Residence Life Handbook
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Hall Services ↑ Return to Top
Within the University, or Residence Life, there are a variety of services available to you to help make your living experience enjoyable. Some of the services most applicable for students living in University housing are listed below.
*
Barbeque
Grills: Students are not allowed to bring their own
grills, except for in the apartment complexes. Students may
not possess grills in the residence halls. Community grills
are available for general student use in designated areas
around campus near the residential facilities.
* Cable Service: Each residence
hall room and apartment will be provided with basic
television cable service through Truman State University as
part of the room and board rate. At this time, there are no
premium upgrades available to students (including DVR
service or additional channels).
*
Cleaning Supplies:
Brooms, vacuum cleaners, mops, and buckets, as well as
various cleaning supplies (e.g. glass cleaner, furniture
polish, etc.) are available for checkout at the hall desk
with your student ID.
* Computer Labs:
Computers and printers are available for your use within
designated areas in each of the halls. You must use your own
computer disks. Laser printing is also available within the
computer labs, which are open 24 hours per day. Students can
map their own personal computers to the lab printers through
the University network. Instructions are available through
http://its.truman.edu.
*
Duty Staff Members:
Professional staff and Student Advisors work rotating duty
schedules to be on call for emergencies and to conduct
rounds within the residence halls and apartments on a daily
basis. They are available to respond to your requests 24
hours a day, 7 days a week. These staff members are trained
in crisis management, facilities operations, suicide
response, alcohol and drug emergencies, and many other
areas. There are also professional counselors from the
University Counseling Services on call for emergencies.
Because these staff members are either full-time
professionals or students, we ask that during the late
nighttime hours, you differentiate between an emergency and
something that can wait until the morning.
*
Facility Repairs:
The University Facilities Department will make every attempt
to make the necessary repairs to maintain the residence
halls or apartment fixtures. If something in your room or
bathroom needs repair, or if your window or door screen has
become torn or damaged, please call the Fix-It-Line. The
Fix-It-Line operates from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through
Friday during University business days.
The phone number is x4687, or xINTR (I Need This Repaired).
Emergency repairs occurring outside these hours should be
reported to a hall staff member. Repairs will be completed
based on a campus-wide priority system including urgency,
type of repair, and date received. Student telephone line
repairs should be reported to Telephone Services by dialing
0. University personnel are allowed to enter individual
apartment or residence hall rooms starting at 8:00 a.m. to
perform maintenance functions.
* Hall Desk: The residence
halls and the Campbell Apartment complex have their own Hall
Desks. Hall Desks are open Monday through Saturday from 9:30
a.m.-10:30 p.m., and on Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
The Hall Desk serves as an information resource and provides
an assortment of supplies for residents within the building.
Students may receive small amounts of change, purchase
stamps, or have questions answered by desk staff. In
addition, most halls have sports equipment, games, cleaning
supplies, vacuum cleaners, and cooking equipment that can be
checked out with your student ID. For Campbell apartments,
vacuum cleaners are available through the Hall Desk. For
Fair and Randolph Apartments, vacuum cleaners may be checked
out through the Dobson, Ryle, or Grim Hall Desk with your
student ID.
* Hall Offices: Each
residence hall has its own office to assist students with
questions regarding their room, processes or procedures, or
problems they may have. There is a professional Residence
Hall Director and a Community Coordinator, in addition to
Student Advisors, available within the building to assist
you.
* Housekeeping Services:
Housekeepers in your living environment work hard to make
your building a comfortable and pleasant place to live. The
neat and clean appearance of the halls, lounges, and
restrooms is due in large part to their efforts.
Housekeepers are not expected to clean unnecessary messes
made by residents. Your cooperation in caring for the
facilities makes their job easier, creates a pleasant
atmosphere, and helps keep room and board costs low. Trash
containers are located on each floor for you to empty your
personal wastebaskets. Unwanted large items, such as boxes
and carpeting, should be taken directly to the dumpster
located outside your residence hall. Do not sweep dirt into
the hallways or stairwells. Students who have vandalized
property, or caused unnecessary messes, may be subject to
disciplinary action and damage expenses equivalent to the
full replacement value of the item(s).
* Insurance: The University
is not responsible for losses caused by theft, vandalism,
resident negligence, or natural disaster. To provide
protection against lost, stolen, or damaged items, students
are strongly encouraged to take out personal property
insurance or be sure that your belongings are covered by
your parents’ homeowners’ policy. Insurance policies through
insurance companies may also be taken out as a source of
protection. If losses or damages occur as a result of a
University facilities malfunction or staff negligence,
students are encouraged to forward their concerns to the
Physical Plant office within 30 days of the event.
* Keys: A lost key can result in a
serious security problem for the residents of a room/suite.
For this reason, each time a student reports a lost key, the
University recores the lock and makes new keys for the
residents of the room. The student’s account is charged
$25
for each replaced room key, which covers the cost of the
core, labor, and new key(s). This fee is non- refundable.
For halls that issue bathroom keys, loss
of these keys also will result in a charge of $25 per key.
Loss of exterior door keys will result in a
charge of $300. This charge is a
result of the large amount of keys that are replaced for
exterior entries. University keys may not be duplicated commercially. Students
who lock themselves out of their rooms will be charged a
lockout fee after the first week of school, which varies by
price according to the time of the lockout.
* Kitchenettes: All living
environments, except Fair Apartments, have kitchenettes
available for your use. Fair residents may use Grim
Hall’s kitchenette, which is conveniently located next to
Fair. A limited amount of cooking equipment is available to
students to check out with their student ID at the Hall
Desk. Students using community kitchens must clean the area
after their use, and not leave food or cooking supplies
(including cooking equipment or utensils) in the kitchen.
