- General Residence Life Information
Guide to Residence Life Handbook
A. Absences
If you intend to be away from the building for an extended period of time, notify your RA. People will miss you and worry about you if you don’t return. Also, family emergencies often require us to know the whereabouts of students. We can only contact you if you provide the necessary information. If there are circumstances which prevent you from attending regularly scheduled classes, you should contact the Student Affairs Office at 617-573-8239.
B. Appliances
Halogen lamps, sun lamps and waterbeds are not allowed anywhere in university housing. The following equipment is permitted in all student rooms: TVs, radios, clocks, stereos, fans, electric razors, hair dryers, refrigerators, (not larger than 5 cubic feet), microwaves, heating pads and irons (only with automatic shut-off). Most appliances are permitted in the apartments at 10 West Street, however, the Residence Life & Summer Programs staff reserves the right to ban any appliance that may be considered a danger.
C. Bathrooms
Common area bathrooms in 150 Tremont are cleaned once every weekday. On weekends, the trash is emptied and supplies are replenished. The cleaning and supplies for apartment, suite and cluster bathrooms are the responsibility of the residents.
D. Bicycles
Bicycles should not be chained to doors, stairwells or other objects. The fire code dictates that all entrances, exits, corridors and stairwells must be free and clear at all times. Bicycles in violation of the code will be removed from the area at the owner’s cost. All bike rooms in the residence halls operate on a first come first serve basis and at the owners own risk. Residents are responsible for providing their own lock for the bikes.
Bike Room Locations:
10 West Street—First Floor
150 Tremont Street—Sub Basement
Miller Hall—First Floor
E. Building Amenities, Access and Use
The access and use of building amenities at 10 West, 150 Tremont and Miller Hall is a privilege that carries with it the obligation to act in a proper and responsible fashion. Any person who is found to have caused damage or mistreated University property will lose his/her privileges and face severe disciplinary action. In addition, any misconduct which results in damages to equipment may result in a loss of privileges for individuals or the community.
Holiday Inn & Hyatt Regency Residents
All residents living at either the Holiday Inn or Hyatt Regency are invited to visit any residence hall. You will receive a sticker on your ID card when you arrive indicating that you live at the Holiday Inn and/or the Hyatt Regency. You can show your ID with this sticker to SUPD at the front desk of the residence halls between 9am and 8pm every day to gain access to the residence hall. (You will not be able to open the door with your ID.) We hope that this will be helpful in connecting you with students living in the residence hall. This will also give you access to the dining halls during hours of operation, particularly when the Donahue Café is closed.
This special access does not apply to any guests, except for registered weekend guests. On weekends, each Holiday Inn and Hyatt Regency residents will be allowed to register ONE weekend guest with the Office of Residence Life & Summer Programs – Miller Hall and Ten West Street by Fridays 3:00 pm. On Fridays at 3:00 pm a list of all Holiday Inn and Hyatt Regency residents and their guests will be given to SUPD at the front desks of each residence hall. The Holiday Inn and Hyatt Regency residents will then be allowed to bring the one registered guest (with picture ID) to the residence hall dining hall during dining hours on Saturday and Sunday.
During the week, if you have a guest with you who does not live at the Holiday Inn or Hyatt Regency, you will need to contact a friend in the residence hall and you will both need to be signed in and out.
Under all circumstances, between 8pm and 9am, you will need to be signed into the residence halls by a resident of the hall you are visiting.
This is not our typical access system for the residence halls. If an individual abuses this system and/or has any policy violations in the residence hall, this privilege will be revoked for the remainder of the semester.
10 West Street Residents
All residents living at the 10 West Street are able to use the dining halls and the computer labs at 150 Tremont Street and/or Miller Hall. You will receive a sticker on your ID card when you arrive indicating that you live at 10 West Street. You can show your ID with this sticker to SUPD at the front desk of the residence halls between 7am and 10pm every day to gain access to the residence hall. (You will be able to open the door with your ID.) . We hope that this will be helpful in giving you convenient access to the dining halls during hours of operation.
