Skip Navigation

Residence Hall Regulations

Overview

All students are expected to maintain a living atmosphere within the residence hall that is conducive to academic success, personal development, and community interaction. In order to assure that the residence halls are a place where these standards are met, the following rules and regulations have been established. All university policies apply and will be enforced in addition to specific Residence Life regulations. The university reserves all rights to incorporate amendments to and new regulations at any time. Students will be informed of all new policies.

Appliances

Electrical appliances that may constitute a fire hazard may not be used within the residence hall.

  • Specific appliances not permitted are portable heaters, air conditioners, hot plates, crockpots, deep fat fryers, and soldering irons. Appliances such as radios, TVs and stereos with frayed cords, damaged plugs, etc., are also not permissible.
  • Questions on other specific items should be directed to the Office of Residence Life.

Cleanliness

Residents are expected to maintain a respectable level of cleanliness and sanitation in their rooms and living units. This regulation includes restrooms and lounge areas, as well as kitchen facilities in the residence halls. Residents may not abuse the common area of the residence halls (lounges, hallways, restrooms, kitchens, etc.). This regulation includes littering inside and outside the residence halls. The fine for littering is $25. Students are expected to use trash containers located in common areas or receptacles in their own rooms for trash disposal. Laundry may only be done in the laundry rooms designed for that purpose. When a resident’s laundry has been completed, it should be removed immediately so that others may use the same facilities.

Damage and Vandalism

All damage should be reported to the floor resident assistant or security immediately. Quick response to a situation may avoid possible safety hazards and additional damage charges. Breakage and damage charges are assessed against the resident(s) responsible in a room or common area where damage has been found.

Charges may be levied for damage to the outside of windows or doors as well. Damage to the common areas for which accountability cannot be determined will be assessed to students living in that area or building. This may include lobby areas as well as stairwells, hallways and laundry areas.

Accidental damage caused by a student will be treated as such provided that they report the damage at the time of the occurrence. Failure to report accidental damage will be treated as vandalism and will result in a fine of $100 plus all repair costs and potential further disciplinary action. Residents may not remove or rearrange any fixed furnishings within the room or the common area. The resident will be charged for re-installation of any fixed furnishings that are moved including toilet seats, window screens, handrails, etc.

In some cases such as the removal of window screens, a fine of $50 will be assessed to the responsible parties. All alterations to student rooms contemplated by residents must have written approval from the housing director prior to alteration. Failure to do so may result in appropriate charges and/or disciplinary action.

Painting the walls, creating lofts, use of thumbtacks, use of nails or screws and the use of damaging or difficult to remove adhesives are not permitted. Furniture items may not be disassembled with the exception of unbunking or adjusting the height of the beds.

All room furnishings must remain in the suite in which they originated. Only University provided furniture may be used in campus housing without prior and written permission from Residence Life.  Requests for personal furnishings will only be considered in the case of a request for a reasonable accommodation by the coordinator of disability services.

Students are not permitted to move or remove the ceiling tiles from the framework. In addition, items should not be stored in or above the ceiling or hung from the ceiling grid work.

Fire Safety Information and Instructions

The facilities management department in conjunction with student services conducts fire drills (evacuations) from each residence hall during the academic year. The university requires complete evacuation of buildings during a fire alarm. Individuals who ignore fire alarms or required evacuations may face disciplinary action. Since false alarms may lower the evacuation response from students, the university will analyze the cause or causes of false alarms and work to reduce their occurrence. By reducing the number of false alarms, we hope to maintain students’ diligence in responding. Please familiarize yourself with the primary and secondary evacuation routes and all the fire safety equipment installed in your building. The elevators are not to be used in the event of the fire alarm system activation. Once outside, move to a clear area designated for the building. Keep streets, fire lanes, hydrant areas and walkways clear for emergency vehicles and personnel.

Sprinkler heads are installed to control fires. They are installed at ceiling levels and are automatically activated once a pre-determined temperature is reached. Once this occurs, the fire alarm system should activate. Fire alarm systems are designed to alert occupants in the event of a fire. Smoke detectors (visible device at ceiling level), audio/ visuals (red devices on walls usually near exits), pull stations (red devices located near exits 38” from floor) are all devices connected with fire alarm systems. Smoke detectors will automatically detect fire/smoke. However, if you discover a fire and the fire alarm system has not been activated, pull a manual pull station to activate the alarm and immediately evacuate the building and report to the designated area so attendance can be taken and for further instructions. Fire extinguishers should only be used by trained personnel. Do not attempt to fight the fire. All residents should evacuate immediately when a fire is discovered or the fire alarm system activates.

