal belongings unattended.
• •
•
DUTY CHANGES • • •
•
Duty changes must be approved by your immediate supervisor and updated in the Residence Life Cloud . Ensure that you or your supervisor notifies the graduate staff on duty, and the professional staff on duty. Post the duty change on your door and answering machine. Changes must be made on each posted duty calendar throughout the building. Once a month, each RA/AA should notify their residents of the monthly duty schedule.
MASTER KEYS •
• •
Building master keys will be kept in a locked and secure safe in the designated building location. NEVER keep a master key with you after the lock out is complete. Never leave the master key safe or the room it is in unlocked. Students should not be allowed in the room with the master key safe while master keys are being collected. Never take the key out of the designated building area for any reason. Master keys are to be used for student lock outs after confirming the student’s identity and residence of the building
•
and should be documented in the duty binder lock out log sheet. Never lend a master key to a non-staff member. An RA/AA should never enter a room with a master key unless it is an emergency. If entering a room for emergency maintenance or life threatening situations, room entry should always be done with another Professional Residence Life staff member, and escalation up to a supervisor. Professional staff on duty must be notified regarding any welfare check brought to the attention of any Residence Life staff. Negligent loss of a master key is grounds for termination.
OTHER LEVELS OF DUTY
GRADUATE STAFF ON DUTY
A graduate staff member is on duty each night from 5pm – 8:30am and 24 hours on the weekends. There is a Grad on Duty for the College Ave Campus, the Cook/Douglass Campus, and the Busch and Livingston Campuses. In the event of an emergency of a non-law violation situation where you need assistance or need to notify a supervisor, you will start by contacting your direct supervisor. Graduate Assistants are the first level of emergency response after the Resident Assistant. If you are unable to reach your supervisor, then contact the Graduate Staff member on duty on your campus.
51
PROFESSIONAL STAFF ON DUTY
There is a professional staff member on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This person can be reached by calling the professional staff duty phone. Professional staff members should be contacted directly by the RA in all situations where the RUPD have been called to respond (except intoxicated students or minor thefts) and in all emergency situations. Feel free to use the professional staff member as a support person. The graduate staff member on scene will always call the professional staff member on duty for help or advice in emergency situations. Only professional staff may contact parents of students.
DUTY CELL PHONES
All RAs/AAs use a cell phone while on duty. These are cell phones that are required to be kept on the RA/AA’s person or nearby during the entire duty shift. The phone will be kept in a designated building location, along with the charger, and must be charged throughout the night. Duty phones should be turned off when not in use so that the next person on duty will turn the phone on and check that it is in working order. These cell phones are intended to allow for RAs/AAs to have easy access to students, additional staff for backup, his/her direct supervisor, or RUPD. They will also allow for students, police, and other staff to contact the on duty RA/AA when needed. The cell phones are for emergency use only; all important numbers should be programmed into the cell phone. The duty phone number as well as staff duty schedule must be advertised widely to students.
The duty phone does not provide allowances for last minute, non-emergency duty changes.
WHAT TO DO ON DUTY QUICK RUNDOWN
1. Be in the building on time for your shift and remain in the building. 2. Pick up the duty binder and be sure to complete the duty log/report for that night. 3. Make sure that you have the duty cell phone, that it is on, working properly, that it is fully charged. 4. Check in with the Graduate Assistant on Duty for your campus via text or phone call. 5. Complete the appropriate amount of rounds for the given day (see rounds guidelines). 6. Check cleanliness of the public spaces (bathrooms, lounges, etc.). 7. Distribute current fliers and remove outdated materials from the bulletin boards. 8. Empty the garbage in staff office (if applicable). 9. Document violations of policies in a timely manner. 10. Check for facilities issues and problems. Call Emergency Maintenance as needed. 11. Follow protocol. 12. Talk to residents and get to know those on other floors. Be visible. Call RUPD and the professional staff on duty, in that order, for all 52
witnessed or reported violations of law.
IN THE DUTY BINDER/BAG
The following items should be in the Duty Binder/Bag for your building/apartment complex. • Cell Phone/Charger • Manual • Binder with Paper and Pen • Duty Log Sheets • Building Duty Schedule • Campus Duty Schedule • Grad Duty Schedule • Professional Staff Duty Schedule • Current Building Roster • Master Key Sign In/Sign Out Sheet • Lock Out Log • Roommate Agreement Forms
YOUR ROLE
AS A PROBLEM SOLVER One of the most important roles that Residence Life staff has is to intervene in problems and crisis situations that our students experience. While there are many services around the University for students who need help, we, along with RUPD, are the 24 hour problem solving services. Needless to say, this is a big responsibility. The following sections outline possible problems which residence life staff may encounter and appropriate procedures for preventing and dealing with these situations. There will be times throughout your Resident/Apartment Assistant career when
you do not know how to build community, handle a situation, answer a resident’s question, or solve a problem. It is during these times when you can refer to your Residence Life Manual, a fellow staff member, Supervisor, Graduate Staff Member on Duty, Residence Life Coordinator/Educator, or Assistant Director. It is important as a staff member to realize and utilize all the staff and resources that are available to you. When dealing with problem solving situations, it is important for you to understand that the first person that you should turn to for additional help and support will be your direct supervisor.
DECISION MAKING & COMMUNICATION
When a crisis situation arises, it is important that you immediately consult with a professional or graduate staff member. If the crisis includes a violation of law, or a dangerous situation, you must call RUPD immediately, followed by calling the professional staff on duty. Each level of staff has an important role in emergency situations. While you may not end up being the person making the ultimate decisions, it is often the Resident/Apartment Assistant who has insight into the situation and the students involved. During periods of crisis, phone lines must remain open as the appropriate personnel are consulted. The timely reporting of information to RUPD if a violation of law and to Residence Life staff will expedite resolution of the crisis situation. Also, after the situation is handled, it is important that all of the facts be properly documented. This is done on the Incident Report Database. All incident reports should be submitted in a timely manner, typically within two hours after the incident is confronted. Should there be any issues 53
with submitting a report, you most notify a supervisor immediately. This database is used by staff to document any incident which may occur in the residence hall community.
CONFRONTATION CONFRONTING ALCOHOL USE
It is important for staff to confront the use of alcohol by students under the age of 21. The main objectives in these confrontations are: • To discourage students under 21 from using alcohol in the residence halls. • To educate the student about the illegality of underage alcohol use. • To identify, and appropriately refer, those students needing substance abuse counseling. • To prevent disruptions and dangers, such as illness caused by excessive consumption, vandalism, assault, unruly parties that can accompany a large amount of alcohol use, or disruptions that affect the community. THESE OBJECTIVES ARE MET THROUGH: • Student staff conversations • Educational programming • Formal discipline resulting in educational sanctioning • Community Restitution • Education, assessment, and counseling through the Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students or Health Outreach & Promotion Education
PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING UNDERAGE STUDENT ALCOHOL USE The following instructions are outlines of how staff should address situations involving alcohol. These are not meant to
be complete instructions. All encounters with students require conversation or discussion. The only way a staff member can develop and maintain positive, constructive relationships with students is to talk to them. No abrupt confrontation without a pre/post conversation should ever take place. Staff must nurture their relationships with students.
SITUATION # 1: A STAFF MEMBER HAS REASON TO BELIEVE THERE IS UNDERAGE DRINKING INSIDE A ROOM. •
The staff member should knock on the door, identify him/herself by name and title, and ask the residents of the room to come out.
•
If the student opens the door and no alcohol is seen, the staff member should explain the reason s/he believes alcohol is being consumed in the room, that it must stop immediately, and that it will be reported to the incident will be documented. The next day, the incident report will be assigned to the appropriate staff for follow up (i.e., Community Standards Office or Residence Life Educator/Coordinator Staff).
OR • If the student refuses to open the door, but stops the behavior, the staff member should calmly tell the resident that if s/he doesn’t open the door, s/he will escalate the situation, as the graduate staff will have to respond. If the student still refuses to open the door, the graduate staff should be brought to the door and the scenario repeated. The next day, the Residence Life Coordinator/Educator should
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contact the student and a disciplinary meeting should proceed.
OR • If the student refuses to open the door, and continues the behavior, the professional staff on duty should be called.
SITUATION # 2 – A STAFF MEMBER SEES ALCOHOL IN AN UNDERAGE STUDENT’S ROOM DURING A CONFRONTATION OR AT ANY OTHER TIME. •
The staff member should tell the resident that it is illegal for students under 21 to drink alcohol and therefore it is not allowed in the hall. The student should be told to get rid of it immediately (staff should not confiscate it, rather escort the student to the nearest bathroom to ensure that the resident pours it out) and that the presence of it will be documented. The Office of Community Standards will contact the student the next day and a disciplinary meeting should proceed.
SITUATION # 3 – A STAFF MEMBER HEARS ABOUT OR SUSPECTS ALCOHOL USE BY AN UNDERAGE STUDENT. OR
SITUATION # 4 – A STAFF MEMBER HEARS ABOUT, OR SUSPECTS, ALCOHOL ABUSE BY A STUDENT WHO IS 21. •
The undergraduate staff member should consult with the graduate staff about how best to discuss the situation
with the student. Keep in mind that the goal is to stop the behavior and get the student education or counseling. If the situation is confronted in an adversarial manner, success is not likely.
THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN HAVING A DISCUSSION WITH THE STUDENT: • •
• • •
Do not make any accusations. Let the resident know that you are worried about them. Offer to go with the resident for help. Let the resident know that if they ever want to talk about it you are there for them. Help the resident understand that this is not a disciplinary discussion, but rather an attempt to help.
ALCOHOL INTOXICATION
As a staff member, you are in a key position to see and hear potential problems in a residence hall. Of particular concern to staff are students experiencing severe symptoms of alcohol/drug consumption which may warrant medical attention. A student who is incapacitated by alcohol has his/her judgment impaired as a result of the use of, or withdrawal from, alcohol or other drugs. INTOXICATION IS EVIDENCED BY ANY ONE OR A COMBINATION OF THE FOLLOWING: 1. PHYSICAL DEBILITATION • Inability to stand, staggering, falling down, impaired speech • Passed out • Presence of vomit or urination on clothes • Delirium, tremors, trembling, seizures, hallucinations 55
2. PHYSICAL HARM TO SELF, OTHERS, OR PROPERTY • Dangerous acts (walking in street through traffic, carrying a weapon) • Sleeping outside • Actual or threatened damage to others or property 3. INABILITY TO MAKE A RATIONAL DECISION • Cannot understand or respond to simple questions • Doesn’t know destination or current location By being aware of the symptoms of intoxication, you can be of significant assistance in identifying and reporting students who may need medical attention due to their consumption of alcohol. Should you witness or be informed of any of the previously mentioned behaviors, you should take the following steps: 1. Observe the resident’s behavior. 2. Do not attempt to intervene or physically confront the resident if s/he is violent. 3. If you are given any reason to feel that the resident is in any danger immediately call your RUPD then the supervisor, the graduate staff member, or the professional staff member on duty for consultation. 4. Follow through with student based on decision of the graduate staff or professional staff regarding calling RUPD for a transport to the hospital. 5. Document the incident and forward the information to the Graduate Staff Member on Duty that reported to the scene The Graduate Staff member will submit the final report in the Incident Reporting System.
PROTOCOL FOR ADDRESSING STUDENT DRUG USE
At any time Residence Life staff members witness, receive a report about, or suspect the use of illegal drugs, including the smell of marijuana or any illegal paraphernalia, they should not confront the room or the person involved but rather they should leave the area and call RUPD immediately. They should then call the professional staff person on duty and proceed to the front door to meet RUPD and the Professional staff. When RUPD arrives, the staff member should describe the details of what they heard or witnessed and remain in the lobby while the police investigate. The professional staff on duty, when they arrive, will proceed to the scene to assist the police.
FOR ALL SITUATIONS: • NEVER search a student’s room or
•
• •
•
belongings in any way. NEVER confiscate anything including drugs, paraphernalia, or alcohol. NEVER confront a non-student using alcohol, confront the resident, or if there is no resident present, call the Graduate Staff member on duty. NEVER confront drug possession, a drug sale, or suspicion of a drug sale (leave that to the police). NEVER ask students to present any drugs or paraphernalia. NEVER go into a situation where you feel unsafe. Advise the graduate staff member on duty who will contact a professional staff member. ALWAYS document the situation in an Incident Report. Be sure to include everything you saw during the 56
confrontation (i.e. fan in window, ash tray, bloodshot eyes, towel under door, etc.). This will help explain your perspective when the student is brought in for a disciplinary meeting.
TIPS FOR DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES
1. Always ask questions. Don’t assume that the person giving you information about an emergency will include all of the relevant facts. Whenever possible, you should try to retrieve all of the following information: • Involved Individuals’ information: name, correct spelling, building, room #, phone #/contact information • Others involved: names, residences, room #, phone #/contact information • Exact nature of incident, including injuries, damage, etc. • Get your facts accurately and completely 2. Always seek consultation when in doubt. It is never a bad idea to call a Graduate Staff member or the Graduate Staff on Duty. It is better to wake someone than act without being sure. 3. Never refer a call to a student. If it is necessary to call someone else (RUPD, graduate staff member on duty, etc.), make the call yourself or have another staff member make the call. 4. Always introduce yourself with your title to all officials and authorities. When the Police or Fire Department responds, they are in charge. Your responsibility is to identify yourself and be of
5. 6.
7.
8.
