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Housing Policies

The University believes its residential facilities provide the foundation of community life. In order to maintain the proper safety and security of these communities, residents and guests must abide by certain housing policies and expectations. The following includes some of the University’s housing policies. Students are expected to know and abide by these policies. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.


Appliances
To meet fire, health and safety requirements, the University must discourage the proliferation of electrical appliances in student rooms. All large, domestic­type refrigerators are prohibited. Refrigerators in student rooms must not exceed 5.0 cubic feet in size and must be in good operating condition. The use of the following electrical appli­ances is prohibited in all residence halls: air conditioners, broilers, rotisseries, ceiling fans, skillets, rice cookers, dimmer switches, hot plates, microwaves, tabletop grills, toaster ovens, breadmakers and other such high­wattage appliances.

Bars
Any structure which has by its appearance the function of serving alcohol is prohibited. Violations of this policy will result in a mini­mum $100 fine and the dismantling of the structure. The hall staff is responsible for determining whether a structure is a bar. The decision of a Rector is final in all cases. Failure to follow the directives of hall staff or repeat violations may be referred to the Office of Residence Life for further disciplinary action.

Bicycles
Students who operate a bicycle on campus are required to register the bicycle with Notre Dame Security Police. Bicycles are to be parked in the bicycle racks located throughout the campus. Under no circum­stances are students permitted to park or store their bicycles in stair­wells and common areas of the residence halls. If bicycles are found in these areas, a warning will be given to the owner. Upon the next violation, Notre Dame Security Police will remove the bicycle. During the winter months, long­term storage is available through Notre Dame Security Police.

Cable Television
Basic cable television service is provided in individual student rooms in the undergraduate residence halls. A channel directory and premium channel information can be found on the Comcast website, www.comcast.com. To purchase premium channels, a student should contact Comcast directly and the student will then be billed through Comcast. If a student does not have a cable television signal, he/she should call the OIT/ICS group at (574) 631­8111. If a premium service is not working the student must contact Comcast directly, at www.comcast.com. In graduate and married housing, basic cable television services are included in the standard apartment amenities. Students residing in graduate or married housing are responsible for contacting Comcast directly to arrange and pay for premium cable services.

Cooking
Cooking in student rooms is prohibited. Cooking of meals by individuals in common area kitchens is permitted. However, it should be noted that most residence hall facilities only provide minimal equipment for the preparation of light snacks and refreshments. The equipment in kitchens may be used to prepare food for a scheduled social event.

Damage to Rooms or Furnishings
Any damage to a residence hall room or its furnishings will be charged to the occupants of the room. All residence hall rooms are inventoried prior to the opening of the hall and are inventoried again following the closing of the residence hall. Damages, missing furniture, and rule violations are noted, and the occupants of the room are billed accord­ingly. If corridor areas are damaged, the occupants of student rooms in the damaged section are charged for the damage.

