Residential Life FAQ

The Office of Residential Life and Housing staff members have a shared responsibility with students to insure that residence halls/university apartments are positive environments that support studying and sleeping. Contributing to unreasonable noise in the residence halls is not permitted. Noise should not be audible outside the door, floor or ceiling of a room. Within a room, study or quiet time takes priority. For this reason, the University quiet hours are in effect for all residence hall floors and University Apartments from:
• 10:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. the following morning, Sunday through Thursday and
• Midnight to 10:00 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and holidays.

During quiet hours, it is a reasonable expectation that residents should be able to study or sleep in their rooms, uninterrupted by extraneous noises. To ensure that an academically supportive environment exists, the following guidelines will be in effect:
• The noise level resulting from stereos, radios, television, talking, etc., in any area (rooms, bathrooms, etc.) should not be heard one door away from where it is originating. Also, no stereo should be able to be heard outside any residence hall. When using stereos, headphones are encouraged.
• Floor lounges are to be used for quiet activities (cards, television watching, games, programs, cooking, eating, etc.) plus any program approved by residence hall staff. Obviously, in open lounges, students and staff need to be even more aware of how their noise is affecting others.
• Conversation in the hallway must be held in a lowered voice.
• The primary responsibility for enforcement of quiet hours shall rest with individuals who are bothered by the noise.
• Residence hall staff will intervene to support quiet hours in those situations when they personally know of noise or when a resident has been unable to accomplish a successful intervention.
• Quiet hours will be in effect 24 hours a day during finals week. Generally quiet hours will begin at midnight on the Friday evening of the weekend before finals (if finals begin on a Monday).
• Drums and musical instruments should be played in music practice rooms, not in the residence hall rooms.
Residents who interfere with the rights of others to sleep and study during final exam week may be relocated or removed depending on their exam status.

Courtesy hours are in effect 24/7. This simply means that residents need to respect each other and noise should be kept within a reasonable volume. If a resident that lives two doors down can hear you, you are most likely being too loud.

Students are allowed to have guests, both during the day and overnight, so long as all fellow roommates approve of the guest staying. Guests must be escorted at all times by the host resident, and the host will be responsible for the behavior of the guest. If guests are causing issues in the community, Residential Life staff members have the right to ask your guest to leave. Each residents is limited to two guests with them upstairs in their residence hall floor/room at any one time. Residents wanting to meet with a larger group are encouraged to use the building common area (Lobby, Class Rooms, and Meeting Rooms) to socialize or study. Overnight visitation has these additional regulations:

• Overnight guests will be permitted to stay for a maximum of three consecutive nights in a given hall. This is not to exceed ten days a semester and must be accompanied by a roommate’s prior consent.
• Guests may be required to leave at the discretion of the Area Coordinator or other Residential Life staff members.

Residents/tenants may not keep or harbor dogs, cats, or other animals. Only fish, in tanks 10 gallons or less, are allowed. Contact the Office of Residential Life and Housing for questions regarding service animals and any questions concerning pets.

The regulation on the use of alcoholic beverages in the residence halls/apartments are consistent with university policies and Indiana state law which prohibits the purchase, use or possession of an alcoholic beverage by individuals who are not at least 21 years of age. In all University housing, with the exception of approved apartments in 500 Wabash and the University Apartments, alcohol is not permitted to be possessed and/or consumed, regardless of age. These regulations apply to all students who reside in University housing as well as students’ guest(s). It should be noted that the presence of empty alcoholic beverage containers leads to a rebuttable presumption that the student(s) found in possession of such containers possessed and/or consumed the original container’s contents. If empty alcoholic beverages containers are found in the student’s residence it will be in violation of these regulations; the student will be asked to remove these containers and may be referred through the student conduct process. It is unlawful to sell, furnish, and give alcoholic beverages or to permit alcoholic beverages to be sold, furnished or given to anyone under the age of 21. Residents will be held responsible for activities that occur in their room/apartment and will be referred to the Office of Residential Life, Student Conduct and Integrity and/or University Police if guests are violating the on-campus alcohol policies listed above. (See Alcohol Policy in the Housing and Dining Regulations)

If you notice any suspicious activity, notify your RA. If your RA isn’t available contact the RA on duty by going down to, or calling the front desk of your building.

Students qualify for “family housing” under the following conditions:

1. Student has a dependent child living with them.
2. Student has a spouse living with them.

For further information regarding the family policy, please contact the UA Office at 812-237-2443.

Only fish in 10 gallon tanks are allowed. Tenants may not keep or harbor any dogs, cats, or other caged animals. Check with the UA Office if you have questions concerning pets.

The University has taken many precautions to limit the danger of fire in the residence halls, but the main responsibility falls to the residents. Below are policies students need to follow:

1. Any appliance that may create a fire or safety hazard should not be used in student rooms or in any area of the suites in Lincoln Quad. Gas appliances of any kind, grills and space heater are prohibited. The use of: hot plates, electric skillets, toasters, irons or any appliance with an exposed heating element or heating surface are prohibited in student rooms or suites. These appliances may be used in the floor lounge areas only.
2. Highly flammable products must not be brought into the hall. The use of kerosene, gasoline, naphtha, benzene, and propane are prohibited.
3. To prevent the rapid spread of room fires on the floors, residents should not remove ceiling tiles (suspended or interlocked) at any time.
4. Lighted candles, oil lamps, fireworks, sparklers, and smoke bombs may not be used anywhere in the residence halls.
5. All lighting needs to be UL approved for the student's safety and the safety of others. Halogen lamps are not allowed in student rooms.
6. Do not overload electrical circuits. Care should be taken in the use of all electrical cords and the overloading of sockets. All electrical cords should be UL approved. Extension cords should not run under rugs or closed doors.
7. Fire doors are to be kept closed. These doors prevent fire, smoke and fumes from spreading through the building in the event of fire thus keeping some routes clear for a safe exit. Glass inserts in the fire doors may not be covered with paper, cellophane or paint.
8. Make sure access to doors and window are clear. Furniture must be arranged to permit full opening of doors and windows. Lofts must not be located in front of windows.
9. Bicycles should not be chained to stairways or left on landing. Personal belongings should not be left in corridors, stairwells, or other common areas.
10. Anyone who tampers with the firefighting equipment, fire alarms, guard rails, exit lights, or any other equipment on the campus in such a way as to endanger his/her own safety or the safety of others, subjects himself/herself to disciplinary actions up to and including suspension which may be taken in addition to civil action.

Each residence hall has a central fire alarm system. This system calls the fire department, ISU Public Safety and sounds an alarm in the building. Smoke detectors are located in public areas, hallways, and individual student rooms. In addition, there are fire alarm boxes and fire extinguishers on every floor. When an alarm sounds staff members will take all necessary steps to assist in the prompt evacuation of a building. Students are required and expected to leave when an alarm sounds. Conduct action will be initiated with all students who fail to obey alarms. Staff members cannot be expected to unlock every door to alert residents. In the case of fire, the residence hall staff's primary responsibility is to make sure that the building evacuated and that the residents stay away from the building until it is safe to re-enter. Fire and police personnel will be advised of any areas or occupants whose safety or accountability is in doubt.

Preparedness: Be completely familiar with fire drill procedures and follow them implicitly. Emergency placards are located on the back of each residence hall room. Know your fire exits and some convenient alternatives including all dining room exits. Know the location of the nearest fire alarm box and fire extinguisher. Fire drills are conducted each semester in the residence halls.

In Case of Fire: Pull an alarm. Notify the receptionists of the fire location in the quickest way possible. Close your room door. Immediately evacuate the building and follow fire drill procedures.

All fires, no matter how small, should be reported to residence hall staff immediately. Any resident responsible for causing a fire in University Housing may be charged for the cost of repairs or replacements.

When Alarm Sounds: React to every alarm as if there is a fire. Keep calm and follow full emergency procedures and/or instructions. Put on a long coat, sturdy shoes, and carry a towel. Open draperies, close windows and closet doors. Turn off electrical equipment except overhead light. Take your room keys, student ID, lock your door and proceed to nearest assigned fire exit. Do not use elevators. Walk rapidly, but do not run.

Remain outside the building until the signal is given to return. Individuals with mobility impairment should call 911 and notify Public Safety as to his/her location.

The emergency alarm, a wailing siren, is sounded throughout campus in the case a tornado being sighted in the area. Some Residence halls have an alarm system that will announce the warning along with the siren sounding. The emergency alarm is usually tested the first Tuesday of every month at 11:00 a.m.

When the alarm sounds students should get as fully dressed as time allows, take your room key, Student ID and flashlight, close your window, exit the room, and close and lock the door. Remain on your floor, sit quietly on the corridor floor next to a concrete wall and wait for instructions. Do not panic and follow the guidelines and instructions of staff members.

University Apartment residents should close your windows, take a flashlight and battery operated radio, go into your bathroom, and close the door. Remain there until the storm has past

Yes, we recommend that you rent a loft from www.bedloft.com Renting a loft from them will not only make more space in your room, but will also benefit RHA (ISU Residence Hall Association).