Listed below are policies that Pennsylvania College of Technology has developed to help ensure appropriate student conduct. These policies are in addition to the information outlined on the Student Rights and Responsibilities website.
Definitions
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 and Illicit Drugs
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.
Visitation
Any person who does not reside in a particular apartment is considered a visitor/guest. No visitor/guest should be living (regularly residing) in a campus apartment. Although students may visit in other student apartments within a complex (Rose Street Commons / Campus View Apartments / Village Apartments) at any time, visitors/guests from outside the complex are to vacate both the hall and complex they are visiting by midnight Sunday through Thursday and 2am on Fridays and Saturdays.
A guest in a college housing 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. Guests are only permitted to stay overnight on Thursday, 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 any time during the end-of-semester finals period, or prior to the first day of classes the beginning of the semester. All overnight guests must have the approval of all residents of the apartment and be appropriately registered via the Overnight Guest Registration Form available on the myPCT Portal.
- 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 include:
- 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 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 Coordinator of Residence Life AND be turned in at the Dauphin Hall Residence Life Office, Room 1085, by 4:00 pm on the evening of the first night of your guests' stay. The form for guests starting their stay on Saturday must be turned in by 4:00 pm on Friday of the weekend the guests will be staying.
- 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.
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.
- The maximum number of overnight guests permitted in each living unit is four.
- All overnight guests must have the approval of all of the residents of the apartment. All visitations should be discussed within the apartment, guidelines should be established, and all parties involved should feel comfortable with the agreement. 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 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.
- 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.
Guests under the age of 18 are permitted only when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Underage guests are not allowed to stay overnight in the Residence Halls except during specific programs organized by the College to promote recruitment of students and student athletes or other special programs, or in the event in which the guest is a registered Penn College student who resides on campus. Babysitting is not allowed in the Residence Halls (with the exception of babysitting within housing units designated as Student Family Housing).
Individuals who are 16 and 17 years old are not permitted in the residence halls unless:
- They have a current housing assignment in the residence halls
- They are accompanied by a parent and/or legal guardian
- Guest who are 16 and 17 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.
Individuals 15 years of age or younger are not permitted in the residence halls unless:
- They are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian
- Guest 15 years of age or younger may only visit between the hours of 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- The parent or guardian must assure that minors are not disruptive to others.
Residence Hall Policy for Parenting Students
Developing a policy for students living with children in family housing requires careful consideration of the responsibilities and expectations of parenting students. The following guidelines supplement existing College policies related to children on campus. Specifically, these guidelines do not supplant College Policies related to minors on campus including P.47- Children and Guests in Educational Settings, and P3.05.14 - Children in the Workplace.
- Child Supervision: Parenting students are responsible for the direct supervision of their children at all times while on College property. This includes common area, such as lounges, playgrounds, dining units, and laundry facilities.
- Use of Babysitters: Parenting students are free to identify other individuals to supervise their child as a babysitter; babysitters, whether paid or unpaid, serve in loco parentis and must follow all expectations placed on the parenting student. For the safety of the child, babysitting must take place in housing units designated as Student Family Housing or in areas of campus designated as public areas. Babysitting is not permitted in on-campus housing areas that are not part of Student Family Housing. The parent is responsible for informing the babysitter of all expectations for supervision.
- Guest Policy: Parenting students must adhere to the College's guest policy, which may include limitations on the number of non-resident children allowed in student family housing and guidelines for overnight guests.
- Noise and Disruption: Parenting students are expected to ensure that their children do not create excessive noise or disrupt the living environment for other residents. Quiet hours should be observed to maintain a conducive atmosphere for studying and rest.
- Safety and Security: It is the responsibility of parenting students to ensure that their children do not compromise the safety and security of the housing community. This includes proper supervision in common areas and adherence to any safety regulations set forth by the College.
- Community Engagement: Parenting students are encouraged to participate in family-friendly community events and activities organized by the College. This helps foster a sense of belonging and support among families living in College housing.
- Respect for Property: Parenting students are expected to ensure that their children respect College property and the personal belongings of other residents. Any damage caused by children should be reported to Residence Life and addressed promptly.
Quiet and Security Hours
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 10 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. 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.
