Residential Education and Housing Policies

Residential Education & Housing Policies

Housing is one of the main branches of the Office of Campus Life. The mission of LaGrange College Housing, as a residential campus, is to provide the unique opportunity to engage students in a living-learning atmosphere that complements the academic experience by teaching valuable life skills, creating a space to explore their identity and reflecting on their experience, building connections amongst the campus community, and holding students accountable for their actions.

Additional housing resources can be found at the Housing website.

Residence Hall Staff

The Residence Hall Staff have been employed and trained by the College to assist you in making an effective adjustment to residential living and to provide leadership and supervision in the residence halls. Residence Hall Staff are available to listen, advise and encourage residents, and to facilitate and stimulate hall activities. Resident Advisors (RAs), Senior RAs, Campus Life Graduate Assistants, Area Managers (AMs), and the Associate Dean of Campus Life (Director of Housing) are also representatives of the College administration and have responsibilities for rule enforcement. It is an expectation that students will cooperate with the staff in supporting College standards and regulations.

The Resident Advisors’ numbers are posted in the lobby of each building. Resident Advisors are se­lected each spring semester for the upcoming academic year. For more information, please contact the Area Manager or the office of Campus Life (Smith 215).

Throughout the semester, members of the Residence Hall Staff have responsibility for residence hall coverage every night on a rotating basis.

Required hours enrolled to stay in housing

To reside in college housing, students must be enrolled in twelve (12) or more hours for the duration of the time living in college housing.  If a student’s enrollment status is less than 12 hours, the student may be required to immediately move-out and check-out of their housing assignment.  If a student is required to move-out of housing, a refund will not be given for the housing charge.  Please refer to the refund policy for more information.

College Residency Requirement

LaGrange College is residential college (you are required to live in college housing unless you meet one of the exemptions to request to live off-campus; refer to form on the housing website).

As a residential, liberal arts institution of higher education, LaGrange College supports student learning both inside and outside the classroom. Consistent studies have shown that students living in campus residence halls typically have higher graduation rates, grades, and connections with students, faculty, and staff. The firm conviction that residing on campus is a crucial component of a student’s total educational experience supports the establishment of a campus residency requirement. The LaGrange College residency requirement dictates that all undergraduate day students taking twelve (12) or more academic class hours must live in college housing unless they meet, verify one of the established exceptions, and receive approval to live off-campus from the Director of Housing.

By completing the form to request to live off-campus, you are requesting permission to be exempt from the LaGrange College residency requirement. The form must be signed by the student as well as their parent(s)/guardian(s). By signing the form, both student and parent(s)/guardian(s) verify that the information supplied is current, truthful, and accurate. If the College discovers that false information has been provided or that circumstances have changed without notice to the institution, the College reserves the right to bill for both room and board. Likewise, providing false information will be deemed to be a violation of the Honor Code and Social Code and the student will be referred for disciplinary action. Individuals failing to submit a form, even if an exemption is warranted, will have a hold placed on their account that will prevent class registration.

Exemption determinations are made by the Residence Appeal Committee and communicated by the Director of Housing.  Questions on these decisions should be directed to the Vice President & Dean of Student Engagement within 48 hours of receiving notification of the decision.

 Justification for exemption 

• The student is 23 years of age or older on the first date of semester classes (does not require parent signature below)
• The student is married and living with their spouse; please provide documentation of marriage license and documentation of joint residence at a single address.
• The student is responsible for a dependent child; please provide documentation of dependency.
• The student resides exclusively with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in their/her/his primary residence that is within a thirty-mile commute of the College; please provide documentation of ownership (power/utility bill, etc.) for parent(s)/guardians.
• Other (Please type and attach a written justification for exemption from the policy and supply all supporting materials necessary to justify consideration of the request – it should be noted that exemptions for reasons not articulated above will be rare and offered only in the most exceptional of circumstances).              

Although the above students that qualify for an exemption(s) are required to complete the form to request to live off-campus; the college is not obligated to provide housing to them because they can live off-campus. The college is a residential campus and its primary function is to house traditional college students. 

All students listed (*with the exception listed below) that have a justified exemption that are requesting to live on campus, must submit their written request via email to the Director of Housing that thoroughly outlines the need for their request to live on-campus despite their qualified exemption to live off campus. After the receipt of the written request, the Director of Housing may have to forward the request to the Vice President & Dean of Students and/or other college administrators prior to communicating a decision to the students that requested to live on campus. 

*Note that students that reside exclusively with parent(s) or legal guardian(s) in their/her/his primary residence that is within a thirty-mile commute of the College, that is under 23 years of age, are excluded

from the requirement to submit a written request to the director of housing; these students will work with the housing office to complete the necessary steps to receive housing. 

Room Deposit 

Full-time undergraduate day students entering the college during and following the 2014 Fall semester will be required to pay a $300 enrollment deposit to reserve their space in the incoming class. No deposit will be refunded after May 1. All students deposited by May 1 will be guaranteed campus housing pending space limitations. Campus housing assignments will be finalized, and room/board charge will be applied by July 1st. Students must have all required paperwork (including requests to live off campus) submitted by this date. Students who deposit after July 1 will be assigned housing, if available, on a first-come, first-served basis. Of this $300 enrollment deposit, $100 covers a residence hall damage deposit that may be refundable at the time that the student either graduates or receives permission to live off campus (less any assessed fees due to damages). The remaining $200 is used by the College to cover many of the services provided during the first year. Students who entered the

institution prior to the 2014 Fall semester and who have a residence hall damage deposit pending with the college will receive a reimbursement of those monies as noted above.

