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Guidelines for Community Living

The overall goal of Residential Programs & Services II. E-Mails and On-Going Communication Safety and Security (RPS) is to provide on-campus residents with clean, from Residential Programs & Services (RPS) safe and secure environments in each of the residence Your MCLA e-mail account is the official College Guidelines areas. We believe this goal is attainable when all on- communication vehicle. That means you are responsible campus residents agree to follow a set of guidelines for setting it up, checking it daily, reading the College General Expectations for Safety & Security designed to insure the safety, privacy and rights of all e-mails you are sent and responding to any requests for On-campus residents are expected to behave in members of the on-campus community. The following information you may receive. a manner sensitive to general safety and security pages detail this set of guidelines. concerns. They are also expected to follow staff While this Handbook provides a comprehensive guide directions during emergencies. It is important for each to on-campus living, you will receive other memos and resident to remember that their actions may have an General Guidelines for notices from Residential Programs & Services (RPS) impact on the safety and security of others. Any act that throughout the year. These memos and notices will endangers the safety of self or others is not acceptable Community Living be sent to your MCLA e-mail account and posted in and will be dealt with through the RPS Conduct system. common areas in each residence area. The following are This includes a wide variety of thoughtless and/or I. The Residence Area Occupancy Agreement some of the memos that are sent out by RPS during the careless acts including pranks. As an on-campus resident, you have agreed to abide year: by all the guidelines set forth by Residential Programs • Vacation Notices (Thanksgiving and Spring Recesses) I. Fire Alarm/Evacuation & Lockdown & Services (RPS), the College and the Commonwealth • End-of-the-Semester Closing Notices Procedures of Massachusetts. It is your responsibility to be familiar (December and May) All residents must vacate the when the fire with these guidelines. Please take time to carefully read • Returning Student Housing Assignment Process alarm sounds. Specific evacuation procedures for your this document and all other materials you receive from Information (January - April) residence area will be covered by your RA at your Residential Programs & Services (RPS). first /section meeting. After exiting the building, If you hear your friends talking about something you residents should gather in the following areas and wait The term of your agreement with Residential Programs haven’t heard anything about yet, make sure you ask for further instructions. & Services (RPS) is for the full 2019-2020 academic someone who can help you, like your RA or the RPS year. Students interested in an on-campus assignment office (ext. 5249). • Berkshire Towers residents should carefully cross in subsequent years participate in the returning Church Street and gather behind the MCLA student housing assignment process which takes place III. MCLA Identification Cards . each spring. Students with an on-campus residency All students are expected to carry their MCLA ID cards • Hoosac residents exiting the south requirement are expected to live on campus. (MCLA with them at all times. An ID card is required to use stairwell should cross Highland Street and requires students to live on campus and participate in a campus facilities and services, to gain admission to gather in the Upper Taconic parking lot. meal plan for the first three years of their college career College events and to enter Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall residents exiting the north stairwell or portion thereof if they transfer in.) All students Hoosac Hall. Your ID card also serves as your meal should walk up the and gather on the with a good record of citizenship are eligible to apply card and library card. Tampering with ID cards and Campus Center . for housing after the completion of their on-campus the use of falsified ID cards are strictly prohibited. The • residents should cross Montana residency requirement. You will receive additional replacement fee for an MCLA ID card is $25. Street and gather in the lower Quad. information about the returning student housing assignment process in the spring. Any person who willfully sets a fire, sounds a fire alarm

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falsely or tampers with fire equipment without cause of III. Bomb Threats Charcoal grills may only be used in areas fire or other emergency will be charged a $100 Health & Making bomb threats or other types of false emergency away from the outside stairwells and steps in the Safety fee and will be subject to removal from housing. calls is a serious offense which will result in judicial . At no time, should a charcoal grill be used Any individual who sets off a fire alarm by carelessness action and removal from the residence areas. Anyone in an area that blocks a walkway or means of egress. or tries to prevent the normal functioning of the fire receiving or hearing such a threat should report it After use, charcoal grills must be stored out-of-sight alarm system will be charged a $100 Health & Safety immediately to a Residential Programs & Services staff under the Townhouse exterior steps. Grilling supplies fee. member and/or the Public Safety department. like charcoal and lighter fluid must be stored within the Townhouse. Gas grills are not allowed in any location. In case of a fire alarm, be sure you..... Charcoal briquet waste must be disposed of properly • Dress appropriately for the weather, including shoes IV. Safety Both Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall have . (not placed in the landscaping beds or on walkways). and jacket. Residents in these are cautioned to observe • Feel handles. If hot, do not open the door. the following elevator safety guidelines: VII. Rooftops, Fire Escapes and Other Open the and call for help. • Should the elevator become impaired during • Keep low to the floor to escape smoke. Use a cloth Restricted Areas operation, press the alarm button and remain inside or towel to cover your mouth. Residents may not enter upon, cross or use rooftops. the elevator until help arrives. • Do not use the elevator. Use the nearest exit or Exit with alarms may not be used