Health and Safety
Fire Preventative Measures
- Do not leave stoves, microwaves, toaster ovens, etc. unattended when cooking
- Keep stovetops and cooking appliances clean and free of grease. Wipe up spills immediately while they are fresh and easy to remove.
- Make yourself familiar with fire procedures, exits, and designated meeting areas.
- Do not use appliances, extension cores, or power strips with damaged cords or plugs.
- Watch loose clothing around heat sources such as a stove. Don't store frequently used items above the stove. Loose clothing can come in contact with a hot burner when reaching for something above.
- Do not leave appliances such as toaster ovens, can openers, slow cookers, grills, hair dryers, hair styling appliances, and irons plugged in, even if they are turned off. Switches can and do malfunction.
- Notify an RA of any faulty smoke detectors, outlets, or light switches immediately.
Be Prepared
- Become familiar with location of fire alarms and fire evacuation procedures.
- Do not misuse or tamper with fire safety equipment. Tampering with fire safety equipment may result in evicition from teh residence hall and possible legal action.
- Keep a small flashlight near your bed. In the event of a fire, it can be used to light your way or signal for help from a window. Check periodically to make sure it's in working order.
In the event of fire
- Call 911
- Pull the fire alarm if not already sounding
- Alert your apartment mates; assist them in exiting, if necessary
- Exit calmly and quickly via the closest safe exit. Knock on doors of apartments along your exit route, shouting if necessary to alert other residents.
- On the way out, assist any mobility impaired persons to a a safe stairwell ore other safe refuge if you are unable to assist them in exiting without placing yourself in danger. Notify emergency response personnel of their location immediately.
- Assemble a least 100 feet from the building in the designated meeting area. Notify a Residence Life staff member or emergency personnel if you believe someone is still in the building.
Designated fire/fire drill meeting areas
Designated meeting areas for each area are as follows:
- Campus View: Campus Center Parking Lot
- Clinton, Delaware, Juniata, Lancaster, and York: CAL Parking Lot
- Dauphin Hall: Parking lot at the back (south end) of Dauphin Hall
- Penn's Loft: ACC side of Third Street Parking Lot
- The Village: LEC Parking Lot
STATE LAW: You are required to immediately leave the building when a fire alarm sounds. Failure to evacuate will lead to disciplinary and /or legal action being taken against you.
Fire Drills
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.
Tips for exiting a smoke filled room or building
- Do not open a door without running your hand around the top, sides, and bottom of the door and frame. Touch the doorknob carefully. If you feel heat or see smoke, use another exit. First floor residents can exit via a window. Upper floor residents should go to a window as far away from the fire as possible and signal for help. Exit via the window only if necessary.
- If you must exit through a smoke filled area, stay close to the floor. Heat and smoke rise; more breathable air is closer to the floor.
- If your hair of clothing catches fire, STOP, DROP, and ROLL. Do not run; this will only fuel the flames.
Fire Safety Equipment
Misusing or tampering with fire safety equipment: fire alarms, smoke detectors, extinguishers is prohibited.
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.
Resident Fire Safety Education
Fire Safety and Evacuation procedure are posted on the inside of each apartment door inside of a protective sleeve prior to the start of the Fall semester.
Fire Safety Post Cards will be distributed to residents during the first week of each semester to remind students of the following:
- Location of Fire Safety Evacuation Procedures
- Location of Fire Extinguishers
- Consequences for not evacuating when the alarm is sounding
Health and Safety Inspections occur in each apartment at least once a semester with apartments that do poorly on the first inspection getting two inspections. Apartments are also inspected when the residence halls close down for a break. Some of the items checked during Health and Safety Inspections include:
- Fire extinguishers must be present and charged;
- Fire safety instructions must be posted on the back of the door;
- Smoke/heat detectors may not be blocked or covered, and will be tested for functionality;
- Electric panel must have a clear space in front of the panel;
- Outlets may not be overloaded or have improper extension cords in use;
- Light fixtures must contain standard bulbs, and not be covered by material;
- Fire system conduit may not have anything hanging off of the conduit;
- General check of the apartment for prohibited items, cleanliness, damages, and other violations of Residence Life rules and regulations.
In an effort to make the Residence Halls as safe as possible, the following items will result in confiscation of the item(s) in question (when applicable), in addition to a possible fine and/or disciplinary action. The Residence Life staff reserves the right to confiscate prohibited items from a student's apartment. 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.
