Fall 2014 Off-Campus Housing Document

Check-In: 8/21/14 ~ 8/24/14

OFFCAMPUS HOUSING OFFICE

Times: 8am – 8pm

only

ARDEN’S RUN & TALONS SQUARE NORTH IMPORTANT SEMESTER INFO

WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY | U.M.E.S.

Office of Residence Life

Greetings and Salutations Hawks!

Welcome to your new home away from home! I am Mr. Rhett R. Burden, your Area Director/Counselor for the Off -Campus Housing Communities, Arden’s Run and Talons Square North.

My staff and I are truly excited that you have decided to reside with us in either Arden’s Run or Talons Square North. I welcome you as a new comer or back to the community in which we all take great pride. Residing with us will without a doubt enhance your college experience.

You will make life‐long friends, enjoy opportunities to learn outside of the classroom and gain the life skills needed to eventually live on your own. You are part of the largest housing communities at UMES! With 400 plus, students living within the two (2) communities, this spring will definitely be an exciting time for you.

Our beautiful communities includes: a picnic area, a volleyball court, grills and a car wash. Each apartment includes amenities such as washers and dryer, dish washer, two bathrooms, a full kitchen, single furnished bedrooms, cable and high speed internet.

To enhance your experience, we have five (5) Student Directors who conduct social/educational programs, room and suite inspection and area security. They also are trained specialist in minor dispute resolution.

Our housing office, which is located in Talons Square North, is open daily to assist with any problems or concerns you may have.

Our Residence Life staff looks forward to assisting you with all aspects of transition to campus life! We can be reached by phone at 410-621-0497 during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm) or you may reach me anytime by email at rrburden@umes.edu .

Once again, I am excited about the coming academic year and hope you share my enthusiasm!

Rhett R. Burden Area Director/Counselor Office of Residence Life Office Campus Housing- Arden’s Run/Talons Square North

OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING GENERAL INFORMATION Important Numbers: Office of Residence Life: 410-651-6144 Off Campus Office Number: 410-621-0498 Area Director Office Number: 410-621-0497 Campus Police: 410-651-6590 or 410-651-3300 Maintenance Concerns: Please be sure to contact your Student Director directly or Call the Off-Campus Office for ALL MAINTENACE CONCERNS.

*Please keep in mind that all issues will be addressed as soon as staffing, supplies & equipment becomes available* Student Director Information: Arden’s Run Staff Sierra Ragsdale-Miller: D-Building, Room-204 E Jered Brown: E-Building, Room- 104 E Naomi Glenn: H-Building, Room-204 E Talons Square North Mengie Muluh: Building 30511, Room-4302 Juan Harrison: Building 30519, Room-1204

Office of Residence Life

Arden’s Run and Talons North: Standard of Living Document

The following policies and procedures are designed to protect the right to privacy, to promote an atmosphere conducive to living and learning, to protect personal property and to respect the needs of each individual.

Should a resident or his/her guest choose not to comply with these regulations; monetary fines, relocation and/or judicial action may follow.

All policies and procedures outlined herein apply to residents living in any facility under the management of the Office of Residence Life.

A. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES Students living or visiting any off-campus facility are expected to abide by the rules, regulation, and standards of the campus.

Residents must also comply with the terms and conditions of occupancy as stated in the housing agreement.

Any behaviors deemed as disruptive to sleeping or studying are prohibited.

B. PERSONAL PROPERTY The Office of Residence Life assumes no liability for the loss or damage, from any cause, to students’ personal property. It is suggested that students contact an insurance agent regarding insuring personal property.

C. COOPERATION Students must follow oral or written instructions regarding University regulations as given by authorized representatives of the University including all members of the off-campus housing staff.

Failure to cooperate with staff members acting in accordance with their duties is prohibited.

D. ENTRY INTO STUDENT ROOMS BY HOUSING OFFICIALS Residential Services reserves the right to grant staff members or authorized agent’s permission to enter student rooms for the purpose of assessing and repairing the physical facilities and to ensure the maintenance of appropriate health and safety standards, which may include policy violations.

E. SOLICITATION/SQUATTING Solicitation in the buildings or on the grounds is prohibited.

Students/student organizations may not use the rooms or permit rooms to be used, for any commercial or non-university purposes whatsoever.

Any person found soliciting/squatting in the off-campus facilities is subject to arrest and judicial sanctions.

F. PETS Absolutely no pets are allowed in any residential community. Residents found maintaining pets are subject to a $500 fine and possible eviction. Pets will be removed by the University, or its representative and not returned to the owner until a parent or Humane Society Officer removes the pet from the premises. If no cooperation can be obtained from either, a suitable home for the animal will be located off campus or the pet will be released in the wild. Cages will not be returned.

