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Residential Community Living Standards

for
NYIT Housing in Old Westbury


Community Living

Showing consideration for others and respect for college and personal property are the basic foundations of community living. The success of a residential community and the learning that takes place in this environment depend on the willingness of residents to accept responsibility for their behavior, decisions and actions as community members. Residents are expected to be aware of how their actions be they written or spoken words, sounds or public displays of visual material, may make a person or group feel harassed, intimidated, discriminated against or in some way create a hostile or unwelcome living/learning environment. In keeping with this expectation, the Office of Residential Programs holds as an important value the ability of community members and staff to support the diverse range of student needs and experiences. Included in this range of needs and experiences are the following: the right to privacy, an atmosphere conducive to study, the protection of personal and public property, respect for the needs and values of each individual, and freedom from discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual orientation.

Community Policies and Standards

Alcohol

In accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, consumption, possession, distribution, use, sale or supply of alcohol in open or closed containers on any NYIT property, including grounds, residence halls, athletics fields or as part of any college activity is prohibited. Due to contractual obligations, anyone found in possession of alcohol on the SUNY Old Westbury campus is subject to immediate eviction.

Guidelines for Alcohol Sanctioning

The following recommended sanctions are to act as alcohol sanctioning guidelines for Residential Programs. However, sanctions are determined on a case-by-case basis, and tailored to assist in the development, growth and learning of the individual student. As with any disciplinary process, students have the right to appeal any decision or sanction rendered by a judicial body of NYIT. The guidelines are as follow:

Alcohol Containers

Alcohol containers (whether full or empty) may not be possessed in college residence halls.

Bicycles

If a resident brings a bicycle into the residence hall, the bicycle may not chained to railings or be parked or stored in the hallways, restrooms, lounges, entry ways or in any area other than the resident's room. The owner is responsible for any damages caused by bringing the bicycle into the residence hall.

Campus Access

After the hour of 10 p.m. the entry point for all visitors to the campus is the main campus entrance on Route 107. Unless a visitor’s name appears on the authorized visitors list or the subject of visitor’s pass, entrance to the campus will not be permitted. For resident and commuter students, a valid NYIT ID card is necessary for entrance to the campus. All visiting non-students must leave a form of photo identification with the officer at the gatehouse upon entering the campus. The identification will be returned to the visitor upon exiting the campus by midnight. Persons who attempt to enter the Campus or the residence halls without authorization are considered to be trespassing and are subject to arrest.

Cancellation Policy Before Occupancy

After July 1, students and prospective students who contract for housing for the full academic year contract period and subsequently decide to withdraw will be charged a $300 contract liquidation fee. After Jan. 1, students and prospective students who contract for housing during the contract period and subsequently decide to withdraw will be charged a $300 contract liquidation fee.

Cancellation Policy after Occupancy Commences

Students who have submitted the housing application and who have commenced occupancy in NYIT residence halls will be held responsible for fulfilling their obligation under the contract. Occupancy commences upon issuance of the room key to the student. A residence hall student who withdraws from NYIT housing while remaining a student will be obligated to pay in full for the contract period.

Residence hall students who withdraw from NYIT will be charged, on a percentage basis, in accordance with the NYIT refund policy below. Additionally, there will be a charge of $300 as a contract liquidation fee.

During first week of classes 75 percent refund
During second week of classes 50 percent refund
During third week of classes 25 percent refund
During the fourth week of classes and after no refund

If a residence hall student graduates during the contract period, the contract shall be terminated. Residence hall students graduating during the contract period must complete and submit to the Office of Housing and Residential Life a termination form by Dec. 1 in order to avoid the $300 contract liquidation fee.

If a residence hall student has a medical concern, chooses to study abroad, is withdrawn academically by NYIT or is required to teach or co-op outside of a 50 mile radius of the residence halls, during the contract period, the contract may be terminated by the student and/or NYIT. Residence hall students who wish to withdraw from housing must complete and submit to the Office of Housing and Residential Life a termination form by Dec. 1 in order to avoid the $300 contract liquidation fee. Official documentation to support the student’s withdrawal from housing must also be provided prior to Dec. 1. Residents who are removed from housing due to a judicial sanction will not receive a refund of their housing charges.

If an extraordinary and unforeseen circumstance exists and all avenues of resolution have been exhausted, a student may file a petition for release from the housing license. (Roommate conflicts, finding “preferable” housing, and/or not being assigned to your first choice accommodation are not valid reasons for release). If the petition is approved, refunds will be prorated based upon the number of weeks lived in housing up to the effective date of release, (even is you did not check into or you vacate NYIT housing before the approved effective date.)

Candles and Incense

The possession and or use of candles, incense or any “open flame” receptacles is not permitted in college residence halls.

