Residential Handbook

All policies may be found at www.hamline.edu/policies

To submit an incident report Click Here.

Community Living

Each residential area has its own individual personality and program focus. Living options can be viewed here.

hamline houses

Housing options are available for members of certain groups. Assignment to these houses is based upon criteria developed by the house's sponsoring department or student organization. Currently, we offer a PRIDE Culture house, HALO Hispanic and Latino house, and Hmong Student house. The houses offer a more independent living environment than the residence halls, and some of the services provided in the residence halls are not offered in the houses. See the "Services" section for more details.

Hall Council

Hall Council provides a great leadership opportunity for residents to become involved in and positively affect their living community. Each residence hall or complex has its own Hall Council. Hall Councils respond to resident issues, determine individual hall policies in appropriate areas, and develop social activities and programs such as dances, movies, guest speakers, or trips. Hall Councils are also responsible for the budget and expenditures of the council's income accounts. Talk with your Area Coordinator or Resident Advisor to get more information on how to become involved with your Hall Council.

Sharing a Room

The Office of Residential Life recognizes that for many students, moving on campus may be the first time a student shares living space with another person. For this reason, it is important for students to communicate with one another openly about how they will effectively share a room. Many roommate conflicts arise when students do not communicate about their needs to their roommate and instead voice concerns to others. Our initial response is not for these roommates to be separated, but rather to encourage the students to talk openly about concerns over their shared living space. It is important that all residents and parents realize that concerns about guests in the room, sharing belongings and space, socialization, and student habits are commonly expressed "roommate conflicts." In most cases, these problems can be resolved through open communication. Learning to resolve difficulties through communication is an important part of the educational process in college, and all students will be expected to participate in this critical step before further measures (such as a room change) are taken. In many cases, students will be unable to move because no spaces are available or because the roommates have not attempted to resolve the situation.

Roommate Conflict Policy

Residential Life follows these guidelines in dealing with all roommate conflicts brought to the attention of a staff member.
1. Residents are encouraged to talk with one another openly about the concerns.
2. If the problem persists, a Residential Life staff member will set up a meeting in which she or he monitors a discussion about the concerns expressed by each of the roommates.
3. If the situation warrants, a Roommate Contract is set up in which expectations agreed to by all roommates are listed and each roommate signs the form.
4. Only after all the previous steps are completed, if the situation remains unresolved, the students are asked if one would like to move to a different room.
5. If neither student agrees to move, then the student who first violates the Roommate Contract is required to move.

Services

Cable Television With Free Streaming Service

Your residence hall room or apartment living room is wired for cable television. Apartment residents must use a patch cable designated "RG6" in order to receive the best reception possible. Technical problems should be referred to the Technology Resource Center at 651-523-2220. Cable television may not be available in all of the Hamline Houses.

Dining Services

A meal plan is required for all residence hall residents and optional for all apartment and house residents. Changes to your meal plan selection must be made according to the calendar dates set by Dining Services (www.hamline.edu/dining). If you have any questions or concerns about your meal plan, please contact Office of Residential Life at 651-523-2061.
Dining Hours may be viewed at www.hamline.edu/dining

Furnishings

Your room or apartment is equipped with a basic complement of furniture. Room furnishings include a desk, desk chair, window coverings, extra long twin sized bed, bureau, and closet space for each student. In some configurations, some of these items may be shared between roommates. Furniture may not be moved from student rooms. Even if a student is occupying a double room alone, furnishings for a second student may not be moved from the room. You will need to provide your own pillow, blanket, linens, desk lamp, phone, and wastebasket. Furniture placed in lounges and public areas is for the use of all residents. In order to be fair to all, you are asked not to move lounge furniture. There will be a financial penalty to any student who is found with lounge furniture.

Housekeeping

The custodians in your hall do a great deal to make your hall a more comfortable place in which to live. The clean appearance of hallways, rest rooms, and lounges is due to their efforts. Custodians are not expected to clean unnecessary messes made by residents. Your cooperation in caring for the facilities will create a pleasant atmosphere. Vacuum cleaners are available from your RA and from the apartment front desk. Residents of the apartments and houses are responsible for all cleaning in their living space. 