The Housekeeping staff is not responsible for cleaning up
unnecessary messes within the residence halls or kitchens.
Please refer to the chart in this handbook that lists all
approved appliances that students may use within their
rooms. Campbell and Randolph apartment residents have their
own kitchens, and are expected to keep their kitchen
properly cleaned. Students leaving the kitchen unclean may
be charged a fee equivalent to an hourly rate and cleaning
supplies estimated necessary for cleaning the kitchen.
* Laundry Facilities: All
residence halls, and the Campbell/Fair apartment complexes,
have laundry facilities. Washers and dryers are operated by
coin or debit system that operates from your University
Student ID. Residents of Randolph Apartments generally use
the laundry facility in Dobson Hall, a short distance away.
Clothing items that are left unclaimed in the laundry
facility will be donated to a local shelter.
* Mail: Mail to all Residence Life
areas is received and distributed to the campus living
environments Monday through Saturday, except on national and
University holidays or breaks. Outgoing mail is picked up
once a day from the hall desk or other designated mail drop
slots. The following information should appear on mail sent
to you:
"Your name"
Room #, Residence Hall or Apartment
Name
Street Address
Kirksville, MO 63501
All mail delivered in mailboxes must include the name and
address of the resident and a return address. A campus mail
system operates for all academic and residential buildings,
including the campus apartments. According to U.S. Postal
regulations, only University business mail may be sent
through the campus mail system. (Holiday/Birthday cards or
personal mail sent among residents is not considered
University business mail.) Personal mail sent through the
campus mail system will be returned to the sender, or
declared not deliverable if no return address exists. UPS,
Federal Express, and Airborne mail is delivered directly to
Campus Mail Services. Insured packages may be picked up
directly from Campus Mail Services. It is highly recommended
that students who will be receiving packages or mail that
holds monetary value have these packages insured. The
University is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged
mail, or mail that is not picked up by the owner. Students
are only allowed to pick up their own mail. For your own
security, always lock your mailbox, and do not disclose your
mailbox combination to any other person.
*
Musical Instruments:
Most residence halls have pianos available for your use. You
are requested to respect the rights of others when using any
musical instrument. You are allowed to play handheld
instruments at a reasonable level during non-quiet hours,
but are not allowed to play scales at any time. Space is
available, through the Fine Arts Department, in academic
buildings for practicing instruments. Residents must comply
with any request, made by other community members or hall
staff, to stop playing.
* Night Security/Night
Monitors: All residence halls have night monitors to
admit residents and escorted guests into the building after
it has been secured for the evening at 10:30 p.m. From
10:30-midnight, students who live on campus may present
their student ID to gain access to any residential facility.
After midnight, you must present your student ID card or
official ID (if not a Truman student) to be admitted into
the building in which you live. If you have guests, you must
sign those guests into the logbook. Identification of your
guest will be required. Non-compliance with this process,
including falsification of names in the registration log,
poses a security risk to the building resulting in a conduct
review and denied entrance. In extreme circumstances of
security risk, Residence Life reserves the right to lock
down the residential facilities.
* Picnic Tables:
Residence Life provides numerous picnic area around campus
that students can use when studying outdoors, eating meals,
or hanging out. Several areas also have barbeque pits.
* Posting: Campus business mail
must be properly addressed to the student (name, residence
all or apartment, room number), faculty, staff, or campus
office, and must have a return address listed on it. Campus
organizations who wish to post posters in the residence
halls advertising University related events must bring their
posters to Residence Life. See
http://reslife.truman.edu/services/posting/index.asp
for quantities. In addition, students should refer to the
University posting policy, found on the Student Affairs
website at
http://saffairs.truman.edu/distribution/.
* Programming: Staff
members from Residence Life or the New Student
Programs plan opportunities to expose you to knowledge, new
ideas, different philosophies, and thought provoking
stimuli. Much of a student’s college experience is to learn
outside of the classroom setting, so programs, activities,
and events are designed to help students experience new
things through social and educational interactions.
Programming is done in a variety of areas that align with
our departmental core values, and are designed to develop
the whole person. These areas include: Diversity; Life-long
learning; Service; Wellness; Personal Development;
Community; and Creativity. Programming areas may include:
lip syncs, special interest panels, movie nights, literature
discussions, and the like. From learning more about your
roommate, to discussing the different types of religions
represented on campus, there is something for everyone
throughout the year. If you have a topic you would like to
see, let your Student Advisor, Hall Director, or Academic
Advisor know about it! All efforts for programming and the
creation of a quality living-learning community should
utilize at least one of the six core values, and the needs
assessment or student interest surveys. The core value areas
that are defined for our department include:
1) Community
- Creating a place on campus and within
the greater Kirksville community where residents have a safe
place to call home.
2) Personal Development
- Helping residents grow to
become stronger people while exploring and defining their
own values, ethics and identity.
3) Life Learning
- Placing an emphasis on being a
life-long learner, while striving to create a love for
learning and exploration.
4) Diversity
- Understanding and embracing the
differences within ourselves and the world around us.
5) Service
- Support the people within our own and
surrounding communities through volunteerism and compassion.
6) Wellness
- Intentionally creating an atmosphere in
which residents are exposed to information that will enable
them to make healthy lifestyle choices.
*
RCP Reception Areas:
Areas are available in each residence hall where you can
make appointments to meet with your Academic Advisors who
are available to assist you with academic counseling and
course registration.
