As a residential institution, Wesleyan University believes that for each student the experience of living with other students has an educational importance that should parallel and enhance their academic and personal development.  For students to truly learn from this experience, they must respect the rights of other members of the community in which they live.  In order to ensure the safety, security and maintenance of the residential units, the offices of Residential Life, Physical Plant, and Public Safety have outlined the following criteria for Community Standards and Regulations.

Parking
Residents and their guests are expected to observe all Middletown motor vehicle and traffic ordinances.  Any violation is subject to ticketing and/or towing by the Middletown Police Department and/or Public Safety at the owner’s expense. Residence hall students should park in designated student lots.  Wood frame house residents and their guests may park in the driveway of their house and on the street when and where it is allowed.  No university undergraduate housing includes individual or reserved parking, this includes the use of driveways, which are not reserved for residents of the unit next to the space.  All students cars need to be registered with Public Safety, even if they are being parked in driveways at wood frame houses.  Parking is never allowed on yards or in front of another driveway or alongside yellow or red curbs.  Parking is restricted on all streets during snowstorms, and is subject to fines.  A full description of all policies regarding on campus vehicles can be found at http://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety.

Property
It is important for you and your guests to respect the property of your neighbors.  Acts of theft, vandalism, littering, and trespassing undermine community relations and a common sense of well-being.  Any instances of theft, vandalism, or trespassing should be reported to Public Safety immediately.

Doors
Doors within the residential units play a primary role in safety by preventing access from intruders and by enhancing the building’s fire control capabilities.  Propping open corridor or stairway fire doors, smoke doors, or exterior doors, opening a secured outside door of a residential unit to allow access to an unknown non-resident, forcing open a secured door, and tampering with door locks are prohibited activities.  Room doors must be closed and locked when the room is unoccupied or when occupants are sleeping.  Residents should not leave their keys in their room doors at anytime.

Windows
Exiting or entering through windows is prohibited.  Window screens are considered permanent fixtures and should not be removed for any reason other than an emergency.  At no time should anything be hung, mounted, or placed on the outside of a window.  Window locks, as well as window stops (where provided) should be used whenever possible.

Student Handbook
University policies related to items that have been identified as possible fire and/or safety hazards apply equally to all University housing, including wood-frame houses.  Please refer to the Physical Plant and Fire Safety section of this contract for a complete listing of restricted items.

Noise
Everyone at Wesleyan has a different schedule for working, sleeping, and socializing.  All residents should be mindful of their neighbors’ schedules and of Middletown’s ordinances with regard to noise, which require reduced levels after sundown every day.  Noise should be kept within reasonable levels at all times, and special care should be taken to contain noise within your room, apartment or house during evening and night hours.  Residents should make an effort to communicate with floor mates or neighbors about upcoming events.  Residents who repeatedly disturb floor mates or neighbors with excessive noise will be charged under the provisions of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct that states “the persistent interruption of a reasonable level of peace and quiet is also a violation.”   Repeated offenses of any of the above community standards will result in more serious consequences, including an administratively initiated move to another residential unit. 

Quiet Hours
One of the goals of Residential Life is to provide an atmosphere that is conducive to study and rest.  In order to meet this goal, all residents must understand that the right of residents to study and sleep takes precedence over the right to make noise that disturbs others.  At the beginning of the fall semester, the members of each residential unit will establish “Quite Hours” for their community.  These hours cannot supersede Community Standards for Wood frame Houses or local municipal ordinances.  When “Quiet Hours” are in effect, all noise should be kept at a minimal level and not be heard outside the room or unit.  At all other times, students are expected to observe “Courtesy Hours” and be mindful to ensure that noise levels do not interfere with or negatively impact other students or the community.  If another person asks you to control the noise level in and around your residence, you are expected to comply with the request.

1. Beginning at 12:00am on the second day of reading period through the last day of finals, twenty-four hour “Quiet Hours” are in effect in all residence halls.
2. Students in wood frame houses and program houses are expected to be mindful and courteous of all house members during reading week and finals week.  Any social event that has the potential to be disruptive to the community at large will not be approved.  Specifically, noise must be contained to the building.

Social Events
The University supports students having social gatherings in their residence as long as these gatherings do not create a disturbance to other members of our community.  Students must take an active role in ensuring that the event does not disturb Wesleyan and community members.  Students hosting a party in their apartment or house should always consult with floor mates and neighbors when planning the event.  Any social gathering must comply with the University social event policy.  When residents host a gathering, they will be held accountable for the actions of their guests. If guest activity causes any harm to persons or property, both the responsible person(s) and the hosts may be held financially responsible. 

