Access to Rooms & Removal of Prohibited Items
When university staff reasonably fear harm to life, safety, health, property, or have a reasonable suspicion related to a university policy violation, students’ rooms may be entered by an official university representative without advance notice. During break periods, university staff has the right, without advance notice, to enter student rooms for routine maintenance and inspection. Additionally, when university staff reasonable suspicion to believe that theft of personal, university or organizational property has occurred, official University representatives, in lieu of civil authorities, may access the student's room (i.e., city police presence is not required). When university staff has entered student rooms and find items that violate University policy or state, federal, or local laws, those items will be confiscated, and the University has the right to dispose of such items as it sees fit in the University's sole discretion. For example, prohibited items include, but are not limited to, alcohol, drugs and drug paraphernalia, firearms, fireworks, or other weapons. Students are not entitled to have any such items returned to them once confiscated. Students in possession of such items on campus may be referred to the Restorative Discipline Process.
Antennas, Satellite Dishes & Cable TV
Students may not have cable or satellite dishes in Residence unless it is supplied by the University. Residents may not place any antenna, wiring, or cabling outside their rooms. Students may not connect personally owned TVs into existing television reception devices or install any new reception services. Satellite TV equipment provided by the university (i.e. Direct TV receiver, remotes, power and HDMI cables) are university property. Missing satellite TV equipment will be charged to all the residents in that living area unless an individual is identified.
Appliances and Cooking
Students may have one microwave and one refrigerator (max. 3.0 cubic feet) in each room. Residents may have a coffee maker, but it must contain an automatic shutoff function. Fire regulations prohibit the use of appliances with exposed heating coils. The use of toaster ovens and hot plates is restricted to house, apartment, and Suites kitchens. Hot plates are not allowed in any other student’s rooms. Hot air corn poppers (but not those that use oil) and hot pots that do not have exposed heating coils are permitted in all living areas.
Bicycles
Students must store bicycles in a campus bike locker or designated bike rack. Bicycles may not be stored on stairs, balconies, or in residences. Bikes found in any living area will be impounded. Campus bike lockers not being used by residence hall residents are available to apartment residents and commuters for bike storage only. Keys are available from the Student Executive.
Board/Meal Plans
For the purpose of housing and meal plan assignments, students will remain classified as a freshman, sophomore, junior or senior for the entire academic year regardless of academic unit changes that may occur during the course of the year.
Students living in apartments and houses are exempt from required meal plans and are eligible for any meal plan they choose. Resident juniors (as classified at the beginning of the fall semester) living in suites are required to enroll in at least a 70-block meal plan (upgrading to a 140 or full-access plan is optional). All FR/SO students living in FR/SO housing are required to enroll in the full-access meal plan. All meal plans are charged per semester. (See the University Catalog Meal Plan Prices.)
In accordance with the FPU Catalog and the contract with Pioneer Food Services, students may make changes in their meal plan during the first two (2) weeks of the semester ONLY. Meal change request forms are available from the Campus Life Office.
Exemptions from the board plan are rare and only in the case of documented health conditions that require special diets which cannot be accommodated by the food service provider. Financial difficultly does not qualify for an exemption or reduction. Students can apply for an exemption or reduction by submitting a Meal Plan Exemption or Reduction Request Form and the required documentation from a medical doctor. The request must be submitted prior to the second Friday of the semester for which you are applying for an exemption. Requests submitted after that day will be considered for future terms. Requests for exemptions must be submitted annually. Should an exemption or reduction be approved, a financial adjustment will be made to your student account. Should the approval happen after the beginning of the semester you will be billed according to a 10-week refund schedule. Meal plan fees will be charged 10% for each week up to 10 weeks at which time there will be no refund. A week is defined as Sunday through Saturday. The request form is available in Campus Life.
Board/Meal Plan Reduction or Exemption Requests
Exemptions from or reductions of the meal plan are rare and only in the case of documented health conditions that require special diets which otherwise cannot be accommodated by the food service provider. Students can apply for an exemption or reduction by submitting a Meal Plan Exemption or Reduction Request Form and the required documentation from a medical doctor to the Disabilities Access and Education office and provide the appropriate documentation. Medical documentation must be from a recognized professional medical doctor (M.D.) with expertise related to the condition.
To be considered for a meal plan exemption or reduction you must register with the Disability Access and Education office prior to the second Friday of the semester for which you are applying for an exemption. Requests submitted after that day will be considered for future terms. Requests are only considered when the application, all paperwork is complete and sufficient detailed documentation is provided by a medical doctor. Requests for exemptions must be submitted annually.