*
Refrigerators/Microfridge Units: Microfridges contain a
large refrigerator, freezer, and microwave, and can be
rented for $150 per academic year. This fee will be charged
to the student’s account who holds the contract for the
unit. It is a good idea to submit your request early,
because these are offered on a first-come, first-serve
basis. The Microfridge is the only microwave permitted in
students’ rooms. Many students split the cost of rental
between roommates. In the event that you wish to bring your
own refrigerator, it must be less than 2’w x 3’h x2’d.
Refunds for microfridge units are not given once the
academic year begins if the student has already been issued
the unit.
* Security: Part of the
obligation of community living is to help safeguard the
living environment. Thousands of people, both residents and
non-residents, have access to the halls. Because of this,
you are encouraged to keep your room locked at all times and
also report people who seem to be tampering with locks,
damaging facilities, harassing students, or having
suspicious behavior to a staff member. Do not prop open
community bathroom doors or the building’s exterior doors
unless there are designated approved times to do so. You are
advised to be particularly security-minded at times of check
in, vacations, checkout, or when fewer residents are in the
halls. The non-emergency telephone number is 665- 5621. The
emergency number is x911. There are emergency phones mounted
on bright blue or red posts located around campus. Public
Safety has fully sanctioned police officers and trained
security patrol to monitor and secure the outside of
buildings, as well as public areas, and to assist with any
emergency within the University.
* Storage: Storage of personal
belongings during the summer is very limited. If you are a
student living more than 300 miles from Truman over the
summer months, you may be allowed to store a limited amount
of personal belongings during the summer. You can contact
your Residence Hall Director for specific summer storage
guidelines and information. A storage fee will be assessed
for any items that are stored. The University is not
responsible for any items stored by a student.
*
Telephone Services:
Telephone service is available for a $100 annual fee. You are
responsible for supplying your own touch tone telephone
(please do not bring 2mHz phones as they interferer with the
wireless networks). If there is a problem with your phone
service, plug in a phone you know is working prior to
reporting service line problems to Telephone Services (dial
“0”). The University is not responsible for repairing
telephone instruments.
Your phone service has the following special features:
On-campus Calls: When using a campus phone to call another
campus phone number, only dial the last four digits.
Local Calls: You can access an outside (Kirksville) phone
line by dialing “9.” Wait for the dial tone, then dial the
local number.
Long Distance Calling: Students are highly encouraged to
bring calling cards or cellular phones to make long distance
phone calls, since this service is no longer provided
through the University Telephone Services.
Credit Card Calling: You may arrange for a telephone credit
card with long distance service if you wish to be billed for
long distance calls, but you may not charge these calls to
your room telephone.
Debit Card or Toll-Free Calling: If you need to use your
phone debit card or wish to call a toll-free number, just
dial “9”, wait for a dial tone, then dial the phone number.
Collect Calls: Do not accept any collect calls. If you do,
you will be responsible for all related charges.
Voice
Mail: The University has a voice mail system for all
faculty, staff, and students living on campus. This system
serves as an answering machine for each resident. You will
want to set up your voice mail account as soon as you arrive
on campus, and check your messages frequently.
Your Living Space: Decorating/Sizes/Heat/Furnishings ↑ Return to Top
Room Decorating
Your room gives you the opportunity to create a new living
environment. This is your home away from home, so decorating
and personalizing your room is strongly encouraged. Because
students will receive room assignments and roommate
information in the summer, you will be able to talk to,
write to, or email your roommate before you move to campus.
Space is limited, so we encourage you to communicate
with your future roommate about what you would like to share
to avoid duplicating non-personal items. Any furniture that
is in your room when you arrive must stay in your room.
Storing residence hall furniture outside of its original
room is strictly prohibited and may result in fines.
Specific information on room decorations is found in section
for
Residence Life General Policies, found at the back of
this handbook. You may hang posters and pictures from the
wall. However, this must be done with non-damaging materials
or removable hangers to prevent damages. Special products,
such as poster tack or non-damaging hangers, are available,
through general retail stores, to hang items on painted
walls that do not damage the walls.
Since Truman is a dry campus, we do not allow any alcohol beverage containers (empty or full), boxes, bottles, or cans in the residence hall rooms. Even though an empty champagne bottle may hold sentimental value to you, please leave it at home.
Temperature Control
When decorating your room, please take care to not place any
items in ways that they block the ventilation system in your
room. If blocked, air cannot circulate through it to heat
your room during the cold season. If your room is not
heating, check the area around the ventilator first before
calling your Student Advisor or the Facilities Fix-It Line.
Due to fire safety policies, students are not allowed to
have space heaters; however, if the temperature in a student
room is less than 65 degrees Fahrenheit as determined by
Facilities heat sensor gun, Facilities may temporarily issue
one to that student after the student pays a security
deposit.
