Application for Residence Halls

Personal and Community Safety

A university community, like any other community, experiences accidents, crimes, and injuries. No barrier exists around the University and residence halls to protect the campus from the same types of dangers existing in the surrounding city and county. Absolute safety cannot be guaranteed to anyone, including residence hall residents.

In an attempt to maintain safe, secure residence halls, the Office of Residence Life has established certain policies and procedures. However, these measures are successful only when everyone works together, follows them, and enforces them. Creating a safer residence hall and university community requires your active participation. Ultimately, your safety depends on YOU.

Here are several simple steps which you can take to help protect yourself, your valuables, and other residents:

• Lock your door whenever you leave your room or go to sleep.
  

• Do not prop or tamper with the locks on the hall entrance or room doors.
  

• Protect your property by engraving it with your name, driver's license number, and state abbreviation
  

• Report safety concerns and crime to the Residence Hall staff.
  

Keys

Each resident will be issued two keys which are to be used responsibly, taking into consideration the safety, security and privacy of other residents. Keys are for personal use only and are not to be loaned to other students, guests and/or visitors of the University at any time. Your room and mailbox keys are the property of the University and must be returned when a student checks out of the Residence Halls or at the request of the Director, Residence Life.

Lost or stolen keys should be reported immediately to the appropriate staff members in order that steps can be taken to prevent illegal entry. A student will incur a cost for replacing the lock and key of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the room key and $100.00 for the replacement of the mailbox key.

Students who accidentally lock themselves out of their rooms will be let in his/her room for a small service fee charge of no more then $3.00. Lockout procedures vary in each residence hall. Residents may obtain more information on their particular Residence Hall lockout procedure from his/her Residence Hall Coordinator.

Elevators

Some Residence Halls have passenger elevators. They are available for residents and guest use. Use of the elevators may be limited on occasion in order to accommodate residents with disabilities, guests, the moving of inventories and/or belongings, or for emergencies. The use of the elevators is a privilege and students are expected to use them in a responsible, safe and respectful manner. In keeping with this, tampering with the alarm, misuse or defacing of the elevators, or entering the elevators shaft is prohibited.

Fireworks, Firearms and Other Weapons

Firearms, ammunition, BB guns, stun guns, air guns, pellet guns, firecrackers, smoke bombs, m-80s, bows and arrows, knives, marital arts weapons, gasoline (or other combustible items) are not permitted in the Residence Halls. Possession and/or use of such weapons and/or explosives is prohibited and will result in disciplinary actions.

Weapons are prohibited on campus. A "weapon" includes:

1. Any item or instrument described as a weapon in Ohio
2. Any item designed to inflict a wound or cause injury to another person
3. Any item used to harass, threaten, intimidate, assault, or commit battery
4. Any item the University deems dangerous.

Firearms are strictly prohibited from the campus under all circumstances.

• Bicycles
  
  Bicycles may only be stored in student rooms. Bicycles stored illegally (landing, stairwells, etc) may be confiscated and disposed of accordingly. Bicycles are considered a safety and fire hazard if not stored properly.
  
  Residence Hall Health and Safety Checks
  
  Periodically, the Office of Residence Life will conduct unannounced and announced safety inspections throughout the year in the Residence Hall. These inspections will include a check of areas such as:
  
  1. Electrical, heating, and cooling appliances
  2. Combustibles
  3. Housekeeping, health hazards, and pest control
  4. Other unauthorized hazard items
  5. Illegally cooking items
  
  Search and Seizure
  
  In the interest of maintaining an environment that facilitates scholarship and provides for the health and safety of residential students, the University reserves the right, when necessary, for authorized personnel to enter or search a University-owned room. The regulation applies to all living units under the administrative control of Central State University. Nothing in this policy shall operate to prevent police officers from entering rooms or searching and seizing in according with applicable statutes, policies, rules, and regulations.
  
  Students specifically agree to abide by the Search and Entry procedures of the University as they may hereinafter be amended during the term of the contract. The Residence Life staff is authorized to inspect student rooms anytime for acceptable standards of safety, hygiene, and observance of University residence hall policies and procedures. Searches of rooms by Residence Life staff will be authorized and conducted under the following conditions:
  

• the occupants of the room give their consent; or
  

• an appropriate legal body has issued a warrant; or
  

• reasonable cause exists to believe there is a violation of University Residence Policies, the Code of Student Conduct, and/or the Ohio Revised Code.
  

University officials, including Residence Life staff members, reserve the right to enter a student's room, locked or unlocked, anytime deemed necessary for immediate resolution of problems such as rule enforcement, maintenance problems, illness, hazards, and similar emergency situations.

Any and all evidence resulting from the Search and Entry procedure shall be considered admissible for any and all University discipline and prosecutorial purposes.