Care of Rooms and Suites

Each student is responsible for keeping his/her room clean. In addition the suite and bathroom cleaning is to be shared between suitemates. Housekeeping staff cleans the public areas, such as stairwells, lounges, and hallways. Check your RA duty office to borrow cleaning supplies (a limited supply of buckets, brooms, etc. is available).

Confiscation

Items that are prohibited or that pose a danger to safety are subject to confiscation, and the student responsible may be subject to disciplinary action. Students will be given a time to retrieve confiscated item in order to take the item home or store it somewhere other than on campus. Confiscated items that are not retrieved with in the specified timeline will be discarded or donated to charity.

Cooking

Approved combination microwave/refrigerator (micro-fridge) units for food preparation are permitted in all college residence halls. UL listed refrigerators no larger than 5 cubic feet, 36 inches in height and 2.0 amps are also allowed provided the room arrangement allows for at least 2” of clearance on all sides. For fire safety considerations, however, microwaves, hot plates/pots, toasters or toaster ovens are not permitted in student rooms or suites. Only “to-go” coffee makers without exposed heating plates and auto shut off features are allowed in student rooms.

Microwave-refrigerator combination units can be rented for an additional cost through Cecil Distributors 718.267.6484. Applications are sent out with your housing placement packet, and you may also pick them up in the Office of Housing and Residential Life, ground floor of Bolivar Hall.

Check Out

At the end of each semester, you are expected to check out of your room within 24 hours after your last exam. When checking out of a room/suite at the end of the semester or at any time during the semester, residents must make an appointment with their resident assistant (RA) to check out properly. Residents must:

The room inventory form will serve as a preliminary assessment for damages. Additional charges may be assessed due to suite/common area and building damage. A student who fails to check out of his/her residence by the closing date and time may be subject to a late checkout charge. If a student is checking out at any time other than the scheduled checkout period at the end of the semester, he/she must go to the Office of Housing and Residential Life in Bolivar Hall to complete a housing termination form.

Upon checkout it is recommended that you contact the post office as well as any vendors to arrange for mail to be forwarded. If you are not registered for the summer or fall semester, your mail will be returned to sender.

If a student can not leave by the set checkout time, they must submit a request, in writing to their area coordinator for approval. Students will be charged a per day rate ($40) for each additional day and $200 per week. Students who are approved for a late checkout are responsible for following all of the guidelines outlined above.

If the room has sustained damage beyond usual wear and tear, the cost of repairs will be charged to you. The following prices will be used in determining financial liability for damage caused. (prices subject to change).

ITEM REPAIR/REPLACEMENT COST
Bed frame $125
Mattress $125
Closet $150
Closet curtain $75
Desk $310
Desk chair $95
Desk book shelf $152
Desk shelf light $95
Dresser large $298
Dresser small $95
Floor lamp $96
Lamp shade $35
Mirror $75
Wall paint (each) $125
Wall clean (each) $50
Ceiling paint (each) $125
Ceiling clean (each) $50
Ceiling light $100
Lens $45
Floor $250
Window blinds $150
Window screens $60
Window screen repair $20
Wall switch $25
Cover $15
Wall outlet $25
Cover $15
Smoke detector $60
Heat detector $75
Phone jack $40

DOOR PARTS		  
Door $800
Striker plate $25
Door knob $40
Lost door key $35
Replace lock cylinder $85
Lost mail box key $10

BATHROOM		  
Floor tile clean $100
Shower tiles (each) $15
Mirror $75
Light $75
Partition $200
Sink TBA
Counter TBA
Toilet $175
Toilet seat $35
Toilet paper holder $20
Shower head $55
Shower curtain $35
Shower hooks $2

MISCELLANEOUS		  
Cleaning (general) $50
Lock change $80
Replacement room/suite key $35
Replacement mailbox key $10
Replacement door key $35
Room/suite not clean $25 and up
Improper checkout $50
Removal of non-college furniture $40 per item
Replacement ID $10
Replacement swipe card TBA

Damage Policy

Damage may lead to curtailment of services, loss of ability to make repairs, and/or increased room rates. The actions of individual residents have a profound impact on the community as a whole. In light of this, NYIT has established the following measures of accountability for damage incurred to college residences.

  1. Room occupants are required to complete a room inventory form after they check in and return the completed forms to their RA or the Office of Housing and Residential Life in Bolivar Hall. The inventory form should be completed accurately as it will be used to assess the condition of the room during or after the checkout process. The cost of repair or replacement of college property damaged since the completion of the inventory form will be charged to the room resident(s). Room furnishings must be in their proper location at checkout.
  2. Students are expected to behave in a manner that is respectful of the environment in which they live that reduces the risk of damage occurring.
  3. Damage may be classified as either accidental or malicious. Accidental damage is damage occurring through unintentional, chance happenings. Malicious damage is damage occurring through intentional happenings, happenings related to alcohol use or through disruptive behavior resulting in damage. Damage includes any occurrence that necessitates surplus and/or unreasonable custodial and/or maintenance services.
  4. While students are liable for all damages to college residences resulting from negligence, vandalism, accidents or misuse, in the case of malicious damage, disciplinary action, as well as financial restitution, may be initiated.

