Residence Life: Frequently Asked Questions
Residence Hall Fees:
Room Reservation Fee ($50): This is a one-time fee for freshmen that guarantees a space will be held for them in the residence halls. This fee is non-refundable and should be sent to the housing office.
Security Deposit ($200): Required of all campus residents, this fee is refundable at the end of the student’s term of enrollment. All students must have the security deposit on file before any final room assignment will be made and the student will not be allowed to check into the residence halls until this fee is paid.
Re-Keying Fee ($50): Resident students are expected to keep track of the keys that are issued to them for the residence halls. Should a student lose his / her key, he / she must immediately notify their respective Head Resident or the Coordinator of Housing. If the keys are lost the student will be assessed the Re-Keying Fee to cover the cost of replacing the involved locks and having new keys cut. All reasonable care will be taken by the university to protect the residents’ person and property of the residence hall occupants, but the university assumes no liability for theft of damage to the personal property of residence hall students.
Damage Assessments (Variable): Students are responsible for ensuring that the residence hall rooms are maintained in the same condition good order. Normal wear and tear is expected, but students will be responsible for any damage caused to the room while occupying it. If Cumberland University property is damaged or destroyed the student will be held liable for the cost of repair or replacement. Any such charges will be withheld from the student’s security deposit. If the security deposit is not enough to cover the cost of repair or replacement then the student must. The university will hold all academic records until all financial obligations with the school are settled.
Room Rental Charges:
Right of Entry: All students living within the university residence halls have a reasonable expectation of privacy, which the university will respect. Reasonable efforts will be made to only enter a room with the resident present. The university does reserve the right to enter the residence in order to:
Information Technology: Cable television and free wireless high-speed Internet access is available in all residence hall rooms. Residents are responsible for the access and use of the computer and technical resources in their residence. This use is subject to the terms of use noted in the Student Handbook. Downloading of pornographic material as defined in the Student Handbook is prohibited.
Visitation: Residence hall visitors are permitted only during the hours of 3 p.m. to midnight in Mary White Hall, Edward Potter Hall, and Justin Potter Hall. Visitation for Commons I and Commons II is noon until midnight. Weekend visitation (Friday and Saturday nights) is extended until 2 a.m. for Commons II and I. Visitation outside of these times is not permitted.
Residents are personally responsible for the access and conduct of their guests at all times. Guests are allowed only with the consent of BOTH roommates and must register upon entering the hall. Overnight guests must have the permission of either the Head Resident or the Coordinator of Housing.
Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in any university building. Individuals may smoke in designated areas but must dispose of cigarette butts and matches properly. Smoking in residential facilities represents a significant danger to all residents and is strictly prohibited.
Flammable Items: Items that are flammable such as fuel, candles, incense, etc. may not be used or stored in residence hall rooms. Items that require an open flame or use intense heat as a cooking source are not permitted in residence hall rooms.
Electrical Appliances: Residents must use a UL approved circuit breaker multiple plug outlet to service electrical appliances. Multiple plug extension cords are specifically prohibited. Microwave ovens and small refrigerators are allowed. Only one of each are allowed per room. Refrigerators may not exceed 2 cubic feet, must be UL approved and meet the following expectations: 120 volts AC, 60 HZ, with a maximum starting current of 2.0 amps (240 watts) and a running current of 1.0 amp (120 watts). Only UL approved irons may be used, and a fireproof ironing board pad must be used at all times. Cooking should be limited to small microwaves--all other appliances are prohibited.
Residence Hall Security
Fire and Security Equipment: Smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, alarms, and fire extinguishers are integral to resident and facility safety and may not be tampered with, disabled, or misused in any way.Tapering with security equipment, door locks, window locks, or window screens in any way is strictly prohibited. Because of the great importance these items play in the safety and security of the residence halls, violations of this policy will result in severe penalty up to and including expulsion from the university. Deliberately causing or helping to cause a false fire alarm will result in automatic expulsion from the university.
The University maintains a campus security service, but residence hall occupants also play a key role in maintaining the security of all residence halls. In the interest of communal safety the following regulations should be obeyed at all times. Not only is violation often a disciplinary offense, it is just plain stupid.
Students are allowed to have small residential hall safes, but these must be opened upon demand of a university official.
Alcohol and Other Drugs: Possession and/or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in all residence halls. This restriction applies to all containers both used and unused. Containers may not be used for decoration. Possession and/or consumption of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia is also strictly prohibited and may result in criminal prosecution in addition to university sanctions. Checks for alcohol and illegal drugs may be conducted by the university at any time and will be unannounced.
Disruptive Activity: Sports and other disruptive physical activities that create a potential danger to the safety and well being of all occupants of the residence hall are prohibited. Rollerblading, bicycle and scooter riding are specifically prohibited inside the residence halls.
Quiet Hours: The main purpose of Cumberland University is education. For the benefit of all students, quiet hours will be enforced from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings. During this time noise should be low enough not to disturb another resident. Resident Assistants will be responsible for monitoring disturbances during this period. Dead hours will be in effect from 11:00 pm until 7:00am during which time no noise should be heard outside of individual rooms.
