Residence Hall Standards For Student Conduct 

Click here for a list of standard disciplinary sanctions for violations of these standards

Since you will be living with many other students, it is important that you consider others and think about how your behavior, attitudes, and choices affect other members of the community. You are expected to:

• Follow all policies and procedures as communicated by Residence Hall Staff.
• Communicate and work with your roommate(s) to develop and maintain an environment that is mutually satisfying and supportive of your academic and personal needs.
• Follows all guidelines and expectations for conduct as outlined below and in the student handbook.
• Be an engaged member of your hall and floor community by participating in programs and fulfilling the expectations set out by your community.
• Be respectful of your fellow residents and take responsibility for your actions.

Bigotry and hate will not be tolerated in our community. Our community will pursue to the fullest extent of University policy and state, federal, and local laws behavior that threatens, intimidates, or harms any member of our community. We will not accept ignorance, anger, or substance abuse as an excuse or reason for such behavior.

Alcohol Use
Only those students 21 years and older may possess and consume wine and/or beer, and then only in the privacy of a 21-year old or older student's room if all those present in the room are also at least 21 years of age. Distilled spirits are prohibited.  Alcoholic beverages may be consumed only in individual rooms while the room door is closed and may not be consumed in hallways, stairways, elevators, lounges, or any other public area of the residence hall. Individuals should make their guests aware of all aspects of the alcohol policy.  Students under legal drinking age, whether personally consuming or not, in rooms where alcohol is being consumed will be subject to disciplinary action.  Empty alcohol containers are NOT permitted for decorative purposes in any student rooms or public areas. Alcohol in open containers is not permitted in any outside area adjacent to the residence halls

Ceiling Decorations

Due to fire codes and safety, nothing may be hung from the ceiling or light fixtures.

Decorating Guidelines for Rooms

We encourage you to use your creativity to make your room more like home. Should you choose to paint your room a different color or paint a mural in the building, you must contact the Office of Residence Life for approval. While you may decorate the inside of your room to suit your tastes, the outside of your door and window are considered available to public view. The University will not allow the posting of items which are deemed to be racist, sexist, indecent, scandalous, illegal, inciting, or in any way oppressive in nature. These items will be removed, and disciplinary action will be taken.

Draperies and Window Coverings

Due to fire codes and regulations, only University-provided window treatments are to be used. You may not decorate your room with your own personal draperies.

Dismissal
Students who have been dismissed or have withdrawn from the University must vacate their rooms within 24 hours from the time of official dismissal or withdrawal. Personal items remaining after that time will become property of the University.  

Drug Policy

Millikin University prohibits the possession, use, or distribution of illegal drugs on the campus property or on institutionally owned, leased, affiliated or otherwise controlled property.  Millikin University permits the use of alcohol, but only insofar as such use is permitted by, and in accordance with, the University's Alcohol Policy and state and federal law. Students found in violation of the above policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from housing and/or the University. Patterns of suspicious behavior that lead University officials to believe violation(s) of the University Drug Policy have taken place will also result in disciplinary action and may compound student disciplinary action. Students should be reminded that smoking of any kind is expressly prohibited in campus facilities.

Electrical Appliances

Due to potential fire hazards and power failures caused by overloaded electrical circuits, electrical appliance usage must be limited. The following appliances may only be used if they have an automatic shut off: irons and coffeemakers.  Room-size refrigerators can be no larger than 3 cubic feet and use no more than 1.5 amps when running.  Microwaves are NOT permitted unless they are part of a micro fridge unit rented through the Office of Residence Life.  Space heaters, sun lamps, halogen lamps, lava lamps, electric blankets, window air conditioners, popcorn poppers, halogen lamps, grills, or appliances with an exposed heating element, are prohibited for safety purposes.  Power strips with an automatic circuit breaker are the only extension cords permitted. 

Fire Safety Regulations and Explosives

. No candles allowed, even for decorative purposes. Candles will be confiscated.