9.
assistance wherever possible. If you disagree with how something is handled, consult/report with supervisory staff member or Professional on Duty rather than confronting the issue alone. Never call parents or relatives. This must be done by the Professional on Duty. If students have gathered in the hall or around the room that you are confronting, clear the area and ask that the students not involved in the situation return to their rooms/apartments. Never make your own assessment about a depressed / suicidal student. Always call RUPD then the Professional on Duty and the graduate staff member on duty if a student demonstrates behaviors that are disruptive or expresses depressed / suicidal thoughts or has ingested any medication other than how prescribed, no matter how small the dosage. Assess the climate of the floor or community in a crisis situation. You may need to calm or de-escalate community members, friends, or roommates. Remember confidentiality is important to a student in crisis. Sharing information about an incident with students is inappropriate. Telling your supervisor is an obligation and job responsibility. It is not breaking confidentiality.
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EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
The following outlines the important steps to take when handling specific types of emergencies.
MEDICAL EMERGENCIES Call University Police 911 for Emergency Services or consultation.. IF A RESIDENT IS SICK OR INJURED, THE FIRST THINGS TO REMEMBER ARE: 1. Calm the sick or injured person. 2. Never attempt to move an injured person. 3. If another person is available, ask him/her to call for medical assistance. If you are alone with the injured person, give any immediate attention needed until s/he may be let alone for you to call for medical assistance. (Please remember that you are not expected to perform First Aid. Medical care should be left for professionals who are trained in that area). 4. Clear the area, or ask someone to clear, all uninvolved persons from the area. NOTE: First Aid training is not provided for Residence Life Staff. If you are trained and certified in First Aid or life saving techniques, you may decide whether or not to respond based on these qualifications. Regardless, contacting Emergency Services is required. If a student is transported to the hospital, the Graduate Staff on Duty will accompany that student to the hospital. Be sure to contact the graduate staff on duty to notify him or her of any medical or alcohol transports.
MAINTENANCE EMERGENCIES
Your judgment is essential in determining whether or not a maintenance problem is an emergency. Three questions you need to ask yourself in deciding this are: 1. Could this endanger the immediate health, safety, or welfare of students? (i.e. broken room window, student stuck in elevator, flammable substances, the inability to locate the smell of smoke, etc.) 2. Could additional damage occur if this is not reported immediately? (i.e. broken water pipe, flooding toilet/sink, sparking electrical wires) 3. Can students live and work in this environment? (i.e. loss of electricity, heat, internet during finals week, etc.) It is often difficult to decide whether or not to call a maintenance problem an emergency. The general rule is that if all of the above questions are answered “NO” it can usually wait until tomorrow, although you may find exceptions. If you do decide that a maintenance situation is an emergency, you should call one of the following numbers: 1. Between 8:30am and 4:30 p.m. – the housing office on your campus (Busch 50044, CAC 2-7856, Cook/Douglass 29625, and Livingston 5-0044) 2. Between 4:30pm and 12:00am – call Emergency Housing at (732) 558-0734 – a housing employee will help to determine whether it is an emergency or not. If it is determined to be an emergency a housing employee will be dispatched. If emergency housing does not pick up the phone call RUPD nonemergency line at 732-932-7211. 3. After Midnight contact RUPD who will then dispatch staff appropriately. 58
When calling emergency maintenance be sure to state your name and position. Make a note of the person you spoke to and the time of the conversation. Please be sure to notify the Graduate Staff on Duty. If you do not receive assistance in an adequate length of time (varying, depending upon the emergency), you should call back and get an update. If, after your second phone call you should still be in need of assistance, you should call back the Graduate Staff on Duty to assist you. Always document the situation in the Incident Report database. Very often the following situations are misinterpreted as emergencies, but can usually wait until the following morning: 1. Broken elevator with no student in it (check with the Professional on Duty first to ensure your building does not require the elevator for ADA compliance) 2. Broken toilet or sink not overflowing (with another accessible to student) 3. Broken lights but not total darkness. 4. Broken room furniture, etc.
large fire or any fire, which may jeopardize your safety. 7. Close all doors behind you. 8. Once you have exited the building, direct people away from the building. 9. If arriving at your building after the alarm has sounded, do not run to your floor. Give assistance at ground level/outside only. 10. When alarm has stopped, only allow people to re-enter building upon approval of the Department of Emergency Services. 11. Prepare a report, which includes name of students who have refused to leave.
FIRE SAFETY REGULATIONS TO REVIEW AT FLOOR MEETINGS: • •
•
PROCEDURE FOR FIRE OR SMOKE
1. Pull alarm box. 2. Immediately call University Police 911 to report location of fire alarm. 3. Evacuate floor by knocking on doors on your way to the exit. Do not argue with students who are unwilling to evacuate. Report this to the Fire Chief on the ground floor when you are outside of the building. 4. Notify Emergency Services of disabled or hearing-impaired students in the building 5. Call your direct supervisor or the Professional Staff on Duty 6. You are not expected to be a fire fighter. Never attempt to put out a
•
Explain the evacuation procedure. Stress the importance of cooperation. Tell them that disciplinary action or arrest will occur if they refuse to leave. (There may also be fines from the city, as much as $1000, for failure to evacuate the building given to both residents and non-residents.) Stress to students that they should keep low to the floor and carry towels if smoke fills the hallway. In extreme heat/heavy smoke, close the door and stay in the room. Keep the door closed, open windows, hang an object out the window and shout for help. Seal cracks around the door, soaking towels in water if possible. Make sure that students are aware that pulling false alarms, discharging fire extinguishers, disabling smoke detectors, setting fires, and tampering with any fire equipment are very serious offenses. Any student found responsible for any of the above acts will be prosecuted and may be removed from housing. 59
•
All residence halls and apartments are equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system. Sprinklers are designed to activate individually to suppress fires while in the incipient stages. Although fire sprinklers are a life safety system, they should not be relied upon as the ultimate life saving system; residents must immediately evacuate the building whenever the fire system activates, as smoke detectors will warn of fire long before sprinklers will activate. Most fire casualties are the result of smoke inhalation, not thermal burns. It is a violation of New Jersey fire safety regulations to hang items from sprinkler heads, sprinkler pipes, and other fire detection or suppression equipment. Residents found in violation of this regulation will be cited and fined.
FIRE SAFETY-KITCHEN USAGE
When students are cooking in the kitchens in the lounges or in their apartments, they should never leave food cooking unattended. Students should NEVER remove the dials from the kitchen stoves. If a student believes that the dial has been tampered with they should contact housing, fill out an Incident Report, or contact their Resident/Apartment Assistant. In common area kitchens and kitchen areas of apartments there are fire extinguishers to be used in case of emergencies. This equipment is critical to life safety and should be used only in emergency situations. Take Fire Safety Seriously as students have died because they did not leave the building or did not know what to do in the event of a fire. MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND YOUR STUDENTS ARE NOT AMONG THEM!
STRESS/ EMOTIONAL BREAKDOWNS
Stress during the college years can develop as an individual experiences life crises such as working through the child/parent relationship, solidifying a sexual identity, forming a personal value system, developing the capacity for true intimacy, and choosing a life career. Your residents who seem to be troubled should be discussed with your supervisor. It is especially important to seek advice immediately if a student’s behavior seems to change drastically in a short period of time. Behavior changes may indicate that an individual is undergoing severe emotional stress or is confronted by a crisis situation. Some changes you might notice include: • Changes in sleeping patterns (too much or too little) • Withdrawal from others. • General tension, irritability, or hostility • Abnormal amounts of fantasizing • Sharp drop in attention span • Disoriented thinking • Excessive rambling when talking • Drastic change in study habits • Total preoccupation with a particular object, childhood game, or ritual • Any drastic change in person’s normal behavior • Psychological breakdowns: hearing voices, talking to people that are not there, or discussing conversations they have had with people that are no longer alive 60
You should always seek advice from your supervisor regarding atypical behaviors. Your supervisor will help you make the right steps for the given situation such as when to work with Counseling and Psychiatric Services .The student’s confidentiality should always be maintained. Never call the student’s parents. ALWAYS CONTACT A PROFESSIONAL STAFF MEMBER WHEN YOU ENCOUNTER A STUDENT GOING THROUGH ANY OF THESE BEHAVIORAL CHANGES.
SUICIDAL
INTERVENTION
Seek help immediately, by calling Emergency Medical Services (EMS) (911) and then calling your supervisor or Professional Staff member on duty for ANY indication from a student that they feel hopeless, or any suggestion that they might not want to live or that they have thought in any way about suicide. NEVER KEEP INFORMATION ABOUT A POTENTIALLY SUICIDAL STUDENT FROM YOUR SUPERVISOR. ASK YOURSELF – IS CONFIDENTIALITY MORE IMPORTANT THAN THIS PERSON’S LIFE? IN CASE OF A SUICIDE THREAT: • Spend time listening to any troubled student. Let the student know that you care about him/her. • Take every suicidal threat seriously, even if you are not sure if they are being serious or not. • When talking with a suicidal student, don’t dismiss the importance of what s/he says by suggesting s/he does not really mean it.
•
• •
Never try to shock or challenge the person threatening to kill him or herself by saying, “OK go ahead and do it.” This is a careless invitation to suicide. Do not try to analyze or counsel the student or argue about their suicidal thoughts. Do not assume that s/he is better later simply because s/he hasn’t mentioned suicide. Seek help.
IN CASE OF A SUICIDE ATTEMPT: • If the student is in the process of attempting suicide, immediately send somebody to call the university police by dialing 911 and the professional staff member on duty. (If there is a need to stop them physically at the time – Be careful.) Do not leave their presence or try to seek out the police yourself. Your presence is most important at the place where the crisis is taking place. • If a student actually makes an attempt on his/her life, immediately notify the Rutgers University Police for an ambulance at 911 . Send another student to seek out the Professional Staff on Duty. Remember, you will be needed there to help with the crisis. • If, after the student gets help, s/he needs to leave school or the residence hall for any period of time, do not announce his/her location to others. The floor should only be told that s/he is taking time off. Once the student is ready, s/he may request visitors. You can maintain periodic contact with the individual to let them know they have your support. If the individual returns to the residence hall, advise students not to treat him/her any differently. They should neither overwhelm the student with attention nor avoid him/her for fear of what to say. 61
PROTOCOL FOR WORKING WITH STUDENTS THAT EXPRESS SUICIDAL IDEATIONS: • •
•
•
•
•
Once contacted, EMS and the Professional on Duty will respond to the scene. The EMS Sergeant will conduct a preliminary screen to determine whether the student needs to go to APS (Acute Psychiatric Services). If it is determined that the student does not have to go to APS they will still be required to go to the Counseling Center on the next work day for an evaluation. If it is determined that the student needs to go to APS they will in most cases be taken to the local hospital (via ambulance) for medical clearance (Professional Staff will accompany student). After receiving medical clearance the student will be transported (via ambulance) to APS where they will receive an evaluation by a psychologist and a psychiatrist. At this point the student will be released or admitted. When a student is released the Assistant Director for Student Support will set up an appointment with the Counseling Center for the next work day. This appointment will evaluate the student’s likelihood of harm to self or others as well as the need for follow-up. Please keep in mind that dealing with a suicide threat or attempt might stir issues within yourself. This could be emotionally exhausting, stressful, and/or stir up past feelings or situations. In order to remain a healthy staff member it is important that you seek help or go to the counseling center, if needed, after dealing with these situations.
GROUP
DISTURBANCES •
• •
The first staff member that notices a crowd being disruptive, destructive, or participating in dangerous behavior, should IMMEDIATELY call Rutgers University Police and the Professional on Duty. If you need to call the police, then you must call the Professional on Duty. If you fear for your personal safety, do not try to intervene, call. RUPD
NEVER TRY TO PHYSICALLY INTERVENE IN ANY TYPE OF CONFLICT.
BIAS INTERVENTION RESPONSE PROTOCOL BIAS DESCRIPTION BIAS ACTS ARE verbal, written, physical, psychological acts that threaten, or harm a person or group on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, civil union status, domestic partnership status, atypical heredity or cellular blood trait, military service or veteran status. Bias acts are often 62
disruptive. However, such acts may not always be in violation of civil, criminal, or University codes, and therefore will not always result in discipline. Acts of bias may warrant discussion or education about how they affect other members of the University community. All anonymous bias incidents in residence halls should be addressed, as much as possible, as acts against the entire community. Therefore, it is important that the entire staff, including all Resident/Apartment Assistants and the Hall Government, be involved in the response. The continuity of the response will have a major impact on the message sent to the residents. STEP ONE: GATHERING INFORMATION • ASSURE THE VICTIM THAT ANY ACT OF BIAS AGAINST A STUDENT IS TAKEN VERY SERIOUSLY BY YOU AND BY THE UNIVERSITY. EXPRESS THAT YOU CARE ABOUT THEM AND WILL ACT QUICKLY
•
TO ADDRESS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THEM.
Listen to the victim, however, DO NOT investigate. It is the responsibility of the police alone to gather information and evidence . You may provide support to the victim as necessary.
STEP TWO: NOTIFICATION OF RUPD AND THE PROFESSIONAL STAFF ON DUTY If there is an individual victim involved, always call RUPD and the Professional Staff on Duty. It is expected that the Residence Life Coordinator/Educator will also inform the Assistant Director of that campus. STEP THREE: DEVELOPMENT OF AN “ACTION PLAN” This plan should be developed with the leadership of the Residence Life
Coordinator/Educator and the complete involvement of all staff. The involvement of Hall Government should also be considered. This involvement could be accomplished in a variety of ways, including a meeting, phone conversations, or a predetermined joint development of a community response. However, all hall staff should always be made immediately aware of all the facts of the incident. The action plan should include strategies to: • Support the victim(s) - To do this well, the Assistant Director and Professional Staff member should have direct contact with the victim(s). S/he/they should be offered counseling, if needed; a room change, if desired; and a full explanation of the possible responses to the community. • Restore the community - Serious incidents should always be responded to with a hall/floor meeting. Other possible responses could be letters, flyers, posters, programs, discussions, changes in security, etc. The wishes of the victim should be accommodated in the response to the community. If the wishes of the victim(s) need to be superseded, due to the circumstances of the situation, an Assistant Director must personally approve the restoration plan. • Find the violator - When developing a strategy to identify the violator, the Residence Life Coordinator/Educator should take into account if it is a repeat offense, related in any way to other incidents in the hall, or if the violator is likely to be a resident or an outside visitor.
