Attachments to Buildings
Antennas, clothes lines or other attachments are NOT allowed on or near the buildings. No holiday lights are permitted unless approved by the Resident Director.
Bed Height
If you live in University Village or in a Living Center, you may change the height of your bed frame while you occupy a room. However, if you change the height, you are responsible for putting the bed back to the original height. The original height is when the frame prongs fit into the 5th and 6th slots from the bottom on the headboard. Click here for a picture of how it should look. Students will be billed $50 for failure to put the beds back to this height before they vacate.
BBQ Grills
Tenants who desire to grill outside must do so away from the buildings. Coals must be extinguished immediately after use to prevent injury to children or others. Please do not dispose of hot coals in the dumpster or other trash receptacles. Due to fire danger, residents are NOT allowed to operate barbecue grills on porches or other covered areas. All grills, including propane tanks, must be stored out doors.
Bicycles
Bicycles are welcome on campus, but may not be chained in stairwells, to trees, to balconies or located in hallways. Bikes may be stored in student rooms (with permission of roommate/suitemates) or in provided bike racks. Bikes should be removed from the bike racks with the advent of snow to avoid damage from snow removal procedures. You are encouraged to register your bicycle by visiting http://www.svsu.edu/universitypolice
Building Entry
Antennas, clothes lines or other attachments are NOT allowed on or near the buildings. No holiday lights are permitted unless approved by the Resident Director. Cable Television
Cable Television
Each suite or apartment is fully equipped with an operational cable television hook-up. Additional premioum channels may be purchased by contacting Charter Communications at (989) 677-0611. Any problems with cable service should be reported to the Office of University Housing Operations.
Cleaning Equipment
Vacuum cleaners, mops and buckets are available for check-out seven days a week at the Living Centers for students who reside in the Living Centers or the First Year Suites. An Access SVSU card is required for each item checked out and is refunded when equipment is returned within one hour.
Computers
Are you thinking of bringing your computer to campus? While SVSU has many computer labs available for student use, it is possible for all resident students to connect to SVSU’s computer network from any University housing facility. Information can be found at www.svsu.edu/its, then click on the ResNet menu option. Students who would like to take advantage of ResNet will need a computer with an ethernet card and connection cable. Students may install wireless devices in their room provided the Acceptable Use Policy is observed.
Custodial/Maintenance
Custodial and certain minor maintenance requests should be reported by submitting a work-order at www.svsu.edu/livingoncampus and clicking on the maintenance request link. You will then see the “Maintenance Request” icon. Urgent items should be called in to the Department of University Police or reported to a housing/residential life staff member immediately. Items pertaining to safety and security receive priority attention. For after business hour emergencies (power failures, broken water pipes, etc.), contact the staff members on duty. For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-911 at all times.
Damages/Losses - Can cost you!
Residents of each room are financially responsible for the condition of their assigned living environment and public areas and maintaining the contents in good order and free from damage, both by themselves and others. Residents share responsibility to make sure the entire suite/room/ apartment is protected from damage or losses. Every attempt is made by the housing staff to account for any and all damages that occur. In the instances it cannot be determined who is responsible for the damages, the charge, including labor, will be distributed among all residents of the facility. University property, other than furnishings assigned to the licensed premises, is not allowed in student rooms. Such items will be removed and a charge will be levied to the occupants. Property in residence halls/apartments shall be considered abandoned following the last date of official occupancy. Any property left may be stored, at the convenience of the University, for a period of 30 days before final disposition. Students wishing to claim property that has been left behind will be charged a storage fee.
Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment (e.g. television, stereo, hair dryers, etc.) are allowed for use in the room/suite/apartment. All electrical items should carry the approved "UL" label. Modifications by residents, especially dimmer switches and phone extensions, are prohibited because of the safety factor involved during installation. Halogen light fixtures are not permitted in University housing facilities due to the high temperature at which they operate. The University encourages the use of the fluorescent floor lamp (torchiere) called the G.E. Profile. It is approved by the EPA Green Light Program. In addition, open element cooking appliances such as hot plates are not permitted, such as toaster ovens and George Foreman grills.