Elevated Bed Policy

  1. The following regulations apply to all elevated beds con­structed by or for students. Notre Dame Modular Systems, as found in several residence halls, are regulated separately.
         a.  Students must complete a permit form prior to building an elevated bed.
              Only elevated beds may be constructed; platforms, lofts or structures
              which constitute additional floor surfaces are not permitted. Permits for
              elevated beds will be available from residence hall staff at the
              beginning of the fall semester.
         b.  Students may construct an elevated frame for a bed.  The frame may be
              no longer than needed to accommodate the mattress on top of the bed
              springs.  Bed springs must be incorporated into the frame as a support
              for the mattress.
              Note:  Mattresses are either 36" x 76" (19 sq. ft.), 36" x 80" (20 sq. ft.) or
              36" x 90" (22.5 sq. ft.).
         c.  Two elevated beds may be built in any room.
         d.  In rooms with more than two elevated beds, their total area shall not
              comprise more than 35 percent of the total room area.
         e.  In buildings equipped with automatic sprinklers, elevated beds must be
              located so as to minimize automatic sprinkler interference.
                    (1)  Sidewall sprinklers -- Locate bed on opposite wall from
                           sprinkler(s).
                    (2)  Overhead sprinklers -- Do not locate elevated bed directly under
                           sprinklers.
            f.  Elevated beds must not be attached to ceilings or walls or be
                supported by wardrobes, sinks or other room furnishings.
            g.  Elevated beds must be adequately braced and bolted securely to
                 prevent swaying and collapse.  At least two bolts, with attached nuts,
                 per joint are required for all joined members.  The main vertical
                structural members should be at least 4" x 4" or equivalent
                dimensioned lumber. 
            h.  Elevated beds or their frames shall not be enclosed with fabric,
                 plywood or any other material.
             i.  Elevated beds shall abut only on the short ends except when placed in
                 an "L" shaped configuration.
             j.  The top of the mattress shall be no higher than 7 feet from the floor,
                 regardless of ceiling height. 
            k.  Construction of elevated beds must be completed by the beginning of
                 the first full week of semester classes, or sooner as mandated by the
                 Rector.
             l.  All elevated beds will be inspected by University Facilities Operations
                and/or Risk Management personnel, who will have final authority with
                respect to interpretation, modification and enforcement of these
                regulations.  Elevated beds may not be modified or altered after they
                have been approved by the inspectors.
  2. In buildings where the Notre Dame Modular System are provided, they will substitute for elevated or stacked beds, as specified under the Elevated Bed Policy.  The Notre Dame Modular System has been designed to meet or exceed Consumer Product Safety Commission Standards for construction, safety and durability.  Therefore, no substitutions will be permitted.  In rooms where Modular Systems are provided individuals may not construct any elevated bed.
            a.  No modifications to these units will be permitted.
            b.  These units are designed to the University's specifications and will be
                 available in several configurations to meet the needs of the many
                 room sizes and shapes.  This will preclude the necessity to remove
                 any module of the loft unit from the room.
             c.  Under no circumstances will any part of these units be removed for
                 storage or use elsewhere.

Exterior Doors
The exterior doors of each hall are locked 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the safety and welfare of residents and belongings.

One primary entrance (identified by a green dot on the card reader) will be accessible from 9 a.m.–Midnight, Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m.–2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. At this primary entrance, both residents and non­residents can swipe their Notre Dame ID card through the reader to unlock the door.

After parietals, only hall residents will have access to each resi­dence hall and must swipe and enter their Personal Identification Number (PIN = birth month and birth date — mm/dd ) to unlock the primary door.

Other entrances/exits may be accessible/restricted for hall resi­dents according to schedules determined by each hall staff. Access through these entrances can be achieved by swiping the Notre Dame ID card and entering the PIN. During special hall events and/or vaca­tion periods, access will be limited to hall residents only.

Individuals who jeopardize the safety and security of others by propping open exterior doors will be subject to disciplinary action.

Guests
In the residence halls, Notre Dame students are expected to register overnight guests with the Rector. Students are also expected to obtain prior permission from the Rector before admitting any visitor under the age of 17 to a residence hall. On home football weekends, and any other weekend that may be suggested by the Office of Student Affairs, residence hall staff may request that guests provide identification before entering a residence hall.

In consultation with the Office of Student Affairs, Rectors may establish guidelines with respect to guests in addition to those stated in these paragraphs.

Housing Contract
Students requesting living accommodations within the University of Notre Dame residence hall system are required to sign and abide by a contract agreement. This is a contract for an integrated service, including room and board, for unmarried undergraduate students residing on campus. The University is unable to offer this service in segments; therefore, no exclusions may be made.

Period of Contract
This contract is legally binding and extends to cover the entire aca­demic year, which includes the Fall and Spring semesters, except as indicated in the housing contract. When a student moves into a hall during the year, the contract will be for the remainder of the academ­ic year. The contract terminates if a student leaves campus to study in official Notre Dame international (or off­site) study program. If a student is not enrolled as a full­time, degree­seeking student (as defined by the Academic Code), the contract becomes void and the student may not continue to reside in the residence hall. Students completing degree requirements at the end of the Fall semester may not continue to reside in a residence hall for the remainder of the academic year or for any period of the Spring semester. If a student is removed from his or her residence hall by the University for discipli­nary reasons, the contract becomes void and the student may not continue to reside in the residence hall.

