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Residential Policies
- 2007-2008 Campus Housing Agreement
- Resident's Rights and Responsibilities in the Community
- Community Standards and Conduct
- Appeals
- Alcohol Policy
- Candles
- Damages
- Drug Policy
- Energy Conservation
- Firearms
- Fire Hazards
- Fire Safety
- Fireworks
- Grills
- Guests
- Harassing Phone Calls
- Incense
- Open House Hours
- Personal Safety
- Pets
- Postings (banners/posters/etc.)
- Residency Requirement
- Roller Blades and Sports Equipment
- Room Changes/Apartment Changes
- Severe Weather
- Sexual Assault Policy
- Smoking
- Solicitation in Residence Halls
- Vacancies
- Residential Services and Facilities
Resident's Rights and Responsibilities in the Community
Below is a list of basic rights and responsibilities for every woman who shares a living space on campus. Every woman has a responsibility to herself and her community to read, understand and uphold these standards.
Each person is vital in determining the type of community that will develop in her living area. Thus, the quality of the campus living experience will, in large part, depend on what each woman is willing to contribute. It is each resident's responsibility to be willing to talk with another person about behaviors which make her uncomfortable.
Student's Rights
- The right to read and study free from undue interference in one's room. Unreasonable noise and other distractions inhibit the exercise of this right.
- The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise and distractions.
- The right to expect that roommates will respect each other's personal belongings.
- The right to a clean environment in which to live.
- The right of free access to one's room and facilities without pressure from a roommate.
- The right to personal privacy.
- The right to host guests with the expectation that guests are to respect the rights of roommates and other residents.
- The right to address grievances. The Residential Life staff is available for consultation in settling conflicts.
- The right to be free of fear of intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm.
- The right to expect reasonable cooperation in the use and sharing of common items in the community and within the room.
Student's Responsibilities
- To adhere to rules and regulations.
- To comply with reasonable requests made by Residential Life staff and other college officials.
- To monitor and accept responsibility for behavior of guests.
- To report violations of rules and regulations to appropriate staff.
- To respect the rights of others.
- To promote freedom of expression both individually and by association with groups.
- To contribute positively to the community by participating in activities, events, and programs.
Principles and Practices
The residential life staff is committed to providing a community-based living environment that enhances and supports the educational experience of students. We use the following principles and practices to guide our work:
- We respect the dignity and wonder of each student as a unique individual - each with special gifts, talents and limitations.
- We value women: their perspectives, needs, wants, ways of knowing and ways of leading.
- We support students in their task of developing self identity and we assist them in developing personal goals.
- We celebrate the importance of community and we provide an environment that is supportive and challenging. We acknowledge the interrelatedness of persons in community.
- We understand that balancing the needs of individuals, community rights and privileges are a worthy undertaking and journey.
- We prize leadership that is value based, integrated and service oriented.
- We are conscientious stewards of our resources and we try to provide a safe and clean environment to our own community and in the world around us.
- We view our work in this community as ministry. We are called to live among students and work with individuals, as we continue our own personal and professional development.
Community Standards and Conduct
In the Benedictine tradition we value the ideals of hospitality and community. Our residential program seeks to build an awareness of the rationale for our community standards to promote an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of students and to instill a sense of accountability for individual behavior. Occasionally, it is necessary to address concerns with individuals who choose to violate community standards and expectations. Our student conduct process is designed to educate women and help them make decisions that are appropriate within the context of our community.
Whenever a policy violation occurs, a student has the following rights:
- to be notified of the report of an alleged violation;
- to read the report documenting the alleged violation;
- to present her version of the situation, adding details and/or clarifying information;
- to be treated with fairness and respect;
- to expect that the violation and outcome be kept private unless specified otherwise;
- to appeal the decision of the conduct official.
In most cases, a student who has violated policies or standards can expect to be contacted by a Residential Life staff member to arrange a meeting. The student will be allowed to read any reports that have been filed regarding the alleged incident. The student and the conduct official will discuss the situation and the possible outcomes. The student will then receive a written letter outlining any sanctions assigned. The completion of the sanction(s) will bring closure to the incident. Any questions regarding this process can be directed to an RD or the Director of Residential Life.
Students have the right to appeal a decision of a conduct official on any of the following bases:
- Due process was violated
- New evidence/information becomes available that was not previously presented
- The sanction is considered inappropriate for the offense
Specific information about appeals will be included in any sanctioning letter. Generally, an appeal must be submitted in writing to the Director of Residential Life and must include name, the offense, the sanction imposed and the reason for appeal.
Candles, decorative or otherwise, are not permitted in any residence area. Any student who has candles in their rooms, suites, houses or apartments will receive an automatic college disciplinary warning, incur a fine of $25-$50 and will be required to take the candles home. Candles that cannot or are not taken home will be confiscated and put in storage until the end of the semester.