G. OFFENSIVE AND OBNOXIOUS ODORS Residents are to control the environment and use of substances in their room so those odors, which are offensive to others, do not emanate from that room. Such substances may include incense, heavy perfumes, deodorant room scents or other substances that create odors that may be difficult to confine to one particular room.

H. LOUD MUSIC AND NOISE Courtesy hours are in effect at all times and are defined as times during which students are to consider the impact of their music, noise, etc. on other members of the community. Students are expected to act in a manner that does not disrupt or interfere with individual and/or group rights.

Sound equipment, including radios, stereos, amplifiers, etc. must be operated with consideration of others.

I. ACTS OF INTOLERANCE, PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT Acts of intolerance, physical violence and/or harassment of any kind will not be tolerated.

Disciplinary action will result from any such incident.

J. GUEST POLICY It is important to note that a suite is a private space that should be shared equally by all roommates.

As a responsible roommate, it is not appropriate to engage in any activity that would deny your roommate access to the room, or make them feel uncomfortable while in the room. When one roommate has a friend or friends visiting, it should always be with the consent of the other roommate(s). Students may have overnight guests in their rooms with all roommates’ permission.

In addition, no student is permitted to have an overnight guest.

It should be noted that it is the responsibility of the host to explain all University policies and to be held accountable for the actions of his/her guest.

If you leave your room or guest unattended, you can also be held responsible for the guest’s activities.

K. ALCOHOL AND DRUG POLICY The Office of Residence Life prohibits the unlawful possession, use and/or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on its property and/or as part of its activities.

All resident students are expected to abide by these laws with regard to the possession, use or sale of alcohol and other drugs.

It is a criminal offense, punishable by up to a year in jail and $2000 fine, for any person to furnish any alcoholic beverage to a person less than 21 years.

More specifically, the policies are as follows: 1. Students under the age of 21 cannot possess, consume, transport, be served alcohol, or be in the presence of alcohol. (Including empty bottles or cans, even as a decoration).

2. It is a violation to possess or consume alcohol in the common areas of the facility.

3. Students may not provide alcohol to minors.

4. Alcohol (or empty alcohol bottles/cans) should not be displayed in windows.

5. Students may not possess, use, or distribute illicit drugs or possess drug-related paraphernalia.

L. FIRE SAFETY POLICIES Fire Alarms: All students are required to follow fire evacuation procedures. Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm is a violation of Maryland state law and UMES policy and will result in disciplinary action. Residential Services/Physical Plant Services conducts fire drills twice a year.

Student cooperation and support is essential during all fire drills.

Fire-Fighting Equipment: Any tampering with the fire alarms or fire-fighting equipment is prohibited. This includes alarms, fire extinguishers, fire hoses, heat and smoke detectors and sprinkler systems. All safety and fire equipment in the room/apartment (smoke and heat detectors, sprinklers and water pipes) must be kept clear of obstruction.

General Fire Safety: Due to the threat of safety causes by falling ashes, the use of incense is prohibited in the facilities. Candles (whether lit or unlit), scented lamps and open flame devices of any kind, except for cigarette lighters and matches, are prohibited anywhere in student rooms and the facilities.

M. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT PERMITTED IN THE OFF-CAMPUS FACILITIES Firearms (including antique guns), explosives and other weapons, ammunition, fireworks, starting pistols, incendiary or toxic chemicals, paintball equipment, air rifles, bb pellets, dart guns, torches, stun guns, swords, knives, or any other type of weapon or projectile-firing device.

N. UNAUTHORIZED VIDEO/CABLE/COMPUTER EQUIPMENT Use of any unauthorized use of video equipment, or computers may result in disciplinary action against a student. Any impermissibly electronics which infringes upon another person’s right to privacy may also result in disciplinary action and/or the required removal of the video.

O. DAMAGE DEPOSIT AND KEYS/LOCKOUTS Damage to the student rooms and furnishings beyond normal wear is the financial responsibility of the assigned occupants of the room. The damage will be assessed and charged, to the student account.

Student Room Keys 1. Room keys should not be loaned to others at any time.

2. Lost keys must be reported immediately to the Off-Campus Housing Office for safety reasons.

3. In the event a student loses a room key, a lock change is required and will be processed through the Off-Campus Housing Office.