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STEP FOUR: IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ACTION PLAN It is important that all strategies show a unified response from the staff and the hall government. Serious events should include a hall/floor meeting, with the presence of the Professional Staff member and perhaps other Residence Life staff. The meeting should generally be run by the highest level of staff present. The swiftness of the response must not be sacrificed for the sake of the presence of an upper level staff, as quick responses are most effective. A delayed response, which includes an upper level staff, can give the impression that the graduate staff member and RA/AA have lost control of the situation. Any written response should be copied to the Assistant Director and Associate Director for Student Support. STEP FIVE: FOLLOW UP Follow up should include contact with, and assessment of the needs of the affected individual(s) or populations. The more serious the event, the more frequent and extensive the follow-up should be. For example, for a minor event, informal contact may be sufficient; for a major event a follow-up floor or building meeting may be necessary. Any pattern of incidents (three or more in a hall in one semester) or any repeat of the same incident in a hall will require the overall review of the Director for Student Support and the Diversity Subcommittee on Bias Intervention.
ROOMMATE CONFLICT MEDIATION PROCESS
IT IS IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT YOU CAN NEVER MEDIATE A CONFLICT THAT INCLUDES THE VIOLATION OF LAW OR POLICY. Conflicts that exist because one of the roommates has violated the law must be reported to RUPD and the professional staff person on duty. Conflicts that exist because one of the roommates violated a residence hall or university policy should be reported to your supervisor for further study. PHASE ONE: When roommate conflicts arise, you will most likely hear about them. Whether it is from another resident on the hall or one of the residents directly involved, you should speak to both of the residents to try and understand what is going on. When a resident comes to you, encourage residents to try and solve the conflict on their own, and offer your help as a next step if that fails. If residents are unable to resolve things, set up a time for a mediation session with the residents. Always keep your direct supervisor informed about what is going on. In all roommate conflicts the best first tool is the roommate agreement the students completed at the beginning of the year. 1. Arrange a meeting with all parties involved in the conflict. The meeting should occur in quiet, comfortable, confidential space where you will not be interrupted. Make sure you schedule about an hour for the meeting as you never know how long 64
it will take and want to devote adequate time to the mediation. 2. When setting up for the meeting, arrange chairs so that the residents are facing one another and you are in between them (to demonstrate fairness). 3. Before beginning, set ground rules for the conversation, such as one person speaks at a time, etc. And once you set them, make sure that everyone sticks to them. Describe how you would like the conversation to go and allow residents to share how they would like the conversation to go. 4. Set goals for the meeting. 5. Remain neutral throughout the process, you are not to take sides on the issue, but to provide a space for residents to discuss the problem and create a solution. 6. Begin by acknowledging that there is a conflict. Make sure parties verbally agree on the nature of the conflict. 7. Use “I” statements and encourage participants to do the same. 8. Allow each resident to speak on his/her own and explain his/her story. Use the *Mirroring Exercise below to facilitate the conversation. 9. Brainstorm ideas for a solution. Allow residents to come up with ideas on their own first, and offer your own feedback only if they need help. 10. Whether or not you come to an agreement, agree to work towards a resolution that benefits everyone. Write down the resolution so that everyone is clear on the agreement and so that it can be revisited if necessary. 11. Schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss progress.
PHASE TWO: Speak with your direct supervisor if you have tried mediation and the roommates are still unable to reach a resolution or solution. S/he will be able to do further mediation and consultation with the roommates to determine the best course of action. PHASE THREE: The direct supervisor, after completing Phase 2 with the residents may be able to arrange a room switch or move, but only after attempting all other options. Be clear with your residents that there is a process involved and not all residents can be moved, but that the graduate staff and professional staff will try his/her best to create the best possible solution.
MIRRORING EXERCISE The following is a dialogue model used by psychologists, social workers, and international conflict mediators to resolve conflict. The model lays out specific language and a script for having a mediation conversation. Take some time to understand the model yourself so that you can most effectively facilitate the conversation. The process may seem slow and labor intensive, but it can be highly successful. Be sure to explain the model to the students before beginning, and always stick to the ground rules set. Encourage residents to address one another, rather than saying to you, “She…”; the point of the exercise is that students are speaking directly to one another. As the RA/AA, your role will be the Facilitator. You will help participants move through the process, keep participants on track, and step in when necessary. Your role is not to be a part of the conversation, 65
but to provide the participants a space to talk and be heard. One participant starts out as the Sender, the other as the Receiver. Identify who will start as the Sender and who will start as the Receiver. Once the process is complete, they will switch roles and begin again. SENDER: “There is something I would like to say, will you listen?” RECEIVER: “I am ready to listen.” SENDER: Begins telling her story. For example, “There are times when you bring guests into the room that make me feel uncomfortable.” Once the Sender has completed three or four sentences, the Facilitator should have him/her pause to move to the next step. RECEIVER: “What I heard you say was that there are times that I bring guests to the room that make you feel uncomfortable” The Receiver repeats all that he/she has heard and says, “Did I get that?” Note for the Facilitator: these responses should be as close to the original as possible. Allow time for proper clarification. SENDER: says yes or no, if no, the Sender clarifies RECEIVER: “Is there more?”
SENDER: Says yes or no, if yes, the process continues until the sender is finished. RECEIVER: Summarizes all that he/she has heard, in a shorter version than before, then asks, “Did I get that?” and “Is there more” Once the story process is completed, the receiver moves on to the next stage, validating. RECEIVER: “Given all that you have said, I would imagine that you must be feeling…” “Is that right?” SENDER: Says yes or no, clarifies. Once this stage is completed, Sender and Receiver switch roles and the other person has an opportunity to talk. He/She is not to respond to things that were said earlier, but to speak in “I” statements and tell her story. Continue until the end of the process. Once this is completed, residents will likely have a greater understanding of where the other is coming from, and will be in a better place to come to some sort of agreement or solution. This is where the RA/AA can step in and offer solutions.
66
ROOMMATE AGREEMENT FORM
Roommate Agreement
Building:
Unit #:
1\_UTGERS
'!his ~Is~ to ~~Uve u the 6tat step to na.lgat.ing howJOU aru! your roommate will sharebel<mJlnp. a .mom, and a llfe for thJs llpCQIXIlDJ academic year. Pleue toiiJidcr ead>. quation t:IRfully. aru! ...._. houeotly.lletida!<e Life llalfwill be hmo to utilt in lincliDg an equitable opomeat for bothparlin.
Residence life
Foryour first step. please c:beckouttblsllnk: http://RUoncampus.rutgers.edufagreement. Please watch 1his video, and pause and continue 1he worksheet as directed.
For this guide, _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (write mme here) will he known
~s Roomm~te
A (A). _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (write n~me here) will he known
~s Roomm~te
R (R).
_ _ _ _ _ _ (write name here) will be known as Roommate C (C). _ _ _ _ _ _ _ (write name here) will be known as Roommate D (D).
Our Belongings (A) expects to g•' to bed b y - - - - - , - (B) expects to go to bed b y - - - - - , - (A) expects to get up most mornings by: _ _ _ _ _ (B) expects to get up most mornings by: _ _ _ __ (A) usually plans to ~eep in on which days' _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ (B) usually plans to sleep in on which d a y " - - - - - - - - - - (A) usually take; naps at/when, _ _ _ _ _ _ (B) usually takes naps at/when' _ _ _ _ __
Does (A) need t•) seek permission to play music wi1houtheadphones? (circle one) Yes No Does (B) need to seek permission to play music without headphones? (circle on::) Yes No Does (A) need t•) seek permission to watch movies/TV/play video games? (circl' one) Yes No Does (B) need to seek permission to watch movies/TV/play video games? (circle one) Yes No Do we agree to loclk our room door when one or both )!U'I!a have let\ the roomt (dl'cle which opl!oD ymueled) V\Then one roommate is sleeping, use of a light will be restricted to:
Ovemead light
Desk lamp
No light
(A) may me each of (B)'s possessions (circle all that are appropriate) Cameras MP3 players Smartphone/Ccll-phone TV DVDI BluRay Pliyer Game consoles Clothes Personal Care Items Toiletries Dishes Fltrniture (bed, desk, etc) Food
Computer/Laptop
Guests of fA) may use each of (B)'s possessions (circle all that are appropriate) Cameras MP3 players Smartphone/Ccll-phone TV DVDI BluRay Pliyer Game consoles Clothes Personal Care Items Toiletries Dishes Fltrniture (bed, desk, etc) Food
Computer/Laptop
(B) may use each of (A)'s possessions (circle all that are appropriate) Cameras MP3 players Smartphone/Cell-phone TV DVD/ BluRay Phyer Clothes Personal Care Items Toiletries Dishes Fltrniture (bed, desk, etc)
Game consoles Food
Computer/Laptop
Game consoles Food
Computer/Laptop
Guests of (B) may use each of (A)'s possessions (circle all that are appropriate) Cameras MP3 players Smartphone/Cell-phone TV DVD/ BluRay Phyer
Clothes
How will (A) ask for privacy in the room when it is needed? (call, text, social media, etc)
Personal Care Items Toiletries
Dishes
FUrniture (bed, desk, etc)
Must permission be sought prior to borrowing? (circle one) Yes No Should each roommate let the other know when something is borrowed?
Yes
No
How will (B) ask for privacy in the room when it is needed? (call, text, social me:dia, etc) Any other questions or needs connected to b e l o n g i n g s - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Our Guests Gvem
lndu.U.r., YIJiton,fmnA """"pomwn. ~
others, romanticputners, or some combination ofthe above.
Note about Guests per Re$idenc.e life policy a. studentma.ynot permit ga::sts to use holliing
facilities for my period of time o\er the objec.tion ofhislh.er roomma.te(s), ifguests
1>eo:ome •""""" ofCOIIIjllallltbre>Wr ...w.m. or..-..,. ltd; or-111... 7ltbtk obout-wiU worlc holtfor llolh '!{yoa 111 , . - . , , bec.cttne$, through dun.ti.on ) f frequrncy a de facto rubcon1racting of $pa.ce to a.n
Having guests o-.;er is okay (select one): Anytime VVhen Iln not trying to sleep
VVhen Iln in the room and not studying
AI certain times
VVhen Iln not there
Not okay
VVhen Iln not there
Not okay
Not okay
-----Who wtll tab !be lnlh out! _ _ _ _ _ __
At certain times
Overnight guests are okay (select one): Anytime AI certain times If Iln not there
Who will clean dishes/cooking tools? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Cleaning will occur on: _ _ _ _ _ __
Signing here indicates agreement between both parties and their respective Resident Assistant
Si&nifiant otimaaruf rommtic; parlncn ano allowed (oeioct ODO): 'W'hen Iln not trying to sleep
How ofu:m will the truh be tHen out!
a.uthori:redperson. And as per Residence life policy guests are permitted for no more than threeconsecuti.~ nights.
Guests of the opposite gender are okay (select one): Anytime 'W'hen Iln not trying to sleep AI certain times
Anytime
Cleanliness
A~
Roomma:e A _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Roommate C _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Roomma:e B _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Roommate D _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __
Date Completed _ _ _ _ _ Revised _ _ __
Reside~t Assistant
Not okay
How long in ad·\'ance must permission for guests be asked? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ How will we communicate if a guest makes one party uncomfortable or if plans change and the guesfs presence is no longer conducive to on~ party's n e e d s ? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
67
ROOM CHANGE PROCEDURES
The following outlines the process for room change requests, all of which fall into one of the three categories listed below: Convenience (Classes too far away, want to live with a friend, etc.) *No Incident Report will be submitted for “convenience” room changes. Problem (Student request AC for medical accommodation, student just feels like they would like a different roommate, indicates roommate conflict but does not provide much information, etc.) *An Incident Report will be submitted for “problem” room changes. Urgent (Immediate or escalating roommate conflicts, Harassment, Threat, Bullying, Domestic Violence, Safety and Security of one or more roommates is compromised, Controlled Dangerous Substance use by one of the roommates, etc.) *An Incident Report will be submitted for “urgent” room changes. Student indicates to campus/hall staff that they want a room change and/or the student submits a Room Change Request Form online at https://oncampus.rutgers.edu Each day, Associate Director of Student Support reviews all submitted Room Change Forms and determines if they are Convenience, Problem or Urgent.
CATEGORY 1: CONVENIENCE ROOM CHANGE REQUESTS 1. In the case of Convenience Room Changes, no corresponding Incident Report is drafted. By the absence of an Incident Report, the Assignments Office will know if a particular room change has been deemed to be a convenience request (Associate Director of Student Support will generate Incident Reports for Problem and Urgent requests as they are submitted by students on-line, and Associate Director of Student Support will send copies of those Incident Reports to the Assignments Office). 2. The Assignments Office also reviews convenience room changes, and looks for available space. If space to meet the student’s request is available, the Assignments Office will e-mail the student on Thursday to log onto https://oncampus.rutgers.eduto view the offer. 3. The Assignments Office will also e-mail the appropriate Unit Coordinator, Secretary, and campus Assistant Director to notify them that an offer has been made on Thursday. 4. The student accepts or declines the offer by Monday afternoon. 5. On Tuesday, the Assignments Office emails the students who have accepted room changes with key pick-up instructions. The new key is to be 68
picked up on Thursday and the old key is returned the following Monday. 6. On Tuesday morning, the Assignments Office sends the approved room change list to the Unit Coordinators, Secretaries, campus Assistant Directors, and corresponding RLC/E in appropriate Student Service Offices. 7. The campus Secretary will contact the RAs/AAs on duty for Tuesday by leaving a message on the duty cell phone in the hall where the space has been offered and notify the RAs/AAs on Duty on Tuesday night of the space that is being vacated by the room change offer. The RAs/AAs on Duty on Tuesday night will be responsible for listening to that voicemail and proceeding to stop by the new room and inform the current residents that the open space in their room/apartment has been offered and they may be getting a new roommate the following week. If the potential new roommate is not home, an “upbeat notification” card will be left to inform the potential new roommates. The RAs/AAs on duty night also stops by the room that is being vacated and tells the current roommate that their roommate will be moving out and that they will most likely be receiving a new roommate at some point in the future. If RAs/AAs cannot make face-to-face contact with the resident of the student’s new room, an “upbeat notification” card will be left by the RA/AA.