| Residence Hall Name | Approximate Measurements | Window Size |
| Blanton Hall | ||
| Double Room | 12’x14’ | 6’3”wx5’h |
| 4-person Room | 7’6”x17’x17’x24’ | 6’3”wx5’h |
| Brewer Hall | ||
| Double Room | 14’x11’8” | 6’3”wx5’h |
| Centennial Hall | ||
| Double Room | 14’x12’ | 6’3”wx5’h |
| 3-Person Room | 12’4”x19’6” | 6’3”wx5’h |
| 4-Person Room | 4’8”x20’10”x16’x8’6”x25’10” | 6’3”wx5’h |
| Dobson Hall | ||
| Double Room | 14’6”x11’10” | 6’5”wx5’10”h |
| 4-Person Room Average | 14’6”x23’6” | 6’5”wx5’10”h & 3’3”wx5’ h |
| E.C. Grim Hall | ||
| Double Room (Shared Bath) | 14’6”x11’8” | Vary in size |
| Double Room (Private Bath) | 12’10”x11’10” | Vary in size |
| Missouri Hall | ||
| Double Room | 14’6”x11’8” | 6’5”wx5’6”h |
| 3-Person Room | 14’6”x16’10” | 6’5”wx5’6”h |
| Nason Hall | ||
| 4-Person Room (Average) | 17’2”x15’ | 6’3”wx5’h & 3’7”wx5”h |
| Ryle Hall | ||
| Double Room | 12’4”x14’ | 6’3”wx5’h |
| 3-Person Room | 12’x14’ | 6’3”wx5’h |
| 4-Person Room Average | 25’8”x25’8”x25’8” | 6’3”wx5’h |
Room Sizes
Room sizes and shapes vary between each residence hall
because of the building’s unique design and room types.
Because so many rooms differ in size, Residence Life
does not have exact room, window, or closet measurements for
each specific room on campus. However, student/parents are
allowed to have a “sneak peek” at their assigned room in the
halls/apartments weekdays from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. during the
month of July. Make an appointment with the Residence Life
Office to reserve your appointment early. We request a
24-hour advance notice and reservations to ensure a tour
guide will be available for you. (Depending on summer
camp schedules, a similar room may be shown if your room is
not accessible at the time of your appointment.) Because
students’ plans sometimes change, room assignments are not
completely final and are still subject to change until
the students move to campus. Therefore, approximate room
sizes are listed on the chart and it is highly recommended
that you measure your room after you arrive before you
purchase items that require specific dimensions (carpet,
curtains, etc.).
Room Furnishings
The University furnishes most rooms with
bunkable/loftable beds, standard twin-sized mattresses (36”
x 76”), a dresser or drawers to share between residents,
closets or wardrobes, and window miniblinds. All residence
hall rooms and apartments have a desk with drawer space for
each resident. Each room in our residence halls contains one
bed per person, which may be bunked or
lofted (extra
pieces are included to form a loft, which allows desks and
chairs to be placed underneath). The lofts are secure and
are provided to each student living in the halls. Homemade
lofts are not allowed. Bed rails are also provided. If you
are 6’4” or taller, you may request an extra long bed and
mattress by calling the Facilities Department at (660)
785-5253. (A limited number are available.) Please bring
your own wastebaskets, since they are not provided in any
individual rooms on campus. Each hall has large waste and
recycling receptacles located in common areas. Recycling
bins for students may be available, on a limited basis by
calling the Recycling Center at x7672 once students are on
campus. Also, students will need to provide their own shower
curtains, shower curtain hooks, and toilet paper for rooms
with suite-style bathrooms. The cleaning of suite-style or
private bathrooms is the responsibility of the residents
residing in those rooms.
What to Bring
↑ Return to Top
If you do not know your roommate(s) before you move to
campus, it is a good idea to contact each other before you
arrive. Be sure to share what each other is planning to
bring, and what can be shared in your room.
You may want to bring a mattress pad or “eggcrate” foam padding, bed linens (rooms contain standard twin beds that measure 36”x76”), pillow, blanket, bedspread, clothes hangers, wastebasket, desk light, a telephone (touch tone), and shower curtain (Apartments, BNB, Grim, Ryle, Centennial, and West Campus Suites). You are encouraged to bring a fan to help circulate cool air during the early Fall and late Spring. You may also bring any approved electrical appliances that fall into our approved appliance categories as listed in this handbook. Students bringing small refrigerators must limit them to 2’w x 3’h x 2’d in size. Residents using extension cords are strongly encouraged to use grounded 3-prong, 15-amp minimum, extension cords and/or surge protectors. All electronics or appliances must be UL approved and in good, working condition.
You may use approved appliances, stereos, lights, and other electrical devices as listed in this handbook. All two-prong extension cords and halogen lamps are prohibited because of the fire hazard they represent. Residents must report all electrical problems experienced in their rooms (e.g., tripped circuit breakers) to their Student Advisor, the Hall Director, or the Facilities Fix-It Line.
You may set up various systems of antennas inside your room to increase radio reception as long as no damage to your room occurs. Antennas are prohibited outside room windows or in the hallways. Basic cable will be provided to all residence hall rooms, so students only need to bring their televisions and coaxial cables.
