Residential Rules of Conduct
The following rules are part of the Rules of Conduct and apply to all residential students and their guests.
Air Conditioner: There are clear limits to the capacity of electrical wiring. Overloading of circuits is a fire hazard. Air conditioners up to 6,000 BTU are permitted for medical reasons only. A doctor’s letter, on letterhead, and prior permission from the Resident Director are required.
Banned Items: The following are prohibited on the Manhattanville College campus: Hot plates, Candles (with or without wicks), Incense, Heaters with a safety shut off (need to be approved by the Office of Residence Life each academic year), Electric skillets, Electric blankets, Heating pads, Sterno, Toasters/Toaster ovens, Multi-plug extension cords, Halogen lamps, Outdoor and indoor grills/Camp stoves, Charcoal/Propane/Gasoline and/or other combustible liquids, Hookahs, Liquid potpourri, Unauthorized Loft beds, Satellite dishes, Window bird feeders, Oversized speakers (DJ speakers), Novelty lights, and lava lamps. Air Conditioners (unless considered a medical need and documented by a doctor). The College considers the possession of weapons to be a violation of the law and therefore prohibits the possession or use of firearms, explosives and knives, including pocket knives. The College also prohibits the use of any other objects that may be utilized in a dangerous manner. The College, Office of Residence Life, and their designees reserve the right to deem any item banned at any time. Banned items removed will be discarded.
Building Meetings: Each student is expected to attend any meetings established by the Resident Advisor, Resident Director, or Office of Residence Life. Meeting times and locations will be posted. Any Student not present is expected to understand the covered information and may be subject to disciplinary sanctions.
Damages, Cleaning, and Charges: Damages that are clearly beyond repair are billed to the responsible resident(s). Cleaning charges due to abuse of facilities or excess trash left behind in a room are at the expense of the resident(s). Public area damages or area losses that are preventable (broken windows, graffiti, stolen furniture, broken light fixtures, door knobs, crash bars, etc.) are billed, in equal amount, to the group responsible for the public area. It is the responsibility of all residents to notify the RD or RA of an individual who damages community areas or property. If the individual responsible is identified, that person will be held accountable for the damage charges. If the individual cannot be identified, damage charges will be distributed equally amongst the residential community.
Decorations: Room decorations may not cover more than 50% of available wall space. Ceilings must be kept free of posters, tapestries, and/or other flammable materials. Decorations on door exteriors should be within the bounds of good taste and are subject to Residence Life approval. Students are not permitted to paint or apply other methods of direct decoration (i.e.: ink, watercolor paint, charcoal, etc.) to walls, windows, floors, ceilings, or doors in residence hall rooms or common areas. Window glass is not permitted to be covered (i.e.: tin foil, posters. etc.)
Fire Alarm Activation: When a fire alarm sounds, every Student must evacuate the premises immediately and remain at the designated “safe” area with their Resident Advisors until approved to re-enter by a College Official or the Fire department. Failure to evacuate a building and/or report as directed by the College or Office of Residence Life during a fire situation will result in judicial sanctioning and follow up.
General Rules in Residence Halls: Due to the potential for injury and/or property damage, students are not permitted to play any sports or throw objects in any area of the residence halls – including hallways, stairwells, and lounges. This includes the bouncing of athletic equipment such as basketballs. Bikes, skateboards, roller blades, roller-skates and scooters are also prohibited from use in any area of the residence halls. Additionally, roller blades and cleats should be removed before entering the building. Damages and/or cleaning charges resulting from the misuse of athletic equipment, including the cleaning of cleats in public areas of the residence halls, will be billed directly to the responsible students.
All athletic equipment, including clothes and shoes, must remain in a room/suite. Residence Life and SMG cleaning services are not responsible for lost items left outside of a room/suite. Athletic equipment left in public areas may result in judicial charges.
Liability: The College shall not be liable for any failure, delay or interruption in performing its obligations herein stated due to causes or conditions beyond its control. Under no circumstances shall the College be liable for any loss, theft, or damage to a Student’s personal property or effects or for the personal property or effects of the Student’s guests. All resident Students are encouraged to secure Renters Insurance in order to protect their valuables. Students may also want to review their parent/guardian’s Home Owners insurance policy to obtain coverage.