unless a fire • Trained elevator and fire department personnel are emergency stairwell. alarm has been activated. Elevator, mechanical, storage the only individuals authorized to remove occupants • Never prop open fire doors. Their purpose is to hold or maintenance , stairwells leading to rooftops, trapped inside an elevator. back fire and smoke. unoccupied resident rooms and unoccupied are • Do not ring the elevator alarm needlessly. also restricted from unauthorized access. In case of a residence area lockdown.... • Remain in your away from with your To avoid the inconvenience of unnecessary elevator VIII. Townhouse & Stairwells door locked and wait for further instruction from breakdowns: For everyone's safety, the following activities are the residence area staff and Public Safety officers. • Do not overcrowd the elevator. prohibited on Townhouse balconies: • Do not force the door if it will not open or close on • Throwing off objects or trash II. Fire and Other Safety Equipment its own. • Suspending or hanging objects Each of the residence areas is equipped with a variety • Do not tamper with the cab or elevator buttons. • Storing trash and boxes of safety equipment. This equipment includes fire • Always use the “Door Open” button to open the • Group gatherings extinguishers, smoke detectors, exit signs, emergency door, not your hand, foot, body or belongings. • Using College * lights and sprinkler systems. • Using gas or charcoal grills. V. Window Safety • Chaining bicycles to egress railings The fire alarm system in each residence area consists Screens keep things like flies out of the living areas and of “state of the art” equipment. It provides excellent keep other things like bodies and objects in. The screens Each Townhouse must provide its own snow shovel. fire detection and is VERY sensitive. Take time to learn provided for your room/apartment should be left in Townhouse residents are collectively expected to assist about the fire alarm system in your residence area, place at all times. For everyone’s safety please do not with the removal of snow from their exterior stairwells particularly where the equipment is located. Do not remove window screens, sit on window sills, lean out of and landings. hang anything from fire safety equipment or cover it in windows or drop items from windows. Air conditioners any way (e.g. plastic bags and hats). are not allowed in the residence areas. *Townhouse Residents: Please note that College furniture of any kind is not allowed on balconies or other outside areas. If Needless false fire alarms occur when residents fail to VI. Candles, Grills and Other Open Flames you would like to sit out on your , please use your own folding chair(s) and make sure you do not block egress in and be careful around smoke and heat detectors. Be sure Candles of any kind (whether the wick is burnt or out of the apartment. to avoid spraying aerosols, using cleaning agents and not), wax melters, incense and open flame lamps and creating steam in the vicinity of this equipment. lanterns are not permitted in the residence areas.

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IX. Electrical Appliances/Power Strips All resident students have access to Philo (a live TV and It is your responsibility to carry your keys with you at all U.L.-approved coffee makers, Keurigs, hot pots, DVR service), HBO Go and Cinemax Go. You can access times and to request replacements if you lose them. If blenders and air popcorn poppers with a safety “shut this service on your laptop, tablet and smartphone. You you are locked out of your room, you may need to wait off” mechanism may be used in the residence areas for can also access this service on a TV if it is a Roku TV or until the appropriate staff is available to let you back the purpose for which they were designed. Rooms in if you add a Roku device to your TV. Resident students in. Between 12:00 midnight and 9:00 am, lockouts are Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall are equipped with can use Philo anywhere on campus when they are limited to once an hour on the hour. a combination microwave and refrigerator called a connected to the MCLA network (BlazerNet). Philo will Students who require a lockout or fail to carry their MicroFridge. Stand alone microwaves are not allowed not work if a student is not physically on campus. Philo MCLA ID on multiple occasions will be subject to in Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall, however, students also includes an online DVR service that provides each disciplinary action. may bring an additional Energy Star-rated refrigerator user the capability to record up to 20 hours of content (up to six cubic feet in size). Other U.L.-approved to watch later. This allows users the flexibility and control to stay up to date on sports, current events, and XIII. Illegal Room and Apartment Entry cooking appliances (including stand-alone microwaves) Entering any room or apartment in the residence areas their favorite shows. The HBO GO and MAX GO service may only be used in Townhouse apartment . for which you are not issued keys constitutes illegal provides resident students full and instant access to entry and trespassing and is strictly prohibited. This Lamps, clocks, electric razors, curling irons, hair dryers a library of HBO and Cinemax original shows (every includes entering the room of another resident student and electric blankets may be used by residents. No season, every episode), plus hit movies, specials and without permission, being in a student room when other appliances, including space heaters and air more. none of the assigned residents are present, and being conditioners, may be used. Irons (with an automatic on unoccupied floors or suites in the residence areas. shut-off) may be used in designated areas only. These XI. Weapons & Fireworks areas include lounges in Berkshire Towers and Hoosac The possession of firearms and fireworks of any nature Hall and the in each Townhouse. For safety or description (any device of an explosive nature, XIV. Building Security Locked main entrance doors and emergency alarms purposes, please refrain from in individual hunting knives, bows, arrows, cross bows, slingshots, constitute two major components of the building rooms. metal darts or any other instrument that could be security system in Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall. considered a weapon) is prohibited in or around Please do not prop these doors open or allow people Extension cords are not allowed. Neither are outlet the residence areas and the MCLA campus-at-large you do not know to enter behind you. expanders. Residents must use U.L.