Residence Hall Policies: ResLife Manual

Residents and visitors must abide by Commonwealth of Virginia laws referring to alcohol use and possession. It is unlawful for anyone under 21 to purchase, consume or possess any alcoholic beverage. The possession, consumption, or presence of alcohol is prohibited in residence hall rooms if all residents assigned to live in the room are under 21. This restriction does not apply if at least one of the room’s residents is of legal age; however, students under the age of 21 may not consume, possess, or be in the presence of the illegal use of alcohol in residence halls. Loud or disruptive behavior or drinking habits that otherwise interfere with the rights of others or lead to other violations of university policies are reasons for disciplinary action, regardless of the student’s age. All residents and involved students may be subject to disciplinary follow-up, including fines and/or referral to the Office of Student Accountability. If no one claims responsibility for alcohol found in a student room, suite, or apartment, the residents of that unit will be held accountable for the alcohol.

Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed or carried in open containers in hallways, lounges, courtyards, kitchens, Village Area suite rooms, or other public areas. Kegs, distillation processes, and other large sources of alcohol such as punches and grain alcohol are not permitted within or near the residence halls, regardless of a student’s age.

Apartments on Grace: Alcohol is permitted in the living rooms and kitchens of the apartments if one member is at least 21 years old. Apartment residents under the age of 21 may not consume, possess, or be in the presence of the illegal use of alcohol in residence halls.

Residents and visitors must abide by Commonwealth of Virginia laws referring to • Students may not possess or use alcohol paraphernalia or devices (e.g., “beer bongs,” “funnels,” beer/water pong tables, etc.) which, by their nature, promote irresponsible consumption of alcohol.

Students are prohibited from storing or possessing empty alcohol containers in rooms, suites, or bathrooms. If empty alcohol containers are found in residence halls, staff will assume that the residents of the room or suite and any students present in the space are or were in possession of alcohol and have a shared responsibility for the containers. All residents and involved students may be subject to disciplinary or Student Accountability follow-up, including fines.

Alterations to residence hall rooms (including, but not limited to, electrical wiring, attaching hardware to walls, ceilings or doors, construction of loft beds, or painting rooms) are not permitted except in accordance with university policy as issued by Residence Life.

 

Pet: Any animal that is not trained, employed, or approved as a service animal or assistance animal by the handler. The only pets allowed in residence halls are fish.

Service Animal: Any dog, or in certain circumstances, miniature horse, specifically trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of and to accommodate the functional needs of an individual with a disability. This includes an animal that is in training to become a service animal. Students who wish to bring service animals onto university property need not request the university’s permission to allow the presence of a service animal on university property but are requested to notify the University of the need for a service animal’s presence in advance of coming to campus with the animal. The student may be asked whether the animal is needed because of a disability, and what work or task the animal has been trained to perform.

A service animal is generally permitted to be on university property in any place where the animal’s handler is permitted to be, although there are specific locations and activities on university property where all animals are prohibited for safety and health reasons.

Assistance Animal: Any animal that is specifically designated by a qualified medical provider as affording an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, provided there is a nexus between the individual’s disability and the assistance the animal provides.

Students who reside on university property and who wish to bring assistance animals onto university property as an accommodation for a disability must request the university’s permission to keep the assistance animal in university housing. Permission will be granted only as an accommodation for a documented disability and must be arranged in advance through the Office of Disability Services, prior to bringing the animal onto university property. Once permission is granted, the student will need to complete an Assistance Animal Agreement with their Area Director.

The Office of Disability Services is responsible for processing requests from students to determine whether a request to bring an assistance animal into university housing is a reasonable accommodation that addresses a documented disability and should be granted. Students may only have the type and number of animals approved by the Office of Disability Services. Requests by student employees will be coordinated between Residence Life and the Office of Disability Services. Requests from full-time, live-in staff will be handled by the Director and/or Associate Director of Residence Life for Community Development.

POLICY

Pets are not allowed in any university-owned or operated housing. The only exception to this policy is fish that are kept as pets.

Service animals are permitted in residence halls and other university buildings.

Assistance animals approved by the Office of Disability Services are permitted in university-owned or university-operated housing only. Students with an approved assistance animal must complete the Office of Residence Life Assistance Animal Agreement prior to having the animal on campus.

To protect hall residents' general health and safety, pets are not allowed in any university-owned or university-operated buildings. The only exception to this policy is fish that are kept as pets. Students found with pets other than the exceptions in university-owned or university-operated housing will have 24 hours to remove the pets and may be subject to a fine of $50 per day if they do not remove the pets promptly. A follow-up inspection will occur to verify the removal.

Service animals are permitted in residence halls and other university buildings. Assistance animals approved by the Office of Disability Services are permitted in university-owned or university-operated housing only.

Under the federal Fair Housing rules, individuals have a right to have an Emotional Support Animal in their dwelling, even in buildings that prohibit pets. The US Department of Housing has determined that university housing is subject to the same regulations for Emotional Support Animals as other types of homes and apartments. Fair Housing rules and case law affirm that students living in university housing have rights as emotional support animal owners, just as they would if they were living in non-university housing. 

  • Students must be approved through the Housing Accommodation process to have an Emotional Support Animal.

  • Students approved for an Emotional Support Animal are only allowed to have the animal in their room and to take the animal outside to relieve themselves if appropriate. Students can only bring their ESA to another student’s room with the permission of all residents of that room. ESAs are not the same as service animals, which are permitted to go anywhere with their owner.

  • If a student becomes aware of an Emotional Support Animal in areas where one should not be, they should inform Hall Staff so they can follow up on the concern.

  • Universities are not permitted to restrict where individuals with ESAs can live. Therefore, it is not possible to have some buildings reserved for students with ESAs and others without ESAs.

  • If a student has a severe allergy to animals and cannot reside near a student with an ESA, they should go through the Housing Accommodation process so the Housing staff can work with them on their room assignment.

  • If a student witnesses aggressive or disturbing behavior by an ESA, they should inform Hall Staff so this behavior can be appropriately addressed.

Students are not allowed on roofs, ledges, or elevated balconies of residence halls. Students may not sit in or hang objects or persons out of open windows. Students may not throw or drop objects from windows. The deliberate removal of screens from any residence hall window or any damage to a screen is also prohibited and will result in a bill for repair/replacement.

Bicycles may not be kept anywhere inside academic or administrative buildings or in public areas of the residence halls not designated for bicycles. If all residents of a living unit agree, bicycles may be stored in students' rooms, apartments, and suites. Storage may only occur within designated areas. Bicycles may not be locked to stairwells, handrails, or handicap access ramps.

All bicycles should be registered with the JMU Police, and each bicycle should be numbered. This system of registration is now required to help prevent vandalism or theft. The Office of Residence Life is not responsible for lost or stolen bicycles.

Students may not ride bicycles, skateboards, scooters (including electric/gas powered scooters), or other wheeled vehicles in residential facilities. The university will confiscate these items if improperly placed in student housing areas. Students who are found to have caused damage inside of a residence hall because of riding any type of vehicle can be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to referral to the Office of Student Accountability, paying restitution costs, fines, etc. Wall mountings to store bicycles are not permitted, and any damages caused by the storage or transportation of a bicycle/or other transportation device are the responsibility of the owner. Residents and their guests are responsible for cleaning up any mess resulting from a bicycle, or any wheeled vehicle being brought into or taken out of a residence hall. Electric scooters may be brought into residential facilities; however, the charging of “Bird” or any other commercial electric scooter batteries is prohibited within residential facilities, personal electric scooters must be charged inside student rooms. Electric scooters may not be stored in common areas and the roommate should agree before the device is stored in their room. Motorcycles, mopeds, gas powered scooters and other motorized vehicles may not be brought inside the residence halls and must be parked appropriately outside. Students who violate this policy may forfeit their privilege to store their bicycle(s) and/or electric scooters within the residential facility.

