Policies, Regulations & Guidelines

Residence Hall Complex Area

For purposes of clarifying the policies, the Residence Hall complex is defined as the area inside of the gate at each complex and the parking lots designated as parking for a particular complex.

Apartment Responsibility

Residents will be held accountable for behavior that occurs in their apartment. This includes behavior of guests, damages, prohibited activity, and prohibited items found in their apartment. Therefore, residents should take action to monitor who is permitted to enter their apartment. Students should keep their apartment door locked at all times.

Alcohol

The use, consumption, possession, transportation, sale, or abuse of alcoholic beverages is prohibited by all residents living in Penn College on-campus housing facilities (including individuals who are over 21 years of age). All empty alcoholic containers (includes, but is not limited to, bottles, cans, kegs, party balls, bottle caps) are also prohibited and constitute a violation of the alcohol policy. This includes alcohol bottles that are used for decorative purposes. The consumption of intoxicating beverages is not considered an excuse for irresponsible behavior within the residence halls. The College takes action against residents who drink irresponsibly. Individual residents are held accountable for the actions of their guests.

Note: This policy is in addition to the information outlined on the Student Rights and Responsibilities website.

Illicit Drugs

The sale, use, distribution, manufacture, dispensing, or possession of any illicit drugs, as well as any paraphernalia, in or around the residence hall is prohibited. In addition, prescription drugs without a doctor's prescription are prohibited.

Non-Overnight Guest Visitation for all Residence Halls

Penn College recognizes the need for students to develop not only academically but also socially. A necessary part of this growth is to be able to interact with other students in the College environment. The College's visitation and guest policy is designed to meet students' personal needs and also to provide a secure community conducive to study and appropriate socialization. The goal of Residence Life is to make it possible for students to be able to live, learn and grow in a College living environment. Any person who does not reside in a particular apartment, is considered a visitor/guest. All guests must vacate the apartment (nonresidents must vacate the residence hall) by midnight Sunday - Thursday and 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday evenings (Saturday and Sunday mornings). After 10:15 p.m., all visitors/guests are required to be registered by their host with the Penn College Police at the main gate of the residence hall. All guests must be signed in by the host. Hosts will be called to the front gate to sign in their guests when they arrive. Any guests who enter the complex prior to 10:15 p.m. should return to the main gate to register if they are staying past 10:15 p.m.

Overnight Guest Visitation for Rose Street Commons

A guest in a College Housing living unit is any person who is not a resident of that particular apartment and whose purpose is to visit for a short time with another person who is a resident. Violations of these rules are subject to disciplinary action. Guests are only permitted to stay overnight on Friday and/or Saturday evenings. Overnight guests will also be permitted on evenings when there are no classes being held the following day; however, overnight guests are not permitted prior to a designated study day, at anytime during the end-of-semester finals period, or prior to the first day of classes at the beginning of a semester.

• All overnight guest must be registered by 11:30 p.m. on the evening prior to their visit.
• All overnight guests must have the approval of all the residents of the apartment. A signature on the form indicates that that person is giving consent for a guest to stay. All visitations should be discussed within the apartment, guidelines should be established, and all parties involved should feel comfortable with the agreement before signing the form. Apartment mates reserve the right to not sign the form. If an apartment mate does not give consent, visitation is not permitted. Hosting guests against the wishes of an apartment mate is a violation of the overnight guest policy and may result in disciplinary action.
• Overnight Guest Registration Form (available on the myPCT Portal): The completed overnight guest registration form must bear the
  • guest's printed name, date of birth, vehicle license plate number
  • date(s) of guest's stay
  • signature of apartment mate(s) (all apartment mates must sign this form even if they will not be present during the guest's stay)
  • signature of a Resident Assistant or Coordinator of Residence Life
  • host's name, apartment number/complex/phone
  • host's signature
• To be approved, the completed form must be signed by a Residence Life staff member AND be turned in at the front gate police substation by 11:30 p.m. on the evening prior to the guests stay.
• Guests who are under 18 years of age are not permitted to stay overnight, unless they are the sibling of the host student.  Sibling guests under 18 years of age must bring a signed and dated note from a legal parent or guardian giving them permission to stay. The note must contain a contact phone number of the person signing the note.
• Residents are responsible for the proper check-in and checkout of each guest.
• Guests are to be accompanied at all times during their stay by their host. This includes both inside the complex and around the campus. Guests are not to be left in an apartment without the host present.
• Any resident housing a non-registered guest(s) in College Housing is subject to disciplinary sanctions.
• Guests are required to show identification if requested by any member of the Penn College staff.
• The maximum number of overnight guests permitted in each living unit is four in Lancaster, York, Clinton, Delaware, and Juniata Halls. In Dauphin Hall the maximum number of overnight guests for a single room is one and for a double room is two.
• Host students are responsible for the conduct of their guest(s).
• All guests must observe all College regulations and adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. Any non-resident found in violation may be removed from the complex and denied further visiting privileges.
• IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOST TO MAKE SURE ALL GUESTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED CORRECTLY. The host should make sure all of the registration information given is correct (including the age of the guests). Providing incorrect registration information will be considered a violation of policy by the host.

