Residence Hall Policies

Policies regarding facilities

Alterations to Room

The College does not assume responsibility for any claims for damages or injuries sustained by residents or others in their rooms as a result of modifications made to their furnishings such as, but not limited to, bunk beds, bookshelves, lofts, partitions or other structures. Residents may not attach structures to walls, closets, or cabinets in the residence hall rooms. The Residential Life staff reserves the right to request residents to dismantle such structures.

  • You may not paint your room. A minimum fine of $300 will be assessed if the room is painted.
  • Your room is furnished with a bed frame, mattress, dresser, closet, desk and chair.
Room Furnishings

You may decorate your room with other pieces of furniture, however, all college-owned furniture must remain in the room and cannot be stored or moved off campus. There will be a $50.00 fine and a replacement cost assessed if furniture is removed. Triple room assignments will have the option to remove a dresser or desk. Please contact your Area Coordinator (AC) for details. A $25.00 fine will be assessed if screens are removed from the windows.

The following items are prohibited in the residence hall rooms: air conditioners, oil lamps, halogen lamps, sunlamps; electric skillets, hot plates, toaster ovens, ovens; incense, candles; waterbeds, and fish tanks larger than 15 gallons.

Lounge and Community Areas

Residents are encouraged to use the residence hall lounges for studying, relaxing and watching television. Students may schedule events such as speakers, meetings and other activities by contacting the AC.

Removal of furniture is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action. A minimum fine of $50.00 will be assessed for each piece of lounge furniture found in a student's room. Please remember, lounge furniture is for everyone's use and enjoyment.

As a member of the community, each resident is responsible for the condition of their floor and residence hall. Common area damages incurred during the year which cannot be individually assessed or accounted for will be absorbed equally among members of the floor and residence hall. Common area damages detract from our communities and raise the cost of maintenance and upkeep. These costs are passed on to students through increased housing rates. We strongly encourage you to take pride in your residence hall and to report those who damage residence hall property.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are in effect between the hours of 10:00p.m. and 8:00a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and midnight to 8:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Courtesy hours are 24-hours a day, seven days a week. if you have noise issues, you are encouraged to confront others as needed.

Personal Property

If you choose to keep valuable personal items at the college, make sure the items are insured. Whittier College assumes no responsibility for loss of property due to theft, therefore, you are encouraged to purchase your own personal property insurance, or check to see if you are insured through your parents' homeowners' insurance. Remember to keep your room door locked at all times. Campus Safety provides engravings for personal items.

Posting Signs and Banners

All signs, fliers, banners, etc. posted in the residence halls must be pre-approved by your Area Coordinator. Bulletin boards are available for posting. Any items taped to glass windows and painted surfaces will be removed. Please see your RA or AC for further information.

 

Policies regarding Resident Conduct

Alcohol and Substance Abuse- more information regarding policies may be found

Alcohol and other drug abuse is a concern for the entire college community. Students having difficulties related to substance abuse are encouraged to take advantage of the confidential counseling and medical services available through the Counseling Center and Health Center. Student health insurance at Whittier College covers participation in the outpatient program at Whittier Presbyterian Intercommunity Hospital.

Guests

Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests and must inform them of housing policies. Members of each residence hall floor vote annually to establish visitation hours for each residence hall floor.

Only the assigned number of students plus two guests may occupy a room at one time. Guest visitation is limited to three consecutive days.

All guests must be respectful of the rights and comfort of roommates at all times. The college does not condone cohabitation. If the behavior or frequency of overnight guests becomes a concern for a roommate, the problem will be swiftly addressed by Residential Life staff. The staff reserves the right to request that a guest leave a residence hall.

Only persons of the same gender may use bathrooms located on residence hall floors designated for use by their respective gender.

Musical Instruments

Drums, guitars, horns, etc. are not to be played in the residence halls.

Pets

Health regulations prevent us from permitting pets in the residence halls, with the exception of fish. We kindly ask that you refrain from bringing a pet into your room. If you are found to have a pet, or feeding an animal in or around the building, you will be subject to disciplinary action. Fish tanks may not be larger than 15 gallons. You will be charged $25.00 to $50.00 per day that the animal is in your room.

Recreational Activities

All recreational activities including, but not limited to, bouncing balls, lacrosse, hackeysack, skateboarding, roller skating, roller blading, frisbee, running and bicycling, are not permitted in the hallways and lounge areas of the residence halls due to damages and/or injury which may result.

Residential Property

Misuse, abuse, theft or destruction of College property is not permitted. Violators of this policy are subject to disciplinary action which may result in restitution and loss of housing privileges. In addition, actions of residents that result in excessive cleaning by our housekeeping staff will not be tolerated. Please do not sweep room remnants into the hallway or leave hair cuttings in the bathroom. Fines and charges will be assessed in these situations.

Roofs, Windows, and Balconies

No one, other than Campus Safety and maintenance personnel, is permitted on the roof, balcony or fire escape of any building. A minimum charge of $100.00 will be assessed and used to pay for damages to the structure. Residents may not throw or dispose of objects from windows or stairwells at any height. Residents may not access rooms through windows.

Soliciting

In an effort to ensure the safety of students and prevent interruption of study, the Office of Residential Life prohibits solicitation and door-to-door sales. Distribution of posters, newsletters, fliers, etc. is prohibited in the residence halls. Special exceptions may be granted by the AC or the Director of Residential Lifes for administrative or programmatic purposes.

Theft

Living in a residence hall seems very safe; therefore, students have a tendency to leave their rooms unlocked and valuables unattended. The fact of the matter is that nationally the number one crime in residence halls is petty theft. Crime is a direct result of opportunity. Remember to always lock your room door, carry your keys, and keep valuables locked up or hidden (even when you're just down the hallway or on your way to the bathroom).

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed indoors of any of the residence halls.