Alcohol

Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or their containers are prohibited in all residence halls and on Cumberland University property regardless of age. Residents who return to the hall and appear to be in an intoxicated state will be subject to University action.  Residents are held liable for their visitors who violate this policy. Checks for alcohol and illegal drugs will be conducted by the university at any time given probable cause. Please refer to Student Conduct Code in the Student Handbook.

Announcements & Advertising

General announcements concerning your residence hall activities will be posted on bulletin boards and/or by email. All posters advertising campus activities and events must be sponsored by recognized organizations and must be approved by the Office of Student Life.  Commercial establishments and private parties cannot advertise on the bulletin boards without University consent.

Any sign/notice posted by the residence hall staff or University administration that has been tampered with or completely removed will result in a $25 fine for the hall.

Appliances

Refrigerators may not be a family-sized refrigerator. Microwaves may not be over 1,000 watts. Open heating elements such as hot plates are not allowed. Toasters and George Foreman grills are allowed.

Balconies

No items may be thrown, dropped, or stored on balconies or ledges. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action. Presently, there are no operational balconies in any of the residence halls.

Bicycles

Bicycles must be stored in areas set aside for this purpose at each residence hall. Bicycles may not be stored in rooms, stairwells, or other public areas. Bicycles may be chained to handrails, columns or other non-bike specific structures. The University is not responsible for missing or broken bikes. All bicycles must be removed at the end of the school year. Persons leaving bicycles parked at residence halls over the summer must obtain prior written permission from the Residence Life Coordinator (RLC). Bicycles left over the summer without the written permission of the RLC will be disposed of at the discretion of the University.

Candles & Incense

Candles with unburned wicks and candle warmers are allowed in the halls. Burning candles/incense and candles/incense with burned wicks are not allowed and will be confiscated and a $25 fine will be assessed.

Check-In

At the beginning of each term, residence halls open for returning students at 1:00 pm on the day before registration. Please bring your current insurance information to make check-in go quicker. Students requesting earlier arrival may do so only for the purpose of official University business or activity. All early arrivals must be approved by the Director of Residence Life and will be subject to a $25 guest fee per night. Any student who checks-in early without permission will be assessed a $25 improper check-in fee and may be asked to leave campus immediately until the approved check-in date. All residents will complete a room condition report to note any damage or defects. When you check in, you will be asked to survey the room and note these damages or defects on the room condition report. Be certain to complete a thorough check as you will be held responsible for any damage not listed on your sheet.

Check-Out

Students moving out of a residence hall must officially check-out. All students will do an express check-out from the residence halls.  All personal possessions must be removed from the room before you check-out. Improper check-out will result in a $25 fine.

Things to check when moving out:

• Remove tape, nails, etc., from walls, doors, ceilings, windows, desks, shelves, dressers, etc.
• Empty and clean closets, cabinet and drawers.
• Empty trash cans. Large items must be taken by residents to an off-campus site for disposal.
• Clean your floor.
• Debunk/unloft beds
• Personal property left in the room or residence hall after the closing of school in the spring or following withdrawal or graduation becomes property of Cumberland University and will be disposed of at the discretion of the University.

Fines will be assessed for any item/room left in an unacceptable state according to the Director of Residence Life. For a copy of the fine schedule, please contact the Director of Residence Life.

Residence halls close at 5pm on the last day of finals. Exceptions to this policy will be made on an individual basis by the Office of Residence Life and will be subject to a $25 guest fee per night. All requests for exceptions must be made by 5pm, seven days prior to the last day of finals. Students who are violating College or residence hall policies once their academic requirements are complete will be asked to leave the halls immediately. This policy includes graduating seniors and students approved to stay late.

Graduating seniors are allowed to stay in the residence halls until 10 am on the Sunday following graduation. Seniors who are still here after 10 am will be charged an automatic $25 improper check-out fee. For every half hour after 10 am that students have not checked-out there will be an additional $25 charged for guest fees. All campus policies are still in effect throughout the weekend.  Anyone deemed to be causing a problem will be asked to leave immediately.

Cohabitation

Cohabitation in the residence halls is not allowed. Students or non-student guests may not stay in a room they are not assigned to by the college for more than 2 days in a 7-day period.  Violators will be asked to leave and residential students will be subject to disciplinary action.

Community Bath Facilities

Any person who uses a community bath designated for the opposite sex will be subject to disciplinary action. Residents who allow guests to violate this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Computer Network Access

Cumberland University provides internet access to students living in campus housing.  Residents must provide their own computer, network card, and cords/cables required for internet use.  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 or illegal multi-media is prohibited and shall be subject to disciplinary action by the University up to and including dismissal.

