Residence Life Office
Phone: 894-2188 Fax: 894-2664
MARTIN COURT APARTMENTS
HOUSING AGREEMENT
2013-2014
Martin Court Apartment / Room:
Davidson College is a residential campus and is committed to housing 95% of our students on-campus. This commitment has been
longstanding since we understand the value of residential living. The Martin Court Apartments were specifically designed to be an
important transitional community at Davidson, allowing juniors and seniors the opportunity to cook their own meals, share larger
common spaces, and take responsibility for keeping their spaces clean. This transitional-type housing affords students the opportunity
to learn what it is like to live in a “rental property” and assume all responsibilities for such housing; this residential experience is
intended to teach Davidson students important life skills related to renting property and living in community with others. It should be
noted, however, that living in these residential on-campus apartments is a privilege and not a right; this Housing Agreement is written
to enable students to understand how they may maintain that privilege.
1.
Property Liability. Davidson College cannot take responsibility for lost, stolen, or damaged property and recommends that
students cover belongings with the appropriate insurance.
2.
Alterations. Residents shall not make any alterations, additions, improvements or changes to the Apartment. This includes,
but is not limited to, putting holes in the walls / ceiling, painting, installing wall shelving, wallpapering, or making lighting
alterations. Alterations can result in substantial fines. The following items are prohibited: sleeper sofas, halogen lamps,
additional large appliances, additional beds, live trees (Christmas), candles or other open flames and dart boards (including
magnetic dart boards). One small refrigerator per apartment may be used in addition to the large refrigerator provided.
3.
Right of Entry. College representatives have the right, but not the obligation, to enter student apartments under reasonable
circumstances, including, but not limited to, the following:
1) Inspection: regular maintenance, work order repairs, and health and safety inspections conducted by Physical Plant,
Building Services and/or RLO staff. Inspections shall be preceded, if possible, by 24-hour notice to the resident(s).
2) Search: entry into a residential room without notice or search warrant by Campus Police for the purpose of investigating
suspected violations of state and federal law; full-time professional staff in Residence Life or the Dean of Students office
for the purpose of investigating suspected violations of campus policy and/or state and federal law. With reasonable
cause, professional staff in Residence Life or the Dean of Students office may search the room of any resident student. The
search may include, but is not limited to, opening drawers and refrigerators, examining furnishings and personal effects,
and searching an adjoining bath, kitchen, suite, or apartment room.
3) Emergencies: Campus Police may enter student housing without notice or search warrant to prevent danger to person,
property, the building itself or the following:

Incident to and following a lawful arrest

For and in the pursuit of a fleeing dangerous criminal suspect

Under urgent necessity (such as persistent loud screaming)

