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Summer Housing Contract
Introduction
Wesleyan University believes that residential life represents an extremely
important aspect of the overall college experience. It therefore commits
a great deal of its resources and energy to providing students with
opportunities for their development as scholars, as social beings, and as
individuals. However, in order to get the most out of these
possibilities, it is essential that students bring to residential life a spirit
of understanding for, and generosity toward, all members of the community.
This spirit, accompanied by an active and enthusiastic willingness to
share and participate for the good of all, virtually guarantees the realization
of a successful and rewarding residential community.
THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR ALTER THE TERMS OR CONDITIONS OF OCCUPANCY DURING THE CONTRACT TERM FOR REASONS IT DEEMS NECESSARY. RESIDENTS AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT WHEN SIGNING BELOW AND IT REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE DURATION OF THE DATES REQUESTED.
Terms of Occupancy
The minimum contract term for summer housing is two weeks for University Summer students and registered sessions for Summer Session participants. Students have access
to their rooms/units only during the dates they listed on the application or request form. Correspondence
from the Office of Residential Life regarding opening and closing includes the
dates university housing is available for students to move in and dates that
students must have completed their move out. Failure to adhere to these
dates will lead to administrative charges for early move in and/or moving out
late. Additionally, the university reserves the right to refuse
permission for the student to live in a university residence beyond the
contract dates, and may charge an administrative fee to any student who resides
in university housing prior to or after the contract terms listed above.
The university will charge an administrative fee and pack and store occupant's
belongings at the occupant’s expense if they fail to vacate at the conclusion
of the contract period. The university may also discard, at owner’s risk,
any belongings left in the facility after the university housing closes.
Liability
The University will not assume either risk or liability for loss of, or damage
to, personal property. Since Wesleyan University cannot assume
responsibility for loss of (or damage to) personal property of the residents
caused by mechanical mishaps, theft, fire, wind, flood or other catastrophes,
students are advised to maintain their own insurance for personal
possessions. If a violation of University policies occurs in a student
residence, the occupants of that room or unit may be held accountable and
subject to disciplinary action for the violation, even if they were not present
at the time of the violation.
Damage
to University Property
Residents will be responsible and charged for any damage made to university
property within their room, apartment or building to which they are
assigned. Damage costs in common areas
of units, apartments, houses and buildings will be assessed to all residents of
the unit, apartment, house or building if specific individuals responsible for
the damage are not identified. See
Physical Plant Housing Guidelines for more detail.
Lead Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from
paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not taken care of
properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant
women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of
known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling. The
University recognizes that any housing built prior to 1978 may contain
lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards. Tenants must also receive a federally
approved pamphlet on lead poisoning prevention. By accepting this contract, you
are affirming that you have reviewed the pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead
In Your Home. The pamphlet may be downloaded at: http://www.hud.gov/offices/lead/library/enforcement/pyf_eng.pdf.
All Wesleyan housing was built before 1978 with the exception of the following: Bennet Hall, Fauver Apartments, 19 Fountain Avenue, 20 Fountain Avenue, 25 Fountain Avenue, 231 Pine Street, and 14 Warren Street.
Operating a Business/Solicitation
Residents
are not permitted to use any Wesleyan facilities or services for business or
personal profit activities. This includes, but is not limited to buildings,
telephone system, and computer network, hardware, or software, etc. Only members of recognized student
organizations, with permission from The Office of Residential Life, may conduct
fundraising activities in the residence halls. Fundraising activities may not
include door-to-door solicitation. No outside organization or person may
solicit in residence halls or apartments.
There are several circumstances under which student rooms may be entered during the course of the academic year including a request by the occupant(s) of the room, immediate concerns regarding the safety of any occupants, an emergency situation, or to check health or safety conditions. Maintenance and custodial personnel may enter student rooms to provide services necessary to the upkeep of the units and unannounced room inspections will be conducted by university personnel at random times during the year.
Contract Cancellations
Students who cancel their summer housing after May 3, 2013 will be
charged a $150 contract breakage fee. Summer Session students who break their summer housing contract at any point after May 3, 2013 for Summer Session I, I & II, and for Summer Session II, June 13, 2013 will also be charged a $150 contract breakage fee. A
refund (if applicable) will be prorated to the date of the return of the key
and the release; no refunds, however, will be granted to students who vacate
during the last two weeks of the term.