| Approved Electrical Appliances | |
|
Allowed Only if UL
Approved & in Good Condition |
Not Allowed* |
| Alarm Clock/Clock | Air Conditioner** (See chart below) |
| Aquarium with Fish | Cappuccino Maker |
| (up to 30 gallon maximum) | Convection Oven |
| Automatic Iced Tea Maker | Deep Fat Fryer |
| Blender (Allowed on a provisional basis for Spring 2009 in renovated halls) | Electric Crepe/Sandwich Maker |
| Bread Machine | Electric Fry Pan |
| Can Opener | Electric Grill |
| CD Burner | Electric Hamburger Cooker |
| Coffee Maker | Electric Mixer |
| Computer | Electric Waffle Iron |
| Crock-pot/Slow Cooker | Electric Wok |
| Curling Iron or Hot Rolling Curlers | Fondue Pot |
| Electric Blanket | Food Processor |
| Fan | Grill or Grill Convertible |
| Food Hydrator | Halogen Lamps |
| Game Machines | Holiday Lights (Outdoor) |
| Hair Dryer | Hot Oil Popcorn Popper |
| Heating Pad | Hot Pot or Hot Plate |
| Hot Air Popcorn Popper | Indoor Grill or Broiler |
| Indoor Holiday Lights | Microwave*** (See chart below) |
| Iron with Automatic Shut-Off | Outdoor Grill (charcoal or propane) |
| Lava lamps | Space Heater |
| Non-halogen Lamps | Sun Lamp |
| Radio | Toaster/Toaster Oven |
| Razor | |
| Rice Cooker | Warming Tray |
| Small Refrigerator | |
| (2’ x 3’ x 2’) | |
| Stereo | Color indicates that appliance is allowed in Campbell and Randolph complexes only. |
| Television | |
| VCR/DVD/Blue Ray Disc Player | |
|
* If your item is not listed, please consult with your Hall Director or the Residence Life Central Office. |
|
|
Allowed Only With Permission from Residence Life |
Special
Circumstances |
Additional Usage Fee Required |
|
Air Conditioner** (6,000 BTUs max.) |
Physician’s Certification validating the medical necessity. |
$100 energy use fee due by Aug. 1 ($40 late fee will apply after that date.) |
| Microwave*** | Only permitted when rented as part of a Microfridge unit. | $150 rental fee for the Micro-fridge unit for the academic year. |
What Not to Bring
...Please Leave it at home.
To prevent severe electrical overloading of our circuits,
general microwaves and air conditioners are restricted from
campus, unless a student meets certain requirements.
Microwaves are not allowed in the residence halls unless
they are a part of the Microfridge units that may be
reserved through Residence Life. These Microfridge units
divert some energy away from the refrigerator while the
microwave portion is functioning. Personal microwaves
are only allowed in the West Campus Suites, Blanton-Nason-Brewer Hall, Missouri Hall,
Dobson Hall, and Randolph & Campbell Apartments complexes.
Air Conditioners are also prohibited unless the
student presents a new prescriptive letter every academic
year from a medical family practice physician or
allergist (M.D. or D.O.) certifying the medical necessity of
having an air conditioner in his/her residence hall room or
apartment. The physician’s certification must be provided to
the Disabilities Services Office
before August 1. (After that date, a $40 late fee will be
assessed.) If approved, a $100 energy use fee will be
charged to your student account. Approved air conditioners
must be provided and installed by the student, and may not
exceed 6,000 BTUs. All physician certifications will be
jointly reviewed and approved by the Disability Services
medical staff and Residence Life. Students with unapproved
air conditioners will be charged the $100 energy use fee, a
$40 penalty fee, an unapproved appliance fine (up to
$25/day), and asked to remove the air conditioning unit
immediately. The student may reinstall the a/c unit once
appropriate medical certification is received and approved.
Community kitchens are available in the residence halls to encourage cooking in common areas rather than in individual student rooms. High heat or open coil appliances are not permitted at any time. Students are required to clean up all cooking areas after use, including community kitchen areas. Students leaving the kitchen unclean may be charged a fee equivalent to an hourly rate and cleaning supplies estimated necessary for cleaning the kitchen.
The possession of prohibited appliances or electronics may result in a daily $25 fine per item and possible a residential conduct review. Students will be required to move the prohibited appliances off-campus, or to a designated storage area in the hall until they can be permanently removed from campus. The University reserves the right to enter student room for the purpose of inspection, safety concerns, maintenance, or repair. The University further reserves the right to enter an assigned room and to inspect the possessions of the occupants if reasonable cause exists to believe that the student has violated University rules and regulations (including possessing an item which is not allowed), or is in danger. During inspections, some personal items may be moved by staff to fully inspect, disconnect, or unplug items in your room.
Pets
What About Fido and Fluffy?
Unless Fido and Fluffy are fish or small amphibians, please
leave them at home. Students are prohibited from having
reptiles or mammals including turtles, lizards, snakes, or
other animals. Residents may have fish or small amphibians
in the residence halls or apartments if they are
nonpoisonous and are contained in a tank no larger
than 30 gallons. Residents are expected to take proper care
of the hygiene of the pet and tank maintenance. If
proper hygiene and maintenance is not taken, the student
will be required to remove the pet(s) from the
residence hall or apartment. Service animals may be
permitted with required documentation of need, and only
after joint approval has been granted through Disability
Services and Residence Life.
“$+”
Roommate Relations ↑ Return to Top
What is a Roommate Agreement?
Living with another student is a rewarding but sometimes
challenging experience. Once you arrive on campus (or
anytime you have a new roommate), you should sit down with
your roommate(s) and talk about some of the challenges that
you may face over the next year. The hall staff will provide
the residents of each room with a Roommate Agreement that
will be due back to the hall office in the first few
weeks of school. If problems arise throughout the year, your
Student Advisor will try to work with you and your
roommate(s), and use the Roommate Agreement as part of the
discussion. If one person in the room is violating an agreed
upon point that is listed in the agreement, the SA will work
with the residents to help enforce the items in the
Roommate Agreement. If sections of the contract differ according to
preferences of each roommate, the SA will go with the most
conservative point.
Click here to download and fill out a Roommate Agreement (Adobe 7 Required - Click here to download)
Room Changes
Room, roommate, or building
changes can take place after the first week of regular semester classes
during the Fall and Spring semesters. This waiting period is
necessary so the University can determine which students
have arrived for the semester in order to identify all
available spaces. Students can, however, begin signing up on
the online room change request form,
Roommate
Central, which is available on
the Residence Life website starting the first day of
classes.
When a student fills out a room change
request in Roommate Central, the Hall Director in the hall
they currently live in will be automatically emailed.