Students that fail to check-out of their residence hall room at the end of the year will receive a fine and forfeit their $100 deposit that will no longer be refundable based on the improper check-out. 

Spring to Fall Room Hold Assessment 

Beginning in the 2014 Spring semester, all full-time undergraduate day students will be required to pay a $200 Spring to Fall Room Hold charge. To participate in the housing lottery and/or to register for upcoming Fall classes, students must either: (a) pay the $200 charge to the college, or (b) submit the required documentation to the housing office and receive a waiver permitting that student permission to live off campus as directed by the college’s residency requirement. Those students who pay the $200 charge to reserve a campus residence hall room and who occupy that room during the Fall semester will have the monies credited to their account at the end of the first month of classes. The $200 charge may be paid at the College’s business office.

Students will receive information on how to appeal and request a waiver for the Spring to Fall Room Hold Assessment of $200. Approval is necessary or a hold will be placed on the student account.

Note that students graduating in May or the summer will not be required to pay the $200 room hold fee and that the $200 Spring to Fall Room Hold charge is not refundable if students choose not to return to the college in the Fall semester. 

Room and Board Refund Policy 

There is no refund on campus housing (the room charge) once the student has taken occupancy of campus owned residential housing. Board charges (meal plans) will be prorated at a rate (determined by the college) per calendar day of attendance.

Room consolidation policy (when one student is in a double occupancy room) 

If a student loses a roommate during the academic year (Fall, Jan-Term, Spring, and Summer), regardless of reason (whether that roommate left the College, student approved to move to another room, etc.) the Office of Campus Life and Housing reserves that right to have the remaining student consolidate and move in with another student in a different room to completely empty a room.

Housing can consolidate rooms and have students move into a vacant space at any time of the academic year. Also know that Housing can charge the single room (without contest) if a student chooses not to consolidate before the deadlines shared by Housing staff; inaction to consolidate and/or move to another room signifies that the student accepts the single room charge.

If a student is required to move to another room for one of the room consolidation processes, a reminder of this policy will be sent only to the student’s LC e-mail by a housing professional staff member along with a deadline and the process to complete the check-out/move-out process for the old room and move-in/check-in process for the new room. 

*It is the students’ responsibility to share the details of the room consolidation process or single room charge with their parent/legal guardian. 

It is also the student’s responsibility to find a new room­mate; however, the Housing Office is happy to assist in the search process. To receive assistance in the search, the student should make an appointment with their area manager in Smith Hall 215 to discuss room options. Housing also reserves the right to require specific students to move-in together at any point of the room consolidation process.

Room Changes

Room changes will not be permitted until two (2) weeks after the first day of classes; a specific date for the room change process will be shared by the Area Manager or Director of Housing. If a student is interested in a room change after the above period, they will need to send their Area Manager an email to request the room change. If granted approval to change rooms from their Area Manager via email, the resident may pick up their new room key and move-in to the designated space before the specified deadline to change rooms. As a part of the room change process, the student must follow the check-out process for the old room with your old RA and the check-in procedures for the new room with your new RA.

Room changes not approved through the Office of Campus Life and Housing via the written approval from an Area Manager or the Director of Housing are in direct violation of residence hall policy, and the person involved in such a room change may be fined $75 improper room change charge, may be required to move to the former room assignment immediately, and may be referred for disciplinary action.

The Office of Campus Life and Housing reserves the right to change a students’ housing assignment at any time to best accommodate the overall housing needs for the residential population to include the gender ratio, student classification (incoming freshmen, transfers, sophomores, junior, seniors), maintenance concerns, safety concerns, etc.

Residence Hall Opening

Residence Halls open the day before registration, unless that day falls on a holiday or weekend, if this occurs, housing will open on the day of registration or the following business day.

Request to move-in early to Residence Halls

 The Office of Campus Life and Housing seek to provide residential students with a clean, safe, and enjoyable space to live on campus. In doing so, Housing works with National (maintenance) to ensure that all residential spaces are appropriately cleaned prior to arrival based on time between the College’s summer operations (conferences, summer school, and deferred maintenance) and your move- in. As such, requests for an early move-in date will only be granted in extraordinary circumstances. In some cases, the logistics involved with room preparation may not permit an early move-in even in the most extreme situations. Students may be required to pay a weekly rate for staying in housing before it opens for the academic year.

Early move-in requests should be submitted in writing to the Director of Housing. Following your request, the Director may request additional information and/or documentation before contacting you via e-mail to either grant or deny your request.

The specific dates and times that the residence halls open will be set by Campus Life & Housing and announced each year.

Residence Hall Closings

Billing for a residence hall room covers the period from the beginning of a semester to the end of the semester (both fall and spring) and the period from beginning of a summer term to the end of that summer term (both sessions). If a student is serving in a College related function or has an extraordinary circumstance and will need to stay in their residence hall room during a period when the hall is officially closed (Winter Break and End of the Year Closing in Spring), the student must submit the request in writing to the Director of Housing. Following your request, the Director may request additional information and/or documentation before contacting you via e-mail to either grant or deny your request.  Students may be required to pay a weekly rate for staying in housing during the time it is closed.

