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Terms and Conditions of Residency
Each year, students sign to the Terms and Conditions of Residency for the academic year. The Terms and Conditions state clearly the terms of the student lease/contract for their time in housing. It is particularly important that students read and are familiar with this document. Among other things, dates of occupancy and damage fine amounts can be found in this document.
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Chatham University’s residential philosophy is predicted upon the belief that residence hall living enhances a students education by contributing to an individual’s academic, social, and personal development. In order for such an environment to exist, residential students must accept responsibility for their own actions, as well as the actions of their guests, while acting in a manner which demonstrates respect for the rights and concerns of others and for the property of the University. Therefore, students are required: a) to respect the rights of all residents to cleanliness, security, privacy, space, quiet hours for study and sleep, and generally to an environment conducive to learning and University life; and b) to comply with the rules and regulations relating to appropriate conduct established by the University and/or the Residence Life staff. Violation of these terms and conditions or any other applicable rules, policies, or procedures incorporated by reference herein, or any other official University publication, such as the Student Handbook 2008-09 (available online), may subject the student to disciplinary action and/or fines, including but not limited to, termination of the students occupancy in a residence hall room/apartment and/or suspension or expulsion from the University. The Student Handbook is available upon request from the Office of Residence Life or online at the University’s website, www.chatham.edu.
TERMS & CONDITIONS
It is agreed between Chatham University and the student whose signature appears on the Housing Acknowledgement and Agreement that the occupancy of space in the University residence halls or apartments shall be on the following terms and conditions for the Academic Year 2008-09:
ELIGIBILITY/ASSIGNMENTS
Eligibility for residence is limited to full-time Chatham students who have made all required deposits, payments, and are in good academic standing and good financial standing. All Chatham students living in the residence halls and apartments must use one of the residence hall meal board plans offered by the University. If for any reason you cease to be eligible for residence, you must promptly vacate your assigned space within 48 hours and cancel your housing contract with the Director of Residence Life.
- Upon withdrawal from the academic year housing contract, the student must vacate her room within 48 hours by individual arrangements made with the Director of Residence Life or a Graduate Resident Director.
- The University reserves the right to relocate students should the need arise.
- The University reserves the right to assign students to any vacant space as necessary. The University may do this without prior notice to current residents; however, it is most likely that the current resident will be notified by a Residence Life staff member prior to being assigned a roommate.
Any of the other occupants, furnishings, and features of the room shall be assigned and may be changed only by Chatham University (staff, administrators, etc.) at any time at its discretion.
Roommate preference based upon race, color, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, physical characteristics, or national origin will not be accommodated; in addition, room changes will not be granted for any of the above reasons.
ROOM CHARGES AND REFUNDS
The University establishes room charges for the academic year and the housing contract cannot be broken at any point of the academic year, except if the student officially withdraws from the University or is granted a leave of absence. A housing deposit of $150.00 must be made to Student Accounts prior to a room assignment, unless otherwise arranged by the student with the Director of Residence Life or Vice President of Student Affairs.
If a student gives the University written notice of withdrawal prior to the first day of classes or any time during the term, she will be refunded all advance payments of room and board except for the $150.00 housing deposit. In the event of a leave of absence from the residence halls/apartments after the start of classes, a prorated refund for room and board will be made according to the terms listed in the Student Handbook.
OCCUPANCY OF THE RESIDENCE HALLS/APARTMENTS
The housing period begins at the time the student takes occupancy of the assigned space. This time varies depending on the class status of the student. First Year students participating in New Student Orientation will move into their residence hall on Thursday August 21st, 2008. Returning upper-class students will not be allowed to check into their residence halls until Sunday, August 24, 2008 unless prior arrangements have been made with the director of Residence Life.
- Students must vacate their on-campus residential rooms for Winter Break by 12noon on Sunday December 14th, 2008. Students are permitted to return to the residence halls following Winter Break at 9am on Friday, January 2nd, 2009. Resident access cards will not be activated until that time.