Evans-Kimmell Hall and Frank and Anne Oropeza Hall have the following fire safety equipment:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Pull stations
  • pull stations Designated gathering area: In front of the Abbott Center

Kalbfleisch Hall has the following fire safety equipment:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Pull stations
  • Designated gathering area: alley to north of building

Pierson Hall has the following fire safety equipment:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Evacuation plans
  • Pull stations
  • Designated gathering area: Scully Square

Summit Hall has the following fire safety equipment:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Evacuation plans
  • Pull stations
  • Designated gathering area: Rear parking lot adjacent to Wayne St.

Warrior Row Townhouses have the following fire safety equipment:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Pull stations
  • Designated gathering area: alley to north of building

Yergens-Rogers Hall has the following fire safety equipment:

  • Sprinkler system
  • Fire alarm system
  • Fire extinguishers
  • Pull stations
  • pull stations Designated gathering area: West parking lot of Yergens-Rogers Hall

Flammable Items: Burning any item in the residence halls is not permitted.

  • Using candles, incense, heat engravers, soldering irons, or other items that might result in a fire such as appliances that have open coils is prohibited. If a situation occurs in which it cannot be determined who is responsible for usage of such items, a fine will be issued to all occupants of the room.

Furnishings: Only University provided furniture may be used in campus housing.

  • Written permission must be obtained from Office of Residence Life prior to bringing extra furnishings into a resident’s room.
  • This includes refrigerators over 4.0 cubic feet, overstuffed chairs, couches, etc.

Internet Connectivity

Network lines may not be connected between rooms or floors without prior approval of the Office of Residence Life.

Keys and Access Cards

All keys issued to a resident are the property of the university and must be returned when he/she checks out or changes rooms. If any key is lost, it should be reported immediately. If a key is lost or stolen, the lock on the room door will be changed and a charge will be assessed as outlined on the housing contract. To protect residents, all keys are numbered and assigned to the student by that number. Lost access badges (student ID) will be deactivated and result in a $20 replacement charge.

Large Gatherings and Parties

Large gatherings and parties that are considered unsafe due to the quantity of people or that are loud in relevance to the university housing noise level policy are not permitted in the residence halls. Students wishing to host organizations or groups should contact the director of Andorfer Commons for a classroom or meeting room.

The following guidelines should be followed:

  • Maximum of two guests per resident at any given time unless prior written permission is obtained from the residence life office.
  • Residents are responsible for the behavior of their visitors and guests.
  • Gathering does not expand outside of the room.
  • Gathering is not open to all comers.
  • Gathering is not advertised or promoted through flyers, posters, or other means.

University housing or security staff will intervene as well as issue infractions for the following reasons:

  • Violations of the above guidelines and other reasonable guidelines.
  • Excessive noise.
  • Damage or destruction.
  • Fighting or other destructive behavior. A violation of this policy will result in fines for the residents of the room. Repeat violations will increase in severity. If alcohol is present, this will be treated as an additional violation in accordance with university policy.

Laundry

Laundry facilities are available to resident students only. Students living off campus may not use laundry facilities without prior approval from Office of Residence Life.

Pets

For health, safety and humane reasons, animals or pets of any kind are not allowed in the residence halls. The only exception to this is an aquarium (maximum size of 20 gallons) containing fish that are unable to live outside of the water and pose no potential danger to individuals through incidental contact. Piranha, sharks and fish of such nature are not permitted. Violations of this policy will result in a $250 fine and the removal of the animal or pet within 24 hours. Further violations or failure to comply with the removal instructions may result in additional fines and the potential cancellation of a housing contract without refund of any fees. Any questions regarding this policy or exceptions should be communicated to the residence life office.

Porches or Balconies

Per Fort Wayne’s city code, only furniture originally designed or manufactured solely for outdoor use may be stored or located on any university owned porch, patio, balcony, or lot including those at all residential facilities. Any citation involving fines issued for violations of this provision by the city will be the direct responsibility of the students found in violation. City code also states that grills and flammable liquids may not be used or stored on porches of any community living facility such as residence halls.