The specific dates and times that the residence halls close will be set by Campus Life and Housing and announced each year.

Students that fail to check-out of their residence hall room at the end of the year will receive a fine and forfeit their $100 deposit that will no longer be refundable based on the non-check-outs.

NOTE: Graduating Seniors may stay in their rooms until 5:00pm the day after Graduation. Non-graduating seniors must move-out and check-out of their residence hall space before the non-graduating student deadline.

During the week between Graduation and the beginning of summer school, all residence halls will be closed and every student is expected to be out of his or her room. NO EXCEPTIONS. This is the one week of the year that National (maintenance) has unhampered access to all rooms in order to clean thoroughly and make needed repairs. Students are expected to make alternate arrangements for both themselves and their belongings for that one week.

Residence Hall Cleanliness & Damage & Liability Policy

As responsible citizens who aspire to lives of integrity and moral courage, damage and mistreatment of the residence halls and College furnishings are taken seriously, and the student will be held accountable for their actions. Costs of extensive cleaning (outside of the normal cleaning process) and damages can compromise the safety, security, and comfort of students in the building. In addition, they can also affect the cost of students’ housing bills. Therefore, students will be charged for any extensive cleaning and damage to fixtures or furnishings within their room. Excessive uncleanliness and damage that cannot be attributed to a single student will be divided among roommates. Likewise, excessive filth and damage that occur in the common rooms of an apartment will be charged to all roommates.

Resident Advisors and Area Managers will attempt to record such damages and fines during Health and Safety Inspections and the year-end check-out process. However, some damages and fines may not be recorded until students have moved out and National Maintenance conducts a more thorough check of rooms and apartments. National Maintenance determines all cost for damages, repairs, cleanliness, furniture replacement, etc. Students are responsible for the condition of their room and apartment at all times.

While every effort is made to ensure adequate maintenance and security, LaGrange College, its faculty, staff, or agents do not assume any legal obligation to pay for injury to persons (including death), or loss of or damage to items of personal property due to flood, fire, natural disaster, theft, or any other reason, which occurs in its buildings or on its grounds, prior to, during, or subsequent to the time a student attends the college. In addition, the student is liable for any unintentional or deliberate damage they cause to the housing facility or other college property. The student and/or parents or guardians are strongly encouraged to carry appropriate insurance to cover such possible losses.

Fines Policy

Students may be fined by the Vice President & Dean of Student Engagement, VP of Student Engagement & Dean’s designee, or the Social Council as a result of violations of the College social policies and the consequent disciplinary action. Fines are not initially attached to the students’ College account; instead, the fines must be paid separately by the student in the Business Office. Once paid, the Business Office will inform the VP of Student Engagement & Dean of Student Engagement. Students will need to pay their fines(s) by the designated deadline. All fines unpaid by their designated deadline will double and will be added to the student’s College account. Students will not receive diplomas or transcripts with unpaid fines on their accounts.

Residential Community Safety Policies

Unwanted Individuals on Campus: If a person who is not a student or employee of the College and who is not required by his or her employment to be on the campus is deemed as committing any act that interferes with the peaceful conduct or activities of the College, or if it is determined that this person has come onto College property to commit such acts, the administrators of the College – or any employee or student designated to maintain order – may direct the person to leave College property immediately. If the person refuses or in any way fails to vacate campus property, he or she will be guilty of criminal trespass and the LaGrange Police Department will be contacted.

Mask Usage: Students are expected to wear masks in all public spaces including the residence halls. Students will be reminded of this policy frequently and will be subject to disciplinary action if they do not comply with the guidelines.

Inspection / Search of Rooms Policy

The college may enter, inspect, or search a student’s room under the following conditions: (a) when there is a reasonable suspicion that an occupant may be physically harmed or endangered, (b) when there is a reasonable suspicion that college regulations or state / federal laws are being violated, or (c) periodic health and safety inspections of the residence hall rooms. Determinations of what constitutes “reasonable suspicion” may be made by the College President, Vice President for Academic Affairs, VP of Student Engagement & Dean of Student Engagement, Director of Housing, Area Manager, or authorized designee assigned by members on this list.

When performing within the scope of their work, members of the maintenance and housekeeping department may enter a residence hall room (without the student present) to inspect and/or fix a maintenance/housekeeping concern.

Fire & Life Safety

Fire and Life Safety is of paramount importance within the residence halls. Your actions could affect the life and property of other residents in your community. Please be aware of your actions and observe all Fire and Life Safety Policies.

IN THE EVENT OF SMOKE OR FIRE, GO TO THE NEAREST FIRE ALARM PULL STATION, ACTIVATE THE ALARM, AND EVACUATE THE BUILDING. ONCE YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING, CALL Campus Safety AT (706) 412-0503 OR DIAL 911.