Due to concerns from the Consumer Product Safety Commission and guidance from the Virginia State Fire Marshal regarding the safety of hoverboards, James Madison University prohibits the devices and their chargers in all JMU-owned buildings including residence halls. Hoverboards may not be used, charged, or stored in any JMU owned or leased building.

Bulletin boards are designated for posting residence hall information and other similar items. All off-campus agents must receive approval from both the Director of the Madison Unions and the Associate Director of Residence Life to post notices on residence hall bulletin boards.

All signs, except those regarding residence hall business or publicity for hall events, must have appropriate approval stamps from the Madison Unions or Residence Life. Unauthorized removal of postings or vandalism of bulletin boards is prohibited.

Candles, incense, and other items producing an open flame are not permitted in residence halls. Candles are prohibited even if there is no intention to burn them, or if the wick is removed. Wax burners and candle warmers are also prohibited. 

Violations will result in a $75 fine for candles or tampering with fire safety equipment as a result of any room inspection.

There are two methods of checking out of a residence hall room – Standard or Express. The Standard method is to meet with an RA after having removed all of belongings from the room. Residents are expected to schedule, in advance, a check-out time with an RA.  Additional inspections by Residence Life staff will occur after checkout.  The second method of checking out of a residence hall room is the Express Check-out method. Express Check-out is only available at the end of the academic year. Express Check-Out is a quick way to check out of the hall; however, there are a several steps.  Students will need to make sure that the room is clean and that none of their belongings are left in the room. They then put their keys in the completed express check-out envelope and drop it in the slot in the hall office door. If a resident chooses to use the Express Check-Out option, they waive all right to appeal any charges found in the room upon staff inspections.

Failure to go through a scheduled checkout or use the Express Checkout process will result in a $50 fine. When checking out, a residence hall staff member will use the resident’s electronic Room Condition Form to note missing or damaged furniture; damage to floors, walls, doors, ceilings, electrical fixtures, windows and locks; and any other maintenance or custodial services required to return the room to its original condition. A second inspection conducted by Residence Life Business Operations staff will occur after student departure. Additional charges may be assessed at that time.

If warranted, the student will receive a bill after checkout for damages noted on the electronic Room Condition Form or found during a subsequent inspection. All room occupants will be held financially accountable for the condition of their private room. Unless specific individuals accept financial responsibility for damages, missing furniture or dirty conditions, each resident of the room/suite will be billed for an equal portion of the damage or cleaning assessment.

All rooms must be neat at checkout time.  Rooms must be swept and/or vacuumed. There will be a bill assessed per person for any room that requires excessive cleaning or trash removal. Residents are responsible for cleaning and removing trash from their room and surrounding hallways and stairwells.

Students and their guests will be held responsible for theft of or damage/vandalism to university property, residence halls, and any other areas in or around the residence halls. Bills for the cost of repair will be sent to the responsible individual(s). This includes extra housekeeping services required for the removal of blood-borne pathogens (vomit, blood, body fluids, etc.) or acts of vandalism.

Deliveries made to JMU residence halls are to be accepted only by the addressee or by his or her designee. The university accepts no responsibility for the loss of such deliveries.

JMU students are expected to maintain a high level of maturity, responsibility, and common sense regarding their behaviors and actions. In addition, students are responsible for understanding policies, rules, and regulations contained in the JMU Student Handbook, the Residence Life Manual, their JMU Residential Contract, the JMU Honor Code, and information from residence hall staff members. Students may contact their resident adviser or hall director if they have questions.

The following are possible disciplinary actions that might be taken after a student violates the residence hall policies, rules, or regulations:

  • The Area Director may send a letter of warning to the resident:

    • Noting the inappropriate behavior and policy violations;

    • Advising the resident to correct such behavior;

    • Informing the resident of potential consequences if the behavior is not changed.

  • The appropriate Hall Director meets with the resident to:

    • Address the inappropriate behavior;

    • Clarify policies and procedures;

    • Suggest ways to improve behavior;

    • Advise the resident of potential consequences if the behavior continues;

    • Assign the appropriate educational assignment if appropriate.

  • The Area Director meets with the resident to:

    • Reinforce the initial confrontation;

    • Clarify the inappropriate behavior;

    • Suggest ways to avoid further problems;

    • Inform the resident of potential or actual consequences if the behavior continues.

    • If necessary, the Area Director may negotiate a sanction that may include:

      • Stipulating a fine;

      • Assessing cost for damages;

      • Assigning an educational project;

    • Administering an official Residence Life sanction based on the JMU Housing Contract and our policies listed on the Residence Life website;

  • Referral to the Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices:

    • The challenge is to determine which of the above options will have the greatest educational impact upon the resident. In determining the appropriate follow-up, the Area Director should consider: The nature of the violation;

      • The attitude of the individual at the time of the initial confrontation;

    • Any previous documentation concerning the individual;

    • The type of follow-up used, if any, in the past;

    • Consistency.

University Accountability Process

 

For an overview of the university accountability process, please visit their website here: Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices

Students may not possess, use, or distribute any illegal drug as defined by the Drug Control Act of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Such possession, use or distribution is prohibited in any building or on any property owned or operated by the university. Possession is defined to include any area or property for which the student is responsible. University policy conforms to state law regarding drug paraphernalia.

Tampering with or misuse of elevators is prohibited since it can create safety concerns, damage and excessive wear and tear on elevators.

Residence Halls with elevators:

  • Apartments on Grace (2)
  • Hoffman
  • Chandler (2)
  • Jennings (2)
  • Chesapeake (2)
  • Logan
  • Converse
  • Shenandoah (3)
  • Eagle (2)
  • Shorts
  • Gifford
  • Wayland
  • Harper Allen-Lee
  • Wampler

Event Procedures

The reservation of public residence hall areas for such purposes rests on the following suppositions:

  • Social activities carried out in accordance with this policy will benefit both individuals and groups within the hall and lead to increased interaction among residents and a greater sense of community within the hall.
  • Students hosting such an activity will assume total responsibility for the planning and conduct of the event including the behavior of all guests, and willingly agree to be fully accountable for the results of such an activity.
  • The implementation of this policy will not have a significant negative impact on the educational environment of the residence hall, the physical condition of the building, or the role and responsibilities of the residence hall staff.
  • Only residents of the specific residence hall may reserve the recreation room for events.
  • No alcohol is permitted at events in public areas.

Designated Room Location

Study lounges and public hallways used as fire exit routes from student rooms are specifically excluded from consideration or use as a designated event area. Due to building design and space usage, some residence halls will not have an event area available in the building. The Hall Director, with approval from the Area Director, may designate an appropriate event space within the hall. The University Safety Director will determine the maximum occupancy for the space.

Frequency and Timing of Events

The designated event area will only be available for reservation each weekend on Friday and Saturday nights. No events may be scheduled during weekends before and after final exams. Events may not begin before 7:00 p.m. and must end no later than 1:30 a.m.