Overnight Guest Visitation for The Village and Campus View Apartment (effective Fall 2010)

A guest in a College Housing living unit is any person who is not a resident of that particular apartment and whose purpose is to visit for a short time with another person who is a resident. Violations of these rules are subject to disciplinary action. Guests in The Village and Campus View are permitted on all nights in which the residence halls are officially open except prior to a designated study day, during final exam periods at the end of each semester, or prior to the first day of classes at the beginning of a semester.

• IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE HOST TO MAKE SURE ALL GUESTS HAVE BEEN REGISTERED CORRECTLY. The host should make sure all of the registration information given is correct (including the age of the guests). Providing incorrect registration information will be considered a violation of policy by the host.
• All Guests must be signed in between 10:15 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.
• Residents will be held accountable for failure to register guests appropriately with the ultimate penalty of losing visitation privileges.
• The maximum number of overnight guests permitted in each living unit is four.
• Overnight guests may stay no longer than three days and two nights per seven day period.
• Guests who are under 18 years of age are not permitted to stay overnight, unless they are the sibling of the host student. Sibling guests under 18 years of age must bring a signed and dated note from a legal parent or guardian giving them permission to stay. The note must contain a contact phone number of the person signing the note.
• Residents are responsible for the proper check-in and checkout of each guest.
• Guests are to be accompanied at all times during their stay by their host. This includes both inside the complex and around the campus. Guests are not to be left in an apartment without the host present.
• Any resident housing a non-registered guest(s) in College Housing is subject to disciplinary sanctions.
• Guests are required to show identification (State ID/Driver’s license or Penn College ID) if requested by any member of the Penn College staff.
• Host students are responsible for the conduct of their guest(s).
• All guests must observe all College regulations and adhere to the Student Code of Conduct. Any non-resident found in violation may be removed from the complex and denied further visiting privileges.

Quiet Hours

Students are reminded that living in a residence hall requires consideration of others. At all times noise must be kept at a level where it cannot be heard outside of the apartment and where it is not disturbing other residents or the surrounding community. Additionally, daily quiet hours are from 9 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from midnight to 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

While quiet hours are in effect until 10 a.m., it is occasionally necessary for General Services to perform outside work during the quiet hour period.

During finals week of both semesters 24-hour quiet hours will be put in place.

Security Hours

All students must enter and exit the complex through designated gates. Climbing over the fence to either enter or exit the complex is not permitted at any time. After 10:15 p.m., student may enter or exit only via the front gate by the residence hall complex Police office. It is the responsibility of all residents to show photo identification to the Penn College Police staff member at the main gate of the complex after security hours have begun. Security hours will conclude at 5 a.m. In the event the front gate is locked, residents can enter using a key issued to them or via card access in designated areas. It is the responsibility of the residents to lock the gate behind them and to not allow people who are not residents of the complex or registered guests to enter the complex.

