2015-16 Handbook Family & Graduate Housing Nicholson & Edward Gay Apartments 1 Welcome to Nicholson and Edward Gay Apartments at Louisiana State University! Thank you for choosing to live with us. As a member of the community, you will have many opportunities to get involved and to enhance your experience at LSU. You are encouraged to seek active roles in your community as a leader, student, and peer. This handbook presents information regarding the community services, policies, and procedures for the apartment communities at LSU. Familiarize yourself with the information in this handbook and please contact a Residential Life staff member in the Apartment Office or refer to the contract with any questions or concerns you may have. A list of important telephone numbers is also included in the back of this publication. We look forward to having you in our community. Again, welcome and best wishes for a successful year! Steve Waller Executive Director, Residential Life & Housing Commitment to Community Louisiana State University is an interactive community in which students, faculty, and staff together strive to pursue truth, advance learning, and uphold the highest standards of performance in an academic and social environment. It is a community that fosters individual development and the creation of bonds that transcend the time spent within its gates. To demonstrate my pride in LSU, as a member of its community, I will: • Accept responsibilities for my actions; • Hold myself and others to the highest standards of academic, personal, and social integrity; • Practice justice, equality, and compassion in human relations; • Respect the dignity of all persons and accept individual differences; • Respect the environment and the rights and properties of others and the University; contribute positively to the life of the campus and surrounding community; • And use my LSU experience to be an active citizen in an international and interdependent world. The continued success of LSU depends on the faithful commitment by each community member to these, our basic principles. Adopted as a Statement of University Position on behalf of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College Community on the fifth of May in the year 1995. 1 Commitment to a Diverse Community Appreciating Diverse Communities The Department of Residential Life is committed to providing a community that is accepting of students and staff of different backgrounds, racial and ethnic identities, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, age, physical abilities or other aspects of identity. We shall serve as an advocate for diverse interactions of our residents, guests and staff. All members of our community are responsible for supporting an atmosphere that appreciates individual differences and recognizes each person’s unique contribution to the University. We believe that our students can only achieve their full development as citizens with an environment that supports and promotes the ideas of an inclusive community. Residential Life takes a proactive approach to protect our diverse community by providing educational programming that addresses topics of diversity and social justice. Bias-Related Incidents Bias-related incidents result from behaviors that are motivated by prejudice toward a person or group because of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, physical or mental ability, age, religion, or other aspects of identity. Behaviors identified as bias-related interfere with an individual’s academic, social, and or living environment. Bias-related behaviors may present themselves as written or verbal threats, harassment, intimidation or violence against person(s) or property. A student or guest acting in a manner that is intended to harm or threaten a person or a group is considered a bias-related incident. Any resident who directly witnesses or experiences biased activity (or finds evidence of or hears about past biased activity) in an LSU residence hall or apartment community should file a report with a member of the Residential Life team; the team member will complete an incident report and will provide a list of offices that can give support and guidance to anyone who has experienced or witnessed biased activity. The resident filing a report may elect to keep his/ her identity private. Holding Violators Accountable Residents who would like to file charges against the alleged perpetrator of a bias-related incident will need to consent to a written report. This will be handled through a separate process in which students are held accountable for violations of the Code of Student Conduct. 2 SAFETY: A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY NUMBERS TO KNOW LSU Police Department 225-578-3231 Baton Rouge Police Department 225-389-2000 Campus Transit 225-578-5555 (5:30 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.) Save these in your phone. As a University, we make every effort to provide a safe and secure living environment and keep crime at bay, but we need everyone’s help. Here are a few things you can do to help deter criminal activity on campus. Annual Security and Fire Safety Per the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, the annual Clery Act security report is available on the LSU Police Department web site. Go to www.lsu.edu/police, click on “Jeanne Clery Act/Crime Information,” click on “Annual Reports,” and then click on the “Annual Security and Fire Safety Report” link. Emergency Preparation Save the numbers in the box above in your cell phone now in case you ever need them. Also, post them in a convenient and visible location at your residence. By saving a few minutes during an emergency, you could save a life. Emergency Communication In the event of an emergency, LSU’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be activated. The University has multiple ways of communicating emergency situations to students, faculty, and staff: • EMERGENCY TEXT MESSAGING SYSTEM If you have not already done so, sign up for the University’s emergency text messaging system by visiting www.lsu.edu/etxt. • BROADCAST VOICE MAIL – Anyone with voice mail capability on their on-campus phone will receive broadcast voice mails • BROADCAST E-MAIL – Anyone with a University e-mail address will receive broadcast e-mails • LSU WEBSITE – Access the University Web site at www.lsu.edu for information Personal Safety Always lock your doors and windows. Unlocked or propped open doors are invitations to criminals. Whether it is your car or your residence, consistently lock up. Be aware of your surroundings. Trust your intuition. Report suspicious behavior to the LSU Police Department. Keep valuables out of sight. After hours, use Campus Transit, ride with a friend, or call a licensed taxi. Walk in groups when possible. Look out for those around you. You are part of a community. Look after your friends and neighbors and make sure they are taking necessary safety precautions. If you see something, say something. Report any suspicious activity to LSU Police as soon as possible. Learn more at www.lsu.edu/seeitsayit. 3 Community and Personal Safety What can you do to protect our Apartment Communities? • If you see suspicious persons in or around your apartment, or feel threatened at any time, contact the LSU Police Department at 225-578-3231 immediately. • Always lock your door and take your keys with you, even if you are only leaving • • • • for a few minutes. Never prop open a door. Never let someone you do not know into your apartment. Observe all policies and procedures. Report any security concerns to the Apartment Office, resident manager (RM) on call, or call LSU Police. Call Boxes Emergency telephones are located on the Edward Gay laundry room wall and in the Nicholson Unit II by apartment 1084. To operate the emergency phone, simply dial 911 and tell the officer the emergency. You may call other on-campus numbers from the phone by pressing the black call button and dialing the telephone number. What can you do to protect yourself? • Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary. When walking, stay on well-lit, commonly traveled routes. • Familiarize yourself with campus. Avoid taking shortcuts and dark, isolated areas, especially at night. Walk • • • • • • • • purposefully, know where you are going, and project a confident image. Avoid potentially dangerous situations. If you feel threatened, locate an emergency phone or enter a store or place of business even if you have just left it. Have your apartment and car keys ready; carry them in your pockets or have them easily accessible. Keep your door locked, even when you are in your apartment! Don’t feel safe walking at night? Call Campus Transit at 225-578–5555 from 5:30 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. every day. Do not post personal contact information such as phone numbers or your on-campus address on public or social networking websites. Rape Aggression Defense Systems (RAD) classes are offered through Health Promotion. RAD is a 12-hour self defense course for women with a lifetime return and practice policy. Call 225-578-5718 to learn more. The Office of Health Promotion services are available to LSU students free of charge. To learn more about the services, visit the website at www.shc.lsu.edu. 4 STAFF A full complement