This special access does not apply to any guests, except for registered weekend guests. On weekends, each 10 West Street resident will be allowed to register one weekend guest with the Office of Residence Life & Summer Programs. Residents must register their guests in the 10 West Street Residence Life & Summer Programs Office by Fridays at 3:00 pm. On Friday’s at 3:00 pm the list of all 10 West Street residents and their guests will be given to SUPD at the front desks of each residence hall. The 10 West Street resident will then be allowed to bring the one registered guest (with picture ID) to the 150 Tremont Street and/or Miller Hall dining hall during dining hours (10:30am—10:00pm) on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. This guest registration is only necessary if you plan to eat in the dining halls.
During the week, if you have a guest with you who does not live at the 10 West Street, you will need to contact a friend in the 150 Tremont Street or Miller Hall and you will both need to be signed in and out.
Under all circumstances, between 10pm and 7am, you will need to be signed into the 150 Tremont Street or Miller Hall by a resident of the hall you are visiting.
This is not our standard access system for the residence halls. If an individual abuses this system and/or has any policy violations in any residence hall, this privilege will be revoked for the remainder of the semester.
F. Computer Labs
The computer lab is located in the basement of 150 Tremont Street and on the 2nd Floor of Miller Hall. Each lab is open 24-hours a day for the convenience of resident students. The labs contain both PC and Macintosh computers. There is, also, a high-speed laser printer with paper provided (although it is a good idea to keep your own supply for late-night sessions.). Support to students and the lab is offered by the student staffed Residential Computing Services Office (617-305-2507) located in the Sub-Basement at 150 Tremont Street. The Residential Computing Services Office is run through the MIS Department at Suffolk University. Unfortunately, there is not a computer lab at 10 West Street.
Use of the computer lab is a privilege that carries with it the obligation to act in a proper and responsible fashion. Any person who is found to damage or mistreat University equipment, send electronic mail through software packages that disguise their identity when sending e-mail, send obscene or threatening messages or otherwise act improperly will lose his/her computing privileges and face severe disciplinary action. In addition, any misconduct which results in damages to equipment may result in a loss of privileges for individuals or the community. Please consult the full policy – ‘Policies and Guidelines Regarding Computer Use’ - in the Student Policy and Procedures Handbook.
Please report any problems in the computer lab to the appropriate building office.
G. Dining Services
Everyone who lives in university housing must have a meal plan, except for those students living in 10 West Street apartments. You can select one of three dining plans. The meal plans are run on a debit system and all items are a la carte.
In the dining halls at 150 Tremont and Miller Hall, breakfast, lunch and dinner are served daily. On the weekends, brunch and dinner are served. Each evening, the dining halls offer a “late night” dining period. This is an opportunity for students to enjoy evening snacks with friends during a study break. Students may purchase food with their meal plan money. This should be considered a fourth meal, which, if taken on a regular basis, would definitely impact your food account. The meal plans that are offered are designed to cover the regular meals. If you think that you will be taking advantage of the regular meals and “late night” on a regular basis, we would suggest that you purchase Meal Plan A.
Your meal money can be used to make purchases in the Sawyer Café and all dining halls on campus.
Meal Plan A: This plan operates as the others do and allows for a weekly spending average of approximately $78. If you are a hearty eater and/or think that you will be frequenting the “late night” service, this would be a reasonable plan for you.
Meal Plan B: This is the standard meal plan. All NEW students are automatically billed for this plan. On average, this plan would allow you to spend approximately $70 per week. This amount will vary depending on both your eating habits and how frequently you dine in the dining hall.
Meal Plan C: All students living at the Holiday Inn Boston at Beacon Hill and the Hyatt Regency are automatically billed for this plan. With this plan, your average weekly spending could go as high as approximately $63 per week.
At the end of the fall semester any student on Meal Plan A or B, whose balance is more than thirty percent of the original balance will automatically be reduced to the next lower meal plan option. For example, if a student has Meal Plan B and has $325 or more remaining at the end of the Fall semester, that student will be automatically reduced to Meal Plan C for the spring semester. Students on Meal Plan C with high balances will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
Any money left on your account at the end of the fall semester will be carried over to the spring. Monies left at the end of the spring semester are forfeited.