Fire Evacuation Procedures

Fire drills are conducted each semester in each residence hall with a central alarm system. Each time the alarm sounds, residents are expected to evacuate the building in a timely manner and proceed to a specific waiting area. Fire evacuation procedures for each complex are below:

Campus View Fire Evacuation Procedures

Clinton, Delaware, and Juniata Hall Fire Evacuation Procedures

Dauphin Hall Fire Evacuation Procedures

Penn's Loft Fire Evacuation Procedures

Lancaster and York Hall Fire Evacuation Procedures

The Village Fire Evacuation Procedures

Fire Safety Equipment

Misusing or tampering with fire safety equipment: fire alarms, smoke detectors, extinguishers is prohibited.

Firearms, Explosives, Incendiary Devices, and Weapons

Firearms, explosives, incendiary devices, and weapons of any kind are not permitted in the residence hall for any period of time. This includes, but is not limited to, slingshots, archery equipment, b-b guns, air soft guns, paintball guns, potato guns, smoke bombs, firecrackers, bullets, and flares.

False Fire Alarm

Students are required to carefully watch their food while cooking in their apartments. Smoke from scorched food may set off a false fire alarm, which is a violation and subject to a $50 fee.

Prohibited Items (items not permitted in the residence halls and subject to immediate removal)

• Water-filled furniture including waterbeds, pools, toys, etc.
• Fish tanks larger five gallons
• Hanging beds, loft bed frames, and all other types of hanging furniture
• Couches, chairs, or futons that are not provided by the College unless the student can provide manufacturer's certification that the furniture meets California Technical Bulletin 133 for fire retardancy of upholstered furniture or 16 CRF Part 1633 federal flammability standard for mattresses.
• Space heaters
• Exterior antennas
• Outdoor clotheslines
• Any attachments or alterations to the interior/exterior of any apartment other than provided for that specific purpose
• Stolen merchandise
• Extension cords without a UL approved circuit breaker
• Metal tipped darts for dartboard sets
• Running wires beneath floor carpeting, duct taping wire to the carpet or running wire above suspended ceilings
• Fog machines
• Locks on bedroom door handles
• Gas or charcoal grills
• Sports equipment such as baseballs, softballs, golf balls, lacrosse balls, may not be used in the residence hall courtyards. The only sports equipment that can be used in the residence hall courtyards is footballs, soccer balls, and frisbees.
• Drum sets
• Dead plants or trees (includes trees without roots)
• Street signs
• Cigarettes that smell like marijuana
• Hookah pipes
• Stickers on doors or other surfaces within the apartment (memo boards permitted)
• Stickers and tape on apartment exterior doors
• Signs, posters, banners, flags, or like items that are hung on, over, or near windows
• Remote-controlled cars with gas-powered engines
• Pool, ping pong, or air hockey tables
• Personal air conditioning units
• Chlorinated, dyed, or fragranced water treatment in toilet tanks
• Wireless or Ethernet routers (wireless systems)
• Water filters placed on faucets
• Removing and replacing shower heads
• Chest Freezers
• Refrigerators over 4.2 cubic feet.
• Portable Dishwashers
• Convection Ovens

In an effort to make the residence halls as fire safe as possible, students will automatically be issued a $50 fee for the following activities in the residence halls:

• Possession of candles with wicks (this includes decorative and fragranced candles)
• Possession of incense
• Possession of gas, propane, lighter fluid stored outside of a lighter, kerosene, nitrous oxide, lamp oil, motor oil (includes gas powered engines)
• Possession of hot plates with an exposed coil
• Possession of sun lamps
• Possession of holiday string and rope lights
• Smoking in non-smoking areas (note: All residence halls are designated non-smoking. Smoking areas exist in specified locales outside of the buildings.)
• Possession of halogen lights
• Possession of upright/top-loading toasters
• Accidentally setting off a fire alarm
• Possession of car tires
• Possession of charcoal
• Possession of plug-in air fresheners
• Possession of lava lamps

The Residence Life staff reserves the right to confiscate prohibited items from a student's apartment. A notice will be left for the student indicating that the item has been taken and what the student needs to do to get it back. The item will be returned to the student at the time in which the student can permanently remove the item from the complex. The Residence Life staff will attempt to assure that items are kept in a safe place, but assumes no responsibility for any damage that may occur to the item. This includes, but is not limited to, loss or theft of the item from storage.