Any damages that occur in your room, house, apartment or building as a result of your neglect or misuse will be charged to you. Remember that you are also responsible for any damages caused by your guests. Custodial maintenance can be contacted to respond to and repair damages thare are the result of ordinary use through
www.MySchoolBuilding.com/myschoolbuilding/mygateway.asp?actnum=985017776.
In these cases, you will not be held financially responsible. Residents are expected to maintain a reasonable level of cleanliness and repair.
Please help save energy by shutting off lights and unneeded appliances. Keep your thermostat at a moderate temperature and adjust for personal preferences in temperature with clothing, blankets, etc. We ask that you refrain from opening windows in the winter. This not only wastes energy, but it is also possible that your window may freeze open, resulting in damage.
Firearms and Weaponry
No weaponry of any kind whatsoever is allowed on campus except those provided in ROTC and weaponry for game hunting or trapshooting that are registered with and stored at CSB Campus Security. This statement is to be interpreted in the broadest sense to include any such weaponry whether considered real, toy, or facsimile that can cause bodily harm or threat. Violation of this policy is considered grave. Anyone who violates this policy of possession is subject to severe sanctions including suspension. Anyone who uses weaponry deliberately or otherwise in a way that hurts people physically or mentally, is destructive of property, or jeopardizes public safety may be suspended or dismissed.
Trapshooting club members may store weaponry with campus secuirty through the spring semester in accordance with CSB Campus Secuirty regulations. All other weapons are to be removed at Christmas vacation. Weapons not removed will be confiscated. After proof of ownership a $25 charge will be issued for the release of any confiscated weapon.
Do not leave boxes, bikes or other items in hallways or in front of the doors of your building, residence hall or apartment. Exits and windows cannot be blocked as this poses a threat to safety. Do not hang anything from fire sprinkler heads or pipes as this may cause the sprinklers to malfunction.
An emergency evacuation plan is located on the back of every residence hall room, apartment and house door. Know the appropriate escape route and designated meeting place. Fire drills are conducted each year. Residential Life staff, Security and the Campus Safety Committee will be assisting with the drills. Your cooperation is expected and appreciated. Failure to evacuate in the event of a drill or actual fire may result in fines and follow up with conduct process. Tampering with fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors and fire extinguisher may result in fine and follow up with conduct process.
The sale, possession and use of some non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks are permitted in Minnesota effective April 30, 2002; however, all fireworks are still prohibited on the private property of the College of Saint Benedict campus. Any fireworks found on the College of Saint Benedict campus will be confiscated and are non-returnable. Person(s) in violation of campus policy or Minnesota law are subject to campus or criminal sanctions.
Due to the damage caused by grills on balconies of residence halls and apartments and the risk of fire, students are not permitted to possess or store personal grills. There are grills available for apartment residents use located near both the East and West apartments.
As part of your roommate or Living Group Agreement, we expect that you and your roommate(s) will agree on some standards for hosting guests. Roommates and living groups should determine what hours you wish to host male guests within the time frames established by Open House Hours for the residence halls and the apartment/houses. Out of consideration for the women who make their home on campus, male guests are not permitted in campus residence areas except during Open House hours. At no time are male guests permitted to stay overnight in any campus residence hall, apartment or house. We ask that you register your overnight female guests with your RA, CA, or RD in the case of an emergency.
A responsible host will have spoken to all roommates prior to inviting any guest and will understand that she is responsible for her guest and his or her behavior. Should problems between roommates or a living group arise as a result of conflicts over guests, please contact your RA, CA or RD for assistance.
Guests are permitted on a limited basis during break periods for students who remain on campus.
Residents wishing to host a social event in their residence hall, apartment, or house must abide by all college and residential life policies regarding number of guests, noise, alcohol, etc. Social events with alcohol are permitted only in the campus apartments and houses. Social events with alcohol cannot take place in any residence ahll or the lower level West apartment rooms. Students who wish to host a social event, with or without alcohol, should contact their RA, CA, ATRD, or RD to make the appropriate arrangements.
Apartment or house residents wishing to host a social event with alcohol should familiarize themselves with the Alcohol Policy. Prior to receiving approval to host a social evnt, students will be asked to complete a Social Event Registration and a Responsible Hosting Agreement. Contact your RA, CA, ATRD, or RD for additional information.
Please keep in mind when planning your event that the total number of people in the apartment/house cannot surpass the fire code limit:
Two-person apt. 6 people
Four-person apt. 12 people
Six-person apt. 18 people
Off campus CSB House 15 people
Idzerda House TBD w/RD
Any calls that are threatening, harassing, repetitive or unusual should be reported immediately to Security at ext. 5000. These calls may not seem dangerous, but should be reported nonetheless.