Maximum Event Size

The number of individuals permitted to attend a specific event in a given area shall be determined by the formula presented in the Life Safety Code of National Fire Protection Association. The University Safety Coordinator, using the Life Safety Code, shall determine the maximum safe occupancy load for each designated event room. The event hosts shall be fully responsible for ensuring that the maximum occupancy load is not exceeded at any time during a scheduled private event. Because the event hosts, the residence hall staff, and university officials may be held liable or negligent in the event of an accident or death occurring when occupancy of a public room exceeds the maximum safe limit, severe penalties will be imposed on event hosts for failure to control the size of a scheduled event.

Student Sponsor Responsibilities

Four student sponsors are required to schedule an event and must sign a written event contract and meet with the Hall Director. All four sponsors must attend, as a group, a meeting with the Hall Director. The purpose of this meeting is to request reservations and, if approved, to fully explain the policy and review the responsibilities of the event contract. This meeting must be completed no later than 5:00 p.m. of the Wednesday before the proposed event is to be held. A complete guest list must be turned into the Hall Director 48 hours (about 2 days) in advance of the event.

  • Student sponsors are responsible for ensuring that all room entrances are supervised and only invited guests are admitted to the event.
  • Student sponsors must attend the event they have registered.
  • Student sponsors must have a guest list showing the first and last names of all invited guests. A guest list must be available and checked at the door.
  • Student sponsors are responsible for keeping the event under control, and for insuring that all aspects of this policy, and all other university policies are upheld by event guests during the activity.
  • Student sponsors must ensure that no alcohol is consumed or possessed by guests.
  • Student sponsors accept full financial responsibility for all damage or theft occurring as a direct result of the event except when specific individuals are identified and accept responsibility for the damage or theft.
  • Student sponsors are accountable for insuring that the event room and the immediate adjacent areas are cleaned by 8:00 a.m. on the morning following the activity. Immediate adjacent area will be described by the Hall Director in the meeting prior to the event.
  • Student sponsors should enlist the aid of the Residence Hall staff member on duty at the onset of any difficulties with guests. Contacting a Residence Hall staff member in the event of a problem does not, however, relieve the event hosts of primary responsibility for control of the event and all attending guests.

EVENTS IN ROOM/SUITE AREAS

Residents’ rights to study, sleep, and have privacy within their rooms will be maintained. Residents should consult their roommates and suitemates prior to the event to prevent disruptions in the room/suite. Loud or disruptive behavior, lack of cleanliness in the residence halls, or drinking habits that otherwise interfere with the rights of others are reasons for disciplinary action. Room/Suite events are discouraged during weeknights.

Event sponsors are fully responsible for the behavior of their guests. Failure to control guests’ behavior will result in immediate administrative or disciplinary action. Events in rooms or suites are intended to be relatively small due to the space available and safety and fire regulations.

The number of people attending an event must be no more than the room can accommodate: six (6) per bedroom, eight (8) in a permanent triple and/or twelve (12) per Village Suite common room. For the Apartments on Grace: six (6) per 1 bedroom double, and twelve (12) per 2 bedroom double.

Advertisement of room or suite events is prohibited.

Violations of the alcohol policy may be referred to the university disciplinary system for disposition in the same manner as all other university and residence hall policy violations.

People who are not invited should be asked to leave the event by the event sponsors. If this request is not effective, the event sponsors should immediately notify the residence hall staff for assistance. The uninvited person(s) may be subject to referral for disciplinary or police action as noted above.

Inability or unwillingness to control an event or guests, or noncompliance with any provisions of the room and suite event policy on the part of the event sponsors, may result in disciplinary action.

EVENTS IN RESIDENCE LIFE CLASSROOM/PROGRAMMING SPACES

 

The reservation of the Wayland Hall Performance Space (Wayland G20), Wayland Hall Programming Space (G08), Wayland Hall Art Lounge (117), Logan Hall Programming Space (Logan 009), Gifford Hall Programming Space (Gifford 019), Hoffman Hall Programming Space (Hoffman 0100), Chesapeake Multipurpose Room, Shenandoah Multipurpose Room (Shenandoah 1006), Jennings Hall rooms 135, 139, and Common House, and the classrooms and Great Room at the Apartments on Grace for all activities must be completed through those spaces’ designated Microsoft Exchange Calendar. PSYC 100 and residence hall activities are given priority. Because the spaces are associated with Learning Communities, the Associate Director for Recruitment, Training & Inclusion and the associated Area Director or their designees have final authorization on activities occurring in the space. Events may only be held in the aforementioned spaces if a Residence Life Staff Member or RLC Faculty Member is present, unless prior permission from the Community Development Office or Learning Initiatives is received. Reservation of these spaces is done as any other resource reservation would be completed on Microsoft Exchange. University and Residence Life policies must be followed at all events held in reservable classroom/programming spaces.

Students may receive fines for violations of residence hall policies including, but not limited to, the following:

Policies and Fines
Violated Policy  Fine
Alcohol/empty containers $75
Animals
 $50 (per day per pet)
Balconies, roofs, windows and screens $50
Bicycles, wheeled vehicles and hoverboards $50
Bunk beds/improper bunking/unassembled beds $50
Candles and incense $75
Cleaning/housekeeping $50 (minimum)
Community Standards $75
Early arrival $100
Failure to evacuate in a fire emergency $75
Fire safety (including room inspection violations) $75
Furniture misappropriation $50 (per day per piece of furniture after a 24-hour grace period to return furniture)
Guests $75
Improper check-out $50
Lock Change $50 (Apartments on Grace - $75)
Lock-out violation
 $50 (first two lockouts no charge, $50 for third and each additional lockout)
Loft bed improper storage $50 (immediate and additional charges of $25 per day for each day the materials remain improperly stored)
Loft bed inspection failure $50 (after failing second inspection: 72 hours after first inspection and $25 per day for each day the bed remains without inspection approval)
Loft bed up after deadline $50 (plus incidental charges for damage or improper checkout)
Non-compliance with official request $75
Quiet hours/noise $75
Smoking/vaping $75
Suite combination change $50 (first time no charge)
Temporary Access Card lost $25
Trash
 $50 (minimum)
Unauthorized room change $50
Unwelcoming to potential roommate $75
Wireless Routers $75

Fire Alarms

No student will activate any alarm or attempt to manipulate any electrical or mechanical device for the purpose of creating a false fire alarm.

Failure to Evacuate

No student will disregard a fire alarm signal or refuse to evacuate a building or a section of a building where a fire alarm is sounding. Failure to evacuate may lead to fines and/ or charges through the Office of Student Accountability & Restorative Practices, unless previously notified that the fire alarm system is being tested.

Tampering with Fire Safety Equipment or Devices

No student will, without authorization, operate or tamper with any firefighting equipment except for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. Fire extinguishers should not be used if the individual has not been properly trained to use it. In addition, no student shall tamper with or otherwise misuse any fire detection or early warning device, emergency lighting, evacuation systems or emergency telephones.

Obstruction of Fire Evacuation Routes

Fire safety regulations require that no loft bed construction materials, boxes, trash, bicycles or other items be stored, even temporarily, in hallways or other public areas. Any act of purposefully preventing someone from swiftly and safely evacuating a building is prohibited. In addition, no student shall enter or exit from a fire escape except during a fire drill or in the case of an actual fire.

No items should be suspended from ceilings, overhead lights, smoke detectors or the sprinkler system. No locks may be installed on 2-room suite doors leading to the bathroom, as it is a means of egress. Doors must be able to swing open a full 90 degrees.