Smoke Detectors

All units are equipped with one smoke detector to warn residents of smoke or fire. Your smoke detector is typically wired to the electrical system. The smoke detector will make a “chirping sound” when the battery needs to be replaced; please contact National (maintenance) to get the battery replaced in your smoke detector. Smoke detectors should be kept dust-free and must be unobstructed at all times. Never tape over, cover, or disconnect smoke detectors. If a smoke detector is so sensitive that it constantly alarms or malfunctions in other ways, submit a work order request on PantherNet so it can be inspected and repaired if needed. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Fire Protection Sprinkler System

Housing units that are equipped with a fire protection sprinkler system have an additional benefit of the reduction of damage in the event of a fire. All parts of the sprinkler system (i.e. pipes, sprinkler heads, etc.) should remain obstruction free and any tampering, etc. is strictly prohibited as it may impede the function of the sprinkler system and/or involuntarily activate the sprinkler system (potentially creating damage to personal and/or college property). Any student (and/or student’s guest) that voluntarily and/or involuntarily activates the sprinkler system will be held responsible for the cost of repairs to personal property and/or college property impacted by sprinkler system. Refer to the Liability Policy listed in the previous pages in the Campus Life & Housing Policies. Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are located in various areas of college housing. Familiarize yourself with its location and directions on how to use it. Be sure to check your fire extinguisher to assure it is properly charged (arrow in the green area). To utilize the fire extinguisher for emergency reasons, use the following guidelines:

P - Pull the pin.

A - Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames.

S - Squeeze the trigger while holding the extinguisher upright.

S - Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the fire with extinguishing agent.

If you see that a fire extinguisher is not proper charged (arrow in the red), submit a work order request on PantherNet so it can be inspected and repaired if needed. Any tampering and/or misuse of fire extinguishers or lifesaving equipment will result in disciplinary action.

Fire & Tornado Alarms

To promote safety of residents, there are periodic drills in addition to actual alarms/safety protocols in all residence halls, and all students are required to participate. Instructions are posted throughout the buildings. Please read carefully the following instructions:

Fire alarm: When the alarm sounds:

• Dress appropriately for outside weather conditions, wear hard-soled shoes, and take a towel to prevent smoke inhalation.
• Close all windows. Close all doors and leave door unlocked so it can be checked.
• Leave the building by the closest exit. Do not use the elevator.
• Remain calm and orderly at assembly areas until the “all clear” is given by the Fire Department, Campus Safety, or designated professional housing staff.  Students will not be allowed to re-enter building until the “all clear” is given by the Fire Department, Campus Safety, or designated professional housing staff.
• ONCE YOU ARE OUTSIDE THE BUILDING, CALL Campus Safety AT (706) 412-0503 to ensure that they have been notified about the fire alarm. 

Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm and/or not follow the instruction of housing staff, other designated college staff member to assist, Security staff, or members of the Fire Department, jeopardizes your own safety and the safety of others; compliance with these fire and life safety procedures are expected. Non-compliance with the above procedures may result in disciplinary actions, fines, etc.

Fire Alarm Assembly Areas 

Tornado Drill/Severe Weather Alert: When you are notified of warning:

• Move quickly to the interior hallway of the lowest floor of your building (unless notified of other designated locations).
• Do not use elevator, but descend by the stairway.
• Stay away from windows.
• Remain calm and orderly in your designated severe weather cluster until notification by housing staff and/or any other designated staff member provides an “all clear” to leave the severe weather cluster.
• ONCE YOU ARE IN YOUR SEVERE WEATHER CLUSTER IN THE BUILDING, CALL Campus Safety AT (706) 412-0503 FOR AN UPDATE ON WEATHER.

Failure to go to your severe weather cluster and/or not follow the instruction of housing staff, other designated college staff member to assist, Security staff, etc., jeopardizes your own safety and the safety of others; compliance with these severe weather and life safety procedures are expected. Non-compliance with the above procedures may result in disciplinary actions, fines, etc.

Severe Weather Clusters

Residential Telephones

With the installation of the college’s new phone system in the 2013-2014 academic year, due to very low usage of landline phones and the high usage of personal cell phones, the telephone service was discontinued in each room.

Students can call other LaGrange College offices by dialing the last four digits of the office telephone number (when using a college telephone). Local off campus calls require a prefix number of 9. Emergency Services can be reached by dialing 9-911 or 911.

Personal Phone Usage

The carrying and use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices are allowed on the LaGrange College campus. Users of these devices, however, must be attentive to needs and sensibilities of the members of the College community. Furthermore, the use of these devices must not disrupt the functions of the College.

Devices must be off or ringers silenced in classes, laboratories, the library, study spaces and other academic settings and during events such as plays, concerts, speakers and College ceremonies. The term “laboratories” explicitly includes computer laboratory spaces. Answering or operating the device during classes, laboratories, meetings or events is only appropriate in case of emergency. If the device must be answered, the user must move to a location where the class, laboratory, library patrons, etc., will not be disrupted before making use of the device.

Nuisance/Obscene Phone Calls

It is against the law in the State of Georgia for a person to use abusive, vulgar, or profane language on the telephone or to cause a breach of the peace by use of the telephone. If you receive an obscene

phone call, do not engage the caller in conversation; look at your caller I.D. and write down the information then simply hang up. Record the time you received the call and any background noise you hear and/or any identifying voice characteristics (accent, phrasing, etc.). Report the call to Campus Safety. All obscene calls should be reported so that if a pattern develops or chain calling occurs, the police can be notified. Your cooperation with the security staff will assist in providing support during your concern. living environment.