8. The Unit Coordinator prepares the keys and change building ID access for the student. 9. The RLC/E ensures that the RAs/AAs on duty stops by the student’s new room and verifies that the offer has been accepted and they will indeed be getting a new roommate. In addition, the RLC/E ensure that the RAs/AAs on duty stop by the room that is being vacated and tells the current roommate that their roommate will be moving out and that they will most likely be receiving a new roommate at some point in the future. 10. The Assignments Office sends e-mails to the current residents who will be getting new roommates. This serves as a written follow up to the actions of the RA/AA the previous night. 11. The Assignments Office re-assigns the students who have accepted room changes to their new assignments in Odyssey with a move date of the following Monday. 12. By Monday, the Assignments Office should be notified by the Unit Coordinator, Secretary, or campus Assistant Director of the appropriate Student Services Offices if there are students on the approved room change list who did not pick up keys. The Assignments Office will follow up with these students. CATEGORY 2: PROBLEM ROOM CHANGE REQUESTS 1. In the case of Problem Room Change Requests, a corresponding Incident Report is submitted by Associate Director of Student Support based on
69
2.
3.
4.
5.
the information that the student indicates in their on-line submission. Associate Director of Student Support will indicate “Problem Room Change” at the beginning of the Incident Report text, so anyone reading the Incident Report will be aware of its designated category. Associate Director of Student Support will assign the Incident Report to the RLC/E of the student who submitted the room change request (copy to the appropriate campus Assistant Director and Mike Tolbert) and request follow-up to receive additional information from the student. Associate Director of Student Support will send a copy of the Incident Report to Lisa Ferguson, Jon Bouchard, Marsha Nabors, and Ben Gelb in the Assignments Office so they are made aware that this room change request has been designated as a “Problem Room Change Request”. The Assignments Office will hold off/pause until they hear from the appropriate RLC/E. RLC/E will determine who will make contact with the student (this contact may be made by the RLC/E, the Hall Director, of the RA/AA); however, the RLC/E is responsible to ensure that this first contact and request for follow up information is made within 48 hours of the RLC/E first receiving the Incident Report. Based on the information discovered via follow-up with the student who submitted the request, the RLC/E will
determine if this request will become a Category 1 Convenience Room Change Request or Category 3 Urgent Room Change Request (follow steps appropriately). 6. RLC/E updates the Notes section of the Incident Report and notifies the Assignments Office accordingly. CATEGORY 3: URGENT ROOM CHANGE REQUESTS 1. In the case of Urgent Room Change Requests, a corresponding Incident Report is submitted by Associate Director of Student Support based on the information that the student indicates in their on-line submission. Associate Director of Student Support will indicate “Urgent Room Change” at the beginning of the Incident Report text, so anyone reading the Incident Report will be aware of its designated category. In urgent cases, the student may notify the campus staff immediately, without submitting an online room change request form. In such cases, the RLC/E will submit the urgent Incident Report, and contact RUPD if necessary, to ensure that Incident Reports are submitted for all urgent cases. 2. Associate Director of Student Support will assign the Incident Report to the RLC/E of the student who submitted the room change request (copy to the appropriate campus Assistant Director and Mike Tolbert) and request immediate follow-up and update via the Notes section of the corresponding Incident Report. 70
3. Associate Director of Student Support will send a copy of the Incident Report to Lisa Ferguson, Jon Bouchard, Marsha Nabors, and Ben Gelb in the Assignments Office so they are made aware that this room change request has been designated as an â&#x20AC;&#x153;Urgent Room Change Requestâ&#x20AC;?. The Assignments Office will hold off/pause until they hear from the appropriate RLC/E. 4. RLC/E will contact the Assignments Office for spaces to be held for the student whom they are working with (the maximum hold time for spaces offered in urgent room change cases is 48 hours). 5. Once the student has decided on a space, the RLC/E will notify the Assignments Office, preferably via email. 6. The RLC/E contacts the new roommate/s and provides student with the e-mail address of the new roommate/s. The RLC/E will also call the new roommate and see if it is OK to share their contact telephone number. 7. The Assignments Office will put in the urgent offer for the student to accept by logging onto
https://oncampus.rutgers.edu. The RLC/E working with the student should instruct them to log on and accept the space. The Assignments Office also emails the student. 8. The RLC/E or the student notifies the Assignments Office once the space has been accepted. 9. The Assignments Office sends an e-mail to the Unit Coordinator, Secretary, and campus Assistant Director in the appropriate Student Service Office to authorize key pick-up date and time. This information is also e-mailed to the student and the appropriate RLC/E. 10. The RLC/E will ensure that the roommate/s of the accepted space is notified that they will be getting a new roommate. 11. The Unit Coordinator, Secretary, or campus Assistant Director of the appropriate Student Service Office will e-mail the Assignments Office when the key has been picked up and then the Assignments Office will re-assign the student in Odyssey with the appropriate room change date. 12. The RLC/E will update the Notes section and close out the corresponding Incident Report.
71
Convenience Room Change Process
Room Change Offers are made to Students on Thursdays
Campus Staff Sent List of Rooms Offered on Thursday (U.C., Secretary, A.D. and RLC)
Campus Staff Sent List of Rooms Accepted on Monday
Assignment Office Calls Students Offered a Room Change on Friday to Remind them of the Monday Acceptance Deadline
Assignments Office Reassigns Space During Next Round of Offers
Decline
(U.C., Secretary, A.D. and RLC)
Accept
Unit Coordinator Prepare Keys for Thursday Pickup
RLCIE Ensures RNAA visits Rooms Prior to Thursday Key Pickup
1 4 - - - - - - -_J
Campus Secretary Contacts RNAA on Duty Tuesday Night to Visit Offered Rooms and Current Spaces Being Vacated
Students Pick Up Keys on Thursday at Student Service Office
Students Pick Up Keys on Thursday at Student Service Office
Student Returns Old Key to Student Service Office Following Monday
72
Problem Room Change Process
Student Submits Room Change Application
Assignments Office Holds Processing Application Until Feedback is Received from RLC/E
RLC/E is Assigned the Incident Report (Assignments Office is Copied)
Campus staff has 48 Hours to Contact student (RLCIE, Hall Director, RAIAA)
Convenience Urgent
Application is Processed FoiiOYiing the "Convenience Room Change" Procedure
Application is Processed Following the "Urgent Room Change" Procedure
73
Urgent Room Change Process Student Submits Room Change Application
Associate Director for Student Support Reviews Application or RLCIE is contacted by a Student?
Associate Director Generates an Incident Report ~Application
RLCIE Generates an Incident Report (Assignments Office, AD. and Mike Tolbert is Copied)
1 RLC/E is Assigned the Incident Report (Assignments Office, A.D. and Mike Tolbert is Copied)
~ignments Office Holds Processing Application Until Feedback Is Received
RLCIE contacts student immediately.
IL
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __..~
;~ :~m-RLC-/E----------~ RLCIE contacts Assignments Office to Hold Spaces for Student (48 hour Max Hold)
f--------.
RLCIE will Notify Assignments of the Space the Student Accepts
1 Assignments Office Directs Student to Online Room Change Application to be Completed
RLCIE will Notify New Roommates Student Service Office Notifies Assignments Office Emails Student 1... of Accepted Space and provide Assignments when the Key has W - - - - - - - j Service Office Authorizing Key ~ Student with their Contact been Picked Up so Odyssey can be I"'" Pickup and Date and Time Adjusted for Billing Purposes Information
...
RLCIE Updates Notes of Incident Report and Closes Out
74
THEFT AND CRIME PREVENTION • • •
•
Report all thefts or suspicious persons to the University Police @ 732-9327211. DO NOT attempt to physically restrain an individual. Note description and direction in which the individual left. Cooperate fully with anyone in possession of weapons. Do not attempt to be a hero; the safety of you and your residents come first. All thefts should be communicated to the residence hall community. This will help to keep students informed, while also encouraging them to follow the safety and theft prevention tips.
Never post names or room #’s, only the fact that a theft occurred and with the resident’s approval, the article that was taken. Professional and Graduate staff will implement various educational responses based on the nature of the safety concern. SAFETY AND THEFT PREVENTION TIPS TO REVIEW WITH STUDENTS: •
•
Lock doors at all times, even when sleeping or leaving the room to go to the shower. Make sure your keys are in your possession. On ground floors, keep windows locked when sleeping and when room is unoccupied.
• • •
•
Keep a record of serial numbers of valuable items in your rooms, as well as credit cards, licenses, etc. Do not leave purse or wallet sitting alone at a party or dining hall. NEVER PROP THE ACCESS DOOR IN ANY RESIDENCE HALL. You also should not let someone into the building if he/she is not a resident there. This gives access to non-residents of the building, putting student’s personal property and safety at risk. In the main lobby of each building is the current campus wide safety information, as well as any building safety information. Also on a bulletin board in the main lobby of each building will be the RA/AA on Duty Information, as well as contact information for all building staff.
CONFIDENTIALITY As a Resident/Apartment Assistant, you may be privy to confidential information that is shared with you from your students, other staff members, or your supervisors. Please understand that it is important to keep those things confidential. The following are a few guidelines to help you maintain confidentiality in your position: 1. When students confide private information to you, it is imperative that you explain to them that there are certain situations in which you are required to inform RUPD and a supervisor. These include such things as suicidal ideations/attempts and sexual assault. NEVER promise students that you will not tell anyone else. 2. Your primary responsibility is to the welfare of the student and you are not equipped with all the information and 75
tools to help each and every one of them in a difficult situation. Advise the student that s/he has access to many resources and that you want to help them reach out to those people and places that can give them the help that they need. 3. Assure students that only those that need to know the information will be
informed. You must not share information with other un-involved students and/or staff. If it is a situation that the rest of your staff should be aware of, your supervisor should be the one to relay that information. Never take it upon yourself to inform other staff and students about a private matter without first discussing it with your supervisor.
76
DISCIPLINE
77
RESIDENCE LIFE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
DISCIPLINE PROCESSES
TWO DIFFERENT TYPES RESIDENCE LIFE DISCIPLINE
The Community Standards process is used in all violations which occur in a residence hall or apartment area that are nonseparable offenses. These discipline records stay in the Symplicity database and are not included in studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; permanent records.
UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE
University discipline procedures are used for separable offenses that occur in the residence hall and all offenses outside the residence halls. These violations are outlined within the University Code of Student Conduct. A permanent record is kept on students who are found responsible for violations in these processes. For the most serious violations, students risk suspension and expulsion. A decision regarding whether a case needs to be sent to the University level will be made by the Assistant Director for Community Standards. Separable offenses (may be suspended or expelled from the university as a result) automatically go to the University level and those will be referred by the Assistant Director for Community Standards.
UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE PROCESS The University Code of Student Conduct defines violations in two categories: 1. Separable Offense, for which a student could be suspended, or expelled. 2. Non-Separable Offense, which carries a less severe sanction. I. PROHIBITED CONDUCT, Separable Offenses 1. Violation of academic integrity. 2. Forgery, unauthorized alteration or unauthorized use of any University documents or records, or any instrument or form of identification. 3. Intentionally furnishing false information to the University. 4. Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergency. 5. Use of force against any person or property of threat of such force. 6. Sexual assault or nonconsensual sexual contact. 7. Hazing. 8. Violation of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Student Life Policy Against Verbal Assault, Defamation, and Harassment. 9. Unauthorized entry into, unauthorized use of, or misuse of University property, including computers and data and voice communication networks. 10. Intentionally or recklessly endangering the welfare of any individual. 11. Intentionally or recklessly interfering with any University sponsored activity. 78
RESIDENCE LIFE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
12. Use, possession or storage of any weapon, dangerous chemical, fireworks, or explosive, whether or not a federal or state license to possess the same has been issued to the possessor. 13. The distribution of alcohol, narcotics, or dangerous drugs on University property or among members of the University community, if such distribution is illegal, or the possession of a sufficient large quantity as to indicate an intention to distribute illegally. 14. Theft of University services or theft of, or intentional or reckless damage to, University property, or property in the possession of, or owned by, a member of the University community, including the knowing possession of stolen property. Intentional or reckless misuse of fire safety equipment shall be regarded as damage under this section of the Code. 15. The violation of the ethical code of oneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intended profession either by graduate students enrolled in any of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s professional or graduate schools or by undergraduate students in clinical courses or settings related to their intended professions. 16. Violations of federal, state, or local law where such violations have an adverse effect on the educational mission of the University. 17. Failure to comply with the lawful directions of University officials, including campus police officers, acting in performance of their duties. 18. Knowingly providing false testimony or evidence, disrupting, or interference with the orderly conduct of a Disciplinary Conference or Hearing, violating the terms of any disciplinary sanction imposed in accordance with this Code, or any other abuse of the Universityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disciplinary procedures.