Fireworks or Explosives

Possessing, storing or using any fireworks, propane or explosives is strictly forbidden in and around the residence halls.

Door Decorations

Room/suite doors may only have a white board per resident (no cork board) and a name tag per person.

Wall Coverage

Excessive decoration on room walls can be hazardous. The State Fire Marshal has set the following guidelines for residence hall room wall coverage:

Wall coverage n ot to exceed 50% in buildings with sprinklers

Wall coverage not to exceed 20% in buildings without sprinklers

Overhead lights

Room overhead lights may not be removed/changed by anyone except University personnel.

Please see individual policies for Candles, Incense & Open Flames, Curtains/ Draperies, Holiday Decorations, Smoke Detectors, and Smoking.

To prevent fire hazards, the State Fire Marshal’s office and the Office of Public Safety established the following policies to keep our residence halls safe at all times. The following items are prohibited in residence halls:

*These violations have detailed explanations in The Manual for further reference.

**See Electrical Appliances Policy for further reference.

  • Air conditioners**

  • Air fryers

  • Candles/incense*

  • Ceiling fans**

  • Charcoal/lighter fluid (see Fire Safety & Fire Drills policy above)

  • Coffee makers (without automatic shut-off) **

  • Excessive room/door decorations (see Fire Safety & Fire Drills policy above)

  • Extension cords**

  • Fireworks/explosives (see Fire Safety & Fire Drills policy above)

  • Furniture misappropriation*

  • Halogen lamps**

  • Holiday decorations*

  • Hot plates/George Foreman grills**

  • Improper use of cords/wires

    • Cords and wires with an electrical current should not be subjected to damage by being placed in a high traffic area (ex: on the floor in front of a doorway) or be run under carpets/rugs.

    • Cords and wires should not pass through or in front of windows, doors, or be affixed to walls or the ceiling.

    • Cords and wires (whether an electrical current or not), should not be placed in a way that presents a trip hazard or an obstruction of egress in the event of an emergency.

    • Cords and wires should not come into contact with fire suppression equipment, such as sprinklers.

    • Refrigerators, appliances with heavy electrical draw (i.e., hair dryers, irons) and power strips with circuit protection should be plugged directly into a wall outlet.

    • Power strips with circuit protection should not be improperly supported and hanging by their cords. They must lay flat on a surface. Power strips with circuit protection cannot be plugged into one another either.

    • No more than three strands of holiday lights should be connected together at one time and should follow all guidelines above. Lights with paper or another flammable material surrounding the bulb are not allowed.

  • Lamps/bed risers with outlets**

  • Material attached to the ceiling (see Fire Safety & Fire Drills policy above)

  • Microwaves (except for Apartments on Grace or rented from MicroFridge with necessary safety features)**

  • Multi-plug adapters (without integrated circuit breaker/surge protectors)**

  • Obstruction of egress

    • Nothing in a residence hall should impede, obstruct, or obscure egress in the event of an emergency.

    • Students may not store loft beds, furniture, boxes, trash, bicycles or other items in hallways or public areas.

    • No student shall purposefully prevent someone from swiftly and safely evacuating a building.

    • Doors (room and suite) should be able to open to a full 90 degrees without being blocked.

  • Refrigerators over 5.0 cubic feet**

  • Sandwich grills**

  • Soup warmers**

  • Space heaters**

  • Tampering with fire safety equipment (see Fire Safety & Fire Drills policy above)

  • Toasters/toaster ovens**

  • Untreated wall or window coverings (see Curtains/Draperies policy above)

  • Unsanitary conditions

    • Conditions in a room or suite that detract from the overall academic environment or attract pests to the residence hall are prohibited. This includes trash accumulation, not disposing of trash in the proper location, inappropriate use of toilets, and failing to clean properly. Personal trash should be disposed of in the proper location, not in the hallways, bathrooms, study lounges, TV lounges, or other public areas.

Electrical Appliances

Due to the hazard of fire, the State Fire Marshal & JMU Risk Management have established limits on the amount of electricity that can be safely used on a given electrical unit, and the limited number of outlets in some halls. They have instated the following policies:

  • Hot plates, space heaters, air fryers, soup warmers, toaster ovens, sandwich grills and any appliances with an open heating element are prohibited. Also prohibited are air conditioners, ceiling fans, *microwaves (unless supplied by MicroFridge with necessary safety features), extension cords, cube adapters and halogen lamps. Underwriters’ Laboratory (UL) approved drip coffee makers with automatic shutoff are the only approved coffee makers. (*Microwaves are permitted in the kitchen areas of the Apartments on Grace.)

  • One mini refrigerator is permitted per resident. Refrigerators may be no larger than 5 total cubic feet in size. The size is indicated on the manufacturer label on the back of the refrigerator. It can also be found by searching for the model number on the manufacturer’s website.

    • One MicroFridge is permitted per room. If there is a MicroFridge in the room, one additional mini refrigerator (as described above) is permitted.

    • In the Village, one mini refrigerator or one MicroFridge is also permitted in the suite common area.

  • Any appliance with a heavy electrical draw, such as a refrigerator, hair dryer, or an iron, must be plugged directly into a wall outlet, rather than a power strips with circuit protection. All power strips must be UL approved, circuit protected, and have a reset button (Note: the reset button is what designates circuit protection, not to be confused with surge protection which does not meet code). Power strips with circuit protection must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Plugging a power strip into another power strip is prohibited. Power strips with circuit protection must lie flat on the ground or be secured to a flat surface in such a manner that no stress is placed on the power cords. Extension cords of any kind are strictly prohibited, including appliances with a built-in electrical outlet, such as lamps, bed risers, etc.

  • All appliances should be covered under homeowner’s/renter’s insurance policies. The Office of Residence Life and James Madison University are not responsible for damage to students’ personal property.

  • Students should not tape over, tamper with, or disconnect a circuit breaker, fuse, network port cable box, electrical socket, light fixture or switches, smoke/fire alarms, or run electrical cords under carpets or doors.

  • Stringed holiday lights are not permitted on ceilings and should not pass through a doorway or window. They should be turned off when students are not in the room. No more than three (3) strands of lights should be connected to one another. Paper-covered lights are not permitted.

  • Wireless routers are strictly prohibited as they pose a threat to the campus network.

  • Students found with inappropriate appliances in their room or suite will have 24 hours to remove the items and may be subject to a fine if they do not promptly remove the items. A follow-up inspection will occur to verify removal.

Fireworks, Explosives, and Flammable Substances

Possessing, storing or using any fireworks, propane or explosives is strictly forbidden in and around the residence halls.

Window/Wall Coverings & Decorations

Any curtains, drapes, or wall/window coverings in student rooms must be fire-treated or made from fabric that is fire retardant. Fire retardant spray is available in each residence hall office. If coverings are already fire-treated, students must have proof of treatment. This proof can be an attached manufacturer's tag, a receipt for professional treatment, or the can of spray treatment used. No curtains or draperies should be hung at or near doorways.

  • Room/suite doors may only have a white board per resident (no cork board) and a name tag per person.