Noise

Residents and their guests and invitees shall, at all times, maintain order in the residence halls and in their conduct in and around the Indiana Tech community. Loud, offensive, disturbing or objectionable noises, boisterous activities or conduct that may unreasonably disturb the study, sleep or enjoyment of the Indiana Tech community by other residents, their guests, or the surrounding neighborhood is prohibited. Residents shall comply with all local rules and regulations relating to noise and nuisances.

Quiet Hours

  • Quiet hours are defined as times when extra care is given to monitoring sound levels in rooms and in common areas such as lobbies and hallways. Such care applies to radios, stereos, televisions, conversations, group gatherings, etc.
  • Quiet hours are in effect Sunday through Thursday from 7 p.m.-11 a.m., the next day, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 12-10 a.m., the next day. These hours typically are used for study and sleep.
  • The last week before final exams of each semester is designated as a 24-hour quiet-hour period to provide an atmosphere conducive to study for final examinations. Dates will be posted.

Fines will be assessed to violators as follows: 1st-warning; 2nd-$50; 3rd-$100 and disciplinary probation.

Security and Video Surveillance

The security staff is a contracted service and has the right to enforce the rules and regulations of the university and, when deemed appropriate, will contact local authorities. Security’s primary role is to observe and report issues of concern involving safety, policy violations and access control. They are typically the university designated first responders for most emergencies or incidents and are trained in first aid and CPR. In addition, security will provide escort services upon request. All students are expected to cooperate with security officials or resident assistants when giving directions in emergency situations or when enforcing university guidelines. Failure to comply with the directions of university officials and their agents including security officers and resident assistants acting in the performance of their duties will result in a minimum fine of $50. The residence halls and parking lots are equipped with closed circuit video surveillance. The video surveillance is designed as a deterrent to protect the students and the university. In the case of theft or vandalism, please report the occurrence to the security office. If a student requests review of video surveillance, information regarding the request will be taken and the university will determine whether the request merits the review of video footage. Consideration will be given to the value of the item(s) vs. the time required to review the footage and whether the student exhibited appropriate precautions prior to the incident. If a student has an item stolen from their room but they did not lock their door, the university may refuse to review video surveillance. Only authorized staff members and security will be permitted to view video surveillance. In the case of an investigation where law enforcement agencies are involved, any video surveillance may be shared with such agency when deemed appropriate or upon receipt of a warrant or subpoena.

Resident assistants are students chosen by the university to assist the students living in the residence halls. They are representatives of the housing office and are considered staff members of the university. The role of the resident assistants includes enforcement of university guidelines, sponsoring activities for campus residents, assisting and working with security staff, serving as a food committee to the dining hall, and helping to maintain a residence hall that is conducive to a positive academic environment. Resident assistants are also trained in first aid and CPR. The authority of security personnel and resident assistants is not restricted to any specific floor, building, or location within the boundaries of the institution. When infraction cards and incident reports are submitted by RA staff and security, they may make a recommendation on the type of disciplinary action that will occur. These recommendations, in most cases, may be the minimum sanctions that will be levied. Keep in mind; they also have the ability to recommend only a warning so it is in your best interest to be respectful and cooperative when approached by a staff member in regards to enforcing university policies. The university also periodically utilizes off duty police officers to enhance campus safety, assure compliance with security and RA staff and as an additional resource in crisis situations.

Sports Activities

There is to be no unauthorized sport activities of any nature permitted in the residence hall corridors, student rooms, or common areas.

  • This includes bouncing or dribbling of balls, running, or general horseplay.

Unauthorized Entry

Entering another student’s room while the student is not present is not permitted. Unauthorized entry may be construed as trespassing and/or as an attempted theft or burglary. The use of roofs on university buildings is prohibited for social and personal purposes.

Weapons

Swords and other weapons including those of a decorative nature are not permitted in the residence halls.

  • Discharging, possessing, or using any type of weapon inside a residence hall will result in the confiscation of the item, repair costs and disciplinary sanctions.
  • General pocket knives are permissible but use in a threatening manner will be deemed as a weapons policy violation.