In order to provide a safe and secure environment which is conducive to academic pursuits, a number of community living policies need to be observed in university housing.  Each member of the community is encouraged to hold others accountable to the community living policies.

 

Community Living

In order to provide a safe and secure environment which is conducive to academic pursuits, a number of community living policies need to be observed in university housing.  Each member of the community is encouraged to hold others accountable to the community living policies.

As a member of this community, it is essential that you respect the rights of others in the community, as well as University and private property.  These policies have been developed to support an environment of mutual respect.  Students are expected to live within the standards of the community and encourage others to do the same.

All students are held responsible for the policies in the Guide to Residence Life, the Student Handbook and other official University publications and postings.  Students are subject to student conduct action if these regulations are not upheld. 

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Student Alcohol and Illegal Drug Policy

Suffolk University is a community dedicated to the academic, professional and personal development of its members and is committed to educational and social programs that promote such development. Personal and communal responsibility with regard to the University’s Student Alcohol and Drug Policy is essential in ensuring that Suffolk’s environment is conducive to student learning and development. Being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs will not be accepted as an excuse for conduct that violates the Community Standards. Any student found to allegedly violate this Policy will be subject to the Student Discipline System.

General Provisions
Suffolk University enforces all state laws and city ordinances regarding the possession, use and sale of alcoholic beverages, including those prohibiting drinking by individuals under 21 years of age. The law also forbids falsifying age and identification cards.

Suffolk University enforces all state laws and city ordinances regarding the possession, use and sale of illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Student Alcohol Policy
The use, sale, transfer, possession, intoxication of person or being in the presence of alcoholic beverages in any campus building or property controlled by the University (including residence halls or leased residential properties) regardless of age, is prohibited by any student or guest of a student. No alcohol beverage containers (empty, full or decorative), drinking game devices or other items affiliated with the consumption or possession of alcohol are allowed in any campus building or property controlled by the University (including residence halls or leased residential properties), regardless of age.

Persons and their belongings suspected of bringing alcohol into any campus building or property controlled by the University (including residence halls or leased residential properties) or persons suspected to be under the influence of alcohol will be subject to search by Suffolk University Police and may not be allowed into the building or property with the suspected package.

Students are encouraged to contact Suffolk University Police for assistance when persons who are suspected to be under the influence of alcohol may be a danger to themselves or the community.

Illegal Drug Policy
The use, sale, transfer, possession, intoxication of person or being in the presence of illegal drugs in any campus building or property controlled by the University (including residence halls or leased residential properties) is prohibited by any student or guest of a student. Drug paraphernalia is also prohibited in any campus building or property controlled by the University (including residence halls or leased residential properties). Drug paraphernalia is defined as any equipment, product, or material that is modified for making, using, or concealing illegal such as, but not limited to pipes, smoking masks/screens, bongs, roach clips, and items used to conceal illegal drugs. Certain scales, vials, and baggies may also be considered drug paraphernalia.

Persons and their belongings suspected of bringing illegal drugs into any campus building or property controlled by the University (including residence halls or leased residential properties) or persons suspected to be under the influence of illegal drugs will be subject to search by Suffolk University Police and may not be allowed into the building or property with the suspected package.

Students are encouraged to contact Suffolk University Police for assistance when persons who are suspected to be under the influence of illegal drugs and may be a danger to themselves or the community.

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Cooking Policy

Cooking and cooking appliances are only allowed in kitchens at the apartments in Ten West. Residents in the apartments are encouraged to cook with the kitchen appliances provided in the residence halls. It is expected that residents wishing to cook will apply all fire safety precautions and observe good cooking practices. It is recommended that residents regularly clean the stove drip pans to prevent residue build up that could result in excessive smoke or fire. Residents will be held financially responsible for any building fire alarm activation or related damages resulting from negligence while cooking.

The use or possession of any item used for cooking is prohibited in all residence hall areas, excluding the apartments at Ten West.  The following items including, but not limited to, items with open coils, coffee pots/makers, George Foreman (or similar) grills, toasters and toaster ovens are prohibited.  Small microwaves are allowed. 