Residence Hall Regulations and Guidelines – * For the 2020/2021 Academic year, non-LaGrange college residents are not permitted in College residence halls. Additionally, LaGrange college commuter students are not permitted in LaGrange college residence halls.

LaGrange College has adopted a policy allowing students/persons of the opposite sex to visit together in the living area of any residence hall on a limited basis: Sunday-Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. and Friday -Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m. Restrooms are off-limits to visiting members of the opposite sex at all times. Lobbies in single gender housing (Boatwright Hall, Hawkes Hall, Pitts, Turner Hall (the study rooms on the 3^rd floor of Turner Hall) must also follow the above visitation policy.

* For the 2020/2021 Academic year, non-LaGrange college residents are not permitted in College residence halls. Additionally, LaGrange college commuter students are not permitted in LaGrange college residence halls.

Trespass Policy

The College enforces the Georgia Trespass Law, which makes it unlawful to interfere with students, faculty, and staff, to loiter about College premises, or to act in an obnoxious manner on these premises. Please be advised that any visitor on the campus comes within the jurisdiction of this policy and is subject to arrest.

Guest Policy - * For the 2020/2021 Academic year, non-LaGrange college residents are not permitted in College residence halls. Additionally, LaGrange college commuter students are not permitted in LaGrange college residence halls.

In an effort to clarify the regulations concerning guests, the following guidelines have been established:

A guest is a non-resident in college housing who is in a hall and has a resident host or hostess.

1. Guests will be expected to follow all policies of LaGrange College; hosts or hostesses are responsible and held accountable for their guests and their actions. If guests engage in policy infractions, suspected of and/or pose a threat to the campus community, they may be required to leave college housing and the campus immediately; based on severity, may include the involvement of local policy authorities.
2. Guests must be escorted and with their host at all times while visiting the campus and in college housing.
3. If guests stay overnight in the residence hall, the guest must be of the same gender and may stay overnight with the prior approval of roommates(s) and the notification to the resident advisor and/or housing staff.  Guests of students must check in with the resident advisor; the maximum visit is limited to three days. No guests under 12 years of age are allowed.
4. Keys will not be issued to guests.
5. Violators of this policy are subject to disciplinary action.

*Guest without a resident host/hostess may be asked to leave the residence hall immediately.

Parental Visits

*Due to COVID-19, there will be no external campus guests allowed in the residence halls. This includes family members and commuter students as well. All campus visitors must check into Banks Hall during normal business hours.

Parents may visit their students at any time outside of the residence halls and during the hours of visitation (for opposite gender), however, only parents of the same gender may stay overnight with the prior approval of roommate(s) and the notification provided to the resident advisor and/or housing staff. Guests of students must check in with the resident advisor; the maximum visit is limited to three days. No guests under 12 years of age are allowed. Parents will be expected to follow all policies of LaGrange College; residential students are responsible and held accountable for their parents and their actions. If parents engage in policy infractions, suspected of and/or pose a threat to the campus community, they may be required to leave college housing and the campus immediately; based on severity, may include the involvement of local policy authorities.  Parents must be escorted by their daughter/son (currently assigned to campus housing) at all times while in college housing.

*Parents without their resident student may be asked to leave the residence hall immediately.

Window Policy

All windows must remain closed and locked to prevent unauthorized entry into a residence hall room. Using windows as a means in or out of rooms/residence hall is prohibited. In addition to safety concerns, closed and locked windows also reduce the health concern of preventing the creation of mildew/mold as outside warm air mixes with cooled indoor air.

Objects are not to be propelled out of any window and articles are not to be placed on exterior window ledges. Students who sit in window ledges or commit acts of horseplay around windows may be referred for disciplinary action. The display of rugs, banners, signs, flags and other objects from outside and/or in college residence hall windows are prohibited.

Removing window screens is prohibited and will carry an associated fine.

Doors

Security of the residence halls is the responsibility of all residents. Students must refrain from propping open outside doors, loaning keys to others, forcing entry into doors, tampering with doors/locking systems, tailgating into the building, or gaining or providing access into the residence hall via non-authorized means. Students that engage in unauthorized entry into college housing, compromises the safety of themselves and the residents in college housing and will be go through disciplinary process and may be responsible for paying the cost of repairs, labor, etc. in order to take the necessary step to re-secure the residence hall/college housing. Also, propping open of the fire doors inside the hallways is prohibited.

It is strongly encouraged that students lock the doors to their rooms when leaving the room to help ensure the safety of your personal belongings. Stolen property is not the responsibility of the College.

Residence Hall Keys

You are encouraged to always have your room key and to lock your residence hall doors to help ensure your safety and the safety of your personal belongings.  If you lose your key (regardless of reason) you will be required to pay a lost key fee when issued a new key. In the event that the professional housing staff or maintenance staff believes that your safety is compromised due to your lost key, you will also be charged the fee for a lock replacement.

Keys must be returned to the Resident Advisor or housing staff when the student checks out of their room. Duplication or possession of unauthorized keys by a student is a violation and will be addressed through the disciplinary process and the student(s) duplicating and/or in possession of unauthorized keys may also held accountable for the cost of any key and or lock replacement(s), etc. based on the type of key and the area compromised by the key type.

