Updated: August 22, 2008
Office of Greek Life
FRATERNITY AND SORORITY
RESIDENTIAL SOCIAL CONTRACT
Living in a fraternity or sorority house will contribute greatly to your personal growth. As a resident, you will be
living, eating, studying, and interacting with your brothers and sisters on a continuous basis. This community
way of life can yield many benefits: assistance in times of need, meaningful friendships, and memorable
experiences; but it requires the cooperation and consideration of all involved to make it work.
During the first house meeting, you, your fellow members, and residence staff will meet to discuss expectations
and develop guidelines that will ensure your personal freedom and at the same time, protect the rights of others
around you. This Social Contract is designed to help you understand University policies as found in the Housing
Application and Agreement and The Source. It is also intended to assist you in developing additional guidelines
that will suit the brotherhood/sisterhood. Your signature on this contract indicates your understanding and
willingness to abide by these guidelines for group and individual behavior that are essential for the maintenance
of an appropriate atmosphere in the living unit.
These policies as well as regulations enacted by Student Government are designed to provide guidelines, which
define the responsibilities of living in a residence community.
1.
For my own safety, that of others, and of the building, I
will refrain from tampering with fire and safety
equipment. In addition, when the fire alarms sounds, I
will immediately leave the building and report to my
designated assembly point. I will not reenter until I
have been given clearance by a member of the Greek
Life staff or Public Safety.
2.
The use, possession and/or distribution of illegal
substances (i.e., marijuana, drugs, drug paraphernalia,
firearms, fireworks) is prohibited. Therefore, for this
reason and for the safety of others, I will refrain from
engaging in such activity and from being in the
presence of such activities.
3.
4.
I understand that no alcohol shall be consumed nor
carried in any public area or outside of the house
(lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, etc.) If I am
of legal age to possess and consume alcohol in New
Jersey (presently 21), I will, when in the house, do so
only inside my room. I will not provide alcohol to
underage persons. I understand that kegs, funnels, beer
balls, common source containers, and grain alcohol as
well as beer pong and other drinking games that
promote the abusive consumption of alcohol are
prohibited. If all occupants of a room are under the
legal drinking age, no alcohol will be permitted in that
room at any time.
5.
Since my room is my domain and should not be used by
others without my permission and that of my
roommate(s), I will keep my room door locked at all
times and will not loan or duplicate my room key. I
understand that I will be held accountable for any
activity happening in my room, which includes the
behavior of my guests. I understand that I will be held
liable if my guests destroy or vandalize property.
6.
During the first few weeks of school, I will discuss and
determine guidelines for visitation in my room with my
roommate. I will then abide by these guidelines and
negotiate them as necessary. I understand that I may
not have an unauthorized person staying in my room on
a continuous basis and that I may not have a visitor
over the objection of my roommates/housemates. I am
permitted to host an overnight guest for a period of no
longer than two nights within a seven day period.
7.
Because of the potential hazard of a fire, I will not use
halogen lamps or keep cooking appliances
(microwaves, heating coils, toaster ovens, electric fry
pans, etc.) in my room. I will not install paneling (cork
or wood), ceiling fans, bamboo, fishnet or tapestry in
my room. I understand that candles, incense, room
partitions, furniture which blocks the entranceway or
windows to my room and extension cords which exceed
eight feet in length, do not have minimum wire size of
18 AWG, do not have a gang receptacle, and which do
not have a built-in fuse are also prohibited.
For my safety, the safety of my property, and that of
other students, I will not leave exit doors propped open
or unlocked.
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8.
9.
Realizing that the common areas (lounges, kitchens,
bathrooms, hallways, etc.) are for use by all, I will leave
them in a clean and orderly condition. I will not remove
any common area furniture from its assigned location.
Throwing objects out of the window, climbing out
windows and/or walking on the roof are potentially
dangerous to individuals, their property and their
surrounding environment. Therefore, I will not engage
in such activities.
10. I understand that I am responsible for returning my
room to its original condition when I check out. I will
remove all personal furnishings and belongings to
designated receptacles.
11. I will not remove University furniture from my room
nor paint my room.
12. Fish which are kept in a 10 gallon maximum aquarium
are the only pets permitted. A student may be charged
$50 per week for unauthorized pets in addition to any
other applicable penalty.
13. Recognizing that floor areas should be conducive to
study, I will be considerate of other community
members with regard to the noise level in my room and
the common areas.
14. I agree to adhere to the campus quiet hours which state
that I will not cause sound to be heard outside my
residence hall room between 11:00 PM and 9:00 AM
Sunday-Thursday and after 1:00 AM Friday and
Saturday.
15. If I am bothered by noise in my house, I will speak with
the person making the noise. I understand that at all
times residents must lower the noise volume when
requested by another student.
16. In order to ensure that there is no disruption of
classroom activities, I will refrain from creating noise
which interferes with academic life between 8:00 AM
and 4:30 PM Monday through Friday.
17. Charges for excess cleaning, as well as vandalized or
missing property, are shared responsibilities of all
residents unless the individual responsible is identified.
18. Respect for the dignity and rights of individuals is
expected of all persons. I will not discriminate against
an individual because of race, color, creed, sex, sexual
orientation, age, marital status, national origin or
handicap.
19. I agree to carry my key and Bronc ID card at all times.I
understand that I will be charged a $2.00 fee to be let
into my room by a House Director or House Manager if
I am locked out.
20. Where trash rooms have been designated, I will
separate recyclable trash and put all garbage in the
appropriate receptacles.
21. I understand that per University Policy and New Jersey
State Law, that smoking or the ignition of any tobacco
product is prohibited in all buildings on campus. I also
understand that consideration for others dictates that the
smoker move at least 10 feet away from all buildings
when smoking.
22. I will take responsibility for enforcing living unit
regulations before asking the House Manager for
assistance.
Rider University Fraternity and Sorority Residential Social Contract
My signature on this contract indicates my understanding and willingness to abide by these guidelines for group and
individual behavior that are essential for the maintenance of the fraternity or sorority residential community.
Since it is impossible to have a written policy or guideline for every situation, I understand that I will be expected to follow
any reasonable request from a staff member or executive board member, such as a request to lower the noise level or a
request to discontinue any inappropriate activity. It is also understood that the intent of these requests should be in keeping
with University policies and the house established community norms. Failure to comply with such requests or any other
violation of this contract may result in disciplinary action, reassignment, removal from residency, or denial of the privilege of
living in the fraternity or sorority house in the future. NOTE: In the event of a fire caused by a student, particularly by those
items in # 7, a likely consequence will be removal from residency.
My signature below also denotes that I have received a copy of "The Source" and I understand that I am responsible for all
the rules, regulations, and policies contained therein.
Print Name
Sign Name
Campus Address
Today’s Date
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