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Disruptive or Life Threatening Behavior Policy

Suffolk University recognizes that certain life-threatening behaviors (e.g. serious threats, suicide attempts, eating disorders, use of alcohol or other drugs, threats to others, etc.) by students are a means of attracting attention or asking for help.  While the University is committed to helping students alleviate whatever stress factors are precipitating life-threatening behaviors, such behavior is considered disruptive to and unacceptable in the academic and social/living environments of the University community.  At the discretion of the Student Affairs Office or his/her designee, a parent, guardian or family member may be notified of such behavior. Any resident student or student guest who demonstrates life-threatening behavior while enrolled at Suffolk University may be required to immediately undergo a psychological evaluation.  The results of a psychological examination will be considered in determining if, or under what circumstances, the student may continue in university housing or at Suffolk University.  A student may be interim suspended from housing pending an evaluation. Students who refuse such an evaluation are subject to automatic suspension from the University and/or university housing pending an administrative hearing. The University may insist that the student actively engage in counseling while enrolled at Suffolk University and/or may be required to withdraw from university housing and/or the University or meet other conditions.
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Damage Policy

Students are encouraged to carefully review the room inventory form upon moving into the room.  Upon check-out students are expected to leave their rooms in the same condition as when they checked in.  Charges may be levied to students for trash removal, cleaning, repositioning of furniture, damage repair or replacement of University property and/or improper check-out.  Damages to rooms and suites are the responsibility of the occupants of the room or suite.  Students will be charged for damage, repair or replacement of University property.

In an effort to regularly monitor damages, monthly health and safety inspections will be conducted.  When possible, the inspections will be announced at least 24 hours in advance.  Inspections of all common areas (lounges, hallways, etc.) will be conducted more frequently.  Damage charges for commons areas will be posted as they become available; probably on a monthly basis.  Students will be notified in writing of any personal damage charges following the monthly room inspections.

It is our expectation that all resident students will work to maintain the condition of the residence areas.  We have very nice, well-maintained facilities and we all need to pitch in to keep them that way.  If you accidentally cause damage, please notify us immediately so that we may repair the damage.  If you notice damage or witness someone causing damage, please notify a Residence Life or University Police staff person immediately.  When a staff person is unable to identify the person who caused the damage, the entire community is held financially responsible.  In a room or suite, the same is true - all residents of the particular area are held responsible for damages done to that room/suite/cluster.

The following are typical charges set by the Facilities Office for repair/replacement costs.  The university provides these prices as a guideline only and reserves the right to charge the appropriate cost based on the individual damage incident.  The following costs are inclusive of replacement / repair and labor.  These prices may vary based on actual costs (prices are subject to change):

Recharge/Replace Fire Extinguisher  $63
Replace Smoke Detector    $265
Replace Exit Light    $140
Wall Repairs     $70 – $385
Repaint Entire Room    $550
Repair lockset after hours    $220
Replace lockset after hours   $333
Replace key after hours    $115
Replace Blinds     $172
Replace Ceiling Tile    $40
Repair Split Door (at lockset)   $140
Replace Door     $765
Repair Lockset     $140
Repair room furniture     $85-335
Replace Lockset     $140
Replace Key     $32
Replace Toilet Paper Spool   $32
Replace Missing Café Trays   $4/per tray
Replace Door Closer    $195
Moving/Reassembling/Unstacking Furniture  $115-$333
Repair to Drawer/Closet    $62-$125 
Replace Bathroom Signs    $88
Replace Room Signs    $88
Replace Directional Signs    $88
Bathroom Faucet     $230
Toilet Partition Panel    $655
Toilet Paper Holder    $110
Paper Towel Holder    $166
Shower Head     $100
Shower Curtain     $42
Sink Replacement    $307
Mirror Replacement    $286
Toilet Replacement    $416
Carpet Replacement    $1145 – $3120
Clean carpets     $245
Cleaning (excessive)    $80-$275
Replace computer port    $28
Replace outlet cover    $31
Replace outlet     $88
Replace light switch    $88
Replace Hall Pendant Lights   $68
Replace Hall Light Diffuser   $88
Replace Garbage Disposal (Ten West)  $150
Replace Microwave Oven    $200
Replace Refrigerator    $750
Replace Stove w/Oven    $750

Excessive individual damages (including sanitary condition of room/suite/cluster/apartment) may result in the loss of University housing or reassignment