Student IDs

You are encouraged to always have your student ID as you will need this card to identify yourself as a current LaGrange College (LC) student, to gain access to your residence hall, academic space, and dining hall. In the event that you lose your student ID, please notify the security office to turn “off” the access of your ID and to receive a new ID; you will be required to pay a new ID fee.

When a college faculty/staff member (to include security, housing staff, resident advisor, etc.) ask you and/or your guest(s) to show your LC ID and/or government issued ID (to verify identity, for reporting an incident, etc.), failure to show your LC ID and/or government issued ID and/or provide incorrect information (wrong name, wrong ID, wrong information, etc.) may result in additional concerns that will be addressed with disciplinary action.  Refer to the Social Council sections III. F & Q. as the student is impeding and disrupting the disciplinary process.

Attics, Basements, Ledges, Rooves, and other Unauthorized Areas

For your safety and well-being, the above areas (attics, basements, ledges, rooves, and other unauthorized areas) are prohibited access and entrance. Any students found in these areas will be required to vacate the area and are subject to follow-up via the student conduct process.

Elevators and other Electrical Equipment

Tampering and/or misuse of elevators and other electrical equipment creates a safety concern for you and the College community. Any students found tampering/misusing are required to vacate the area and are subject to follow-up via the student conduct process to also include cost of repairs, etc.

Fire Safety

Open flames including burning charcoal, burning candles, burning incense sticks, oil lamps, or burning devices are not permitted in College housing. Candles with unburnt wicks are permitted as decorative items and/or with candle warmers; candle warmers must be turned off when residents are not in their room and placed in a safe location to prevent a concern for fire safety.

Smoking Policy

Smoking. Smoking (to include e-cigarettes) is prohibited in all college property to include the spaces of all of the residence halls/college housing. Spaces are defined as student rooms, elevators, hallways (include covered walkways on each floor of Henry Hall), bathrooms, parlors, lobbies, Henry Hall computer lab, laundry rooms, staircases, etc.

Smoking closer than 50 feet of the entrance of a building is prohibited. It is also prohibited to use and/or have to hookah pipes (and any other hookah related items in the residence halls).

Additionally, smoking (to include the use of e-cigarettes) and smokeless tobacco is prohibited in academic buildings, classrooms, etc.

Please refer to the Social Code regarding additional details in regard to the smoking policy.

Clear Hallways, Stairwells, Exits, and other Areas of Egress

Fire code requires that hallways, stairwells, exits and other areas of egress be clear at all times. Therefore, storage of luggage, ironing boards, bicycles, trash, or other personal belongings are prohibited in these areas.

Skating boarding, riding bicycles, riding hoverboards, or riding any items/apparatus are prohibited in any part of the residence halls (to include the covered walkways on all floors in Henry Hall). This policy will help ensure the safety of all residents and visitors in the residence halls.

This policy does not apply to medical equipment when it is used for medical purposes during the time of the medical need.

Electric Appliances

Residence halls have definite limits on the capacities of their electrical systems. Overloading the systems can cause fire and safety hazards. No appliance may be possessed or used in the residence halls that use over 500 watts. Examples of approved appliances are electric fans, radios, computers, stereos, study lamps, shavers, curling irons, clocks, TVs, and single cup brew systems (Keurig and Keurig-style). Students may have one small refrigerator per room, no bigger than 5 cubic feet inside capacity. Hair dryers can be used; however, no other appliance should be using the same outlet during usage. Unapproved appliances include sunlamps, coffee makers, space heaters, hot plates, grills, electric fry pans, woks, crock pots, musical instrument amplifying equipment, toasters, ovens, microwaves, and air conditioners.

All appliances with an exposed heating element, regardless of wattage, are prohibited.

Microwaves are permitted only in the lounge area of the residence halls. A microwave is provided in a designated place in each residence hall. Students found having a microwave will be required to remove them from their rooms.

Students found in possession of any unapproved electrical appliance will be required to remove the item(s) from their rooms and will go through the student conduct process.

Electrical Outlets

Electric outlets should be maintained at a one to one ratio in relation to the number of electric units plugged into the outlet at any time to prevent additional concerns for fire safety. Students are required to use heavy-duty extension cords, or adapters approved by Underwriters Laboratories. Extension cords can be used for just one appliance at a time. Students must maintain a one plug per one receptacle ratio at all times. Please consult your Area Manager if you have questions about the use of any other appliance or equipment.

Bicycles and Motorcycles

Bicycles and motorcycles are not to be left in hallways, stairwells, or exit areas; this is a violation of the fire code and they will be removed. It is recommended that you lock your bike to a bicycle rack or keep it in your room when not in use. Motorcycles must be parked in a designated parking space.

Cooking

The cooking and preparation of food is not permitted in the residence halls, except in the apartment-style residence halls – which have an included kitchen. This does not apply to microwave food items.