-approved power (including parking lots). Please see the MCLA Student strips with surge protectors. Power strips cannot exceed Handbook for the full College weapons policy. The main entrance doors to Berkshire Towers and 10 feet or 15 amps. Please do not plug power strips into Hoosac Hall are locked 24 hours a day. Please carry each other and do not run cords across walkways or XII. Keys, Locks and Card Access your room key and MCLA ID card with you at all times under rugs in your room. Your key(s) and MCLA ID card assure your safety, the to assure your entry into the building. Residents who safety of your possessions and the safety of your fellow cannot produce their room key and MCLA ID card at the X. Internet, Phone and Streaming Services residents. Carry your key(s) and MCLA ID at all times front desk will be denied entry. All three residence areas have WiFi. Each is and always lock your door when you leave your room also equipped with a hard-wired computer port for and/or apartment. Guests (non-building residents) will only be allowed each student. The exact hardware and software require- to enter and remain in the building if signed in on the ments to access this service are available in the Tech Residents may not add locks to doors or tamper with Visitor Log and escorted by a resident of the building. Help section of the MCLA website. their MCLA ID. Do not punch a hole in your MCLA ID, as Guests must also show an MCLA ID or the yellow copy it will destroy the card access function. Keys may only of an approved Overnight Guest Pass before leaving Each room on campus is equipped with local phone be duplicated by authorized College personnel. MCLA the desk area. This system makes it imperative for you service. You can access this service with a special phone IDs can only be produced by the MCLA Public Safety to make plans to meet your guest at the main entrance that the Help Desk in Murdock Hall can provide upon department. Possession and/or use of keys or MCLA IDs or to have your guest call you by phone to request an request. Each student has a personal voicemail box. issued to others is strictly forbidden. escort. (Please refer to section XV on “Guests” for more Whether or not you connect a phone in your room, you information regarding guest visitation.) will receive your voicemail in your College e-mail inbox. In the Flagg Townhouse Apartment Complex, each page 8

resident is ultimately responsible for the security of • Resident students may only host a guest or guests and signed by the roommate (if applicable) and an RA. their apartment. This can best be accomplished by once in any seven night period The completed pass is kept on file at the main desk making sure apartment doors are locked at all times • Guests who are MCLA students (including commuter until the guest arrives. Overnight Guest Passes will not (whether someone is in the apartment or not); carrying and off-campus students) must carry their MCLA be issued after 11:00 pm on any given night and non- apartment and room keys at all times; not storing keys ID with them while visiting the residence areas. MCLA guests (including commuters and off-campus on stairwell light fixtures or in other areas outside the Guests who are not MCLA students must carry a students) may not be signed in after 11:00 pm without Townhouses and not allowing in uninvited guests. Each valid photo ID with the individual's birthdate on it an authorized Overnight Guest Pass. apartment has a door viewer. For your safety, use it to while visiting the residence areas. see who is there before opening the door. • Guests who are not MCLA resident students Upon arrival, the guest must present a valid photo (including commuter and off-campus students) ID with the individual's birthdate on it and sign the Courtesy phones are located in each residence area. must have an approved Overnight Guest Pass. Overnight Guest Pass in the presence of a staff member. They can be used by guests to contact residents and for • Guests must use same gender facilities. The yellow copy of the Overnight Guest Pass is given to general emergency purposes. Campus extensions and • Residents with roommates must have their the guest to serve as a temporary ID for the duration local numbers can be dialed from these phones. In the roommate sign the Overnight Guest Pass. of the visit. Overnight guests requiring a visitor parking Towers and Hoosac Hall, the phones are located inside • No resident must ever be denied free access to permit must present their copy of their Overnight Guest the first set of entrance doors. In the Townhouses, the their room by the actions and/or behavior of a Pass at the Public Safety office. (Please note: Weekday phones are located inside the Greenhouse roommate, another building resident or guest. overnight guest parking in campus lots is not available.) (next to T92) and inside the Phase I Room. • Residents are responsible for communicating all College and residence area policies and procedures Please keep in mind that the ability to sponsor It is a proven fact that the majority of personal safety to their guests and will be held behaviorally and guests is a privilege of on-campus residency, not a and damage-related incidents are instigated by non- financially accountable for the actions of their right. The College retains the right to further limit or residents who have been left to wander through the guests. terminate this privilege as it deems fit. Educating your residence areas on their own. Please take seriously your • Overnight guests are limited to individuals who guests about College and residence area policies and role in maintaining building security. Letting a “stranger” are 18 years and older. Exceptions for overnight procedures will enable you and your fellow residents to in the door just “to be nice” can end up costing you and guests between the ages of 16-18 may be granted retain this privilege throughout the academic year. the other members of your residence area community by your Residence Director with adequate notice Notes: 1) Overnight guest privileges do not begin both personally and financially. (a minimum of 10 days) and written permission until the first day of classes each semester. 2) In an (including emergency contact information) from effort to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to XV. Guests the overnight guest’s parent or guardian. the preparation and completion of final projects and All non-residents of a residence area are considered • Limited daytime visits by children under the age of exams, there is a ban on the ability to sponsor overnight guests and must be escorted by their “host” at all times. 