Damage Assessment

At the end of each semester and, if necessary, periodically during the year, damages to student rooms and common areas of residence halls are assessed. Damages within a room are charged to the room occupants. Damages in hallways, lounges, restrooms and other common areas are charged to the person(s) responsible (if identified). Otherwise, all floor or hall residents are collectively charged. Any damage or loss of residence hall recreation equipment is charged to the person(s) responsible (if identified). Otherwise, all residents are collectively charged. The University is not liable for theft or damage to the personal belongings of resident students.

Exterior Doors

Everyone shares responsibility for the security of the residence hall. Outside doors are locked 24-hours, 7-days a week. Propping or “coining” outside doors open is prohibited and a $100 charge and/or disciplinary action will be assessed to the individual responsible (if identified) or to the entire hall. Students should not open the door for anyone who is not a resident of the building. Guests should call their host to gain entry into a hall and be escorted at all times.

Fire Evacuation Plan

Smoke detectors activate the alarm system automatically in case of a fire in the building. Manually operated fire alarms are also located in all residence halls.

When the fire alarm sounds, students should:

• Turn on the light.
• Close the window.
• Put on a coat or similar covering.
• Wrap a towel around the head.
• In air-conditioned buildings, turn off the room air fan, and
• Close the room door and exit by the nearest exit.

Tampering with the fire safety equipment is an illegal offense and may subject the individual to prosecution under the law, as well as any repair charges. The minimum charge for tampering with any fire safety equipment is $1,000 and/or expulsion from the University. Failure to evacuate a facility during an alarm will subject the student to disciplinary action. Smoke detectors in the rooms may not be tampered with in any form.

Periodic emergency drills will be conducted by Security throughout the year. All residents are required to participate.  Evacuation is absolutely required when the alarm goes off. Residents failing to evacuate when an alarm sounds will be subject to a minimum fine of $50, as well as possible further disciplinary action.

Fireworks

Possession of fireworks or any explosive device is prohibited.  Possession will result in disciplinary action and damage assessments will be charged to the responsible student(s) or to all residents of the residence hall if specific student(s) cannot be identified.

Flammable Items & Grills

Charcoal grills are only allowed on campus with the permission of the Residence Life Coordinator. They must be kept 20 feet away from all buildings. No flammable liquids (propane, etc.) are allowed to be stored in the residence hall.

Furniture

Removal of furniture from lounges, classrooms, study areas or other places on campus for a student’s personal use is considered theft. A $50 charge per day will be assessed for each piece of furniture, and the individual may also be subject to disciplinary action. Damage to College furniture will require restitution for the cost of the property plus fines.

Room furniture may not be stored or removed from the room for any reason.  A $50 charge per day will be assessed for each piece of furniture found missing from a room.  There is no storage available to students on campus.

Guests & Visitation

Guests may visit at the request of the room occupant and must be escorted at all times in any public areas of the buildings. Overnight visitors of the same sex are welcome for two nights in the halls, provided all roommates/suitemates agree. Guest cannot stay more than 2 nights in a 7-day period. No overnight guests are allowed beginning the last day of classes through the end of finals.  No guests are allowed during Holiday Break periods.

All visitors are expected to observe University policies. Violators will be asked to leave the campus and may be subject to prosecution under the law. The University reserves the right to restrict the activity of any guest. Residents are held responsible for the behavior of their guests at all times and will be held responsible for any damages or violations that are the result of a guest’s behavior. Cohabitation is not allowed.

Students and guests of the opposite sex may visit during the following hours:

For Edward Potter, Justin Potter, and Mary White Halls:

Seven Days a Week - 12:00 pm until 12 a.m.

Individual floors may opt to restrict visitation hours through consensus of the residents on the floor.

For Commons Village I & II

Sunday through Thursday – 12:00 pm until 12:00 am

Friday & Saturday – 12:00 pm until 2:00 am

All guests must be 18 years of age or older, unless they are a sibling of the resident and/or a prospective student under the sponsorship of the Office of Admissions. All guests may be required to present picture identification at any time. All guests must be accompanied by their host at all times.

A roommate's right to free access to their room at all times must not be abridged by visitation. A roommate must not be deprived of the right to privacy, study time, or sleep because of a guest. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action. Persistent refusal to abide by University regulations will result in removal from campus housing, with no refund of monies, including damage deposit.

