Mansfield University Home Page- ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY
- ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE
- CABLE TELEVISION
- CLOSING HOURS
- CONSOLIDATIONS
- DAMAGE CHARGES
- ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS
- EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTIONS!
- FIRE PROCEDURES
- FIREARMS POLICY
- FLOOR PLANS
- GRADUATE ASSISTANT
- HALL PROGRAM
- HEALTH SERVICES
- HOUSEHOLD HINTS
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- KEYS LOST? LOCKED OUT?
- LAUNDRY FACILITIES
- LIABILITY FOR LOSSES OR THEFTS
- MAIL CALL
- MOVING OFF CAMPUS
- PETS
- QUESTIONS?
- RESIDENCE DIRECTOR
- RESIDENCE HALL GOVERNMENT
- RESIDENCE HALL LIFE STYLES
- RESIDENCE LIFE OFFICE
- RESIDENT ASSISTANT
- ROOM ASSIGNMENTS AND CHANGES
- ROOMMATE
- SAFETY HAZARDS
- SALES IN THE RESIDENCE HALL
- SEARCH AND SEIZURE
- STUDY/QUIET HOURS
- TELEPHONE
- VACATION
- VISITATION POLICY
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ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY
Possession or consumption of any alcoholic beverage or illegal drug in the residence halls or anywhere on campus is strictly prohibited. Possession of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.
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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF RESIDENCE LIFE
The possessor of this title is a professional employee of the university with a background in counseling. He or she carries much of the responsibility for the operation of the hall you live in. The Assistant Director works with the RA's, hall council and Residence Life Office on programs and improvements in the hall. But mostly he or she is interested in knowing and helping you. The Assistant Director is a full-time professional with a master's degree prepared to help you. Utilize the Assistant Director's skills whenever you have a problem your RA can't solve.
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CABLE TELEVISION
Each residence hall room has its own hook-up for cable television. All you supply is the television.
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CLOSING HOURS
All residence halls are locked 24/7. Your room key will unlock certain outside doors. Doors are locked to keep you and your possessions safe from intruders, so do yourself a favor and keep rugs and other foreign objects from propping doors open. Any person propping open a door or letting persons in through a locked door will face disciplinary action.
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CONSOLIDATIONS
Each semester some of the students find themselves without a roommate. This may be for a variety of reasons such as the failure of an assigned person to come to school. This consolidation policy details the options available to student with no roommate. Mansfield University requires that all students living alone in double rooms pay the single room rate (1 1/2 times the double rate) or be consolidated with another person in the same situation.
Exceptions to this policy are made when other individuals in a residence hall are alone in a double room and when there is less than 30 days remaining in the semester when a vacancy occurs. Students will not be required to move to another residence hall to consolidate spaces or off their own floor after the first month. If you do not have a roommate, you will be contacted by a Residence Life staff member and given 72 hours to take one of the following steps:
- If space is available, you may agree to pay the applicable, pro-rated, single room rate and remain in the room alone.
- You may find another roommate to move into the open space in his/her room.
- You may decide to move into the room of another student who needs a roommate. You must notify your GA once they have made a decision.
Students who fail to notify their GA prior to the 72 hour deadline will have their housing situation resolved by the Associate Director of Residence Life in consultation with the GA. When two people in a residence hall are both alone in double rooms and fail to reach a decision in the required time frame, they will be moved together. The person with the highest number of credits will remain in the room and the other student will be required to move. Students need to understand that persons who, in the judgment of the ADRL/GA mistreat their roommate in an attempt to force them out will either be immediately billed for a single room or forced to move in with another student even if they have more credits.
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DAMAGE CHARGES
Students are held financially responsible for damages they or their guests cause anywhere on campus.
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ELECTRICAL REGULATIONS
For reasons of safety and hygiene, the following electrical items may not be used in residence hall rooms: space heaters, air conditioners, irons, cooking devices of any kind (hot plates, immersion coils, George Foreman grills, microwave ovens, toasters, popcorn poppers, coffee makers, etc.)
In addition, any article in poor condition (frayed cords, etc.) may not be used.
Rented microfridges from Residence Life are permissible in student rooms.
The following kinds of items may be used, along with good judgment: table lamps, heating pads, U.L. approved decorative lights, small fans, refrigerators not over 5 cubic feet in size, and electric grooming aids. Sewing machines and electric typewriters are also allowed if they do not disturb others.
Cooking devices may be used in residence hall kitchens.
Extension cords also may be used only on low wattage appliances and then only to increase the length of a cord, and NOT to plug more than one item into an outlet.
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EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTIONS!