Internet Access

Your residence hall room or apartment bedroom is wired to support Internet access through an Ethernet connection and wireless connectivity that will allow you to send and receive e-mail messages and use a Web browser.
For more information about system requirements, purchasing/installing network cards, which patch cable to use, network policies, or troubleshooting, please visit www.hamline.edu/hamline_info/offices_services/technology/ or visit the ITS Helpdesk in the lower level of Bush Library.
Please note: Internet access may not be available in some of the Hamline Houses.

Additional Contract Expectations

Residential Life policies are established to help create and maintain a healthy living community. These policies are in addition to the Hamline University Judicial Code provided in the Hamline provided on the Hamline Web site at www.hamline.edu/policies and are applicable to all residence hall, apartment, and house residents and their guests. Students who elect to live in Hamline University student housing will be held accountable for the following policies.

Closing

Students must follow all check-out timelines provided by the Office of Residential Life. Charges of $30 for each new hour and fraction thereof will be assessed to students for unapproved late check-outs at breaks or the end of the year. Other closing details can be found in the housing contract.

Care of Premises

The student shall maintain the housing unit in a clean and orderly condition and shall not obstruct any of the walkways, hallways, or surrounding premises and shall not place any signs or advertising matter in the windows. No partitions or other alterations or additions shall be made to the housing unit unless the prior written consent of Hamline University is obtained. This shall include, but not be limited to, the addition or changing of any locks, the removal of window screens, altering or tampering with the heating or lighting fixtures, removal of spring-loaded door closures; tampering with window safety features; removal or painting of any surface, installation of any television or radio antenna; the addition of electrical, or telephone wiring; and all other such changes and additions. Nails, screws, and adhesives which may cause damage shall not be inserted into or used on the structure of the housing unit for any reason, fines will be assessed during the end of the year checkout procedure and billed to the student's account.

Consolidation

Whenever a vacancy occurs in a double, triple, quad, apartment, or house, the Office of Residential Life may assign another student to that space at any time. Your name, phone number, and room number will be provided to students as an available place/person to move in with or you may be assigned a new roommate. Every attempt will be made to notify the current residents within twenty-four hours notice.

Contract

The housing and meal plan contract is for the full academic year. In the event of a major change in circumstances (i.e. withdrawal from the university, marriage, etc.), students may apply for a contract release with the Office of Residential Life. A student who is granted a contract release may move out with no financial penalty.

Check-In/Check-Out

A room condition form must be completed upon check-in. This form will be used to determine damages that have occurred during a resident's use of the room. Residents are encouraged to examine their room or apartment and note any damages upon check-in to avoid unnecessary charges at the time of check-out.

Each resident of student housing must check-out. Improper check-out will result in a $30 fine. Check-out includes:

Scheduling an appointment with your RA at least forty eight hours in advance of your check-out time.
Cleaning your room or apartment.
Moving all possessions out of your room or apartment.
Reviewing the room condition form and signing it.
Returning keys.
Following other hall-specific checkout procedures as posted.

Damages

The student will be personally responsible for any and all damage to the housing unit occupied by the student or any Hamline University property therein, reasonable wear and tear accepted. The student also will be personally responsible for any and all damage to other housing units resulting from the intentional or negligent act of the student, any member of his or her family, or any guest of the student. Loss of property or damage to common areas may be assessed to occupants of the floor or surrounding area. The student shall pay on request the amount of any cost, expense, or loss resulting from any such damage.

Energy and Natural Resource Conservation

In an effort to conserve energy, the Office of Residential Life asks you to turn off lights and electrical equipment (television, stereo, computer, etc.) whenever you leave your room. Natural resources may be conserved by keeping your showers under 10 minutes in length and by turning off the water while brushing your teeth. Conserving energy and water benefits the environment and saves you money in housing costs!