Damages in Student Rooms and Suites

Charges for damage to individual student rooms or for suites will be the responsibility of:

Common Area Damages

A common area is defined as any space other than individual student rooms or suites, (for example: hallways, stairwells, lounges, bathrooms, lobby/storefront areas, etc.). Charges for damage to common areas in a college residence may be the responsibility of:

The building supervisor of the residence in conjunction with the residence hall council, and facilities staff will determine the appropriate action to be taken related to common area damages.

Replacement Cost for Damage or Loss

It may be necessary to bill students for damages, misuse, or loss of items. See the damage charge list under the “Check Out” section.

Damage to or Loss of Personal Property

The college does not assume responsibility for residents' or other person’s loss of money or valuables, or for loss of, or damage to personal property for any reason. The college recommends that all resident students contact an insurance carrier concerning the availability of protection against such losses. Brochures and applications for insurance protection are available in the Office of Housing and Residential Life. from your RAs or Head RA.

Delivery Service

All the residents must pick up their food, laundry and other deliveries at the flagpole/bus stop in the Academic Village. Delivery services will not be allowed in the buildings.

Drugs

The use and/or possession and/or provision of a place for the use of illegal/controlled drugs is governed by local, state and federal laws. All cases or evidence of use, possession, cultivation, or sale of drugs or evidence of use, possession, cultivation, or sale of drugs in college residences will be handled by the appropriate law enforcement agencies and reported to the Office of Housing and Residential Life.

Electrical Appliances and Equipment

Limitations in the availability of power to each room/suite as well as concern for fire hazards place restrictions on the types of equipment allowed in student rooms/suites. For this reason, cooking is only permitted in student rooms/suites in approved combination microwave/refrigerators. Residents will be held responsible for ensuring that their electrical appliances and electronic equipment conform to the following guidelines:

Approved electrical and electronic equipment and appliances

  1. Combination microwave/refrigerator units supplied by Cecil Distributors.
  2. Compact portable refrigerators (size may not exceed 5 cubic feet, 36 inches in height and 1.5 amps).
  3. Power strips with surge protectors (Do not plug one power strip into another).
  4. Televisions, stereos, CD players, computers and peripherals and other personal electronic equipment.
  5. All electrical appliances must be UL approved.
  6. A surge suppressor should be used with all stereos, computers, televisions and other sensitive electronic equipment.

Electrical and electronic equipment and appliances that are not permitted in student rooms and suites:

  1. Appliances with exposed heating elements. Among other things, this includes the George Foreman Grill and all similar devices.
  2. Microwaves.
  3. Hot plates, electrical stoves, toasters and toaster ovens.
  4. Air Conditioners
  5. Quartz halogen lights.
  6. Portable heaters.
  7. Extension cords.

Explosives, Fire Arms and Weapons

Explosives, firearms, fireworks, firecrackers and similar devices, and weapons of any kind create a potential safety hazard and, therefore, the use or possession of these items is prohibited in college residences. Weapons include, but are not limited to, knives with blades over three inches, guns, pellet guns, paint guns, bows and arrows, machetes, ninja stars, grenades, swords, etc.

First Year Experience Program

King and Anthony Halls are designated for our First Year and transfer students. As part of the first-year experience, the building staff are encouraged to provide programming and educational activities geared to the new student. Throughout the semester the resident advisors in these buildings will work together to put on three (3) programs that the first year students are highly encouraged to attend. Programming topics may include, but are not limited to: your first semester, getting involved, going back home, drugs & alcohol issues and self esteem issues.

Fire Safety Policies

Fire Drills/Alarms and Evacuation

Fire drills are scheduled periodically during normal working hours in college residences in compliance with state and local regulations. Every time the fire alarm sounds it must be treated as a real fire, and you must evacuate immediately. All persons must vacate the residence any time the fire alarm is sounded or an emergency situation arises that requires the evacuation of the building. All individuals in the building must follow the directions of the staff and other emergency personnel and may not re-enter the building until the police or a housing staff member gives permission. College, state or city officials may enter rooms to verify evacuation of residents.

Fire Safety Equipment

Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and fire alarm systems are there for the well being of the residents and should be treated with care and respect. Smoke detectors in student rooms are not to be disconnected under any circumstances. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a violation of the Student Code. Students found responsible for tampering with any equipment (e.g., pull stations, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors) will be subject to disciplinary action and possible criminal action.

Removal of Fire hazards

The college reserves the right to eliminate all potential fire hazards in any residence, if deemed necessary or appropriate by a college official or by other authorities that have jurisdiction.