All halls have equipment which you may sign out and use. Included are such handy items as vacuum cleaners, games, and pool equipment.
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FIRE PROCEDURES
By law the university is required to conduct fire drills once a month in all halls. It is a serious violation of university policy not to leave the building when an alarm sounds. It is also very dumb. Do the following when you hear an alarm:
- Grab something to cover your face and put on a pair of shoes for protection. Dress appropriately for the weather.
- Close windows, raise blinds or shades, open curtains, and turn on lights.
- Feel the door. If it is hot, do not open it. Put towel under the door to block smoke, and open your window. Call for help, DO NOT JUMP!
- If the door is not hot, open slightly and put your hand out into the hall. If the hallway is hot, DO NOT GO OUT. Close the door and follow Step 3.
- If hallway is not hot, and is clear, close your door and proceed to nearest exit and evacuate building as quickly as possible. DO NOT TRY TO USE ELEVATORS. Move away from building and outside doors.
- Never turn your back on the fire.
- If you are unsure as to whether or not your exit is blocked, proceed with Step 3.
- Do not return to the building until you are told to do so.
FAILURE TO EVACUATE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY WILL RESULT IN SEVERE DISCIPLINARY ACTION!
REAL FIRES
Discovering A Fire: Extinguish small fire ONLY if no risk is involved. Pull the nearest fire alarm or call 911, if appropriate. If you attempt to extinguish the fire, maintain an avenue of escape at all times. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Evacuate the building via the nearest exit. Report all fires regardless of the size to campus police (4900) or residence life personnel.
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FIREARMS POLICY
All firearms/weapons brought to campus for hunting or target purposes must be registered and stored at the University Police Office. At no time are firearms, fireworks, bows/arrows, hunting knives or ammunition allowed in the residence halls or in any other location on campus including stored in trunks of cars. Persons possessing weapons on campus will have the weapon confiscated and face prosecution under criminal or campus codes — or both.
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FLOOR PLANS
Rooms include the basic furnishings supplied by the university. Students are free, where appropriate, to rearrange furniture and add their own personal touches to their room. You may not remove any contents of your room at any time. The university does not provide storage for student's personal belongings. All furniture must be returned to the original position at the end of the year. Floor dimensions are listed to help you plan for carpets if you so desire. The mattress is twin size 34"x75".
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GRADUATE ASSISTANT
A Graduate Assistant (GA) is a Residence Life employee who facilitates room changes, supervises student safety patrols and works in harmony with the Assistant Director of Residence Life. All that, as well as taking a full schedule of graduate level classes!
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HALL PROGRAM
Activities of a social, cultural or educational nature which take place in the residence halls are called programs. These are initiated by Hall Council, RA's or Assistant Directors of Residence Life, and are designed to help make living in the halls fun and interesting. These programs can only be successful, however, if you attend. If you have ideas for programs, speak up. A hall can be more than just a place to sleep and study if you get involved.
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HEALTH SERVICES
Health care is provided to our students in a clinic setting. You are encouraged to call ahead for an appointment but can be seen on a walk-in basis if it is urgent. In addition, both the residence hall staff and campus police are trained to deal with medical emergencies. Our community ambulance service is available on a 24-hour basis to transport serious emergencies to local hospitals, at no charge to the student.
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HOUSEHOLD HINTS
The university employs people to maintain its buildings, but you're responsible for some things too. These are the do's and don'ts:
DO:
- bring your own pillow, linens, wastebasket, clock, coat hangers, drapes, decorative items;
- clean your room occasionally;
- be kind to furniture;
- report needed repairs to your RA or GA.
DON'T:
- take lounge furniture for your room
- remove screens
- mar walls with tacks, nails, tape, or markers.
See other university publications, especially the Mountie Manual for more information on university life.
THINGS NOT TO BRING WITH YOU
The following items are either not allowed at all in the residence halls or can only be used in a restricted basis (see Residence Hall Agreement section no. 10), so you should not bring them at all: candles, darts, microwaves, cooking appliances, space heaters, air conditioners, weapons, pets, refrigerators over 5 cu. ft., water beds and gasoline.
SPECIAL NO-NO'S
University officials are particularly upset when irresponsible individuals tamper with fire and safety apparatus. Persons found doing so are generally arrested and face rather stiff penalties. Individuals who maliciously damage university property also are frowned upon and students involved in such behavior can expect to make full restitution and face disciplinary action as well.
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JUDICIAL SYSTEM
When students are accused of violations of university policy, their cases can be brought before the University Hearing Board which is composed of students, faculty members and administrators. Evidence is heard by the board and penalties imposed on people found guilty. Details of the judicial system can be found in the Mountie Manual or are available from any residence hall office.