Incense is not permitted in any residence area. Students who have incense in their rooms, suites, houses or apartments will be required to take it home. Students who do not comply with this policy will have their incense confiscated until the end of the semester and will receive an automatic College disciplinary warning. Individuals wishing to use incense for religious purposes are asked to contact Campus Ministry to make appropriate arrangements.
As a residential community we are concerned with the comfort and safety needs of each person. The need for privacy, a feeling of safety and comfort in community living must be balanced with the desire to socialize and provide hospitality to guests. We encourage open and respectful communication between roommates and apartment living groups concerning guests. Male guests may visit residence halls during open house hours. At no time are male guests permitted to stay overnight in any campus residence hall, apartment or house. All on-campus residents and male guests are expected to abide by the following open house hours:
Residence Halls:
Sunday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - midnight. SJU students have card access from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Friday-Saturday, 9 a.m. - 2 a.m. SJU students have card access from 9 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Apartments and houses:
Open house hours in the apartments are determined by individual apartment and house living groups. Hours are established based on consent between all roommates. At no time are male guests permitted to stay overnight in any campus apartment or house. SJU students have card access to the CSB campus apartments as noted above.
Guests whose behavior is disruptive to the community will be asked to leave.
We encourage everyone to take responsibility for maintaining a safe environment:
- Close and lock windows when not in your living space.
- Lock your doors and carry your keys at all times.
- If you find an exterior door propped open, secure it immediately.
- Do not allow suspicious persons into the buildings or common areas.
- Contact staff or security if you see a suspicious person.
- Utilize well-lit walkways at night (walk in groups whenever possible).
- Call Security at ext. 5000 for an escort when walking (phones available in parking lots).
- Do not hsare or publish personal information.
The only pets allowed on campus are fish in tanks with a capacity no larger than 10 gallons.
Postings (banners/posters/etc.)
Any on or off campus organization must have all posters/banners stamped and approved by the CSB/SJU Department of Student Activities and Leadership Development (DSA-LD). Please bring your approved posting to the Residential Life Office located on the second floor of Mary Commons. All postings in residence areas will be hung by the Residential Life staff.
As a residential campus, all first-and second-year students at the College of Saint Benedict are required to live in campus housing provided by the College.
Roller Blades and Sports Equipment
The use of roller blades and other sports equipment in hallways or rooms are not permitted, as they present safety hazards and cause damage to facilities.
Residence Halls: Seek shelter in the basement of your building. Stay clear of entry ways, hallways, and glass. Laundry rooms and any bathroom in the lower levels are generally the safest locations.
East: Seek shelter in the basement of the HAB in the event of severe weather (local radio stations will announce tornado warnings and the sirens in St. Joseph may also sound). If you do not have time to seek shelter in the HAB, the safest place to be is any bathroom on the lowest level of your building as possible.
West: Seek shelter in the basement of your building. Stay clear of entry ways, hallways, and glass. Laundry rooms and any bathroom in the lower leels of West are generally the safest locations.
Houses: Seek shelter in the basement of your house.
Smoking is not allowed anywhere inside of the apartments, houses or residence halls. Those who smoke are expected to stay at least 25 feet away from entrances to individual apartments and residence areas. Smoking is permitted in the courtyards of East and West apartments, but individuals may be asked to cease smoking or move from the courtyard if there is a complaint.
Please note: Cigarette butts found outside the apartments, houses, and residence halls (balconies, walkouts, entries) are both environmentally dangerous and unattractive. Smokers are responsible for keeping the grounds clean and may be asked to assist the cleaning crews in removing these from common areas if a problem is noted. Please dispose of your cigarette butts properly.
CSB/SJU student organizations with permission from the Department of Residential Life, may conduct solicitation in residential areas as a means of raising funds for their organizations. Use of proceeds from solicitation are to be clearly described in all printed materials. Off-campus organizations are strictly prohibited from soliciting inside residential areas.
Should a vacancy occur at any time during the academic year, you have three choices:
- Find a new roommate of your choosing to fill the vacancy;
- Accept a new roommate as assigned by the Residential Life Office; or
- Maintain the vacancy by paying for the cost of the open space for the period of the contract remaining, if the space is not needed by another student.
In accordance with the terms of the Campus Housing Agreement the Residential Life Office reserves the right to assign students to open spaces. Refusal to accept a roommate or forcing a roommate out of a shared premise may result in financial and/or disciplinary consequences. It is expected that all residents practice the Benedictine value of hospitality when welcoming a new person into their living group.
Bennie Book
c/o Student Development
College of Saint Benedict
37 S. College Ave.
St. Joseph, MN 56374
Shelly Athmann