The Hall Director will then get in contact with the student
to discuss a possible move. The Hall Director can
assist the student with where possible open rooms are and
whether such a move would be sensible decision for the
student. The Hall Director will assist students in
finding the living situation that works best for each
student. The room change form within Roommate Central
will be available online for the entire academic year.
Consolidation & Room Changes
As vacancies occur in the residence halls throughout the
year, students will receive a consolidation letter giving
them options for that space. If your room
is under capacity (less than maximum capacity in any
room), you will have the following options if there is not a
housing waiting list or other demand for the space:
You may have another student (by mutual agreement) move into
your room.
You may move into another student’s room.
Leave the unoccupied space open which puts that opening on
the list of available spaces for any student that needs to
change rooms. Residence Life reserves the right to
move another student into that space or move you into a
different space if necessary.
If occupancy levels permit, you may pay an increased cost
and continue in the same room if there are less people
living in a room than can be assigned to that space. This is
called “buying out” your room to have a Super Single Room.
If you are changing rooms/halls, you must officially check out of your current room/hall and check in to your new room/hall, or face fines for improper checkout. Room moves may only be made with prior approval from your Hall Director. The student is responsible for completing the proper room checkout procedures, and may not move into another room until they are approved. Any questions about the move process should be directed to your Hall Director or the Residence Life Office. Room changes must occur within one week of an option being selected with the Residence Life housing placement staff, or the student may be charged with an improper room change fine. Students moving into a different room type will have their housing charges adjusted to reflect a different room rate (double, multiple, single, super single, apartment, etc.). This new rate is effective on the actual move date, or the approved move date, whichever is earlier.
Housing Renewal/Registration Process
↑ Return to Top
Housing Renewal/Registration for the Fall Semester takes
place during February. During this time you have the option
of returning to your current room/suite or choosing to move
to a new room in your building or across campus; regardless
where you move you will need to find a roommate.
Unfortunately, we are unable to allow residents to sign up
for rooms without a roommate. In an effort to create the
best possible experience for first year students we have a
policy that prevents us from placing upper-class and first
year students as roommates (unless reciprocal requests have
been made). In December, you will be able to find additional
housing renewal information on the Residence Life website at
http://reslife.truman.edu.
Your Housing Contract ↑ Return to Top
Read the fine print
Residents sometimes don’t read their housing contract, or
they misunderstand or misinterpret them. This can result in
forfeiture of deposit, damage charges, termination fees, or
other financial losses. It is very important that you
realize you have signed a legal contract to reside in
a hall or apartment for an academic year, spring
semester, or a complete summer session. The contract
is an agreement between you and the University and is
designed to protect both parties. Contracts issued in
the Fall semester are for the entire academic year. There
are significant penalties for those individuals who choose
to break their contract for non-academic related purposes.
On the housing contract, you must check the meal plan option that you want to have for the Fall semester. The meal plan option may be changed for the Spring semester, but students are NOT allowed to switch plans midsemester after they have selected their option. The housing contract also has a space where you can indicate if you wish to request a Microfridge unit. However, this indication is simply for the Residence Life office to estimate numbers and in no way exempts you from further submitting the Microfridge contract. The $150 rental fee will be added to students’ accounts.
Residence Life Contract
This contract is an agreement between Truman State
University and the individual student for the period
indicated. This agreement entitles the student to the use of
the University’s accommodations as long as the student
remains in compliance with the Terms and Conditions of
Residence specified in the contract and as described in the
Residence Life Handbook and the standards of the
Truman State University Student Conduct Code, and does not
behave in such a way as to jeopardize the maintenance
of a safe, collegial living environment conducive to the
educational mission of the University. Students and their
parents, or guardians, are urged to read this contract
carefully. If the student is under the age of 18, a parent
or guardian must sign the contract along with the student.
The University agrees to provide accommodations under the
conditions of this agreement and as described in the
Residence Life Handbook. By signing the contract, the
student is acknowledging that they are entering into a
legally binding contract
for the period
specified. Breach of the contract will result in the
penalties described in the Terms and Conditions of
Residence. The student also agrees to pay all associated
charges for the room type that is added to his/her student
account. The Housing Contract may not be altered or changed
to amend the terms and conditions of the agreement.
First Year
Residency Requirement:
Because of the value of the residential experience and its
impact on student learning and connections to the
University, all first year students are required to live on
campus. Students who wish to appeal for an exemption may do
so ONLY if they fit the following exemption areas, as listed
in the Student On-Campus Residency Requirement of the
University Housing Contract. (residence
waiver form [pdf])
Minimum Enrollment Requirement:
Undergraduate Students are required to be enrolled and
actively participating in a minimum of 12 credit hours
(graduate students must be enrolled in at least six credit
hours) at the beginning of any given semester in order to
live on campus. Students who drop below the minimum credit
hour requirements may be required to leave campus if they
become disruptive to the community in which they live or if
they are not attending classes.
Checkout Requirement:
Students are required to checkout of their on-campus living
area within 24 hours of their withdrawal date, or within 24
hours of their last final exam. Students who do not comply
with this policy may be charged an improper checkout fee, as
well as daily charges for their housing. Students who do not
comply may also face a conduct hearing.
Contract Period:
A residence hall or apartment contract is binding for the
entire current academic year. A student submits the
application card with a housing deposit, and the application
card becomes a contract upon acceptance by the University.
Rooms may be occupied and meals will be served during the
periods stated in the University Residence Hall calendar for
the applicable semester or session. The room and board fees
do not cover periods of time when the halls/apartments are
closed for vacation, and residents may not live in the halls
during such times. Apartment residents may stay through all
breaks except summer.