of administrative, maintenance, and student staff is ready to assist you during your stay with us. Three full-time professional staff members coordinate the overall functions of the apartment community. The main office supporting the apartments is housed in the Edward Gay Apartment Office, adjacent to the Edward Gay Apartments. This staff includes the assistant director and an assignments/business office coordinator. The maintenance requirements are handled by a team located in the Edward Gay Apartments. This staff includes a maintenance office coordinator and five full-time maintenance staff members. Five resident managers (RMs) live in the apartment communities. Assistant Director of Residential Life The assistant director of Residential Life is administratively responsible for all apartment facilities, including the 244 apartments at West Nicholson and 138 apartments at Edward Gay. The assistant director serves as the primary source for communication between the apartment staff and residents and the larger LSU Department of Residential Life. Resident Managers Resident managers (RMs) are full-time students who are part-time employees of the University. They live in assigned apartments in each area. RMs are on a rotating on-duty schedule. The RM on duty can be reached after normal business hours (4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday) and on the weekends at 225-663-0292, and should be contacted during late hours for EMERGENCIES ONLY. Emergencies are defined as life threatening or damaging events to personal belongings: plumbing floods, electrical outages, fire, or physical injury. RMs have the overall responsibility of handling the needs of residents by serving as a liaison to the Apartment Office. A RM is always on call for emergency situations during the week nights, weekends, and holiday periods when the Apartment Office is closed. Apartment Office Hours The LSU Apartment Office is open Monday - Friday from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. The office is closed for all designated state and federal public holidays commensurate with University policy. Advisory Board The Advisory Board (AB) is comprised of one renting student from each area. It is a volunteer commitment. The Advisory Board meets monthly during the spring and fall semesters. The members represent their area and provide feedback on problems, solutions, policies, and procedures by acting as the “voice” for the students living in their areas. Issues that affect the community at large are also discussed. To learn how to become a representative on the Advisory Board, contact the assistant director at 225-334-5191. A call for volunteers will be advertised in the Tiger’s Den newsletter at the beginning of each semester. Children’s Programming Committee The Children’s Programming Committee plans and runs a monthly program or activity for the children in the apartment community. Often in collaboration with a Residence Hall Community Council, ECA/WCA Hall Council, or the Residence Hall Association, the Children’s Programming Committee needs volunteers to help plan and run each activity. Contact the assistant director at 225-334-5191 if you are interested in serving on the committee. 5 Community Responsibilities Community Rights & Responsibilities Being a member of a community brings a set of rights as well as responsibilities. You are encouraged to seek active roles in your community as a leader, student, and peer. The rationale for all policies is that every student has the opportunity to take advantage of the academic and co-curricular opportunities offered at LSU. In order to ensure this basic right for all residents, cooperation is necessary. Rules - whether they are state and federal laws, city ordinances, university regulations, or departmental policies - are created for the purpose of clarifying the rights and responsibilities of each individual. Each resident is expected to become familiar with his or her rights and responsibilities so that the on-campus experience will be of greatest benefit to all. By assuming joint responsibility for these policies, residents and staff are able to work together as a community to build a great place to live. Student Conduct Process The mission of the student conduct process for the Department of Residential Life is to provide a disciplinary process that holds students accountable for unacceptable behaviors that occur within an on-campus residential community, protects the rights of all members of the university community, and educates students regarding the responsibilities inherent in an on-campus residential community, including abiding by policies that are established for the safety and welfare of the community. “Documented” is the term used by most people in the university community when they are referring to the process that occurs when a staff member or resident witnesses and reports a violation of university/housing policies, as outlined in the LSU Code of Student Conduct, housing contract, and Family & Graduate Apartment Handbook. In some instances the LSU Police Department may become involved. In most cases when a student is observed violating a university policy, a Residential Life staff member will identify himself or herself, communicate which policy has been violated, and document the violation. Most often this documentation is in the form of a letter. When writing an “incident report,” the Residential Life staff member will include every detail of what he or she observed before, during, and after the incident. The assistant director reviews the incident report and makes the best educational decision as to the next course of action. If it is decided that the incident warrants follow-up, a meeting will be scheduled with you by appropriate university staff. At this meeting, you will be allowed to present your side of the story. You will also be allowed to review the incident report when appropriate. Contractual Process When a resident’s behavior endangers the life of a person, threatens the functionality of a safe and comfortable community, or a resident has a history of conduct violations, the Department of Residential Life may review the resident’s contract for housing. During this process, a decision to terminate housing or allow the resident to remain in his/her apartment is made. 6 Return to Housing from Medical or Behavioral Treatment or Care In the event that a student is transported, voluntarily or involuntarily, to a medical or behavioral health treatment center, the following will be required for the student to be granted permission to return to his/her apartment: 1. A copy of the discharge document, reflecting the student’s condition upon discharge, signed by an authorized health care professional at the treating facility. 2. An “authorization to release information” form, signed by the student, authorizing the health care provider(s) to release all information requested by LSU regarding the student’s admission for care, as well as the student’s treatment, diagnosis, prognosis and discharge, as may be required. This release of information document must specifically list representatives/designees of LSU Residential Life and LSU Mental Health Services as recipient(s) of the requested information. Upon receipt of the discharge document, medical records release authorization, and any information requested by LSU from the health care provider(s), an individualized assessment will be completed by the LSU C.A.R.E.Team to determine whether the student will or will not be allowed to return to campus housing. In order for permission to be granted for return to campus housing, it must be the reasonable judgment of the LSU C.A.R.E. Team, based on the information and evidence available to them, that the student is able and willing to refrain from behavior or conduct which is dangerous, detrimental or disruptive to other residents and the housing community. Information, evidence, and concerns relating to the possible impact upon the living community and information obtained through the release form may delay or prevent return to campus housing. At the minimum, prior to permitting a student’s return to campus housing, Residential Life must receive a verbal approval from the Mental Health Services Director or his designee that, based upon the information available, the student seems capable of abiding by the terms and conditions of residence in campus housing. Residential Life reserves the right to deny permission to return to campus housing at the sole discretion of the Department. The student will be fully responsible for his/her own living arrangements and expenses off-campus, including all financial obligations, until all review actions are completed by LSU and the student is approved by LSU to return to on-campus housing. 