The purpose of the residence hall is to supply a campus living, learning environment that enhances a student’s entire educational experience. The following policies support this effort:

AERIALS, ANTENNAS, (OUTSIDE) AND CABLE – No outside aerials for radio or television are permitted. Cable service is provided in the residence halls in the main lounges and rooms. Students may not run cables of any kind outside of the confines of their room.

AIR CONDITIONERS – The wiring in the halls is not adequate for air conditioning units. However, electric fans less than 5 years old are permitted. Keep in mind that overloaded circuits present the danger of fire.

BABYSITTING - Babysitting is not permitted in the residence halls.

BUILDING DECORATIONS - Due to the increased fire hazards/risks that they present, hay, leaves, sticks, live Christmas trees, large posters, lava lamps, halogen lamps, or flammable items are not permitted anywhere in university buildings. The use of fire retardant decorations is desired in decorating residence halls and other buildings.

CANDLES AND INCENSE - The possession and/or burning of candles, incense and items of similar nature in residence halls is prohibited by university regulations and by state ordinance.

CHANGES TO ROOMS - No changes to rooms are allowed. (i.e., painting, etc.) In addition, students are not permitted to build lofts of any kind in the residence halls. Furniture may not be modified.

CHRISTMAS TREES - Cut Christmas and/or live trees are not permitted in the residence halls. This includes Flex Housing apartments.

DART BOARDS – Dartboards may not be installed in rooms or lounges; their installation and use damages walls and doors.

ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES – Approved: Students may use the following electrical devices in their rooms: clocks, electric fans, coffee pots, corn poppers, floor lamps, shavers, microwaves, stereo equipment, hair dryers, curling irons, television sets, and computer equipment.
Not Approved: Personally owned hot plates, broilers, toaster units, lava lamps, space heaters, halogen lamps, and room air conditioners are NOT permitted because of the possibility of power failures, overloaded electrical circuits, and fire hazards. Electrical appliances as well as all extension cords must be UL approved. Too many appliances attached to an extension cord create a fire hazard. Heavy-duty extension cords are required for distances of more than six feet. A power strip is required when using more than two appliances at any wall receptacle.
Appliances: Refrigerators, microwaves, and other appliances acceptable to campus policies, but older than ten years, are prohibited in the residence halls. Christmas lights must be UL approved, fused, and in-line style. Christmas lights may not be placed on metal Christmas trees

ENTRY INTO STUDENT ROOMS – Point Loma Nazarene University recognizes the rights of its students to protection against unreasonable entry and search. In order to preserve these rights, while at the same time continuing the university’s tradition as a place where quality of residence hall living is maintained by policy and practice, Point Loma Nazarene University has enacted the following procedural guidelines as to the entry into and searches of university-owned student rooms.

Reasonable entry and search situations in which university personnel will enter student rooms include, but are not limited to, instances in which there is reasonable cause to believe that (1) a university policy is being violated, (2) a student or other individual is a threat to themselves or others, (3) an emergency situation exists that requires the identification of a particular object to be located in the room, or (4) safety inspection.

FIRST YEAR CHECK-OUT POLICY – The Residential Life definition of a first-year student is defined as students who graduated from high school within the past two years. This classification does not change until the student has completed two semesters of college.

• It is important that all freshmen students check-out of the residence hall in writing at "The Box" ahead of time when planning on being gone overnight. Proper check-out includes filling out the check-out information card that is available at "The Box" during box hours with the following information:
• Specific date and time student is checking-out
• Date student will return
• Full information of the person with whom the student is staying:
• (i.e., street address, apt. number (if applicable), city, state, zip code phone number including area code)
• Relationship of the person student is staying with
  
• Valid Check-out Sites:
• Students are not allowed to check-out to co-ed living situations. All students are expected to uphold the stated alcohol, drug, smoking, tobacco, and sexual abstinence policies. Any activity that breaks the integrity of PLNU's Christian values as stated in this handbook will result in disciplinary consequences.

FRESHMAN CURFEW - All freshmen will have curfew for the first 8 weeks of the fall semester. Refer to the first paragraph in this section for a definition of who is considered a freshman.

The hours are:

• Sunday through Thursday midnight
• Friday and Saturday 2 a.m.