16 in the company of their parents or guardians are guests during the last two weeks of each semester. 3) College policy allows for guest visitation within each allowed with permission of the Residence Director. Overnight guest privileges are suspended during pre- residence area with the following restrictions: Baby-sitting services or any other form of business season, Thanksgiving and Spring Recesses, the January • Resident students may host a maximum of two involving children may not be conducted in the Break Housing Program and Senior Days. guests (of any type) at a time. residence areas. • Resident students may host a maximum of two overnight guests at a time. Overnight Guest Passes for non-MCLA Students (in- XVI. Pets • No more than two overnight guests may reside in cluding commuters and off-campus students): Students may have fish in bowls or small tanks with any given room on any given night. Residents are permitted to sponsor up to two overnight prior permission of roommates and proper care of the • Overnight guests are allowed to stay a maximum of guests (as described in the previous section). Overnight fish. No other pets are permitted within the residence two consecutive nights on campus in any seven- Guest Passes are available at the main desk of each areas. Note: Please do not bring fish to campus unless day period, unless it is a three-day weekend or residence area. An Overnight Guest Pass must be you devise a plan for how you will care for them during permission for a longer stay is granted by your completed by the sponsor prior to the guest's arrival school recesses and breaks. Residence Director. page 9

XVII. Solicitation, Posting Policy & Private XIX. Safeguarding Valuables and Other Per- Guidelines to Enterprise sonal Property The residence areas are strictly for the private use of Lock your room door at all times. Do not leave cash, Ensure the Care residents and their approved guests. Soliciting of any jewelry or other valuable items out in the open. To of Facilities type is not permitted. Exceptions to this rule for on- guard against theft, record the serial numbers of campus groups may be granted by the Director of RPS. your personal property and mark all items such as TVs, computers, cameras, etc. with your name and ID Individuals and groups wishing to advertise events number. (Engravers are available at Public Safety as part General Expectations for the Care of Facilities or services of interest to on-campus residents should of the “Operation ID” program.) In the event you are the Each resident is responsible for the proper care of their contact Residential Programs & Services (RPS) for victim of theft, notify a Residential Programs & Services room. Residents jointly share responsibility for the permission. The Director of RPS reserves the right (RPS) staff member and Public Safety immediately. condition of common areas. At check-in, you will receive to refuse permission to advertise events or services a Bedroom Condition Sheet. Please use this form to that promote the use of alcohol or are insensitive to The College is not liable for loss of or damage to note any damages you find during your inspection of members of the campus community. If permission personal property by fire, theft or any other cause the room and return this form directly to your RA if you is granted, advertisements will be posted and/or including the failure or interruption of utilities, such as live in Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall and to the RPS distributed by RPS staff members. Individuals or groups heating, water and electricity. Residents may wish to Office in Townhouse #89 if you live in the Townhouses. may not enter a residence area to post advertisements purchase renter's insurance and/or check whether they Bedroom Condition Sheets must be returned no later on their own. Any unapproved posting materials will be are covered by their parents’ insurance policies while than five days after you check in. Residential Programs removed and discarded. residing at college. & Services (RPS) staff will inspect the common area of your floor or apartment prior to your arrival and Students may not run private businesses of any kind XX. Resident Privacy to assure accuracy will review this form with selected from within their rooms or any other location within the RPS will provide notification prior to entering resident representatives from your living area. Residents are residence areas. rooms for routine inspections such as vacation closings expected to report any maintenance concerns to their and health & safety inspections. Authorized College RA, the main desk in their residence area or the RPS XVIII. Room Occupancy Limits personnel may, however, enter a resident’s room Central office so a Maintenance Requisition can be Building fire code requires that we set a limit on the without notice for maintenance and submitted. number of individuals occupying a room or apartment purposes, fire and safety concerns, emergency purposes at any given time. Occupancy of student rooms or and if there is reasonable cause to believe a violation of Residential Programs & Services (RPS) apartments is restricted to no more than two guests College rules or regulations is taking place. Operations: How You Can Help... per each assigned resident present. This means three Residential Programs & Services (RPS) operations per room in singles and premium singles, 6 per room The College also reserves the right to inspect consist of all the systems and staff that work together in fully-occupied doubles and 9 - 18 in the apartments items brought into the residence area (e.g. paper to keep the residence areas organized and in good (depending on the number of residents actually bags, backpacks, gym bags, boxes), College-owned condition. Residential Programs & Services (RPS) assigned to the apartment). MicroFridges and refrigerators and student-owned mini- operations include room assignments, housekeeping fridges if there is reason to believe that a violation of and maintenance services, refurbishing and College rules or regulations is taking place. renovations, damage billing, fire and safety protection, laundry and vending services, purchasing and clerical support. Our major goal is to work closely with other departments on campus to make the residence areas as safe and comfortable as possible.