. No open flames (e.g., candles, kerosene lamps) or any incendiary devices will be permitted in the residence halls. The burning of incense is not allowed in any residence hall room or public area.

. The storage or use of flammable liquids or substances is strictly prohibited in the residence halls.

. All living and storage rooms will be maintained in such a manner as to allow a wide, uncluttered pathway.  Nothing may be stored in the hallway.

. The use of multi-outlet plugs or power strips in the residence halls is acceptable only if the equipment has a built-in circuit breaker.

. Live trees will not be permitted in the residence halls. Small plants are acceptable.

. In order to ensure compliance, Residence Life Staff may check student rooms on a continuing basis and at any time.

. The possession or use of firearms, fireworks, other explosive materials, or weapons in any University owned housing unit or at a student activity on campus is strictly prohibited by University policy and state law.  BB, pellet, soft air, and paint guns are strictly prohibited.

. Motorcycle engines, fuel tanks, and other motorized vehicles may not be stored or repaired within residence halls.

. In the event of a violation of the above guidelines, disciplinary action will be taken.

The use of a fire extinguisher or other fire protection equipment for other than its intended purpose will automatically result in a $50 fine, plus the cost of recharging or replacing the extinguisher. You will also be referred for judicial and possible legal action.

Fitness Equipment
Weight-lifting equipment, fencing equipment, etc., is not to be kept or used in the residence hall unless special facilities are furnished. Students are encouraged to use the weight equipment in the Fitness/Wellness Center at the Decatur Indoor Sports Center (DISC).

Furniture Removal
Please do not disassemble furnishings, facilities, or equipment, or remove items such as closet doors, mirrors, screens, etc. Exchanging furniture from room to room or from lounges is prohibited. All furniture is to stay in your room. Furniture is not allowed in the hallway. No waterbeds or water chairs are permitted.  Hall staff will NOT store room furniture for any reason. Removal or damage to University furniture will result in student being charged for replacement and/or repair.

Guests and Visitation

Millikin University permits students living in residence halls to have guests of the opposite gender visit their rooms. Any students assigned to a residence hall may host a guest or visitors in his or her room in a manner consistent with the visitation policy. All guests must abide by the rules and regulations of residence halls and the University. Any violations of these policies may result in the guest being asked to leave and disciplinary action initiated against the host or hostess.

General Visitation Rules

I. During open visitation, a community shall be open to members of the opposite gender only if invited and escorted by a resident of the community. The host or hostess must escort the guest at all times.

II. Host/hostess and guest must adhere to the following community restroom and shower policies.

A. At all times, members of the opposite gender must be escorted to and from the restroom facility by their host or hostess.

B. The rights of the community members to use restroom facilities shall take precedence over their use by guests of the opposite gender. To ensure these rights:

. No guest may use the restroom when a member of the community is using the facility. (The restroom must be cleared.)

. The host/hostess is responsible for remaining outside the restroom to alert floor residents that the facility is occupied by a member of the opposite gender.

C. Showers may not be used by members of the opposite gender at any time.

III. Residents may host a guest for no more than three days in a ten-day period, providing the roommate agrees. The visitation policy applies to guests and students. As the host, we encourage you to inform your guest of our policy prior to the visit and make other accommodations if necessary. Guests staying beyond three days will be considered to be cohabitating, and both the host and the guest may be subject to judicial action. RESIDENCE H

IV. The Office of Residence Life reserves the right to distinguish between a visiting guest and actual residency. A guest making unusually frequent visits will be considered to be cohabiting, and both the host and the guest may be subject to judicial action.

V. Consideration for the privacy and rights of roommates in each room will be given priority. A roommate may not be denied access to his or her room at any time and may, in effect, declare the room off limits for any open visitation. Violation of the roommate's rights of privacy will be considered a major violation of the policy, and the offending party may be referred for disciplinary action.