As a resident, you are strongly advised to maintain fire/theft insurance. You can usually add your possessions to your parents, homeowners or tenant homeowner’s insurance policy through a rider or contract with a carrier sponsored by NYIT. Your RA and their supervisor’s have information on the NYIT sponsored fire/theft insurance carrier.

Furniture

Each student is provided with a standard twin bed, large dresser, small dresser, floor lamp, desk, desk top/bookcase, desk chair and smoke detector. Residents may not exchange or remove furniture from their rooms. Furniture removed without the permission will be considered missing, requiring student billing for replacement.

All furnishings must be returned to the original position in the room during the final exam week of the semester the student is checking out of the room or when the student checks out of the room during the semester, whichever is earlier. If furniture is not returned to it’s original position, you may be assessed a fee for labor.

Lofts

For the residents safety, lofts are not permitted in any college residence halls. Some beds may be bunked. Please place a maintenance request to have beds properly and safely bunked. Some loftable furniture has been placed in student rooms, only these pieces may be lofted. All college furniture must remain in the room in which it was originally placed.

Water Beds

Water beds are not permitted in college residences because of weight restrictions in the halls and possible water damage to the buildings.

Mercury Thermometers

Mercury thermometers are prohibited in all residential buildings as they pose a serious health and safety hazard if broken.

Guest and Visitation Policy

Residence hall policies and procedures related to guests and visitors exist to allow residents to have guests in a manner that does not infringe upon the comfort or rights of other residents and maintains an appropriate level of safety and security in the residence halls. The following general policies apply to all guests.

  1. A person is considered a guest if he or she is not registered through the Office of Housing and Residential Life to occupy a specific residence hall room. A guest is also defined as a resident student that is in any room other than their assigned room.
  2. Regardless of the length of his or her stay, the guest is expected to abide by all college and housing policies, procedures, regulations and standards.
  3. The host is responsible for the actions of his or her guests at all times. The host will be held accountable for any violation that his or her guest may commit.
  4. There may be special times of the year, such as semester breaks, summer sessions and exam periods, when the guest and/or visitation policy may be restricted or modified. Residents will be notified of guest policy modifications for interim periods.
  5. Guests must have a valid photo ID in order to be registered.
  6. Guests must not be listed on the college or campus persona non grata (PNG) list. The PNG (CAR-Campus Access Restriction) list is available through the Office of Housing and Residential Life.
  7. Any consistent violation of the guest and visitation policy may warrant disciplinary action.
  8. Cohabitation and living or allowing another individual to live in a space to which he or she is not assigned is not permitted.

Short-Term Guests

Provided there is no unreasonable interference with the rights of a roommate/s, a resident may have a short-term guest (one who stays for a few hours but not overnight) at any time.

A non-student (friends, parents and relatives, etc.,) wishing to visit a student in the residence halls can do so during office hours and up to 10 p.m., Monday through Friday, by providing a proper identification to the Office of Housing and Residential Life. Non-student visitor(s) must leave the residence halls and campus by midnight.

A commuter student wishing to visit the residence halls can do so by providing a valid college identification. Commuter students must leave the residence halls and the campus no later than 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and by 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. All visitors must have picture identification for university police or housing staff examination upon request.

    The following procedures and conditions must be met.
  1. It is the responsibility of the host to meet his or her guest at the main entrance of the residence hall. The host must remain with that person at all times when the guest is in the residence hall.
  2. A resident may have no more than twice the occupancy plus one person in their room at any given time.
  3. Children are not permitted in or around the residence halls at any time.

Overnight Guests

Provided that there is no unreasonable interference with the rights of a roommate, a resident may have an overnight guest (one who stays for longer than a few hours and/or sleeps in the room overnight). In the interest of the rights of roommates and other hall residents, there are limits to the duration and frequency of such visits. Overnight guests must follow the same procedures and conditions met by short-term guests, as outlined above. Note: Individuals under the age of 18 are not permitted as overnight guests. The residence halls are not equipped to meet the needs of infants or children.

Extended Stay

In some situations, a guest may need to stay for longer than the time periods stated previously. A request for permission for an extended stay must be submitted to the associate director of housing and residential life 48 hours prior to arrival of guest. This request must also be approved by SUNY University Police.

Guest Passes

It is SUNY Old Westbury’s intent to limit the use of overnight guest passes. An overnight guest is defined as a non-student who is in a resident’s room after 12 midnight. An overnight guest is permitted only for Friday and/or Saturday nights. In order to facilitate the entrance and exit of guest visitors, particularly those who will be overnight guests, it is required that the host obtain a guest pass from the Office of Housing and Residential Life, and have it completed and returned to the office no later than 4 p.m. on Friday. All requests for overnight guest applications are subject to the host’s roommate’s signed approval. Approval of the head RA must also be obtained before the issuance of the pass. Once registered, the guest’s name will be provided to the university police for placement on the overnight guest list. An overnight guest is required to carry the overnight guest pass at all times and must produce the pass upon request to any member of the university police or housing and residential life staff. There will be no approval for overnight guest passes, which are made by residents for any guest of the opposite gender.