Room, Board and Deposit
Room and board charges must be paid in advance and in accordance with the schedule of fees established by the Office of Student Accounts for the full term of the contract. A deposit will be charged against a student's account as a guarantee against room damage and assurance of contract fulfillment. This deposit is charged only once and is refundable under conditions specified below.

Refund/Forfeiture of Deposit
If at the end of the term of the contract there are no outstanding charges for damages/fines against a resident's account and no charges under this contract are outstanding, the deposit will be refunded if the resident moves off­campus or leaves the University, or will be reapplied as a deposit for the following academic year.

Refund of the deposit will not be made if:

  1. A resident cancels the contract anytime prior to the commencement of the contract period, or
  2. A resident cancels the contract anytime during the contract period, or
  3. There are any charges for damage to the room occupied by the resident (or the resident’s proper share) or for damage to other areas of the hall, or
  4. The condition of the room upon the resident’s departure is such as to demand extra time for cleaning.

 

Exceptions to the requirement that the student must fulfill the entire contract time period are as follows:

  • voluntary or involuntary withdrawal from school;
  • leave of absence;
  • academic/disciplinary disqualification;
  • military service;
  • study abroad;
  • (or) graduation.

 

Penalty for Not Fulfilling the Contract
Any resident who cancels the contract and/or moves off-­campus without having first obtained written permission of the Office of Housing not only forfeits the deposit but is also liable for room and board for the remainder of the academic year. Cancellation of this contract will also result in a penalty fee of $200 (equal to amount of deposit and a cancellation fee of $150), in addition to imposition of any other charges expressly stated in the contract.

Health and Safety Issues
All students share responsibility for the health and safety conditions of their hall. To keep halls safe, students must keep the following facts in mind:
1. Know the fire exit routes from the residence hall.
2. Burned­out light bulbs in corridors will be replaced by the custodians. Students should not
    replace any light bulb with brighter or colored bulbs. Oversized bulbs can overload the
    circuits and create a fire hazard.
3. Wiring cannot accommodate double sockets.
4. Installation of ceiling fans is not permitted.
5. Waterbeds are not permitted.
6. Electrical or kerosene space heaters are not allowed.
7. Propane grills or any other type of liquid gas tanks are not to be stored in residence halls.
8. The following are prohibited as interior finish to any residence hall room:
     a. The installation of plywood paneling, plywood sheets, decorative wood shingles,
         particleboard, hardboard, wallpaper, paperboards, and any other flame­and smoke­
         propagating materials.
     b. Combustible fabrics, burlap, paper, cork, and other flame­and smoke­propagating
         materials.
9. Combustible materials should not be placed against or left in contact with radiators,
     heating units, light bulbs or lighting fixtures, or any other electrical items.
10. Halogen torchiere lamps that have a tubular halogen bulb greater than 300 watts are
      prohibited. All halogen lamps must have a properly installed safety guard. Individuals
      owning these lamps must be able to prove the bulb wattage is 300 watts or less, replace
      all bulbs without wattage rat­ings and obtain and properly install the wire safety guard.
      Lamps should never be placed near curtains, bedding, posters or pictures. Clothing,
      towels, etc., should not be draped over lamps.
11. Carpeting is not allowed on walls or ceilings. Ceilings shall not be draped with any
       fabric, netting or paper products. Violations result in the immediate removal thereof.
12. Partitions shall not be constructed in any residence hall suites or rooms.
13. Storage is not allowed in corridors or stairwells.
14. Bunk beds, as provided by the University, are always permis­sible. No more than two
       beds in any bunk structure are permitted. Extension beyond normal height of bunk
       structure is not permitted. A single bed spring raised on double end pieces is not
       permitted. Beds must be debunked and returned to floor level when residents move out
       of the hall.
15. Platforms or structures at any level constituting additional floor surfaces are prohibited.
16. Bed structures may not render windows unusable for emer­gency access or for air
       circulation. Bed structures may not block access to heating or ventilating units,
       plumbing, lighting fixtures and thermostats. Automatic sprinkler heads will be kept clear
       of all obstruction.
17. All corridor doors in every room (including suites) shall be maintained for easy exit.
      Corridor doors must be maintained so as to open at least 60°. No bed structure or other
      furni­ture will block use of a corridor door in any room or suite. Bed structures or furniture
      should not block connecting doors in suites. In all rooms there must be a clear passage
      or direct access to the interior of the room.
18. The University provides access to basic cable television in each undergraduate student
       room. Satellite dishes and sup­porting hardware are prohibited. The University will
       remove and confiscate any satellite dish or supporting hardware found and will assess
       a $200 fine. Student(s) may be subject to disciplinary action for possessing a satellite
       dish or hardware.