VI. Hosts will be responsible for the actions of their guest(s).

The University has set maximum visitation hours as 10 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday through Friday and 24-hour visitation on the weekends, beginning at 10 a.m. Friday until 1 a.m., Monday. Only during these hours may residents entertain guests in their rooms with prior permission from their roommates. (Guests are defined as non-residents of the hall or residents of a floor housing other gender.) At all times guests must be in the presence of a resident who is acting as host. Apartments have a maximum of 24-hour visitation.

Each hall, floor or housing unit, through a floor meeting, may establish visitation hours that are less than the maximum allowed. The unit may establish new visitation hours through a formal vote, with a simple majority showing support of the proposed hours. This vote must be conducted at a floor meeting or an all-hall meeting. Each floor or living unit will submit to their Area Coordinator a written statement of their policy if it differs from the maximum hours allowed. Residents may also establish procedures for assuring the privacy and security of their peers.

This policy is NOT an open-visitation policy. An individual must be a personally invited guest and in the presence of a resident who is acting as host. In other words, all non-residents must be escorted anywhere within the living unit they are visiting. Failure to comply with the escort policy as stated in the student handbook will result in disciplinary action.

Students may establish procedures for maintaining order and may accept the responsibility of admonishing and confronting violators of the guest visitation policy. The Area Coordinator must approve these procedures and sanctions.

Public lounges in residence halls are open to residents and escorted visitors on a 24-hour basis. The intent of this policy is to provide opportunity for individual students to study, converse and socialize after the 1 a.m. visitation hours during the week.

Quiet Hours Guidelines

One of the primary rights of students in residence halls is the right to study in one's room free from unreasonable interference. Thus, noise and other distractions that inhibit the exercise of this right are strictly prohibited. 

Parameters established by the Office of Residence Life are as follows:

. Sunday through Thursday: Quiet hours begin at 10:00pm and end at 10:00am.

. Friday and Saturday: Quiet hours begin at 12:00am and end at 10:00am.

During quiet hours, the following guidelines exist:

. The noise level resulting from conversation or the use of stereos, radios, televisions, and telephones in any room should not be loud enough to be easily heard outside the room.

. Floor lounges are to be used for quiet activities (e.g., study, programs, television, games, etc.). It is expected that lounge doors will be closed and noise will be kept at a moderate level.

. Conversations in the hallway and bathroom must be conducted at a low voice level.

. Residence Hall Staff may confront students who are making too much noise even if they have not received a complaint from another student.

. Students are expected to confront other students who are making too much noise. The student making the noise is expected to reduce the noise level immediately.

Courteous behavior - Courteous behavior is expected at all times, even when designated quiet hours are not operational.

Enforcement of quiet guidelines - Students in violation of quiet hour policy will be referred to the Office of Residence Life.  Multiple violations may result in relocation to another floor.

Finals week quiet hours - During finals week, quiet hours are in place on all residence hall floors 24 hours a day, beginning Tuesday and ending the next Tuesday at noon. Signs will be posted within the halls informing students when quiet hours will begin, end, and be lifted. Students in violation of this policy will be referred through the judicial system and may be asked to leave the hall immediately after their last final exam.

Holiday Decoration Safety Regulations

. Only artificial trees shall be permitted in student rooms, lounges, apartments, and food service areas. No lights are to be used on aluminum trees.

. Only UL-approved or UL-listed electrical light sets may be used for decoration. The power line must not pass through the doorway or window frame to an outlet.

. Trees or decorations are not to be placed in any corridor or area, which might obstruct an exit.

. All decorations used on the inside of any University building must be flameproof or made of a material that is flame retardant.

. No open flames are permitted.

. At no time will hallway or exit lights be painted or covered.

Keys/Cards
Each student is issued a room key and their ID is activated to enter their residence by Safety and Security in Walker Hall.   Students should not let anyone borrow, use or have his/her keys or ID. When a student changes rooms or moves out of the hall, the keys must be returned to Safety and Security within twenty-four hours. 