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Guest Policy

All resident students are granted the privilege of entertaining guests in university housing.  A resident is a student who is assigned to a room, suite, or apartment in the Suffolk University residence areas.  A guest is defined as an individual who is not assigned to said resident’s room, suite or apartment.  A resident host is a resident student who signs a guest into the residence hall to which he or she is assigned.  This also applies to Suffolk University residents that are visiting other Suffolk University residents in a building other than his or her assigned building.  An overnight guest is defined as a guest who is signed into the host’s residence hall between the hours of 1 am and 7 am (or any fracture thereof).
A resident student may sign in no more than three guests at one time.  A resident may not have an overnight guest for more than three (3) nights in any seven day period.  A resident may not host overnight guests for more than seven (7) nights per calendar month, whether they are the same or different guests.  Guests may not stay overnight in Suffolk University designated housing areas for more than seven (7) nights per calendar month, whether with the same or different hosts.  Exceptions to these procedures must be approved by the Assistant Director of the building the resident resides in 24 hours in advance.

The University may institute a ‘shelter in place’ situation should conditions warrant such action.  During a ‘shelter in place’ situation, no guests are permitted.

Hosts must communicate with his or her roommate/suitemate/apartmentmate 24 hours in advance of the guest’s arrival.  At any time, this privilege may be terminated by a Residence Life & Summer Programs staff member or the University Police.

The guest, must be at minimum a personal acquaintance of the host and must be escorted at all times, except into opposite sex bathrooms.  Resident students are responsible for the actions of their guests and therefore responsible for any damage caused by the guest.   The guest is required to follow all University policies.  The host is responsible for seeing that the guest follows all University policies.  The host will be held responsible for violations incurred by his/her guests.

Return to Guide to Residence Life Contents

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Guest Sign In/Out Policy

The sign-in process is supervised by Suffolk University Police and Security
All hosts must meet their guests at the front desk.
The host must present his/her Suffolk University ID when signing-in guests.   The guest must surrender a valid picture ID (non-expired) to University Police when signing in.  The ID will be returned when the guest is properly signed out.
Guests who are not properly signed-in will be considered trespassers and are subject to arrest.

SUPD documents residents who do not properly sign-out their guests.  This documentation is forwarded to the Residence Life & Summer Programs Office and may result in disciplinary action and/or a fine. 

Guests who are involved in any policy violation may be asked to immediately leave the building and/or may be prohibited from entering the building for an extended period of time.  Police action is utilized when necessary to remove an unruly guest.

All residents are requested to be aware of unescorted guests on the floor and to report their presence to a Residence Life & Summer Programs staff person or to the University Police.

You, along with the staff, are responsible for maintaining a safe living environment.  Please do not open the door to anyone who is not your guest.  Call University Police if you notice a person acting suspiciously.

If you plan to have a guest who does not own a valid picture ID, you must have prior approval from the Office of Residence Life & Summer Programs for the guest to visit. This request must be submitted at least 24 hours in advance, and weekend requests must be submitted by Thursday at 5:00 pm.

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Hall Opening/Closing Policy

All requests for extended stay/early arrival during any break period or end of semester must be received by the Office of Residence Life & Summer Programs by the published deadline.  Failure to submit a request by the deadline may result in the denial of the request and/or a late charge of $50. Residents may be charged $100 if they are found in the housing areas after the designated closing time of the building.  Residents will also be escorted out of the residence hall or instructed to wait in the lobby until their transportation arrives. When leaving for vacation periods, residents are responsible for the following:
All windows must be closed and locked.
All window blinds must be drawn.
Clean the room, suite, cluster and/or apartment: empty wastebaskets, remove all perishable food items from refrigerators and rooms.  Take all trash to designated areas.  There is a $50 fee for each bag of trash that has to be removed.
All electronic appliances, excluding housing issued refrigerators, microwave and ovens must be unplugged.  This includes unplugging personal refrigerators.
Take all personal items that you will need during the break period.  Residents will not have access to buildings during the entire break period.
Lower heat.
Remove all valuable personal items.  Suffolk University is not responsible for lost or stolen items.   A Residence Life & Summer Programs staff member will check each room, suite, cluster and apartment to ensure that the above guidelines have been followed.  Failure to follow the procedures above will result in a minimum charge of $50. It is the resident student’s responsibility to complete a proper check out of his or her residence hall room when he or she is vacating the room permanently.   Improper check-out may include, but is not limited to the following:  failure to arrange a check-out time with an RA/Graduate Residence Director, failure to be present at the check-out time, failure to complete check-out paperwork or express check-out procedures, failure to return key(s).  Failure to return key(s) will result in a lock change and an additional charge. Failure to follow university check-out procedures will result in a minimum charge of $100.
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Hall Keys & University ID Policy