7 OCCUPANCY Conditions of Occupancy A student is eligible to apply for an apartment in the Edward Gay or Nicholson Apartments if one of the following conditions is met at the time of move in: • Married full-time student with family or spouse in residence. • Single full-time student with dependent minor children under his or her legal care, or children under 21 years who are full-time regularly enrolled LSU students. • Single full-time student over the age of 21 years. • Postdoctoral students/research associates with a letter from their department confirming their appointment. Note that assignments will be offered only after all full-time students on the waiting list have been offered a vacancy. Once assigned an apartment, the occupant must agree to abide by the terms put forth in the rental agreement. The occupant further agrees to comply with all federal and state laws, and all other Louisiana State University and Residential Life rules and regulations. The Apartment Office and the Department of Residential Life reserve the right to make other regulations, as deemed necessary, for securing the maximum comfort, convenience, educational environment, and safety of the apartment community. Residents are also responsible for complying with other regulations promoted through official bulletins, the Tigers Den newsletter, and other literature, publications, and communications. Broadcast e-mails will be sent to residents’ LSU e-mail addresses and residents are responsible for the information contained therein. Residents are responsible for notifying the Apartment Office when any changes occur in the family unit and roommate status. Roommates The apartment policy on roommates is as follows: • A married couple may only have their minor children (under 18 years of age) reside with them, no other roommates are permitted. • Single students (21 years of age or older) without children may reside only with single students (21 years of age or older) of the same sex without children. • Roommates must be full-time LSU students (21 years of age or older). • With special permission from the Department of Residential Life, a brother and sister who are LSU students may be roommates. Occupancy Period All rental agreements are for the academic year, August 1 - May 31. Fall contracts must be renewed by May 1. Fall contract renewal occurs in April. If the May deadline is missed, the apartment must be vacated on or before May 31. There will be no exceptions made to this policy. Residents may be granted one semester of part-time student status after submitting a written appeal to the Apartment Office and receiving written approval from the assistant director. Contracts must be cancelled by July 1 for the fall semester. All residents are bound by the terms of their lease which lasts for the academic year. Any resident wishing to leave the apartments prior to the end of the semester is liable for the appropriate penalty for breaking their contract as described in the Terms and Conditions of their housing contract. This includes PhD students who may defend or complete their dissertations before the semester ends as well as post doctoral students or research associates whose contract with the University ends prior to the end of the contract period. Graduating residents who supply proof of graduation may vacate after graduation before the end of the contract term without rental penalties. Continuing students moving off-campus are levied 75 percent of the remaining rent. 8 Guests There is no charge for visitors staying less than two (2) weeks per semester. By the end of the two weeks, residents are expected to register their visitor(s) at the Edward Gay Apartment Office and will be assessed a fee of $30 per additional visitor per month. Only immediate family members are eligible to reside as a visitor with the renting student under this policy. Visitors may reside as guests of apartment residents for a limit of three months per calendar year. However, visitors desiring to stay beyond the initial two-week period cannot be approved if maximum occupancy for the apartment will be exceeded (2 individuals per bedroom per apartment), or if there is no child residing in the apartment requiring childcare. Residents may request a variance to this policy by submitting in writing specific circumstances to the assistant director of Residential Life. Any person staying in your apartment for more than 8 hours a day (ie: babysitters) will be considered a ‘guest’ and must be registered per the terms outlined above. Failure to register by the end of the two week initial period will result in a $100 service charge to the resident, plus the prorated addition of the visitation charges outlined above, and the potential non-renewal or termination of the housing contract of the renting student. Rental Payments Rental payments are due on the first (1st) of each month and become delinquent on the tenth (10th) of the month. After three (3) delinquencies the resident’s contract will be terminated and he/she will be required to vacate the apartment. Rental payments are payable in advance without demand or billing at the Office of Bursar Operations, 125 Thomas Boyd Hall, on or before the first day of each calendar month of occupancy. A resident’s account at Bursar Operations shows all unpaid charges. All payments made to Bursar Operations are credited to the resident’s account, using the FIFO system (first in-first out). This means that the earliest dated charge is the first charge credited to the resident’s account when payment is received. Thus, if the resident’s account contains any other charges besides rent, please specify that the payment is for rent or the resident may be found delinquent. Residents wishing to place rent on their fee bill must do so during the on-line selection period prior to each semester they wish to utilize this service. There is a deadline each semester to do so. A broadcast e-mail with the deadline dates in it is sent to all residents with self-selection dates. Petitioning a Charge Residents are still responsible for paying all charges even if they are in the process of petitioning a charge. When a resident sends in a payment, if the petitioned charge is the earliest dated charge on the account, it will be the first to be paid. If the petition is approved and a resident has already sent in a payment, the account will be credited for the appropriate amount. Cancellation All residents should submit a Cancellation Form by July 1 for the fall semester. This form is available at the Edward Gay Apartment Office. Refunds will not be given for an early move-out date. Residents are responsible for the full month’s rent of May and July, regardless of the actual date the apartment is vacated in these months. Post-doctoral/research assistants are responsible for the rent through the end of the contract expiration date regardless of when their contract with their academic department expires. The employee will be responsible for the 25 percent of the remaining balance of rent. Once a Cancellation Form has been submitted, an applicant on the waiting list is notified and arrangements are made for the new resident to move in. Therefore, it is required that the vacating resident move prior to or by May 31, July 31, or December 31. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of $50 a day if the resident remains in the apartment past the specified move out date. The responsibility rests with the resident to make a check out appointment with the resident manager (RM). Appointments may not occur after dark. Contact the Edward Gay Apartment Office at 225-334-5198 or the appropriate RM with any questions or problems. The Edward Gay Apartment Office must receive a forwarding address in order to process the final paperwork. Vacating residents must also provide the Registrar’s Office with a new address. 9 Termination of Rental Agreement Please see Terms and Conditions sections D.6 and F.6 of the Terms and Conditions Under Which LSU Apartments Are Rented. Termination of Rental Agreement Appeal Process This appeal process replaces and supersedes any appeal rights a student may have under PS 48. Appeals of termination or modification of contracts may be based only on the following grounds: • Procedural error has resulted in violation of the student’s rights as outlined in this process • Abuse of discretion Appeal requests may be denied in cases not having sufficient grounds in one or more of the aforementioned areas. A written request for an appeal, stating the specific grounds upon which the appeal is based, must be received within two (2) business days following notification of the decision. Appeals submitted after two (2) business days will not be accepted. The appeal process ends with the director of Residential Life. The Department of Residential Life reserves the discretion to order a resident to vacate the premises immediately if their continued occupancy is potentially dangerous to the health and safety of the university community, property or educational mission. Such cause includes, but is not limited to, section F.6 of the Terms and Conditions Under Which LSU Apartments Are Rented. The Department of Residential Life reserves the right to designate a staff member outside the following chain of command to hear the appeal. Contractual Appeal Process First Level: Meeting with student conducted by the assistant director for the Nicholson and Edward Gay Apartments. Assistant director renders decision regarding contractual status in letter to student. First Appeal: Written appeal to the director of communications and administration within two (2) Second and Final Appeal: Written appeal to the executive director of Residential Life within two (2) business days of the receipt of decision letter. business days of receipt of the appeal decision letter. This decision concludes the appeals process. Financial Appeals: Rent penalty/loss of deposit, cleaning/damage charges First Appeal: Renting student will submit a written appeal to the assistant director for the Nicholson Second Appeal: Written appeal to the director of communications and administration within five (5) Third and Final Appeal: Written appeal to the executive director of Residential Life within five (5) and Edward Gay Apartments within five (5) business days of receiving charge notification. business days of receipt of the first appeal letter. business days of receipt of the second appeal decision letter. This decision concludes the appeals process. Checking Out After filling out a Confirmation of Cancellation, the resident should call their resident manager (RM), no less than one week before the specified move-out date to make an appointment. The final inspection of an apartment will take place on the date indicated on the Confirmation of Cancellation between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and sundown. It is important that residents are present during the final inspection in order to discuss any possible charges for damages or cleaning. Apartment Cleaning After the Confirmation of Cancellation has been processed by the Assignment Office, the resident will receive a checkout packet detailing the cleaning expectations and charges. To avoid charges, the apartment must be cleaned thoroughly. 