Animals

Students are permitted to have non-dangerous aquarium fish in an aquarium and are limited to a maximum of 20 gallons; the aquarium must be cleaned regularly. All other animals/pets may not be kept on College property (to include inside and/or outside areas of facilities or grounds). Students, guests of students, etc. are prohibited to bring animals/pets into any college housing at any time; short visits are also prohibited. Any violation of this policy will result in immediate removal of the animal, disciplinary action, and may include the cost of cleaning and repairing the space due to having the animal/pet in the residence hall.

ADA Service Animals & Therapy Animals

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) service animal is a trained dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. Students with an ADA service animal desiring to stay in college housing will need to provide medical documentation that outlines the medical need(s) to have the service animal. After the Director of Counseling Services and the Director of Housing receive a medical request for an ADA service animal, the request will be verified before providing the student housing. In the event that the request is approved in writing from Director of Counseling Services and Director of Housing, an agreement will be signed, and the student will be assigned college housing. If a housing assignment is not available, other housing arrangement may be explored (permissions to live off-campus, etc.) and the student may be placed on a waiting list for housing. 

Under the ADA, the service animal must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless these devices interfere with the service animal’s work or the individual’s disability prevents using these devices. In that case, the individual must maintain control of the animal through voice, signals, or other effective commands at all times. In addition to being under the control of the handler at all times, the service animal will need to be housebroken and may not be allowed to be treated as a pet by others.

Service animals must be in good health and current with all required vaccinations. Because of health standards, service animals must be kept clean at all times and it is the responsibility of the student to make the necessary cleaning and grooming arrangements. Residence hall facilities such as showers, sinks, tubs and the like may not be used for this purpose. Service animals must not be an undue annoyance to other residents (excessive noise, smells, physically threatening, etc.) nor cause damage to the property of others or damage to college provided property. If the accommodation to the student of the service animal becomes unreasonable by violation of this policy, or becoming a health threat (allergies, etc.) disability or safety concern to another, the student must cooperate with the Office of Campus Life & Housing staff, Director of Counseling, and others as appropriate to resolve the conflict. This may require a change in housing arrangements including modification or discontinuance of the accommodation, or reassignment to another room. Service animals cannot be left unattended in the residence halls, even for short periods of time.

Under the Fair Housing Act (FHA) and in coordination with the ADA, a student may request to have a therapy/emotional support animal (ESA). A student desiring to stay in college housing will need to provide medical documentation that outlines the medical need(s) to have the therapy/emotional support animal from a licensed mental health specialist. After the Director of Counseling Services and the Director of Housing receive a medical request for a therapy/emotional support animal, the request will be verified before providing the student housing. In the event that the request is approved in writing from Director of Counseling Services and Director of Housing, an agreement will be signed and the student will be assigned college housing. If a housing assignment is not available, other housing arrangement may be explored (permissions to live off-campus, etc.) and the student may be placed on a waiting list for housing.

Therapy/emotional support animal must be in good health and current with all required vaccinations. Because of health standards, therapy/emotional support animal animals must be kept clean at all times and it is the responsibility of the student to make the necessary cleaning and grooming arrangements. Residence hall facilities such as showers, sinks, tubs and the like may not be used for this purpose. The therapy/emotional support animal will need to be housebroken and may not be allowed to be treated as a pet by others. The therapy/emotional support animal must not be an undue annoyance to other residents (excessive noise, smells, physically threatening, etc.) nor cause damage to the property of others or damage to college provided property. If the accommodation to the student of the therapy/emotional support animal becomes unreasonable by violation of this policy, or becoming a health threat (allergies, etc.) disability or safety concern to another, the student must cooperate with the Office of Campus Life & Housing staff, Director of Counseling, and others as appropriate to resolve the conflict. This may require a change in housing arrangements including modification or discontinuance of the accommodation, or reassignment to another room. The therapy/emotional support animal can be left unattended for a brief time in the student’s assigned residence room, however, the therapy animal must be kept in kennel and the owner must be able to return to their room in a timely manner to address any concerns related/created by the owner’s absence of the therapy/emotional support animal.

Students with an approved therapy/emotional support animal are only permitted to have their therapy/emotional support animal in their residence hall room or have it outside on grassy areas and other approved outside locations. An approved therapy/emotional support animal is not permitted in any other spaces in your residence halls, apartment common spaces, or in any other campus building (even for short visits).

Firearms, weapons, and other dangerous items

As a College community that values the safety of all of its members - firearms, weapons, and other dangerous items are prohibited for College property. Please refer to the Social Code in regard to additional details in regard to the firearms, weapons, and other dangerous items policy.

Furniture

Rooms are furnished with beds, desks, chairs, closets, blinds, etc. Furniture must remain in the room where the College has placed it. Lobby furniture is not for use in individual rooms and should not be removed. When the College is made aware that you have moved furniture, you will be required to immediately move the furniture to its original location. In addition to placing the furniture back to its original location, moving furniture carries a potential fine (determined by National Maintenance) and additional fines from damages sustained to the furniture and/or College furnishings as a result of this policy infraction.

Ceiling/Door/Structure/Wall Hangings

Students may only use command strips to hang items in your residence hall room/apartment. Items that pierce the doors or walls are prohibited. Students that chose to hang items in your residence hall room/apartment will be responsible for any damage caused to doors, walls, or any other College furnishings may be charged for the repair or replacement cost of damaged items. This policy is enforced as of the 2014/2015 academic year and the proceeding years.