Residents are limited to one overnight guest per night. The maximum number of overnight guest visitations per resident is two per week, not to exceed six passes per month. There will be no overnight guest passes sunday through thursday. Any student violating this policy may be subject to disciplinary action.

It is the responsibility of the host to meet his or her guest at the main entrance to the residence hall upon arrival and accompany them throughout the visit. When entering the building, the guest must present the pass and appropriate ID to any staff member upon request.

Harassment

As defined in the Student Code of Conduct, harassment directed at any individual will not be tolerated in college residences. Any student who feels as though they are being harassed is encouraged to document the situation and contact the residence life staff or university police.

Identification Cards

Identification cards are for personal use. They may never be borrowed or used by anyone other than the resident to whom they are assigned. As an NYIT student, you must always have your ID card on you and available to present upon request of any college official.

Your NYIT ID card will act as your NYIT and SUNY meal cards. If you lose your ID card, please follow these steps:

Intersession/Vacation Policy

Residence hall charges are based upon a standard 15-week semester, as approved by the NYIT Academic Senate and Board of Trustees. Students are only permitted to occupy the residence halls during the recognized semester. Students who have academic internships, scheduled classes, live a great distance from campus, international visa status, athletes or provide administrative support to campus offices must elect to live in Bolivar Hall. All other residence halls are closed during all scheduled break, vacation and summer session periods.

All residence halls are closed from Dec. 22 through Jan. 2. January intersession begins on Jan. 2 through Jan. 21. Any student who wishes to stay on campus for January Intersession must be a current resident of Bolivar Hall (exceptions may be made for FYE buildings), complete a intersession housing application, and pay the additional fees in order to live on campus for any or all of the intersession period.

Summer housing is not guaranteed. During the spring semester, information will become available to students about summer housing. If summer housing is available, any student who wishes to stay on campus for the summer session must be a current resident of Bolivar Hall, complete a summer housing application, and pay the additional fees in order to live on campus for any or all of the intersession period.

All students are expected to move out of their rooms 24 hours after their last exams or by 5 p.m. on May 18. If you are a graduating senior, you must write go to the office of Housing and Residential Life and sign up to stay throughout commencement.

Any student wishing to stay on campus during Thanksgiving break and spring break, must sign up in the main office no less than three days in advance of the start of the break period.

Keys and Swipe Cards

The proper use of keys and swipe cards are extremely important in providing security within the residence halls. Each student will receive a key to their building, room/suite and mailbox. In Bolivar Hall students may receive a card that will be coded to allow for “swipe” entry into the front door of their residence hall.

Keys and swipe cards are for personal use. Students are not to loan, share or give their room keys/swipe cards to anyone else. All keys/swipe cards are the property of the College and must be returned when a student checks out of the room and/or suite or at the request of a college official. Students are expected to return all room keys to the appropriate residence hall staff person as part of the normal check out process.

Laundry

Laundry facilities are located in the large lounge area extending from Anthony Hall. In order to use the machines, you must go to a laundry-card vending machine. Vending machines are located in the Student Union and in the Campus Center. Laundry cards cost $3 to purchase, and you can add to the card in $5, $10 or $20 increments (machines do not take change or singles). The laundry room is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

To report a machine that is not working properly, you can call 516.536.4646 or go to the housing office and ask someone to call for you.

Lock Changes

In the event that you or your roommate(s) lose your keys, a lock change ($50) will be requested. The student who lost the keys will be responsible for paying the lock change fee.

Lock Outs

If you are locked out of your room, during business hours (Monday through Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.), contact the Office of Housing and Residential Life. A staff member will come and let you into your room. You must be prepared to present some type of identification. Please be patient, as staff may take some time to get to your location. If you are locked out after the office has closed or on a holiday, you must contact the RA on duty in your building. If you can not find the RA on duty, call university police at 516.876.3333, and ask them to call the staff member on duty for you.

Charges for lockouts are as follows (all funds go to the RHC):

Time Charge
9 a.m. – 7 p.m. $2
7 p.m. – 12 a.m $1
12 a.m – 9 a.m. $3

Lost Keys

If a student loses or misplaces a key, be sure to contact the office of Housing and Residential Life immediately and complete a work order, keys can only be made weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.. Students will be given the option of either requesting an immediate lock change or waiting two days to see if you can find your keys. After the two day period, a lock change will be requested. Be sure to include a contact number so when the key is brought to the housing office you can be contacted. Until the key is delivered, you will have to contact the RA on duty to gain access to your room.

Lounges and Common Areas

Every residence hall contains a variety of common area spaces. Some are designated study lounges, while others are used for program events and meetings. Residents wishing to reserve space in a building must contact the head RA of the residence hall you wish to use. All lounge furniture and wall hangings should remain in the assigned location for use by all community members. Lounges are not to be used to provide overnight accommodations for guests. Please be respectful of other residents using this room and help maintain the area by cleaning up after yourself.