Lock-Out
If a student is locked out of his/her room, he/she should contact Safety and Security in Walker Hall at 8888 and ask to be let into his/her room. The resident must be prepared to show an I.D. to verify that he/she is a resident of that room.  Safety and Security will first attempt to contact an RA on duty. The cost of the RA on duty to perform the key-in is $5.00 to be paid immediately. If the RA is not on duty (RAs on duty 7pm-7am), the student may choose to have Security perform the lock-out. The charge for a Security lock-out is $25, billed directly to the student account.  The student will also be required to tell the staff member where his/her keys are and how he/she came to be locked out in the first place. 

Lofts

No lofts are to be built in any residence hall room and are expressly prohibited. The University is willing to provide pins to allow beds to be bunked. Please contact your RA for assistance.

Musical Instruments

The playing of band, orchestral, or any musical instruments is prohibited in residence halls.  Singing is also prohibited in the residence halls.  Please use the Perkinson Music Center practice rooms for this purpose.

Personal Conduct
Stealing, violence, threats of violence, or harassment are not permitted. The University reserves the right to dismiss any student at any time whose conduct is considered detrimental to the welfare of other students or to the University.

Pets
Pets, other than fish, are not allowed in residence halls for any reason (including academic). Laboratory specimens are also prohibited.

Rollerblades and Bicycles
A bicycle is a convenient form of transportation on campus as well as in the community, but it is necessary to secure bicycles with a strong casehardened lock and tempered steel chain. Please do not park a bicycle where it may be an inconvenience or hazard to others or where it interferes with access to a building in the event of a fire. Chain it securely to a bike rack.

For safety reasons, bicycles are not permitted in residence halls or other campus buildings. For these same reasons, students are not to wear roller blades inside any campus building at any time.

Room Entry by Residence Hall Staff

The right to privacy is of paramount importance and should not be violated; however, the entry into the living quarters of a student may be conducted by the following people for the purposes and under the procedures detailed below:

. By authorized University personnel to ensure that health, fire, and safety regulations are maintained.

. By authorized University personnel or agents to make improvements and repairs and to provide routine maintenance services.

. By authorized University personnel in emergency and/or extraordinary situations to protect the health, safety, and welfare of students or to make emergency repairs to prevent damages to the property of the student and the University.

. When there is reasonable cause to believe there is/has been a violation of University regulations or local, state, or federal laws or ordinances.

. When a staff member knocks and is invited into the room.

. When the door is open and a violation of University policies is in plain view.  In all instances, such entry shall be made only for the purposes set forth above. Observed alleged contraband will be confiscated and/or alleged violations of University policies, rules, or regulations will be referred to the Area Coordinator for follow-up action.

Routine health and safety checks by staff will occur during periods when the residence halls are closed. 

Room Search
Premises occupied by students and the personal property of students will not be searched unless appropriate authorization has been obtained. For University- owned or University-approved housing, authorization for search must be obtained from the Director of Residence Life.

The authorization will specify the reasons for the search and the item(s) or information sought. The student must be present, except under emergency circumstances, during the search. For premises not owned or approved by the institution, the ordinary requirements for lawful search will be followed.

Smoking
Millikin University's residence halls are smoke free. This means no smoking in any public area or residence hall room.  In addition, smoking is prohibited within 25 feet of any entrance/exit area of any residence hall. Students found in violation of this policy are subject to a $50 fine per offense.

Solicitation / Posting Information in the Halls
To ensure the security of residence halls, all solicitation, commercial activities, distribution of material under room doors, door-to-door canvassing and similar activities are prohibited in the residence halls unless approved in writing by the Director of Residence Life.

Student Room Responsibility

You and your roommate jointly share the responsibility for your room. You are responsible for the condition of furniture, walls, woodwork, and floors. Damage that occurs beyond the limits of normal wear and tear is your responsibility and will be charged accordingly to you and/or your roommate. The Office of Residence Life will determine normal wear and tear. You and/or your roommate may be held accountable for misconduct that occurs within your room.  You are also responsible for the behavior of your guests, who must also follow all Millikin University policies.  Cleanliness of rooms is also the responsibility of the occupants.