Other Safety-Related Policies

The following are primary types of unacceptable group or individual behavior:


1. The projection or dropping of any object or materials which litter University property or which may cause injury to persons or property. Students may not throw, discard, place, or deposit litter in University buildings except in receptacles provided for such purposes. Littering may result in a fine and may include disciplinary actions been taken.

2. Student are not to place or attach objects to any window ledges, roofs, or other exteriors of buildings. In addition, residents should never be on any building ledge or roof.

3. Students shall not play any athletic games in a room, suite, or common area of a Residence Hall without proper authorization. This includes rollerblading, skating, biking, and skateboarding.

Medical Emergencies

From time to time, medical emergencies do occur in our residence halls. These may include accidents or serious illness. After you have determined the nature of the emergency, it is imperative that you get professional help as quickly as possible.


1. Immediately contact CSU Police at 911;
2. Contact your Residence Hall Coordinator and/or Resident Advisor;
3. Give your name, describe the nature and severity of the medical problem and location of your self or the victim;
4. Do not move the injured except for protection from further injury;
5. Stay with the victim until the police and ambulance arrive;
6. If blood is present, do not attempt to clean the area yourself as specialized handling is required. Maintenance staff will attend to the clean up of the area;
7. Do not administer first aid except for the following:
Flush any chemical and/or fire burns with cold water or immerse the affected area in cold water if possible.

Students who call 911 for a non-emergency injury or illness will be fined $250.00 per occurrence. Students who are ill should contact Student Health Services.


Sick Policy

The Office of Residence Life at Central State University has established a sick policy in order to protect the residential community, as well as to assist the needs of the student. If a student is diagnosed with a highly infectious disease (infectious diseases may include but are not limited to: Hepatitis A, chicken pox, measles, and tuberculosis), as identified by her/his physician, promptly contact the Office of Residence Life or your Residence Hall Coordinator and/or Resident Advisor. To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, it is highly recommended that the student make arrangements to go home for the duration of the infectious state. In the event there is a roommate involved, it is recommended that s/he seeks medical attention to determine her/his immune status as well.

Fire Safety

Fire Drills/Alarms and Emergencies

Fire drills are scheduled periodically during each quarter in compliance with state regulations. All individuals in the building must follow the directions of the Residence Hall Coordinator and other emergency personnel and may not re-enter the hall until the housing staff indicate it is safe to do so. Staff may enter rooms to verify evacuation of residents.

In the event of fire, all residents should proceed in the following manner:


1. Call 911 and immediately notify your Residence Hall Coordinator and other residents of the building or floor of the location of the fire.
2. When the alarm is sounded, all residents, except those with specific assignments, must leave the building immediately. EVERY ALARM MUST BE TREATED AS AN EMERGENCY.
3. Students are to evacuate using the stairwells closest to their rooms. If the door is hot, return to your room and close the door. Wait by the nearest window for rescue from the fire department.
4. Persons leaving the building for evacuation purposes should take an ID, jacket and shoes with them. They should not try to take any other personal items.

When fire and police officials arrive on the scene, they are automatically in charge of the situation. They will give the all clear when the building is safe to be reentered.

During an emergency or drill, all residents are asked to follow the directions of the Xenia Township Fire Department, CSU Police and Safety Department or the Residence Life Staff. Hopefully, we will not face any emergencies in the residence halls; however, participation in drills may help you protect yourself and fellow residents during an actual emergency.


Fire Safety Equipment.

Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors and fire alarm systems are for the protection of residents and should be treated with the well-being of the residents in mind. Tampering with fire safety equipment will result in immediate judicial action. Smoke detectors are not to be disconnected or covered. Tampering with a pull station, fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment is prohibited except for emergency purposes. Students who deliberately set off a false fire alarm will face disciplinary action.


Tornado Emergency

Tornado Watch

A tornado watch indicates that weather conditions are such that a tornado could develop in the area. Should a tornado watch be issued, residents are asked to follow these procedures:

1. Residents should make certain they are familiar with the location of the shelter area in their building so that if the need arises, they will know where to find appropriate shelter.
2. Residents should be prepared to move to that area in the event a tornado warning is issued.
3. Residents are encouraged to listen for a radio, TV or hall announcement, or for county sirens indicating the need to take shelter.
4. Residents should not leave the building. Instead residents should lock their doors and move to the designated shelter area.


Tornado Warning

A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted in the area. Should residents hear the county tornado warning sirens or otherwise be advised that there is a tornado in effect for the region, residents are to seek shelter immediately and follow the directions of the Residence Life staff regarding emergency evacuation and remain in the shelter area until the all-clear is given by the Residence Life staff.