All resident students are issued a key to their residence hall room and a Suffolk University ID.  Students are required to carry their keys and IDs with them at all times.  Students are not to give/lend their keys/IDs to others at any time.  The front door to all residence halls are always closed and locked.  SUPD documents residents who fail to show ID upon entering a building and this documentation may result disciplinary action and/or fine.  Students are also documented for failure to show proper Suffolk University identification when entering the building.

 Lost or misplaced keys/IDs must be reported to the Residence Hall Building Office.  Students will be charged a minimum of $150 for a lost key and lock change.  This charge will be made against your damage deposit.  Students are charged $20 by the Suffolk University Police to replace University IDs.
If, for any reason, a student is locked out, he/she should attempt to find his/her roommate to gain entrance.  If a roommate is not available, an RA should be contacted.  During regular office hours, a Residence Life & Summer Programs staff member may assist with lockouts.  Students are only assisted with entry into his/her own room.  University Police does not have access to student room keys and cannot assist with lockouts.

A staff person will document each lockout.  Each student gets one "excused" lockout. The second lockout is $10.00 and the third is $25.00.  Lockout fines must be paid within five days.  Failure to pay a lockout fine will result in the fine being posted to your student account.

It is the resident hall students’ responsibility to make sure they never leave their rooms without locking their doors

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Missing Person Policy for Student Living in Campus Housing

In accordance with the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Suffolk University has developed a policy for notifying the designated emergency contact for a student who resides in on-campus housing (including leased properties) and who is determined to be missing.

A student may be deemed missing if it is reported to appropriate University officials that the student has been unreachable via personal contact, telephone, e-mail, or other means of electronic communication for 24 hours or more. Appropriate University officials include Suffolk University Police, Resident Assistants (RAs), Residence Life and Summer Programs (RLSP) staff and Student Affairs staff. RAs are required to inform their supervisors or the on-call RLSP staff member immediately upon receiving a report. RA supervisors, RLSP staff and Student Affairs staff will immediately report the missing student to Suffolk University Police. Suffolk University Police will immediately inform Risk Management and Student Affairs of the report of a missing student. Suffolk University Police will conduct an investigation in conjunction with appropriate University staff members to help determine whether or not the student is missing.

If it is determined by Suffolk University Police that a student has been missing for more than 24 hours, then, within the next 24 hours, the Student Affairs Office will notify the individual identified by the student as the designated emergency contact and the student’s parent or guardian that the student has been reported missing.

Students are required to periodically review and update their emergency contact information via the MySuffolk campus portal.

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Pets & Service Animal Policy

Pets are not permitted in University buildings including the residence halls, with the exception of service animals. Please refer to the complete Pets and Service Animal Policy in the Undergraduate Student Handbook.

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Room Entry Policy

The University reserves the right for its designees to enter and inspect a resident room, apartment, suite or cluster (occupied or unoccupied) in the interest of health and safety, proper conduct of the residents, the orderly and efficient administration and operation of the residential system or to maintain or repair the premises.  Entry may be made at any time, whether or not the resident is present and without prior notice to the resident.  Entry may also be made if there are reasonable grounds to believe that any substance, material or item is being kept or used on the premises in any manner prohibited by law or by the policies, rules and regulations of the University.  Any such item may be confiscated by the University’s representatives without prior notice.  Entry may also be made for the purpose of conducting non-emergency inspections and repairs.  Regular monthly health and safety inspections will be conducted.

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Quiet Hours Policy

Quiet hours begin at 10 PM on Sundays through Thursdays and end at 8 AM.  Quiet hours begin at 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays and end at 9 AM.  Additional quiet hour guidelines for each floor will be announced/determined at the first floor meeting.

Courtesy hours are in effect 24-hours a day. All students are expected to show consideration for the other residents. All students must honor any request by any resident or staff member when asked that stereos, musical instruments, etc. be discontinued or satisfactorily toned down.

During posted final exams periods quiet hours will be in effect 24-hours a day.

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