Unless otherwise specified in the Dean of Student Services social registration materials, a house event cannot exceed 49 people.  However no party or social gathering should host more people than can be contained comfortably within the livable areas (no basements or attics) of the house, or apartment. Guests may be outside but should stay in the yard of the host house. Residents should remember that noise from outside gatherings travels freely and can be especially disturbing to people nearby. Hosts are expected to be cognizant of noise being generated from their event, and act appropriately in accordance with community standards and expectations..  Upon receiving a noise complaint, Public Safety will respond to the gathering and inform the hosts of the problem. If residents and/or guests fail to respond appropriately to a complaint about excessive noise from a gathering and a second visit is made by Public Safety, the event will be shut down and the hosts will be referred to the Student Judicial Board.  Residents should not wait for Public Safety to notify them of a problem. All students, and particularly students hosting an event, should pay close attention to the noise and impact the party is having on the surrounding community. Hosts should attend immediately to noise concerns and other violations of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct. Charges may be presented to the appropriate judicial board about disturbances from gatherings under the provisions noted in the previous section on “Noise.” Judicial charges related to other types of violations of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct, such as alcohol violations or vandalism resulting from gatherings, may be brought forward following a single visit from Public Safety.

Repeated offenses of any of the above community standards may result in more serious consequences,
including an administratively initiated move to another residential unit.

Wood frame Houses
Living in a house is very different from living in a residence hall, program house, or apartment - with increased independence comes increased responsibilities.  A wood frame house is an old house that has been lived in by students for many years.  These are not new facilities and sometimes show their age.  Houses vary in size and amenities.  Bedrooms, bathrooms, and living areas vary in size.  The house will be a great place to live if you treat it like a home that needs constant care.  The appearance of your home is a reflection on you, your housemates, and the Wesleyan community.  You will be responsible for keeping the house clean, taking out your own garbage and recyclables, turning on/off your own heat, etc. Please remember the following:

§  All trash must be placed in sealed plastic bags and then placed in covered trashcans.

§  Recyclable items should be placed in the appropriate containers.

§  Trash and recycling should be placed at the curb on the designated pick-up day. Trash cans and recycling containers must be brought back to the house following pick-up. Trash receptacles should not remain at the curb more than 12 hours prior to or following trash removal.

§  Trash receptacles should not be visible to a neighbor or from a sidewalk on days other than when a pick-up is scheduled.

§  Debris should be removed from the outer areas of the house and the yard kept in presentable condition by the residents of the house.  Failure to comply may result in fines and/or disciplinary action.

§  The University will provide snow removal and maintain the lawn.

§  Indoor furniture is not permitted outside of houses or on lawns, decks, stoops, porches, etc.

§  Physical Plant (x3400) should be notified immediately regarding any maintenance needs or concerns.

§  Cleaning service is not provided to wood frame houses.  You are responsible for cleaning your house.  It is also expected that the house be left in a clean condition at the end of the school year (refrigerator cleaned out, stove and oven cleaned, bathtub/shower cleaned and all trash, furniture and personal effects removed.)

§  Laundry equipment and hook ups for washers and dryers are not provided.  Do not purchase or rent laundry equipment expecting to use it in your residence.

§  Physical Plant should be notified immediately regarding any maintenance needs or concerns.  If something breaks, gets damaged or is not working properly, or if you have any concerns about the safety or security of your house,  it is your responsibility to call Physical Plant (X3400) during the day, or Public Safety (x3333) after hours, as soon as possible to report the problem. A little problem addressed quickly may prevent a bigger problem from occurring. 

Quiet Houses
It is critical for all students to realize that living in a wood-frame house is a privilege that comes with significant responsibility.  Students living in these houses become part of a Middletown neighborhood, and must be sensitive to all of the student and non-student residents living in these neighborhoods.

All Wesleyan-owned student houses on Home Avenue, Lawn Avenue, Brainard Avenue, and Huber Manor are designated as quiet houses.  Students who choose designated quiet houses during the room selection process agree not to host parties or social events unless they are small and the noise from such events will be contained within the house.  Further, students agree to not participate in activities that might negatively impact their neighbors, and understand that they will be held responsible for disruptive noise or activities caused by them or their guests.  Any violation will be immediately addressed by Residential Life and the Student Judicial Board.

Smoking Policy

In order to limit exposure to environmental smoke, the University prohibits smoking in all residence halls, program houses, apartments, and Wood frame houses, as well as within 25 feet of university residences.

Effective implementation of this policy depends upon the respect and cooperation of all members of the Wesleyan University community.  Students are encouraged to discuss problem situations regarding smoking in residential areas and outdoor areas with fellow students. Complaints and disputes that are not resolved through discussion should be brought to the attention of a Resident Advisor, House Manager, Head Resident or Area Coordinator. If a satisfactory resolution is not reached, the Director of Residential Life should be consulted.  Students who violate the smoking policy will be fined, as well as charged with violating the Code of Non-Academic Conduct.