Resident Conduct, Behavior, and Guidelines

Behavior

Residents are accountable for any behavior which is inconsiderate, infringes on individual and/or group rights, and/or jeopardizes the safety of individuals and property. All residents must abide by the regulations in this handbook, individual residence hall rules and regulations, NHTI regulations found elsewhere in the Student Handbook and State and Federal laws. Violations of these rules may result in a meeting with a Residence Director or the Director of Residence Life where appropriate action will be taken.

Cleanliness
Students are responsible for the cleanliness of their rooms and must maintain reasonable sanitation and safety standards. Waste materials must be properly removed to outside dumpsters regularly. Rooms must be left clean and in sanitary condition at the time the students vacate them. Students will be charged for any cleaning necessary to restore the room to proper order.

Resident Conduct

Students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner at all times. Any resident demonstrating disrespectful or defiant conduct towards a staff member will be sanctioned accordingly. Repeated disrespect for staff and fellow residents could result in transfer to another room or residence hall, or termination of the residence hall contract. Any behavior threatening to the physical, emotional or social wellbeing of other students could result in a student’s removal from the residence hall, and the student may be subject to further disciplinary action. It is expected that all residents and their guests will conduct themselves accordingly in all public areas.

Residents Rights and Responsibilities

• The right to academic pursuit free from undue interference or harassment.
• The right to sleep.
• The right to one’s personal belongings.
• The right of free access to one’s room and facilities.
• The right to a clean environment in which to live.
• The right for redress of grievance.

In turn, the Residence Life Office believes that those persons who live with certain freedoms also have certain responsibilities. Upon choosing to live in the residence halls, you agree to abide by a certain set of expectations necessary for the safe, smooth operation of the halls, and crucial to the development of an environment conducive to learning. Yet beyond these individual expectations, you also accept a certain degree of responsibility for your community. Specifically, you are asked to voice your objections when others infringe on your rights, to work with staff and other residents to establish the necessary norms and standards for living together, and to assist staff in their efforts to hold residents accountable to those norms and standards they create and accept.

Guidelines for Residence Hall Living

The Residence Life program at NHTI is designed to provide a safe and comfortable environment where students may live and grow, and study within a community of peers. Each student is responsible for what takes place in his/her room and consequently may live the way he/she chooses as long as he/she abides by state and federal laws, as well as NHTI policy and philosophy, and does not interfere with the rights of others.

As a member of the residence hall community, each student has a responsibility to live with respect for the other members of the community. The residence hall staff is responsible for insuring that the rights of students and the property of NHTI are not abused.

By signing the residence hall contract the resident agrees to abide by whatever rules have been or may be established by NHTI. Rules now in effect are printed and any subsequent changes will be posted. Violation of any residence hall rule or NHTI policy may result in termination of the residence hall contract and visitation privileges to the residence halls.

Assignment to quarters in an NHTI residence hall is open to matriculated (enrolled in a degree or certificate program) students registered for a minimum of six credits for the academic year. All students living in residence halls are required to purchase a meal plan for the Capital Commons. Room rate is governed by Board of Trustees action and may change. Board rate is also subject to change.

If a student falls below six credits, the student will be removed from the halls unless unusual circumstances exist. These circumstances must be presented to the Director of Residence Life in writing to be considered.

Assignment to specific residence hall rooms will be made in the order in which the housing application, health form, and deposit for accommodations are received from the student.

A student must be in residence no later than the first day of class unless the student gives prior notice of late arrival. Failure to give such notice, or failure to remain in residence during the academic year (unless excused by NHTI), may result in the loss of space originally reserved for the student. In case of loss of space for the above reasons, or termination of contract by NHTI, the student shall be held responsible for the Administrative Release of Contract fee.

NHTI reserves the right to assign and reassign any student during the length of contract. Assigned rooms may not be occupied prior to the day of the resident’s academic registration for each semester. The room charge is based on normal room occupancy; therefore, NHTI reserves the right to reassign any student without a roommate if he or she is unable to find a roommate of his or her own choice.

A food permit is issued at the beginning of each academic year. A permit is not issued for less than one academic year unless approved by the Vice President of Student Affairs. Residence halls and the cafeteria are closed during holiday periods and as indicated on the Residence Life Calendar. Students are not allowed to live in the residence halls during these periods.

Student bills for the semester must be paid before a student is permitted to move into a residence hall. In the event of a credit balance on the student’s account, the reimbursement will be made directly to the student.

No student is to use or permit his or her room to be used for any commercial purpose. The sale of goods or services will be permitted only upon the written approval of the Vice President of Student Affairs. No permit will be granted to a person not registered as a student.

If belongings remain in the room after a student has vacated, NHTI reserves the right to dispose of such belongings.

NHTI assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage to a resident’s personal property. NHTI suggests that students consider purchasing insurance to cover loss or to extend parent’s insurance for this purpose.

NHTI reserves the right to use public areas of the residence hall for any purpose deemed necessary.

Vacation Periods

All students are expected to vacate the residence halls during times when the Institute is closed.

These periods include:

• Thanksgiving Break
• Winter Holiday
• Spring Break

On-campus housing will not be provided during these break periods. See the Director of Residence Life if you have special needs.

Revised: 16 Aug 2010