Housing Safety Guidelines for Decorations
For reasons of hall safety and security:
1.  All decorations must be non­combustible or factory­treated with flame retardant. No paper
      of any type may be used to line the exit corridors and stairs.
2.  Nothing may be attached to smoke detectors, heat detectors or sprinkler heads by any
      means.
3.  Nothing may impede or hinder occupants’ access to exits.
4.  Hose cabinets, fire extinguishers, cabinets, and fire alarm stations may not be covered   
     with any decorative materials.
5.  Exit and emergency lighting systems may not be covered.
6.  No open flames or candles in holders may be used.
7.  No modification of the building electrical system is allowed.
8.  Colored lights may not be installed in corridor lighting fixtures.
9.  Natural evergreen branches or trees are not allowed in student rooms.

Housing Safety Violations
Residence hall staffs and the Office of Housing shall determine whether any structures or room arrangements are in violation of all relevant regulations. Corrections must be made within the time set by the Rector (usually 24 hours). Elevated bed structures or room arrangements not corrected within the designated time or which may be discovered at any time after the beginning of the year (semester) shall be removed immediately. A substantial fine will be assessed each member of the room or suite and the individual(s) may be subject to disciplinary action.

Fines and disciplinary action may also be imposed for failure to remove prohibited materials, for student(s) found responsible for violation(s) of the housing policies, or for repeated violation(s) of these policies.

Keys
The unauthorized possession, use, loan or duplication of keys is prohibited.

Room and mailbox keys will be issued when a student checks into the hall. The student must sign a receipt for both keys. Any student who loses a key will be charged $20 replacement fee. An additional fine may also be imposed for lost keys.

Ledges, Roofs and Walls
The use of ledges and roofs for any purpose (sunbathing, barbecuing, etc.) and the scaling of exterior walls is prohibited.

Mail Service
Students receive their mail in mailboxes assigned to them in their residence hall.

A full­service United States Post Office is located in Hammes­-Mowbray Hall. During
the academic year, the post office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday. Available services include the sale of postage stamps and postal money orders, postal insurance, and registered mail service.

Noise
Because of the disruption, playing music or noise coming from student rooms to the outside is prohibited.

Opening/Closing of Residence Halls
The residence halls open for the Fall semester for First Year Student check­in on the Friday before the start of classes. First Year students scheduled for Advanced Placement exams are permitted to move in early as instructed by the Office of First Year of Studies.

Upper­class and returning students are permitted to return on the Sunday before the start of classes. Only those residents with a verified need to be on campus in order to fulfill University service and/or employment are permitted to check into a residence hall prior to 9 a.m. on that Sunday. Early arrivals are requested through the sponsoring department/office. Other requests for early arrival (e.g., freshman sibling, etc.) should be submitted, in writing, to the Office of Housing, prior to the published deadline.

Residence halls are closed during the break between Fall and Spring Semester. This period is not included in the housing contract.

The residence halls remain open during Fall, Thanksgiving, Easter, and Spring Breaks. In order to maintain safety and security, all buildings remain locked and residents remaining for all, or part of the break, may be asked to register with hall staff.

Members of the freshman, sophomore and junior classes must vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last final exam or by noon of the day following the end of second semester final examinations, whichever comes first. Seniors must vacate their room by noon on the day following Commencement.

Students found in residence halls before the official opening for the Fall and Spring semesters or after rooms must be vacated for the summer, will be subject to a fine, removal from the hall and discipli­nary action.

Painting
The painting of student rooms, common areas and hallways is prohibited.

Personal Property Insurance
The University and the Office of Housing do not carry insurance on student belongings and, therefore, accept no responsibility for theft, loss, or damage, etc. Homeowners insurance may cover property outside of the home, which means that you should consult your policy to determine if you are covered. If not, coverage may be obtained through the Personal Property Insurance Coverage Plan. Information and applications may be obtained at the Office of Housing.