Hall Meetings

From time to time, it is necessary to get input from everyone in the hall on ideas/problems as well as to communicate important campus information. Residents are required to attend all scheduled hall meetings and are responsible for any information presented at meetings. Failure to attend without notifying your RA or RLC prior to the meeting will result in a $25 fine.

Hall Sports

Throwing, bouncing, and/or kicking of footballs, soccer balls, etc., are not allowed in the residence halls. Water guns, water balloons, air soft/paintball guns, and other such devices are not allowed in the residence halls. Rollerblading, bicycle and scooter riding are specifically prohibited inside the residence halls. Students in violation are subject to confiscation of sporting equipment and/or disciplinary action.

Health Care

Cumberland University provides no on-campus facilities for treatment of illness or injury. Students covered by their parents’ medical insurance are advised to have a medical card should treatment be needed. In the event an emergency situation should arise which requires immediate medical attention, the individual should go to the emergency room at the hospital or call 911. Students should report any illness or hospitalization to the Residence Life Coordinator and/or Office of Residence Life as soon as possible.

Holiday Breaks

Students must check-out during posted holiday or vacation periods. Students may request to stay during the break periods provided there is staff coverage during that time. Students will be subject to a guest fee and must sign up with the RLC at least 24-hours before the halls officially close for that break period. Those who fail to check out properly will be charged a minimum $25 fine and/or subject to disciplinary action.

All students will be required to surrender their keys during the Christmas Holiday Break period.  Failure to surrender a key will result in a $25 fine.

 

Keys & Student ID Card

Hall entry and room keys are issued on arrival. Locks and keys will be changed when considered necessary by the Residence Life staff, security personnel, and/or the Vice President for Administration. Regulations concerning the use of keys include:

• Loss of an entry key requires a charge of $50
• Loss of a room key requires a charge of $50
• Duplication of any key will result in a fine of $25 and disciplinary action
• Irresponsible use of keys or ID cards, such as lending the key or card to another person, will result in disciplinary action
• The Office of Residence Life should be notified immediately when a key is lost
• If keys are lost or not surrendered upon check-out, the room lock will be changed and a new key will be issued.  A re-coring fee of $100 will be charged to the resident.
• Tampering with room door locks such as pin locking, will be assessed a $100 charge, plus resulting damage charges

You will be issued a Student ID card upon arrival your first year – you are expected to hold onto this card for the four years that you are at Cumberland University. You may be asked to present it at any time by a University official. Your student ID card serves as your access to enter the dining hall for each meal, to check library books, and to cash checks in the Business Office. Replacement cost for a lost ID is $15, payable in the Business Office. Damaged cards may be replaced for free if you bring the damaged card to the Student Life Office.

Laundry Facilities

The cost of laundry service is included in your room fees. Laundry machines are located in all residence halls and are operated free of charge. Any equipment maintenance requests should be reported to your Resident Advisor or to the 800 number on the machine. Misuse of the laundry equipment or abnormal damage will be charged to the responsible resident or hall if a responsible party cannot be determined.

Ledges and Roofs

No persons or property are allowed on ledges, fire escapes, roofs, overhangs or window frames of University buildings. Violators will be charged $50 and subject to disciplinary action.

Mail Services

To send or receive mail on campus, please use the following address information:

Main Address:

(Student Name)

Cumberland University

One Cumberland Square, Box # 

Lebanon, TN  37087

All residential students will receive their mail, from on/off campus, in the Post Office located on the bottom floor of the Mitchell Student Center.  Each student is assigned a mailbox and must pick up their key at the mail room when they arrive on campus. Mailboxes are available to commuters by request.

Students should check their physical mail as well as their Cumberland University e-mail at least once a day.  These are the priomary means of communication from the University

Maintenance/Housekeeping Requests

All requests for maintenance and housekeeping should be e-mailed to reslife@cumberland.edu. Minor repairs/requests are usually handled within 24-hours. If the problem has not been corrected after 48-hours, contact the Director of Residence Life.

Meal Plans

All students residing in the residence halls are required to have a meal plan.  This meal plan is included in the cost of your residence hall room.  Unused meals do not accrue and flex dollars cannot be carried over from one academic year to the next. Additional flex dollars are available for purchase in the Office of Residence Life at any time.

Non-residential students may purchase a meal plan as well See the Office of Residence Life for details.