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in any building at Penn College. This includes the hallways, lobbies, and laundry rooms of the residence halls. The College reserves the right to require students not to smoke within a particular exterior area if the smoke interferes with other residents. Students must dispose of cigarette butts in appropriate trash receptacles.

Residents of Rose Street Commons are not permitted to smoke anywhere within the gated community or within 20 feet of an entrance gate/door to the complex.

Residents of Campus View Apartments and The Village at Penn College are not permitted to smoke anywhere within the gated community or within 20 feet of an entrance gate/door to the complex.

Room Entry

The Residence Life Office respects the student's desire for privacy within the realm of the group living experience and protects this privacy. However, in the interest of maintaining an environment that provides for the health and safety of residents, it is occasionally necessary for authorized staff to exercise the contractual right to enter a student's room.

Staff members entering student rooms use discretion. Student rooms may be entered under the following conditions.

• To provide room maintenance or repair services
• For routine health and safety inspections. These inspections will occur at least once a semester.
• For emergency situations
• To maintain an atmosphere that promotes the scholarship of residents (e.g., unattended stereo, alarm clock, telephone, answering machine). This is only done with the approval of the Residence Life professional staff.
• To ensure that room-closing procedures have been followed when a resident vacates a room for break period.
• If a Residence Life staff member believes that a room or apartment contains items that are contrary to College regulations (which include federal, state, and local laws).

In virtually all cases, some act of misbehavior will precipitate the concerns addressed here. All personnel responding to emergencies, repairs, and/or room inspections have an obligation to report any violations found.

Institutional Searches

Institutional searches are conducted, typically by Residence Life staff, after a decision on the potential search is obtained through the Residence Life staff from the Director of Residence Life or designated appointee. Approval is given only after the reason for the search, the person(s) to search the room, and the object(s) being sought are clarified. Searches of this type can be conducted with or without the occupants of the room being present.

Police Searches

All room searches conducted by the Penn College Police Department are performed according to constitutional and criminal procedure. (If an officer observes articles in plain view from a location where the officer has a right to be, the officer has not conducted a search.) If time and circumstances permit, a member of the Residence Life staff is notified of the impending search. The staff member can provide guidance to the room occupied by the person(s) against whom any warrant is issued and can act as a witness.

Snowball/Water Fights

Due to obvious potential injury, snowball and water fights are prohibited within the residence hall complex (this includes the area inside of the residence hall gates). Absolutely no snow is allowed inside the residence hall at anytime.

Window/Balconies

For reasons of health and safety, nothing is to go in, out, or be thrown or hung from any residence hall window or balcony. Individuals are not allowed to lean out of windows or over balconies, sit on windowsills or balcony railings, or remove screens.

Pets

With the exception of service animals and fish in a tank no larger than five gallons, animals are not permitted to be fed, or harbored in the residence hall.

Reporting Missing Students

Students, employees, and family members are encouraged to report missing students immediately so police can take steps necessary to locate the missing student. If you are concerned that a student is missing or has not been seen or spoken too for some time, you can report it to the College Police in person. For more information visit http://www.pct.edu/police/safety.htm

Offenses Resulting in Eviction from On-Campus Housing

Respecting the rights of others is the foundation of community living in a residence hall. Respect demands that certain activities and behaviors not be exhibited. The following actions, which seriously infringe on the rights of other community members, are not tolerated. Violators may be evicted from on-campus housing, with no refunds, and also may be subject to additional disciplinary action.

This in not a complete list.