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KEYS LOST? LOCKED OUT?
If you lose your room key, your Graduate Assistant can order a new one. This will cost you money though, so think twice before losing a key. If your roommate locks you out or the wind blows your locked door closed while you're standing in the hall, an RA can let you back into your room. This is an emergency service, though, and is not intended to make up for the fact that you can never seem to remember to carry your keys. Many halls (out of desperation) charge real money to let you back into your room.
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LAUNDRY FACILITIES
Each residence hall is equipped with laundry facilities. The fees for laundry services are included in your housing charge, so you don't need to come to campus armed with rolls of quarters! You will want to bring a laundry basket or tote, plus detergent.
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LIABILITY FOR LOSSES OR THEFTS
The university assumes no liability for losses or thefts of student property (except in the case of negligence on the part of a university employee). It is your responsibility to see that your possessions are insured, should you wish such coverage. In many cases your parent's homeowner policy will cover your possessions while at college. Also, lots of trouble can be avoided if you keep your room locked!
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MAIL CALL
To avoid delays in getting your mail, have mom, friends, fan clubs and other correspondents address letters as follows:
Sadie A. Student
Box _____ Your Hall, Room _____
Mansfield University
Mansfield, PA 16933-1623Street addresses for the halls are as follows:
- Laurel Manor -- 20 College Place
- Cedarcrest Manor -- 125 Clinton Street
- Maple Manor -- 40 Clinton Street
- Pinecrest Manor -- 15 Pinecrest Drive
Zip Codes for each building:
- Cedarcrest A 16933-1627
- Cedarcrest B 16933-1628
- Laurel A 16933-1624
- Laurel B 16933-1625
- Maple A 16933-1620
- Maple B 16933-1638
- Pinecrest 16933-1623
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MOVING OFF CAMPUS
The university requires all students to live on campus. Exceptions to this rule are made in cases of student teaching, graduation, withdrawal, or living with parents. Students moving off campus without permission are billed for room and board. Requests for exemption must be in writing and submitted to the Residence Life Office. Your housing and dining charges will not be taken off your account until your exemption has been approved.
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PETS
We love animals as much as you do, but a residence hall is no place for them. So with the exception of fish in reasonably sized tanks, pets are prohibited.
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QUESTIONS?
We all expect that new members of the Mansfield family will have questions (we had them when we were new); don't hesitate to ask even if you think your question isn't anything special. There are people around (RA's, GA's and Asst. Directors of Residence Life) who are itching to answer them for you.
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RESIDENCE DIRECTOR
The possessor of this title is a professional employee of the university with a background in counseling. He or she carries much of the responsibility for the operation of the hall you live in. The Residence Director works with the RA's, hall council and Residence Life Office on programs and improvements in the hall. But mostly he or she is interested in knowing and helping you. The Residence Director is a full-time professional with a master's degree prepared to help you. Utilize the Residence Director's skills whenever you have a problem your RA can't solve.
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RESIDENCE HALL GOVERNMENT
At the beginning of each year you will elect a residence hall council which will be responsible for providing activities, making your opinions known to the powers that be on the campus, purchasing equipment for the building, and generally making life better for residents. Your hall council also sends representatives to the All Residence Hall Council which allocates funds to individual buildings, provides activities for all resident students, and suggests changes in residence hall policies. Residence hall government at Mansfield University is very active and needs your interest and support to stay that way.
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RESIDENCE HALL LIFE STYLES
CEDARCREST is a 600-bed residence hall of two 300-bed wings joined by a two-story recreation/lounge/lobby/office area, has 12 standard double rooms on a typical floor. In addition, Cedarcrest boasts carpeted hallways, TV and study lounges, kitchenettes, and laundry facilities on each floor. Common areas for all residents include recreation, conference and project rooms.
LAUREL is a 500-bed hall with two wings of four and six floors each. This corridor style building offers standard double rooms, large multi-purpose lounge areas, floor study rooms, recreation areas, and project rooms. In addition, the upper floors of Laurel offer a spectacular view of the beautiful Tioga river valley. Laurel B-side is a women's only residence hall.
MAPLE is a 500-bed twin wing building housing men and women in a co-ed arrangement with alternating floors. Each wing is comprised of standard double rooms with study and TV lounges on each floor. The one-story common area which joins the two wings together houses the recreation areas, large study carrel area, lobby and offices. It offers a wide variety of programs for both male and female residents.