Parking

Vehicles must display a valid parking sticker in the designated place.  Residential students may only park in the lot designated for their Residence Hall. Tickets will be issued and fines levied for illegally parked cars.  Security observes the right to tow cars parked in illegal spaces at anytime.  See the Student Handbook for additional parking regulations.

Personal Property

Cumberland University assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property or money regardless of the cause of such loss or theft including fire, vandalism or maintenance failure. Resident’s personal possessions are not insured in any way by the University. The residents are encouraged to identify and insure any valuable personal items.  All instances of personal property endangerment or unauthorized types of behavior should be reported immediately to Security and/or the Director of Residence Life.

Cumberland University will not store personal possessions. No storage space exists on campus for students.

Property left in the hall after check-out shall be declared abandoned and becomes property of the University, will be discarded at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life, and fines associated with the removal assessed.

Pets

Animals that bear fur, hair or feathers, pose fear or danger, make noise, or are too large to be kept inside a 30-gallon tank are not permissible in residence halls – including animals who are visiting temporarily. Fish in a 30-gallon tank or smaller are allowable without permission.

Other pets must be approved by obtaining written permission of roommate(s), adjoining rooms, and the approval of a professor of biology who is able to ascertain the owner’s knowledge and ability to properly care for the animal. This must be submitted to the Residence Life Office for approval. Any animal found roaming loose in the hall or not properly cared for will be banned.

Violation will result in a $25 fine the first time the animal is observed. At this time, 48-hours is allowed for removal of the pet. If after 48-hours, the pet remains or reappears in any student room, the original owner will be fined an additional $25 and the animal will be taken to a pet adoption center.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours begin each night at 10 pm continuing through 10 am the following morning. However, during the first floor meeting, each floor may restrict quiet hours even more. Beginning the last day of classes and continuing through the conclusion of finals, a 24-hour quiet rule is in effect. Violators of this policy are subject to disciplinary action.

24-hour courtesy hours are always in effect, and residents are encouraged to respect the rights of others. We discourage unnecessary screaming/yelling in rooms, stairwells or other areas of the hall. Locate your stereo, radio or speakers away from room windows and keep the volume at a reasonable level. Try to reach a compromise with students in your hall if someone’s behavior interferes with your right to courtesy hours. If you reach an impasse, contact a staff member.

Room Assignments

During the spring, room selection for the following fall is conducted with priority based on class standing, provided a $200 deposit is on file with the Business Office. Academic and discipline records may affect a student’s priority status and room assignment. Final room assignments will begin July 1st.

All incoming students are assigned at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life.  However, the Director will use the student’s housing application to assign roommates and meet specific requests when available. 

The Director of Residence Life has the final word on where a student will live for an upcoming semester.

Room Care

Student rooms may be personalized; however, students may not paint their rooms, construct lofts, bunk beds (unless done with University provided equipment), shelves, or dividers. Rooms must not be modified in a manner that is destructive of property, hazardous to the physical well-being of resident students or guests, or in violation of good taste as determined by the Residence Life Coordinator.

Students may not use putty or glue to secure items to the doors, walls or woodwork. Items may be nailed to walls that are not cinderblock, provided they are no bigger than a finishing nail. Double-sided tape may be used provided that it’s a 3M product made for easy removal. Nothing should be taped or affixed to the ceiling and/or windows. Doors can only have items on half of the door. Objects should not hinder access to or from the room, nor movement within the room.

Standards of cleanliness are necessary for personal health, pest control, safety and prevention of property damage. Discarded food, un-emptied wastebaskets, dirty floors, dirty bathrooms and dirty clothes cause odors and attract insects. Each resident is expected to keep the room in a clean and undamaged condition. Only Underwriter’s Laboratory (U.L.) approved cords may be used in a student room. The use of extension cords and multiple plugs is hazardous. If an extension cord is needed, only one item may be plugged in. Overloading electrical circuits is a dangerous fire hazard. Students must limit the number and type of electrical appliances in their room and attach only one electrical cord to a single outlet to avoid overloading circuits. Multiple outlet plugs, when used, must have circuit breakers. Electrical cords or extension cords may go under doors as long the cord is not pinched by the door when closed.

No additional wiring should be added to the room. These are requirements of the University insurance carrier and local fire codes. Halogen lamps are not permitted in the residence halls. College staff conducts a health and safety inspection each month in each residence hall. Residents in violation of these standards will be subject to disciplinary action and fines.