Energy Savings
All apartment thermostats on campus have limits on the air conditioning and heating temperatures to help save energy dollars. The highest heating temperature is set at 70 degrees (fahrenheit), while the lowest setting for air conditioning is 74 degrees. Students are required to keep temperatures set within these limits.
Energy Saving Tips
Explosives, Chemicals, & Open Flames
The use or possession of harmful chemicals, fire crackers or other explosives, candles, incense or other open flames is not permitted in or around University housing. No storage of gas powered vehicles such as motorcycles, scooters, etc. is permitted.
Furniture
All University housing facilities are furnished. While it isn’t necessary for you to bring furniture, we do encourage you to personalize your room. Please do not put holes in any surfaces. The office of University Housing Operations does not endorse any product that affixes or adheres items to surfaces. The most common damage charges assessed to residents are for tack holes in walls and adhesive damage from tape.
Housekeeping/Health & Safety
It is the responsibility of all residents to keep their assigned living quarters neat, clean and free of any hazard to sanitation or congenial group living. Since several people share the same living area, it is essential for everyone in that living unit to take an active role in cleaning. The RA of each living area will complete a routine (typically monthly) Health and Safety Inspection. This means that a staff member will visit each unit and check the cleanliness of each room, including bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and common areas. Living units that fail Health and Safety Inspections will be charged a minimum of $50, and additional charges will be imposed if SVSU staff must clean the unit. Disciplinary referrals will also be initiated. Living units that regularly do not pass Health and Safety inspections may be put on a more rigorous schedule for inspections at the discretion of residential life or housing staff. Students may be removed from University housing facilities for severe or repeated housekeeping infractions.
Hygiene
It is the responsibility of residents to give particular attention to their own personal hygiene in order to contribute to optimal congenial group living. In addition, residents are responsible for their laundry. Residents who fail to live accordingly may be subject to disciplinary action. Noxious odors may be considered a violation under this policy.
Lockouts
Residents must carry their room keys at all times. Students who are locked out may find it necessary to wait for their roommates, as Residential Life staff may not be readily available. For lockout service, residents are to contact the Housing Office during business hours or the Residential Life staff member on duty when the office is closed. Residents must complete a lockout request in order for the room to be unlocked. There is a fee for lock-out services. Students must provide photo identification to staff members for entry. On-duty calendars provide daily information on the staff to contact in the event of a lockout.
Loft Kits
A limited number of loft kits are available to residents of the Living Centers and University Village single efficiencies, only. Forms may be obtained for this through the office of University Housing Operations website. Cost is $50.00 and includes delivery. Residents are responsible for loft set-up and dismantling. Only University provided lofts are permitted in University Housing.
Here is a picture of one of our beds lofted.
Painting
Residents are not permitted to paint any portion of their suites/rooms/apartments.
Personal Property
The University does not carry insurance on personal property and, in some cases, students away from home are not included in their parents' policies. The University recommends that students have their own personal property insurance or have it added to their parents' insurance. The Department of University Police provides Project I.D., the engraving and recording of valuable items. Below are a few company web sites that are geared toward campus living that you may wish to consider.
National Student Services Inc.
CSI Insurance Agency, Inc.
Pest Control
The University has a contracted professional exterminator available. Please place a service request by calling 4080 at the first occurrence of any insect or rodent infestations. The University may periodically request a complete inspection (with advance notice) and/or conduct a preventative maintenance program in this regard whether or not requested by the residents.
Pets/Service Animals
Pets, with the exception of some fish, are not allowed in any University building with the exception of those trained to assist individuals with documented disabilities. Only non-carnivorous species of fish and other legless aquatic animals (e.g. goldfish, Beta fish, and water babies) shall be allowed in University housing facilities. Any individual keeping aquatic pets must keep those pets in a container with a water capacity of no more than 10 gallons. The individual, not the University, shall be responsible for the cleanliness of the container as well as the cleaning of any spills of that container.
See the website for the University’s Policy Statement on Disabilities at www.svsu.edu/disabilityservices/index.cfm. Requests for service animals should be initiated through the Office of Disability Services and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the request is approved, specific guidelines will be agreed upon that will become part of the University Housing Contract.