Mail and Package Delivery

A post office substation is located on the ground floor of the Campus Center. The mailroom is equipped to handle most postal services, such as purchasing stamps and posting packages. It is open for service Monday through Friday from noon - 2 p.m.

Each student will receive a key to their designated mailbox in the Campus Center. It is important that you check your mailbox on a regular basis; NYIT and the housing office distribute important information via these mailboxes.

To receive mail, use the following address:

REGULAR MAIL

Your name
NYIT MB# ____
SUNY College at Old Westbury
P.O. Box 333
Old Westbury, New York, 11568

PACKAGES, FED EX, etc

Your name
NYIT MB# ____
SUNY College at Old Westbury
233 Store Hill Rd.
Old Westbury, NY 11568

Maintenance

All maintenance requests must be reported to the housing and residential life staff in your residence hall. The maintenance staff will not respond directly to student requests for work to be done in their rooms. Residents should never attempt to make repairs themselves. Students may not exchange or remove furniture from their rooms unless given written permission by their head RA/associate. Furniture removed without the permission of the HRA will be considered missing, requiring student billing for replacement.

Maintenance Requests

All concerns regarding building maintenance and/or repairs should be brought to the attention of your RA and/or head RA by filling out a work order. When submitting a maintenance request you are giving consent for the facilities staff to enter your living space. Requests must be clearly identified and the problem fully explained on the work request, which can be obtained in the RA duty office or the office of Housing and Residential Life. If your work order is not completed in a timely fashion, please see your head RA.

Parking and Traffic (Residential)

University police oversee the regulation of parking and traffic on campus. Drivers on campus must obey all New York state vehicle and traffic laws and be properly registered, insured and inspected. A complete description of all parking and traffic regulations may be found in the Campus Motor Vehicle Regulations Handbook found at the University Police Department in Academic Village room D-100. Radar is used and enforced. Please do not speed.

All vehicles operating on college property must be registered with the college. If you plan to operate any motorized vehicles on campus, we encourage you to register your vehicle(s) during move in. After move in, you must go to the residential life office and complete a parking decal application. In most cases, decals will be provided within 24 hours of application submission. You may stop by the office or we will contact you when your decal is available. SUNY parking decals are to be affixed to the driver’s side rear window of the vehicle. Resident student parking is located in rows five through eight of the campus center parking lot or in the southeast rear tier of the Clark Center parking lot.

Performance of Duty

College officials reserve the right to enter a student's room/suite, locked or unlocked, at any time it is deemed necessary for immediate resolution of policy violations, addressing disruptive behavior, maintenance problems, illness, hazards and other similar emergencies or potential crises.

Personal and Community Expectations

In order for safety measures to be effective, students must make proper use of their features. Residents are encouraged to lock their doors when leaving the room/suite for any reason and while sleeping. Residents are also reminded that propping open exterior doors for any reason is also a safety hazard since it may allow unwanted visitors access to the building.

Personalizing Your Living Space

Students are encouraged to add personal touches to their rooms and suites that make their living areas more comfortable. Balancing this need for comfort against the need to maintain a safe living environment can sometimes be difficult. To assist you in this process, the criteria for maintaining a safe living environment are outlined below.

Wall and Door Decorations

Please make your room feel more at home by putting posters and pictures on the walls. White adhesive putty is the most recommended way to do this. Avoid two-sided tape or colored putty as it leaves residue that you will have to remove at check-out or risk being charged. Students will be charged if they make holes in the walls with nails or thumb tacks.

Decorations:

In an effort to maintain an environment that is safe and free of potential fire and other life safety hazards, residents are asked by the facilities department to adhere to the following decoration guidelines within the residence, be that within their own rooms or suites or within the common areas of the building:

General Requirements

Lighting

Christmas trees

Pets

Pets are not permitted in college residences, including student rooms/suites, except fish in an aquarium no larger than 10 gallons. Electrical aquarium accessories must be unplugged during extended vacation periods. If any unauthorized pet is kept in a resident’s room, disciplinary action will be taken, and a cleaning fee may be charged to that resident.

Posters, Flyers Advertising

Distribution of announcements and posters in college residences must be approved by the Office of Housing and Residential Life. Materials needing approval must be submitted to the assistant or associate director of housing and residential life. Approved posters, flyers and advertising may be distributed within a residence hall only by persons employed by the Office of Housing and Residential Life and Student Life.