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If it sounds like a big job to you, you can rest assured After the conclusion of the academic year, residents II. Cleanliness that it is. And the most important person helping us to will be billed for damages in their rooms and associated Residents are responsible for keeping their rooms clean do the best job we can is YOU! As the “consumer” of common areas. Individual damages in excess of and free from clutter. It is the shared responsibility of our services, we rely on you to provide the feedback $5.00 that occur during the year will be billed to all the residents of a floor or apartment to keep their and information essential to keeping each and every the resident(s) as the work is completed. Specific common areas clean. A staff of Maintainers work within operational system running. Please keep that in mind information regarding payment & the appeal process is the residence areas. The Maintainers are responsible and pass on any concerns or problems you have about included with each bill. for cleaning certain portions of each residence area on any of the operational areas. a regular basis. In Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall, The College recognizes that some damages are the they clean the main floor, , hallways and Some of the many ways you can help include: result of accidents, while others are the result of stairwells. Residents in Berkshire Towers and Hoosac • Reporting maintenance concerns in your room/ intentional vandalism. Unfortunately, regardless of how Hall are expected to keep their own lounges clean. In apartment (before 2:00 pm, if possible) to your the damage occurs, restitution must be made by the the Townhouses, residents are responsible for keeping RA, the main desk in your residence area or the individual or individuals responsible. Residents found their apartments and stairwells clean, while the RPS office so a maintenance requisition can be to be responsible for intentional vandalism will face Maintainer staff clean the laundry rooms and attend to submitted judicial action in addition to paying restitution. the grounds. • Reporting broken laundry or vending machines to the main desk or RPS office Damage Billing Price List It is important to keep in mind that the Maintainer staff • Taking responsibility for reporting individuals who The following is a list of some typical damages and their is responsible for routine cleaning. If any indoor area is cause damage on your floor or in your apartment approximate repair costs. These prices are an estimate found to require extra cleaning due to student actions, • Using the appeal system if you feel you have been of the cost of labor, materials and administrative over- the RA will be informed and the floor/apartment will (in wrongfully billed for damages head and are subject to change. most cases) have until the end of working day to rectify • Reporting the loss of MCLA IDs and keys promptly, Cleaning & Repair Charges: the situation. If the problem still remains at the end of so they can be replaced promptly $25 minimum per hour or portion thereof the day, a Maintainer will be hired to do the cleaning • Doing your fair share to keep your living area clean plus materials on overtime and the cost will be billed to the residents (e.g. picking up after yourself), so the cleaning staff Reassemble Furniture: responsible. can spend their time completing their assigned $25 minimum per hour or portion thereof plus materials work Outdoor areas, including Townhouse stairwells, Relocate Furniture: • Carefully reading The Resident Student Handbook $25 minimum per hour or portion thereof found to require extra cleaning or trash removal will and other memos distributed by Residential plus materials be cleaned immediately by the Maintainer staff. The Programs & Services (RPS) Improper Check-in/out Charge: Maintainer staff will identify which apartment or • And, most importantly, asking questions if you have $50 apartments are responsible for the cleanliness issue and them! Illegal Room Change Charge: the individuals involved will be billed. $50 I. Damage and Vandalism Lock Change (bedroom door): Each residence area has cleaning supplies (vacuums, Bedroom Condition Sheets, Common Area Inspection $75 brooms, mops, etc.) available for resident use. Please Lock Change (apartment door): Sheets and routine inspections are used to determine check with your RA for specifics. $100 wear and tear, damage and vandalism. Depending on Replace Broken or Bent Key: the circumstances involved, damages may be charged $25 to individuals, suites, floors, apartments or the entire Trash Removal or Extra Cleaning Fee: residence area. Damages that cannot be attributed to $25 minimum per hour or portion thereof a specific individual(s) may be prorated amongst the plus materials residents of the entire community or portion thereof. Fire Alarm Fee: $100