Financial difficulty does not qualify for a meal plan exemption or reduction. Exemptions for reasons such as a vegetarian diet, work or class schedule, access to a kitchen, or personal preferences are not considered.
In the case of food allergies, sensitivities, and/or other dietary restrictions, the food service provider will make every attempt to meet your specific needs as long as the appropriate medical verification has been submitted to the Disability Access and Education office.
Should an exemption or reduction be approved, a financial adjustment will be made to your student account. Should the approval happen after the beginning of the semester you will be billed according to a 10-week refund schedule. Meal plan fees will be charged 10% for each week up to 10 weeks at which time there will be no refund. A week is defined as Sunday through Saturday. The request form is available in Student Life.
Bunk Beds and Trading Beds
FPU provides standard twin beds that can be assembled in a variety of ways, such as a bunk-bed format. For liability purposes, facilities management must perform the work of reconfiguring a bed. Please place a work order with the RA to request an alternate bed assembly. Students are permitted to request the reconfiguring of beds during the first three weeks of the semester. After the first three weeks, requests will only be approved for health and safety reasons. No homemade lofts are allowed on campus. If a resident disassembles any University furniture, a $50 fine will be applied to the student’s account. Water beds are not permitted in university housing.
Candles, Fires, and Oil lamps
Candles are not permitted in campus residences. Any open flame or burning incense in any university housing at any time is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to oil lamps and all types of candles. Candle warmers are permitted.
Check-in Procedure
Once a student has paid their $200 housing deposit he or she may obtain their room assignments and keys from a Residence Director. Before a student may take possession of their assigned living area they must sign a housing agreement and complete a room inventory with the assistance of a Residence Life Staff member.
Checking-Out
The university will retain the $200 housing deposit until the student departs for the last time from university housing. If the resident wishes his/her housing deposit returned upon permanent move-out, the student must check the “I do not plan on returning” box on the Summer Address/Housing Deposit Designation form during his/her check-out with the Resident Advisor. Once a student has checked out, Residence Life will send information to the Business Office regarding damage charges and housing deposit refunds. If a student has an outstanding balance the deposit will be applied to that balance. If the student’s balance is paid in full a refund check will be issued by the Business Office. Please allow six to eight weeks after checking-out for a refund check.
To check-out of campus housing (either during the school year or at the end of the semester), the student must complete the formal check-out procedure with the Resident Assistant. Failure to check out and sign the housing inventory will result in an improper check-out fine of $50.00.
The Check-Out Procedure Includes:
Students checking out at the end-of-the-year must make a check-out appointment with their RA no later than 8:00 a.m. Monday of final’s week. Those students who will be moving into transitional summer housing will also need to make an appointment to check into their new location before they check out of their current location. At all other times throughout the year, students must make a check-out appointment 48 hours prior to their departure date.
At the end of each semester, students must check out of their living area 24 hours after their last final exam. Exceptions will be made for students who are participating in the graduation ceremonies. Local students are still expected to move out 24 hours after their last final. Students with official university business (such as athletes with games or essential student workers) may arrange additional housing with their Residence Advisor. Any student who disrupts the study atmosphere of the Residence Halls during finals week may be required to leave immediately.
The living area must be thoroughly cleaned (to Facilities approval) or residents will be charged for cleaning expenses (costs are split between roommates for individual rooms and between all residents in the living area for common space.)
The housing inventory (Room check) form will be jointly completed by the resident and the RA, noting the condition of their bedroom. Additional check-out paperwork will also be completed at this time including the Summer Address / Housing Deposit Designation form (see the first paragraph). Common living areas will be checked by the R A once all residents have vacated the living space. Unless someone has claimed the damage, damages in the common living areas will be divided equally among all of the residents assigned to the living area. Once the living area is completely vacated, facilities personnel will do a walk-through to assess these damages and any additional damages that may have been missed will be assessed to the residents of that living area.
Residents must be on time and prepared for their check-out appointment. All personal items must be removed from the room, and cleaning completed. All residential keys must be returned at the check-out appointment. If you aren’t moved out, cleaned up and ready to turn in your key, you’re not ready!
Please keep the following fines in mind throughout the check-out process:
- $50 fine for failure to return keys at check-out
- $25 fine if unprepared or misses check-out appointment
- $50 fine for failure to check-out of the living area
- $5 to $50 fine for leaving living area dirty
- $5 fine for every 15 minutes a student stays past established housing deadlines. (ex: 12:00 noon the day after graduation)
- $50 fine for furniture/personal belongings that are left in the living area
- $100 removal fee for each large piece of furniture left behind
Resident must complete an “Exit Survey” and return a confirmation page to the RA at the time of check-out. Failure to complete the exit survey will result in a $25 fine.