Noise: Excessive noise (at any time) is prohibited. Reasonable quiet must prevail in the residence halls at all times. “Courtesy Hours” and “Quiet Hours” have been established to ensure a student’s study and sleep. Under no circumstances should noise be projected out of windows. In addition, playing portable stereos in public areas of the residence halls (lounges, halls, etc.) is prohibited. Repeated noise violations may result in the confiscation of the equipment in question as well as additional conduct action.
Courtesy Hours: In Founders and Spellman Halls, noise must not be heard more than 4 rooms from the source. In Dammann and Tenney Halls, noise must not be audible to a separate suite with its suite door closed. Graduate Housing should establish “house rules” as they pertain to noise ordinance with the approval of the Office of Residence Life staff. Courtesy Quiet Hours for Dammann Hall, Founders Hall, Spellman Hall and Graduate Housing are in effect from 10:00am-10:00pm Sunday through Thursday, 10:00am-1:00am Friday and Saturday. Courtesy Hours for Tenney Hall “Wellness” are in effect 10:00am- 1:00am on Saturday.
Quiet Hours: In Founders and Spellman Halls, noise must not be heard more than two rooms from the source. In Dammann and Tenney Halls, noise must not be audible outside the suite with the suite door closed. Graduate Housing should establish “house rules” as they pertain to noise ordinance with the approval of the Office of Residence Life staff. Quiet Hours for Dammann Hall, Founders Hall, Spellman Hall and Non-Traditional Housing are in effect 10:00pm-10:00am, Sunday through Thursday, 1:00am-10:00am Friday and Saturday. Quiet Hours for Tenney Hall “Wellness” are in effect 1:00am on Sunday thru 10:00am on Saturday.
Pet Policy: With the exception of non-dangerous fish, service animals, and assistance animals, no pets are allowed in the residence halls at any time. Pets are not allowed to “visit” in the residence halls. Fish must be kept in the aquariums that do not exceed ten gallons in size. Violations of this policy will result in a $250.00 fine, the removal of the animal/pet within a 48-hour period, and disciplinary action, which may result in loss of residency.
Room Capacity: Residents are permitted no more than two guests (defined as anyone who is not assigned to that room; including commuter students, other residents, or off-campus guests) per room and/or suite resident that’s present in the room.
Room Inspection: The College respects the right to privacy and is committed to protecting that right, as well as to taking action that helps ensure the safety and security of all residents. College officials have the right to enter any room at any time when the College deems it necessary. If an illegal object or substance is found in the room or suite, all residents may be held accountable for what is present. Periodically, Residence Life staff members make room/suite inspections. This is to verify room conditions and cleanliness and to take inventory of College Property. If a room/suite is found to be in unacceptable condition, the students residing in the room/suite will be expected to make the appropriate improvements. Should a room be in an extreme condition of un-cleanliness or disrepair, a fine may be imposed and disciplinary measures may be taken.
Room Entry and Search: The College reserves the right to enter any room/suite without prior notification. Manhattanville College or its agents shall also have the right to enter a student’s dwelling under the following stipulations:
- To make necessary repairs or maintenance at any time so as to prevent further damage.
- In emergency circumstances when imminent danger to life, health, safety or property is reasonably feared.
- In circumstances when it is suspected that a violation of Manhattanville College policy is taking place.
- During Health & Safety checks.
- During the following vacation periods: Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break.
College and appropriate personnel have the right to search any room/suite and all of its contents should it be suspected that a violation of the College’s Code of Conduct or housing regulations has occurred.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in and within 30 feet of all buildings on campus. Smoking guidelines apply to electronic and vapor cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and all other forms of smoking or use of tobacco. Volation of this policy is subject to our disciplinary policy and procedure.
Vandalism: Damage to property, whether College property or property belonging to other person(s), is prohibited. Occupants of residence hall rooms will be held responsible for damage to any room or furnishings. Any damage by students to College property will be charged to the student.
Charges for damages to residence hall common-use areas and furnishings therein will be assessed equally to all residents of the residence hall. Should the identity of the person(s) responsible for the damage in common areas be known, that individual(s) would be properly assessed for the necessary repairs. All building common area damages will be billed equally to all the residents of that building as per the Housing Contract and Room Condition Report.