  • Excessive decoration on room walls can be hazardous. The State Fire Marshal has set the following guidelines for residence hall room wall coverage:

    • Wall coverage not to exceed 50% in buildings with sprinklers

    • Wall coverage not to exceed 20% in buildings without sprinklers

Students may not remove university equipment, furniture, or signage from its assigned room, suite, lounge or other area within a residence hall. Unauthorized removal of furniture or signage within a building or from one building to another will be considered misappropriation. This also includes items outside the halls (i.e., picnic tables). Bedroom furniture may not be placed in hall storage rooms. Exception - Bedroom furniture may be taken home for temporary storage as long as it is returned by the end of the academic year. Students will be billed for missing or damaged furniture.

Residents and visitors must abide by Commonwealth of Virginia laws referring to illegal gambling.

  1. Illegal gambling is defined in the law as the making, placing or receiving of any bet or wager of money or anything of value made in exchange for a chance to win a prize, stake, or other consideration or thing of value, dependent on the result of any game, contest, or any other event, the outcome of which is uncertain or a matter of chance.

  2. In Virginia, there is an exception in the law that makes gambling legal when such gambling occurs in a private residence which is not commonly used for such games of chance and where there is no operator of the game. When any form of wagering is involved, poker games or other games of chance may be played in student bedrooms, Village suites, and Apartments on Grace living rooms only. These games may not be played in the lobby, TV lounge, study lounge or any other public area in the residence

  3. When students or visitors are playing poker or other games of chance in their room, no one may benefit from the game in any way other than as a result of the outcome of the game (i.e. students may not charge an entry fee or take a cut of the amount wagered).

  4. Poker or other games of chance may be organized by the staff and may occur in the public areas of the building (not including Village suites or apartment living rooms) only if there is no entrance fee, no wagering on the outcome, and no prize of any value awarded to the winner. Door prizes are allowed under the law, but these must be awarded on a purely random drawing. These games may not be used as fund-raisers by individuals or groups.

  5. Football pools or any other form of wagering on the outcome of an event may only occur between students within the bounds of their bedroom, suite, or apartment. These may not be posted or advertised in public areas.

A room adequately accommodates the persons to whom it is contracted and a few guests. Overcrowding rooms is a safety concern and an issue of community welfare. Residents may have no more than one guest per resident per night; overnight capacity in the bedroom may not exceed one guest per resident.

  • If students plan to have overnight guests, they must obtain agreement from their roommate in advance. Roommates must have full use of their room at all times and must give consent to overnight guests. If roommates do not agree on having an overnight guest, the right of the student who does not want the guest takes priority.

  • Guests may stay overnight in student bedrooms only (residents and guests may not sleep in suite rooms, apartment living rooms, lounges, or other public areas) and must use gender-appropriate or gender-neutral bathrooms.

  • Guests may not stay on campus overnight for more than two consecutive nights without special permission from the hall director and may not prolong a visit by moving to another room. If additional nights are approved, the Hall Director will document approval of the extended stay via email to the resident and roommate(s).

  • Hosts are responsible at all times for the activities and actions of their guests. Guests who violate any residence hall or university policies may be required to leave and the host held accountable. Damages attributed to guests may be charged to the hosting students.

  • Hosts may not give their room key or JMU Access Card (JAC) to their guest. Guests are only allowed to visit their host and are not permitted to wander the halls or visit other residents or rooms unless they are explicitly invited and escorted by their host.

  • Students may not have overnight guests during final examination weeks.

  • When hosting guests in a room, apartment or suite (not overnight), the number of people in the room must be no more than the space can accommodate: six (6) per bedroom, eight (8) in a permanent triple and or twelve (12) in. A Village suite common room. For the Apartments on Grace: six (6) per 1 bedroom double and twelve (12) per 2 bedroom double.

  • Roommates or other hall residents who believe their rights are being violated or that they are being imposed upon should first discuss the matter with the other party. If this does not lead to a resolution of the problem, residents should contact their RA or residence hall director.

Residents and staff should adhere to the following guidelines when decorating for holidays. Staff should pay particular attention during the Halloween and Christmas holiday seasons.

  • No open flames (candles, sterno-type products, etc.)

  • Utilize battery-powered lights inside jack-o-lanterns

  • No decorations on fire doors

  • No decorations in stairwells

  • No smoke or haze machines (unless supervised by university or city fire safety official)

  • No disabling of exit signs or emergency lighting or tampering with overhead fluorescent fixtures.

  • All decorations must be flame retardant or otherwise non-combustible (acceptable products are crate paper/streamers, spider webs that are not excessive in size or covered with flammable items. No black plastic/paper decorations that look like trash bags.)

  • Do not block, impede, obstruct, or otherwise obscure any means of egress. Doors must be able to swing open a full 90 degrees.

  • Holiday lights may not be hung in public areas or from any ceiling or doorway. Lights should not pass through a doorway or window. No more than three strands of lights should be connected to one another. Holiday lights must be unplugged/ turned off when a room is unoccupied.

  • Holiday lights and/or other cords should not be wrapped around fire safety equipment.

  • Live Christmas trees are not permitted in residence halls.

The JMU Housing Contract is a legal document between a residential student and JMU. It covers the full academic year (i.e., fall and spring semesters). Resident Advisers and Hall Directors may receive questions from residents on how they can break their housing contracts. Please understand that the contract is a binding agreement. Students are rarely released from the contract. If you receive questions, please direct residents to follow the procedure outlined below.

PROCEDURE

Any student considering a request to cancel a JMU Housing Contract during the academic year must submit a Release Request form to the Office of Residence Life. These forms are available through the Online Housing System.2. Upon receipt of the online form by the housing office, the student will be emailed a confirmation. The release request form shared with the Contract Release Committee for review.

A Contract Release Committee representative will email a response to the student advising them of the decision.

NOTE– Consideration for contract termination will be given only in cases of unforeseeable, extenuating circumstances. If a resident wants more information, please refer them to section 5 of their contract terms and conditions or have them call the housing office at 540-568-4663.

Date of Termination

For refund purposes, the date of termination will be the date of official check out from the residence hall unless the Director or their designee(s) determine an alternate date is more appropriate based on the circumstances surrounding the contract cancellation.

All residence halls have JAC-accessible exterior entrance doors. Students will have 24-hour card access to their residence hall when school is in session.

Lost or stolen JACs should be reported to Card Services, Student Success Center, 568-6446, Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. During other hours, students should call Campus Police (Public Safety) at 540-568-6913 to have their card deactivated, or students can log on to www.jmu.edu/cardctr and click on “Manage Your Accounts” to deactivate their JAC. Students can check out a temporary card from hall staff for use until the next regular working day if they lose their JAC or if their JAC stops working on weekdays after 5:00 p.m. or on weekends. Temporary access cards do not provide access to meal plans.

Keys/Lockouts

Each student living in a residence hall will be issued a room key. No student may lend any key to any other person. Spotswood Hall residents will not have room keys, there is a mobile room door entry lock system in this building.

A student who enters or leaves the residence hall is responsible for securing the door. Propping or otherwise preventing any door from being completely secure is a serious safety violation.

Security of each residence hall requires that students lock their bedroom and/or suite doors and keep their keys with them when they leave their rooms. Lost keys should be immediately reported to a Residence Life staff member. Staff members in each hall are able to issue a temporary room key. However, abuse of this staff function or breach of hall security may result in disciplinary action and/or fines.

Residence hall room keys may not be duplicated. Suite combinations may only be shared with residents of the individual suite.

Students are NOT to admit unauthorized or uninvited persons into the residence hall at any time.

 

Room Keys

A room key will be issued when a resident checks into the residence hall. This key will be collected at the time of checkout for a room change, building change, withdrawal, or at the end of the year. It is important for students to document the issue # on the RCF.