• Actions that endanger the health and safety of other persons
• Providing a common source of alcohol in on-campus housing
• Intentional damage or destruction of College property
• Use or possession of explosives, firecrackers, firearms, explosive materials, or weapons of any kind in on-campus housing
• Sale, use, possession, or distribution of illegal drugs or narcotics
• Misusing or tampering with fire safety equipment (fire alarms, smoke detectors, extinguishers, etc.)
• Deliberately starting a fire in the residence halls

Responsibility

Residents are responsible for maintaining their housing unit and its furnishings with reasonable care. Upon moving into a housing unit, residents are provided an Apartment Inventory Form to review, sign, and turn in. Residents are responsible for making sure that they have reviewed, signed, and turned in this form and to include any items of damage which exist at the time of move in. Residents are also expected to use reasonable care in using and maintaining common areas related to the housing unit or other College housing facilities.

Damages

Residents must pay for any damage to their housing unit and/or its furnishings. Residents are jointly responsible with other students for damage to any common areas or other College housing facilities. Damages will be divided among all residents responsible, unless the party responsible for the damage is identified. All charges for damages will be deducted from the $100 damage deposit. Charges that exceed $100 will be billed and must be paid promptly upon demand by the College.

Apartment Sanitation and Trash Removal

Residents are required to maintain their apartment in a clean and sanitary manner on a routine basis. They are also solely responsible for bagging trash that accumulates in their apartment and disposing of such trash by depositing it in the designated receptacle and recycling containers. Students may not leave trash outside of their apartment door. There is a $25 minimum charge for improperly disposed trash. If during at any time it is determined that any area of an apartment is excessively dirty residents of that apartment may be required to clean the area within a given timeline.

Furniture, Fixtures, and Personalizing Your Room

In consultation with fellow roommates, students are allowed to personalize their room so that it is more comfortable and homelike; however, certain conditions, policies, and procedures must be followed. These are outlined here to help students to utilize the facilities provided and to ensure that they understand some of the limitations and guidelines that are necessary within the housing environment. Students may make modifications such as moving certain pieces of furniture (see below) or bunking the beds (pegs for bunking beds can be picked up at the of Residence Life Office).

You may not:

• remove or store College furniture outside of your living unit;
• bring couches, chairs, or futons into the residence halls unless you can provide manufacturer's certification that the furniture meets California Technical Bulletin 133 for fire retardancy of upholstered furniture or 16 CRF Part 1633 federal flammability standard for mattresses.
• suspend beds and/or furniture from walls, ceilings, or loft units;
• affix materials to the walls, windows, or ceiling in a manner that might damage the surface (e.g. nails, duct tape, etc.);
• place wallpaper or adhesive paper on the walls or windows;
• place adhesive paper in cabinets or on shelves;
• paint living unit (walls, doors, floor, etc.); this includes writing on walls with detergent;
• remove window screens at anytime;
• replace light bulbs in the apartment (only maintenance staff via the work order system may replace light bulbs).
• replace light bulbs in apartment fixtures with black lights;
• place stickers on doors or other surfaces in the apartment (Items should be fastened to doors using magnetic tape with the magnetic side of the tape in contact with the door.);
• place carpets/rugs in areas that will cause damage to doors;
• move appliances (refrigerators, microwaves, stoves) from their set location;
• move wardrobes inside of an apartment from one room to another.
• hang items from the light fixtures or fire safety equipment;
• turn bed legs over by removing them and fastening them upside down.
• tamper with thermostats and/or the security tape found on the thermostats
• moving loft units
• use spray paint in the apartments or outside area of the complex
• use hangers that fasten over the top of doors
• complete your own repairs to the facility, furniture, or appliances

Bicycles

All on-campus residents who will have a bicycle on-campus must register their bicycle. Students storing unregistered bicycles on campus will be in violation of the on-campus resident bicycle regulation. Bicycle registration information and an electronic registration can be found by following the link below:

Bicycle Registration Process and Electronic Registration Form (myPCT portal)

Residents of Rose Street Commons (Clinton, Delaware, Dauphin, Juniata, Lancaster, and York) are not allowed to keep bicycles in their apartments or bring them inside the building. Residents of Rose Street Commons may keep their bicycles in the bike storage area located in Rose Street Commons or in one of the bike racks located in the courtyards. Space in the bike room is limited and will be distributed on a first-come, first-serve basis. The bike room is open to residents of Rose Street Commons and access to the room is granted through the bike registration process.

