Policies & Procedures
- Residency Requirement
- Regulations
- Room Assignments
- Room Changes
- Single Rooms
- Room Keys
- Room Furnishings
- Visitation Philosophy
- Visitation Policy
- Quiet Hours
- Room Clearance and Check-Out
The University of the Ozarks requires students up to the age of 21 to reside in University housing. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be filed in writing to the Student Life Office and should be made prior to housing assignments. Exceptions may include:
- A part-time or special student carrying less than 12 hours a semester,
- A married or single parent student,
- A student living with parents/grandparents or legal guardian,
- A student who has valid reasons, with supporting professional documentation.
The University affirms the right of students to live in an environment which affords personal security, the security of personal property, reasonable privacy, and an opportunity to sleep, read, and study free from undue interference. In order to ensure these rights, certain regulations are deemed necessary.
Information and guidelines governing University of the Ozarks housing are provided here on the website and in the Residence Hall Agreement. All students should familiarize themselves with this information in order to make their transitions to residential life smooth and comfortable. The Student Life staff, Residence Hall Directors and Resident Assistants are available to answer specific questions regarding the residential life program.
All resident students are responsible for complying with the residence hall regulations and the residence hall agreement, both of which are available in the Student Life Office and in each residence hall. Infractions of University or residence hall rules will initially be referred to the Residence Hall Director and subsequently to the Peer Judicial Board or the Dean of Students for final resolution. Infractions of University rules on campus or at University-sanctioned events either on or off campus will be referred by University personnel to the Dean of Students.
Groups wishing to schedule meetings in residence hall facilities must complete a “Request for Activity/Facility” form. Only University-approved groups may use residence hall areas.
Every attempt is made to accommodate student preferences for housing assignments. Room assignments for incoming freshmen are based on the date the housing application is received. Current resident students can reapply for housing each spring. All room assignments are made by the residential life staff. Students wishing to cancel their housing contracts must notify the Student Life Office in writing. To receive a refund of the housing deposit, a cancellation must be received prior to July 1 for Fall semester agreements or December 1 for Spring semester agreements.
The first two weeks of each semester is considered a “settling” period and no roommate or room changes will occur. Consolidation of students without roommates will take place immediately. Changes in room assignments during the school year may be made only with prior approval of the Residence Hall Director. A student wishing to make a room change must complete a room change form and return it to the Residence Hall Director for final approval.
There are two types of single rooms in the residence halls.
Natural: singles that are designated as such due to the physical design of the room. Natural singles are charged the basic room rate.
Converted: double rooms that are utilized as a single. Converted singles are charged an additional amount per semester.
A limited number of converted singles are assigned on a room availability basis, by seniority and special needs. Converted singles are charged an additional fee per semester above the basic costs of a double room. Initially, natural singles will be assigned to students who have a valid reason, with supporting professional documentation that a single is necessary for their academic success. Remaining singles will be assigned by seniority.
Students living in the residence halls will be issued one key, which will open their individual room as well as residence hall exterior doors. All keys issued must be returned at the time of check-out. Keys and exterior door keys are not to be duplicated or loaned to other persons. Any key(s) not returned or lost will be billed to the student for replacement of the key(s) or changing of the lock(s). Lost key(s) need to be reported immediately to the Residence Hall Director. Replacement of any keys must be approved by the Director. The installation of supplemental locks or the unauthorized alteration of existing locks is prohibited.
Each resident is held ultimately responsible for the condition of the assigned room and shall reimburse the University for all damages to the room, as well as damage to, or loss of, fixtures, furnishings, or properties furnished. No alterations are to be made to furniture provided by the University. Any additional furniture brought into the room must be free-standing and clear of all existing fixtures, heater/air conditioners, windows, and mechanical equipment. Residents are not permitted to paint their rooms or furnishings, or add any flooring that attaches to the provided floor covering.
Furniture or furnishings may not be removed from the lounges, rooms, and parlor areas. Window screens must be kept fastened at all times. No residence hall room furniture or personal belongings will be stored in the residence halls.
Visitation is considered a privilege within the residence hall system. Because the rights of all residents must be considered in regard to any guests in the room, even within regular visitation hours a resident’s request for any guest to leave (regardless of the guest’s gender) must be honored. The University believes that the residents residing in the room should be comfortable to study, nap, or enjoy their privacy at all times; this environment could be compromised if unwanted guests are present too often, or if guests refuse to leave because they are visiting within posted hours.