Necessary to prevent loss of or destruction of an item to be seized
4.
Rules and Regulations. All Davidson and RLO policies remain in effect in the Martin Court Apartments (see Student
Handbook and RLO Policies and Procedures). However, students who choose to live in Martin Court agree to abide by
additional policies that are specific to Martin Court. These include:
A. In accordance with the Mecklenburg County Fired Department, apartments in Martin Court are limited to occupancy of
14 people.
B.
The apartment will be inspected for cleanliness up to four times during the school year. Inspections are announced at
least one week in advance. Inspection guidelines will be sent prior to each inspection.
C.
Residents of the apartment are required to keep the apartment and surrounding porch/patio area clean and must
provide their own cleaning materials, toilet paper, and trash bags.
D. All residents are required to remove trash and deposit it in the available receptacles (located behind Armfield, Hart and
Jamieson). Bags of trash are not allowed to remain on an apartment porch. Failure to dispose of trash promptly and in
secured bags will result in disciplinary action. Throwing trash is strictly prohibited.
E.
Recyclables are not allowed to be kept on the porch. They must be taken to the available receptacles (located behind
Armfield, Hart and Jamieson). Otherwise, they must be disposed of along with trash.
F.
Martin Court staff and Campus Police are required to enforce the Davidson Alcohol Policy (see Student Handbook)
including, but not limited to the following:
1)
Common containers of alcohol, including, but not limited to kegs, party balls, ice luge, pony kegs, funnels, trashcans
and punch bowls are not allowed in or around apartments. There will be no warnings for violations of this rule.
Violations will result in fines and Code of Responsibility charges.
2)
Glass containers of any kind are not permitted outside the apartments or on the grounds of the apartments. All glass
containers must remain indoors or inside the apartment.
3)
Alcohol is allowed in apartments and on patio areas for legal age residents and guests. The Armfield Courtyard has
been designated as an open consumption space. If cleanliness, vandalism, and negative student behavior persist in
the Armfield Courtyard the open consumption space may be jeopardized. However, all other grounds of Martin
Court (i.e. common spaces, roadways, sidewalks, stairwells, etc) are not an open consumption spaces.
4)
Students are allowed to hold social gatherings of up to 14 people as desired. Neither police nor Residence Life Office
Staff have a need to go to an apartment unless there is justifiable reason to do so, which includes but is not limited to;
violations of the Honor Code, Code of Responsibility, or Federal or State Laws.
5)
Underage drinkers are subject to citation or Code of Responsibility charges.
G. Apartment residents are responsible for the actions of their guests at all times. Should a guest violate a policy, the
College will pursue action with that individual. However, if it is impossible to identify or charge the violator, Code of
Responsibility or other appropriate actions will be pursued with the apartment residents. Persistent misbehavior by
guests may result in eviction of the host(s).
H. In order to do what we can to keep the grounds clear of broken glass and prevent injuries to students, staff, and guests,
glass bottles are not allowed outside of the apartment at any time (other than in transporting to / from the apartment).
Students may have bottles within the apartment, but should not take them outside.
I.
Throwing or dropping any objects whatsoever off the patio or from the windows of the Apartment is not allowed.
Residents risk Code of Responsibility charges, fines and possible eviction for such incidents.
J.
Residents are responsible for keeping patio and porch areas clean, healthful and pest-free.
K.
1)
Patios should be swept regularly and are not to be used as storage areas for personal items (clothes, camping gear,
hammocks, beer pong tables, etc.).
2)
All College-issued furniture must stay indoors. Furniture or decorations supported by or hanging from rails,
ceilings or any part of the building is not allowed. Patio furniture and tables, including beer pong tables, cannot be
kept on porches as they may pose safety concerns. Residents may use patio style furniture as long as it does not
block egress and is not in areas that serve as public walkways. Upholstered furniture is not allowed on patios or
porches.
3)
While stairways are cleaned by the Building Services Staff, trash and rubbish deposited anywhere other than the
available receptacles will result in fines for the entire side of a building (unless the specific party responsible can be
identified). The small black trashcans outside of each building are not intended to be used for disposal of bags of
garbage. Please use the dumpsters for large bags. Fines for stairwell trash will begin at $100.00 and escalate as
necessary.
4)
Fire regulations prohibit bicycles, scooters, motorcycles and other conveyances from being chained to or parked on
stairwells and patios and handicap ramps.
5)
Residents cannot occupy public areas (balconies, patios, stairwells, etc.) that serve as public walkways and are
prohibited from blocking egress.
Fish are the only pets allowed in the Apartment. Visiting animals must be kept outside. Violation of the pet policy may
result in Code of Responsibility charges or eviction. Those found with illegal pets may be subject to charges for de-fleaing
the apartment; deep cleaning carpet and furniture, and cleaning of apartment air ducts.
L.
Noise. Excessive noise will not be tolerated when it infringes on the rights of others to sleep, study, or simply enjoy a
peaceful environment. Failure to comply will result in Code of Responsibility charges.
1) Quiet hours are from 12:00 am midnight to 8:00 am on the nights when there are classes the next day. Weekend
quiet hours are 2:00 am to 8:00 am.
2) If asked to quiet down, turn down music, or disperse an area by a neighbor, a police officer or a Residence Life staff
member, residents must comply with the request regardless of what time of the day it is or if it falls under quiet
hours.
K.
The Charlotte-Mecklenberg Fire Marshall’s Office has notified the College that cooking on patios poses a fire hazard and
can set off an alarm; therefore, cooking on patios is not allowed. Both indoor and outdoor grills are prohibited in or
around college buildings. Grills are located at different locations around Martin Court for residents use. Grills found by
college staff will be confiscated.
L.
Students who regularly ignore Davidson College Code of Responsibility or Residence Life policies or abuse the rights of
other residents or who are responsible for abuse or destruction of property in the Apartment or in the Martin Court areas
(grounds, common room, laundry, etc.) may be evicted from their residence or reassigned to another Davidson College
room outside of Martin Court. Upon eviction, a student is not refunded the balance of his or her rent.
M.
Failure to respond respectfully to the request of any Residential Staff Member or police officer will be treated as a
serious offense.
N.
In case of roommate disputes or disagreements, Building Managers and RLO professional staff members are
available to act as mediators. Roommates may also consult the psychologists at the Student Counseling Center. RLO
will provide a list of available alternative campus accommodations and will assist in voluntary reassignment of a student
who wishes to move. Choice of alternative accommodations may be limited.
O. Students are required to abide by the RLO Smoking Policy which says: College policy prohibits smoking in all indoor
areas. All residence halls and apartments are Smoke-Free. There can be no smoking or use of tobacco products
anywhere in these residence halls or apartments. Smoking is also prohibited in any outdoor areas within 20 feet of a
building’s door or window. Students violating this policy will incur a $25.00 fine on the first offense and possible Code of
Responsibility charges and/or eviction from the apartment for repeated offenses.
Information in this housing agreement is accurate as of the date of publication. Davidson College and the Residence Life Office reserve
the right to make changes in policies, regulations and fees giving due notice in accordance with sound academic and fiscal practice.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement under seal as of the day and year first above written.
By:
Jason Shaffer
Associate Dean of Students and Director of Residence Life
Davidson College
Resident Name
Apartment
Resident Signature
Date