Residents of Campus View and The Village are allowed to keep bicycles in their apartments. While Campus View and Village residents are allowed to keep bicycles in their apartments, riding bicycles inside the residence hall buildings is forbidden. Residents keeping bicycles in their apartments are reminded that they are held accountable for any damage occurring to their apartment.

Use of Internet in the Residence Halls

Anyone connecting a private computer to the College network via the College housing network (ResNet), a LAN connection or any other network connection need to Section 5 of the College's Information Technology Resources Acceptable Use Policy.

Physical Abuse & Harassment

Physical abuse and harassment, including verbal abuse or threats against any individual, are expressly forbidden. Harassment issues can include, but are not limited to, harassment based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. Both individuals and groups can be targets for harassing behavior.

Note: This policy is in addition to the information outlined on the Student Rights and Responsibilities website.

Failure to Comply With Staff

Residents and their guests are expected to follow all official requests from all Penn College staff members (including but not limited to Coordinators, Resident Assistants, Penn College Police, College Administrators, etc.). Failure to comply with an official request will result in disciplinary action. Residents will be held responsible for the actions of their guests.

Postings

Flyers, pamphlets, brochures, etc. are not permitted to be hung or distributed without the permission of the Director of Residence Life. All materials must be brought to the Office to be stamped for approval. Once stamped, the appropriate staff members will properly distribute the information. Except for official College material, the "stuffing" of mailboxes will not be permitted.

Solicitation and Business Operation

Selling or campaigning door to door in the residence hall is not permitted. In addition, students are not permitted to operate a business from a residence hall facility. This includes businesses operated through the Internet.

Residence Hall Parking

Lot Clearing

During winter months it is sometimes necessary to close specific residential parking lots so that snow can be cleared. When a lot closing is necessary, notice will be given to residents at least 12 hours in advance by email to on-campus residents and notices posted within the residence halls.

The notices posted in the residence halls will state that a lot clearing is in effect and that students should check their Penn College emails for details. The email will state the time the lot is to be closed, list alternate locations where residents can move their vehicle, and specify the time by which residents must have their vehicles moved out of the alternative locations.

It is the resident's responsibility to be sure he/she receives this information and moves his/her car according to the established procedures. Vehicles remaining in the lot at the time of clearing may be towed at the owner's expense.

Automotive Work in Residence Hall Parking Lots

For reasons of health and safety changing oil, other fluids, and making repairs or modifications to vehicles may not be performed in the residence hall parking lots without specific written permission from the Director of Residence Life or assigned designee.

Use of Complex Grills

The grills located in each complex are available for resident use if not reserved for a sanctioned program. Residents using the grill must use bags of one time use charcoal (available at the College convenience store) since the storing of charcoal inside of the residence halls is prohibited.

Use of Laundry Facilities

Laundry machines are provided in each complex so that residents may wash their personal articles of clothing. The cost of operating the laundry machines has been incorporated into the cost of housing. So that there is an adequate supply of machines available to meet resident demand, residents are prohibited form doing laundry for non-residents. Additionally non-residents are prohibited from utilizing the laundry facilities. Violation of this policy could result in judicial action. If you suspect that other residents or non-residents are utilizing the machines inappropriately, contact the Residence Life staff to report the incident.

Housing Contracts

In order to live in on-campus housing all students must electronically sign and submit the appropriate Student Housing Contract thereby agreeing to the terms and conditions listed on the Student Housing Contract. Students under 18 years of age at the time they sign the contract must have a legal guardian dually review and electronically sign the Student Housing Contract.

Sample Student Housing Contracts

The contracts below are provided for reference purposes and pertain to the 2011-12 Academic Year. The actual Student Housing Contract is completed on the Student Information System.

2011-12 Housing Contracts

2011-12 New and Returning Student Sample Housing Contract