Submit search

Residence Hall Policy Expectations

The following expectations are specific to the SMU residence halls, residents and their guests. Additional University policies can be found in the Community Standards and in the SMU Student Code of Conduct. Both documents are published in the Student Handbook (resident edition) which is given to all residents at check-in. The Student Code of Conduct is also available at www.smu.edu/studentlife.

Appliances and Refrigerators

Only one refrigerator is permitted per bedroom and may not exceed 2.9 cubic feet in size. Refrigerators should be connected directly to an electrical outlet and should be the only appliance plugged into a double outlet.

Bulletin Board Posting Policies

Bulletin boards are for the use of the Residence Hall Staff. Information authorized by the Department of Residence Life & Student Housing will be posted by the hall staff. Postings will be authorized only when there is clear evidence of University or student organization sponsorship. Authorization may be refused for postings deemed inappropriate under University policies and regulations or if found to be in bad taste/blatantly offensive to any group on campus including signs which display harassment or promote alcohol consumption. Signs advertising sales or off-campus job listings will not be approved, regardless of student organization sponsorship.

Dining/Meal Plans

All resident students are required by University policy to subscribe to a meal plan. (Note: residents in Hawk, Martin & Moore Halls are not required to have a meal plan, but may subscribe if desired.) Meal plan participants may eat at either dining hall and may use meal plan Express Cash and Flex Dollars at SMU Dining Retail locations. Students with special dietary needs may consult the SMU Dietician at (214) 768-4349. Further information is available from Dining Services, www.smudining.com.

Energy Conservation

All residents are encouraged to conserve energy whenever possible. The following are energy-saving tips and strategies:

1. Turn off the lights when you leave the room.
2. Use a desk light instead of overhead lighting.
3. Turn off electrical equipment, machines and lights when your work is done.
4. Use electrical equipment sparingly.
5. Plan your work to take advantage of sunlight for desk work and reading.
6. Dress according to the weather.
7. Be sure that there are no curtains or furniture blocking radiators.
8. Close shades when it is hot and open them when it is cold.
9. Don’t let the water run while you brush your teeth.
10. Take shorter showers and/or shallower baths.
11. Remember to turn off the hall television when finished watching it.

Lounge Areas

Lounges are available for all residents to use. Some lounges may be reserved through the Hall Director for study groups, meetings, and University related activities. Sleeping in the lounges is not permitted. When using a lounge, please respect quiet hours and be considerate of rooms nearby.

Quiet Hours

Quiet Hours are periods when noise must be kept to a low level and must be contained within a student’s individual room. At all times within the University residence halls, noise which is disturbing to others is inappropriate. The residence hall atmosphere must be conducive to reasonable sleep and study for residents.

All residence halls are required to have a nightly minimum of 10 consecutive-hour quiet period. Quiet Hours will begin at 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, and midnight on Friday and Saturday. Quiet Hours may be adjusted, by a hall vote, as long as they adhere to the 10 consecutive-hour rule. Residents are expected to observe 24-hour Courtesy Hours at all times out of respect for the rights of others. If noise levels are disturbing, residents should first request that the noise be lowered. If this does not resolve the situation, residents may seek a staff member for assistance. It is expected that reasonable requests for quiet will be responded to in a positive and civil manner.

During final exam week, 24-Hour Quiet goes in effect at 10 p.m. on the last day of classes, to insure a conducive study environment.

Room Damage and Room Condition Report

When checking in, each resident is given a Room Condition Report (RCR) or Apartment Condition Report (ACR) for his/her room or apartment. The RCR/ACR is completed prior to resident arrival by staff members who inspect the room, make an inventory and record damage. When a resident checks out of a room, the RCR/ACR is used to assess any damages to the room for which the resident may be responsible.

Damages are defined as repair or replacement needs that are caused by activity or use beyond what can reasonably be deemed as normal wear and tear; in other words, something that had some "help," even if the damage was an "accident." Damage to resident rooms and common areas of the residence hall are not anticipated and are therefore not included in the rent. Residents will be directly charged for damages that occur in their room. Outside contractors and other workers are not permitted to perform repairs or other work in residence halls unless hired by SMU to do so.

In addition, damages that occur in common areas, for which no resident accepts responsibility, will be charged to residents of the hall on a pro-rated group basis. Depending on the circumstances, "common damages" will be charged to all residents of the hall, or to a subset of residents. For example, damages to the lobby may be charged to all residents, while damages to one hallway might be charged only to residents on that floor.

Room Decorations

Residents may personalize their rooms, within limits. All University furniture must stay in the room. Bookshelves, pictures and other items may not be secured to the walls by bolts, screws or nails, glue, etc. Concrete blocks, bricks and boards and "homemade" lofts are not permitted. Residents may request a "loft adapter kit" (where applicable) from the Area Desk while available if they want to raise their beds. Rooms may not be painted and carpet may not be removed. Modifications to the room are prohibited. Tension rods are the only mechanism that may be used to hang curtains. Door decorating is allowed for specific time periods for holidays and special occasions. Doors may be decorated for holidays up to one week and for up to two days for special occasions. If you have any questions about what is permitted, please contact the Hall Director in advance.

Visitation and Guests

Guests are defined as any non-resident of a resident’s room. Guests who are not residents of that hall must be escorted at all times by the hall resident whom the guest is visiting. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests, including any Community Standards violations or vandalism. At all times, the right of residents to study, sleep or privacy takes precedence over the privilege of visitation.

Solicitation

Commercial solicitation and/or canvassing are not permitted in the residence halls. This policy is important because it enhances hall security and limits interruptions. Activities such as magazine subscription sales, take-out laundry services and the like are not permitted inside the residence hall. Using residence hall space as an office is not permitted. RLSH will on occasion, however, permit some exceptions to occur for Hall Council and RHA activities. Contact hall staff or SMUPD if solicitation occurs in the hall.

 

Print version Legal disclosures Site Index© Southern Methodist University, Dallas TX 75205, 214-768-2000