- Accidentally setting off a fire alarm;
- Smoking (which includes electronic smoking devices) in non-smoking areas (note: All residence halls are designated non-smoking. Smoking areas exist in specified locales outside of the buildings.);
- Blocking/covering smoke detectors or tampering with fire safety equipment;
- Possession of space heaters;
- 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 upright/top-loading toasters;
- Possession of gas or charcoal grills;
- Possession of "hoverboards" and other self-balancing, battery operated scooters;
- Possession of street signs;
- Possession of stolen property;
- Failure to evacuate a building during a fire alarm.
Additional Items Prohibited in the Residence Halls (Class "B" Health. Safety , Facility Care Violations)
- LED Strip, Tape, or Ribbon Lights
- Water-filled furniture including waterbeds, pools, toys, etc.
- Fish tanks larger than five gallons
- Hanging beds, loft bed frames, and all other types of hanging furniture
- Exterior antennas
- Outdoor clotheslines
- Any attachments or alterations to the interior/exterior of any apartment other than provided for that specific purpose
- 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
- Drum sets
- 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 or over windows
- Pool, ping pong, or air hockey tables
- Personal air conditioning units
- Chlorinated, dyed, or other 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
- Pressure Cookers
- Personal Microwaves in Dauphin Hall
- Sun lamps;
- Holiday string and rope lights that are not UL approved;
- Halogen lights;
- Car tires;
- Plug-in air fresheners including electric wax melters;
- Lava lamps;
- Possession of 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.
- Dead plants or trees (includes trees without roots)
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. Furthermore, lasers, laser pointers, and/or laser guided scopes are prohibited within the residence halls based on what the use of these devices may imply. The College Policy on Weapons and Fireworks on Campus (P 7.20) applies to the residence halls and provides a more inclusive list of weapons that are not allowed.
Smoking (which includes electronic smoking devices) is not permitted in any building at Penn College. This includes the hallways, lobbies, and laundry rooms of the residence halls. Additionally, smoking is not permitted anywhere within the gated community of the residence halls or within 20 feet of an entrance gate/door to the complex. 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 are not permitted to keep stolen property within the residence halls. Residents found in possession of stolen property may be subject to judicial and/or legal action.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
With the exception of properly documented/approved service animals, properly documented/approved emotional support animals, and fish in a tank no larger than five gallons, animals are not permitted to be fed, or harbored in the residence halls.
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. Learn more about campus safety.
Eviction from On-Campus Housing
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 is 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
Apartment Maintenance
Responsibility
The student must pay for any damage to his or her housing unit and/or its furnishings. The student is jointly responsible with other students for damage to any common areas or other College housing facilities. Damages will be divided among all students within the defined living area, 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.
Damages
The student must pay for any damage to his or her housing unit and/or its furnishings. The student is jointly responsible with other students for damage to any common areas or other College housing facilities. Damages will be divided among all students within the defined living area, 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.
End of Year Closing Procedures
At the end of the academic year, residents are expected to follow standard procedures for closing down their apartment and checking out. Failure to follow closing procedures may result in charges being assessed to the residents of a particular apartment. The closing process begins a few weeks prior to the end of the spring semester and concludes after residents vacate the apartment. The closing process involves the following steps:
- Resident Assistants meet with each apartment to complete a closing contract and to perform a pre-inspection of the room/apartment (the last few weeks of the spring semester)
- Cleaning: All rooms/apartments should be cleaned prior to move-out to avoid being cleaning charges. Cleaning supplies are available in complex offices.
- Checkout Options:
- Express Checkout - Residents drop off their keys at a designated location when they are ready to leave. Residents who choose an express checkout waive the right to appeal damage and cleaning charges.
- Long Checkout - Residents schedule an appointment for a room/apartment inspection with a Resident Assistant 24 hours prior to the time they plan on leaving.
- Post Inspection: All rooms/apartments are inspected by Residence Life and General Service staff after residents vacate the apartmen
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 the 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;
- move loft units;
- use spray paint in 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 appliance.
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 must refer to the College's Information Technology Resources Acceptable Use Policy.
Respect for Members of the College Community
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.
Advertising and Solicitation in the Residence Halls
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 Facility Amenities
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 from 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. Below are sample Full-Year Housing Contracts: