Resident Handbook

Mission

The Housing and Residence Life Department’s mission is to providing students with a safe, comfortable and well-maintained living space in an academically and socially enriching environment.  We are engaged facilitators educating the residential student population to challenge and support students towards academic and personal growth and development.

Vision

Housing and Residence Life at Northeastern State University will provide comfortable and safe living environments where students are individually and collectively challenged and supported on the path to become mature, contributing citizens in a dynamic, diverse, and global society.

Values

Care – We value care as the foundation of how we approach our work and how we treat others, including residents, guests, fellow employees and campus partners. Included is the safety and security of our facilities and services.

Community - We value opportunities for impactful learning, growth, and innovation through active and intentional development of the community.

Inclusion - We all share the responsibility of being respectful and welcoming to everyone we encounter to support cross-cultural understanding and diversity for our student population.

Leadership: We value residents’ personal growth through leadership and seek to develop responsible leaders committed to the common good.

Learning: We value academic and personal success for all students. This value is exemplified through our emphasis on engagement and education outside the classroom and ensuring a dynamic residential setting where discovery, innovation, challenge and support, and respectful debate are foundations to the on-campus experience of the student.

Collaboration: We value the exchange of ideas and solutions through internal and external partnerships. This value is exemplified through the enhancement of the residential experience through training, community building, policy development, and integration of services.

The Office of Housing & Residence Life staff team consists of student paraprofessional staff and professionals who are here to assist residents, students and guests. Our team consists of the Director of Housing and Residence Life, Information Systems Manager, Area Coordinators, Administrative Secretary, Student Hall Directors, and Resident Assistants.

The office of Housing & Residence Life is open Monday-Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm for questions, concerns or assistance regarding resident applications, student accounts, room changes, etc. Any of the office staff members and the professional staff members of the Residence Life team may be reached by contacting the Housing Office at:

Office: 918-444-4700

Email: housing@nsuok.edu

Each residence hall has an office that is open Monday through Friday. The hours are posted at each office. A resident assistant or desk attendant will be available to assist residents or guests as needed. Each residence hall or area has a Resident Assistant on Duty that can be reached via the Mobile Duty phone when the office is not open. The residence hall offices and on duty staff may be reached at:  

Cobb Hall

Mobile Duty Phone: 918-207-5492

Wyly Hall

Mobile Duty Phone: 918-207-5492

Seminary Suites

Mobile Duty Phone: 918-457-0669

Courtside Apartments

Mobile Duty Phone: 918-207-2679

North Leoser Hall

Mobile Duty Phone: 918-207-2679

South Leoser

Mobile Duty Phone: 918-207-2679

The essence of the FERPA is to give a student the right to inspect his or her education records and to protect the privacy of these records. We have provided you general information about FERPA, NSU's FERPA policy, and answers to questions that are frequently asked by students, parents, faculty and staff. 

The online Consent to Release Student Records form is the preferred and easy way to submit your consent to disclose educational records maintained by Northeastern State University.

1. Go to go.nsuok.edu, login with your NSU username and password
2. Click on Students tab 
3. Look for section titled Requests and Forms 
4. Choose Consent to Release Student Records 
5. Complete all required information
6. Click Submit

The Americans with Disabilities Act was enacted in 1990 to protect the rights of persons with disabilities. Housing & Residence Life has several residential facilities that are ADA compliant to help students with disabilities. It is the student’s responsibility to request assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) through the Office of Student Affairs prior to enrollment or at the start of each new semester. Students must meet the federal requirements under the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) for a qualified disability, which defines a disability as the following: “A cognitive, physical, or emotional impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities such as working or learning.” Any student requesting accommodation must submit a written request to Housing & Residence Life and the Office of Student Affairs. Students must also be able to provide valid documentation from an appropriate expert, professional or agency that: 

1. States the disability and methods used to arrive at a diagnosis.
2. Describes the diagnostic criteria and/or instruments used.
3. And in the case of a learning disability ADD, or ADHD, is reasonably current and describes the current functional limitations.

The Dean of Students, or a designee administers the student conduct process, which includes investigating all complaints against university students, rendering appropriate decisions, and ensuring its proper implementation. The Student Conduct and Development area has the delegated authority from the Dean of Students or their designee for the overall execution of the Northeastern State University Student Conduct Code and the Regional University System of Oklahoma Board of Regents Judicial Process. The Dean of Students, or a designee, may also serve on the academic standards committee of the academic departments on campus and is available as a resource for questions related to policies and procedures affecting students and campus life.

Complaints may be filed by any member of the university community through Student Affairs, Public Safety or university administrators for non-academic matters, or from academic faculty or the dean’s for academic integrity matters.

For more information on the Northeastern State University Student Conduct Code or the Student Conduct and Development area, please contact the Coordinator of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Each residence hall has common areas available to residents. These areas may include TVs, pool tables, ping pong tables, foosball, or video gaming equipment. Furniture and other furnishings must not be removed from these locations. Removal of furniture is considered a Residence Life policy violation.

Each residence hall staffs a housing office as a resource for residents and visitors. Each office provides a variety of services from general assistance to equipment available for checkout. IDs are required when checking out any equipment from your hall's front desk. Residents should utilize the office if they have a question, concern or emergency.

All emergency procedures are designed to provide a snapshot of essential aspects of the NSU Emergency Operations Plan as a reference tool for the university community. The basic emergency procedures outlined in this handbook are to enhance the protection of lives and property through effective use of University and University community resources. Since an emergency may be sudden and without warning, these procedures are designed to be flexible in order to accommodate contingencies of various types. Awareness of your environment and taking precautions is necessary for your personal safety and the safety of your fellow residents. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the emergency and evacuation plans.

Here are some tips to make your room safe from fire:

• Do not overload your electrical circuits and turn off heat bearing appliances (e.g., irons, curling irons, etc.).
• Keep room exits clear including windows.
• The use of candles, incense, oil lamps, etc., is prohibited.
• Toaster/broiler ovens, bottled gas appliances, or flammable liquids are not allowed in residential facilities.
• Do not hang cloth from ceilings or over your lights.
• If you see defective equipment or someone tampering with equipment, notify your RA.

NSU takes every precaution to prevent fires in residential facilities. If you hear the alarm or see a fire, remain calm. Act fast, but do not panic. 

Your Resident Assistant (RA), Student Hall Director (SHD), and Area Coordinator (AC) will be helping to evacuate the building while UPD notifies the fire department. Report any missing person to your hall staff. Failure to evacuate will result in disciplinary action. Causing a false fire alarm will result in disciplinary action and assessment of any fines incurred by the University as a result of the false alarm.

1. Health and Safety: We expect that all members of the NSU Housing community—residents, staff and visitors—act in a manner that demonstrates respect and consideration for those around them, including the health and safety of all community members. All residential students are prohibited from creating a health or safety hazard within NSU Housing facilities.  The University may request or require a resident to leave campus housing if their continued presence in the housing community poses a health or safety risk for community members. Adherence to health and safety requirements applies to all residents, staff and visitors and extends to all aspects of residential life, including bedrooms, bathrooms, community kitchens, lounges,courtyards and other common spaces. 
2. Acknowledgement of Risk: Residents of NSU Housing facilities must understand the potential hazards that may be caused by communicable diseases on a college campus and within student housing. Residents will follow all directions from Northeastern State University to remain in compliance with orders or guidance from the Center for Disease Control, the State of Oklahoma, the City of Tahlequah, Cherokee County or other appropriate governmental authorities. In the event that a resident is showing signs or symptoms of a communicable disease or virus, the resident has an obligation to report their status to NSU Housing and Residence Life and must take such steps as may be required or recommended by governmental authorities to prevent the spread of the communicable disease or virus within the NSU community. 
3. Quarantine / Isolation / Separation: At any time, the University or Housing and Residence Life may request or require a resident to leave campus housing when that resident’s continued presence in the housing community poses a health or safety risk for community members. Residential students are required to comply with requests from Housing and Residence Life to leave their assigned space due to any other public health emergency.  Failure to do so is a violation of the Residence Hall Handbook and may subject a student to emergency removal from their assigned space. Not all NSU Housing residential rooms or halls are appropriate for self-quarantine or self-isolation.  In those situations, where a student is recommended to self-quarantine or self-isolate, students may not be permitted to continue residing in their residential space and will need to relocate to a safe off campus location (home, etc.). Removal from campus housing to isolate or quarantine does not constitute a termination of a residential student’s housing contract.
4. Cleaning: Facilities Management, in conjunction with Housing and Residence Life, will continue to implement and modify its cleaning protocols to address public health emergencies in the interest of minimizing the spread of disease. Housing and Residence Life staff will educate and inform residential students about appropriate cleaning protocols within their assigned spaces. 
5. Termination: Upon reasonable notice, Housing and Residence Life reserves the right to terminate housing contracts due to public health emergency needs, In the event Housing and Residence Life terminates housing contracts due to public health concerns, NSU will offer fair and reasonable reimbursements for impacted students as appropriate and based on information available at that time. 

When severe weather approaches, UPD monitors meteorologist reports, civil defense information and the local radio. UPD will contact residence hall staff if the determination is made that students need to begin to take cover. 

If you are in the residence halls and hear the tornado sirens or are asked by a residence hall staff member to begin taking cover, you need to make sure that you are wearing shoes, have your ID and keys with you, secure your room and move to the lowest area in your building. Residence hall staff members will direct you to the shelter area in your hall. There are several shelter areas on campus if you are between buildings. The University Center and Business and Technology both have basement shelters.

UPD will notify the campus community that severe weather has passed and that it is safe to leave the shelters by making an “all clear” announcement over the public address system. Please follow these guidelines and procedures if severe weather occurs. Obstruction of staff ability to perform duties will result in disciplinary action

Shelter in Place is the practice of evacuating students to a safe location within the residence hall or building in the event that a storm, tornado or other natural/man-made disaster presents a danger to students that prevents them from safely moving to a designated shelter. The Shelter in Place location should be identified within each building and should have the following characteristics:

• Be on the first floor or basement,
• Be free of windows and other glass structures,
• Have doors or other mechanisms for sealing or closing off the area and
• Be accessible to students with disabilities.

If hall staff ascertains that you are no longer living in your room, an attempt will be made to contact you. After 48 hours, your belongings will be packed and all non-perishable items will be placed in storage at your expense. You will be charged for the cost of packing and storing your belongings. If your belongings are not claimed within 15 days, they will be discarded or donated.

Priority for room assignments is based on the date that your housing application is received. Room requests cannot be guaranteed. An early contract is the best security for a specific space. All rooms are assigned as double occupancy with the exception of Seminary Suites. Requests for room changes are accepted at any time but are not fulfilled until space permits. You can find the Room Change Request form online at https://forms.gle/tDHNKoqaN5BAXWuy6 . 

Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to alter room assignments and/or special interest floors at any time. If the semester has begun, Housing will give five (5) days written notice. If you do not occupy your assigned room on or before the first day of classes, the space may be assigned to another student.

Recognized student groups and organizations may submit posters, flyers, and/or banners to the Housing office to be distributed and hung by residential life staff with approval from the Office of Student Engagement. Approval from Student Engagement is noted with a sticker that can be obtained in the Student Engagement office in the basement of the University Center. Posters placed in common spaces residential facilities cannot advertise alcohol, drugs or illicit material. Posters not submitted to the Housing Office are subject to removal and the responsible student or group may lose privileges to post material in the residence halls.

Housing & Residence Life contract include all breaks, with the exception of Winter Break. To stay on campus, at an additional charge during Winter Break, you must be enrolled for the following Spring semester in order to be eligible to stay on campus. 

To stay in the halls over a break, you must register online prior to the beginning of break. Residents who do not register to stay on campus for break will have their card access to their buildings shut off during days they are not going to be in the building over break and will be charged break fee and/ or may be subject to disciplinary action for violation of hall security. . Dining services are extremely limited and, on occasion, not available during breaks. Signs indicating available food services will be posted prior to each break. Break residents are to follow all regular hall policies and break policies. Break policies include:

1. For security reasons, no visitors are to enter any of residential facilities during break without prior authorization from a housing professional staff member.
2. Any student found staying in the halls without authorization will be charged accordingly and could face other disciplinary action.

Before checking in, please review the list of items that you should and should not bring with you: https://offices.nsuok.edu/housing/Students/WhatToBring.aspx 

When you arrive at your new residence hall, please stop at the front desk or housing office to begin the official check-in process. During Move In Day, your check in location may change. An RA will provide you with your keys and will provide you directions on how to complete the check in process.  Before moving your belongings, thoroughly inspect your room. List all existing damages on the room condition report, as well as any necessary maintenance. The listing of damages is very important, as you will be responsible for any damages found at the time of your check-out.

Any person may file a written complaint against any student for violations of Residence Life policies. Complaints should be submitted via the Housing and Residence Life website, under the “Resident Request Forms” tab. All complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after the event takes place or as soon as the complainant becomes aware of an incident, preferably within 48 hours.

Equipment is available for personal or public use and can be checked out at the area housing office. The equipment may vary from hall to hall. You must leave your ID at the front desk while using the equipment. All equipment must be returned before the desk closes. Any replacement costs of damaged equipment due to mishandling will be charged to the student. Failure to return equipment will result in replacement cost charges and/or other disciplinary action.

At the beginning of each semester and periodically throughout the semester, all residents are required to attend any mandatory floor meeting scheduled. At these meetings, important information will be shared to the residents such as policies, procedures, housing reapplication, etc. Students with schedule conflicts must contact their RA at least 24 hours in advance before missing the meeting. Not all absences are automatically excused from the meeting and make up meeting may be scheduled

Proper check out is defined as removing all possessions, cleaning the room, returning room and, and signing the information card. Failure to check out of your room properly will result a fine of $75 with an additional charge for a lock change if the keys are not returned within 48 hours of the check out.

If you are locked out of your room, floor or building, contact an RA or the Housing Office. You will need to show identification, and your residency will have to be verified. You must present staff with your keys once staff allow you into your assigned room. Your first lockout is free. Any additional lock out after your first will result in a charge of $10 per lockout. If you accumulate 5 or more documented lock-outs per semester, disciplinary action will follow.

Each residence hall has a main lounge area which can be used for hall activities or just visiting with family and friends. Most lounges are equipped with a television, study areas, lounge furniture and recreational equipment. All housing policies are in effect in lounge areas. Residents may reserve a hall lounge for meetings, social gatherings, or activities with approval by Housing office. Requests should be made through the following Request Form: https://forms.gle/NPK5SN7DjdLMBHJd8. Housing reserves the right to deny the use of the lounge to individuals who do not followed these guidelines.

Department of Facilities Management schedules and completes repairs as needed. Problems in your room or problems that you observe in public areas should be reported by completing a work order or calling the Housing office. In the event an emergency repair is needed when the Office of Housing & Residence Life is closed contact the RA on Duty. When repair needs are reported to the Office, a maintenance work order is submitted to the Facilities Management. While every attempt is made to respect residents’ privacy, by reporting a maintenance need in your space, residents are authorizing access by Facilities Management staff.

Students who are pregnant are afforded certain rights but are required to contact the Director of Housing and Residence Life for information on appropriate accommodations.

If you need to change rooms or halls, contact the Housing & Residence Life Office. Room change requests are accepted through the first 2 weeks of classes. Room changes will not be acted upon until space is available. After the first 2 weeks of classes, room change requests are not accepted unless an emergency arises. If available, you will be notified and given 48 hours to complete the move to your new room. After 48 hours, you will be charged rent for both rooms until you complete your move and turn in the keys from the old room. Any resident who demonstrates consistent inability to get along with their assigned roommate will be subject to disciplinary action and/or paying for a private room.

In order to reduce the number of rooms or suites that are not at full occupancy, assignments will be consolidated when vacancies occur. This may require a student to move from an originally assigned space. This policy will be in effect through the first 6 weeks of classes or as deemed necessary by Housing & Residence Life or Administration. The University reserves the right to consolidate residents onto different floors of a building, if it is in the best interest of building occupancy and safety considerations. The University will make a reasonable attempt to accommodate room requests for double occupancy, but reserves the right to assess additional fees for single room occupancy if you refuse to accept a new room or new roommate. Depending on the demand for space during each semester, you may be given an opportunity to switch to private occupancy if you are without a roommate. If you do not find a roommate on your own by the deadline given, you will be placed in a lottery to determine your new roommate(s) and who will be required to move. Housing & Residence Life does not require your permission to assign a roommate to you.

At check in, residents will need to complete their room condition report (RCR). RCRs allow residents to report any damages or issues upon check in. It is not mandatory that a resident complete their RCR but it is highly encouraged. Damages or issues found at checkout, not reported on the RCR may be charged to the resident(s) of the room, suite or apartment. To complete the RCR for your assigned you, log in to your housing portal from the housing webpage. Under “Other Items”, the room condition report is listed. Clicking on this link will take residents to a short information page then to the RCR reporting page. Residents may add their own notes or photos to the RCR. The due date or closing date for RCRs is one week after classes begin or 7 days after a room change.

NSU understands a student’s desire for privacy and takes reasonable steps to protect this privacy. It is, however, occasionally necessary for the University to exercise its contractual right to room entry. A preventative safety inspection for each resident’s room will take place at least once each month. Residents will, to the extent practicable under the circumstances, be given advance notice that Health and Safety Inspections will be conducted during the semester. The established procedures are designed to ensure reasonable, restrained use of the right of entry. Authorized university personnel may enter a student's residence hall room or suite without permission for the following reasons:

1. To provide routine maintenance
2. To provide routine inspections to ensure that residents are following health, fire, and safety regulations
3. To turn off an alarm, stereo, television, or other item that has been left unattended and is causing a disturbance
4. To respond to emergency situations; e.g., situations which threaten the health and/or safety of room occupants, and situations which require immediate maintenance to prevent property damage or immediate action to correct the health, fire and/or safety risk
5. When there is reason to believe that a violation of university policy is taking place in the room and occupants in the room do not open the door when requested to do so.

Authorization to enter a student's room under this policy does not constitute authorization to conduct a search of the room. Authorized university personnel indicated above include but are not limited to:

1. University Police.
2. Full-time members of the Housing and Residence Life staff, including maintenance and custodial personnel.
3. In non-emergency situations, prior authorization must be received from a full-time professional staff member in the Office of Housing & Residence Life.
4. Unless circumstances prohibit, two staff members should be present when using the master key to enter a student's room.

Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to place a hold on your NSU student account including but not limited to the following circumstances: 

• Outstanding balance 
• Abandoned room 
• Disciplinary action or incomplete sanctions
• Failure to provide documentation requested for determination of residence status

If you withdraw from the University, you must vacate your room within 48 hours of the official withdrawal. You must turn in your room keys and check out properly. Otherwise, room charges will continue until these requirements have been met. It is imperative that room keys be turned in before you leave. If you do not vacate your space within 48 hours after your withdraw, additional charges may apply.

Housing & Residence Life strives to keep you informed of all current residential life policies. Residents must also abide by the Student Conduct Code which is available on the NSU website at https://offices.nsuok.edu/Portals/17/documents/conduct/NSU_Student_Handbook_Revised0-05192021.pdf

Supplemental locks (chains, bolts, etc.) are not allowed on the doors in residential facilities since these devices can be a safety hazard if emergency entry or exit is needed.

The use, possession, manufacturing, distribution and/or being under the influence of alcoholic beverages except as expressly permitted by law and/or University policy is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, having alcohol or being under the influence of alcohol in the residence halls. Being under the influence includes, but is not limited to: acting noticeably out of character, impaired motor skills, or otherwise disorderly or belligerent conduct.

Possession of alcohol paraphernalia (including, but not limited to, empty alcohol containers or decorated alcohol containers) is not permitted in the residence halls.

Beds in Cobb, Wyly and most beds in Leoser can be lofted.  No bed is allowed to be lofted above its intended height. That means no homemade bed risers, stacking beds on other furniture, or any other means of raising the bed above it’s intended height. 

You can use plastic bed risers sold on Amazon or at Walmart but they can be no more than 8 inches.

Fire Code  requires an 18 inch clearance between anything and the ceiling. This ensures that in case of a fire our sprinklers work properly.

Bike racks are available near most halls. You are encouraged to keep your bike securely locked. Bicycles may be stored in bike racks or in your room (with the consent of your roommate). Bicycles parked in inappropriate areas will be removed and turned over to University Police. No motorcycles, mopeds, or devices with a gasoline engine are allowed in the residence halls. NSU is not responsible for lost or stolen property.

Cobb, Leoser, and Wyly, as well as the Suites Clubhouse are equipped with electronic card access. Residence hall access is limited to the students residing in that residence hall only. Do not loan your ID to anyone, as you are responsible for all activity on your ID card, and may result in disciplinary conduct.

Non-students under the age of 18 are not allowed in residence halls unless accompanied by a parent or guardian. Regardless of the reason, visits from young children are to be short, 1 hour or less, even when accompanied by a parent or guardian. Babysitting is not allowed in residence halls.

When checking in, the University agrees to provide, and the resident agrees to maintain, the assigned space and all public areas on the immediate floor, suite or quad in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. There must be a clear path across the room to the exits of the room, suite or apartment. Failure to maintain a reasonable level of cleanliness in your room and your person can result in cleaning charges, possible disciplinary conduct, and/or possible termination of your housing contract.

Residents of each room/suite/apartment are responsible for keeping the premises and its contents in good order and free from damage, both by themselves and their guests. Residents understand and agree that they are responsible for the replacement/repair costs of any damages that may occur to the room and/or its contents. The cost of damages within a room or suite will be divided among all students residing there unless it can be determined, specifically, who is responsible for the damages. Additionally, damages caused to public areas (i.e. kitchens, lounges, hallways, living rooms, commons building or bathrooms) will be assessed to all residents of that suite, floor, hall or building when the specific individual or group responsible cannot be identified.

Conduct that is disruptive, lewd or indecent, a breach of peace, or which aids, abets, or encourages another person to breach the peace on University premises or at functions sponsored by, or participated in by, the University or members of the University community.  May also include participating in or hosting parties or gatherings that disturb the peace and/or violate law and/or police.

It is assumed that students who attend NSU will exercise mature discretion in regard to their personal appearance and hygiene. In accordance with State Health code, students shall not be shirtless and/or barefoot in public areas such as the building lobbies, lounges, hallways or stairwells without purpose.

The use, consumption, possession, manufacturing, distribution and/or being under the influence of any controlled substances, except as expressly permitted by law and/or University policy, is prohibited. Possession of drug paraphernalia and the inappropriate use or abuse of prescription or over-the-counter medications is also prohibited.

Failure to comply with reasonable requests or directions of University officials or law enforcement officers acting in performance of their duties. 

Here are some examples of what Failure to Comply looks like:

• If an RA asks for your Campus ID or some identification and you say no. 
• If any Res Life Staff Member asks you to stop doing something that is against policy and you refuse. 
• Not attending Floor Meetings, Conduct Meetings, or any other required Housing Meeting.

The halls are equipped with a fire alarm system consisting of a control panel, alarmed fire exits, alarm pull stations, smoke detectors, heat detectors, and/or sprinkler pipes. Tampering with safety equipment (including AED stations) is a violation of State law. Hanging any item from a sprinkler head or pipe is also prohibited. Furniture, personal items, may not be within 18 inches of the ceiling, smoke detector or any other alarm equipment installed in the residence hall. Smoke detectors will be inspected periodically by residence life staff. Removal of the unit batteries or the unit itself or tampering with the detector in any way will result in disciplinary action. Use of fire escapes, except under emergency conditions, is prohibited.

In compliance with state fire laws and for your own safety, fire drills will be conducted each semester in each residence hall. You will be given instructions on fire safety before drills are performed at your first floor meeting. It is mandatory that all residents participate in a fire drill. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action. Please refer to the Emergency Procedures section for information on evacuation locations.

When using appliances in the residence halls, please follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions. Be sure to unplug appliances when you are not using them. Do not overload circuits or extension cords. 

The following items are prohibited because of a potential risk of fire and life-threatening injury to others:

For a list of approved and prohibited items please go to the following link: https://offices.nsuok.edu/housing/Students/WhatToBring.aspx 

Fire Hazards- No materials, liquid or otherwise, of an explosive or combustible nature shall be kept in the residence halls. Candles, Wax Warmers, Oil Lamps, Oil Warmers, Incense, Gas/Fuel or other substances are not permitted in residence halls. Fireworks/firecrackers are not permitted on campus in any form. Halogen, Neon, and Lava lamps are not permitted in the halls. Only artificial, flame-retardant Christmas trees are permitted. Electric Christmas lights must be UL-approved.

Ground Regulations- In accordance with fire safety regulations, stairwells, and hallways must be kept free of furniture, bicycles, trash cans, debris or other obstructions at all times. Keep breezeways and entries uncluttered at all times. Do not store personal property in the breezeways or entries at any time. The path of egress must be kept clear at all times. Do not place cords or wires under rugs. Do not hang items from the sprinkler pipes, heads or smoke detectors in your room.

Leftover food should be disposed of in the trash cans or dumpsters where provided. Disposal of food items in sinks or toilets is not permitted as it may cause clogged plumbing, flooding or facility damage. Any items left in the bathrooms or sink areas are subject to removal. Dirty dishes will be disposed of in the trash if left in public areas. Students who fail to uphold the cleanliness standards of community living will be subject to disciplinary action. All student rooms are subject to random and scheduled Health and Safety inspections.

At the beginning of every semester each RA will host a Floor Meeting to go over the policies and get to know the floor. Every resident is required to attend these Floor Meetings. If you cannot attend the meeting during the scheduled time then you need to talk to your RA so they can go over the material with you by the end of the first week of school.

Housing and Residence Life also reserves the right to schedule meetings with residents throughout the semester that residents on that floor or building are required to attend. We will give you at least 48 hours notice of the meeting. If you cannot attend the meeting during the scheduled time then you need to talk to your RA so they can go over the material within a week of the scheduled meeting.

While additional pieces of furniture may be brought into residence halls as space allows, university-owned furniture may not be removed from the room, lounge, or suite for any reason. If the furniture is lost, you will be charged the cost of replacement. If you are found responsible for removing university-owned furniture and it cannot be recovered, you will be charged for the cost of replacement. Community furniture must remain in the community area and should never be in residents’ rooms. Residents found with community furniture in their room will have disciplinary action taken.

A guest is defined as a person who does not live in the residence hall room, quad, wing, suite, or residence hall they are visiting. This includes other students, residents, friends, parents, siblings, or other relatives of the residents of that room. Violating a roommate’s or suitemate’s right of entry into the room, or hindering a roommate’s/suitemate’s ability to study and/or sleep in their room, or feel safe in their room due to a guest is considered a violation of guest privileges. 

Host Responsibility- Hosts are responsible for the activities and behaviors of their guest(s) at all times and are obligated to inform the guest(s) of all University and residence hall rules and regulations. Any violation of any rule or regulation by a guest may result in disciplinary action being taken against both the host and guest. Visitors under the age of 18 will only be allowed under limited circumstances (see the Children and Babysitting clause). Each resident is allowed up to two (2) guests at a time in their assigned room, up to the room’s capacity.  Room capacity in Leoser and Wyly is limited to 4 people, and 6 to a suite in Cobb or Seminary Suites.  

Escorting Guests- For safety and security purposes, guests in a residence hall must be escorted at all times by a resident of the building (host). Residents must escort all guests into and out of the building and to an appropriate restroom when necessary. Residents must remain with all guests at all times. Guests left unattended or found to be unescorted may be documented and escorted out of the building. Residents should never agree to escort a person they do not know personally. This includes opening the door to allow unknown visitors to enter a residence hall.

Overnight Guests/Cohabitation- Arrangement for all non-resident overnight guests must be approved by the roommate / suitemates. Cohabitation is defined when a person who is not assigned to a particular residence hall room or suite but uses that room or suite as if they were living there. Cohabitation is not permitted. You are limited to nine (9) guest nights per contract period (semester). Guests are limited to no longer than a three-day stay. Guests may not “room hop” throughout the semester. If you allow an unregistered person to occupy your room disciplinary action will be taken. Any guest found staying in a resident’s room for longer than the designated time may be banned from visiting that hall and the resident may lose guest privileges. Anyone found to be squatting (living in a housing space without paying or being registered for classes at NSU)  will face disciplinary and/or legal action.

Residents are encouraged to familiarize themselves in their new surroundings. Here are a few rules to keep yourself and your fellow residents safe:

• Never prop open or unlock a room, hall, suite or quad doors. This is a violation of hall security and can result in disciplinary actions. Any door found open or unlocked, will be locked and closed by a staff member. The responsible residents will receive one warning about leaving the door open or unlocked. Any door found open or unlocked after that will result in the $10 lockout fee each time. If you accumulate 5 or more documented opened doors per semester, disciplinary action will follow. 
• All residents are required to keep their room/suite doors locked at all times. Not doing so is a violation of hall security and can result in disciplinary actions. 
• Carry your keys at all times.
• Do not give anyone your room key. 
• Do not mark your key with your hall and room number. 
• Keep your doors and windows locked, especially if you are living on the first floor of a building.
• Never leave your belongings unattended in public areas or the laundry area.
• Keep money, ID card and other valuables concealed.

When vacating the room at the end of the academic year, each resident is required to properly check out of their residence hall using the following procedures. Sign up for a check-out time with your RA at least 24 hours in advance. During end-of-the-year finals, the RAs will post time periods when they are available for check-outs. The room is to be returned to its original condition. Cleaning is to include vacuuming carpet, sweeping floors, dusting furniture, disposing of all trash, and wiping down showers, sinks, and toilets. A cleaning fee may be assessed for rooms that have not been cleaned or returned to their original condition. Bathrooms, foyers and living rooms that are not cleaned will result in a cleaning fee that will be assessed to each person living in the suite, regardless of who was the first or last to vacate. At your checkout, you will be required to return all keys, or items checked out to you, and an RA will conduct a final room inspection of your space. Detailed procedures will be posted at each hall during checkout times. Failure to check out of your properly and on time may result in $75 improper checkout fee.

You will be issued keys when you check into your residence hall. Residents in some areas may be issued a second key which will open the floor door. Do not loan out your keys to anyone. Do not duplicate your keys for any reason. If your keys are lost or stolen, A temporary key may be issued to a resident for a period of seventy-two (72) hours. If the temporary key is not returned by the end of this period, the door locks may be changed automatically and charged to the resident. For stolen keys, a report from appropriate law enforcement is required to avoid the charge. Tampering with or destroying these locks may result in disciplinary action.

Laser sights and laser pointers are prohibited in or around residence halls.

Residents are responsible for maintaining a clean and working laundry facility. Use by non-residents is strictly prohibited. NSU is not responsible for lost, stolen, damaged, or otherwise unattended items. Laundry left after 15 minutes will be removed by staff. Washer items will be moved to an empty dryer and dryer items will be moved to the lost and found box. The public lost and found boxes in the building’s laundry room are emptied on the first and third Monday of each month.

Loitering is not permitted around entrances and other public areas, including the front desk area, or under residence hall windows. Loitering is not permitted in the event of an emergency or incident involving law enforcement. All loiters will be asked and required to leave the immediate area.

Public restrooms, laundry room machines, swimming pool & volleyball court in Seminary Suites must be used in the fashion for which it was intended and residents are expected to follow the rules for these facilities. Removal of university property from designated areas is not permitted.

No outside mattress can be used in the Residence Halls.  Residents are allowed to buy mattress toppers and pads. This is due to Fire Safety issues and Bed Bug prevention. This excludes Courtside Apartments which is unfurnished.

The University and Housing follow Federal Law and Regulations, so even with a Medical Marijuana Card, you cannot possess, grow, or consume marijuana on University Property which includes all residence halls. 

If you are found with marijuana, even with a Medical Marijuana Card, you will be subject to disciplinary actions from the University and Housing and Residence Life.  Campus Police will be involved in all instances to verify the Medical Marijuana Card and that you are in compliance with State Law.

An offensive odor is any odor or aroma of such intensity that it becomes apparent and is offensive to others. Some examples are: perfume, air freshening spray, poor hygiene, smoke, large amounts of dirty laundry, or decomposing trash or food products. Similar to the cleanliness policy, you are responsible for keeping your room in a clean and sanitary condition after you move in, and free of offensive odors.

Passive participation includes, but is not limited to, the following: complicity in the violation of a policy such as when a student is present for or aware of a violation of policy but takes no action to confront, prevent, or report the violation to a university official or a failure to intervene as a bystander to an incident involving a violation of University policies.

Housing & Residence Life works with Facilities Management to provide pest control services. Pest control treatments are done periodically throughout each semester, usually 8-10 weeks apart. These treatments are mandatory and cannot be refused by residents. Students who believe they may have a pest issue, of any kind, should report immediately to Residence Life staff, so treatments can begin and the impact to others may be reduced.

With the exception of fish, no pets are permitted in residence halls.   Aquariums may not exceed 10 gallons. Anyone found with a pet that is not a fish can face disciplinary action which may include charges for any damages caused by the pet. The animal may also be confiscated and turned over to animal control or the animal shelter. For Service Animals or ESA regulations, please visit the Housing website or contact the HawkReach Counseling Services.

Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. daily and apply to all residence life public areas and rooms, including indoor and outdoor public areas outside of residence facilities. During quiet hours, noise should not be heard outside of your room. Hours are extended to 24 hours a day during finals week. The residence halls have courtesy hours 24 hours a day. Noise should be kept at a level that does not infringe on the rights of others to sleep or study in their room.

Before vacation periods or monthly throughout the semester, health and safety checks are conducted to ensure that the residents’ space apartment is in a safe condition. In most cases, notice is posted at least twenty-four (24) hours in advance. Policy violations noticed in plain view of rooms, apartments, and/or common areas will be documented. 

The smoke detector will be inspected to ensure it is in working order. The room will also be checked for general cleanliness. In preparation for health and safety checks, residents should clean their entire room/apartment, including common areas and bathrooms, and take out their trash. If the room/apartment is deemed unsanitary, the resident will have 24 hours to 3 days, depending on the issue, to remedy the situation; a staff member will follow-up with the resident(s). If the room/apartment has not been cleaned during the allowed three (3) days, then the responsible resident(s) may face disciplinary action and/or a fine.

We encourage you to make your room as comfortable as possible and to decorate it so that it reflects your personality while keeping your roommate’s taste in mind. To avoid damages to the room and/or furniture, there are guidelines to be followed when personalizing a room. Any damage, even minor paint damage, will be charged to the resident for repair. Detailed guidelines are available on the Housing website but here are some basic guidelines to follow:

• Cobb and Seminary Suites residents may use pushpins in their room. No more than 8 pins per resident may be used. Ex: 2 poster requires 4 pins each, no more items may be hung.
• All other residence halls may use painters tape, wall putty or 3M hanging strips to hang items. 
• Nails and screws are not allowed for hanging items in any of the residence halls. 
• Because of the extreme weight and the potential for water damage, waterbeds are not allowed in residential facilities.
• You must use existing furniture; you may not remove University provided lounge furniture in your room; however you can bring in personally owned furniture such as a coffee table, small entertainment center, etc.
• Do not place furniture in the room that will block an exit or create an egress issue.
• Safety policies do not allow residents to hang flags, nets, banners, etc. from the ceiling. 
• Due to the difficulty in removal, wallpaper and contact paper are not allowed.
• Do not use duct tape on the walls or furniture.
• Painting your room is not permitted. If your room is in need of painting, please submit a work order. Students who paint their rooms without authorization will be charged for the cost of restoring the room to its original color.

Running, roughhousing, scuffling, wrestling, spitting, and throwing, bouncing, or kicking of objects in the residence halls, stairwells, and other common areas are not allowed for safety reasons. Such behavior is not allowed or tolerated.

Door-to-door solicitation is not permitted in the halls, public areas within the halls or areas immediately outside the halls. Student Organizations wishing to hang flyers must get them approved with the Office of Student Engagement on the ground level of the University Center and submit them to the Housing Office to be posted.

Metal tipped darts and dart boards and exercise equipment, and other items typically used in a fitness setting are not allowed in the halls because of the damage they can potentially cause. Weighs under 25lbs may be used and/or stored in your room. No more than 50 lbs is allowed in a room. Use of other items such as jump ropes, kiddie pools, bikes, rollerblades, skateboards, go karts and/or scooters are not permitted in residence halls.

Students must carry their NSU identification card with them at all times. Anytime University staff member asks to see a student’s I.D. card, they must show it. Failure to do so is a policy violation and may result in disciplinary action.

Northeastern State University is designated as a tobacco-free environment. Smoking and the use of all tobacco products are prohibited. Tobacco "use" is prohibited in personal vehicles and all vehicles owned, leased, or under the control of Northeastern State University, the State of Oklahoma and all its agencies and instrumentalities including those that provide public transportation. Possession of tobacco products does not constitute "use". Tobacco use includes, but is not limited to, the carrying by a person of a lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted smoking device or the use of smokeless tobacco including snuff, chewing tobacco, smokeless pouches, or any other form of loose-leaf, smokeless tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery devices. Littering the campus with the remains of tobacco products or other disposable products is prohibited.