Pets: No pets of any kind will be allowed. Everyone likes them, but they have no place in a university residence hall. Residents will be subject to disciplinary action and monetary fines for housing an unauthorized pet in addition to being responsible for any resulting damages.
Telephone Misuse: It is both illegal and against university regulations to charge long distance calls to another person’s telephone number, access code, or credit card without permission, or otherwise defraud or attempt to defraud the telephone companies or the university of their lawful charges. Such action is theft and will be treated accordingly. Any telephone calls designed to, or having the effect of, harassing any member of the university community will result in disciplinary action and may result in criminal and/or civil action.
Dining Hall Access: All students on the meal plan desiring service in the dining hall must show their student identification to the dining hall personnel at the door. This is to be done every time without exception. NO STUDENT ID, NO SERVICE. Meals are not transferable to another student, and no one should loan their student identification card to another for such purpose. Rudeness to cafeteria personnel or attempting to gain entrance without a student identification card will result in disciplinary action.
Firearms and Other Weapons: Firearms and other weapons including, but not limited to, bows, BB or pellet guns, blowguns, martial arts weapons, paintball guns, etc., are strictly prohibited in all university residence halls and on the Cumberland University Campus in general.
Room Changes: Room changes may be made during a designated thirty-day period at the beginning of the Fall Semester and Spring Semester. Residents desiring to change room assignments MUST complete a Room Assignment Change Request form (PDF). The resident’s RA and Head Resident must sign this form. All change requests are evaluated by the Central Housing Office and, if approved, will notify the resident in writing via Campus Mail. No room change may be made without the expressed written authorization of the Office of Student Housing. Approved changes must be completed within 48 hours of notification and issuance of new key.
Each resident may make one authorized room change during the academic year at no charge. Any additional authorized room changes require a $50 administrative fee. Unauthorized room changes will be fined $100.
Room Reservation Fee ($50): This is a one-time fee for freshmen that guarantees a space will be held for them in the residence halls. This fee is non-refundable and should be sent to the housing office.
Security Deposit ($200): Required of all campus residents, this fee is refundable at the end of the student’s term of enrollment. All students must have the security deposit on file before any final room assignment will be made and the student will not be allowed to check into the residence halls until this fee is paid.
Re-Keying Fee ($50): Resident students are expected to keep track of the keys that are issued to them for the residence halls. Should a student lose his / her key, he / she must immediately notify their respective Head Resident or the Coordinator of Housing. If the keys are lost the student will be assessed the Re-Keying Fee to cover the cost of replacing the involved locks and having new keys cut. All reasonable care will be taken by the university to protect the residents’ person and property of the residence hall occupants, but the university assumes no liability for theft of damage to the personal property of residence hall students.
Damage Assessments (Variable): Students are responsible for ensuring that the residence hall rooms are maintained in the same condition good order. Normal wear and tear is expected, but students will be responsible for any damage caused to the room while occupying it. If Cumberland University property is damaged or destroyed the student will be held liable for the cost of repair or replacement. Any such charges will be withheld from the student’s security deposit. If the security deposit is not enough to cover the cost of repair or replacement then the student must. The university will hold all academic records until all financial obligations with the school are settled.
Room Rental Charges:
- Double Room (Justin Potter, Edward Potter, Mary White) - $1035 per semester
- Single Room (Commons I, Commons II) - $1,205 per semester
- 14 Meal Plan - $1,445 per semester
- 19 Meal Plan - $1,495 per semester
Right of Entry: All students living within the university residence halls have a reasonable expectation of privacy, which the university will respect. Reasonable efforts will be made to only enter a room with the resident present. The university does reserve the right to enter the residence in order to:
- Confirm the health and safety of the facilities.
- Provide maintenance to university property
- Investigate the reasonable belief that a violation of university policy or unlawful activity is or has taken place.
- Address emergency conditions such as fire or threatening weather.
- Lock doors or windows or otherwise secure buildings at closings.
- Resident Assistants will conduct Bi-Weekly inspections and a report to the Head Resident any rooms found to be unsanitary or excessively damaged. The Head Resident may assess a twenty-five dollar ($25) fine and / or require damage repair. The Head Resident is required to personally inspect each room, within their respective hall, at least once per month.
Information Technology: Cable television and free wireless high-speed Internet access is available in all residence hall rooms. Residents are responsible for the access and use of the computer and technical resources in their residence. This use is subject to the terms of use noted in the Student Handbook. Downloading of pornographic material as defined in the Student Handbook is prohibited.
Visitation: Residence hall visitors are permitted only during the hours of 3 p.m. to midnight in Mary White Hall, Edward Potter Hall, and Justin Potter Hall. Visitation for Commons I and Commons II is noon until midnight. Weekend visitation (Friday and Saturday nights) is extended until 2 a.m. for Commons II and I. Visitation outside of these times is not permitted.
Residents are personally responsible for the access and conduct of their guests at all times. Guests are allowed only with the consent of BOTH roommates and must register upon entering the hall. Overnight guests must have the permission of either the Head Resident or the Coordinator of Housing.
Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in any university building. Individuals may smoke in designated areas but must dispose of cigarette butts and matches properly. Smoking in residential facilities represents a significant danger to all residents and is strictly prohibited.
Flammable Items: Items that are flammable such as fuel, candles, incense, etc. may not be used or stored in residence hall rooms. Items that require an open flame or use intense heat as a cooking source are not permitted in residence hall rooms.
Electrical Appliances: Residents must use a UL approved circuit breaker multiple plug outlet to service electrical appliances. Multiple plug extension cords are specifically prohibited. Microwave ovens and small refrigerators are allowed. Only one of each are allowed per room. Refrigerators may not exceed 2 cubic feet, must be UL approved and meet the following expectations: 120 volts AC, 60 HZ, with a maximum starting current of 2.0 amps (240 watts) and a running current of 1.0 amp (120 watts). Only UL approved irons may be used, and a fireproof ironing board pad must be used at all times. Cooking should be limited to small microwaves--all other appliances are prohibited.
Residence Hall Security
Fire and Security Equipment: Smoke detectors, sprinkler systems, alarms, and fire extinguishers are integral to resident and facility safety and may not be tampered with, disabled, or misused in any way.Tapering with security equipment, door locks, window locks, or window screens in any way is strictly prohibited. Because of the great importance these items play in the safety and security of the residence halls, violations of this policy will result in severe penalty up to and including expulsion from the university. Deliberately causing or helping to cause a false fire alarm will result in automatic expulsion from the university.
The University maintains a campus security service, but residence hall occupants also play a key role in maintaining the security of all residence halls. In the interest of communal safety the following regulations should be obeyed at all times. Not only is violation often a disciplinary offense, it is just plain stupid.
- DO NOT prop open building doors for any reason.
- DO NOT lose or loan your room key.
- DO NOT leave rooms unlocked or windows unlatched for any reason.
- DO NOT leave valuable personal property in plain view unattended.
- DO NOT tamper with security bars or other security devices.
- REPORT all instances of personal or property endangerment or unauthorized types of behavior to a university official.
- REPORT all persons who are unfamiliar or in questionable areas of the residence hall to university official.
Students are allowed to have small residential hall safes, but these must be opened upon demand of a university official.
Alcohol and Other Drugs: Possession and/or consumption of alcohol is prohibited in all residence halls. This restriction applies to all containers both used and unused. Containers may not be used for decoration. Possession and/or consumption of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia is also strictly prohibited and may result in criminal prosecution in addition to university sanctions. Checks for alcohol and illegal drugs may be conducted by the university at any time and will be unannounced.
Disruptive Activity: Sports and other disruptive physical activities that create a potential danger to the safety and well being of all occupants of the residence hall are prohibited. Rollerblading, bicycle and scooter riding are specifically prohibited inside the residence halls.
Quiet Hours: The main purpose of Cumberland University is education. For the benefit of all students, quiet hours will be enforced from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday evenings. During this time noise should be low enough not to disturb another resident. Resident Assistants will be responsible for monitoring disturbances during this period. Dead hours will be in effect from 11:00 pm until 7:00am during which time no noise should be heard outside of individual rooms.
Pets: No pets of any kind will be allowed. Everyone likes them, but they have no place in a university residence hall. Residents will be subject to disciplinary action and monetary fines for housing an unauthorized pet in addition to being responsible for any resulting damages.
Telephone Misuse: It is both illegal and against university regulations to charge long distance calls to another person’s telephone number, access code, or credit card without permission, or otherwise defraud or attempt to defraud the telephone companies or the university of their lawful charges. Such action is theft and will be treated accordingly. Any telephone calls designed to, or having the effect of, harassing any member of the university community will result in disciplinary action and may result in criminal and/or civil action.
Dining Hall Access: All students on the meal plan desiring service in the dining hall must show their student identification to the dining hall personnel at the door. This is to be done every time without exception. NO STUDENT ID, NO SERVICE. Meals are not transferable to another student, and no one should loan their student identification card to another for such purpose. Rudeness to cafeteria personnel or attempting to gain entrance without a student identification card will result in disciplinary action.
Firearms and Other Weapons: Firearms and other weapons including, but not limited to, bows, BB or pellet guns, blowguns, martial arts weapons, paintball guns, etc., are strictly prohibited in all university residence halls and on the Cumberland University Campus in general.
Room Changes: Room changes may be made during a designated thirty-day period at the beginning of the Fall Semester and Spring Semester. Residents desiring to change room assignments MUST complete a Room Assignment Change Request form (PDF). The resident’s RA and Head Resident must sign this form. All change requests are evaluated by the Central Housing Office and, if approved, will notify the resident in writing via Campus Mail. No room change may be made without the expressed written authorization of the Office of Student Housing. Approved changes must be completed within 48 hours of notification and issuance of new key.
Each resident may make one authorized room change during the academic year at no charge. Any additional authorized room changes require a $50 administrative fee. Unauthorized room changes will be fined $100.