FURNITURE/DECOR - Every resident will be responsible for his or her room furniture, window and walls, for other than normal wear. Ornamental use of items identifiable as alcoholic beverage bottles/containers is not permitted. Posters, pictures and magazines that conflict with the goals and objectives of the university are not acceptable. All residence hall furniture must remain in student rooms at all times. Residence hall lounge furniture may not be moved into residence hall student rooms. Only outdoor furniture is allowed on Flex apartment balconies.

FURNITURE (Implemented July 2007) – For significant health and safety reasons, students are prohibited from bringing certain used, or second-hand, furniture onto the PLNU campus. Prohibited items include:

• Upholstered chairs and sofas
• Futons
• Bean-bag chairs
• Any other furniture containing cushions or stuffing.

Used furniture includes any non-new items such as, but not limited to that brought from home, given to students by relatives, purchased from a second-hand or thrift store, or found on a street corner.

During the 2006-07 school year, a number of PLNU residential students experienced disruption and dislocation due to the existence of bed bugs in several residence halls. The primary method of infestation was the transmission of bugs to campus on used furniture.

Students may bring the above items to campus provided they are brand new. Students must be prepared to show copies of purchase receipts upon request.

Caution: Because of the risks associated with used furniture in the residence halls, the “new furniture only” policy may have to be repeated next year. For this reason, and because of space limitations in the residence hall rooms, students are strongly advised to buy and bring a minimal amount of furniture to campus.

HANGING ITEMS FROM CEILING OR PIPES – for fire safety reasons, nothing is allowed to be attached to the ceiling, or hung over the ceiling or lights. Additionally, nothing may be hung from the automatic fire sprinkler system pipes or other pipes in rooms.

HEALTH AND LIVING ENVIRONMENT - Upon the discovery of any disorder or illness that may create a health or learning risk to a student or other students with whom the student is in regular contact, the student’s family must remove the student from the residence hall until assessment of the student is complete, a plan of support/treatment is developed by University officials, resources of support/treatment are reviewed, and a consistent accountability plan is established. Conditions of the plan must be met by the student in order to remain enrolled at the University.

HOUSEKEEPING -Each resident hall has a housekeeping staff that is responsible for the cleaning of public lounges, hallways, and bathrooms (except Flex Housing). They are only expected to clean that which is a result of normal everyday residence living. Additional cleaning beyond the norm, such that occurs as a result of pranks or carelessness will become the responsibility of those residents in the living area of that abuse. Please note that all hair following haircuts should be cleaned up immediately. Flex housing apartments are to be cleaned by the occupants.

IMPEDIMENT TO THE GROWTH OF OTHERS – Point Loma Nazarene University reserves the right to remove students from housing and/or the institution if they are an impediment to the growth, health, or safety of other students, faculty, or staff.

MANDATORY HALL MEETINGS – Students are expected to participate in mandatory hall meeting called by a Residential Life staff member – RDs and RAs. Mandatory meetings are primarily called to discuss, promote, and educate residents about safety issues in the hall and other important community issues. Failure to attend can endanger the resident as well as other hall members in the event of an emergency, Because of the extreme importance of these meetings, failure to attend will result in judicial action. Please report scheduling conflicts with one’s Residential Life staff member and schedule an alternate meeting.

NO PETS OR ANIMALS ARE PERMITTED -The only exception is fish in a tank no larger than ten gallons.

OBJECTS THROWN FROM WINDOWS – Do not throw, shoot, bat, sling, or hang any objects from residence hall windows such as water balloons, water, debris, bottles, or cans. Such objects may seriously injure someone. A damage fee will be assessed for removal of screens and any damage to public spaces.

OCCUPANCY - Residence halls are closed during vacation periods. The right of occupancy does not include these periods.

QUIET AND COURTESY HOURS POLICY – Courtesy Hours are in effect twenty-four hours a day. There should be no noise which unduly disturbs other people or violates their personal rights at anytime of the day or night. As a general rule, noise should not be heard more than two doors from each individual’s room.

In addition, Quiet Hours have been established to help residents study and enable them to get uninterrupted sleep. Quiet Hours are in effect from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. in all residence halls and apartments.

Courtesy and Quiet Hours have been designated in the residence halls because people study, work, play and think at varying times of the day or night. Residents have the right to expect the university to maintain an environment conducive to growth and learning.