Residents must take trash to the nearest dumpster located around the exterior of each building. Trash should not to be left in hallways, stairwells, common areas, or bathrooms of any residence hall. Leaving trash on landings and stairwells of Seminary Suites is prohibited to avoid animal control problems. Items such as, but not limited to, cardboard, furniture, and other unwanted items, especially those contained in boxes or bags, are considered trash. 

Trashing includes but is not limited to: 

• Throwing anything out of a window. 
• Leaving trash anywhere in or outside residence hall (except in a trash receptacle).
• Sweeping out a room and leaving the debris in the hallway. 
• Water and shaving cream fights/throwing of water balloons. 
• Leaving personal items or trash in restrooms and lounges. 
• Inhibiting custodial staff from cleaning the public areas.

Changing rooms with another resident without going through proper channels of requesting a room change through our Room Change Request form, moving into another room without authorization or subletting a room to a non-resident can result in disciplinary action and additional room charges. If the unauthorized move occurs, you will be required to move back to the original room assignment. To request a room change, please fill out the following form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4JJUbLQ6Vxo7yIcdvyUBzEMpp8_V2o3VllFb8f0-Z5dAdBg/viewform?usp=sf_link 

Throughout the year, room changes are made. While we try to let the current resident of the room or suite aware before someone new moves in, that is not always possible. For that reason, if you have a double room, you need to keep everything to one side of the room. If you are assigned to a specific suite or bedroom, you need to keep everything in that specific room, so another student can move into the empty space if necessary.

The possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, weapons or imitation of weapons including but not limited to bows, knives, or guns by faculty, staff or students is prohibited on campus. Small kitchen cutlery or blades 3 inches or smaller are allowed.

Window A/C units or water coolers may not be installed in any room. Violation of this policy can result in disciplinary action including removal of the appliance. 

Any residential student potentially involved in any residence life or student code of conduct violation, will be subject to the disciplinary procedures outlines in the current NSU Code of Student Conduct, Article III.

It is the policy of NSU that university officials, agents, or employees are permitted to enter a student’s room and/or to search the room and personal possessions of a student and/or to use the results of such a search as evidence in any proceedings against the student if one of the following applies:

• A valid search warrant is obtained by a law enforcement officer.
• There is probable cause and/or reasonable grounds for university officials to believe that the room in question contains evidence of the commission of a crime. Residence life staff is authorized to enter a room to inspect for violation of university rules or policies, but they must have reasonable grounds to do so.
• There is reason to believe that the resident is in danger and needs assistance.
• Entry for visual inspection of rooms for fire, health, safety and security standards or general maintenance and inventory may be permitted by the Director of Housing and Residence Life or their designee as deemed necessary.

As a student at NSU, you have both rights and responsibilities. A student’s most essential right is the right to learn. The University has a responsibility to provide for that right, and you have a responsibility to respect the rights of others. Housing policies are developed with this premise in mind. When a resident is documented for a residence life violation, they will go through the student conduct process where your rights and responsibilities will be conveyed. For many potential violations, there are one of three methods by which to hear the case:

• Letter of clarification: clarification of policy
• Administrative Hearing: to be heard by a Residence Life staff member
• Referral to Student Conduct and Development

Disciplinary sanctions used by Housing & Residence Life include, but are not limited to, warnings, residence life probation, restitution, incidental charges, community service, visitation restrictions and other privilege restrictions, referral to the Dean of Student Affairs, referral to Department of Public Safety and delayed or immediate removal from the halls. The sanctions may be used in conjunction with each other. They are listed in no particular order and no warning is required before any sanction.

Administrative Room Change- The respondent is reassigned to a new room and/or residence hall and the student’s privilege of choosing their room is revoked. The student is then banned from the building/room from which they were removed. Notification of the new room assignment will be made in writing and the respondent granted at least 48 hours to complete the move.

Behavioral Contracts- As a condition of continued residency, students may be required to sign and abide by a contract outlining specific behavioral expectations for that student.

Restitution/Incidental charge- A resident may be instructed to make payment for financial injury to an innocent party in cases involving theft, destruction of the property or deception. The assessed costs to be paid may be in addition to any other sanctions.

Community Service - A student may be required to complete a specific number of hours of community service in addition to other sanctions. The type of community service must be approved by the Director of Housing. The resident may also be required to perform community service specified in a specific project, service, or presentation.

Reflection/Research Paper-Residents may be required to complete a paper in reflection of the policy violation.

Removal from Residence Life/Facilities- The University reserves the right to terminate a contract upon reasonable notice and with good cause. The student must vacate his/her room and is ineligible to live on campus for a specified time period. Upon eviction, residents lose all on-campus housing rights previously granted. Notification will be made in writing and the respondent will normally be granted at least 72 hours to complete the move. Should the respondent’s continued presence in the halls pose a substantial threat to the hall community, the student may be required to vacate immediately.

Residence Halls Review and Probation- Residence Hall review and/or probation is a specified period of observation and review. The student may continue to reside on campus but is notified in writing that his/her behavior was unacceptable. In addition, Residence Hall Probation means a student is ineligible to hold an elected or appointed office in any affiliated residence hall organization. Future violations of the University or residence hall policies could likely result in eviction from housing.

Hearings are heard by the Director of Housing and Residence Life. Grounds for appeal include:

• New evidence that was not available at the time of the hearing
• Sanctions were excessive for the violation
• Right to due process was violated

Please note that all appeal decisions are final.