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III. Mandatory Recycling V. Decorating Rooms and Apartments VI. Use of Lounges Residential Programs & Services (RPS), in cooperation As you make your decorating plans, please adhere to Each residence area has student lounges. Main floor with the City of North Adams, has a mandatory the following guidelines which are designed to assure lounges are for the use of all students and their guests. recycling program. All on-campus residents are that no permanent damage is done to the room or its Floor and suite lounges are for the use of the residents expected to participate in this program. We are furnishings and that fire safety standards are upheld. assigned to that area and their guests. Lounges are fortunate to have single-stream recycling on campus, • duct tape, scotch tape, double stick tape, nails, not to be used for cooking, sleeping or any form of so there is no need to sort recyclables by type - paper, command strip-type products and putty should not disruptive behavior. cardboard, glass, plastic and cans can all be deposited in be used to hang pictures and belongings the same recycling containers. • no items should be adhered to wooden furniture VII. Lounge and Bedroom Furniture surfaces in any way, at any time Each lounge, bedroom and common area is assigned In Berkshire Towers, recycling containers are located • hooks should not be driven into or specific furniture. It is important that this furniture in each floor elevator and a Recycling Center is • room and common area painting is only permitted remain in its proper location for both practical reasons located near the lobby level elevator in each tower. with prior written approval from RPS and inventory control. Residents will be billed for the In Hoosac Hall, recycling containers are located in the • alcohol and drug-related items such as containers, replacement of missing furniture, the reassembly of Center Lounge on each floor and there is a Recycling signs and lights should not be displayed in the disassembled furniture and the relocation of furniture Center near the elevator on the entry-level of the windows of resident rooms or common areas that is found in unassigned areas. building. In the Townhouses, there are two Recycling regardless of the age of the residents Centers. One is located in the Phase I Laundry Room; • window glass painting is not permitted In order to keep furniture in good condition and to the other is located in the Greenhouse. • using chalk on brick walls or other surfaces is avoid potential safety hazards, residents are also asked prohibited in the residence areas (both indoor and to refrain from piling pieces of furniture on top of each Trash and non-recyclable items should be disposed outdoor) other, raising furniture off the ground and adhering of in the suite lounge trash receptacles in Berkshire • hanging items of any type (tapestries, posters, any items or materials to the furniture. All beds in the Towers; the & Center Lounge trash receptacles shelves, etc.) on brick walls or ceilings is prohibited residence areas are adjustable to a variety of heights in Hoosac Hall; and in one of the two dumpsters in the • due to fire safety codes, non-college issued and bunkable. and cinder blocks are not permitted Townhouses (located near T04 & T77). upholstered furniture is not allowed in any anywhere in the residence areas. residence area IV. Playing Sports in the Residence Areas • due to fire safety concerns, tapestries, posters, VIII. Vacancies in Double Rooms Participation in sports on and within the hangings and other billowy items larger than 3'x5' Unless you have been approved for and paid for a residence facilities is strictly forbidden. Physical sports are prohibited from walls and no more than 50% of premium single or premium double room, you are (e.g. soccer, hockey, wrestling, football, running, any wall should be covered with flammable items expected to keep your room ready to receive a new hackey sack, ball bouncing) when played in a closed • last, no items should be posted on or suspended roommate at all times. This means that you should environment, are disruptive and dangerous. In addition from ceilings. not push beds together or occupy furniture that is to the activities mentioned above, using metal darts in not assigned to you. Students who fail to follow this the residence areas is prohibited. As you plan your decor, it is imperative to stay mindful guideline, may be be charged a furniture/belonging of fire and health & safety issues. If you have any relocation fee and held accountable through the Playing sports is also prohibited in and around the questions, please refer to the publication From Dorm conduct system. Students who repeat this behavior will stairwells and walkways of the Townhouse Complex. Room to Your Away From Home which is located be moved to another location on campus. Basket shooting is allowed at the Phase II hoop and on the Campus Housing web page. sports such as volleyball, whiffle ball, hackey sack, corn hole, ladder ball, Kan Jam and frisbee are allowed in the area between C & D blocks (parallel to the apartments) and the grassy lot behind F Block (T65 - 76). Please note that these activities are restricted to daylight hours.