Refrigerators
Each residential facility is equipped with a refrigerator. Click here to see how to care for the refrigerator that came with your room. Additional refrigerators are permitted in residential facilities as long as they are under ten cubic feet.
Room Entry & Inspections
In accordance with the University Housing Contract, the student resident agrees to allow the University, its agents and employees access at all times to inspect the premises and for purposes of maintaining the health, safety and general welfare, including, but not limited to, repairs, general maintenance, delivery of University notifications and inventory. Inspections may occur during breaks or recesses in order to check for open windows, thermostat settings, cleanliness and other administrative concerns. The University also reserves the right to inspect a particular room/apartment when staff has reasonable cause to believe that established health, safety or University rules and regulations are being violated. Upon inspection of a students’ room/apartment, if the Housing or Residential Life staff find any violations of federal, state, local or University rules and regulations the occupants will be referred for disciplinary action.
Room Inventories
Within the first 10 days of classes, residents are required to inventory their suite, apartment or room. This will be in addition to an inspection conducted by staff prior to occupancy and will confirm the condition of the facilities. All damages, other than normal wear and tear, and the responsibility for such damages, will be determined by the Housing staff and shared equally among all occupants of the assigned quarters if the responsible person cannot be determined.
Snow Removal
Residents of each University Village complex and Pine Grove Apartments are responsible for the removal of snow directly outside the area of the front door to their apartments. Shovels will be made available to assist in this effort. Also, during the winter months, please do not park vehicles with the bumpers overhanging the walkways as this impedes the ability of the snow removal crew from effectively removing snow and could result in damage to the vehicle.
Stairwells
Residents should be alert to the fact that furniture and other objects on balconies, hallways and stairwells can be a safety hazard to people using the stairs and as a result, may not be placed in those locations. Items may be confiscated.
Storage
Do not leave any personals items on the front porch areas. It is clearly acceptable to make use of the front areas of the units, we only ask that you remove lawn furniture, shoes, etc. at the end of each day. Lawn furniture, BBQ grills, etc. are acceptable for the back patios, but some items might not be appropriate - - tenting gear, boats, etc. Prior to storing items, please check with the Resident Director of your facility if you have any questions regarding storage. SVSU Grounds will be removing inappropriate items during their daily rounds inspections; for the protection of your belongings, we ask that you move items indoors that might be considered inappropriate for outside storage.
Telephone Service
Local telephone service and a telephone are provided in all living units. Long distance calls can be made from these phones only through the use of toll-free calling options (calling cards). Students are NOT allowed to alter the university telephone carrier or add services such as call waiting, voice-mail or caller ID. For on-campus calls, press last four digits; and for local calls, press 9 + seven-digit number. Residents using cell phones may experience limited service capabilities inside academic or residential units.
Trash Removal / Recycling
Residents of University Housing are to routinely dispose of trash in dumpsters located adjacent to each facility. Trash disposed of improperly may result in fines. Residents are encouraged to participate in the student-initiated Residential Recycling program.
Walls/Surfaces
The Offices of University Housing Operations and Residential Life do not endorse any material to be used on walls or surfaces such as nails, tacks, pushpins, 3M products or similar, putty, tape (including duct, masking or Scotch), adhesives, etc. Resident students assume all risk for any attachment. Careful removal may result in freedom from fines incurred by damages.
Water, Moisture, Mold
To ensure that the University may appropriately respond to the occurrence of moisture-related maintenance concerns or the growth of mold in any housing facility, it is necessary that all residents immediately report any of the following conditions, including, but not limited to: water leak, excessive moisture or standing water in assigned room or common areas; mold growth in assigned room/public areas, malfunction of any part of the heating, air-conditioning or ventilation system of either assigned room or public areas, etc. Failure to report the above concerns in a timely manner could result in resident damage charges. Residents may report above through the University Housing Operations website: www.svsu.edu/livingoncampus and clicking on the Maintenance Request icon or call extension 4080.
Window Screens
Window screens are provided for health and safety reasons and never should be removed. Violators will be charged a $35 fine for first incident. Any future violations of this kind may result in a more severe sanction.