The contract guarantees housing to the student, but it does not guarantee a specific assignment requested by the student. The Office of Residential Life reserves the right to enforce an administrative move if continued residency by the student at the existing location is determined by the Director of Residential Life or the Dean of Student Services to be detrimental to any part of the university or Middletown community. Additionally, 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. The University may terminate the housing contract without notice in the event of an emergency that would make continued operation of University housing not feasible. The University reserves the right to terminate the housing contract/lease for reasons of conduct in violation of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct.
Pets
Pets are not
permitted in any student housing with the exception of fish in 10 gallon tanks
or smaller. No other pets or animals are permitted in student residences at any
time, even if for a brief visit. Students and their roommates who have a pet or
animal found in their residence are subject to the following:
First
Offense:
$300 fine and referral to the Student Judicial Board
Second and Subsequent
Offenses: $500 fine and further judicial action up to
and including suspension
Regular follow up visits will be made to ensure the animal has been removed.
Students who, because of a disability, seek approval for a support or assistance animal must request a reasonable accommodation through Disabilities Services. This is a formal process that requires appropriate supporting documentation. A determination is then made regarding whether it is reasonable for the animal to be on campus. For policies regarding service animals, please contact Disabilities Services. Students must not bring the emotional support animal to campus until they have received approval from Disabilities Services and Residential Life. Any student who has an animal in residence prior to approval is subject to a fine and judicial action.
Housing Guidelines
Students are responsible for basic care and upkeep of their residential area in accordance with the University’s “Housing Guidelines” http://www.wesleyan.edu/pplant/housingguidelines.html. Residential areas that are not found to be in acceptable condition will result in mandatory professional cleaning at the student’ expense, a fine, and/or possible relocation. Students will be held individually responsible for damages or guideline violations in their assigned room and may be held collectively responsible for damages or guideline violations that occur in the shared common area of their living unit or building. Fines for violations will be charged
Room Assignments
Only those students to whom a particular room or unit has been assigned by the
Office of Residential Life may reside therein. The University reserves
the right to assign roommates, to consolidate vacancies within the same unit,
to change room assignments for reasons of health, safety, incompatibility or
other conditions seriously affecting the general welfare of the residents
involved, and to make room assignments wherever there are vacancies.
Students and or guests are not permitted to reside in common areas, attics or
basements unless such areas are designated as bedrooms by the Office of
Residential Life.
Students may request room changes by filling out a Room Change Request form and submitting it to the Office of Residential Life. All students involved in room changes must obtain written permission, in advance of the change, from the Office of Residential Life. Room changes will not be granted from single-occupancy residence hall rooms to entirely empty double-occupancy rooms. Unauthorized room changes will result in an administrative fine of $250.00 for each person involved. In addition, each person may be required to return to their original assignment and will be subject to regulations of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct, in particular regulations (14) Failure to Comply with a University official and (15) Department Regulations.
Keys
At the time of
check-in, each student receives key(s) to hir room, hall or house. All
keys must be returned to the Office of Residential Life at the time of
check-out. A student who fails to return hir keys(s) to the Office of
Residential Life within 24 hours of the termination of the housing contract or
of checking out will incur a charge for a lock change. If a student has
misplaced hir key(s) but believes ze can locate it, ze may borrow key(s) from
the Office of Residential Life. Borrowed keys not returned to the Office
of Residential Life within 3 business days will result in the lock being
changed and an assessment for each key. The student will be held
financially responsible for the expense. Duplication of keys by students
is prohibited and is considered to be a serious violation of the Code of
Non-Academic Conduct.
A student must vacate University housing by noon on the last day of the contract term. Failure to do so will result in the student having to pay both a fine and room charge. Upon vacating the room, the student must follow established check-out procedures as provided by the Office of Residential Life and the Physical Plant Office.
Community Standards & Residential Regulations
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 parking 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 student 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 and smoke control
capabilities. Propping open corridor or stairway
fire 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. When “Quiet Hours” are in effect (Sunday - Wednesday 11 p.m. - 8 a.m. and Thursday - Saturday 2 a.m. - 10 p.m.), 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.
Repeated offenses of any of the above community standards may result in more serious consequences.
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.
Community Standards are also part of your Housing Contract
Fire Safety Guidelines are also part of your Housing Contract
Physical Plant Housing Guidelines are also part of your Housing Contract
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