- Move out is 24 hours after your last scheduled final for first years, sophomores, and juniors. All first years, sophomores, and juniors not enrolled in Maymester and graduating seniors must move out of the residence halls/apartments by 12 noon on Sunday April 26th, 2009. Registered Maymester Students must be moved out by 12 noon Monday, May 25, 2009. Only students assigned to a given room may reside in that room.
CONDITION OF PREMISES/DAMAGE
By taking occupancy of the space, you accept its condition “as is” at such time and assume responsibility to maintain the space and any common areas in which assigned space is located in a clean, safe, and undamaged condition at all times. Each student will be required to submit a Room Condition Report to a Residence Life Staff member at the beginning of the academic year. Any student who fails to return the RCR within a week of their residency will forfeit the right to document the condition of their room when they moved in and will be responsible for damages in the room when they move out. Each room will be inspected when the student leaves the room and damage beyond normal wear and tear will be charged accordingly.
- The student shall reimburse the University upon demand for all damages for expenses which the University may suffer or incur for repair or a room or facilities in the residence, for the repair or replacement of University provided furniture, caused by misconduct or neglect of the student or of her guest(s). In case of damage to an individual room, including without limitation to common areas will be divided equally among hall/apartment residents.
- Common areas, such as kitchens, bathrooms, and lounges, are the responsibility of all members in that area. If damages occur to common areas, all residents of that community will equally share damage costs if responsible party is not found.
- When a student vacates the assigned space, she must remove all of her personal property and leave the room, any common areas, and any furnishings clean and in the same condition they were in when she commenced occupancy. Any personal property left in the room or the common areas will be promptly removed at the student’s expense.
- The student shall not alter the room or other facilities of the residence (including but not limited to painting and removal of University furnishings) therein in any way without the prior written consent of the Director of Residence Life. Students need to be careful not to damage walls by using nails, tacks, and any other form of adhesive tape to hang items. Unframed pictures and posters should be hung with painter’s tape and reusable poster putty.
- Failure to pay any damage fees may be cause for refusal to permit registration or other such action as may be determined appropriate by the University until fees owed are paid in full.
- Costs of labor repair or replacement of damaged items is determined in conjunction with the Director of Facilities. A sample list of assessed vandalism/damage fines follows. These prices may fluctuate as labor and material costs fluctuate.
| Labor costs per hour |  | $25.00 |
| Replace room door hardware | | $150.00 |
| Replace closet door | | $150.00 |
| Replace closet door hardware | | $50.00 |
| Replace key | | $10.00 |
| Lock change for room | | $50.00 |
| Replace toilet | | $150.00 |
| Replace sink | | $100.00 |
| Replace bathroom tile | | $25.00 |
| Replace towel rack | | $30.00 |
| Replace bed frame | | $195.00 |
| Repair bed frame | | $50.00 |
| Replace mattress | | $95.00 |
| Replace box spring | | $100.00 |
| Refinish desk | | $150.00 |
| Replace desk | | $330.00 |
| Replace desk bookshelf | | $110.00 |
| Replace desk chair | | $140.00 |
| Replace dresser | | $275.00 |
| Refinish dresser | | $150.00 |
| Repaint room door | | $75.00 |
| Repaint ceiling | | $50.00 |
| Patch holes in walls | | $50.00 |
| Paint walls: 1-6 inches | | $20.00 |
| Paint walls: 6-11 inches | | $50.00 |
| Paint walls: 1-2 feet | | $75.00 |
| Paint walls: 2+ feet | | $100.00+ |
| Repaint one wall | | $50.00 |
| Repaint room | | $150.00 |
| Replace floor tile | | $25.00 |
| Clean carpet stain | | $25.00 |
| Replace carpet | | $75.00 |
| Replace bath/closet light cover | | $40.00 |
| Replace room light and cover | | $85.00 |
| Replace mirror | | $50.00 |
| Replace phone jack | | $20.00 |
| Repair/replace computer jack | | $20.00 |
| Repair/replace smoke detector | | $40.00 |
| Replace screen | | $20.00 |
| Repair windows, glass, or frame | | $100.00 |
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PERSONAL PROPERTY: INDEMNITY
The University will not be liable, either directly or indirectly, for any loss by theft of personal property by residents or their guests or for any damage or destruction of such property by fire, water, or any other cause. The University advises that students insure personal property against loss, damage, or destruction arising from any cause.