10 POLICIES Access to Apartments The University reserves the right to enter any apartment during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. for the purpose of inspection, inventory, improvements, pest control service, repairs, and enforcement of state and local health and fire regulations. It may also be necessary to gain entry to an apartment during the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. or after working hours in the event of an emergency. For these reasons, only locks installed by housing maintenance staff are permitted on apartment doors. Whenever possible, residents will be notified in advance of any visits to the apartment by housing staff. Air Conditioners All apartments are air conditioned. The Nicholson Apartments feature window units, while the Edward Gay Apartments are centrally cooled. If the apartment’s air conditioner malfunctions or ceases cooling, call the Apartment Office at 225334-5194. On the weekends or evenings when the office is closed, there is 24-hour maintenance available for Edward Gay air conditioners only. Nicholson has weekend maintenance available for the air conditioners during the hot summer months. Contact the resident manager (RM) on call at 225-663-0292 if there is a problem with the air conditioner. Be sure to check your air conditioner filter regularly to make sure it is clear. Free replacements are available by calling the Maintenance Office at 225-334-5194. The Department of Residential Life changes filters on a monthly basis. Residents may not install their own window units under any circumstances as this may overload the electrical system and cause a fire. The Edward Gay air conditioners may differ considerably from models used in the past, or the more common window units used at the Nicholson Apartments. The Edward Gay buildings run on a cold water chilling system. Electricity powers the chiller which is like a super refrigerator. Electrical pumps circulate the water through the chiller, cooling it. The water is then piped to each apartment where a fan blows air across a coil filled with the chilled water. This cooled air is then blown into the apartment. The heaters work in much the same way, only with hot water piped through the apartments instead of cold. The Nicholson buildings share a similar heating system, as do all campus buildings. The heat will be turned on in the boilers when the temperature is 48 degrees for three nights in a row and the ten day weather forecast indicates that it will stay cold. Whether in Nicholson or Edward Gay, remember to maintain a steady temperature in your apartment of around 72 degrees. The buildings have only limited insulation, and apartments that are too warm or cold can suffer a build up of condensation on the walls or ceiling and possible mildew growth. This is especially important during the humid summer months. Alcohol The Department of Residential Life is committed to maintaining an academic and social environment that promotes the intellectual and personal development of students. Only those residents who have attained the legal drinking age of 21 can possess and/or consume alcoholic in the privacy of their own apartment. When alcohol is being consumed, all persons present in the room must be 21 or older. Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is limited to apartments and is not permitted in balconies, stairways, courtyards, parking lots, laundry rooms, or any public areas within the complex. All alcohol transported through public areas must be unopened. Beer kegs are not permitted. Students and visitors are expected to comply with all other provisions of the university’s Alcohol Policy, which can be obtained from the Dean of Students Office and the LSU Code of Student Conduct. The Department of Residential Life does not tolerate the underage use or possession of alcohol in any residential area. Any violation of this policy could result in disciplinary action and/or contractual review. Empty alcohol containers which are decorative in nature can sometimes pose a health risk by attracting unwanted insects or mold. Make sure any decorative containers have been completely cleaned You may be asked to remove these collections should health risks occur. Alterations to Apartments Residents may not alter, repair, remodel, or paint any apartment. Apartments are generally painted between occupancies. Should the apartment need painting above and beyond routine maintenance, the leaving resident’s account will be charged $65 per wall. 11 Babysitters In order to have a full-time babysitter in an apartment, both parents must be full-time students. Both class schedules must be brought to the Apartment Office and the babysitter must be registered. Babysitters cannot keep other children in the apartment besides those that reside in the apartment. Keys will not be issued to babysitters unless they are registered roommates of the renting student. Second- and Third-Floor Balcony Areas Residents are welcome to place small plant containers on balcony areas, so long as the items do not impede ability to safely exit the apartment building. A 36-inch clearance should be maintained from doorways, on breezeways, and stairs. In general, balconies are not to be used as storage areas. Due to safety regulations, the following items are not permitted on balconies: • • • • • • Furniture Signs, pictures, banners, or advertisements Outdoor holiday lights Flags Laundry Bicycles, scooters, or mopeds • • • • • Boxes Garbage bags, containers Recycling bins Grills or grilling accessories, such as charcoal lighter fluid, charcoal, or propane Flammable liquids Bicycles Bicycles are to be parked in established bike racks located outside each complex. Bicycles can be stored in apartment rooms. Per fire regulations, bicycles may not be secured in entrances, exterior hallways, stairwells, balconies, or ramps. University policy prohibits the riding of bikes on sidewalks. Please walk or carry your bicycle when transporting your bicycle in your apartment area. Baton Rouge city law requires bicycles to be registered. This will assist law enforcement officials with recovery should your bicycle be stolen. Visit the LSU Police Department on S. Stadium Road to register your bicycle. When you vacate, please remember to take your bicycle. If a bicycle is left attached to a bike rack at the end of the spring semester, it will be removed and confiscated by the Office of Parking, Traffic & Transportation. If a bicycle is left attached to or within an apartment building, it will be removed and discarded by Residential Life staff. Cable Basic cable television is provided to all apartments with the fee included automatically in the rent. It is the responsibility of the resident to provide the necessary cable wire to connect the TV to the wall outlet. All cable issues, including repairs, station line-ups, and premium subscriptions, should be directed to the local cable TV provider, Cox Communications, at 225-615-2005 or its desk in the Student Union. 12 Ceiling Fans Residents are allowed to have ceiling fans in the apartments. Alteration, addition, or modification of any electrical wiring or attachments to wiring is prohibited. A $25 fee will be applied to the resident’s LSU account for the installation and removal of a fan. Fans must be installed by Residential Life staff. Ceiling fans are installed by submitting a work order. Call the Maintenance Office at 225-334-5194 to schedule installation or removal. Many residents choose to leave their ceiling fans when they vacate. Maintenance will not repair these fans as they are not university equipment. Residents may purchase a new fan for installation. Communication In addition to broadcast emails sent by the Department of Residential Life, residents are expected to adhere to any notices posted on the front door of the apartment. Contact or Shelf Paper The use of contact/shelf paper is not recommended. Any contact/shelf paper placed by a resident must be removed prior to that resident’s move-out. All glue and residue must be removed. Any paper left will be removed by the cleaning services and the applicable charges will be assessed to the resident’s account. Data Ports The Edward Gay Apartments are provided with high-speed data port connections. This allows residents to access high speed Internet without tying up the telephone line. The data port is located in the same portal box as the cable television, on the living room wall. Any questions on service should be directed to the Fred Frey Computing Services Center, or by calling 225-578-3700. Nicholson residents have the option of regular dial-up service or subscribing to high-speed service through Cox Communications, the cable TV provider. Decorations When hanging decorations on your walls, doors, or other surfaces remember to use only reusable, non-adhesive putty. Glue, nails, screws, duct tape, carpet tape, or double-sided tape will damage surfaces and you will be responsible for repair costs. Stickers or wallpaper cannot be affixed to any university property for the same reasons. Residents are responsible for damages incurred by hanging items in their apartments. Disorderly Conduct Disorderly conduct is defined as any behavior that interrupts or disrupts the community. This behavior could be inside or outside of the apartment community. If there is disorderly conduct, this behavior will be confronted by staff, and could lead to disciplinary, contractual, and/or criminal action. Distribution of Advertisement Only University departments and LSU registered student organizations may present advertisement items (examples: flyers, posters, brochures, newsletters, etc.) to be distributed within the apartments. If a student organization would like to present items for distribution, those items must be brought to the Edward Gay Apartment Office for review and approval. Each year the Department of Residential Life revises the number of copies needed of any poster, flyer, or other advertisement. At the time of approval, a representative from the Department of Residential Life will give a quantity for items to be distributed in the apartments. The name of the department or registered student organization must be on the advertisement. The Department of Residential Life staff will distribute the approved items and display items in approved spaces. Often outside vendors are not aware of these rules. If you see someone putting advertisements on doors or vehicles, contact the office. Drugs Illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs or controlled substances is not permitted in the apartments. Drug paraphernalia (examples: pipes, bongs, grinders, hookahs, etc.) is also prohibited. Suspected violations will be reported to campus police. The Department of Residential Life does not tolerate the illegal use or possession of drugs in any residential area. Any violation of this policy may result in termination of the student’s housing contract, along with disciplinary action. 13 Entry by Staff Residential Life staff members make every reasonable effort to respect your privacy. There are times, however, when authorized personnel may enter your room or apartment. This occurs under the following circumstances: • either you or your roommate/spouse provide permission; • there is an immediate threat, or reason to believe that there is a threat, to the health and/or safety of residents or property; • it is necessary to preserve campus order, security, or discipline; • severe weather evacuations; • routine maintenance repairs or inspections; • to shut off unattended loud stereos, radios, persistently ringing alarm clocks or telephones, other noise-producing devices, or illegal noisy pets after attempting to contact you by phone; • to conduct monthly health and safety inspections per schedule; • by search warrant issued by a University official pursuant to the LSU Code of Student Conduct or agency of the law. Residential Life staff members will lock any unsecured doors found during the apartment entry process. The Department of Residential Life may conduct periodic unannounced safety inspections of your room to ensure that fire-safety equipment is operational and that smoke detectors have not been covered or disengaged. If there is reason to believe that your room has been entered, inspected, or searched under conditions not consistent with the above statements, contact the Apartment Office or LSU Police. E-mail The Department of Residential Life utilizes the myLSU system for communicating with residents. Residents are responsible for all material sent to their account by Residential Life, and should check it at least once every 24 hours. Emergencies An emergency maintenance problem is defined as “A situation where a maintenance repair or some attention is essential in order to maintain the health and safety of the resident, as well as to protect the building and its property.” Below is a list of examples of situations that are considered emergencies: • No water (hot or cold) Resident Manager • Overflowing plumbing fixtures • No electricity Emergency Cell Phone • No heat (only when temperature is below 55 degrees) 225-663-0292 • Broken water pipe Should be used to contact a Resident • Major roof leaks Manager only during an emergency after hours • A door that will not open or lock (after 4:30 p.m. Monday -Friday) • A gas leak or smell of gas or on the weekend. If an emergency situation arises after office hours or on weekends, residents should call the emergency cell phone number to contact the resident manager (RM) on duty. Remember that RMs are also full time students and are not required to be in their apartments unless on duty. Always call the emergency cell phone at 225-663-0292. RMs are required to answer the emergency phone immediately and be within 15 minutes of campus when on duty. Extension Cords With the many personal items residents bring to campus today, the use of extension cords may be necessary. For your safety and the safety of others, use caution and adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions. All extension cords must have the UL label approval, have a minimum conductor size of 16 AWG copper, and be three-pronged (three-conductor). Please limit one extension cord per electrical outlet, and do not plug multiple extension cords together. Do not run cords under rugs or mattresses, through doorways, or through windows. Garbage Removal Garbage or trash containers may not be left outside of the apartment at any time. Do not deposit any household garbage in any containers located in the laundry rooms, by the mailboxes, or near the playgrounds. Please dispose of garbage in the dumpsters provided. If the doors to the dumpsters are down, simply flip them open. During move out periods larger dumpsters are supplied for your convenience. Improperly stored or disposed garbage violates Health and Safety codes and inconveniences your neighbors. Trash warnings will be issued, and a violation will result in a $50 fine charged to the renting student’s account. 14 Grounds Damage Do not drive on to the pavement, grass, curbs, or sidewalks for any reason. Many of the utilities are buried underground and the weight of a vehicle can cause problems. A $75 fine will be assessed to your account for doing so. Help protect our oak trees by not walking on their roots. Additional charges will be assessed for any damage to the grounds, buildings, or equipment. If you notice a University vehicle driving on the grounds, please call 225-334-5194 to report it. Grills & Grilling Residents may grill on University grounds outside apartment areas. When grilling, please make sure to be at least 25 feet away from the building, and to clean and clear all debris and trash utilized for grilling, ensuring that flames and embers are extinguished completely. Do not dump your charcoal or embers in a dumpster until they are completely extinguished. Storage of flammable materials (including charcoal and lighter fluid) is not permitted anywhere inside or near the apartments. Grills may be stored inside of your apartment only if they have been properly cleaned and cooled down. As a safety precaution, gas and propane tanks used for grilling should be detached and stored in a resident’s apartment when not in use. It is recommended to purchase and use single-use grilling materials. Hygiene Inspections The apartment maintenance staff is mandated by law to check smoke alarms monthly. This occurs on each Thursday. The first Thursday of the month is Unit I, second Thursday Unit II, and the fourth Thursday is Edward Gay. During the smoke alarm checks we also inspect kitchens for cleanliness. This is an effort to minimize roach infestations and other pests that are drawn to garbage, open food containers, dirty dishes left in sinks, and excessive grease/oil buildup on stoves and surrounding areas. • First Offense: A form will be left in the apartment advising of the specific problem noted. The apartment’s resident(s) will receive a letter from the maintenance supervisor informing the resident(s) they have 48 hours to correct the problem. If it is not corrected, the cleaning staff will correct the problem and the resident’s account will be assessed the charge for that cleaning. A copy of the charge will be available in the Maintenance Office. • Second Offense: A form will be left in the apartment advising of the specific problem noted. The apartment’s resident(s) will then receive a letter of notification that the cleaning staff will correct the problem and the resident’s account will be assessed the charge for performing the cleaning. A copy of the charge will be available in the Maintenance Office. • Third Offense: The resident’s contract will be terminated, and all occupants will have to vacate the apartment. The presence of grease on or around the stove top is a health (pest) and fire hazard. The use of foil to cover the grease is both a health and fire hazard. The use of foil while cooking is permissible, but must be removed following cooking as a part of the cleaning process. Proper cleaning should follow immediately after any cooking operation, especially if frying has resulted in grease on surfaces on or around the cooking area. Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Alarms Each apartment is equipped with a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher for safety. All apartments are required by state law to have smoke alarms and fire extinguishers. These devices are to warn residents of smoke or fire and to help put out a fire. Keep the alarm unobstructed for safety purposes. If the detector is chirping please call the Maintenance Office at 225-334-5194 so that it can be inspected and repaired. Never tape over, cover, or disconnect the smoke alarm. Heating All Nicholson and Edward Gay Apartments are centrally heated using a hot water system. Water is heated at a central boiler on campus and pumped to every apartment to be converted to heat when you turn on your unit. Turning on the boilers is a long and expensive process, overseen by the Department of Facility Services. Once turned on, the heaters remain on until it is determined that the weather has warmed for the spring. Once the boilers are turned on for winter operation, you can adjust your thermostat. The heaters turn on automatically when the temperature drops below 55 degrees. At that point, the air coming out of your unit will begin to heat up. The boilers are turned on only after three consecutive days of temperatures below 48 degrees, or one day of subfreezing (below 32 degrees) weather. 15 Insurance—Health Full-time students have use of many free and low-cost services of the Student Health Center, including outpatient physical and mental health clinics, specialty clinics, laboratory and X-ray services, and a pharmacy. For more information about student health insurance options, contact the insurance office at the Student Health Center at 225-578-3304. Keys and Locks For the safety of all residents, families, roommates and personal belongings, residents are urged to lock the doors to their apartment when not present. Students are not permitted to install their own locks in their rooms and apartments. Keys will be issued only to the renting student. Roommates are required to come with the renting student to receive their keys. All keys must be returned when the apartment is vacated. If all keys are not returned, the lock will be changed and the renting student’s account will be assessed $45. Keys may not be returned via mail. Residents who forget their key can be let into their apartment by the resident manager (RM) on duty. The resident will be required to supply photo ID, and the name will be checked against the resident roster. Under no circumstances will a person be allowed to enter an apartment without ID and roster verification. Residents who repeatedly forget their keys will be charged a $25 service charge. When leaving the apartment be sure to take a key. Do not count on a roommate or spouse to be there upon returning. In the event that any key is lost during occupancy, LSU performs an automatic lock change at the expense of the renting student. Each lock changed will be charged at a fee of $45 to the account of the renting student. This includes mailbox and storage keys. Laundry Rooms Laundry facilities are provided for all residents of the Nicholson and Edward Gay Apartments. One laundromat is located in the Nicholson Apartments Unit II, and one laundromat is located between the Edward Gay buildings. The Edward Gay laundry is programmed to accept your Tiger Card. Access to laundry rooms is gained by using your Tiger Card for Edward Gay and your apartment door keys for Nicholson. At no time should doors be propped open as this creates a safety issue. Laundry facilities are for resident use only. Residents are responsible for all belongings or clothing left in the laundry room unsupervised for any length of time. There is a limited number of machines, so please try to remove finished laundry as soon as possible from washers or dryers. Please report any machine problems or maintenance issues to the Maintenance Office at 225-334-5194. Lights Call the Apartment Office to have the outside bulb replaced by your front door. Inside light bulbs, including fluorescent ‘tube’ lights are the responsibility of the residents. If there is a lighting problem, check the light bulbs before calling the Maintenance Office. If maintenance is called to repair a light and finds that only the bulb needed to be changed, a service charge will be assessed to your account for the time of the electrician. Please report any off or burnt out outside lights in the complex to maintenance. LSU Police Immediately report any incidents of criminal action or activity to the LSU Police Department at 225-578-3231. It is essential to the well being and security of the community that the LSU Police are aware of any strange or suspicious activity. The apartments are patrolled regularly each day. Mail Delivery The U.S. Post Office will deliver mail to mailboxes located within the apartment complexes. Residents are advised to notify all correspondents of their correct address as soon as possible after they move into their apartment. Residents should be aware that under no circumstances can Apartment Office staff sign for or accept any parcels, packages or mail in the event that a resident is not available to accept delivery. This includes the U.S. Postal Service, UPS, FedEx and other package carriers. Some carriers have chosen not to purchase the pass that permits them access through the gates, so it is advised to check with the carrier to see if they will deliver directly to an apartment. It may be necessary to go pick up packages if the package carrier service doesn’t deliver. 16 Mail Guidelines • Check your mail at least once every week. • If you will be away from your apartment for more than a week, get a ‘hold’ card from the Post Office and leave it in your mailbox for the mail carrier. • If you are going away from your apartment for an extended period of time (over a month) your mail can be forwarded to another address for a specific period. • Complete a change of address form before you move so that your mail can be properly forwarded to your new address. Change of address forms can be obtained from the U. S. Post Office or the Apartment Office. • Once you move out of the apartment, you will not be reissued your mailbox key under any circumstances. Apartment staff will not open your old mailbox. Be sure to forward your mail to your new address on or before the day you leave. Any U.S. Post Office provides forms for this purpose, or you may do it online. Maintenance Residents are responsible for proper care of their apartment and will be charged for any damage. In order to maintain a healthy environment, residents should regularly clean their apartments. Cleanliness and proper use of disinfectant cleaners will help prevent pest control problems. When maintenance is required, the resident should call the Maintenance Office at 225-334-5194, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Maintenance requests will be attended to in a timely manner. Maintenance requests called in after 3:00 p.m. Monday - Friday will get turned in the following business morning. Residents should not attempt to adjust or tamper with any mechanical, electrical, or gas-fired equipment that is furnished by the university. The alteration of existing plumbing, electrical wires, or cable television wiring is prohibited. Parking A parking decal must be purchased to park in all apartment areas. Contact the Office of Parking & Transportation Services at 225-578-5000 in writing as soon as possible to document any disabilities and subsequent needs or requests. Residents, registered roommates, and spouses must go to the Office of Parking & Transportation Services to purchase a gate device to allow entrance to the communities. Only vehicles with the appropriate permit may park in the parking lots. All others will be ticketed and towed. Visitors and guests may park in the designated visitors’ parking spaces outside of the complex gates. The loaning or selling of parking permits or gate devices can be subject to revocation of parking privileges on campus and referral to the Office of Student Advocacy and Accountability for violations of the LSU Code of Student Conduct. Exterior storage devices, such as PODS or any non-registered moving vehicle, are limited to a stay of no more than 48 hours in the apartment parking lots. Contact the Office of Parking & Transportation Services where to place non-moving trailers / PODS. After this period, unregistered