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IX. Bicycle Storage In order to assure the swift cleaning of parking lots • Complicity: Having knowledge of and/or witnessing Indoor public bicycle storage is not available anywhere after a snowfall, a plowing procedure has been the violation of any RPS or College regulation or state or on campus. If you choose to bring a bicycle to school created. If you have a parking permit, you will receive local law without making reasonable effort to stop the with you, it must be stored in your room/apartment or a memo about this procedure in November. It is also behavior or to notify a College official. in one of the outdoor bicycle racks. In the Townhouses, your responsibility to have your own snow shovel and residents may store their bicycles in the exterior window scraper. • Dishonesty/Fraud: Providing false information or Townhouse stairwell in a manner that does not block identification to a College official while such official is the stairs, railings or any means of egress. Violations of the above parking policies (including enforcing RPS and College regulations or conducting a creating a fake permit or using the permit of another) judicial investigation or hearing. X. Other Storage may result in the loss of parking privileges on campus. • Disruptive Behavior: Participating in any behavior The College does not, at any time of the year, provide that is deemed to be disruptive to community living or storage for personal belongings. Floor and suite lounges personal safety. This may include assault and a variety and mechanical rooms located in downstairs townhouse of “acting out” behaviors. apartments may not be used for storage. Guidelines for Individual and • Threats: Participating in or instigating any behavior XI. Parking and Parking Permits or behaviors aimed at threatening or causing physical RPS coordinates the resident student parking permit Interpersonal harm to another individual or individuals. distribution process. All resident students are eligible Behavior to participate in this process. Each semester, a parking • Theft and/or Misappropriation of Property: permit lottery process takes place during the first week Possession of the property of other residents, the of classes. General Expectations for Individual and College and/or other entities without the express Interpersonal Behavior permission of the owner. It is important for resident students to follow RPS and Each residence area on campus is a community in and Public Safety guidelines to avoid being ticketed and/ of itself and requires each resident to participate in its II. Alcohol Policy or towed. Important parking reminders include parking creation and equilibrium. This requires each resident to in the proper lot; not parking in spaces designated adopt a code of individual and interpersonal behavior General Information as handicapped or reserved; not parking in front that acknowledges the rights of others and respects the Berkshire Towers & Hoosac Hall are alcohol-prohibited of Berkshire Towers or Hoosac Hall; not parking on essence of community living. buildings. Under no circumstance is alcohol allowed Montana or Corinth Street overnight; not parking or in or around these two areas regardless of the age of driving on the Firelane, grass, sidewalks, pathways or At the heart of each residence area is the RPS staff the residents and their guests. All apartments in the loading zones in any of the residence areas. assigned to positions that support both the physical Townhouses are alcohol-prohibited with the exception and developmental needs of the community. Residents If you expect a visitor with a car, please see Public of those apartments that have been designated as 21+ are expected to work cooperatively with RPS staff in all by RPS. For complete information about the residence Safety for a temporary parking permit. An approved aspects of community living. Overnight Guest Pass is required. (Note: Overnight area alcohol policy, please carefully read the remainder guest parking is not available on weekdays.) I. Behavioral Standards of this section. In recognition of the cooperative relationship needed to Parking in any of the MCLA resident student parking If You are Under the Age of 21 maintain community living, all residents are expected to lots is at your own risk. The College cannot assume Individuals under the age of 21 years of age are refrain from the following behaviors. responsibility for any damage that may occur to vehicles prohibited from the possession or consumption of parked in campus lots. • Failure to Comply: Failing to comply with a College alcohol on or off campus. Individuals under the age of official’s (including student staff) request when the 21 are also prohibited from 1) being present in an area official is enforcing RPS or College regulations. where alcohol is being served, consumed or possessed; 2) being present in any area where there are alcohol

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containers or other vessels containing alcohol whether If You are 21 Years of Age or Older and Live in Communal sources of alcohol such as kegs & mini- they are full, partially full or empty; and 3) being under Berkshire Towers, Hoosac Hall or the Alcohol- kegs (empty or full), punch bowls and funnels and any the influence of alcohol. Individuals under the age of Prohibited Townhouses: paraphernalia deemed to promote the irresponsible 21 who are found to be in violation of any aspect of the Even if you are 21 years of age or older, you and your consumption of alcohol are not allowed anywhere in alcohol policy will face disciplinary action. Individuals guests (regardless of age) may not consume or possess the residence areas. Drinking games and paraphernalia under the age of 21 and their guests (regardless of their alcohol or alcohol containers (full or empty) anywhere used to perform drinking games are prohibited, age) should avoid all situations where legal-age within Berkshire Towers, Hoosac Hall or the alcohol- whether alcohol is clearly visible or not. At no time, will residents and their legal-age guest(s) are appropriately prohibited Townhouses. You may consume, but not commercial delivery of alcohol to any residence area consuming or in possession of any form of alcohol. transport alcohol, if you are a guest of a resident of a (including external areas) be allowed. Guests, regardless of age, are prohibited from 21+ apartment. transporting alcohol into the residence areas. III. Drugs Regardless of Your Age..... The possession, use or sale of the following items is If You are a Townhouse Resident Who is 21 Years