Christmas Housing
Housing is closed during the Christmas break. However, athletes in season and who are required to be on campus for athletic events and training, international students and essential student workers are the only residents permitted to stay in campus housing during the Christmas vacation with the exception of residents living in the houses. House residents may stay through the break at no additional charge. However, for safety and security reasons, house residents who need to stay for Christmas break must fill out a Christmas Housing Application.
Applications for Christmas housing will be available at Campus Life late in the Fall semester. Athletes in season are permitted to stay in campus housing without additional charges. Pre-approved essential student workers and international students will be charged a fee according to the Christmas Housing Application information.
Christmas Trees
Any Christmas trees put up in campus facilities must be flameproof. Please contact Facilities to learn more about this service. Please keep in mind that all Christmas lights must be plugged into a surge protector or an outlet. Students are responsible to appropriately dispose of Christmas trees before the Christmas break.
Cleaning
To help maintain appropriate health and sanitary levels in their personal living area, all residential students are responsible to clean their bedroom and the common areas (bathrooms, kitchen, hallways, and living room) in their living area (module, village, apartment, and house). Room checks will be administered by RA’s every two weeks. Standards of cleanliness will be communicated by the RA. On the first Monday of classes during module meetings, freshman and sophomore residents will create an agreed-upon cleaning schedule. Residents living in houses and apartments are encouraged to create a cleaning schedule. While school is in session, students will be notified at least 24 hours in advance when RA’s seek to access to a student room for room checks. Upon request, the resident will be permitted to be present.
Damage to or Loss of Personal Property
The university assumes no responsibility and does not provide insurance or any other financial protection for any personal property. FPU recommends students check parents’ homeowner’s policy for inclusion of belongings away from home and obtain insurance protection against loss, damage or theft of personal property. We strongly urge all students to lock room doors to prevent theft. In the unfortunate event that a student is the victim of theft, they should file a report with their RA, Campus Security, and the Fresno Police Department when appropriate.
Damage to University Property
If a student is responsible for damages to FPU property they will be held accountable to pay for the repairs. If the damage occurs during their contracted period the student could be referred to the Restorative Discipline Process.
Decorations
Students are encouraged to create a personal environment through their room decorations. Some standards, however, must be observed: Permanent changes to the room or common area are not allowed without permission. This includes painting, wallpapering, changing fixtures, etc. Only small pins should be used to put up posters and pictures, no tape or sticky substances of any type. No nails or screws of any type may be used. Nothing should be displayed in rooms or the windows of rooms that contradict the standards of the university. This includes, but is not limited to drug or alcohol paraphernalia and pictures of scantily clad individuals. Road signs of any type are not allowed in the residences. (University officials reserve the right to define what is appropriate).
Early Arrivals
In August students may check into housing the Saturday and Sunday before the first day of class and for the spring semester the Sunday before the first day of class. The Residence Life/Housing Office may authorize select students to check into housing early. Essential student workers, athletes in season (whose official training begins prior to the beginning of the semester), and approved student leaders may check into housing early providing their supervisor officially notifies the Residence Life and Housing Office in writing. Additional housing fees for essential student workers will be applied to the student’s account. Students approved to move in early are permitted to move in the day before their official training or work begins and no earlier. Because the Residence Life and Housing staff will be in training prior to the start of school, set times for check-in will be determined and students must check-in during those set times. All early arrival students must follow strict behavioral guidelines and sign an early arrival contract before checking into housing and receiving their room key.
Electrical Cords
For safety reasons, extension cords are not allowed. However, UL-rated power strips with built-in circuit breakers are an acceptable alternative. The Fresno Fire Department does not allow microwaves, refrigerators or any other heavy appliance to be plugged into a power strip. Microwaves, refrigerators or other heavy appliances must be plugged directly into the wall outlet.
Fire Safety Equipment
Campus fire safety equipment is an important, life-saving necessity. Individuals who tamper with fire safety equipment place themselves and the campus community at risk. Tampering with any smoke detector, fire alarm, fire extinguisher, fire safety map/signs, a fire access key, or fire exit is strictly prohibited. Any person found responsible for tampering with fire safety equipment will be fined $50 in addition to any repair or replacement costs. If the person responsible is not identified, the fine and repair/replacement cost will be distributed between all members of the living area.
Furniture
Students may bring furniture from home; however, it must be free-standing and not attached to walls, ceilings or floors in any way. Students may not remove any furniture or furnishings from rooms or lounges. Unauthorized removal of furniture from any room may result in a $25 fine.