19. Stalking. 20. Making or attempting to make an audio or video recording of any person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. II. PROHIBITED CONDUCT, Non-Separable Offenses 1. Disorderly conduct on University premises or at University sponsored activities. 2. Obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic on University premises or adjacent to University premises or at University sponsored activities. 3. Violation of other published University regulations or policies, including those promulgated by each college. Such regulations or policies may include governing the residence hall lease agreement and accompanying regulations, as well as those regulations relating to the use of amplifying equipment, parking office rules and regulations, and regulations governing student organizations. 4. Illegal use or possession of alcohol or any controlled substance or illegal drug. 5. The willful failure or refusal to testify as a witness at a College or University Disciplinary Hearing. 6. Undisclosed and unauthorized recording of other individuals within the University community* *Students are expected to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the University community. Accordingly, students are not permitted to make or attempt to 79
RESIDENCE LIFE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
make an audio or video recording of private, nonpublic conversations and/or meetings on University premises, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. In such circumstances the uses of undisclosed hidden recording devices is prohibited, as made for law enforcement purposes. 7. Repeated violations of established university rules and regulations regardless of the severity of the individual offense involved, or any aggravated violation, may result in either expulsion or suspension from the university. 8. Attempts to commit acts prohibited by this code, or assisting others to commit acts prohibited by this code, shall be treated in the same manner as completed violations and subject to the same sanctions.
STANDARDS OF DUE PROCESS
Students subject to expulsion or suspension shall have the right to a university hearing as specified in parts 14-72 of the Code of Student Conduct. Students subject to less severe sanctions will be entitled to a college hearing, as set forth in parts 49-55 of the Code of Student Conduct. In either case, a student may request instead to have his or her case referred to a disciplinary conference.
PRELIMINARY REVIEW
Any member of the University community may file a complaint against a student. Complaints may be made to the Director of The Office of Student Conduct.
COMMUNITY STANDARDS
AN INTRODUCTION The Community Standards process is designed to: • Educate students in regards to the choices they have made in the residence hall and the impact they have on the community • Keep order in the residence hall community and address disruptive behavior • Provide safety for our students by working to prevent and addressing any dangerous behaviors • Support an environment that is conducive to academic learning and student development • Enforce laws and policies • Teach good citizenship by providing students with the tools to learn from their own and others’ behaviors. • Empower students to take ownership of the community in which they live and maintain a high standard of living The Community Standards process provides for conversation about the policy violation and the impact of such violation on the student and the community. Very often our students do not think about the repercussions of their behaviors before they occur. Rutgers Residence Life is committed to helping them learn about the impact of their behavior on themselves and 80
RESIDENCE LIFE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
the community as they violate policies. Our job is to help them to learn how to do this.
RA/AA FOLLOW UP CONVERSATIONS Anytime an RA/AA documents a student’s behavior it is important to sit down with that student or those students the next day to explain why they confronted the incident. The conversation should also inform students that the RAs/AAs are here to help them and that the documentation does not change the fact that the RA/AA still cares about the student and will be there for them.
EXAMPLES OF THINGS TO SAY: “I just wanted to follow up with you today because I wanted to make sure you understood why I came to your room last night. Part of my job is to maintain a safe living environment and the drinking that occurred here last night was dangerous and I had to work with you to stop it. However the second I closed the door it was a distant memory. I am still here if you need anything and want to help you if you ever need something.”
INCIDENT REPORT (IR)
FILLING OUT AN IR 1) Log on to the judicial database at rutgers-jams.symplicity.com. 2) Log in using your Rutgers student email address and password 3) DATE: The Date that you were first contacted about incident.
4) TIME: The Time that you were first contacted about the incident. 5) BUILDING: Please pick the appropriate building. 6) ROOM #: Use NA for other spaces not specified such as lounges 7) PERSONS INVOLVED: Keep this simple! Who committed the violation? Who was sent to the hospital? Who are the roommates involved? Please use their FULL LEGAL NAME! CHECK THE ROSTER FOR PROPER SPELLING! 8) VIOLATIONS: Mark any violations or descriptions which describe the situation you are documenting. Clicking on each violation type will bring a up a description of the violation. See the following page for a list of Commonly Documented Incidents. 9) INCIDENT DETAILS: The most important things are the FACTS! a) Date & Time: Begin with this even though it may be evident to you. Make sure that you include AM or PM in the time. b) Describe how you came into contact with this event. Were you called? Did a resident inform you? Did a fellow RA or AA inform you? Were you on a round? c) Describe the initial situation presented to you. Was this a complaint or a concern from a resident or staff member? d) Describe the actions you took prior to encountering the situation. Did you request back-up or call the HD/Police/EMT? What time did this occur? e) Describe in detail what happened? Be FACTUAL! We do not need an exact transcript of the conversation, but would like you to include the major points? Questions you should answer: 81
RESIDENCE LIFE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
f) Who/What was in the room/lounge? g) What was going on in the room? h) What did you say to the resident about the situation? i) How did the resident respond? Feel free to quote if there was an admission or harassing language. j) Did the resident comply with your instructions? When relevant, include: i) Previous incidents â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as in that night ii) Concern for the student and why? iii) Anything a guest or witness told you in regards to the situation. Never discuss or document: i) Your opinion about what happened ii) Your opinion on sanctioning iii) Your opinion about how a situation was or will be handled by the Staff.
VIOLATIONS / INCIDENTS COMMONLY DOCUMENTED ALCOHOL VIOLATIONS UNDERAGE POSSESSION/CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL Individuals under the age of 21 may not consume alcohol. This includes an intoxicated student under the age of 21. ALCOHOL IN A PUBLIC AREA
Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed in public areas of the residence. All areas in a residence hall, other than private rooms, are considered public areas. When the door of a private room is open, the room is considered a public area. PROVIDING ALCOHOL TO MINORS Individuals may not provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age. HOSPITAL TRANSPORT FOR ALCOHOL INTOXICATION Any student found to be acutely intoxicated will be evaluated by Emergency Services for possible hospital treatment. NON-REGISTERED PARTY All gatherings which include alcohol, and all social events, must be registered and approved by your RLC/E OTHER ALCOHOL VIOLATION Consuming or possessing alcohol in a dry room/hall; tapped alcoholic beverages in a residence hall; party violations, etc.
DRUG VIOLATIONS SUSPICION OF DRUGS Smell of marijuana emanating from a particular room without confirmation or evidence of use or possession of marijuana. Staff must notify RUPD and then the RLC/E or Pro Staff on Duty after office hours.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT VIOLATIONS ASSAULT A physical altercation between students. This does not include sexual assaults. 82
RESIDENCE LIFE PROTOCOL AND PROCEDURES
SEXUAL ASSAULT Assault or harassment of a sexual nature made by or against a student. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE A physical altercation between two individuals in a romantic relationship or who share a residence. This includes a physical altercation between roommates. THREAT A verbal or written threat made directly against a person’s safety or well-being. GUEST VIOLATION Violation of policy conducted by a nonRutgers guest visiting a Rutgers student. NOISE VIOLATION A violation of designated quiet hours or 24 hour courtesy hours. VANDALISM/DAMAGE Damage to or broken facilities as a result of a student, known or unknown. Graffiti is considered vandalism.
illustrated by the presence of prohibited items in the room or misuse of university property. FAILURE TO EVACUATE DURING AN ALARM Failure to evacuate during a planned or unplanned fire drill. FIRE SAFETY VIOLATION Violation of any fire or life safety violations. This includes smoking, candles, covering smoke detectors, etc. FIRE Intentional or unintentional setting of a fire on campus. FALSE ALARM Falsely suggesting a fire emergency by pulling a fire alarm without cause or discharging a fire extinguisher without cause. WEAPONS Possession of any weapon in the residence hall. This includes BB guns and other recreational weapons.
NON-COMPLIANCE WITH UNIVERSITY STAFF Failure to comply with the reasonable request of policy made by a staff member or police. THEFT Unlawful taking of another party’s belongings without their approval or knowledge.
FIRE/LIFE SAFETY VIOLATION HOUSING VIOLATION/PROHIBITED ITEMS A violation of facility related policies
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RESIDENCE LIFE DISCIPLINE
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR NEW STAFF 85
IMPORTANT RESOURCES
RESOURCE GUIDE FOR NEW STAFF
Rutgers Residence Life Resource Guide One Community, Five Campuses
Think of Rutgers–New Brunswick, with more than 41,000 students, as something like a lively and vibrant city. And just as the best small cities have a fun mix of neighborhoods, each with its own identity—some quiet and bucolic, others with a bustling, urban ambience—so do the five smaller campuses of Rutgers–New Brunswick. At each campus, you’ll find everything you need—student centers, dining options, residence halls, computer labs, classrooms, libraries, student lounges, and lots more. As a Residence Life Staff Member, understanding all of the resources available to students can help you be a great assistance to your residents. So, let’s start with our department.
Table of Contents RUTGERS RESIDENCE LIFE ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Student Service Offices ............................................................................................................................................. 4 Office of Community Standards................................................................................................................................ 5 Assignments Office ................................................................................................................................................... 5 Residence Life Employment & Student Support Office ............................................................................................ 5 OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS.......................................................................................... 7 Our Vice Chancellor .................................................................................................................................................. 7 Living On Campus ......................................................................................................................................................... 8 Facilities .................................................................................................................................................................... 8
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Dining Services ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 RU Express ............................................................................................................................................................... 9 Laundry E-Suds Program........................................................................................................................................ 9 University Mail Services ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Office of Information Technology (ResNet & Computing Services) .................................................................... 9 HELFUL STUDENT INFORMATION ...............................................................................................................................10 Useful Student Websites ........................................................................................................................................ 10 Campus Pages (New Brunswick) & Campus Deans ................................................................................................10 Campus Deans of Students...................................................................................................................................... 10 Campus Deans.........................................................................................................................................................10 Office of Student Conduct ...................................................................................................................................... 11 Financial Aid ............................................................................................................................................................11 Student Accounting, Billing, Cashiering ..................................................................................................................11 Rutgers Learning Centers........................................................................................................................................ 12 Career Services .......................................................................................................................................................13 Registrar.................................................................................................................................................................. 13 Student Portals .......................................................................................................................................................14 University Academic Calendar ................................................................................................................................14 STUDENT PROGRAMMING ......................................................................................................................................... 15 Student/Campus Centers........................................................................................................................................ 15 Student Life .............................................................................................................................................................16 Student Accounting Business Office .......................................................................................................................16 Rutgers Recreation .................................................................................................................................................17 SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY & TRANSPORTATION ............................................................................................................. 19 Administration, Public Safety & Emergency Services .............................................................................................19 Rutgers University Police ........................................................................................................................................ 19 Parking & Transportation..................................................................................................................................... 19 University Maps.....................................................................................................................................................19 Office of Disability Services .................................................................................................................................. 20 Student Legal Services ............................................................................................................................................ 20 RUTGERS HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES ..................................................................................................................21 Health Centers & Pharmacies ................................................................................................................................. 21 Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) ....................................................................................................... 21 Health Outreach & Promotion Education (H.O.P.E.) ..............................................................................................21 Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) .............................................................................................22 Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA) ................................................................................................... 22
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CULTURAL CENTERS & OTHER RESOURCES ................................................................................................................23 Asian American Cultural Center..............................................................................................................................23 Center for Latino Arts and Culture .........................................................................................................................23 Paul Robeson Cultural Center ................................................................................................................................. 23 Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities ..................................................................................23 Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services...........................................................................................24
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RUTGERS RESIDENCE LIFE (Us!)
As you know, Rutgers Residence Life supports the mission of the University by fostering the creation of safe, comfortable, and inclusive residential communities which are conducive to student development. These student-centered communities provide a sense of belonging and teach students to be independent, responsible citizens who value the worth and dignity of all. Residence Life values excellence, integrity, and innovation and strives to treat all students fairly, with respect and compassion. We work to provide all students with an educational, quality residential experience which meets their needs and interests. Our website can provide students with the following information such as Residence Halls/Apartments, Find the Staff in your building, FAQs, Policies, Contact Numbers http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/
Student Service Offices
This is where the professional staff work and also where students can go when they cannot find their in-hall staff. During the business hours of 8:30AM – 5:00PM students can go here regarding on-campus life, roommate issues, lockout help, safety concerns, and more. Busch Student Service Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Busch Student Service Office, Busch Campus 581 Taylor Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 848-445-2561 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/about-us/staff-and-contacts Livingston Student Service Office
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Lynton Towers, Livingston Campus 66 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854 848-445-6728 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/about-us/staff-and-contacts College Ave Student Service Office
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Clothier Hall, College Avenue Campus 590 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848-932-7209 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/about-us/staff-and-contacts
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Cook/Douglass Student Service Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
PAL Building, Cook/Douglass Campus 45 Biel Road West, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848-932-9363 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/about-us/staff-and-contacts
Office of Community Standards
When a student allegedly violates a Residence Life policy, the matter is forwarded to the Community Standards Office, which will determine the respective follow up with the student. A member from the Community Standards Office will meet with the student to discuss alleged violations that are non separable offenses. Office of Community Standards Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Richardson Community Center, Busch Campus 185 Bevier Road, Piscataway NJ 08854 (848) 932-4371 Hours may vary https://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/policies/community-standards-office
Assignments Office
This is where students can go with questions regarding their residence hall assignments, the lottery process, and more. Assignments Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Buell Apartments, Busch Campus 55 Bevier Road, Piscataway NJ 08854 (848) 445-0750 Hours may vary https://oncampus.rutgers.edu
Residence Life Employment & Student Support Office
At the Residence Life Student Support Office, staff takes care of student concerns that may require additional follow up and support between different university offices. Residence Life Student Support Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
ASB III, Cook Campus 3 Rutgers Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08854 848-932-4371 or 848-445-1010 8:30AM – 5:00PM Monday – Friday http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/about-us/staff-and-contacts
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This is where all recruitment, selection, and hiring of staff happens. Also, the Marketing, Assessment, & University Relations team is here working to update our social media, websites, flyers/brochures & more. Residence Life Employment & Marketing, Assessment, & University Relations Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Federation Hall, Cook Campus 4 Jones Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-2831 848-932-4327 8:30AM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00PM Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday http://ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/about-us/staff-and-contacts
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OFFICE OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS
Student Affairs is an integral part of university life for students. We facilitate interactions among students, faculty, and staff to promote students' academic success and their personal and professional development. In the student affairs division at Rutgers, we are creative, imaginative, and entrepreneurial, and our work is our passion. We are determined to shape and impact students every day, and we know that our daily efforts pay off. For more information please visit: http://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/
Our Vice Chancellor
Dr. Felicia McGinty joined Rutgers in August 2013 as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Dr. McGinty provides leadership, vision, and strategic direction for the large and complex division of Student Affairs.