Use of Assigned Room:
The room assigned to a student is to be occupied by him/her,
and a student may not sublet the assigned room. Rooms are
for student residence purposes only, and a student may not
use his/her assigned room for any commercial purposes
whatsoever. Students may not allow another person to live
with them who is not assigned to that room by the
University. Students allowing an unassigned person to live
with them will result in disciplinary action and possibly
additional housing charges.
Student On-Campus Residency
Requirement: All first time students are required
to live on campus. Exemptions include students over 21 years
of age, married students, parenthood, or students commuting
and living with a parent or guardian. Any student violating
this policy is subject to housing charges applied to their
account, and possible suspension from the University.
Notarized exemption forms must be submitted in advance and
are legal documents. (residence
waiver form [pdf])
Acceptance of Application:
The University reserves the right to reject an
application for accommodations in the University residence
halls/apartments. If the University accepts an application,
the student will pay all charges for the accommodations
assigned at the rate and times established by the
University.
Assignments: The University shall have the right
and privilege to (a) change a student’s room (or roommate)
assignment; (b) require a student to move to a different
room; and (c) place additional students in a student’s
assigned room. The inability of the University to grant a
student’s assignment preference shall not void his or her
contract. If a student fails to occupy his/her assigned room
on or before the second day of classes of the applicable
period without notifying the Residence Life Office in
writing of a delayed arrival, the tardy student’s room may
be assigned to another student. However, a student’s delayed
arrival shall not relieve the student from accepting other
available accommodations, which may be assigned to him/her
by the University. Students who sign a housing contract and
fail to notify Residence Life that they will not be living
on campus may be subject to all contract breakage penalties,
the loss of their housing deposit, and prorated room and
board charges. The student may not alter or amend the
application-contract.
Application of Deposit: A student shall pay the
housing deposit at the time of his or her application
for housing. The University will retain it until the end of
the contract period. If the student has properly performed
his or her duties under the contract, including proper
checkout, and if the student does not have any delinquent
debts to the University at the end of the contract period, a
portion will be refunded to the student shortly thereafter.
The remainder of the deposit will be retained as a
processing fee in all cases. If a student is responsible for
any unpaid damages or is delinquent on any debts to the
University, the appropriate portion of the deposit will be
applied toward the payment of such damages or debts, and the
balance of the net deposit will be refunded. In the event a
student is responsible for damages or delinquent debts in
excess of the deposit, the entire amount will be applied
toward payment of such damages or debts, and the student
shall be liable for the remaining balance of the damage or
debts.
Refund of Deposit: The refundable portion of the
deposit will be returned to a student upon satisfactory
completion of his or her contract without any delinquent
indebtedness to the University. The refundable portion of
the deposit also will be returned to a student upon the
following conditions: (a) If the University does not accept
the student’s application for housing; or (b) If the student
is denied admission to the University for the applicable
period. The refundable portion of the deposit will be
refunded to a student who has not previously attended the
University if the student notifies the University in writing
prior to May 1 that he or she will not be attending. In all
other cases, the University reserves the right to retain the
refundable portion of the deposit as liquidated damages for
breach of contract.
Renewal of Contract: If a student requests the
renewal of his or her contract for a subsequent period, and
if the application for renewal is accepted by the
University, then the refundable portion of the deposit for
the current contract will be transferred to the student’s
credit for the renewal contract. If the deposit is reduced
to less than the refundable portion of the deposit (due to
damages, other debts to the University, etc.) the student
shall pay the necessary amount to restore the deposit to the
full balance. In addition to the refundable deposit, the
University may require partial prepayment of room and board
fees for the new contract. If the student signs a new
contract and then decides not to live in the residence halls
or apartments for the new contract period, the University
shall have the right to retain the refundable portion of the
deposit, the required prepayment amount, and impose a
penalty as damages for breakage of contract and possible
prorated room and board charges.
Room and Board Fees: Room and board fees for the
residence halls and apartments are due on or before the
dates stated in the residence hall/apartment payment
schedule for the applicable period. If the designated
amounts are not paid on or before the due dates, the
University may assess an additional fee for each late
payment. In addition, the University may 1) suspend board
privileges during such periods of delinquency or 2)
terminate the contract.
Inspection: The University reserves the right to
enter the assigned room for the purpose of inspection,
safety concerns, and maintenance or repair. The University
further reserves the right to enter the assigned room and to
inspect the possessions of the occupants if reasonable cause
exists to believe that the student has violated University
rules and regulations. The University reserves the right to
move personal belongings as part of this inspection process.
Fire, Theft, or Other Damages: The University
shall not be responsible for the loss of, or damage to, any
personal property of a student from any cause whatsoever. In
the event the room assigned to a student is destroyed or
rendered wholly uninhabitable by the University and the
University does not elect to furnish other accommodations,
the contract shall be terminated as of the date of
destruction. In the event of such termination, any prepaid
room and board fees shall be reduced proportionately. The
University recommends that students take out homeowners or
apartment insurance to protect their belongings.
Housekeeping Services: The University shall
provide housekeeping service in the hallways and other
common areas of the residence halls. Each student shall
provide housekeeping services in his or her assigned room
and suite bathroom, if applicable.
Damages: A student is liable for the cost of any
repairs made necessary by the fault or negligence of the
student or by his or her invited guests. The responsible
resident shall pay the amount of damages to University
property.