- Cabinet doors, handles, drawer pulls or any such fixtures are not to be removed.
- Do not hang anything from a drapery rod, door handle or light diffuser.
- Do not place any light fixtures near flammable materials such as draperies, mattresses, carpet, bedspreads or clothing.
The occupants of a room are responsible for any damages to the room or furnishings. Residents must leave room furnishings in an acceptable condition before check-out. Residents must remove any personal furniture at check-out or removal fees will be applied.
Hallways and Lounges
The university prohibits potentially injurious or damaging activities inside the living areas, including, but not limited to, playing with balls, practicing golf, throwing Frisbees, using skateboards and riding bicycles. Hallways must be kept clear of boxes or furniture for fire safety.
Housing Closing
University housing is closed for the Christmas break at 12:00 noon the day after the last day of finals. Students must check out and return their keys to their RA before they leave for Christmas break. Failure to turn in their key before they leave will result in a fine of $50. Residents can check back into housing and get their key for the spring semester at the Campus Life office no earlier than 10:00 a.m. the day before classes start.
Keys
Students receive keys from the Residence Life/Housing Office at move-in time. Report any lost key to Residence Life immediately. If a key is lost and must be replaced residents are charged a $50 fee for replacement costs. The fee is to be paid in the Business Office and the receipt brought to Residence Life.
For safety and security reasons, students are asked not to attach keys to an identification card, and they are not permitted to lend out their keys to someone else. Theft of keys is a serious offense and will result in disciplinary action. If a student is locked out of his or her room, he or she can gain access by calling the Department Security at ext. 2298. There is a $25 charge for this service. Students will be required to show an ID in order to gain access to their rooms. Resident Assistants do not have master keys and will not have the ability to open student rooms.
Laundry Facilities
Laundry facilities are available in Strasbourg and Kriegbaum basements, the HH 3, TH 3, garages, WIL 112, 117, 131, as well as each floor of Jost Hall. Machines in need of repair should be reported to the Director of Residence Life and Housing at ext. 5696. Please report any overflowing of water to Facilities Management immediately at ext. 2089.
Washers and dryers are operated via a WASH debit card system. All students receive a free WASH debit card when they move into campus housing. This card has a complimentary credit equal to the amount of one load of laundry. Students are provided only one card for their entire stay at FPU. WASH cards are available for purchase at the WASH machine in the Steinert Campus Center. Students can add money to their WASH debit cards at the WASH machines in the Steinert Campus Center. If a student loses their WASH card it is the same as if they lost cash.
Living Area Meetings
Living Area meetings are usually held weekly in the evenings. The purpose of these meetings is to provide opportunities for social interaction, relay information, and plan for living areas or all-school functions. Regular attendance is expected. However, mandatory meetings may be called from time to time.
Pets
No pets are allowed in any living area. (This includes any living animal).
Pranks
As with every living environment, fun is a healthy and necessary ingredient for life together. Often students will choose to perform pranks on fellow residents, classmates, and the community. The university is concerned with the rights of those affected by pranks and urges those who choose to perform them to use good judgment and discretion. Please keep in mind the following things if you choose to perform a prank.
Pranks:
- Take a great deal of effort to be done well
- Should be targeted only towards audiences you are certain will enjoy them
- May not be defamatory
- May not damage property
- Must be safe
- Must be fun for everyone involved at all levels
- Must not violate university policies
- May not involve animals/insects-alive or dead.
- Must not result in extra work for university employees
- Prank perpetrator(s) must help to return things to their original order if their assistance is so desired by the victim(s).
Those who choose to perform pranks must accept any consequences that may result. Even if all of the above are kept in mind, when committing a prank, the university may still choose to take actions towards the individuals responsible if the prank causes a disruption or adversely affects someone. Should damages occur and the pranksters do not claim ownership to pay for the damages, the pranked individuals shall incur the cost of the damages.
Propping Doors Open to Living Areas
At no time will anyone prop doors open to university residences. Exceptions to this are on move-in day in August, and move-out at year-end, and only then during the daylight hours. Tampering with any lock, latch, door frame, hinges, or any other part of the doors to render them unable to close and latch is strictly prohibited. Because such tampering places students at risk, any living area with a door propped open or other signs of tampering will be referred to the Restorative Discipline Process.
Quiet Hours
Campus-wide quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., including weekends. The right to quiet always supersedes the right to make noise. Individuals who are disturbed by noise should confront the people responsible and politely ask them to be quiet. Only after this step has been taken and the noise persists should you contact your RA. When asked to be quiet or lower the noise level, all students regardless of location (even when out on the Green) or time of day (even at 2:00 p.m.) must comply. Failure to do so will result in being referred to the Restorative Discipline Process. Students should practice musical instruments in practice rooms only.