PINECREST is a 126-bed residence hall houses men and women. In addition to study rooms and TV lounges on each floor, Pinecrest has recreation rooms, music practice areas, a conference room, and it also houses the Residence Life Office.
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RESIDENCE LIFE OFFICE
Coordinating the flurry of activity that is residence life is (you guessed it) the Residence Life Office. The office hires staff, supports physical improvements in the halls, provides assistance with hall programming, handles discipline, counsels students, coordinates maintenance, and otherwise takes responsibility for everything connected with on-campus living. The Housing Operation is an integral part of the RLO that oversees room assignments, changes, and custodial services. The office welcomes suggestions and takes your complaints seriously, so speak up! (We also accept compliments).
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RESIDENT ASSISTANT
A Resident Assistant (RA) is a person who cares about others, and is interested in you. An RA is a student like you who is hired by the Residence Life Office to provide information to campus residents, to see that hall regulations are upheld, to provide and support hall activities, and most of all to help you with problems and questions. Get to know your RA. He or she has been carefully selected as a person who cares about others, and is interested in you.
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ROOM ASSIGNMENTS AND CHANGES
Room assignments are made in the spring for returning students and over the summer for new students. This is a difficult and time consuming process for the Housing Office, so requests for room changes are not met with cheers from us, (or the computer center, or the phone company, or all the departments on campus who want to know where you live). So, requests for room changes should be based on absolute desperation, not on the color of your room, or the snoring of your roommate. All the harried offices on campus will thank you for it. All room changes are done during the second and third weeks of each semester. No changes of fall assignments are made during the summer.
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ROOMMATE
Most all people living in residence halls have roommates. They can be fun, they can teach you things, and they may wind up to be your very best friends. But you have to give the same in return. A roommate is a person too, and needs your understanding. If you have a gripe about your roommate, don't complain to the kid next door, talk to your roommate and try to work it out. Part of your education is learning to get along with others. You don't learn this by asking to change rooms the first time your roommate looks at you cross-eyed. Roommates are one of the most challenging and rewarding college experiences. Think about it!
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SAFETY HAZARDS
The following things are not allowed in your room: open flames of any kind including incense, firearms and other weapons, ammunition, darts, explosives or highly combustible materials. Firearms can be kept in the University Police Office if you are a hunter. Due to fire regulations, personal items are not allowed in the hallways or stairways.
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SALES IN THE RESIDENCE HALL
Any off-campus organization wishing to sell on campus may do so with the written approval of the Associate V.P. for Student Affairs. Beware of any off-campus concern which calls you and asks you to sponsor its selling program on campus. Their offers of free gifts may sound tempting, but many of these outfits are trying to sell at inflated prices that in the end will wipe out the value of your “free gift.”
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SEARCH AND SEIZURE
The university reserves the right to enter and search student rooms but in all cases tries to respect the privacy of students. Rooms will be entered only with probable cause, and searches are made (very rarely) in cases relating to health or safety. In the case of entry and searches, we make every effort to have the resident present. The university may also enter rooms for maintenance purposes, or occasionally, on matters relating to the comfort or safety of others, for example, to close a window, turn down a stereo, etc.
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STUDY/QUIET HOURS
The hours of 8 p.m. - 10 a.m. are designated as study/quiet times in all residence halls. During all other hours, however, you are expected to be considerate of others. In a residence hall noise carries easily and so, for the comfort of everyone, keep it down.
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TELEPHONE
Land lines are no longer available in the residence halls due to the overwhelming popularity of cell phones. Should you not have a cell phone, you can request a land line in your room, payable by the semester. Stop in the Residence Life Office and we will get you set up with a land line. You will need to have your own phone if you choose this option.
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VACATION
All students are required to vacate the halls during university vacations. Exact dates and times of hall closings are published before vacations. Before leaving your room, get rid of perishable food (empty out that microfridge, please), unplug everything, close windows, and lock your door.
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VISITATION POLICY
Visitation by the opposite sex in a residence hall is determined by current residence life policies and the wishes of the people living in the hall. Normally, surveys of the building residents are taken at the beginning of the year by hall councils, and proposals for specific hours and regulations are made by the council to the Residence Life Office. In the case of co-ed buildings (Cedarcrest, Maple, Hemlock, and Pinecrest) visitation by residents of that building is allowed at any time.
The following general regulations regarding visitation apply in all buildings:
- Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests.
- Visitors must be in the building to see a specific person not just to wander around.
- Guests must use designated bathrooms.
- Resident may exclude visitors from his/her room.
- It is the responsibility of the resident to make sure the visitor knows the specific rules of the building he/she is visiting.
- Guests must be escorted at all times.