vehicles or storage devices will be reported to the Office of Parking & Transportation Services for ticketing or removal at the owner’s expense. Personal Belongings Personal belongings must be kept inside the apartments. Only a limited variety of items may remain outside the apartments. These are highlighted in section C.5 of the Terms and Conditions of the housing contract. No items are allowed to extend more than 36 inches into the walkway, under state fire regulations. The 36-inch wide walkway must be maintained at all times for safety. A written notice will be issued to any apartment in violation of this rule. Following this first notice, remaining belongings will be disposed of by apartment staff. Pests Apartments will be serviced for pest control every third month by trained personnel. Residents are asked not to provide additional treatment. If a resident has a particularly bad pest problem please call the Maintenance Office at 225-3345194. The pest controller places drops of formulated gel in every apartment. The gel is odorless and should not aggravate allergies. Try not to use any other pest control sprays or chemicals as they mask the odor of the gel that attracts the pests, making it useless. Decreasing Roach Problems Sanitation is a major factor in roach control. Roaches need hiding places and food sources to breed and to continue to survive. Elimination of these sources can help to decrease the roach population. Food sources for roaches include such unlikely things as standing water, greasy stove burners, stacked newspapers, paper bags, dirty laundry, etc. Proper use of disinfectants and a clean environment will help to decrease roach problems. Simple cleaning of kitchen and bathroom surfaces regularly and removal of grease remain the most effective methods of pest control. 17 General Tips to Help Eliminate Roaches: • Vacuum or sweep the floor and baseboards and wash tile floors. • Dust furniture and vacuum under furniture • • • • cushions. Avoid accumulating newspapers and magazines. Empty trash daily. Limit accumulation of dirty laundry. Eliminate any possible breeding places extermination does not kill eggs. In the Kitchen: • Limit number of stored grocery bags. • Change shelf paper often, if you have it (a favorite hiding place for roaches). • Wash dishes nightly. • Clean counters, stove, and burners often. • Clean walls around stove where grease • • • • • accumulates. Clean around and under refrigerators. Clean place mats before storing. Clean around baseboards and cracks. Have all leaks and drips repaired. Do not place foil on kitchen walls or around stove. This provides a perfect hiding and breeding place for insects. Pets Out of respect for all residents, any reptile, primate, dog, bird, cat, or other animal is not allowed in the apartments. However, fish in aquariums of a 30-gallon or less capacity are allowed. Visiting pets are also not permitted in the apartments. Residents found with animals in their apartments will be given 24 hours to remove the animal. Plants Please do not plant behind or between buildings as it interferes with lawn maintenance and encourages pest and rodents. Potted or planted items will be removed without notification. Potted plants are permitted outside apartments as long as there is a clear 36 inches of access and egress. Hanging plants may not extend past the 36-inch limit. Plumbing The plumbing system and equipment must be treated with care. Do not allow anything to wash down your kitchen sink, tub, or bathroom sink drains. Never flush food, diapers, or feminine hygiene products, such as napkins or tampons, down the toilet. Do not use Liquid Plumber, Drano, or other liquid plumbing products, as they will erode the older pipes. Report any plumbing problems to the Maintenance Office for repair. Many drain or toilet blockages can be easily and quickly repaired by residents with the use of a simple plunger available for a few dollars at many stores. PODS/Storage Containers PODS or temporary storage units are not allowed. Upon move in or move out, a POD or temporary storage truck, like a U-Haul truck, may be set up for no longer than 48 hours. Residents are expected to follow this rule since complex parking will be affected. The container must be removed from campus within 48 hours of initial delivery - no exceptions. Private Enterprise Operating a business from a room, apartment, or in any residential area is considered private enterprise and is not permitted. Personal solicitation for tickets, apartments, books, etc. is also prohibited. Quiet Hours The Department of Residential Life supports the mission of LSU and in those efforts aims to create academically supportive environments for all residents. All residents are expected to respect the rights of other residents to sleep and study. “Courtesy hours” are in effect 24-hours a day. This means stereos, radios, TVs, musical instruments, and all conversations must be kept to levels that will not interfere with the study or sleep of other residents. Sound carries easily throughout an apartment community, and even activities such as stomping or bouncing balls on the floor of your room can often be heard by other members of the community. It is each resident’s right as well as responsibility to let disruptive residents know when their noise levels and activities are disruptive. First contact that resident to lower the volume level; if the resident is not responsive to the request, contact the resident manager (RM) on duty for assistance. As a resident, you may be asked by other residents or staff to adjust the volume of your activities to reduce the disturbance to other members of the community. Please be considerate and flexible. Quiet Hours are 10:00 p.m. - 7:00 a.m. 18 Recycling The Department of Residential Life supports the University’s efforts for recycling. For residents’ convenience, there are recycling bins in each complex. Do not throw personal household trash in the recycling dumpsters. Restricted Items Washing machines, clothes dryers, dishwashers, halogen lamps, space heaters, and fish tanks that hold more than 30 gallons of water are not permitted in any apartment. Occupants may not keep or use any firearms within or adjacent to the apartment or university property. Personal Transportation Skateboards, Skates Residents who want to use roller skates, in-line skates or skateboards are asked to use the designated recreational trails around campus for these activities. These activities are not permitted in and/or around Residential Life property and communities. These items must be stored within a resident’s room or vehicle. Electronic Skateboards Electronic skateboards, including self-balancing boards/scooters, and any other similar equipment are prohibited from being used, stored and/or charged in any Residential Life building/community due to a potential fire hazard. Scooters, Motorcycles Scooters and motorcycles must follow parking and traffic rules and are not permitted on sidewalks. Scooters must be stored at the bike racks/motorcycle parking area and are not allowed to be stored inside or immediately outside of Residential Life buildings. Storage The university has no storage facilities for residents’ personal belongings and cannot accept any shipments. According to Life Safety Code 101, no storage is allowed under stairwells or walkways. This includes bicycles, trash, boxes, bags, barbecue grills, furniture, or any other items. Anything stored in such places may be subject to removal and disposal without notice if it presents a safety hazard. Solicitation For the safety of all residents, commercial solicitation is prohibited. No one is allowed to solicit door-to-door. This policy applies to vendors and organizations seeking funds, services, or membership. Operating a business from your room, apartment or in any residential area is considered private enterprise and is not permitted. Stoves Each apartment has a gas stove already installed. If you are not familiar with this kind of stove, contact your resident manager (RM) who will be happy to demonstrate how to correctly operate and clean the appliance. Gas stoves can easily malfunction and fail to light if they are not kept clean and free of grease. If you smell gas in your apartment, check the pilot lights for the oven and stove-top burners. They should always be lit. You will have to lift the stove-top hood to check the pilots. If they are not lit, call the Apartment Office or your resident manager (RM) immediately. Placing aluminum foil around your stove-top is prohibited. Grease can accumulate on or under the foil, creating a fire hazard as well as providing a perfect breeding environment for cockroaches. Smoke detector/filter change/hygiene inspection schedule Unit I Unit II Ed Gay 1st Thursday of the month 2nd Thursday of the month 4th Thursday of the month If we deviate from this schedule, the affected areas will receive a broadcast email informing them of the time/date change. 