Policy Guide

 STUDENT CONDUCT CODE

The College is dedicated to personal and academic excellence. Choosing to live in the Hall obligates the Student to follow a code of conduct to support a positive academic environment. As such, the Student agrees to the Principles of Community for the College and further agrees to abide by all College policies, especially those listed in the COCC Student Rights & Responsibilities document, as well as all Hall policies. Because this Contract also includes a meal plan, adherence to these policies extends to location of meal services. Specific College and Hall policies, of note, are as follows:

• ALCOHOL AND ILLEGAL DRUGS. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled substance (including but not limited to narcotic, stimulant, hallucinogenic, or prescription drugs) is prohibited on the College campus and in all College facilities; this includes the use of medical marijuana on campus property (in accordance with ORS 475.300 - 475.346). In the Hall, the possession of alcohol-related paraphernalia (empty cans, bottles, kegs, funnels, or associated paraphernalia) and the possession of drug-related paraphernalia is prohibited. The College cannot protect students from state and federal drug-abuse laws and have a policy of full cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Violation of this procedure will be prosecuted to the full extent of State and Federal law and, in addition, has specific consequences for employees and for students which are stated elsewhere.
• COMPLICITY. A Student present during or fully aware of the commission of an act by another student which constitutes a violation of College or Hall policies may also be charged if his/her subsequent behavior constitutes a permission or condemnation of the violation. Students witnessing any act(s) which constitutes a violation of College or Hall policy are required to report such incidents to the appropriate College official. Students who are believed to have assisted in violating any College or Hall policies may be charged with a policy violation to the same extent as those persons committing a violation.
• SMOKING. Smoking and use of smokeless tobacco are prohibited in all College facilities. Smoking or the use of smokeless tobacco is limited to College parking lots. During high fire danger periods smoking on the College campus will be banned completely.
• WEAPONS, FIREARMS, FRIEWORKS, EXPLOSIVES.  Firearms, explosives, ammunition, weapons, or fireworks of any kind are not permitted to be carried or used on the College campus.
• IDENTIFICATION.  Students are required to present student identification when requested by authorized College officials on College property or at College sponsored events. Any misrepresentation, alteration, or misuse of student identification is prohibited.
• OBEYING REASONABLE ORDER OF COLLEGE OFFICIALS. Students are required to coply with reasonable requests or orders by authorized College officials or representatives acting on behalf of the College. This requirement includes reasonable requests for students to meet appointments in administrative offices and a disciplinary investigations and hearings.
• PROVIDING FALSE INFORMATION.  No student shall knowingly give false information ro a College official or show reckless disregard for the truth.
• TRESPASSING.  Trespassing upon, forcibly entering, or otherwise proceeding into unauthorized areas of College building or facilities, their roofs, or the residential space of another without permission is prohibited.
• THEFT, UNAUTHORIZED POSSESSION AND/OR SALE OF PROPERTY.  Actions involving theft, unauthorized possession, and/or the sale of property not belonging to ones self is prohibited. Students involved in such actions are subject to College disciplinary action as well as to arrest and prosecution by legal authorities.
• PETS. Pets or animals of any kind are not permitted on the College campus or in the Hall, with the exception of non-threatening fish kept in aquariums that are no larger than 10 gallons.
• HAZING.  Hazing, as defined in the COCC Student Rights and Responsibilities, is not permitted.
• FIRE SAFETY. No Student shall commit, or aid in the intentional commission of, an act which resuls in a fire being ignited which causes damage, or is intended to cause damage, to the property or the College or to the property of any other person. All Students living in the Hall are expected to observe all fire safety procedures established for the Hall including participation in fire alarm/evacuation drills. Failure to evacuate the Hall during a scheduled fire drill or actual fire alarm is prohibited. Students are expected to help prevent violations of of fire safety policies and should report any violations to the appropriate College official. Violations of the fire safety policies may result in a $500 fine, eviction from the Hall, suspension from the College, other disciplinary action, or a combination of these consequences.
• EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT. Falsely reporting a fire or other emergency situation, including, but not limited to, activating a fire alarm or pre-alarm cover when there is no reasonably perceived emergency is prohibited. Tampering with fire safety equipment, including, but not limited to, disabling smoke detectors, inappropriate use of emergency exits, and discharging fire extinguishers is prohibited. Additionally, smoke detectors should not be covered, blocked, or have items hung from them. Students are expected to help prevent violations of of fire safety policies and should report any violations to the appropriate College official. Violations of the fire safety policies may result in a $500 fine, eviction from the Hall, suspension from the College, other disciplinary action, or a combination of these consequences.
• SPORTS EQUIPMENT.  Use of bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, Frisbees, balls and other projectile devices, toy and artificial guns, and other damaging and/or dangerous equipment is prohibited in the Hall.
• DAMAGE OR DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY. Destroying or vandalizing College property or the property of another person, including accidental damage or vandalism, is prohibited. The Student is financially responsible for the cost of replacement or repairs of any breakage or damage (except for normal wear and tear) to his/her accommodations and its furnishings as well as for his/her share of the costs of any damages in the common areas of the Hall.
• DISORDERLY CONDUCT. Conduct resulting from behavior that unreasonably effects others is prohibited.
• HARM OF SELF OR OTHERS. Inflicting verbal, mental, or physical harm upon any person (including one's self), engaging in any intentional or reckless action from which verbal, mental, or physical harm could result (including one's self), and/or causing a person to believe that the offender may cause verbal, mental, or physical harm is prohibited.
• ASSAULT.  Threatening, commiting, or aiding in the commission of an act which could cause or does cause bodily harm or discomfort to the person and another is prohibited.
• DEFAMATION.  Verbal or written communication which unlawfully exposes any individual or group to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, and thereby injures the person, property, or reputation on another, is prohibited.
• HARASSMENT.  Threatening or causing non-physical abuse or abusive behavior towards another person is prohibited.
• DISCRIMINATORY HARASSMENT.  Verbal or physical abuse of individuals because of their membership in a group is prohibited.
• SEXUAL HARASSMENT. The College prohibits sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined as any sexual advance, any request for sexual favors, or any verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or academic environment.
• NON-CONSENSUAL SEXUAL ACT. Any actual or threatened non-consensual sexual act is prohibited.
• PERSONAL TRASH/LITTERING.  Students shall dispose of all personal trash in proper receptacles located inside and outside the Hall. This includes the discarding of cigarette butts in designated smoking areas. Students who improperly discard trash outside of windows or otherwise improper areas of the Hall will be subject to disciplinary action.
• CANDLES, INCENSE AND RELATED ITEMS. Candles, incense, fireworks, or other incendiary devices are prohibited.
• ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES. Approved electrical appliances must be used only in their proper places. All electrical appliances must be plugged directly into a wall outlet or into a 15-amp protected power strip. Power strips must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Unprotected extension cords (zip-cords or those with no third prong) are considered to be a fire safety hazard and are prohibited. No "open-coiled" cooking appliances are allowed in Students' rooms (including, but not limited to, toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates, George Foreman-style grills, skillets, heating/immersion coils, electric frying pans, etc). Refrigerators, no larger than 20 inches by 20 inches by 24 inches, and microwaves are permitted. Space heaters, electric blankets, halogen lights, and any non-UL approved applicances are prohibited.
• ENTRANCE/EXIT.  Entry or exit by students is permitted only through the Hall's main doors. Students are not permitted on the Hall roof or balcony ledge.
• THROWING OBJECTS.  Throwing any objects or material out of windows, off of the Hall balcony, or in any way originating from the Hall at a person, persons, or vehicle is prohibited.
• NOISE. General quiet hours are to be observed from 10pm to 10am, Sunday through Thursday; and 12am to 10am, Friday and Saturday. Noise inside and outside of the Hall must be kept at a minimum level during such hours. During finals week, quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day. Courtesy quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Quiet hours may be expanded as deemed necessary by Hall staff.
• VANDALISM AND HALL DAMAGES. Vandalizing or damaging the Hall or its adjacent properties in any manner is prohibited. Students violating this policy are subject to fines, disciplinary action, eviction, or a combination thereof. Vandalism or damage done to Hall common areas will be charged to all students of the Hall or floor when the College is unable to determine the offender.