Room Changes

The Office of Residence Life assigns rooms and roommates to new students. During the spring, room selection for the following fall is conducted with priority based on class standing. Room changes can occur only after consultation with the RA, RLC, Director of Residence Life, and/or counselor. However, if any of these individuals perceive a legitimate reason for changing rooms, they may speed up the process and room changes will be processed immediately. Unauthorized room changes carry a $25 fee. Room changes must be made within 48-hours of approval. Students who move more than once during a semester, unless for consolidation, will be charged $25.

Room Consolidation

If during the first six weeks of any semester, a student assigned to a double room is without a roommate, they will be provided the following options by the Residence Life staff:

• The student may pay for a private room based on availability.
• The student may find a roommate within the allocated time period.
• The University may assign a roommate at the student’s request.

Students should begin looking immediately for a possible roommate. Residence Life will supply each student with a list of potential roommate candidates. Students will not be required to move to another Residence Hall for the purpose of consolidation. However, a student is not precluded from changing Residence Halls in order to find a roommate.

Students who ignore the process or decline to seek a roommate will be notified at the conclusion of the consolidation period that they will be charged for a private room, if available, or Residence Life staff will provide them with a roommate from the list.

Room Contract Release

Residence hall room contracts are for the full academic year, which includes both fall and spring terms. Once a Room & Board contract is signed it is a binding agreement for the duration of the calendar years indicated on the contract.  Students who are not returning for the spring term may cancel their housing contract and may be entitled to a refund.  They must notify the Office of Residence Life in writing at least seven (7) days prior to the last day of exams of the fall semester.

To request a release, a resident may petition the Office of Residence Life to move off-campus pursuant to the Residence Requirement. 

Room Entry

Occupants of the residence halls have the right to a reasonable expectation of privacy, and the university will respect that right.  Effort will be made to enter a resident’s room when the resident is present. However, authorized university personnel may enter any university residence at any time when:

• There is clear or apparent emergency such as fire, serious illness, injury, or where danger threatens persons or property.
• There is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of residence hall or University regulations is occurring, or
• To ascertain damage, maintenance needs or conditions potentially harmful to the safety and health of its occupants. For further information, see “Damage Assessment.”
• Room/Hall Inspection

Rooms and halls will be inspected for health, safety and maintenance conditions during each month by the Residence Life Staff. The University is not obligated to notify residents of such inspections; however, out of courtesy, every effort will be made to notify students in advance.

Upon observance, any lobby or common area found to be unsanitary, excessively damaged, or unkempt will result in a $50 group fine and/or remedial action. Rooms found to be unsanitary and/or unkempt will result in a warning. The student will have 24-hours to clean the room. If upon further inspection it is still not clean, the student will be subject to disciplinary procedures that may include being moved to a new housing assignment and/or the cost to have the room cleaned.

Sales & Solicitation

Solicitation of funds, memberships, subscriptions and the sale of goods or services for the benefit of outside groups or for individual profit is not allowed in the residence halls unless specifically approved by the Director of Residence Life.

Satellite Dishes

Satellite dishes are not permitted on campus.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in any university building.  Individuals may smoke in designated areas, and must dispose of cigarette butts and matches properly.  Anyone found smoking in the residence halls is subject to a $25 fine and/or further disciplinary action. Persistent refusal to abide by University regulations will result in removal from Campus Housing, with no refund of monies, including damage deposit.

Storage

There is no on-campus storage space available to students. Students are encouraged to find alternative means for summer storage.

Telecommunications

In this age of mobile communications, Cumberland University does not supply telephone services to its residence halls.  Each hall is equipped with an emergency call box outside the main entrance to the hall or next to the laundry facility at the Commons Villages.  Residents are encouraged to have a cell phone for their use and to supply that number to Residence Life for emergency contact only.

Each room has one coax cable jack with free basic cable. Students are responsible for their own televisions.

Trash

All trash should be discarded in the large trash dumpsters located within walking distance of each residence hall.  Trash cans in the common areas of each hall should be used for small items, not room trash.  Improperly discarded trash found in common areas, stairwells, restrooms or room trash placed in common area containers will result in a $25 fine per bag for the building or responsible student(s).

Vending Machines

Vending machines are located near the common areas of most residence halls. Requests for refunds should be directed to the Business Office. Report all problems with the machines to the Residence Life Coordinators. Vandalism or tampering with vending machines may lead to disciplinary action.

Weapons

Firearms and other weapons including, but not limited to, air soft guns, 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. These items will be confiscated. Possession of such items will result in disciplinary action and may result in removal from campus housing. Please see the Student Handbook for more details.