19 Smoking As of fall 2014, the LSU campus is a tobacco-free campus. Smoking and other tobacco use, including electronic cigarettes, is prohibited in all campus areas, including the residential areas, individual rooms, and the public areas within the halls and apartments. Telephone Service The Nicholson Apartments’ telephone service is provided through AT&T, not the university. To order connection services, call AT&T at 888-757-6500. Once the service is activated, any future maintenance or service problems will be repaired by AT&T. The university is unable to perform any repairs on Nicholson telephone lines. For this reason, it is recommended that all residents purchase the AT&T line maintenance insurance. For a small monthly fee, any repair problem is remedied free of charge to the resident. Residents may choose the long distance carrier of their choice. Edward Gay Apartments’ telephone service is already provided by the LSU Department of Telecommunications. Telephone numbers are issued to residents at the same time keys are picked up. Because Edward Gay telephone lines are campus lines, you must first dial 9 to call off campus. Edward Gay residents have limits on the long distance services they may choose. Direct questions about long distance service to 225-578-5294. Unsupervised Children Children under 12 years of age should not be left unsupervised in any area, including apartments, playgrounds, and laundry facilities. Any child left unattended will be reported to the LSU Police Department. Vandalism & Damages Vandalism Vandalizing University property or other residents’ personal property is prohibited. Residents are responsible for their guests’ conduct, and should their guests participate in vandalism the resident will be held accountable for their behavior. Please respect fellow community members as well as the facilities in which you live so that everyone can have an enjoyable living experience. Should you experience vandalism of any kind, contact the resident manager (RM) on duty immediately or call the LSU Police Department. Damages Residents are responsible for damages incurred accidentally, carelessly, or maliciously to their apartment. Appropriate damage charges will be assessed. Washers/Dryers The use of washing machines, dryers, or dishwashers of any size is not permitted in any of the apartments, with the exception of Unit I, which is already fitted for washers and dryers. Dishwashers may not be used in any apartment. Use of an unauthorized appliances can cause serious drainage problems and may result in termination of the rental contract. The Edward Gay and Nicholson Unit II apartments have on-site laundry facilities, and soft drink machines are at Edward Gay. The Unit I apartments have washer and dryer hook ups in each apartment. However, residents must provide their own washers and dryers. Weapons Possession of firearms (including but not limited to air pistols, BB guns, and paint guns), facsimile weapons, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, knives (other than kitchen utensils), or dangerous weapons is prohibited in the apartments and may result in immediate termination of the housing contract, along with disciplinary action. Window Screens Window screens on apartment windows are to stay on the windows at all times. Please do not bend, remove, or loosen the screens. Windows that need to have screens replaced due to damage caused by residents will be assessed a $25 charge per screen. Yard Sales Yard sales are not permitted on University property. 20 Important Numbers All numbers listed below begin with area code 225. Department of Residential Life.................................................................. 578-8663 Apartment Office.................................................................................. 334-5191 Maintenance Office................................................................................ 334-5194 RM Cell Phone* ................................................................................... 663-0292 *After normal office hours for emergencies only Emergency Numbers Emergency ............................................................ ........................... 911 LSU Police Department ........................................................................... 578-3231 Baton Rouge Police Department ................................................................389-2000 Crime Stoppers ...................................................................................344-7867 Crisis Intervention Center (24-hour crisis line—The Phone).................................924-3900 Rape Crisis Center .................................................................................389-3456 Academic Support Office of Undergraduate Admissions ...........................................................578-1175 Graduate School................................................................................... 578-2311 Career Services....................................................................................578-2162 Center for Academic Success....................................................................578-2872 LSU Libraries.......................................................................................578-5652 Student Services Campus Life (Leadership, Student Organizations, Programs & Volunteering)............. 578-5160 Dean of Students ................................................................................. 578-9442 Division of Student Life & Enrollment ..........................................................578-8607 Office of Disability Services .....................................................................578-5919 Mental Health Service............................................................................ 578-8774 Office of Multicultural Affairs ...................................................................578-4339 Records and Registration ........................................................................578-1686 Office of Bursar Operations...................................................................... 578-3357 Residential Life Conduct Office .................................................................578-5387 Office of Student Advocacy & Accountability .................................................578-4307 Student Aid & Scholarships .....................................................................578-3103 Student Health Center ...........................................................................578-6271 Appointment Desk ......................................................................578-6716 University Recreation..............................................................................578-8601 Office of Health Promotion....................................................................... 578-5718 Campus Services Campus Information .............................................................................578-3202 Campus Transit....................................................................................578-5555 Cable TV (Cox Communications) .................................................................615-2005 Computing Services Help Desk ..................................................................578-3375 Parking & Transportation .........................................................................578-5000 Student Union ......................................................................................578-5141 AT&T......................................................................................... .......888-757-6500 21 INDEX A F R Advertisements 13 Advisory Board 5 Air Conditioners 11 Alcohol 11 Apartment Cleaning 10 Apartment Office 5 Appeal Process 10 Assistant Director of Residential Life 5 AT&T 21 Filter Change 19 Fire Extinguishers 15 Fire Safety 3 Recycling 18 Rent 9 Rent penalty 10 Resident Managers 5 Restricted Items 19 Roach Problems 17 Roommates 8 Rules 6 B Baby-sitters 12 Baton Rouge Police Department 3 Behavioral Treatment or Care 7 Broadcast E-mail 3 Broadcast Voice Mail 3 C G Grills & Grilling 15 Grounds Damage 15 H Health Insurance 16 Health Promotion 21 Heating 15 Hygiene Inspection 19 I Important Numbers 21 Insurance - Health 15 Cable 12 Call Boxes 4 Campus Transit 3 Cancellation 9 Ceiling Fans 12 Checking Out 10 Children 5 20 Children’s Programming Committee 5 Cleaning 10 Cleaning Charges 10 Communication 13 Email 14 Community Living 2 Community Responsibilities 6 Conditions of Occupancy 8 Conduct Process 6 Contact or Shelf Paper 13 Contractual Appeal Process 10 Contractual Process 6 Courtesy Hours 18 K D P Damage Charges 10 Damages 20 Data Ports 13 Decorations 13 Disorderly Conduct 13 Parking 17 Personal Safety 4 Personal Transportation 19 Petitioning a Charge 9 Pets 18 Plants 18 PODS 18 Private Enterprise 18 E Email 14 Emergency 14 Emergency Text Messaging System 3 Entry by Staff 14 Keys 16 L Laundry Rooms 16 Lights 16 Locks 16 Loss of Deposit 10 LSU Police 16 LSU Police Department 3 S Safety Call Boxes 4 Safety Inspections 14 Schedule 19 Scooters/Skateboards/Skates 19 Shelf Paper 13 Smoke Alarms 15 Smoke Detector 19 Smoking 19 Solicitation 19 Storage Containers 18 Stoves 19 Student Conduct Process 6 T Telephone Service 20 Television 12 U M U-Haul Truck 18 Mail 16 Maintenance 17 Medical Treatment or Care 7 W O Office Hours 5 Office of Bursar Operations 9 Washers/Dryers 20 Weapons 20 Wellness Education 4 Window Screens 20 Y Yard Sales 20 Q Quiet Hours 18 22 99 Grace King Hall Baton Rouge, LA 70803 phone 225-578-8663 fax 225-578-5576 reslife@lsu.edu LSU.edu/housing FAMILY & GRADUATE APARTMENTS OFFICE 275 West Roosevelt Street Baton Rouge, LA 70802 phone 225-334-5198 reslife@lsu.edu