Quiet and Consideration of Others

The college strives to provide its residents with a living environment that is conducive to learning. Residents and their guests are thus expected to respect the rights of others with regard to quiet for studying, sleeping and individual lifestyle choices. Quiet hours and courtesy hours are the vehicles for achieving this environment. In each residence, a program of quiet hours is established initially by the head RA, once the hall coundil in the building is established, the hall council will set the quiet hours for the building. Quiet hours must fulfill the following minimum requirements:

  1. Sunday through Thursday: Quiet hours must begin no later than midnight and continue until at least 9 a.m.
  2. Friday and Saturday: Quiet hours must begin no later than 2 a.m. and continue until at least 11 a.m. (Note: Specific quiet hours for each hall may be adjusted within the minimum guidelines at the first hall council meeting. The established hall quiet hours can be reviewed at any time when deemed necessary by residents of each hall within the established guidelines listed above.)
  3. Twenty- four hour quiet hours are in effect at all times during final exam periods. These quiet hours will begin at midnight the Sunday prior to the final exam period and continue until the residence closes at the end of the semester. No alterations of the 24-hour policy during finals week are permitted.

During quiet hours, the noise level in student rooms and suites must be kept at a minimum. Music, talking or other sounds are too loud if the sound can be heard by neighbors, in the corridor, or outside the building. At no time is a person to create a disturbance or noise that disrupts the activities of another person within the residence. All requests for quiet are to be immediately complied with by discontinuation of the activity causing the disturbance or noise. In the spirit of community, stereo speakers and stereos must not be directed out the windows/doors or used outside the residence. The use of headphones is also strongly encouraged. Repeated disregard for the noise level in use of sound equipment may result in the removal of the equipment from the student room/suite.

Courtesy hours, defined as hours of reasonable quiet, are to be maintained at all times, even during those times not designated as quiet hours. During courtesy hours, residents are expected to keep noise and activities at a level that will not disturb neighboring residents, including those living on other floors. All requests for quiet are to be immediately complied with by discontinuation of the activity causing the disturbance or noise. Residents are expected to anticipate and respect the needs of other students; specifically, the need to live in an environment with minimum annoyances or obstacles to academic pursuits and student wellness.

Residence and Room Environment

Residents are expected to treat all residence hall common spaces and individual rooms/suites with respect and care and may be held accountable for damages, other than normal wear and tear, found in the room/suite. In order to protect the health and safety of all residents, it is expected that all rooms/suites be kept at an acceptable level of cleanliness.

Roofs and Ledges

Safety concerns restrict access by students to roofs and ledges of college residences. Access to roofs and ledges is prohibited outside of their use as fire evacuation routes. In addition, radio and television antennae, satellite dishes, or similar devices are not permitted on the roofs, ledges or any building exterior. Students found on roofs may be subject to disciplinary action.

Room Changes

Room changes are the last resort for roommate conflicts. New York Institute of Technology maintains the philosophy that students need to learn to live with one another in a residential environment. This may be difficult at times due to individual differences among roommates. Residence hall staff has been trained to deal effectively with roommate conflicts. Room changes may result once there has been an attempt by both roommates to resolve the conflict. These room changes will occur only with the approval of the Head RA and associate director of housing and residential life.

Room changes, including moves made within the same buildings, must be initiated with the head RA prior to moving. Room changes between college residences must be initiated with the supervisor of a residence before a new room assignment will be offered. A short period is established at the opening of each semester during which no room/suite or residence changes are made. Requests for room assignment changes will not be honored for reasons involving age, race, ethnicity, color, national origin, sexual orientation, disability or religion.

Room Change Procedures

The Office of Housing and Residential Life will consider room change requests after the second week of the semester. If the student wishes to change rooms at that time, he or she must obtain and complete a room change form and submit it to their head RA for approval. If the student wants to move to another residence hall, they also need to gain the approval of the head RA of that building. The student may not complete the room change unless permission is granted by both head RAs.

Unless permission is granted otherwise, students must complete the room change and physical move within the room change period and no later than the end of the third week of classes. A student may only move to their new room after officially checking-out of their original room. Students must make an appointment with their original resident advisor and/or their new resident advisor in order to successfully complete the checkout and check-in process. Failure to follow the room change and official check-out/check-in process may result in student billing.

Unauthorized Room Changes

Unauthorized room changes are defined as those room changes that occur without prior authorization from the head RA. Due to the administrative needs of the college and emergencies that may arise, it is essential that an accurate housing roster be maintained. An unauthorized room change also may occur if the student does not follow proper procedures. Students who make an unauthorized room change may be subject to disciplinary action and may be assessed a fine. Students will be responsible for any damages found in the room where the illegal room change occurred.

Room Consolidation

At the end of the room change period, all students who do not have roommates may be consolidated. The applicants of partially-empty rooms will be brought together to make a full room. This means that some students will be reassigned. Where possible, the reassignments will be done within the same floor and building, but this cannot be guaranteed.

If during the course of the semester, one student moves out of a room, the student remaining in the room may be required to accept or find a roommate or be assigned to another room. If a situation occurs such that there is no student to place in a partially occupied room, the occupant will likely be charged the normal room rate only.