Lost Key Replacement

Residents should make requests for the replacement of a lost key within 24 hours of the loss. They should contact their Resident Adviser or Hall Director, who will issue a replacement key from the key box to be used until the lock change can be completed. The staff member will fill out and hang a yellow key tag on the hook, signifying a lock change has been requested. The staff member who issues the spare key will then fill out the information pertaining to keys on the online maintenance request. (Residents may not submit lock change requests.) Please include key code, key issue #, # of keys needed and name of billable student in the maintenance request.

In order to maintain security, the lock will be changed whenever a room key is lost.

The student will be responsible for paying the appropriate charge. Hall staff should submit a Maintenance Request with key code to Residence Life Business Operations online maintenance system. After the new keys are received, an invoice will be sent to the student. Once the new keys are received, all old keys need to be collected and brought to Residence Life Business Operations. The locksmith will deliver the keys to each hall. New keys will be placed in the hall key box. A key envelope will be left in the hall mailbox indicating the lock change was completed. See also Hall Office Key Policy for information about keys lost by staff.

Lost JAC Card

Staff can also issue a Temporary Access Card for front door access if a student loses their JAC card. The card has to be turned into a hall staff member the next business day. (See Card Access Procedure for more information)

Suite Code Change

Students are discouraged from sharing suite codes. If a suite code needs to be changed, Residence life Business operation staff will need to be contacted on weekdays or it will need to be called into Work Control after hours. Residents will receive the first suite code change at no charge. There will be a $50 fine for every request after the first.

Door Locking Procedure

All halls will have all exterior doors locked 24 hours a day, except where university offices are located – Huffman and Frederikson Halls. The main lobby of Paul Jennings Hall may also be unlocked at times for special visitors.

Lockouts

Should a student become locked out of their room, it is preferred that the staff member accompany the student to the room and unlock the door. However, the hall staff can issue them the spare key located in the hall key box and fill out the information on the lock-out roster. The staff member will hang a yellow tag on the hook signifying a key has been removed from the key box. After the resident has unlocked their room, the key should then immediately be returned to the key box. Spare keys will only be issued to residents of the requested room, and they must provide identification. +

Residents will be billed $50 for each lockout, after they have been locked out more than 2 times per year. At the third (and further) lockout, staff members will file a report on ERezLife. In the report, they will include the previous dates when that student had been locked out in addition to the current date. The Area Directors will send a fine letter to a student who has been locked out for the third (or more) time and the Community Development Office will bill the student’s account.

Refunds - Students who lose money in the laundry equipment should be directed to Caldwell Gregory @ 1-800-927-9274. Refunds for JAC cards need to be sent to Business Operations (busops@jmu.edu) with the machine number, date and time, name and student ID number.

Service and Repairs - When any laundry equipment becomes inoperable or needs to be repaired, an “out-of-service” sign should be placed on the machines. Any student or staff member can report the service request to Caldwell Gregory @ 1-800-927-9274 and/or by scanning the QR code if there is one on the machine, so that the necessary repairs can be made. When you call, you will need the number of the washer or dryer that is having problems. The QR code will link to a form that will ask you for certain details about what is wrong with the unit.

Vandalism - Cases involving vandalism of machines should be reported on in eRezLife and the hall director or Residence Life person On Call should be notified. In situations where the machines are no longer operational or damaged due to vandalism, university police should be notified.

Residents must take full responsibility for the installation and construction of any personal loft beds. The university will not provide such services and assumes no responsibility for the safety of the loft bed. Loft bed construction must be in compliance with the following guidelines:

Temporary Triple rooms

In temporary triple rooms, a university-owned loft bed will already be installed.  Until that room has been de-tripled and the third set of furniture removed, personal loft beds will not be permitted.

Construction

The loft bed must be totally self-supporting with no attachments to walls, ceilings, or other furniture in the room. No nails, bolts, or screws will be permitted on room floors, walls, or ceilings.

  • Pressure-treated lumber is not allowed
  • All trash, including wood scraps and sawdust, must be taken directly to the dumpster and not left in hallways, public areas, or trash containers in the hall.
  • We recommend that the bed spring be incorporated into the design of the loft.
  • The resident is responsible for the storage of all bed parts not used in loft construction.
  • JMU furniture may not be stored in residence hall storage areas.

Placement

Lofts may not block doorways or windows and should not be in contact with room radiators. Loft construction must not interfere with either the location or operating efficiency of any smoke detector

Size Limitations

The mattress support area must be no higher than 7 feet from the floor. Ceiling heights vary from hall to hall but the sleeping surface must be at least 30 inches from the ceiling. Sleeping surface dimensions must not exceed 89 inches long by 47 inches wide.

Any construction of loft beds is at the resident's own risk; however, Residence Life staff reserve the right to deem a loft bed unsafe or in violation of the fire code. Failure to remove or modify the loft may result in an immediate $50 fine and an additional charge of $50 per day for each day until compliance is met. All student-owned loft beds must be dismantled and original beds reassembled by the Thursday before exam week to prevent unnecessary noise during final exams. Loft beds may also be dismantled after 11:30 a.m. on the final day of exam week. University beds must be properly reassembled before residents check out. If the university bed is not assembled, residents will be assessed an improper checkout fine.

If you have any questions regarding this information, contact the Office of Residence Life, Business Operations at 540-568-7576 or busops@jmu.edu.

The university allows residents to paint their room or suite but does not provide materials to paint the room or suite. In order for a resident to paint/decorate a room or suite, a Paint Authorization Form must be completed and all guidelines followed. Forms are available in residence hall offices. Residents must receive advance approval of designs for public and suite areas. At the end of the academic year, or as required, the university will paint decorated areas in order to return the room/suite to its original condition. All students who signed the Paint Authorization Form will be billed to cover the costs of restoring the area to its original condition. Students will not be allowed to repaint the decorated areas.

Only areas designated as public spaces by the appropriate area director may be painted. Metal windows, doorjambs, doors, marble sills, built‑in or movable furniture, and floors, etc. may not be painted.  A graphic design and desired location must be submitted on a Paint Authorization form and approved by the Area Director, Hall Director, and residents of the floor before any work is to begin.

Students may not throw or cause to be projected any object or substance which has potential for damaging or defacing university or private property or causing personal injury or disruptions. This would include throwing frisbees or other athletic equipment inside the residence halls and throwing snowballs or waters balloons or using water guns in or near the halls, including courtyard areas.

Within the residence halls, time periods have been designated as Courtesy Hours and Quiet Hours to promote an environment conducive to living and learning.

The university is committed to providing students with housing in which they may grow and develop both personally and academically. To achieve this type of environment, quiet hours must be established and maintained. The development of an atmosphere conducive to study is the mutual responsibility of all the residents; therefore, the following guidelines are established:

  • Students are required to be considerate of the needs of others at all times and to govern the noise level of their music and gatherings accordingly. Courtesy hours are in effect at all times.

  • Every residence hall will have Quiet Hours and these hours will be posted throughout the hall. Quiet hours are 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2:00 a.m. through 10:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Quiet hours will begin on the first evening the residence halls are open.

  • Quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day starting at 10:00pm on the Thursday before exam day until the end of examinations. Hall staff in each area may select a short period of time each day when the quiet hours are not enforced, but courtesy hours will remain in effect at that time.

  • The minimum time required for Quiet Hours in every residence hall is from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. on weekdays, starting Sunday, and 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on weekends.