Pets
Pets or animals of any kind, including birds, are prohibited in student rooms. However, non­carnivorous fish in an aquarium (less than 30 gallons) are permitted in student rooms.

Privacy and Security
Students are responsible for what occurs in their room. To provide maximum security for persons and property, rooms should be locked when the room is unoccupied or when residents are asleep. The University is not responsible for loss of personal property caused by theft, fire, or other causes. Students are advised to obtain insurance coverage on all personal effects.

Public Furniture
Furniture in lounges and common areas is provided for the use and enjoyment of all members of the hall community. Students are pro­hibited from removing furniture from public areas.

Quiet Hours
Each residence hall, under the direction of its Rector, shall establish quiet hours to ensure proper conditions for study and rest. All students must abide by the established study hours in their halls and common courtesy should be practiced during those times that are not set aside for studying.

Residence Hall Wired and Wireless Communications
A wireless network is available throughout the Notre Dame campus including residence halls, classroom, laboratory and faculty buildings, as well as recreational and social buildings. The wireless network is designed for mobile access and is a shared resource that is compli­mentary to, but not a replacement for, the campus wired network. The University discourages users from running any high bandwidth service (large file downloads of music or videos, on­line gaming, etc.) on the wireless as such use will slow wireless performance for every­one in that vicinity. The University strongly recommends that each student establish a wired connection for these activities. The guide­lines and policies which explain the restrictions for wireless network usage on campus found at oit.nd.edu/network/zoned/NDSecure.shtml. If a student experiences a weak wireless signal, he/she should report the location to the OIT Help Desk at (574) 631­-8111.

Each student is prohibited from setting up his/her own wireless access point in their residence hall room. These devices operate on the same radio frequencies as the wireless network and may interfere with the proper functioning of the wireless network. Apple Base Stations are a special case and may, under strictly controlled conditions, be set up in a room. Please call the OIT Help Desk at (574) 631­-8111 for specifications to configure an Apple Base Station. OIT reserves the right to disable an Apple Base Station if it is used in a manner that interferes with the operation of the wireless network. A student may use most Windows and other handheld devices with the wireless network. However, because these platforms are not specifically supported, the OIT Help Desk and the Residence Hall Computer Assistants are unable to provide assistance with these devices.

Room Assignments
Room assignments are made according to the following guidelines:

  1. Unmarried first­year students are required to reside in a residence hall, unless living at home.  If a first-year student leaves the University or is removed from housing for disciplinary reasons, the student must complete a waitlist application (see #5 below).
  2. Rising sophomores and juniors renewing their contracts, and those students returning from official Notre Dame international (or off­site) study programs who lived on campus immediately preceding their study abroad period, must abide by the proce­dures and deadlines outlined by the Office of Housing to receive consideration in the following year’s room assignment process according to the procedure of their hall or the hall to which they are transferring.
  3. Rising seniors must abide by the procedures and deadlines outlined by the Office of Housing to receive the same consideration as sophomores and juniors if sufficient spaces on campus are available.
  4. The assignment of residence hall students returning from official Notre Dame international (or off­site) study pro­grams during the Fall Semester, will be made according to the process as outlined by each Rector. Should spaces be unavailable in the student’s former hall, an assignment will be made by the Office of Housing. Students in an official Notre Dame international (or off­site) program during the Spring Semester will participate in the Room Pick Process via electronic communication or by designating an individual to represent them in the Room Pick process.
  5. Readmitted or transfer students, students returning from a leave of absence, and students who studied in a non­-Notre Dame international (or off site) program must request place­ment on a waiting list through the Office of Housing and will be assigned if and when space becomes available.
  6. Fifth­-Year students and those applying for a ninth semester of housing eligibility must request placement on a waiting list through the Office of Housing and will be assigned to designated spaces if and when space becomes available.
  7. Graduate and married students are assigned housing through a lottery system which is implemented by the Office of Housing.

Room Changes
University­initiated: The University reserves the right, as stated in the housing contract, to make changes in room assignment.

