Contents

(includes links to college sites)

• Home
• College Calendar
• Mission Statement
• Student Association
• College Facilities and Services
• Student Development
• College Expenses
• Academic Policies and Regulations
• University Police

Appendixes

(includes links and pdf's)

• Complaint Procedures - Discrimination
• Complaint Procedures - Harassment
• Residence Hall License
• Student Records & Freedom of Information Law
• Drug Laws/Drug Use
• Education Law
• Campus Directory
• Campus Map

Residence Living
Living in the residence halls provides many unique opportunities and challenges. For students who have never lived in a residential setting before, the residence halls will become a home away from home. Students will be able to meet new people, socialize, learn about new and different beliefs and cultures, and explore their future directions in life.

In addition to those new opportunities and freedoms, responsibilities and challenges present themselves as well. Living in the residence halls, in many ways, will be as educational and beneficial as the experiences that students gain in the classroom. Learning to live with a roommate, respecting the rights of others, and being part of an active and involved learning community all lead to a greater understanding and appreciation of the college experience. While some of these experiences may be difficult at times, they also help students to grow and become responsible campus and community citizens.

The belief of the residence hall staff is that an opportunity and obligation exists to help students get the most out of their college experience and become positive and productive members of society. Our staff is committed to supporting and challenging students to reach this goal by providing a safe, secure living environment that encourages education and self-exploration while respecting the rights of others.

Residence Hall Director
The Residence Hall Director is a full time professional College employee who has an educational background and experience that focuses on fostering positive human relationships. He/she resides in an apartment in the hall and maintains scheduled office hours to advise students in the hall. Establishing a sense of community in which each resident understands and supports the College’s philosophy and procedures is the major responsibility of this individual. Toward these ends, the Director advises the hall government leaders and selects and trains Resident Advisors.

Resident Advisors
The Resident Advisor (RA) is an upperclass student representative of the Student Development staff who lives in a residence hall section with 8 to 40 students. The RA receives special training to act as a peer counselor, a leader, a program facilitator, a resource person, and someone to go to in an emergency. In many instances, this is the first person you will turn to with a question or problem.

Academic Team Members (ATMs) ATMs are upper class students who act as peer academic advisors in the residence halls. There is usually one ATM per residence hall. ATMs are trained and supervised by the Academic Advisement Center staff and the ATM's RDs. ATMs hold office hours eash week in their assigned buildings as well as in the Academic Advisement Center. They provide programming and support on all matters related to academic planning and success.

The Halls
There are 15 residence halls on campus, each with approximately 200 students. All the halls are coed, and the styles differ.

Littell, Golding, Hulbert, Tobey, Wilber: double rooms on corridors of 4 to 20 rooms. Restrooms are located within the corridor configurations. These halls house men and women on separate corridors, except in Hulbert. Golding has the Quiet Section. Hulbert houses Oneonta’s Outdoor Wilderness Living (OWLS) section and the upperclass Educational Building Block area for education majors. Three of these five halls, Tobey, Littell and Wilber, and designated as First Year Experience Halls.

Ford, Grant, Hays, Huntington, Sherman: primarily “quads” comprised of two double rooms separated by a study room. The entrance to the quad is from the corridor. Bath facilities are shared by about 16 students. Men and women are housed in alternate quad sections of these halls.

Blodgett, Curtis, Macduff, Matteson: primarily suites of six students living in three double bedrooms with a shared study room. The halls house men and women in alternate suites. Bath facilities are self-contained.

Higgins: apartment style living in units that house either five or six students. Each apartment features 1 and ¼ baths, kitchenette, and living/dining area. Most floors have laundry facilities and food preparation areas including full ovens.

The License
Each resident receives a copy of the Residence Hall License before finaliz-ing a request for residence hall space, and, signs a statement attesting to having read and understood it. Keep this document handy; you are respon-sible for abiding by the regulations contained therein. These regulations are the basis for establishing a community within the residence hall, and it details the conduct standards required.

The Residence Hall as a Community
The residence hall is a small community and you are an important member of that community. It is more than a place for you to hang your toothbrush. Ideally, the residence hall is a vibrant and active center for student life where the members share common goals, while simultaneously providing a quiet place for study and sleep.

Communities elect leaders to ensure the smooth functioning of that community for the good of its citizens. The residence hall government offers opportunities to exhibit leadership, to work as a member of a team in planning various educational and social events, to express community concerns, and to offer constructive ideas to resolve community problems.

As in any community, it is imperative that the rights of each individual are respected. Each resident is urged to act responsibly toward the rest of the community and to himself/herself as well. Each person’s actions must be a positive contribution to the development of a strong, balanced community within the hall.

Student Conduct/Discipline
Freedom with responsibility—the key words about your behavior. You will have a great amount of freedom while living on campus, but that freedom is balanced by accepting responsibility for your actions. For example, you may decide to cut class on a certain day. You then must accept the failing grade for missing a quiz in that class.