Checkout and Vacation of Room:
Upon termination
of his or her contract, a student is required to complete a
prescribed checkout procedure for his or her room in the
presence of a staff member by following the procedures
established by the Residence Life Office. Failure to check
out properly will result in one or more of the following:
retention of the refundable portion of the deposit as
liquidated damages, an improper checkout fee, and/or a loss
of key fee. In addition, the resident will be responsible
for any additional damages. A student is required to vacate
his or her assigned room within 24 hours of last final, or
by the times established by Residence Life. Failure to
vacate will result in additional charges.
Rules and Regulations:
A student shall comply
with all rules and regulations for University residence
halls and apartments, including, but not limited to the
rules and regulations contained in this handbook, available
online at http://reslife.truman.edu. Additional copies of
this Handbook are available in the Residence Life Office.
Violators of such rules and regulations are subject to
disciplinary action and/or termination of contract by
the University.
Nine-month Housing
Contracts:
Residents must fulfill the
nine-month housing contract. Exceptions include marriage,
parenthood, transfers, graduation, and withdrawals from the
University. A loss of the refundable deposit and a $60
termination of contract fee will be assessed to those
transferring schools, withdrawing from the University, or
leaving campus due to marriage or parenthood. Residents
graduating or participating in University-sponsored
internships or study abroad program will not be charged a
termination fee. Any termination of contract, other than
ones previously stated will lose their housing deposit, and
will be charged a termination fee of $700.
Termination After Housing Contract is Signed, But Up to 7
Days Prior to the Start of the Academic Year:
Returning students who sign a housing contract and later
terminate their contract but remain a Truman student will be
subject to a $350 Contract Breakage Penalty, plus the
forfeiture of the housing deposit.
Termination of Contract by the Student:
If a student chooses to
terminate their housing contract, they must communicate that
to the Office of Residence Life in writing. All other
housing policies, procedures, and fees apply to the
cancellation of a housing contract by the student.
Termination of Contract by the University: The
University reserves the right to terminate the residence
hall or apartment contract of a student. The University will
attempt to give advance notice of such termination, but such
advance notice shall not be required. In the event the
University terminates a student’s contract due to the
student’s violation of University rules and regulations, the
University shall have the right to assess a $700 damage fee
to the student and forfeit the housing deposit for the
student’s breach of contract.
Other Debts to the University: If a student
permits any debts to the University to become delinquent,
the delinquency may result in the placement of a “hold
order” on the student’s records. In addition, the
University also may suspend the student’s meal plan
privileges or terminate the student’s housing contract.
Imposition of Fines and Charges:
Fines may be
assessed to a student(s) for violation of University or
Residence Life Policies and/or the Student Conduct Code.
Charges for damage to residence halls, apartments, rooms,
and any other University property/area will be assessed to
the resident’s student account. The signature on the housing
contract indicates agreement to pay any fines or charges
assessed.
Reservation of Rights: The University reserves
the right to make changes in the room and board fees and the
University Residence Hall Calendar at any time. The
University further reserves the right to make changes in the
rules and regulations for University residence halls,
apartment, or colleges at any time. The University will
attempt to give prior notices in the case of changes, but it
shall not be required to do so.
Withdrawal from the University:
If a student withdraws from the University, they must check
out of their residence hall room within 24 hours of their
withdrawal date. It is the responsibility of the
student to contact residence hall staff to facilitate the
check-out process. If a student does not check out of
the residence hall within 24 hours of their withdrawal date,
Residence Life will charge a $50 improper check-out fee, $25
for each additional day in the residence hall, a $60
processing fee, and loss of the housing deposit, as well as
any other fees in accordance with Residence Life policies.
Housing Appeals or Grievances ↑ Return to Top
Residence Life offers a safe, living-learning environment where students can learn about personal and social responsibility, embrace diversity, develop cultural and aesthetic appreciation, and experience educational and leadership opportunities. To achieve this goal, standards have been designed to promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to community living. These community standards ensure the health, safety, and co-educational welfare of each resident and the protection of state property. Occasionally, students are charged a fee or penalty to their student account for not upholding the housing contract. These types of fees or penalties can be from contract breakage before the academic year is over, damage fees, improper room moves or check-outs, etc. When a student disagrees with a housing-based fee or penalty that is charged, students are able to submit a written appeal to Residence Life. (For appeals regarding conduct sanctions, please see the Conduct Section of the handbook.) The process for submitting an appeal regarding a housing fee or penalty is as follows:- Students must submit their appeals with a fully written explanation of their reason for appeal or for their grievance, with supporting documentation to the Residence Life Office within three weeks of the applied charge or grievance occurring. This appeal will be reviewed by the Residence Life Housing Appeals Board (during the academic year) or the Residence Life Assistant Director (during the summer months). Students may be asked to submit additional documentation, if deemed necessary to review the appeal. Students will generally be notified of the appeals decision within three weeks of submitting their appeal to Residence Life.
- This appeal must state the reasons why the student should be exempted from fees charged for their intended purposes or from being held responsible for the policy. The appeal letter must meet two conditions:
- It must cite the basis of the appeal;
- It must provide sufficient and detailed information to support the appeal. (Failure to meet either or both of these conditions will be sufficient cause to deny an appeal.)
- There is new information, unavailable at the time of the hearing, that is now available, and could materially impact the decision rendered by the Assistant Director or his/her designee.
-
“The finding of ‘responsible’ is not supported by substantial evidence.”
In other words, an appeal can argue that the evidence was not
substantial enough to justify a “responsible” finding by the Assistant
Director or his/her designee.
- “The sanction(s) imposed is not proportionate to the severity of the violations(s).” In other words, the appeal can argue that the sanctions were inappropriate when the circumstances of the act and prior record of the student are considered.
Continue to ResLife Policies pg 3