USE OF RESIDENCE AND GROUNDS

• GUESTS. Students are permitted to have guests. Entertaining guests is a privilege. Guests are permitted to stay for a maximum of two consecutive nights, but no more than four times in one academic term. All guests accommodated overnight are required to register with the Hall staff. In addition, overnight guests are not permitted in the Hall without advance permission of all Students of the room in which the guest will be staying. The College holds its Students directly and financially responsible for the behavior of their guests. If a guest becomes involved in any kind of objectionable incident the Student will be held responsible and subject to disciplinary action and the guest may be asked to leave the Hall and/or the College Campus. Guests are not allowed to loiter in the halls and must be accompanied by a Student at all times. Students are prohibited from hosting a former resident as a guest if the former resident has been evicted from the Hall or any other facility managed by the College.
• PARKING. Parking is provided for Students in the Hall who choose to bring a vehicle to the College. The parking lot for Students in the Hall is located adjacent to the Hall to the east. A parking permit is required. Additionally, parking permits are required for guests and are available through the Residence Life Office.
• SOLICITATION. Door-to-door solicitation is strictly prohibited. Commercial activity, solicitation, or advertising is not permitted on or around the Hall unless prior approval by the Director of Student Life has been obtained. The only exceptions are activities permitted under College policies and/or those sponsored by College staff.
• STORAGE. Storage space for surplus or seasonally used property is available. Students interested in utilizing such storage space need to make arrangements with the Residence Life Office. Once personal property is stored, any access to the storage space must be arranged with Housing staff. No article of any nature may be stored in stairwells, custodial closets, interior and exterior building passageways, roofs, or on the grounds, with the exception of bicycles stored at appropriate exterior racking systems.
• ENTRY, INSPECTION, CONFISCATION. College officials, including housing staff members, reserve the right, with probable cause, to gain entry to a Student's room to inspect for hazards to health or personal safety, or violations of College or Hall policies in an effort to uphold the basic responsibility of the College and the maintenance of an educational atmosphere. During the process of inspection, prohibited items, if discovered, will be confiscated and may be used as evidence in disciplinary cases. Except during such violations of College or Hall policies or emergencies, reasonable efforts shall be made to notify the Student in advance and to invite the Student to be present during the inspection. Permission is not required. College maintenance personnel may enter a Student's room to perform routine maintenance during normal working hours whether or not the resident is present. Advance notice is not required unless maintenance is expected to be substantially disruptive to the Student.
• MOVE-IN/MOVE-OUT. Student is required to check in at the beginning of occupancy and to check out personally at the end of occupancy. This process entails filing out the appropriate forms and picking up or returning keys. The Room Condition Form, obtained at check-in, will become the basis for an assessment of charges due to damage or loss. Failure to check out properly may result in a fee. Before moving out, a student is required to remove all refuse, discard all materials, remove all personal possessions, and leave the room or apartment clean. Charges for additional cleaning required, removal of personal property, or for any damage or loss of College property, normal wear and tear excepted, will be billed to the Student(s) occupying the room. An extra fee may be charged to students who arrive prior to the official opening date and leave past the official closing date. Students needing to arrive prior to established opening dates or stay later than established closing times must receive permission from the Residential Life Office and make arrangements in advance.
• ABANDONMENT. Students absent from the Hall for more than six consecutive days (not including official breaks) without informing the Hall staff may be considered to have abandoned their rooms. Personal belongings left in the Hall by such students will be stored for a maximum of 30 days; thereafter, Hall staff will dispose of abandoned belongings. Students shall reimburse the College for costs in removing, storing, and disposing of abandoned belongings.
• MISSING PERSONS. Each Student must designate a person who can be notified by the College if the Student is determined to be missing. This contact information is kept confidential. College notification and response protocol will apply if the Student is determined to be missing for more than 24 hours.
• UNCLAIMED ITEMS. Students vacating the Hall must remove all personal belongings. Hall staff will dispose of a student's personal belongings left in the Residence Hall seven (7) days after the student has officially vacated the Hall. Students shall reimburse the College for costs in removing, storing, and disposing of abandoned belongings.
• RESTRICTIONS ON USE OF ROOMS. In connection with the use of Student's room, the Student shall refrain from:
  • Any use that would be reasonably offensive to the College, other Students, or that would tend to create a nuisance or damage the reputation of the Hall.
  • Loading the floors beyond the point considered safe by a competent engineer or architect selected by the College.
  • Making any marks on or attaching any sign, insignia, antenna, or other device to the exterior or interior walls, windows, or roof of the Hall with any item causing permanent damage to the facility or space or that in any way would detract from the general use of the remainder of the Hall and the College's adjacent property without the prior written consent of the College.
  • Removing or storing Student room furnishings provided by the College and may not replace them with personal belongings.
• LOCKOUTS. Hall staff will assist students who are locked out of their rooms. However, sanctions or fines may result for students who abuse this service.
• CONDITION OF COMMON AREAS. Students are responsible for keeping all common and public areas of the Hall free of personal trash and belongings. These areas include, but are not limited to, hallways, bathrooms, stairwells, lounges, utility closets, and adjacent grounds.
• CLEANING, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE: COLLEGE RESPONSIBILITIES. The College will clean all public areas, bathrooms, and hallways; will remove all trash from public receptacles; and will provide appropriate recycling opportunities. The College shall make all structural or mechanical repairs required to keep the Hall in good order and repair. Upkeep for the common areas is the responsibility of the College.
• CLEANING, REPAIRS, AND MAINTENANCE: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES. Students are responsible for cleaning their assigned room. The Student shall maintain Student's assigned room in at least as good a condition as Student's room was in on the move-in date. The Student agrees to promptly pay upon demand any charge submitted by the College for repairs necessitated by the negligence or willful act of Student or Student's guest(s). All Students are required to sign a Room Condition Form upon move-in, acknowledging receipt of all assigned property, as well as participate in a room condition/inventory review at check-out. The Student agrees to notify the College promptly of all required repairs and consents to the entry of College maintenance personnel into Student's room as required to make repairs. The Student is not permitted to repair, paint, or remodel any Colleg property or public area. The Student shall be responsible for testing any smoke detector in Student's room every six months, in accordance with posted instructions, and shall notify a College official of any smoke detector malfunction. The Student accepts Student's room it in its condition as of the move-in date.
• LEAD BASED PAINT. Because the Hall was built prior to 1978, the potential exists that lead-based paint may have been used. The Student acknowledges this admission and holds the College harmless.
• CONTROL OF HALL. The College reserves the right to control Student rooms and public spaces in the Hall in the event of an epidemic.