Student Rights and Responsibilities

Community Living Expectations

Overview

Residential living promotes individual and group responsibility through positive communities. The Community Living Expectations balance the rights of the individual and the rights of the community. In order to carry out its educational mission, the University aspires to create and maintain conditions that are both social and educational. With this in mind, Housing staff developed the Community Living Expectations to help each student be academically and personally successful. All WMU on-campus residents and their guests are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others or interfere with the educational functions of the University, as well as showing consideration for the facilities. All students residing in university-owned housing deserve to live in an environment free from harassment, intimidation, or emotional distress. The information provided here specifies the community and behavioral standards that are expected and also identifies the rights and responsibilities of residents.

In carrying out responsibilities as a student and a member of the on-campus community, it is essential that residents become familiar with, responsible for and abide by the WMU Student Code, as well as the Community Living Expectations.

Your contract/license is the document that states the contractual obligations for you and the University; the Housing and Residence Life Community Living Expectations handbook is a legally binding adjunct to your housing contract. You are equally responsible for complying with the policies, expectations and regulations printed in the Community Living Expectations as you are for those directly printed in the contract. By signing your housing contract/license, you have agreed to make yourself aware of and abide by all on-campus housing policies and expectations, the WMU Student Code and all city, state and federal laws. A copy of the WMU Student Code may be obtained online at wmich.edu/conduct/code from the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities or from your hall office. Any questions about the Community Living Expectations may be directed to your Hall Director or the Assistant Director-WMU Apartments.

Please Note: If a student enters an area where a violation of policy is occurring, or a violation is initiated in an area where they are present, the student should leave immediately. Otherwise, by choosing to remain, the student assumes responsibility for all behavior and items in that location, regardless of their participation.

Anyone violating the Community Living Expectations, WMU Student Code or abusing the facilities is subject to disciplinary actions, prosecution, conduct review and replacement fees as deemed appropriate by University officials. Residents may also be subject to disciplinary action due to the misconduct of their guests. Housing and Residence Life or the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities reserve the right to move a student to another vacant space on campus, or remove the student from on-campus living entirely if it is in the best interest of the student, university or other students of the university, or in accordance with the University’s mission and education goals.

Entering Rooms

In accordance with our educational mission, the University aspires to maintain a healthy and safe environment, as well as respect and preserve your right of privacy. The University, however, reserves the right to make periodic administrative inspections of residence hall rooms and apartments (whether the residents of the unit are present) whenever:

  • There is a reasonable cause to believe established health or safety regulations are being violated
  • There is a threat to the safety or well-being of the room’s occupants or other residents
  • There is reason to believe the occupants of the room are violating a University rule or regulation, or state or federal law
  • There is reason to believe that there is imminent hazard to the property, and removing any hazard discovered
  • Disruptive noise violates an individual’s need to sleep, study, read, etc.
  • To address any needed maintenance repairs or concerns
  • There is a question about contractual status

Housing and Residence Life staff will check each room during the recess periods and once per semester to ensure that no safety hazards exist. Once-per-semester safety checks are also conducted in the WMU Apartments. If a staff member should notice, in plain sight, evidence of a violation of federal, state or local laws, or a violation of University rules and regulations, the staff member will file a report with the Hall Director, ADA, the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities or WMU police.

CLE policies

The following specifics are designed to support the WMU alcohol policy in the residence halls and apartments: 

  • Open containers of alcohol are not permitted outside student rooms. Drinking parties are not allowed anywhere in the residence halls and apartments. 
  • If a room is shared by those over and under 21 years old, it must be clear that the alcohol is being consumed only by those 21 years old or older. Only one open container of alcohol per person of age is allowed. 
  • If both occupants of a room are under 21 years old, no alcohol may be consumed or possessed in that room, regardless of the age of the guest or visitor. This includes guests who are of age and live elsewhere on campus. 
  • Common sources of alcohol, whether full or empty, including kegs, trashcans, party balls or other large containers holding alcohol, are prohibited. Beer bongs are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments. 
  • Residents and guests violating the policy will be asked to dispose of the alcohol in the presence of a staff member. 
  • Intoxication is never an acceptable excuse for misconduct or for infringing upon the rights of others. 
  • Those of age to consume alcohol must do so with the room door closed. Any alcohol being transported by someone of age must be completely covered from open view and be taken directly to the resident’s room.

To avoid any misunderstandings of underage drinking, no alcoholic beverage containers (whether full or empty), may be displayed or in the possession of any student under 21 years of age. This includes empty containers being used as decorations 

You will share close quarters with many people in a residence hall. Consideration with regard to noise is vital to maintaining the quality of your environment. Noise created by an individual or group greatly affects other members of the community. Quiet hours for all residence halls are in effect from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Friday (Saturday morning) and Saturday (Sunday morning). Each resident is responsible for keeping noise levels to a minimum at all times. During this period, all sound must be contained within a resident’s room. In addition, beginning with the Saturday night prior to finals week each academic semester, quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day. 

Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. If you encounter a noise problem during quiet or courtesy hours, you have the right and the responsibility to respectfully let others know that their activity is disruptive. If a disturbance persists, notify a staff member. The University expects residents to decrease the volume of any noise disturbing other residents when asked by either residents or staff. 

The use of sound equipment such as stereos, televisions, etc. must not infringe upon the rights of others. Such equipment should never be played so loudly as to disturb other residents. At no time should amplified sound be directed out windows or room doors. Speakers and sound systems are not permitted in the windows. Students may be required to remove such equipment from the residence hall. Subwoofers are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments.

Bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and inline skates are not to be used in the residence halls and apartments. In addition, students may not play basketball, football, hockey, frisbee or any other type of activity in the building that may injure others or damage property. Students may not use or possess “Hoverboard”-style scooters, including electric longboards or scooters, in the halls or apartments at any time. Nerf style guns may not be used in the halls or apartments. 

  1. Fire or safety equipment misuse – Tampering with or misuse of fire or any other safety equipment, or disregarding, circumventing or disabling any security or safety device or system. (B.9) {or} Fire – No student shall intentionally ignite or threaten to ignite any material or substance in or near the University facilities or grounds. (B.22.8.a). The individual(s) involved may be prosecuted. 

 

  1. Alarm sounding/drills – Fire drills are scheduled as required by state regulations and are conducted in each building. Whenever an alarm sounds in any building, persons within the hall are required to evacuate the building immediately. Re-entry into a building before an “all-clear” signal is prohibited. State law prohibits the use of elevators during a fire alarm. (B.22.8.b) 

 

  1. Unapproved appliances – Possession or use of unapproved electrical appliances, such as hot plates or air fryers, is a violation of the fire safety policy. For more details about approved and unapproved electrical appliances, see table below. (B.22.8.c) 

 

  1. Candles and incense – Possession of candles and incense, even if only for decoration purposes, are not permitted within the residence halls or campus apartments. (B.22.8.d) 

 

  1. Campus is tobacco-free. The use of tobacco products is not permitted indoors or outdoors on any University property. Tobacco products are defined to include the following: cigarettes, electronic-cigarettes, cigars, bidis, snuff, snus, water pipes, pipes, hookahs, chew and any other non-combustible tobacco products. Hookahs are not permitted within the residence halls and apartments. The use of tobacco products is only permitted in enclosed personal vehicles. (B.22.8.e) 

Dangerous materials and chemicals such as gunpowder, fertilizer, Drano/drain clog remover, laboratory chemicals, ammonia, ether, acid, fireworks, gasoline, lighter fluid, oil, kerosene, propane, charcoal, turpentine and other combustibles are not permitted. Motorcycles and other fuel-driven engines may not be placed or operated anywhere inside residence halls or apartments, or on porches. Natural cut trees, branches or greens, other than potted plants, are prohibited in student rooms. 

Guests are permitted to stay overnight with prior consent of all roommates and suitemates, if applicable. No more than two guests per resident are allowed at any one time. Guests are only permitted to stay for a maximum of two consecutive nights. Cohabitation is not allowed. All guests are required to follow all WMU policies at all times. 

No overnight guests will be permitted during the week preceding the start of the fall semester (“Fall Welcome” week) or during any final exam period. This restriction is designed to be respectful to all students as they become acclimated to living on campus at WMU and/or as they study and prepare for the end of the semester. 

Guest privileges, including overnight visits, may be further limited as necessary by the hall director. Violations can result in guest privileges being revoked. Where applicable, hosts will incur costs for the actions of unapproved guests. Roommates who do not report an overnight guest staying longer than two nights may also be responsible for part of these costs. This policy also applies to students who have single rooms. 

A guest is defined as any person a resident allows to enter the residence hall or apartment complex. To ensure the safety of residents, the front doors of each hall are locked at all times. Those who are under the age of 18 and are not WMU students are not allowed in the residence halls and apartments after 5 p.m. unless designated by Housing and Residence Life. 

When a resident serves as a host, that resident is ultimately responsible for the behavior and any damage caused by the guest. Guests are expected to abide by all Community Living Expectations and the WMU Student Code. It is the host’s responsibility to communicate the established expectations to guests. Noncompliance by the guest is grounds for terminating the contract of the resident host. The guest may also be banned from visiting WMU residence halls and apartments. In addition, the host must accompany guests at all times while in the residence hall or apartment. Guests may visit only rooms to which they are specifically invited and only in the company of a host. All residents of the space shall agree to the visit. 

Students must respect fellow residents by always using the bathrooms designated for their gender identity. This also includes residents’ guests. 

Residents are expected to exercise care in the use of the building and furnishings. They assume responsibility for supervising the care of the building, identifying offenders and notifying Housing and Residence Life staff members or the Department of Public Safety when vandalism or damage occurs. 