Students shall indemnify, defend and save harmless the University from any claim, loss, damage, liability, or expense (including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees and court costs) arising from a) any breach by student of the University’s terms, conditions, or rules, whether contained or otherwise incorporated by reference in these Terms and Conditions and b) any injury to the student or any other person, including but not limited to any guests of the student, or property occurring in, on or around the residence hall/apartment area.
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE RESIDENCE
Students are required to comply with federal, state, and local laws as well as all residential policies and procedures established by the University and the Residence Life staff included in this contract, in other official University publications such as the Student Handbook 2008-09 and assumed under this contract by reference. Such policies and procedures are available from the appropriate University offices. Students are responsible for informing themselves of such policies and procedures.
As every community is directed by changing needs, policies, and procedures are subject to periodic change.
- Keys may not be used in a negligent manner. Keys may not be duplicated or transferred to anyone other than the resident student who signs for them.
- Furniture in residence hall/apartment rooms may not be removed or altered with out the prior permission of the Director of Residence Life.
- Lounge or common furniture may not be removed with out the prior permission of the Director of Residence Life.
- The student is responsible for the conduct of her guest(s) at all times. All guests must comply with University policies and procedures. The University reserves the right to limit the length of a guest’s stay and to restrict guest privileges.
- The University prohibits the following on its campus: i) the use, possession or sale of illegal drugs; ii) the possession or purchase of alcohol by any person under 21 years of age; iii) the use or possession of firearms, fireworks, or any type of weapon; iv) harassment; v) tampering or misuse of fire fighting equipment or alarms; vi) assault and/or battery.
- Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm and theft of improper use of fire fighting, detection and/or alarm equipment is strictly prohibited.
- No pets are permitted in student residences in the residence halls/apartments, with the exception of aquarium fish. No candles and/or incense, decorative or otherwise, are permitted in student’s residences in addition to halogen lamps, toasters/toaster ovens, hot plates, and grills.
- The student agrees that she will abide by all residence hall/apartment policies and regulations as they appear in the Student Handbook and any supplements to the handbook that may be issued.
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE RESIDENCE LIFE STAFF
The University has delegated to the staff of each residence hall/apartment building the responsibility for maintaining a living-learning environment in the residence halls/apartments where the students may express individually while acting as a responsible member of the community. Residence Life staff members will educate the community about residence hall/apartment policies and procedures and will be responsible for enforcing such policies and procedures.
UNIVERSITY RIGHTS OF RESIDENCE
The University reserves the right to take the necessary and appropriate action to protect the safety and well being of the residence hall/apartment community. This includes the right to terminate this contract or retake possession of a student’s room should the student fail to maintain themselves as a student in good standing with the University regulations, or fail to comply fully with the terms of this agreement.
ABANDONED PREMISES
The University will consider the room to be abandoned if the tenant does not reside in the residence hall room/apartment for more than two weeks with out notifying the University. In such cases, the University may enter the room without liability and reassign the room for any portion of the term. The University will make reasonable attempts to contact the student to arrange for the exchange of any possessions left in the room/apartment. In the event that the student can not be contacted or does not cooperate, the University will treat any possessions left on the premises as abandoned goods and make arrangements to remove said possessions from the abandoned room. The University shall not be obliged to hold the resident’s property longer than 7 (seven) days after determining the room to be abandoned before disposing of it, with no liability to the resident. The resident shall assume the expenses for such removal and storage of property.
THE UNIVERSITY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO ENTER ANY ROOM/APARTMENT FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS:
Maintenance; inspection; repair; in cases of clear emergency; to assume compliance with federal, state, and local laws and University policies; where there is cause to believe violation has occurred or is taking place; or, to aid in the responsibility of the University to maintain an educational atmosphere. If the University has cause to believe a violation has occurred or is taking place, the University has the right to conduct a room search (most likely in the case of suspected illegal drug and/or alcohol possession and/or use). The University recognizes its responsibility to respect the right of the residential student not to have her privacy disturbed.
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