If you wish to change your meal plan you must notify the Residence Life & Summer Programs Office by September 30, 2008 for the Fall 2008 semester and January 30, 2009 for the Spring 2009 semester
It is important to monitor your balance to insure that you are properly budgeting for the semester. SODEXHO will notify students when a balance is significantly high or low. If there is a discrepancy, or you are experiencing difficulty using your account, you should speak with a staff person at the Switchboard Office, located in the Sawyer Building.
If you run out of money on your meal plan, you can start a RAM account. A RAM account can be set up in $25.00 increments and can be used at all of the dining halls and the Sawyer Café. In addition, a RAM account can also be used for laundry at in the residence halls as well as the bookstore and selected off campus locations.
If you have specific dietary requests, please contact the Director of Residence Dining Services at 617-305-2511. Hours of service are posted at each Dining Hall at the beginning of each semester.
Please check out the Sodexho at Suffolk University website for more information at www.sudining.com
H. Escort Program
The Suffolk University Police Department sponsors a walking Escort Program daily, from dusk until 11:30 PM. Students may be escorted from the main classroom buildings to the Park Street "T" station. If you need an escort, contact University Police at 617-573-8333. Please make an effort to arrange an escort in advance, giving your name, destination and time needed.
I. Exercise Room
There is an exercise room in the sub-basement of 150 Tremont Street and in the basement of Miller Hall and 10 West Street. All exercise equipment is fairly new. All equipment is used at the student’s own risk.
The exercise rooms are open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week. Please report any problems with equipment to the RLSP office in your building.
J. Kitchen Facilities at 150 Tremont Street
Access to kitchen facilities is limited. If you wish to use the kitchen, you may sign up in the 150 Tremont Street Building Office. The key will need to be signed-out and in. Students who sign-out the key will be held responsible for the condition of the kitchen. Students should take care of the existing facilities, and exercise caution when using heating elements in the kitchen. Residents will be held financially responsible for any building fire alarm activation, or related damages resulting from negligence while cooking.
Hours of use may be limited. There are no public kitchen facilities at Miller Hall or 10 West Street.
K. Laundry Facilities
There are coin-operated and card-reader washers and dryers located in the lower levels of each of the residence halls. In order to use the card-reader system - you must have a RAM account. You may add money to your existing RAM account through the CVC (Card Value Center) in the lobby of each building. In consideration of other students, laundry should be taken out of the machines as soon as the cycle is complete. To check the status of your laundry, use ‘Laundry View’ online from your room. If you lose money in a washer or dryer, please write your NAME, BOX NUMBER, THE DATE, THE AMOUNT OF MONEY LOST and the NUMBER AND TYPE OF MACHINE in which you lost it on a "Refund Form" at the appropriate building office.
Washing machines may not be used for dyeing.
Laundry Locations:
10 West Street—Basement
150 Tremont Street—Sub Basement
Miller Hall—Basement
L. License Agreement
Each resident student signs a full academic year license agreement. The only reason that a student can be released from the agreement outright is to participate in Suffolk’s Study Abroad program. If a resident student wishes to be released from the academic year housing license agreement or from the university meal plan they must file a petition with the Food and Housing Petition Board. Petition forms are available in each Residence Hall Building Office and online at www.suffolk.edu/reslife. A student may select to meet with the Board to explain the circumstances of their case. The petition board meets on an ‘as needed’ basis and on Reading Day on December 4th to review Spring 2009 requests.
The University may cancel your license agreement for reasons of unsuitable resident conduct at any time after a residency review.
M. Lost and Found
The building offices in each residence hall and the University Police each maintain a lost and found section. All lost items should be reported to the appropriate building office or University Police staff. All found items should be turned into the appropriate building office or the University Police at the front desk. Contact the University Police at 617-573-8333 for recovered property.
N. Lounges
There is a lounge on every floor in both 10 West Street and 150 Tremont Street. There is also a lounge on every other floor at Miller Hall. Study lounges are provided at 150 Tremont Street on every floor except the 9th. These areas are provided for quiet study. The lounges are open 24 hours a day. Please be respectful of others using the lounges. Study lounges may not be used as lodging. Furniture should not be removed from lounges.