Charges Room Key- $100.00 Door Key- $100.00 Key Card- $25.00 The University Lock-out Policy During University business hours (Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm), students will come to the Office of Off-Campus Housing to be let in. After University business hours, students will need to contact the student director on-call and after midnight call Campus Police (ext. 6590/3300) in order to be let in to their rooms.

P. OCCUPANCY POLICIES Room Changes: The proper paperwork must be obtained from the Office of Residence Life and completed before making a room change. If approval for a room change is granted, the student must complete the proper check-out and check-in procedure with the Student Director.

Students who move without going through the above procedures will be subject to disciplinary action.

Summer/Winter Sessions: All facilities will be closed during the academic recesses.

Q. CARE AND USE OF FACILITIES The University requires proper care and use of residential facilities at all times. Registered occupants of each room are responsible for keeping their room and its contents in good order and free from damage by themselves and others.

The following are policies related to use of residential facilities;

Furnishings: provided in the public areas of the facilities are for the use of all students and may not be “relocated” for use in student rooms.

Smoking: Occupants or visitors may not smoke in the residence halls including private rooms, corridors, stairwells, laundries, offices, student centers, lobbies, kitchens, lounges and other space available for common use.

Items on wall: No Student can hang ANY ITEM on the wall of any sort with any material.

Paint: Students are not permitted to paint their rooms.

Screens and windows: must remain in place at all times. Students are prohibited from throwing or hanging any items out of their windows.

Bicycles: may not be stored in a resident’s room, common areas or stairwells because they represent a hazard that may obstruct a fire exit.

Personal Beds: are not allowed without authorization from the Office of Residence Life.

Students will be charged $400.00 bed replacement if they remove bed.

Storage of personal belongings: in common areas is not permitted at any time

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES EXPLAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT AND THE OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE HANDBOOK, WHETHER YOU READ IT OR NO

Talons Square North Residents SUITE/ROOM INSPECTION EXPECTATIONS KITCHEN Floor must be swept and mopped Refrigerator needs to be wiped clean inside & outside Stove must be cleaned and wiped off Counter top and sinks are wiped Cabinets are wiped down Free of personal items (this area is not your storage area) No dirty dishes Trash must be emptied LAUNDRY ROOM Machines must be cleaned inside and out Floor swept/mopped Free of personal items (this area is not your storage area) HALLWAY STAIRS Hallway must be vacuumed or swept BATHROOM Mirrors must be cleaned Sink must be cleaned Showers must be cleaned Toilet inside must be ring free Toilet seat must be cleaned under seat and on top Floor must be clean Trash must be emptied BEDROOMS Floor has to be vacuumed Desk must be wiped off Dresser must be clean Bed must be left in a presentable manner Trash must be emptied OFF-CAMPUS BILLING STATMENT Students can be billed for more than one incident equaling in a bill per occurrence. ExampleYou can be billed for your room and any area that is your responsibility If BEFORE the inspection, you cleaned your designated area, BUT during inspection it is found to be in violation of the policy, YOU WILL STILL BE BILLED! Residents have 24 hours from time of inspection to contest.

Arden’s Run Residents SUITE/ROOM INSPECTION EXPECTATIONS KITCHEN: Floor must be clean (swept, swiffered, mopped) Refrigerator (wiped clean inside & outside) Stove must be cleaned and wiped off Counter top and sinks are wiped down No dirty dishes Trash must be emptied LANDING (outside of your front door): Must be clean and free of trash LAUNDRY ROOM Machines must be cleaned inside and out Floor swept/mopped No items hanging from ANY UNIT Free of your personal items that are not laundry related Trash must be emptied BATHROOM Mirrors must be cleaned Sink must be cleaned Showers must be cleaned Toilet inside must be ring free Toilet seat must be cleaned under seat and on top Under toilet must be cleaned free of dust Floor must be swept and mopped Trash must be emptied BEDROOMS Floor has to be vacuumed Desk must be wiped off Dresser should be clutter free Bed should be in a presentable order Trash must be emptied OFF-CAMPUS BILLING STATMENT Students can be billed for more than one incident equaling in a bill per occurrence. ExampleYou can be billed for your room and any area that is your responsibility If BEFORE the inspection, you cleaned your designated area, BUT during inspection it is found to be in violation of the policy, YOU WILL STILL BE BILLED! Residents have 24 hours from time of inspection to contest

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES EXPLAINED IN THIS DOCUMENT AND THE OFFICE OF RESIDENCE LIFE HANDBOOK, WHETHER YOU READ IT OR NOT

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS OR CONCERNS

Mr. Rhett Burden Area Director/Counselor Arden’s Run and Talons Square North Main Office: 410-621-0498 AD Office: 410-621-0497