Vice Chancellor McGinty offers open office hours each week for students and staff. Student office hours take place every Friday from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Staff office hours take place every Thursday from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Please stop by the Vice Chancellor's Suite, Rutgers Student Center 4th Floor. No appointment necessary. Office of the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Rutgers Student Center, College Avenue Campus 126 College Ave, Vice Chancellor's Suite, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: 848-932-8576 Fax: 732-932-9690 Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday 8:30AM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:00PM http://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/
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Living On Campus Facilities
These are the offices students can contact when there are issues with their room. We commonly call these “work order requests” and these can be placed by calling or online submission. Facilities & Housing Office – Busch/Livingston Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
South Tower Building, Livingston Campus 70 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8045 848-445-0044 8:30AM – 4:30PM http://facilities.rutgers.edu/ Submit Online Work Orders: www.ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/fixit Facilities & Housing – Cook Douglass/College Ave
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
PAL Building, Cook/Douglass Campus 45 Biel Rd West, New Brunswick, 08901 848-932-9625 8:30AM – 4:30PM http://facilities.rutgers.edu/ Submit Online Work Orders: www.ruoncampus.rutgers.edu/fixit
Dining Services
Students can get information on dining Halls, hours, locations, menus, catering, RU Express locations, etc by visiting http://food.rutgers.edu/. Busch Dining Hall – Busch Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Busch Dining Hall (located next to the Busch Campus Center) 608 Bartholomew Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Busch Campus 848-445-4253 Please see website for updated hours http://food.rutgers.edu/places-to-eat/eateries/3 Brower Commons – College Avenue Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Brower Commons 145 College Ave. New Brunswick, NJ 08901 College Avenue Campus 848-932-7658 Please see website for updated hours http://food.rutgers.edu/places-to-eat/eateries/1
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Livingston Dining – Livingston Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Livingston Dining Commons 85 Avenue E Piscataway, NJ 08854 Livingston Campus 848-445-7250 Please see website for updated hours http://food.rutgers.edu/places-to-eat/eateries/4 Neilson Dining Hall – Douglass Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Neilson Dining Hall 177 Ryders Lane New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1568 Douglass Campus 848-932-9798 Please see website for updated hours http://food.rutgers.edu/places-to-eat/eateries/2
RU Express
Rutgers University Dining Services designed RU Express, the official university debit account, to be the ultimate compliment to your campus lifestyle. RU Express offers a convenient cash-free alternative that allows students, faculty, and staff to use their university ID card like a debit card. More than 100 on-campus and off-campus locations are accessible through the swipe of your university ID card! To learn more, visit http://ruexpress.rutgers.edu/.
Laundry E-Suds Program e-SudsTM is an innovative online laundry system that gives students the ability to: Go online to check if washers and dryers are available in specific laundry rooms. Use their student ID or PIN code to activate and pay for the wash and dry cycles. Receive notification that their wash and dry cycles are complete via email, cell phone or PDA.
To learn more, visit http://rutgers.esuds.net/RoomStatus/showRoomStatus.i?locationId=1276 To report a broken machine or request for a refund, contact http://www.caldwellandgregory.com/content/request-service-forms
University Mail Services
To learn more about hours, locations, and services, please visit: http://mds.rutgers.edu/mailservicelocations.html
Office of Information Technology (ResNet & Computing Services)
Computer Labs, Email, Tech Support, RU Wireless, ResNet (registering your computer) For more information, please visit http://nbcs.rutgers.edu/index.php
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HELFUL STUDENT INFORMATION Useful Student Websites http://nb.rutgers.edu/information/information-current-students
Campus Pages (New Brunswick) & Campus Deans Each campus in New Brunswick has a Campus Dean. These deans help students and faculty take advantage of all the campus has to offer them, and to foster exciting learning communities with student-centered services. Campus Deans generate academic programs and events that bring faculty and students together beyond the classroom, helping to build an academic community on the campus. The Campus Dean introduces students to the scholarly work of faculty based on the campus, brings faculty into the learning communities on the campus, and works with students and faculty to develop year-long themes that focus on the campus as an academic entity.
Campus Deans For Office Locations, DOS bios, hours and contact information please visit https://undergraduate.rutgers.edu/for-students/student-resources/campus-deans Each campus in New Brunswick has a Campus Dean. These deans help students and faculty take advantage of all the campus has to offer them, and to foster exciting learning communities with student-centered services. Busch, College Avenue, Cook/Douglass, Livingston http://nb.rutgers.edu/aboutus/one-community-five-campuses https://undergraduate.rutgers.edu/forstudents/student-resources/campus-deans
Campus Deans of Students Deans of Students foster the personal and education development of students. They enhance this process through integration of student experiences, both in and out of the classroom, by creating various and seamless learning opportunities. Deans of Students nurture leadership skills, social justice, and civic responsibility. For Office Locations, DOS bios, hours and contact information visit http://deanofstudents.rutgers.edu/
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Office of Student Conduct
The Office of Student Conduct administers the student disciplinary system at Rutgers University, investigating and adjudicating alleged incidents of student misconduct and academic dishonesty. The office enforces the University Code of Student Conduct and the Academic Integrity Policy and educates the University community about student conduct issues. Office of Student Conduct Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Services Provided
Bishop House, College Avenue Campus 115 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848-932-9414 (phone) 732-932-4154 (fax) Monday – Friday 9:00AM – 5:00PM http://studentconduct.rutgers.edu/
Financial Aid The Financial Aid Office’s primary objective is to assist students and families in planning for and meeting expenses associated with attendance at the University. They focus on establishing aid eligibility, awarding scholarships, grants, loans, and employment to eligible students, and providing financial aid counseling to students and families for the resolution of problems associated with financing an education. They serve as the primary advocate for students and families, assisting them in securing necessary financial resources. Office of Financial Aid Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours
Office of Financial Aid 620 George Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1175 Phone: 848-932-7057, Fax: 732-932-7385
Web URL
Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM
Please see website for updated hours at http://studentaid.rutgers.edu/
Student Accounting, Billing, Cashiering The Office of Student Accounting, Billing, and Cashiering provides access to your online term bill, processes refunds, administers payment plans, coordinates exit counseling, and assists with issues that arise with your student account. Our department is also referred to as the Bursar's Office, the Campus Business Office, or the Cashier's Office. For more information visit: http://www.studentabc.rutgers.edu/ Cashier’s Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Services Provided
Records Hall, College Avenue Campus 620 George Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1175 848-932-2254 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 4:30PM Tuition and fee inquiries, payment processing, refunds, student loan repayment
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Cashier’s Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Services Provided
Administrative Services Building (ASB), Room 310 65 Davidson Road Piscataway, NJ 08854 848-445-2535 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM Student loan repayments, exit interviews
Rutgers Learning Centers
The RLCs & MSLC provide free academic support to students both in and out of the classroom. We also provide resources for academic support, create student leadership opportunities, and provide support to faculty so they can create an optimal student learning experience. To learn more visit: http://lrc.rutgers.edu/ Link to Walk In and One on One Tutoring Busch Campus Learning Center Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Busch Campus, ARC Bld., Room 332 618 Allison Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8000 (848) 445-0986 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm (hours change depending on time of year) https://rlc.rutgers.edu/ Kreeger Learning Center – College Avenue Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Kreeger Learning Center (next to Brower Commons) 151 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8545 (848) 932-1443 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm (hours change depending on time of year) https://rlc.rutgers.edu/ Cook/Douglass Learning Center
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Cook/Douglass Campus Loree Bld., Room 124 72 LIPMAN DRIVE New Brunswick, NJ 08901-8525 (848) 932-1660 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm (hours change depending on time of year) https://rlc.rutgers.edu/ Livingston Learning Center
Location Address Phone Number(s)
Livingston Campus Tillett Hall, Room 111 53 Avenue E Piscataway, NJ 08854-8040 (848) 445-0986 Monday – Friday 9am-5pm (hours change depending on time of year)
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Hours W b URL
https://rlc.rutgers.edu/
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Career Services
University Career Services offers a variety of resources to assist you in obtaining positive career outcomes. Regardless of your post-graduation plans, our staff provides counseling and information that will help you prepare for life beyond Rutgers. We invite and encourage you to use our programs and services this year and following graduation. For more information please visit: http://careerservices.rutgers.edu/ Career & Interview Center/Administrative Offices http://careers.rutgers.edu/ University Career Services – College Avenue Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
College Avenue Campus Gateway Transit Village (106 Somerset Street, 4th Floor), next to Barnes & Noble, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (Find shuttle stops near our College Avenue location) 848-932-7997 (non-recruiter inquiries) | 848-445-7287 (recruiter inquiries) Hours vary http://careers.rutgers.edu/ University Career Services – Busch Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Busch Campus Center 604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 848-445-6127 (non-recruiter inquiries) | 848-445-7287 (recruiter inquiries) | 732-445-6150 (fax) Hours vary http://careers.rutgers.edu/
Registrar
The New Brunswick Registrar's Offices serve as the custodian of student academic records. They provide and support registration, transcripts and verifications, posting of grades and degrees, changes in residency, calendars, name and address changes, Veteran's benefits, awarding of diplomas, as well as graduation and commencement information. For more information please visit http://nbregistrar.rutgers.edu/ Registrar’s Office Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Administrative Services Building, Rooms 200-A, B, F, L Busch Campus 65 Davidson Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8096 See list of phone number: http://nbregistrar.rutgers.edu/reg-tele.htm Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM http://nbregistrar.rutgers.edu/
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Student Portals All Rutgers students access their student data such as course enrollment and financial aid information through one of two information portals. ď&#x201A;ˇ myRutgers ď&#x201A;ˇ myPortal (for legacy UMDNJ students in Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences)
University Academic Calendar For more information on important academic dates please visit http://scheduling.rutgers.edu/calendar.shtml
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STUDENT PROGRAMMING Student/Campus Centers
As different and eclectic as the Centers are, they have one thing in common: they are focused on providing friendly, welcoming, inclusive environments, helpful services and resources, and rich diverse programs. The Centers are the places to attend programs, host a meeting, meet friends, have a meal, watch TV, study or relax. For more information please visit http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers Rutgers Student Center (RSC) - College Avenue Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Rutgers Student Center 126 College Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (848) 932-8070 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/rutgers-student-center Busch Campus Center (BCC) – Busch Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Busch Campus Center 604 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (848) 445-3962 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/busch-campus-center Livingston Student Center (LSC) – Livingston Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Livingston Student Center 84 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854 (848) 445-0405 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/livingston-student-center Cook Campus Center (CCC) – Cook Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Cook Campus Center 59 Biel Road, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (848) 932-7617 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/cook-campus-center Douglass Campus Center (DCC) – Douglass Campus
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Douglass Campus Center 100 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (848) 932-9374 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/douglass-campus-center
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Student Activities Center (SAC) – College Avenue Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Student Activities Center 613 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (848) 932-1975 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/centers/student-activities-center
Student Life Rutgers University Student Life seeks to enhance students' undergraduate education through leadership initiatives; campus-based and university-wide programs; employment opportunities; multicultural initiatives; new student orientation programs; class-year programs and traditions; community service activities; clubs & student organizations; and student government. For more information on getting involved, Clubs & Organizations, events information, RUSA/RUPA, and New Student Orientation please visit: http://getinvolved.rutgers.edu/ Student Activities Center (SAC) Student Life o Student Involvement Student Activities Business Office (SABO) Student Affairs Business Office Student Volunteer Council
Student Accounting Business Office
The Rutgers University Student Activities Business Office (SABO) is the banking and accounting office for all Rutgers University registered student organizations and other approved College and University groups. This is where reimbursements from programs are completed. Student Accounting Business Office (SABO) – College Avenue Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Student Activities Center, lower level 613 George Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (848) 932-1975 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://sabo.rutgers.edu/
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Rutgers Recreation
Rutgers Recreation (New Brunswick/Piscataway) is a full service recreation department offering instructional classes, personal training, fitness assessments, intramurals, club sports, aquatics programming, outdoor recreation activities, leadership training, team building and special events. For more information on Centers, Classes, Intramurals, Hours, Locations please visit: https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Default.asp Busch Campus Sonny Werblin Recreation Center â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Busch Campus Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Sonny Werblin Recreation Center 656 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Business Office: 848-445-0462 | Information Desk: 848-445-0460 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/Default.asp#c1sf101st0
Busch Campus also features the Sport Club Field, Leadership House, and University Park for events and activities. College Avenue Campus College Avenue Gym Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
College Avenue Gym 130 College Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 Business Office: 848-932-8204 | Information Desk: 848-932-7171 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/Default.asp#c2sf6st0 Rutgers Fitness Center (Easton Avenue Gym)
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Rutgers Fitness Center/East Avenue Gym 30 Easton Ave, New Brunswick, NJ 08903 Business Office: 732-932-6890 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/Default.asp#c2sf7st0
College Avenue Campus also features Deiner Park for events and activities. Cook/Douglass Campus Cook/Douglass Recreation Center Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Cook/Douglass Recreation Center 50 Biel Rd, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Business Office: 848-932-8700 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/Default.asp#c3sf10st0 Loree Gym
Location Address
Loree Gym 72 Lipman Dr, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
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Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Business Office: 732-932-8600 | Information Desk: 732-932-8600 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/Default.asp#c3sf11st0
Cook/Douglass Campus also features the Class of 1914 Boathouse for events and activities. Livingston Campus Livingston Recreation Center Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Livingston Recreation Center 62 Road 3, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Business Office: 848-445-2398 *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule https://www1.recreation.rutgers.edu/Facilities/Default.asp#c4sf12st0
Living Campus also features an Ou td o o r â&#x20AC;&#x153;Base Camp â&#x20AC;? Cent er for events and activities.