O. Mail and Email
Your on-campus address is listed as your ‘local’ address at the university. Many offices will use this address to communicate with you. It is IMPORTANT and expected that you check your mailbox regularly. In addition, many offices are now using Suffolk Email Accounts to communicate with you. It is important and expected that you utilize your Suffolk University email account.
Mail is delivered to the residence halls Monday through Friday. The mail is sorted each day by the student mailroom staff. The mailroom staff assigns the mailboxes, reports broken or damaged mailboxes and is responsible for routing mail that arrives to the hall. Mail should be addressed as follows:
10 West Street:
Your Name
10 West Street, Box # ____
Boston, MA 02111
150 Tremont Street:
Your Name
150 Tremont Street, Box #____
Boston, MA 02111-1126
Miller Hall:
Your Name
10 Somerset Street, Box # ____
Boston, MA 02108
Putting "Suffolk University" on a letter will only delay its arrival. Please include your box number when giving out your address.
When moving out of the residence hall, it is the resident’s responsibility to promptly change his/her address with those from whom he/she expects to receive mail. In order to have mail forwarded (for up to 60 days) to a new address, students must complete a mail forwarding card with the mailroom staff prior to leaving the hall. If you fail to complete a mail forwarding card, your mail will be returned to sender.
P. Maintenance
All routine maintenance requests should be reported to the Residence Hall Building Office or to an RA. It is very helpful if you put the request in writing and are very specific about the nature of the request. Examples of "routine" requests: light bulb replacement, minor air conditioning/heating concerns, clogged toilets, lock or key problems, furniture adjustment, blown fuse, etc. Work orders are reviewed on a daily basis.
Maintenance Requests may be emailed to:
reslifewest@suffolk.edu for 10 West Street
reslifetremont@suffolk.edu for 150 Tremont Street
reslifemiller@suffolk.edu for Miller Hall
Holiday Inn Boston at Beacon Hill residents should contact the front desk of the hotel to report maintenance concerns
Hyatt Regency residents should contact the front desk of the hotel to report any maintenance concerns
Q. Neighbors/Tenants
We have all types of neighbors and tenants around us. There are many merchants as well as private businesses and residents. You will notice that you are able to see into the windows of the surrounding buildings; please remember that your neighbors can also see into your windows. In an effort to maintain your privacy and to be respectful of neighbors, we suggest that you close your blinds when appropriate.
R. Parking and Public Transportation
Students are discouraged from bringing cars to campus. There are no campus parking areas for students. In addition, neighborhood parking is not available to resident students.
University housing is conveniently located within close proximity to the Red, Green, Blue and Orange lines and allows convenient access to all subway lines. Boston’s easily accessible subway system is called the ‘T’. Most fares are $1.70. For more information about public information in and around Boston, visit the MBTA website at http://www.mbta.com. The University has a T-pass program. Call Student Activities at 617-573-8320 for more information.
S. Personal Property
The University assumes no responsibility for loss or damage to personal property of students or their guests. This includes, but is not limited to, loss by fire, theft, water or malfunction of electrical or mechanical systems. Residents are strongly advised to obtain insurance to cover their personal property. It is advisable that you check with your family to see if coverage is provided by homeowner’s insurance. Students are strongly urged to keep their rooms locked at all times. If a theft occurs, it should be reported to a Residence Life Staff member and University Police immediately.
T. Release of Information
Resident student phone numbers and rosters may be given out to other administrative and academic offices by the Residence Life & Summer Programs Office. Many offices consider this your ‘local’ phone number and will attempt to contact you at this number. No personal information, including residency status, will be given out to the public (including people claiming to be friends, family members, etc.).
U. Residence Hall Function Space
Contact the Residence Life & Summer Programs office in the building you would like to reserve space.
V. Room Assignments
Specific room assignments for new students will be made only after the deposit is submitted, by the deadline, to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Every effort will be made to honor preferences. The University reserves the right to assign rooms to students on a space-available basis.