Excessive Loads

Student housing units have varying design and construction. Hamline reserves the right to impose reasonable requirements with respect to the use or storage of heavy items in the housing units. Waterbeds and other items imposing unreasonable stress are not permitted.

Furniture

Furniture that is supplied by Hamline University will be maintained in the proper location. The student may rearrange the furniture within the housing unit but may not disassemble it, exchange it with other students, or move it to other locations. Furnishings shall not block windows, doors or heating units. Furniture shall not be taken from lounges or other common areas and placed in a student's private area of residence or moved to any other location. There may be an administrative fee charged for locating and returning public area residence hall property found in student rooms. This fee may also be assessed for the removal of screens from windows.

Grills

In order to comply with fire and safety regulations, charcoal and gas grills are prohibited in and outside of the residence halls, houses, and apartments.

Keys and Student ID Cards

When a student moves in, keys are issued that open the room. A student's ID will give them access into the building. Keys and ID's are the property of Hamline University and are loaned to students for their use during their stay on campus. It is illegal to duplicate a Hamline University key. The loss of a key jeopardizes the security of the individual resident and their roommate(s). Report lost keys to a Residential Life Staff Member and lost student ID cards to the Office of Safety and Security. Students are asked to lock their door at all times for their own safety and not to admit anyone to the building that is not their guest. 

Kitchenettes

Kitchenettes are provided in each hall for use by residents. All equipment and appliances should be used with care and fully cleaned for the next person's use. Failure to use kitchen equipment as described may result in loss of kitchen access and/or fine.

Lawns

Residents of houses are responsible for keeping their yard and porch in a clean and respectable condition.

Lofts

Lofts are not permitted in the residence halls.

Mattresses

All of our mattresses on campus are extra long twin.

MicroFridge

Each residence hall room is supplied with a MicroFridge (cost included in room and board). It is the responsibility of each student to keep the MicroFridge clean. Apartment and house residents may supply their own microwaves.

Motorized Vehicles

Motorbikes, motorcycles, or any devices using combustible fuels create fire hazards and are not allowed in the residence halls, apartments, or houses. Items of this type will be removed at the owner's expense.

Posting of Materials

All materials posted must follow the Residential Life Posting Policy.  All materials must be dated and and delivered to the Residential Life Office.  AC will post the materials on hall bulletin boards. Announcements may not be posted on doors, windows, or walls of the halls without prior approval. Permission to post large banners must be obtained from the Area Coordinator prior to posting. Materials posted improperly will be removed.

Residence Hall door decorations are restricted to 25% of the door facing the hallway and the room number must remain visible.

Quiet Floor

Quiet floors provide a living option for students who prefer to live, sleep, and study in a quieter environment. In addition to regular campus-wide quiet hours, quiet floors may choose longer and/or more restrictive quiet hours

Recreation Equipment

All recreational equipment (bikes, weights, etc.) must be stored in residents' rooms or a bike room. Bikes or other equipment are not to be stored in stairwells or lounges. Hamline University is not responsible for items lost, damaged or stolen from storage areas. Bike room keys are available for check out in the Residential Life Office.

Rights of Others

Each resident shall observe and respect the rights of other students occupying student housing. This shall include avoiding excessive noise and observing reasonable hours of quiet for sleep and study.

Room Changes

No room changes are allowed before census day. Area Coordinators must approve all room changes. If you have a concern with your roommate, you may contact your RA or Area Coordinator.

Smoke-Free Environments

Smoking is not allowed in any university building. Smoking is allowed 25 feet away from the building.

Snow Removal

Facilities Services are responsible for snow removal for the general campus and the city sidewalks.

Door-to-door soliciting and campaigning by non-Hamline groups is prohibited in residence halls or houses. Contact the Office of Residential Life or the Office of Safety and Security to report solicitors.

Conduct Code & Disciplinary Process

The office of Residential Life at Hamline University works towards creating an environment that fosters academics and personal growth.