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SAFETY, ACCESSIBILITY & TRANSPORTATION Administration, Public Safety & Emergency Services
The Department of Emergency Services is dedicated to enhancing the safety and quality of life for the university community as well as the surrounding areas. They provide emergency response, emergency medical services, public safety education, and fire prevention and response. For more information please visit: http://rues.rutgers.edu/ Department of Administration & Public Safety Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Public Safety Building 55 Commercial Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Non-Emergencies 848-932-4800 / Emergencies should call 911 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule
http://rues.rutgers.edu/
Rutgers University Police
On all campuses, the Rutgers University Police Department operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to provide the university community with a full range of police and security services. The departments are committed to providing quality law enforcement and security services to enhance the quality of life for all students, employees, and visitors. For more information please visit http://rupd.rutgers.edu/
Parking & Transportation
For more information on Bus Routes, Parking Permits, Parking Lot information, Parking Tickets, Transportation Escort Services please visit: http://rudots.rutgers.edu/ Department of Transportation Services Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Department of Transportation Services, Public Safety Building 55 Commercial Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Main Office 848-932-7744 Monday – Friday 8:30AM – 5:00PM *Hours vary on time of year, see website for up to date schedule http://rudots.rutgers.edu/
University Maps
Having issues finding a building? Look it up using our google based map system. http://rumaps.rutgers.edu/
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Office of Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services provides the necessary tools, resources and support for individuals with disabilities to become responsible decision-makers and self-advocates in charge of their own future. For more information please visit http://disabilityservices.rutgers.edu/ Office of Disability Services Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Lucy Stone Hall, Suite A145 Livingston Campus 54 Joyce Kilmer Avenue, Piscataway, NJ 08854-8045 848-445-6800 Hours will vary, https://ods.rutgers.edu/contact-ods https://ods.rutgers.edu/
Student Legal Services
The Office of Student Legal Services (SLS) provides legal assistance and representation to eligible university students; hold community outreach seminars and workshops; and provide educational opportunities for interested students in the form of internships and externships. For more information please visit: http://rusls.rutgers.edu/about-us
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RUTGERS HEALTH & WELLNESS SERVICES
Rutgers Health Services is dedicated to health for the WHOLE STUDENT BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT. It accomplishes this through a staff of qualified clinicians and support staff, and delivers services at a number of locations throughout the New Brunswick-Piscataway area. For more information please visit http://health.rutgers.edu/
Health Centers & Pharmacies
List of all locations, hours, and services please visit: http://health.rutgers.edu/locations
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Undergraduate and graduate students experience a great many stresses in their lives - sorting out one's identity, establishing and maintaining important relationships, coping with anxiety and depression, working on changing relationships with parents and other family members, dealing with losses, handling new academic demands, and dealing with reactions to one's differentness. To help with these tasks, Counseling, ADAP & Psychiatric Services provides a variety of psychological counseling services for all students of Rutgers University in New Brunswick/Piscataway, undergraduate and graduate. Services are free, and confidentiality is guaranteed within legal and ethical guidelines. For more information please visit http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/ Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
College Ave Campus 17 Senior Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848- 932-7884 http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/general-information/locations/9 http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/general-information/locations/9 Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS)
Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Cook/Douglass Campus 61 Nichol Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848- 932-7884 http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/general-information/locations/10 http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/general-information/locations/10
Health Outreach & Promotion Education (H.O.P.E.)
Health Outreach, Promotion and Education (H.O.P.E.) is an active learning, student centered unit within Rutgers Health Services. H.O.P.E. has an integrated academic and student life approach comprised of peer education, curriculum infusion, information development, outreach, and training related to health and wellness. Health Outreach & Promotion Education Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
College Avenue Campus 8 Lafayette Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: 848-932-1965 Fax: 732-932-3967 Hours may vary http://rhshope.rutgers.edu/
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Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Alcohol & Other Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is a counseling and information program for students who are concerned about their drinking or use of other drugs, about a friend's use/abuse, or about drug or alcohol use in their family. For more information please visit http://rhscaps.rutgers.edu/services/alcohol-and-other-drug-assistance-program-adap
Violence Prevention & Victim Assistance (VPVA) The Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance provides services designed to raise awareness of and respond to the impact of interpersonal violence and other crimes. For more information please visit: http://vpva.rutgers.edu/ Violence Prevention Victim Assistance (VPVA) Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
College Avenue Campus 3 Bartlett Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 848-932-1181 (24 hours/day, 7 days/week) *Typically 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m.
http://vpva.rutgers.edu/
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CULTURAL CENTERS & OTHER RESOURCES Asian American Cultural Center The center works with Asian American student organizations and various Rutgers departments, as well as community-based organizations, to develop cultural programs and provide a variety of activities for the Rutgers community. Asian American Cultural Center Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Livingston Campus 49 Joyce Kilmer Ave. Piscataway, NJ 08854 848-445-8043 Fax: 732-445-8044 Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday 8:30AM â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5:30PM http://aacc.rutgers.edu/
Center for Latino Arts and Culture The center researches, documents, and promotes Latino/a, Hispanic, Caribbean, and Latin American arts and culture, offering a variety of arts and cultural programming for the Rutgers community and beyond. Center for Latino Arts and Culture Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
College Avenue Campus 122 College Avenue, College Avenue Campus New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: 848.932.1263 Fax: 732.932.1589 Hours may vary http://clac.rutgers.edu/
Paul Robeson Cultural Center The center provides educational, cultural, and social programs and services that reflect the experiences and aspirations of minority students, with an emphasis on African Americans. Paul Robeson Cultural Center Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Busch Campus 600 Bartholomew Road, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Telephone: 848-445-3545 Fax: 732-445-3151 Hours may vary http://prcc.rutgers.edu/
Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities
The Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities (SJE), formerly the Office of Diverse Community Affairs and LGBT Concerns, continues to provide educational, social, and leadership development programs and activities for LGBT students, allies, and staff/faculty Liaisons for LGBT Students. Center for Social Justice Education and LGBT Communities Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Web URL
Tillett Hall, Room 247, Livingston Campus 53 Avenue E, Piscataway, NJ 08854 Phone: 848-445-4141 Fax: 732-445-0043 Monday-Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm http://socialjustice.rutgers.edu/
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Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services
To help make a veteranâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s transition to college life as smooth as possible and college experience rewarding and productive, the office offers support to new and current student veterans and Reserve component personnel as well as family members, active duty, and dependents through a variety of programs, services, and resources on our three campuses. Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services Location Address Phone Number(s) Hours Services Provided
Office of Veterans Services, College Avenue Campus 14 Lafayette Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: 848.932.VETS (8387) Fax: 732.932.1535 Hours may vary http://veterans.rutgers.edu/
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APPENDIX
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ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2014-2015
August 2014 Sun
3
Mon
4
Tue
5
Wed
6
Thu
7
Sat
Fri I
2
8
9
15
16
In-hall Grad Move In
10
II
12
13
14
Student Affairs Welcome 9:30 AM-11 AM
Livi SU1dent Center
18
19
In-hall UG 'lfaining-Move in and Welcome!
In -hall UG 1Taining
20 In-hall UG 1Taining
21 In-hall UG 1Taining
24
25
26
27
Football @Washington I0 PM UC, Rockoff & lnt 'l MoYe-ln In-hall UG Training Moveout/Bldg Prep
Tn-hall UG n-aining
In -hall UG n-ainin.g
In-hall UG n-aining
RHA £xecutlve Board and Presidents Move In & Training
RHA £xecutlvc Board and Presi dents Mo,-e In &
RHA £xecutlve Board and Presidents Mo,·e ln & Training
17
Training
22
23
In-hall UG Train ing
In-hall UG Training
28
29
30
B£ST, Llvi Apt Move-in In-hall UG Training
In-hall UG Training
lstyear and Transfer mo.-e-ln New Student Convocation
DRC, Honors, Olsco,·ery Houses Move-In In-hall UG 1Taining
31 Upperclassmen Mo>·e-ln '!browdown! OTM'sOue
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113
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115
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117
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120
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ON-LINE TRAINING DESCRIPTIONS
ONLINE TRAINING PRETEST: Help Us Understand what knowledge you bring to the table prior to training. KOGNITO: Learn how to recognize signs of distress and connect students to help.
RESOURCES: Learn about the resources available to our students on campus.
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HOW TO WRITE AN IR: Learn how to use the online Symplicity system as well as what information goes into writing a good IR. POLICIES AND PROCEDURES: Learn the policies we ask you to enforce in the residence hall as well as how to carry out our procedures appropriately. FIRST YEAR STUDENTS: Learn about the needs of first year students and how you can best support them. UNIVERSITY MINORS POLICY: Follow the directions outlined here to learn about minor safety if you are in an area that supports minors. TITLE IX TRAINING: Learn how to recognize situations that may involve unlawful harassment and respond appropriately to harassment complaints. DOOR DEC AND BULLETIN BOARD SUBMISSIONS: Submit door decorations and bulletin boards to Sakai. ONLINE TRAINING POST TEST: Help us to understand what knowledge you were able to gain as result of these training modules
RESIDENT ASSISTANT
JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION OVERVIEW The resident assistant (RA) is an undergraduate student staff member whose primary responsibility is to make connections and build meaningful relationships with their residents. The RA is a very important position in residence life as it is the front line for the department. RAs are responsible for developing community, planning programs, enforcing policy and handling crises, as well as fostering a living environment that is supportive and productive to all groups and individuals at the university regardless of their race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or ability. RAs are directly supervised by a member of the graduate or professional staff and are expected to support the mission of the Department of Residence Life. A role model to students residing on campus, resident assistants must be knowledgeable of all university and departmental resources listen effectively and exude ethical behavior at all times. RAs attend all training sessions and meetings as designated by their supervisor and are committed to self-development, the development of others, and to the mission and identity of the campus/residential college in which they work. The RA position is a live-in position, and staff is expected to sleep in their apartment each night.
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RAs are an integral part of the residence life staff team and are expected to participate in the work that supports the development of inclusive and safe apartment communities. To facilitate the development of a staff team, RAs work cooperatively with all staff throughout their building and the department. Due to the unique nature of the position, a RAs scope of responsibility cannot be translated into hours worked per day or week. Furthermore, RAs are expected to provide support during emergency situations and other unexpected instances where residential staff support is required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT • • • • • • •
Full-time student in a New Brunswick based program. Have completed at least 12 credits by the spring semester and at least 24 credits before next fall. Have lived on-campus for at least one semester either at Rutgers or another institution. Minimum overall 2.5 GPA. Preference will be given to candidates with a 2.75 or higher. Be in good academic and judicial standing. May not be hold a full time job or student teach while in this role, as it is a time intensive position. Be available for January, May and August training. Complete and pass the Foundations of the Resident Assistant Experience 101 course (spring and fall semester).
REMUNERATION •
Full compensation includes an assigned room (A single space) based upon your placement.
• •
150-meal plan per semester. Your remuneration package is listed as a scholarship on your account. If you receive financial aid, contact the Financial Aid office to determine how remuneration will affect your financial aid package.
SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES STUDENT DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES: Facilitating positive relationships where students learn to live independently is an integral part to achieving the goals of the department. RAs help facilitate the community development process through meetings with individual communities, by supporting hall government and providing a wide variety of program initiatives and events. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: •
•
• • • •
Promote inclusive communities (including special interest communities where applicable) that encourage acceptance and understanding. Encourage dialogue amongst residents to establish clear and feasible living expectations and support healthy relationships with roommates. Develop individual communities that encourage academic and personal growth. Create opportunities for residents to engage with others at the campus and university levels. Provide support for hall government initiatives and encourage resident participation. Foster an environment that embraces concepts related to civic engagement and social responsibility. 125
PROGRAMMING: •
• • • •
Develop an array of programs based upon the needs of the residential community in accordance with the programming model. Facilitate opportunities for residents to participate in the program planning and implementation process. Provide opportunities for residents to learn about their respective building and campus identities. Establish program partnerships with RAs and other campus and university constituents. Promote and participate in campus and university wide programs and initiatives.
PROBLEM SOLVING RESPONSIBILITIES: To achieve the goals of the department, an RA must approach all situations in an educational manner showing care and respect for all students. The RA role in responding to student concerns and crises will allow staff to maintain a positive community, and to build relationships with students within each of their own apartments. CRISIS RESPONSE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION: • Respond to crisis situations as they occur, providing ample support and follow-up as needed. • Develop working knowledge of all crisis related protocols and resources. • Create an atmosphere where residents understand and respect the rights of others. • Empower and educate students to resolve and mediate conflicts on their own. • Mediate conflicts as needed. Notify appropriate supervisor(s) immediately of any conflicts that may escalate.
•
Inform appropriate supervisor(s) immediately about incidents that require a response by a member of the graduate and/or professional staff.
DUTY AND POLICY ENFORCEMENT: • • •
•
Participate in a building and campus wide duty rotation during the academic year. Conduct “rounds” throughout the building to confront and enforce policy violations. Develop working knowledge of all university and departmental policies and procedures, document situations, and submit reports in a timely manner. Address and report housing/facility issues as they arise. Support and work cooperatively with the Facilities housing and maintenance staff.
*NOTE: In most instances, as a function of building duty, student staff will be required to sit at a desk in their respective residence hall. Additionally, certain buildings require student staff duty coverage during university breaks and holidays.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: These may vary by supervisor and area. • • • •
Properly update and maintain community bulletin boards. Check your mailbox and Rutgers email account on a daily basis. Obtain a working landline telephone and answering machine system. Assist in room condition checks and key distribution/collection during the opening and closing of buildings.