W. Room Changes
Room changes during the semester will be made for well founded reasons only, and must be approved by an Assistant Director of Residence Life & Summer Programs. However, no such requests will be considered during the first 14 days or the last week of each semester.
Students who are having difficulties with their living situation should seek assistance from an RA / Assistant Resident Director. The RA will update the Assistant Director. If necessary, the Assistant Director will become involved to help resolve the problem and/or facilitate a room change. Room changes between buildings are possible on a space-available basis, including for the purpose of room consolidation.
Students are expected to reside in the room to which they have been assigned unless prior approval for change has been granted. Under no circumstances may a student move to another room without the permission of the Assistant Director. Unauthorized room changes are not permitted, and students will not be allowed to stay in those rooms. Additionally, students may face disciplinary action. The Director of Residence Life and Summer Programs, or her designee, reserves the right to change the room assignment of any student if deemed necessary.
X. Room Condition
Room condition forms will be filled out by the RA / Graduate Fellow and student upon moving in and out of any residential space on campus. When
checking in, make sure that any, and all, damages/concerns are recorded on the
inventory form before you sign it. Students must make an appointment with their RA to sign the inventory form and note changes in the condition of the room upon leaving.
Monthly health and safety inspections will occur to ensure that all rooms and apartments are being properly maintained. This is also a means to monitor any damage caused during the academic year. When possible, health and safety inspections are announced and signs are posted at least 24 hours in advance. All rooms and apartments are inspected during vacation periods.
When moving out of university housing at the end of the contract period, a resident must notify a staff member and return the key(s). Living areas must be "broom clean". Residents are responsible for obtaining cleaning supplies for their individual living areas. A cleaning fee and improper check-out fee may be assessed if specified procedures are not followed. The Assistant Director inspects all rooms after the check-out procedure is complete.
Y. Room Selection
Room Selection is held each spring for returning resident students to select their room for the following year. Currently, only freshmen residents may participate in room selection. There is a series of deposits which will be required prior to room selection. A lottery is run to determine selection order. Students may also select to live in a group setting (suite or cluster). A detailed packet of room selection information will be distributed by mail shortly after the start of spring semester, and will be available at www.suffolk.edu/reslife.
In order to retain a fall housing reservation, students must have their account with the University in good order by the fall payment date (August 1st).
Z. Storage
Limited storage space is only available at 150 Tremont Street. Please contact the Residence Hall Building Office at 617-305-2503 for more information. Summer storage space is available only for those individuals who are returning to
university housing the following fall and live outside of the northeastern United States.
AA. Television
Cable TV will be available when you arrive at any of the on-campus residence halls. This is a service that is automatically billed to your student account as part of your room charge. Cable boxes are property of RCN Cable and there is a $100.00 fine for lost, damaged or missing cable boxes.
Channels provided are:
Local: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, UPN, WB
Movies: HBO THE WORKS, SHOWTIME 5 CHANNELS, THE MOVIE CHANNEL & THE MOVIE CHANNEL EXTRA
“America’s Top 100”: A&E,
PBS 2, ABC Family, CBS, NBC, ABC, SPIKE, Cartoon Network, CNBC, CNN Headline, Comedy Central, CMT, BET, MTV, MTV2, VH1, COURT TV, C-SPAN, C-SPAN2, DISCOVERY, DISNEY, WEATHER CHANNEL, NICKELODEON, TV LAND, TBS ,FOX 25, E!, TNT, FOOD NETWORK, FOX MOVIE CHANNEL, TCM, BRAVO, FX, IFC, USA, TLC, HEALTHY LIVING, HISTORY CHANNEL, UPN 38, HGTV, LIFETIME, WE, SCI-FI CHANNEL, 8 HBO CHANNELS, 5 SHOWTIME CHANNELS, SUNDANCE, WB 56, FLIX, THE MOVIE CHANNEL, THE MOVIE CHANNEL EXTRA, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN NEWS, NESN, Suffolk University, Suffolk University
Leased Property #1:
Local: PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, UPN, WB, FOX
Movies: HBO
Others: CNN, CNN HEADLINE NEWS, ESPN, EPSN2, ESPN CLASSIC, ESPN NEWS, Discovery Channel, Nickelodeon, TBS, TNT, USA, Comedy Central, Cartoon Network, MTV2, MTV3, hgtv, Lifetime, The Weather Channel, Fox News, ABC Family, MSNBC, CNBC, TLS and E!