  • Sound Amplification Equipment: Radios, stereos, musical instruments, air horns, and sound amplification equipment may be used by residence hall students as long as the use of the equipment does not disturb other residents, faculty members or neighbors. Sound equipment or musical instruments may be banned from the hall or confiscated if they are the cause of continuous complaints or disruption. The placement of speakers in room or suite windows or hallways is prohibited.

Routine or Minor Repairs, Retrieving items

Repairs that do not pose a threat to personal safety or property should be filled out on a Maintenance Request form online by either the resident or a hall staff member. The Business Operations staff will then forward these requests through the maintenance system for approval from the Work Control Center. Residence Hall staff should call the Business Operations Office to check on previously submitted maintenance requests. If work is required in student rooms, non-JMU employees will be escorted during the academic year when the building is occupied.

Retrieving items

If a student needs an item retrieved (e.g. item on roof, dropped down an elevator shaft, or sink) the student may submit a maintenance request. The student will be responsible for all costs associated with the retrieval of the item as this is not considered normal wear and tear.

Major Items of Maintenance or Repairs

Major items, such as additional equipment, painting, extensive repairs or any items resulting from damage by students should be reported through eRezLife. The maintenance request form will be submitted by the Hall Director online to Residence Life Business Operations.

Emergency Repairs/After Working Hours

Repairs that pose a threat to personal safety or property should be called in immediately. The Residence Life staff member On Call and/or JMU Police should be called for large cases.

Use the following timetable for placing the emergency maintenance request call:

Day Time Office to call Phone number

Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Business Operations 540-568-7576

All other times 5:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. Work Control Center 540-568-6101

Night/Emergency Maintenance

Definition of Night/Emergency maintenance: any type of work being required in a residence hall that is deemed either a threat to the safety and security of a student or could possibly cause damage to the facility. In addition, other types of requests that should be worked on include lights out in a student room if it is the only light in the room, commode clogged if it is the only commode in the bathroom, etc. The type of work being performed is not a routine maintenance request; they are emergency call-ins.

This policy allows a student to change the room assigned to them by Housing. A student may request a room change at specified times during the semester, or during Fall for a change in Spring. Students can submit room change requests through the Online Housing System using the steps below. While it is not required for students to meet with a hall staff member prior to requesting a room change, it is encouraged for them to do so, as well as notify their current roommate(s).

Room changes will not be processed during (approximately) the first three weeks or the last three weeks of each semester except in special cases and emergencies. However, the Office of Residence Life will accept a request for a room change as of the first business day of each semester. This maximum 3-week waiting period allows for verification of vacancies and for the reassignment of those students in temporary spaces.

Direct Switch between Two Students in the Same Building

The Hall Director can authorize students wishing to make a direct switch with another resident within the same residence hall. A Hall Director can authorize only direct switches within the same residence hall. Direct switches do not include moves into vacant spaces. Only Housing can authorize moves into vacant spaces. Hall Directors must inform the Housing Office of all direct switches so the housing system can be updated.

Moving to Another Building or Vacant Space in Current Building by Student

Below you will find information for how students can submit room change requests, as well as detailed information about what specific steps need to be completed by Hall Directors.

Student must complete the Online Room Change Request form through the Online Housing System. After electronic submission of the form, the student and the Housing Office will be sent a confirmation email.

  • If the resident is requesting a direct room switch with another resident of the same hall, the Hall Director may authorize the switch.

The Housing Office will forward the confirmation email to the Hall Director and copy the Area Director. The Hall Director must give approval before a room change offer is made. If you need to investigate the matter further or are working with the students to mediate a conflict, please respond to res-life@jmu.edu with that information.

The Housing Office will make room change offers to the student based on space availability and the student’s room change preferences. Room change offers generally will not be made until 2 business days after the room change request was received in order to give Hall Directors the chance to follow up with the students involved and the Resident Adviser.

  • The student requesting the change will be given the contact information of the student with the vacancy so they can arrange a time to meet. The student with the vacancy will receive an email saying the vacant space has been offered. The Hall Director and Area Director will be copied on this email.

If the student decides they want to take the vacant spot they have been offered, the room change is authorized by the Housing Office. The student will work with Housing staff to mutually determine a reasonable time frame in which the room change should be completed. The Housing Office will notify the Hall Directors and Area Directors involved with the move via e-mail and the student will prepare to move all belongings to the new assignment.

  • If the student does not want to move into the space offered, the Housing Office will make another offer, following the steps above.

 

Administrative Relocation

The administration of Residence Life has the authority to initiate an administrative room change. In such cases, a resident is required to leave a current room assignment and relocate to a new, approved room assignment. Such administrative reassignments may take place when the Director or the designee perceives a foreseeable circumstance that might jeopardize the safety or welfare of a student or students, or due to disciplinary issues.

Consolidation of Assignments

The purpose of consolidation is to ensure maximum utilization of space in the residence halls. Any resident without a roommate has 48 hours (about 2 days) to notify housing that they have a specific, current on-campus resident with whom they would like to live. Otherwise, the space in the room will be available to any student wishing to change their room assignment or move onto campus.

During the first week of class, any student without a roommate may need to consolidate with another student without a roommate within the same building.

Temporary Housing Reassignment

The purpose of this policy is to benefit the individual residents who live in temporary housing assignments as well as the larger population of the residence hall in which the temporary assignments are located. The main emphasis of such a policy is to expedite the reassignment of the remaining students who do not have specific room/roommate preferences. The rationale for this procedure is based upon:

  • A desire to hasten students’ adjustment to life at the university by giving them the stability of a permanent room assignment.

  • The premise that students will be more flexible in forming bonds with new roommates early in the semester.

  • A commitment to provide students with appropriate bathroom and living space accommodations.

After all students are assigned to temporary spaces, each room is assigned a priority ranking. Rankings will be done separately for males and females.

Students will be reassigned to permanent residence hall rooms, in order, according to the room’s priority ranking.

All authorizations to move from a temporary assigned space to a permanent room assignment must be accepted and completed within a reasonable time frame.

Students may opt to decline the first reassignment offered to them. If a student does choose to decline an offer, that student may be given another offer based on currently available spaces.

Unauthorized Room Changes

Room changes cannot be made without proper authorization. Students may be held accountable through the disciplinary process for unauthorized room changes and are subject to a $50.00 fine.

Room inspections are conducted to ensure the maintenance of safe and sanitary conditions in the residence halls. This process also facilitates the identification of room damages for which residents may be held accountable.

Each student room will be inspected once every eight weeks for damage and health and safety hazards. The staff in each building will designate the time of the inspection and notify students appropriately. Submit eRezLife documentation or Maintenance Requests for those rooms that are damaged or have health & safety hazards.

Bills or fines will be issued as appropriate and determined by the Area Director.

Notices of inspection should be sent to all students in a residence hall at least 24 hours before the inspection. Fliers and emails are appropriate types of notices.

Smoking is defined as the burning, lighting or use of a tobacco product or marijuana and any other smoking device or equipment that includes cigarettes, cigars, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), vaporizers, hookahs, and pipes. Smoking is not permitted in any residence hall room, suite, or floor.

Students of legal age to use tobacco products must go outside the building to smoke and stay away from hall doors and windows. Smoking is not permitted in the Village courtyard areas or on Bluestone Hall porches/patios. Smokers are required to use ash urns to dispose of their smoking material waste and are prohibited from littering state-owned property with smoking material waste. A student(s) will be billed for the cost for tampering with fire safety equipment and/or any cost associated with damage to, or maintenance of fire equipment or room caused by smoking.