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APARTMENT ASSISTANT
JOB DESCRIPTION POSITION OVERVIEW The Apartment Assistant (AA) is an undergraduate student staff member whose primary responsibility is to make connections and build meaningful relationships with their residents. The AA is a very important position in residence life, serving as the front line for the department. AAs develop community, enforce policy and handle crises, as well as foster an independent living environment that is supportive of all groups and individuals at the university regardless of their race, gender, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or ability. AAs are directly supervised by a member of the graduate or professional staff and are expected to support the mission of the Department of Residence Life. A role model to students residing on campus, apartment assistants must be knowledgeable of all university and departmental resources listen effectively and exude ethical behavior at all times. AAs attend all training sessions and meetings as designated by their supervisor and are committed to self-development, the development of others, and to the mission and identity of the campus/residential college in which they work. The AA position is a live-in position, and staff is expected to sleep in their apartment each night.
AAs are an integral part of the residence life staff team and are expected to participate in the work that supports the development of inclusive and safe apartment communities. To facilitate the development of a staff team, AAs work cooperatively with all staff throughout their building and the department. Due to the unique nature of the position, a AAs scope of responsibility cannot be translated into hours worked per day or week. Furthermore, AAs are expected to provide support during emergency situations and other unexpected instances where residential staff support is required.
QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT • • • • • • •
Full-time student in a New Brunswick based program. Have completed at least 12 credits by the spring semester and at least 24 credits before next fall. Have lived on-campus for at least one semester either at Rutgers or another institution. Minimum overall 2.5 GPA. Preference will be given to candidates with a 2.75 or higher. Be in good academic and judicial standing. May not be hold a full time job or student teach while in this role, as it is a time intensive position. Be available for January, May and August training. Complete and pass the Foundations of the Resident Assistant Experience 101 course (spring and fall semester).
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REMUNERATION Full compensation includes a room in a shared apartment with other students. Your remuneration package is listed as a scholarship on your account. If you receive financial aid, contact the Financial Aid office to determine how remuneration will affect your financial aid package.
SUMMARY OF POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES PROBLEM SOLVING RESPONSIBILITIES: To achieve the goals of the department, an AA must approach all situations in an educational manner showing care and respect for all students. The AA role in responding to student concerns and crises will allow staff to maintain a positive community, and to build relationships with students within each of their own apartments. CRISIS RESPONSE AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION: • Respond to crisis situations as they occur, providing ample support and follow-up as needed. • Develop working knowledge of all crisis related protocols and resources. • Create an atmosphere where residents understand and respect the rights of others. • Empower and educate students to resolve and mediate conflicts on their own. • Mediate conflicts as needed. Notify appropriate supervisor(s) immediately of any conflicts that may escalate. • Inform appropriate supervisor(s) immediately about incidents that require a response by a member of the graduate and/or professional staff.
DUTY AND POLICY ENFORCEMENT: • • •
•
•
Participate in a building and campus wide duty rotation during the academic year. Conduct “rounds” throughout the building to confront and enforce policy violations. Develop working knowledge of all university and departmental policies and procedures, document situations, and submit reports in a timely manner. Address and report housing/facility issues as they arise. Support and work cooperatively with the Facilities housing and maintenance staff. All apartment complexes are opened for 9 months, including all academic breaks. Staff in apartments will be expected to participate in duty and building coverage throughout the 9 months, including breaks.
*NOTE: In some instances, as a function of building duty, student staff will be required to sit at a desk in their respective residence hall.
STUDENT DEVELOPMENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
Facilitating positive relationships where students learn to live independently is an integral part to achieving the goals of the department. AAs help facilitate the community development process through meetings with individual communities, by supporting hall government and providing a wide variety of program initiatives and events. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: • Develop individual communities that encourage academic and personal growth. 128
•
•
• • • •
Promote inclusive communities (Including special interest communities where applicable) that encourage acceptance and understanding. Encourage dialogue amongst residents to establish clear and feasible living expectations and support healthy relationships with apartment mates. Engage students in proactive discussions about living independently. Create opportunities for residents to engage with others at the campus and university levels. Provide hall government support and encourage resident participation. Foster an environment that embraces concepts related to civic engagement and social responsibility. Implement a combination of formal programming and informal community development opportunities based upon the needs of the community.
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
These may vary by supervisor and area. • Properly update and maintain community bulletin boards. • Check your mailbox and Rutgers email account on a daily basis. • Obtain a working landline telephone and answering machine system. • Assist in room condition checks and key distribution/collection during the opening and closing of buildings.
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RESIDENT ASSISTANT CONTRACT «Last_Name», «First_Name» June 9, 2014 Dear «First_Name», Congratulations again on your appointment to the Resident Assistant position in «BuildingRoom» on «Campus» for the 2014-2015 academic year. This contract along with the RA job description, staff manual and training, will provide you with all of the expectations and obligations of your position. In returning a signed contract letter, you are indicating that you understand and are willing to function within the guidelines of the position. Should you ever be in doubt about your expectations, you may contact your direct supervisor, your Assistant Director, or me for clarification.
Timeline of your Appointment: • • • •
This is a one-year appointment, starting August 18, 2014 and ending May 14, 2015. You are expected to stay until closing for every break and to return for each opening. The return date for Winter Break is January 15, 2015. If your placement is in a building which is open during break periods, 2 staff members per building will be required to be a part of the duty rotation. In addition to the duty staff, we will also require all staff to be present in the building throughout the year. Listed below are all dates on which we will require half-staff to be present and on duty for the 2014-2015 year:
Home Football Games: o o o o o o
Saturday, September 6, 2014 vs. Howard Saturday, September 13, 2014 vs. Penn State Saturday, September 27, 2014 vs. Tulane Saturday, October 4, 2014 vs. Michigan Saturday, November 1, 2014 vs. Wisconsin Saturday, November 15, 2014 vs. Indiana
Other Important Dates: o o o o o
o
Time: TBA Time: 8:00pm Time: TBA Time: 7:00pm Time: TBA (Homecoming) Time: TBA
Thursday, October 30, 2014: Student Life bed race event (College Ave.) estimated date Friday, October 31, 2014: Halloween Saturday, November 1, 2014: Homecoming Saturday, April 4, 2015: Rutgers Open House Friday, April 10, 2015: Student Life concert event estimated date Saturday, April 25, 2015: Rutgers Day
Rehire for a subsequent year is not guaranteed and will only be offered to those who have demonstrated superior performance and meet the standards of the applicant pool for that year. To be considered for rehire, you will be required to apply, in writing, by a stipulated date. Consideration for rehire should not be anticipated if you do not meet the re-application deadline.
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The RA job is an extraordinary opportunity for leadership and personal development and carries with it challenging responsibilities. During the course of your employment there may be a need for you to improve your job performance. Your supervisors will work with you to help you develop and to succeed in your position. However some situations can result in immediate termination, such as a personal violation of a University regulation, or a state, local or federal law. Information regarding the staff discipline and termination process will be available in the staff manual.
The general expectations of RAs are: • • • • •
Resident Assistants have a specific responsibility to act as role models for resident students in all areas. You must remain a matriculated, registered student and you must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.3 and a semester GPA of at least a 2.0. To be successful, RAs must be appropriately available to their students. Insufficient availability will be considered a failure to perform duties. RAs may not hold any full-time internship, full-time outside employment or student-teach. It is expected that RAs will not leave campus more than an average of one weekend per month, and will seek approval from their supervisor for all overnight time away.
The expectations of RAs regarding alcohol are:
Resident Assistants must obey all state, local and federal laws regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. Resident Assistants under the age of 21, may not drink alcohol, nor be under the influence of alcohol, on campus. Resident Assistants, regardless of age, cannot be publicly intoxicated in the residence halls. Resident Assistants, regardless of age, cannot consume alcohol on any day that they are on duty. Resident Assistants, regardless of age, cannot host/hold social gatherings/parties which include alcohol, in their assigned apartment.
As a Resident Assistant throughout the academic year, you are provided with: •
Room and board at no cost. Specifically, you will be assigned to a residence hall room and you will be provided with a 150 block mean plan. You will not be billed for either. • If you resign or are terminated from the RA position before the end of senior week, you will be required to immediately move out of the assigned RA room and your meal card will be invalidated; all remaining meals will be transferred to Residence Life. • RAs will be provided with an active phone line, but each RA must provide a telephone, and an answering machine to facilitate student and staff contact. • As per federal guidelines, Resident Assistant remuneration is calculated into the financial aid package. If you receive financial aid, please contact a Financial Aid Officer to learn of the effect of the RA position on your aid package. The RA position requires that staff members work as a team and further develop their skills. Thus, full participation in staff training programs and staff meetings is an important requirement of the position. This includes pre-service, in-service, mid-year, and May training. All staff must be present at all assigned training sessions; limited exceptions are granted and the unexcused absence of training programs may result in termination. I urge you to carefully review your job description and this contract before signing below. Please sign and return the color copy of this contract by the end of training or mail it to ASB III Room 130, 3 Rutgers Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 by Friday May 23, 2014. Congratulations and welcome! We are all looking forward to an excellent year!
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Sincerely, Susan Boyd Director of Personnel and Organizational Development
Signature
Date
APARTMENT ASSISTANT CONTRACT
«Last_Name», «First_Name» June 10, 2014 Dear «First_Name», Congratulations again on your appointment to the Apartment Assistant position in «BuldingRoom» on «Campus» for the 2014-2015 academic year. This contract along with the AA job description, staff manual and training, will provide you with all of the expectations and obligations of your position. In returning a signed contract letter, you are indicating that you understand and are willing to function within the guidelines of the position. Should you ever be in doubt about your expectations, you may contact your direct supervisor, your Assistant Director, or me for clarification.
Timeline of your Appointment: • •
•
This is a one-year appointment, starting August 18, 2014 and ending May 14, 2015. As all apartments are open throughout the academic year you are expected to work during all break times provided by the University (Thanksgiving, Winter and Spring). There will be two duty staff members on each day/night over breaks. We do require staff to be present in addition to the duty staff at all times when the buildings are open. Listed below are all dates on which we will require half-staff to be present and on duty for the 20142015 year.
Home Football Games: o o o o o o
Saturday, September 6, 2014 vs. Howard Saturday, September 13, 2014 vs. Penn State Saturday, September 27, 2014 vs. Tulane Saturday, October 4, 2014 vs. Michigan Saturday, November 1, 2014 vs. Wisconsin Saturday, November 15, 2014 vs. Indiana
Other Important Dates: o
Thursday, October 30, 2014:
Time: TBA Time: 8:00pm Time: TBA Time: 7:00pm Time: TBA (Homecoming) Time: TBA
Student Life bed race event (College Ave.) estimated date
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o o o o
o
Friday, October 31, 2014: Halloween Saturday, November 1, 2014: Homecoming Saturday, April 4, 2015: Rutgers Open House Friday, April 10, 2015: Student Life concert event Saturday, April 25, 2015: Rutgers Day
estimated date
Rehire for a subsequent year is not guaranteed and will only be offered to those who have demonstrated superior performance and meet the standards of the applicant pool for that year. To be considered for rehire, you will be required to apply, in writing, by a stipulated date. Consideration for rehire should not be anticipated if you do not meet the re-application deadline. The AA job is an extraordinary opportunity for leadership and personal development and carries with it challenging responsibilities. During the course of your employment there may be a need for you to improve your job performance. Your supervisors will work with you to help you develop and to succeed in your position. However some situations can result in immediate termination, such as a personal violation of a University regulation, or a state, local or federal law. Information regarding the staff discipline and termination process will be available in the staff manual.
The general expectations of AAs are: •
• • • •
Apartment Assistants have a specific responsibility to act as role models for resident students in all areas. You must remain a matriculated, registered student and you must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.3 and a semester GPA of at least a 2.0. To be successful, AAs must be appropriately available to their students. Insufficient availability will be considered a failure to perform duties. AAs may not hold any full-time internship, full-time outside employment or student-teach. It is expected that AAs will not leave campus more than an average of one weekend per month, and will seek approval from their supervisor for all overnight time away.
The expectations of AAs regarding alcohol are:
Apartment Assistants must obey all state, local and federal laws regarding the use of alcohol and drugs. Apartment Assistants under the age of 21, may not drink alcohol, nor be under the influence of alcohol, on campus. Apartment Assistants, regardless of age, cannot be publicly intoxicated in the residence halls. Apartment Assistants, regardless of age, cannot consume alcohol on any day that they are on duty. Apartment Assistants, regardless of age, cannot host/hold social gatherings/parties which include alcohol, in their assigned apartment.
As an Apartment Assistant throughout the academic year, you are provided with: • • • • •
A “Room” in an apartment at no cost. You will not be billed for your room. Specifically, you will be assigned to an apartment with apartment mates. If you resign or are terminated from the AA position before the end of senior week, you will be required to immediately move out of the Apartment Assistant apartment. Apartment mates may be also asked to vacate the apartment. AAs will be provided with an active phone line, but each AA must provide a telephone, and an answering machine to facilitate student and staff contact. As per federal guidelines, Apartment Assistant remuneration is calculated into the financial aid package. If you receive financial aid, please contact a Financial Aid Officer to learn of the effect of the AA position on your aid package.
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The AA position requires that staff members work as a team and further develop their skills. Thus, full participation in staff training programs and staff meetings is an important requirement of the position. This includes pre-service, in-service, mid-year, and May training. All staff must be present at all assigned training sessions; limited exceptions are granted and the unexcused absence of training programs may result in termination. I urge you to carefully review your job description and this contract before signing below. Please sign and return the color copy of this contract by the end of training or mail it to ASB III Room 130, 3 Rutgers Plaza, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 by Friday May 23, 2014. Congratulations and welcome! We are all looking forward to an excellent year! Sincerely, Susan Boyd Director of Personnel and Organizational Development
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UTGERS THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW JERSEY