Leased Property #2:
A full list will be available in your room.
Updated channel listings are available in the Office of Residence Life & Summer Programs. Please report any problems with the satellite television to your building office.
BB. Telephones
In both 150 Tremont Street and Miller Hall there are phone jacks in each of the residence hall rooms. In 10 West there is a phone jack in each suite/apartment. Please note that telephones are not provided. Local phone service is included in the room and board charges. Students are urged to inform family and friends of their telephone numbers so that calls may be received directly. No personal calls can be taken at the front desk telephone or by a member of the Residence Life & Summer Programs staff.
There is a house phone inside the entrance of each of the residence halls. This phone can be used to call student rooms and University offices on-campus.
Student phone numbers in the residence halls will be given out only to other administrative and academic offices by the Residence Life and Summer Programs Office. Phone numbers will not be given out to the public.
It is important to utilize the on-campus phone system, as it maybe the only phone number the RLSP office has to contact you.
Local Calling Instructions: In order to call outside of the university, students must dial 9 + 1 + area code + seven digit phone number. If you are dialing within the university (including the residence hall), you may dial the four-digit extension. Local calls include area code 617 and 781.
Options:
Call Forwarding– you may forward phone calls from one room to another by dialing *2 and the four-digit destination extension.
Hold– dial *1 to place the caller on hold.
Conference call– press switch hook, dial four-digit extension and press the switch hook again to connect.
Transfer Call– press switch hook, dial the four-digit extension, hang- up.
Voicemail:
To sign-up for voicemail, please email Andrea Bishop at abishop@suffolk.edu or call 617-573-8020.
Logging Into Your Mailbox
1. Dial 3000 (617-305-3000 from outside the university)
2. When the system answers, press #
3. Enter your mailbox # (the last four-digits of your phone number)
4. Enter your security code. The first time you log-on, the code is 264004. You will then be required to change your code.
Listening to Messages
1. Press 5 to listen to the oldest message first. Press 15 to listen to the newest message first.
2. To access saved messages, press 192
CC. University Police and Security
The University Police, and uniformed Security Officers, are stationed at the front desks of all residence halls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The University Police Dispatch Office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and is
located in the Donahue Building. The phone number is 617-573-8333. For emergencies, dial 617-573-8111.
All Suffolk University Police Officers are here to protect and serve the Suffolk University community. They are to detect, deter and apprehend criminal offenders through prevention, cooperation and enforcement.
All Suffolk University Police Officers are licensed under Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 22, section 63 by the State Police granting them the same powers of arrest as a city or town police officer while on the property owned, used or occupied by Suffolk University.
The University Police are here for your safety and assistance. Your respect for them as individuals and your cooperation with them in the performance of their responsibilities will help make the University a more secure environment for all of us. The police want to work with you on all safety matters. Please feel free to stop by and say ‘hello!’.
DD. Vacation Periods
All university housing officially closes during the Thanksgiving, winter, and spring break vacation periods. All students should plan to leave the buildings during those periods. If you live outside of the northeastern United States, you may request permission to remain in university housing through the appropriate building office. Notices will be distributed prior to a vacation period announcing the guidelines and deadlines for such a request. Be advised that your room contract does not cover vacation periods, so there may be a fee for staying in the residence hall during such times. Food service may not be available during vacation periods. It is possible that vacation housing may be available in a specific building and you may need to relocate. Vacation closing dates are listed in your license agreement and on the last page of this guide.
EE. Withdrawal or Leave of Absence
Any student who is planning to withdraw or take a leave of absence from the University needs to contact the Student Affairs Office for information and assistance necessary for his/her proper withdrawal or leave of absence. In addition, it is important that complete a Food & Housing Petition Form. When you are ready to leave housing, you will need to check-out of your room and return your key(s). Students are responsible for university housing charges through the end of the semester in which they leave.