Dartboards and/or any other game/apparatus (hammocks, Enos-style hammocks, ropes, etc.) that can be mounted to the wall, ceiling beams, area above ceiling/ceiling tile etc.), has the possibility of damaging college property (walls, floors, ceiling, doors, hallways, any part of the residence hall, etc.), and/or creating a concern for student safety or compromise the structure are prohibited.

Waterbeds, Lofts, and Unapproved furnishings

Waterbeds, lofts, and other non-college approved furnishings are not permitted in any residence hall. Student may elect to bring their own mattress and should communicate that to the Office of Campus Life and Housing. In the event that you have any questions or concerns about the approval of your personal furnishings, please direct your question to the professional housing staff.

Laundry Facilities

Laundry facilities are available in every residence hall. If you use these facilities, please show every consideration for others by removing laundry as soon as the cycle is completed. Unclaimed personal items left in the laundry room will be removed and disposed of due to health and safety concerns.

Food

If you have food in your room, be certain that you store it in airtight containers or in refrigerators to prevent health and safety concerns and prevent the attraction of unwanted pests (ants, etc.).

Withdrawal

If you withdraw from the College, you must vacate your room within 24 hours (unless an earlier specified time is stated in writing by the director of housing) and have your room inspected by your RA or housing staff.

Alcohol & Drug Policy

LaGrange College is a dry campus. As such, the possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverage is not permitted on campus. We abide by the liquor laws of the State of Georgia. Alcohol bottles, containers, or packaging of any kind cannot be present or displayed in residence hall rooms; this includes funnels, kegs, and/or empty bottles. The same applies to the illegal possession, use or sale of drugs.

Please refer to the Social Code in regard to additional details in regard to the alcohol policy and drug policy.

Noise Policy

Residence halls are intended to have an environment that is safe, enjoyable, and conducive to learning. As such, noise concerns can be solved through consideration and cooperation of noise levels. Quiet hours are from 10:00p.m. to 9:00a.m. When using equipment that amplifies sounds (radios, stereos, television, etc.), the user must consider their roommate, the floor community, and the residence hall community. As a member of the residential community, you will be expected to observe quiet hours and to maintain a noise level that does not interrupt fellow residents; students/guests/visitors may be addressed for noise levels at any time of the day if their noise levels negatively impact the residents in their community. Residents should abstain from loud noise that can be heard outside of your room, to include yelling, bouncing balls, stomping, etc. At all times, the rights of a student’s roommate must be respected. All suspected violations will be addressed and then reported for disciplinary action.

Lock Out Policy

If you are locked out of your room or if your keys have been lost or stolen, you need to be aware of the following policies and procedures:

• If you are locked out during business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.) you will go to the Office of Campus Life located in Smith Hall, suite 215.

• If you are locked out before or after business hours (listed above) or weekends, you will contact the on-duty Resident Advisor (RA) for your residence hall; the RA on-duty information can be found on your RA door.

• • RAs/housing staff will verify your assignment before granting you access to your room. You can only be granted access to the room you are assigned to. Students will not be granted access to any other student’s housing assignment.
  • If you are locked out of your room, please ensure that you inform the RA/housing staff of your exact location, so they know where to meet you.
  • After you are granted access to your room, you will be required to display your permanent room key and your LC ID to RAs/housing staff.
  • If RAs/housing staff learn that your keys are lost, a new key will be ordered and the cost of $25 will be charged to your student account. If you lose your room key two or more times, you may also be required to pay the cost of parts and labor to replace your room door lock and all of the subsequent locks and keys that may be impacted by your lost keys. Based on the type of key lost, you may also be required to pay the cost of parts and labor to replace your room door lock and all of the subsequent locks and keys that may be impacted by your lost keys
  • You will be asked to produce your LC ID or an alternate form of identification to verify your identity. If your LC ID card is lost, RAs/housing staff cannot provide you with a temporary swipe card to enable you to access your building, you will be required to replace your ID card. Replacement LC ID cards can be obtained through Campus Safety located on the 2nd floor of Turner Hall. Replacement cards cost $20.00. Campus Safety can be reached at 706-412-0503.
  • The first two lock outs will be provided to the resident free of charge, however, after the second lock out you will incur a charge for lock out assistance—refer to charge list below.
  • If any student is continuously locked out of their room, he or she will be contacted and asked to schedule a non-disciplinary meeting with their Area Manager.
  • If your keys have been lost or stolen, please check with the RAs in your residence hall and Campus Safety to see if your keys have been turned in to lost and found.
  • The cost of a new key and new LC ID is always the responsibility of the resident.
  • The Office of Residential Education & Housing will track the lock outs with the RAs to keep accurate records for the number of lock outs, missing keys, etc.

First and Second Lock Out No Charge

Third Lock Out $10.00

Fourth Lock Out $15.00

Fifth Lock Out (and any subsequent lock outs) $20.00

Meetings Convened by Housing Staff

Meetings scheduled for a floor, wing, or hall by housing staff (Resident Advisors, Area Managers, and Director) is mandatory at the discretion of the staff member calling the meeting.  Fines may be imposed for unexcused absences if notice of a mandatory meeting is given beforehand as well as the student receiving disciplinary actions via the student conduct process.