Policies and procedures may be located at www.hamline.edu/policies

Residential Life Disciplinary Process

The purpose of the Residential Life disciplinary process is to protect the rights of all residents and to ensure that Residential Life and University policies are followed. Upholding policies in university housing and on campus should be viewed as the responsibility of the entire community. Initial violations of Residential Life or University policies for students in residence will be dealt with directly by the Area Coordinator. All concerns and reports should be directed to your Area Coordinator.
The disciplinary process involves a series of steps and sanctions that relate directly to the severity of the violation(s) and to the number of times violations have been reported.

Sanction System:
1st Violation Warning
2nd Violation Community Service
3rd Violation Probation
4th Violation Eviction

When the infraction is more serious, students may receive more sanctions than those listed or may "skip steps" in the process (i.e. go immediately to eviction) at the discretion of the judicial hearing officer. When a student is evicted from on-campus housing, the student is prohibited from entering any university residence for a period of time, typically two years.

Appeals to decisions made by an Area Coordinator must be submitted to the Director of Residential Life within ten (10) days of the sanction. Decisions made by the Director of Residential Life are final.

Sanctions continue throughout a student's four years at Hamline. Students who live off-campus and are on Residential Life Probation will not be allowed to visit the residence halls, apartments or Hamline houses. When a student is placed on probation, a letter is sent to their parents or guardians. When a student is evicted, there is no refund for remaining room and board charges.

Policy violations that may lead to "residential probation" will be adjudicated by the Area Coordinator or the Director of Residential Life. Parents will be notified of a student's policy violations at the point that the student is placed on residential probation. Appeals of decisions reached by the Area Coordinator must be made to the Director of Residential Life within ten (10) days of the sanction. Decisions made by the Director of Residential Life are final.

Policy violations that may lead to "residence hall eviction" for a student are automatically referred to the Director of Residential Life and may be heard by a judicial board. Appeals of decisions reached by the Director of Residential Life or a judicial board must be made within ten (10) days of the sanction to the Assistant Dean of Students. Decisions made by the Assistant Dean of Students are final.

If an individual does not abide by and/or fulfill designated sanctions or are involved in subsequent policy violations will be subject to further judicial action.

ALCOHOL AND DRUG VIOLATION SANCTIONING

First time alcohol and drug policy violations with decisions of responsibility for the violation will result in a combined sanction of monetary value of $150.00. Additional violations will result in doubling the prior sanction.

Sanction Information

A student’s conduct  file including sanctions stay with them during their time at Hamline. Students who live off-campus and are on Residential Life Probation will not be allowed to visit the residence halls or apartments. When a student is placed on probation, a letter is sent to their parents or guardians. When a student is evicted, there is no refund for remaining room and board charges. Room selection points will be deducted for the following: Judicial sanctions, uncompleted sanctions and failure to attend a hearing.

Throughout the year, points will be given to residence hall students for participation in leadership positions, attendance at hall programs, and for support of community and judicial expectations. These points will be added or deducted from the lottery points used for room selection. The value of these points is significant, such that someone with very high points may be able to surpass someone in the class ahead in selecting a room, including single rooms. Points will be awarded as follows:

Points Added:

Leadership Position 50 points
No conduct violations 150 points
Attendance at programs 20 points per program

Points Deducted

Warning -25 points. Second violation -50, Third violation - 75

Community Service/Educational Sanction Completed: -50 points, Not completed: -200 points
Probation -300 points
Failure to attend hearing -50 points

Quick Phone Reference

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, DIAL 911

Office of Residential Life Contact Numbers:

Apartment Manager 651-523-2514
Drew Area Coordinator 651-523-2514
Heights Area Coordinator 651-523-2514
(Osborn, Peterson, Schilling)
Manor and Sorin Area Coordinator 651-523-2514
Residential Life 651-523-2061

Resident Advisor Duty Phone Numbers:

Heights Duty Phone 651-325-1434
Drew Duty Phone 651-325-1472
Manor/Sorin Duty Phone 651-325-1484
Apartment/House Duty Phone 651-325-1516

University-Wide offices:

Hamline University Student Congress (HUSC) 651-523-2455
Safety & Security Services 651-523-2100
Telecommunications 651-523-2800