The Residence Hall staff will enlist the cooperation of all residents in maintaining Quiet and Courtesy Hours. Please do not play your stereo, radio or television so loudly that it disturbs others (during Courtesy Hours) or so that it can be heard outside your rooms (during Quiet ours). Residence Life staff have the right to confiscate stereos, radios, televisions, or any other noise-producing device which is played above acceptable noise levels.

In the case that the offending noise is a result of a gathering of people, one verbal warning will be given. If the noise persists, the group of people will be asked to disperse. Students who violate the Quiet and Courtesy Hours Policy may face disciplinary action.

RESIDENCE HALL DAMAGE - Damage of university property will result in a charge to the individual and possible disciplinary action.

RESIDENCE HALL VISITATION - The residence halls are designed and provided for the accommodation of registered students at Point Loma Nazarene University at the residence hall for which they are assigned. Visitors will be permitted to stay overnight in the residence halls for a maximum of three nights per semester. In all cases, the Resident Director of the residence hall involved will conduct registration. The residence halls are assigned by gender. Visitation in the residence hall rooms or units by persons of the opposite sex may be permitted only in designated areas and during specified hours.

Visitation Hours are:

Flex Apartments: Sunday to Thursday (8 a.m. to Midnight); Friday and Saturday (8 a.m. to 1 a.m.)

Goodwin Hall: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Wiley and Finch Halls: 7 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday

Hendricks and Nease Halls: 7 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. on Thursday and Saturday

Young and Klassen Halls: 7 p.m. to 10:45 p.m. on Tuesday and Friday

Lobby/Lounge Hours:

Lobby/Lounge hours for all buildings are 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday, and to midnight on Friday and Saturday. When the lobby/lounge is closed persons of the opposite gender and persons who are not PLNU students are not allowed in the building. The exception is the co-ed lobby/lounge of Goodwin Hall where the building is closed to persons who are not PLNU students during the closed hours.

*All visitors must check in and out at the Residence Hall box.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE INSPECTIONS – Residential Life inspections may be conducted two or more times each semester in the residence halls and apartments. Additional inspections can be conducted at the discretion of the Resident Director.

The Residential Life inspection is an inspection of rooms to discover and eliminate health and fire hazards to ensure the well being of the resident. Also, it is an opportunity to communicate any room or building concerns directly to the Resident Director and Resident Assistant. Residents will be encouraged to be present during the inspection, or his/her room will be keyed into during the scheduled inspection time.

This activity is preceded by at least a twenty-four hour posted notice. A Residential Life inspection is performed to assess risks and quality of living space both for the benefit of the student and university. The principle inspection focuses on fire safety and cleanliness. In addition, the staff may take note of and follow up on violations of the student conduct code. Health and Safety violations must be re-addressed within twenty-four hours for follow-up inspection.

ROLLER BLADES, ROLLER SKATE, AND SKATE BOARDING – Individuals may not roller blade, razor skate, roller skate, or skate board inside residence halls or any other university building (click here for more information).

ROOM CHANGE – When a real need exists and if the space is available, residents may change rooms or roommates. The Resident Directors in each respective building AND the Dean of Students, must approve all room changes prior to move. Room change forms for room changes may be obtained from Student Development or your Resident Director.

No room changes can take place during the first two weeks of each semester, or after the fifth week of school. Students requesting to change rooms after the fifth week will be charged a $50 administration fee. RDs and Student Development staff reserve the right to move students when necessary for emergency or administrative reasons.

ROOM REASSIGNMENT - The University reserves the right to move students at any time. Among the reasons for having students change rooms include but not limited to the following:

• To consolidate space following the withdrawal of other students
• To resolve conflicts that could not be mediated
• To improve a student’s chance of success at PLNU
• To improve the health of a resident area
• To make space for on-going housing improvement or construction
• Or other reasons reviewed in a staff hearing

SPORTS AND RECREATION - With the many intramural and other informal recreational opportunities provided by the Athletic Department, it is not permissible for students to participate in these activities in the residence halls and apartments. All damages that occur as a result of hockey, baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, etc. in the residence hall will result in punitive as well as compensatory fines.

WINDOW SCREENS – Most residence halls/houses are equipped with window screens. For reasons of health, safety, and security, DO NOT remove them. You and your roommate are solely responsible for damage to screens in your room. A fine will be assessed for any screen that is removed.