The following policies were developed to ensure the safety and well-being of all Bryn Mawr residents and are grouped into the following categories: General Housing Policies, Fire and Safety Policies and Residence Living Policies. Read all policies carefully and contact the Residential Life Office with any questions.
Emergencies: In an emergency, call Public Safety at 911 from on campus. If calling from off campus or from a cell phone, call 610-526-7911. For dorm or facilities problems that occur Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., call Facilities Services at x7930. After hours, call Public Safety at x7911.
Damaged or Missing College Property: Students are expected to take responsibility for any damage they cause to individual rooms or common areas of the hall and to hold one another accountable for such damage through the Social Honor Code. Anyone causing damage, whether intentionally or by accident, should report the situation to the Department of Facilities Services and pay the costs of repair or replacement. The College accepts no responsibility for damages to student belongings. Damages to common areas that are not reported to the College will be considered the joint responsibility of all residents of the hall. The repair/replacement costs will be charged to all hall residents by dividing the total cost by the number of residents.
Repairs or replacement of room damages, beyond normal wear and tear,
and missing furniture are fined according to cost. The College
reserves the right to charge the residents of the hall to
replace missing items and prorate the cost to all residents.
It is the responsibility of the hall residents to demonstrate
to the College that no member of the hall is at fault if this
sort of charge is to be avoided. Fall-semester fines will
be reviewed after March 1. Spring-semester fines will be reviewed
after July 1. Questions about fines should be directed to
Facilities Services.
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Entering Student Rooms: Residential Life staff (including Hall Advisers), Public Safety officers, Facilities Services staff and other College personnel may enter student rooms only:
In all cases, students' right to privacy and the College's rights and responsibilities
must be respected. If a room must be entered without advance
knowledge of the resident, a note will be left on that student's
door. The note will state that the room was entered, by whom
and for what reason. If rooms must be entered as part of some
planned project or for another purpose, written notice will
be posted in the hall in advance.
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Opening of Residence Halls/Early Return: There are three ways you may return to campus in the fall:
The official first day for all upperclass (non-frosh) student move-in is the Friday before classes begin. There will be no charge for students moving in on or after this day. Dorms will open at 9 a.m.
If, for any nonsponsored reason, a student must return before that date, she may make arrangements with the Office of Residential Life to return as early as the Wednesday before classes begin. No nonsponsored early returns will be allowed before this day. There is a charge per day for a nonsponsored early return.
A student may return as a part of a College-sponsored program,
such as Athletics, Customs, Hall Advising, or working in a
campus office. The sponsoring office must make arrangements
for the early return of these students no later than July
15 to avoid charges. After this date, an office may request
new or additional early returns, but will be charged a
fee per request. After August 1, an additional fee will be applied. Either the student or
the office must be prepared to cover this charge.
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Vacation
Closing: During vacation breaks, campus services including
transportation, dining services and health services will not
be provided. Dorms will remain open during fall and spring
breaks, but not during winter break. Winter break housing
is in Merion, and arrangements for winter break housing must
be made in advance through the Office of Residential Life.
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Cancellation
of Housing Agreement: If you would like to cancel your
room, written notification must be received in the Office
of Residential Life by June 15th before the beginning of the
academic year. Once written notice is received, you will be
charged a $100 cancellation fee. If written notification is
not received, you will be charged a $500 fee.
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Leaving
in Mid-Semester: Students who leave residence after classes
have begun must remove all belongings from the residence halls
and return keys to Facilities Services. For more information,
contact the Residential Life Office or your dean.
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Summer
Residency: Summer housing arrangements must be made through
the Office of Conferences and Events.
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Off-campus
to On-campus: Moving from off-campus to on-campus residence
halls is subject to availability, and arrangements must be
made with the Residential Life Office.
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On-campus
to Off-campus: Students wishing to live off campus must
choose that option in Room Draw. If extraordinary circumstances
prevent you from living on campus as planned, your room and
board fees may be waived only with the permission of the dean
of the College. First-year students are not permitted to live
off campus unless they are planning to live with nearby relatives.