Students or student organizations may not engage in advertising, distributing or selling any goods, services, publications, fliers, tickets or soliciting/requesting information or interviews. They may not solicit, for any purpose, using university telephones, property or buildings. Door-to-door solicitation and/or distribution or collecting information, interviewing or surveying residents in residence halls, is prohibited. Exceptions related to residence halls for the purpose of service programs and fundraising projects must be approved in advance by the Associate Director of Residence Life for Community Development.

All students or student organizations planning to conduct programs on or off campus requiring an agreement with Non university agencies must obtain the permission of the Director of Student Life and, in some cases, the Vice President for University Advancement.

Non-student and Non university related organizations cannot sell, distribute, or solicit in the residence halls for any purpose whatsoever without written authorization from the Assistant Vice President for Finance. If approved by the Assistant Vice President for Finance and by the Associate Director of Residence Life (contact the Associate Director of Residence Life first), programs or demonstrations of legitimate products may be presented in residence halls only under the following conditions:

Presentations by the sponsored persons or company shall be limited to demonstration or display of merchandise and appropriate promotion, except that it may not include solicitation of orders, signing of contracts or exchange of money. The demonstration or promotion shall be such that it does not unreasonably disrupt other hall activities.

Solicitors may leave calling cards, catalogs or order blanks with students but may not transact business or seek promises for future transactions.

A member of the residence hall staff must agree to be present to observe the program.

No resident of the hall or member of the hall staff may profit from presentation by virtue of their role in securing sponsorship of the solicitor. Free gifts, commissions or any other forms of remuneration are not allowed.

Door prizes, discounts or any other form of free gifts used to promote attendance or to encourage interest must be available to all on an equal basis.

No door-to-door solicitation or distribution is permitted.

Residents may not permit their guests to be involved with any type of solicitation of goods, services, or information in the halls.

Violations may be subject to disciplinary action.

The residence hall storage rooms are provided for the convenience of students who use them. No inventory of stored items is made. The university will take reasonable precautions to safeguard the items stored. However, it must be understood that items placed in these areas are stored at the owner’s risk. The university will make no reimbursement for items lost, damaged or stolen. Items stored during the school year must be picked up before the residence halls close for the summer.

Arrangements for the use of the storage area can be made with the Hall Director or appropriate Resident Adviser. (At no time may an open storeroom be left unattended). Staff members are expected to personally supervise the placement or removal of items in the storeroom.

Items prohibited from the storage rooms are:

  • Gasoline, paint and other flammable liquids, propane, charcoal, and their containers (If these items are discovered, submit a maintenance request for their collection and disposal.)

  • Grills

  • Couches, chairs, bars, and similar personal furniture items

  • Lofts (except for students in temporary triples while the room is tripled

  • Paper and plastic bags

  • University owned furniture items such as bed parts, desks, dressers, chairs etc.

  • Loose carpets, rugs, curtains, etc.

The following items are representative items permitted for storage:

  • Suitcases and trunks

  • Sealed boxes if used for storage of other items

  • Fans, mini refrigerators, stereos, and similar appliances

Items stored must be identified with the following information:

  • Name 

  • Residence hall room number

  • Home address and telephone number

  • Date put in storage

Important Points about Storage Rooms:

  • Only items with provided tags may be stored. Students are responsible for tagging their storage items.

  • Storage tags are available from the residence hall staff.

  • Items must not be left on the floor of the storage room. Shelves are available in most storage rooms and should be used to maintain a clear walkway into the storage room.

  • During the summer, storage is only available for summer session students when classes are in session.

  • Any items stored longer than one year will be considered abandoned property. Rooms will be cleared of abandoned property at the university’s discretion each summer.

  • All items are stored at the risk of the owner. JMU/Office of Residence Life accepts no responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged property.

Residence Life has designated and equipped areas in all residence halls to serve as study lounges. Study lounges are separate from TV and lobby lounges and should be treated as 24-hour quiet areas.

Tampering with or altering any data, voice, video or other technology ports in bedrooms or public areas of residence halls is strictly prohibited. Installation of cable TV or Ethernet splitters is also prohibited.

Students may not use JMU Ethernet or JMU electronic addresses nor ResNet Ethernet and wireless access to conduct private business. The equipment is for educational use only.

The installation of personal wireless routers and hubs is not allowed in Residence halls because of the high probability of interference and security issues.

Any university employee who identifies themselves as a James Madison University employee while engaged in social media activity shall be subject to all university policies and procedures and shall conduct themselves in accordance with the university’s Standards of Conduct.

The hall office computer is for Resident Adviser and Hall Director use only. The computer may not be used to conduct personal business. It is for work and educational use only. Any issues with the computer should be reported to the Residence Life Technology Manager.

Students are responsible for placing their trash in designated areas in the residence halls or in a dumpster or outdoor trash room. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action and/or fines. Personal trash should not be disposed of in bathrooms or common area trash cans.

Residents without roommates who exhibit unwelcoming behavior toward a potential roommate or who misrepresent the truth, fail to respond to voice, text, or e-mail messages, intimidate assigned occupants or students wishing to move in, or otherwise attempt to manipulate the housing assignment process may be subject to disciplinary action, contract termination and/or a $75 fine. Such behaviors include, but are not limited to:

  • Unresponsive to potential roommate in a reasonable amount of time

  • Room not ready for a roommate

  • Fabricating another roommate is moving in

  • Discouraging behavior - trying to discourage a potential roommate from moving in by action or atmosphere

  • Active intimidation of potential roommate by self, friend, or family member

Notes for students to consider when moving: A room change may result in an adjustment to your housing charge, please check MyMadison for these changes.

Residence hall offices have vacuum cleaners for student use during office hours.

Refunds

Students who lose money in the vending machines should be directed to the vending office (540-568-6363).

Service and Repairs

When any vending machine becomes inoperable or needs to be restocked, an “out of order” sign should be placed on the machine. The vending telephone number (540-568- 6363) should be called to notify Vending Services of the situation.

Vandalism

Cases involving vandalism of vending machines should be reported through eRezLife documentation. In addition, the vending office and the JMU Police should be notified.

Water beds are prohibited in university housing due to their excessive weight and the possibility of damage to personal and university property from water leakage.

No faculty or staff member, student, affiliate, or contracted service representative shall carry, maintain, or store a weapon, concealed or otherwise, on any property owned, leased, or controlled by the university, except as provided herein. No visitor shall carry, maintain or store a weapon, concealed or otherwise, in any controlled space owned, leased or controlled by the university or at any university event. Items that are used as weapons on property owned or operated by the university, whether or not they fit the definition above, will also subject the user to discipline or removal.

Weapons include, but are not limited to rifles, shotguns, handguns, knives, other edged weapons, or other lethal or dangerous instruments capable of maiming and/or casting a projectile by air, gas, explosion or mechanical means. This also includes, but is not limited to, BB guns, paint ball guns and pocket-knives. Reasonable facsimiles of weapons are not allowed. Students who need to store weapons used during hunting season may contact JMU Police for guidelines. See the University Policy on the Prohibition of Weapons (Policy #1105) and/or the JMU Student Handbook for additional information on the weapons policy.

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Office of Residence Life
Huffman Hall
MSC 2401
200 Huffman
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807