When responsibility for public area damage cannot be determined, the financial amount to repair the damage may be charged back to all members of the community. This policy is designed to encourage resident pride and ownership for the community the student resides within, and to reduce the amount of damage that occurs. If a student is found responsible for destruction of University property through the student conduct process, restitution will be utilized as a sanction. 

Students are required to comply with University health standards and local health codes. Residents are expected to maintain their rooms in an orderly and sanitary condition. Unhealthy living conditions include but are not limited to: rotting food, unclean bathroom facilities, odors, excessive garbage or clutter that has not been removed, etc. Trash removed from your room by staff will result in documentation and could include a potential charge to your student account at a minimum rate of $25. 

For safety purposes, windows and screens must not be removed. To protect residents and maintain the environment, do not throw or drop anything out of a residence hall or apartment window. No one is permitted to exit the building via a window. Halls have screens that are permanently secured in place, and a replacement charge will be assessed if the screens are removed. WMU personnel must do all re-installations. 

Providing safe and secure environments for living and learning are critical concerns at Western Michigan University. Students are expected to cooperate with the University in efforts to maintain a secure campus. As a community member, students are responsible for: 

Securing doors by: 

  • Closing interior and exterior security doors and not propping or allowing them to be propped 
  • Only using alarmed doors when the fire alarm is sounding 

Cooperating with residence hall staff by: 

  • Entering the building through the authorized doors only (in most cases, the front door) 
  • Showing proper identification upon entering the building 
  • Ensuring that all non-residents register upon entering the building during designated times 
  • Not allowing those who you do not know and who are not a resident of your hall from entering the security doors 

Trespassing by: 

  • Understanding that entry into any completely or partially closed residence hall area is prohibited 

 

Residents will be issued a room key at check-in. All residence hall residents will use a WMU Bronco Card access system to enter the hall. In the WMU Apartments, residents will use their WMU Bronco Card to access Arcadia Flats, Western View and Spindler Hall. All students are expected to lock their room door and carry their keys when they leave their room. Loaning keys to guests or leaving them unattended compromises the safety measures provided and is therefore not permitted. 

WMU considers the entire exterior student room door, wall surrounding the exterior door, and hallway walls to be under the governance of Residence Life. Only postings by Residence Life staff may be placed in this space. Students may not decorate outside of their door. Examples would include decorative lights, “welcome” mats, and holiday decorations. 

There are bulletin boards on corridors throughout the residence halls maintained by residence hall staff to keep residents aware of Residence Life, University and community activities. Only authorized Residence Life personnel are permitted to post in the residence halls. Postings are not permitted on walls, windows or other non-bulletin board surfaces in public areas, including elevators. If physical damage results from any posting or when labor time is required to remove postings, the sponsoring organization or individual will be billed. 

Individuals wishing to advertise in the residence halls must have all flyers stamped “approved” by Residence Life. Bring an original flyer to the Residence Life office to be approved for distribution. If approved, Residence Life staff will distribute and post the flyers. At no time may postings be slid under residence hall room doors, except for those authorized by Residence Life. 

The only pets permitted are aquarium fish, not including piranhas. Fish tanks over 20 gallons are not permitted. This restriction does not apply to animals providing assistance to residents with a disability and approved by Disability Services for Students and Housing and Residence Life. Approval from both entities has to be granted every academic year.  

For the protection and privacy of residents and to prevent the interruption of studies, all forms of solicitation including but not limited to commercial transactions, political and social solicitation are prohibited in all areas of the residence halls and apartments. On campus addresses and phone numbers may not be used or listed as a place of business. 

Any form of gambling is prohibited. Violators may be subject to University, state or federal laws. 

Students are expected to take their trash to dumpsters provided outside the building. Leaving trash, lofting materials, furniture, etc. in the hallways, stairwells, elevators and public areas is a violation of University policy. Littering inside or around the building is also a violation of University policy. Trash removed by staff will result in a documentation and could include a potential charge to your student account at a minimum rate of $25. 

Approved Electrical Equipment 

  • A maximum of two surge protectors/power strips are allowed per room. Linking multiple surge protectors/power strips is prohibited. 
  • Appliances equipped with an auto shut-off feature and fully enclosed heating elements are approved. 
  • Small microwaves and refrigerators are allowed if they use less than 1.5 amps of electric current. MicroFridges, a combination refrigerator, freezer, and microwave unit, are available for rent. One can be reserved by following “MicroFridge” from the Residence Life website at wmich.edu/housing/vendors. 

 

Unapproved Electrical Equipment 

  • Appliances with exposed heating elements or no automatic shut-off pose a safety hazard and therefore are not allowed in the halls. 
  • If any of these items are found in a resident’s room, for the safety of all residents, hall staff will confiscate the item and keep it in storage until the resident can take the prohibited item home.