Repairs and Maintenance Problems
Facilities Management will repair electrical and plumbing problems, broken windows, screens, locks, etc. If a repair is needed, visit the website workorder.fresno.edu and complete it with as much information as possible. If an emergency occurs, contact your RA, or call Campus Safety at 2298 immediately.
Roofs
Students are not permitted to be on any roof without prior permission. A person found on the roof of any building will be assessed a $25 fine. For misplaced Frisbee’s, etc., contact Facilities Management at x2089.
Screens
If a screen is removed from a window each resident will be fined $50, unless it is clear who is responsible for screen removal. If Facilities Management has to replace the screen there will be an additional charge. Repeated offenses will result in further disciplinary action.
Skateboards, Rollerblades, & Bikes
The University designates limited areas for the use of skateboards, scooters, roller skates, rollerblades, or other similar wheeled devices. Except as provided below, no person may skateboard, scooter, roller skate or use roller blades or any other similar wheeled device in or on any university buildings, or sidewalks, roadways, or parking areas on university lands except as specifically authorized in writing by designated Campus Life Staff or University Official. This policy shall be enforced by the Campus Safety Department and Residence Life & Housing. Motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, motorized scooters, or similar wheeled devices are prohibited for on campus use.
Designated areas: Skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, or other similar wheeled devices may be used on sidewalks and walkways, providing that at the time of the use the activity does not create a safety hazard or otherwise interfere with pedestrian traffic or facilities vehicles. Prohibited areas: As guidance in the interpretation of this policy, the following prohibited areas are expressly noted: Skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, or other similar wheeled devices may not be used in the following locations: (A) Inside any building or other enclosed facility; (B) On stairs, steps, curbs benches, ledges, loading docks, ramps for disabled, and other similarly fixed-location, designated-purpose external sites; (C) Inside either the Witmarsum or Strasbourg quad areas; (D) Any location with a covered overhang, including but not limited to Marpeck Center, Sattler Hall, Alumni Hall, & McDonald Hall, AIMS Hall of Math and Science, and Steinert Campus Center; (E) In all areas and ramps immediately adjacent to Hiebert Library, Wiebe Education Building, Bartsch Hall; (F) In all areas within and adjacent to the track, including the track itself.
Visiting Hours and Guest Privileges
Hosting guests in your residential environment is a privilege that we encourage students to take part in. Residential students are, at all times , responsible for anyone present in their room. All parties may be held responsible for a violation of visitation or other residential policies. All infractions will be brought to the attention of the Residence Director(s).
FPU Housing is divided into male and female living areas. When a man visits a male floor and a woman visits a female floor, there are no restrictions to these interactions (beyond courtesy to roommates/suitemates). However, when men visit female rooms or women visit male rooms, the door must be ajar at least the width of a shoe and the light source equal to or greater than a desk lamp ("A shoe in the door, a desk lamp or more".) Visitation violations with sexual impropriety or repeated visitation violations will be referred to the Student Conduct Process.
Visiting hours for mixed sex residential visitation will begin and end on the hour.
Visiting Hours for Opposite Sex in Underclassmen Living Areas (ie: Modules and Suites):
Sunday –Thursday 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Friday – Saturday 12:00 p.m. – 12:00 midnight
Visiting Hours for Opposite Sex in Upperclassmen Living Areas (ie: Houses, Apartments and Willow Gardens):
Sunday –Thursday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 a.m.
Friday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 a.m.
Note: Weekend hours will apply on three-day weekends.
Residential students are allowed to invite a guest to spend the night in their room, free of charge, a total of three nights per semester. Guests must be at least 5 years of age and of the same sex as the host. A $10, per person, per night fee, will be charged for each additional night stayed. A guest may not stay in university housing any longer than one week. Upon their arrival, guests must check-in with a member of the Residence Life staff and provide them with emergency contact information. Failure to register an overnight guest, and their vehicle, with a Residence Life staff member, could result in the loss of overnight guest privileges, or further disciplinary action. The student housing a guest must remember that they are in a shared living environment, and roommates are affected by the presence of the guest. Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to respect the needs of roommates and explain university regulations and community behavioral standards to guest(s). Guests are required to follow all university policies while on university premises, and the student host will be held responsible for any inappropriate behavior and/or damage caused by their guest(s).
Weapons
Possession or use of firearms, fireworks, explosives or weapons on campus is prohibited. Knives longer than 4 inches (handle and blade) are not permitted in the living areas.