Visitation refers to the privilege of having guests of the opposite sex within a student’s room or closed areas of the hall. The public areas of each residence hall are open to the opposite sex during specific hours and may vary from hall to hall. These hours are defined in each hall’s living plan which is developed by its residents during hall meetings at the beginning of the fall semester. The residents of each hall are encouraged to set their own hours for visitation in the residence hall rooms. Visitation hours may be shortened or lengthened if 75% of all hall residents vote in favor of the proposed change.
Any off-campus guest who visits in a residence hall with a resident must be in that student’s company at all times. The University student is responsible for his or her visitor’s behavior. That person must abide by the residence hall rules. Any individual not a member of the residential community may be requested to show proof of identification. If a member of the residential life staff or campus security cannot make a positive identification, the individual will be escorted out of the residence hall immediately. Individuals under the age of 17 are not permitted in the residence halls without prior written permission by the Residence Hall Director. Students in violation of the guest policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
Standard visitation hours in the residence halls are
- Sunday through Thursday: 12:00 Noon to 10:00 pm
- Friday through Saturday: 12:00 Noon to 12:00 Midnight.
MacLean Hall and the University apartments may extend visitation hours if a vote by the residents shows taht 75% of the residents agree to the change. Extended hours are:
- Sunday through Thursday: 10:00 am to 1:30 am
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am to 3:00 am
Smith Hall and King Hall visiting hours may only be extended 2 hours, and only if 75% of the residents vote for this change. Extended hours are:
- Sunday through Thursday: 10:00 am to 12:00 midnight
- Friday and Saturday: 10:00 am to 2:00 am
Any variations from the approvied visitation schedule need to be approved by the Dean of Residential and Campus Life. Any overnight guests must be registered with the Dean of Residential and Campus Life. Visits by any guest are limited to three consecutive nights. Guests may stay longer with the prior approval of the Residence Hall Director.
Residence halls provide many students with a place to study as well as sleep, therefore, students are asked to keep noise at a reasonable level at all times. Courtesy hours are in effect throughout the residence halls 24-hours a day. This means that although quiet hours may not be in effect, residents are expected to maintain reasonable volume levels at all times, including conversations in hallways, slamming doors, and stereo/TV volume. To ensure that the hours during which sleep and study are most likely to occur, a minimum of 60 hours each week are observed as “Quiet Hours.” The residents of each hall are encouraged to set their own times and days for quiet hours. During quiet hours, radios, televisions, stereos, etc. must be turned to low volume. Students are expected to refrain from singing, talking loudly or engaging in noisy activities.
During final examinations, quiet hours will be extended to 23-hours a day. At any time, conduct which is disruptive and disturbing to other residents can be cause for disciplinary action.
The primary responsibility for enforcement of quiet hours and courtesy hours belongs to the residents. If conflicts arise that residents cannot reconcile themselves, the R.A. may be called on to assist with the problem. Most students will be cooperative when a reasonable request is made.
A one time $100 housing deposit is required of each resident. This deposit may be refunded at the end of the student's last semester on campus when the student has completed the proper check-out process through the residential life staff and has no outstanding obligation to the University. When any damage is noted, all charges for such damage will be assessed.
Each resident will be required to complete the check-in portion of the Residence Hall Inventory Form at the time of occupancy. When a resident is ready to vacate the residence hall, the student must complete the check-out portion of the Residence Hall Inventory Form. The signature of the Resident Assistant on the check out forms signifies that the student residing in a residence hall has completed the residence hall check out procedures, and has turned in all keys. The signature does not constitute a waiver for any damages done to the room. Final assessment of damages occurs only after the resident has removed all personal possessions from the room and has left the residence hall. After the halls close at the end of the semester, the Residence Hall Director will tour the halls and assess any damage.
Residents checking out of the residence hall during the semester or at the end of the year must complete the following procedures:
- The student will remove all personal belongings before check-out. Any possession, furniture, or other matter left in the room will be removed and discarded, and a removal fee will be assessed.
- The student will leave the furnishings in the room in the same order and position as they were when he/she first entered. No room furniture may be placed in storage, and any furniture not in the room at the time of check-out will be billed as missing.
- The student is responsible
for leaving the room in a clean and neat condition.
This includes dusting the
furniture and sweeping the floor. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in a cleaning fee which will be added to the student’s account. - All keys will be returned to the hall staff. Any keys not returned will be billed to the student for replacement of the key or changing of the locks.
- The student is responsible for checking-out with a member of the residential life staff and signing the checkout portion of the Residence Hall Inventory Form. Failure to check-out or improper check-out will result in a $50 fine.