Alcohol containers (full, empty or decorative) are prohibited in the residence areas and on the campus-at- of Age or Older and Assigned to an Apartment not allowed in any on-campus area designated as large. Designated as 21+ by RPS: alcohol-prohibited. If you live in a 21+ apartment, we • Narcotics, hallucinogens, marijuana and any Residents of RPS-designated 21+ apartments may strongly encourage you to store any alcohol bottles other dangerous or illegal drugs. responsibly consume alcohol in the privacy of their (even empties) out of plain view to prevent being held • Prescription drugs without a verifiable apartments. This privilege is extended to guests of the responsible for an alcohol violation if someone under prescription from a licensed physician. residents in these apartments as long as the guests are 21 is present. • Drug-related paraphernalia. also of legal drinking age. The consumption of alcohol is not permitted in 21+ apartments if anyone under the Any resident and their guests, regardless of age, will Being in the presence of any of the above items and/or age of 21 is present. be held accountable for any alcohol-induced behaviors drug-related paraphernalia is also prohibited. that result in disruptive acts or the inability to take Alcohol may only be transported into 21+ apartments responsibility for one’s actions. by residents assigned to that apartment. (The quantity of alcohol allowed is limited to amounts deemed ap- Consuming or carrying open containers of alcohol is propriate for personal consumption.) Guests and others prohibited in all outdoor locations surrounding each of legal age may not transport alcohol into 21+ apart- residence area. In the Townhouses, this includes ments. Under no circumstance may any alcohol in the stairwells, balconies, parking lots, , the Fire possession of residents in 21+ apartments be shared Lane, the Phase I Laundry Room and the Greenhouse. with minors. Residents of 21+ apartments who are found to be in violation of any of the above policies or Any alcohol found on the scene of an alcohol policy procedures will face disciplinary action and possible loss violation will be confiscated regardless of the age of of 21+ apartment status. the individuals involved in the incident. The College also reserves the right to inspect the contents of all refrigerators in the common areas and in the vicinity of the incident (regardless of whether they are College-owned or not). Confiscated alcohol will be discarded and the students involved may be asked to participate in the process of pouring out the contents of the alcohol container or containers.

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IV. Noise Issues VI. Musical Instruments IX. Bathroom Facilities Usage In an academic environment, each person has the Due to noise concerns, certain musical instruments are Bathrooms in Berkshire Towers are designated as male right to a reasonable amount of quiet. Weeknight and prohibited in the residence areas. Drums and amplified or female by the suite. Certain suites are all-gender weekend study hours during the morning, afternoon instruments are not permitted. Amplifiers may be and have a single-use bathroom with a lock. There are and evening may be set at the discretion of groups of stored in student rooms, but are not allowed to be used also two all-gender bathrooms on the lobby level of residents. within the residence areas. Individuals who practice Berkshire Towers. other instruments should seek appropriate practice Campus-wide quiet hours are in effect starting at 11:00 space and be responsible for the noise guidelines In Hoosac Hall, each floor has male and female pm on weeknights (Sun.-Thurs.) and 12:00 midnight on outlined above. bathrooms and an all-gender bathroom. Two all-gender weekends (Fri. & Sat.) They end at 9 am the following bathrooms are also located on the main floor of Hoosac morning. During quiet hours, noise must be contained VII. Room Changes and Room Assignments Hall. within a resident's room. Individuals in hallways or The first room change request period starts two weeks common areas should take all reasonable measures after the start of each semester. Subsequent room Resident students may use the bathroom of the gender to insure that they keep their voices down and refrain change request periods take place on the first Monday with which they identify. The same is true for guests of from making a level of noise which can be heard in of each month. Room Change Request Forms are resident students. Showers and bathtubs in all residence another room. available at the RPS office and should be turned in at areas are designed to be used by one individual at a the same location. time. Campus-wide courtesy hours are in effect at all other times. Only reasonable levels of noise, which are Room changes that are made without written approval Dyeing hair and is strictly forbidden in any confined to the proximity of the resident's room and from Residential Programs & Services (RPS) are not residence area bathrooms, including the Townhouses. not objectionable to others are acceptable during considered valid and will result in a $50 illegal room Dyeing hair and clothing is allowed in the laundry courtesy hours. change fee and the loss of room change privileges for room sinks with advance approval from the Residence those involved. Townhouse residents who want to Director and proper precautions. Unless otherwise posted, 24-hour quiet hours go into change bedrooms within their assigned apartment must effect at 9:00 pm on Reading Day and continue on a also follow the formal room change process before 24-hour basis until the residence areas close at the end making any moves. of the semester.

If you find that courtesy hours or quiet hours are not VIII. Smoking and Tobacco Products being respected or there is excessive noise at anytime, MCLA is a smoke- and tobacco-free campus. Smoking we encourage you to approach the source of the and/or the use of any tobacco products or devices is disruption and request cooperation. If your approach is not allowed anywhere on MCLA property including the not successful, ask an RA for assistance. sidewalks in front of Berkshire Towers and Hoosac Hall. A copy of the MCLA Tobacco-Free policy can be found V. Pledging Activities on the Human Resources web page. Conducting and/or participating in fraternity or sorority pledging activities of any kind in or around the three campus residence areas is strictly prohibited. This includes the painting of Greek letters and symbols on student room and floor windows and graffiti of any nature.

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