In a group living situation, it is important that everyone understands that personal freedom cannot be at the expense of someone else’s rights. Your freedom to play your stereo is curtailed by your neighbor’s right to sleep and/or study. Headphones are recommended for private listening.

Knowing the rules and regulations of campus life and following them will be important for your success...and your continued residency.

It is important to maintain certain behavior standards within the residence halls so that all residents can live and learn. If your behavior is viewed as inappropriate, any member of the community can and should confront you. It is more likely, however, to be done by a staff person. You can expect, as a result, a conference session with your RA and/or Director. Students who continue to engage in problem behavior will be referred to the Student De-velopment Office, possibly resulting in removal from the residence hall or suspension/expulsion from the College.

Mental and Physical Health, Safety, and Sanitation Regulations
Appliances: all electrical appliances such as lamps, radios, hair dryers, etc. must be U.L. approved and in good working condition. You are asked to be mindful of the concern with energy consumption and to limit the number of such gadgets you bring to campus. NO cooking equipment, sun lamps, air conditioners, electric blankets, or halogen lamps can be used. Exceptions include small microwaves and automatic shut-off coffee-makers. Refrigerators (limited to counter height) can be rented from a local business. Charges and information are posted in each residence hall. Your own refrigerator may be brought if it meets the proper specifications.

Damage Assessments: upon arrival in your residence hall room, you will be required to complete a room condition report. Decorations make your room look more like home, but decorate with care so that when comparisons are made on the room condition report at the end of your stay, there will be no differences to note and subsequently charge for.

Fire Safety: all students must vacate the premises upon hearing the fire alarm bell. Evacuation and safety procedures are posted within the resi-dence hall. Drills will be conducted to ensure that students are familiar with the procedures. Tampering with fire prevention equipment or setting off a false alarm is punishable as a misdemeanor under New York State law, and violators will also be subject to disciplinary action by the College. Fire is an ever present danger in any living situation, but in a residence hall, the seriousness of abiding by fire safety procedures cannot be over-emphasized.

Guests: all guests must be registered with the Residence Hall Director, R.A. or Night Host. There is 24 hour intervisitation in all residence halls. This is a privilege that will be revoked if proper registration procedures are not fol-lowed. You are held accountable for insuring responsible behavior by your guest(s). Your roommate(s) must agree to the situation, otherwise you may not have a guest. All guests will be expected to conform to all College and living center regulations. Those who do not comply will be required to leave the campus. In the event of law violation or noncompliance with a request to leave, he/she will be considered a trespasser and appropriate law enforcement authorities will be notified.

Illegal Possessions: refer to Residence Hall License (see Appendix B).

Key/Lock Changes: upon checking into the residence hall, you will receive for your personal use, a key/simplex code to your room and a key/access card to the front door of the hall. In some halls you will also receive a key to the mailbox; in others it is a combination lock. Student rooms should be kept locked at all times. Find a means to carry your keys safely so you will not lose them. Do not loan keys or give out your combination. The loss of your room key will require a lock change for that room configuration and necessary key replacements. The charge could be substantial.

Night Host: you are required to cooperate with the Night Host who has been hired for security in the residence halls every evening. The duties of the Night Host include identifying resident students, guests, and visitors to insure that only individuals who are residents of the hall or their guests gain entrance to the hall. This individual will also make rounds to insure that the building is secured, and will call the staff person on duty about any problems.

Sound Level Policy: refer to Residence Hall License (see Appendix B).

Room Entry: every effort will be made to avoid unnecessary intrusions on a student’s privacy, but the College reserves the right to enter student rooms to make periodic announced room inspections, and when there is reasona-ble belief that an occupant in the room may be physically harmed or endangered. The College also reserves the right to have an authorized agent of the College with written approval of the Vice President for Student Development, or his/her designee authorized by the College President, inspect student rooms when there is reasonable belief that College property is being damaged; that College policy is being violated; or that maintenance and/or repair is necessary.

Residence Hall Services
Laundry: washers and dryers are in the basement areas of each residence hall (except MacDuff and Higgins Halls). Malfunctions should be reported to the hall staff immediately and an “out of order” sign placed on the machine. All machines are coinless and included in the room rate.

Mail: daily mail service (except Sunday) is provided to all halls. Advise correspondents to address mail to you in care of your residence hall box num-ber. When you leave the College permanently or for summer vacation, it is your responsibility to notify the College’s central mailroom of your forwarding address.

Storage: storage of luggage is not available during the academic year. Storage of belongings over the summer is also not permitted.

Telephones: each residence hall has pay telephones and charge-a-call telephones in the lobby area. Refer to Residence Hall License (see Appendix B). Local and long distance individual student room telephone service is included in the price of the room.

Computer: in most instances there is a data port per room occupant.

Resident Student Organization
Resident Student Organization (RSO) is the parent organization of the indi-vidual residence hall governments. RSO has a goal of enriching residence and campus life by sponsoring events, developing policies, making im-provements, and addressing student problems. This leadership body works for the benefit of all students, and strives to enliven and involve students in campus and residence life activities.