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.  UPON SUBMISSION OF A SUMMER HOUSING APPLICATION, RESIDENTS AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT AND IT REMAINS IN EFFECT FOR THE DURATION OF THE DATES REQUESTED.

Terms of Occupancy

The minimum contract term for summer housing is four weeks for University Summer residents.  Students approved for summer housing will have access to their residence only during the dates they listed on their application. 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 judicial 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 will charge an additional housing fee to any student who resides in university housing prior to or after the contract terms listed above.  The university will discard, at owner’s risk, any belongings left in the facility after the contract or relocation date and will charge the student’s account for any related lock changes.

Liability

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 the residence.  Damage costs in common will be assessed to all residents 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: 

HUD Lead Paint Pamphlet

All Wesleyan housing was built before 1978 except for 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.

Entry of Student Rooms

There are several circumstances under which student rooms may be entered during the summer term, 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

Summer Housing students who break their summer housing contract at any point after the first Friday in May, and Summer Session II students who break their summer housing contract at any point after the first Friday in June, will 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 their reservation.

It is University policy that students in University housing may not sublet their rooms at any time during the contract term.  The University reserves the right to cancel the contract of any student who does not check into the room by the “Date In” date requested or notifies the Office of Residential Life prior to that date that ze will arrive after that date. 

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 Students 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 except for 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 Accessibility 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 Accessibility Services. Students must not bring the emotional support animal to campus until they have received approval from Accessibility Services.

Students with disabilities who require the use of a service dog are encouraged to contact Accessibility Services to discuss the service animal policy prior to residence.

Housing Guidelines

Students are responsible for basic care and upkeep of their residential area in accordance with the University’s “Housing Guidelines”  https://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’s 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 to their student account.

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 written approval is received by Office of Residential Life.

Room Changes

All students involved in room changes must obtain written permission, in advance of the change, from the Office of Residential Life.  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 the key(s) to their assigned residence.  All keys must be returned to the Office of Residential Life at the time of check-out.  A student who fails to return their 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 their key(s) but believes they can locate it, 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 any associated charges will be billed to the student.   Duplication of keys by students is prohibited and is a serious violation of the Code of Non-Academic Conduct. 

Check-Out

A student must vacate University housing by 12 noon on the last day of the contract term. Failure to do so will result in the student having to pay additional room charges.  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. Students should park in designated student lots.   No university undergraduate housing includes individual or reserved parking.  All student cars need to be registered with Public Safety. Parking is never allowed on yards or in front of another driveway or alongside yellow or red curbs.  A full description of all policies regarding on campus vehicles can be found at https://www.wesleyan.edu/publicsafety.

Property

Students and their guests are not permitted to alter the appearance of a residence's exterior (including balconies) with flags, signs, satellite equipment, or any other appendage unless it is a University Program House with a sign pre-approved by Residential Life and installed by Physical Plant. It is also important for students and their guests to respect University and Middletown property as many housing units are near the homes of Middletown residents. Acts of theft, vandalism, littering, and trespassing undermines community relations and a common sense of well-being. Any instances of theft, vandalism, or trespassing should be reported to Public Safety.

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 any time.

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 regarding noise, which require reduced levels after sundown every day.  Noise should always be kept within reasonable levels, and special care should be taken to contain noise within your room, apartment or house during evening and night hours.  Residents should 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. 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, all noise should be kept at a minimal level and not be heard outside of the room, unit, or building. All students are expected to respect the rights of others.

Quiet hours are uniform throughout campus:

Sunday - Thursday: 11 p.m. - 8 a.m.

Friday - Saturday: 1 a.m. - 10 a.m.

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 surrounding community.  If another person asks you to control the noise level, regardless of the time of day, you are expected to comply with the request.

During reading period through final exams, 24-hour "Quiet Hours" are in effect. Beginning at 11:59 p.m. on the last day of classes through the last day of finals, all noise should be kept at a minimal level and not be heard outside the room, unit, or building.

Repeated offenses of any of the above community standards may result in more serious consequences.

Smoking Policy

As of January 1st, 2022, the Wesleyan University campus is entirely vape free and tobacco-free. The Tobacco and Vape-Free Policy applies to all Wesleyan University facilities, property, and vehicles, owned or leased, regardless of location. Smoking and the use of tobacco or vape products shall not be permitted in any enclosed place, including, but not limited to, all offices, classrooms, hallways, waiting rooms, restrooms, meeting rooms, community areas, performance venues and private residential space within Wesleyan University housing. Vaping and the use of tobacco products shall also be prohibited outdoors on all Wesleyan University campus property, including, but not limited to, parking lots, paths, fields, sports/recreational areas, and stadiums, as well as in all personal vehicles while on campus. Littering the campus with the remains of tobacco and vape products or any other related waste product is prohibited. This policy applies to all students, faculty, staff, and other persons on campus.