Student­initiated: Generally, room changes during the semester are not permitted and roommate issues need to first be addressed by the hall staff. The responsibility for working out the details of a stu­dent­initiated room change rests with the resident(s) requesting the change. Interhall transfer forms will be accepted and approved at the discretion of the Office of Housing in consultation with the Rector. Room changes are not made during the first three weeks of a semester. Students may request interhall transfers between semesters only. A charge may be assessed for signing a new contract.

Room Condition Reports
When arriving in the hall, each student is given a Room Condition Report form to record the condition of listed furniture, furnishings, and room surfaces. Each student is individually responsible for the furniture, equipment, and general condition of the room. If a student fails to leave the room and its furnishings in the same general condi­tion, appropriate charges will be assessed against the student’s account. Room Condition

Reports must be signed by each resident of the room and by the resident assistant when a student moves in and out of a room.

Students should avoid the use of Scotch tape on walls because it has a tendency to damage paint and other surfaces when removed. Charges will be assessed on the student’s account whenever damage to the room occurs because of the use of tape, adhesive picture holders, thumbtacks, nails, decals, etc. Students should report any mainte­nance needs or room repairs to their Rector.

Room deposit refunds are issued after students have completed their on­campus residence, provided student rooms are left in the same condition as when originally occupied. The Office of Housing will bill students responsible for damage to the hall.

Room Entry
The University reserves the right, as stated in the housing contract, to enter rooms without a search warrant for the purpose of maintain­ing security, discipline, and the orderly operation of an educational institution.

Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all residence facilities. Refer to the University’s Smoking Policy for more information.

Sports in the Hall
Corridors and lounges are public areas and should not be used for sporting events or horseplay to avoid personal injury or property damage.

Telephone Service

  1. A student may subscribe to a local telephone service, “Opt-­In Phone Service” that can be purchased. A student may subscribe to individual phone service by contacting the Office of Housing. During the summer and the first month of an academic year, a student may either select or decline the service. The cost of the service is $176 per semester, which is billed to the student’s account. Each student must provide his/her own telephone instru­ment. A 2.4 ghz phone is prohibited as it interferes with wireless data service. Any problem with the telephone service should be directed to the OIT/ICS group at (574) 631-­8111.
  2. A student selecting the phone service is responsible for arranging a long distance plan or using a pre­paid calling card. A student should not bill calls to a University­provided telephone number or accept collect calls, third party billed calls, or extended information calls. If any of these types of calls are billed to a University­provided telephone number, the student will be required to pay all charges plus a $25.00 administrative fee per call.
  3. Each residence hall has a public phone on every floor. Emergency 911 calls from these phones are answered by Notre Dame Security Police (NDSP) department and the location of the call will be displayed at NDSP. These public phones permit local calling (South Bend, Mishawaka) only. Long distance calls require the user to have a calling card plan or a pre­paid calling card.

24­-Hour Space Campus Guidelines

  1. 24­-Hour Space is defined as common areas/lounges desig­nated in each residence hall for the use of students and their guests. This area is considered “public space” and the use of this space is available to all residents and their guests “24 hours” of the day, except during designated vacation periods and other times that the residence hall is closed.
  2. Conduct in the 24­-Hour Space is governed by University policies specifically stated in du Lac: A Guide to Student Life including the Alcohol Policy, Quiet Hours, and other commu­nity standards. Residents and their guests are responsible for abiding by all policies and procedures and conducting themselves in a reasonable and appropriate manner, exercising good judgment and having respect for Hall Staff members and other students. Restrictions on behavior in 24­-Hour Space are not intended to limit social interactions between residents and their guests unless these behaviors conflict with the interests of other students and Hall Staff members.
  3. Local and/or temporary policies and procedures may be necessary in order to insure appropriate community living (i.e. during hall functions, Football Weekends, etc.):
  • Guests may be required to provide identification or sign in and out while visiting in 24-­hour space.
  • The number of residents and guests permitted in the 24­-hour space at one time, may be limited.
  • Guests must be accompanied at all times by a resi­dent and escorted to and from the 24­-hour space.

 

Window Screens
Throwing, dropping, or allowing any object or person(s) to pass through a window constitutes a safety hazard or litter issue and is prohibited. Window screens are provided for health and safety and should not be removed. Damaged and missing room screens will be repaired and replaced at resident’s expense.