Room Entry

College officials, including Office of Housing and Residential Life staff members, are authorized to enter, search and/or inspect student rooms, suites and public rooms in the residence halls.

Room Inspections

The college reserves the right to enter and inspect rooms for the purpose of:

The time and date for building inspections will be posted at least 24 hours in advance. The fire marshal will make regular inspections to all buildings and kitchens where applicable.

Room Searches

Searches of student rooms by college officials shall be authorized and conducted under one or more of the following conditions:

Room Selection/Assignment Process

During the last few weeks of the spring semester, after early registration, students who currently live in the residence halls are given priority room selection times. Typically, preference is given to students who wish to remain in the same room for the following academic year, then preference is given by the number of semesters students have lived on campus. In order to sign up, you must: pay all parking tickets, complete a housing application, pay the non-refundable $275 deposit and submit proof that you have no outstanding balances, and you must submit proof that you have registered full time.

Check your on-campus mailbox for more information.

New students must mail the housing application and $275 deposit to the housing office. Only applications including the housing deposit will be considered. The office coordinator completes all housing assignments. We do our best to accommodate special requests, but do not guarantee that residents will receive the room of their choice.

Roommate and Suite Agreements

Since sharing living accommodations is a new experience for many students, all roommate pairs will be asked to complete a roommate agreement and all suite members will be asked to submit a suite agreement. These agreements encourage honest and open communication between roommates and suitemates as well as agreement for standards to be followed in the room and suite. No agreement is permitted to contain clauses that allow for the violation of any college or housing policy. If assistance is needed in establishing this agreement, you are encouraged to meet with your Resident Advisor or hall staff. Since the needs and routines of roommates change during the year, it is recommended that the roommate agreement be modified as needed. The suite agreement is intended to be renegotiated after the first six weeks of living on campus.

Smoking

No smoking is allowed in any of the residence halls. No students are to smoke in any common areas; this includes but is not limited to hallways, stairwells, elevators, kitchens and lounges. When smoking outside of the building you must be at least 15 feet from doors and windows.

Soliciting

Soliciting in residences is not permitted. Solicitation is defined as any activity designed to advertise, promote or sell any product or commercial service or encourage support for, or membership in, any group, association or organization and includes door-to-door canvassing. Soliciting/selling includes conducting a business in a college residence such as baby-sitting or selling such items as cosmetics, magazines, bagels, candy bars, etc. Advertising signs, posters and fliers may not be distributed or posted in college residences. Fundraising events/soliciting are not permitted in residences unless authorized by the associate director of housing and residential life. Selected sales of fraternity/sorority jewelry and supplies may be approved by the associate director.

If there is an unfamiliar person in your building who is soliciting items, please call university police immediately to have them removed from the building.

Storage

Storage is not available in any NYIT residence halls. Property left in a room will be discarded, or student will be responsible for occupancy charges.

Telephone Services

Student rooms are provided with one telephone jack per room. This includes room to room dialing and incoming calls. In order to get telephone service you must contact a local service provider. Verizon serves the residential community; you may pick up a telephone application from the Office of Housing and Residential Life.

Per college policy and applicable law, it is unlawful to obtain or attempt to obtain telecommunication services by use of a false, fictitious or counterfeit number. It is unlawful to charge telephone calls to the telephone number or credit card number of another person without valid authority. Avoiding or attempting to avoid payment for telecommunication services by use of any fraudulent scheme, device, means, or method is prohibited by law and by college regulations. Criminal prosecution and/or disciplinary action may be taken. Students are responsible for any long distance calls made from the telephone line in their room.

Trash

All trash must be taken to designated trash areas. Trash may not be taken to or left in the lounges, outside building doors, rest rooms, hallways or thrown in the Academic Village. All trash must be removed from the building and placed in the dumpsters provided. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.

University Police

University police (UP) are located in Academic Village room D-100 and can be contacted via your room phone by dialing x3333 (516.876.3333 from outside lines). UP offers 24 hour coverage of the residential campus.

If there is an emergency, do not hesitate to contact university police. If there is a less severe situation in your residence hall, you are encouraged to contact the residential staff on call, he/she will determine whether or not it is necessary to contact university police.

Use and Misuse of Equipment or Property

Expectations and standards for behavior in college residence communities are outlined in these Residential Community Living Standards. When resident behavior does not meet these standards, residence staff will address the behavior with the resident. When appropriate, staff will provide notice to residents on misuse of equipment or property and residents will be given the opportunity to rectify the situation prior to fees being assessed. Charges for items vary depending on the scope of the loss, damage, or mess. The amount to be charged to the resident is determined by the supervisor of the residence in conjunction with custodial and maintenance personnel.

Windows

Window screens must not be removed at anytime. Outside window sills must be kept clear of all objects. No objects may be thrown from the window under any circumstances.

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