Students considering living off campus should be aware of
local zoning regulations that apply to student houses. Lower
Merion Township regulations define a “student home”
as: “A living arrangement for students unrelated by
blood, marriage or legal adoption attending or about to attend
a college or university, or who are on a semester or summer
break from studies at a college or university, or any combination
of such persons. Student homes shall not include fraternities,
sororities or community residential programs."
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Accommodations
for persons with disabilities: Students with disabilities
or chronic medical conditions who require modifications in
housing arrangements should contact Access Services
for procedures and documentation requirements.
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In
order to provide maximum safety and security for resident
students, buildings and property, students must abide by the
following safety policies. Students who violate these policies
will be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited
to fines, relocation, denial of College housing and exclusion
from the College, as well as civil and criminal liability.
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Appliances:
Extraneous and/or heat-producing appliances such as microwaves,
toaster ovens, air conditioners and hot plates are not permitted
in student rooms. Only those space heaters provided by
Facilities Services are permitted. Other appliances are
limited to no more than 5 amps. If any appliances not adhering
to this policy should be brought to the attention of the College
administration, the student will be responsible for the immediate
removal of the prohibited appliance and incur a $50 fine.
The Residence Council advises all students to limit the number
of energy-consuming appliances in their rooms.
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Dangerous Articles, Substances and Activities: The items and activities specified below are prohibited on the College campus. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action, including but not limited to fines, relocation, denial of College housing and exclusion from the College, as well as civil and criminal liability. If dangerous articles or substances are discovered in a room, they will be impounded.
Fire
Emergency: In the event of a fire alarm (real or drill),
evacuate the building immediately until given clearance to
return by Public Safety officers or the Fire Department. Be
familiar with fire evacuation routes, fire alarms and fire
extinguishers. Information is available through Public Safety.
Report all fires or fire hazards to Public Safety immediately
(911).
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Fire
Safety: No open flames, including candles and incense,
are permitted in the residence halls. No fires are permitted
in the fireplaces. Extension cords under rugs are serious
fire hazards. Take special care in using electrical outlets.
Do not overload outlets; do not use more than two electrical
appliances per outlet. No fire extinguisher may be discharged
except to fight a fire. There is a charge of $50 for
each improper use of a fire extinguisher. Such improper use
of a fire extinguisher poses an extreme danger to life and
property. Halogen lamps are potential fire hazards. Do
not place one near flammable items and never leave a burning
lamp unattended.
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Roofs: Students are not permitted on the roofs of College buildings for any reason. Terraces, balconies, and other structures accessible by windows are defined as roofs under this policy. Violators are subject to action by the dean and will be fined.
Smoking:
Smoking is prohibited in all residence halls and at the main
entrances to all campus buildings.
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Sprinklers:
Under no circumstances may students hang objects from
or otherwise tamper with room sprinklers. A student who activates
a sprinkler will be subject to disciplinary action including
but not limited to fines, relocation, denial of College housing
and exclusion from the College, as well as civil and criminal
liability.
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Tea
Pantries: Tea pantries are available for students to
use for boiling water for soup or beverages and for heating
already prepared foods such as canned goods or frozen entrees.
For fire-safety reasons, tea pantries are not designed or
intended for meal preparation.
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Cleaning:
Housekeeping will clean common areas and bathrooms. Students
clean their own rooms.
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Decorating:
Only student rooms and bedroom doors may be decorated, not
hallways or common areas. Students may decorate their doors
using appropriate adhesives that do not damage paint or other
surfaces. Residents are responsible for damage to walls, ceilings
and doors. Damages will be charged to student accounts. The
College reserves the right to remove without warning any decorations
that violate these rules.
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Flashlights:
To comply with a Lower Merion Township ordinance, all students
who reside at the College must have flashlights in their rooms.
Bring one flashlight with you.
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Furniture:
All furniture should remain in student rooms. Please
do not leave furniture in hallways; it constitutes a fire
hazard. Any furniture-related problems should be reported
to Housekeeping at x7945. On final inspection, a replacement
charge will be assessed for each item missing from student
rooms.
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Guests:
Residence spaces are not available to accommodate spouses,
partners, family members, children or other dependents of
College resident students. Overnight guests are permitted
only with the consent of all roommates and for a maximum stay
of three nights, unless permission for a longer stay has been
obtained from the Residential Life Office. Hosts are responsible
for assuring that their guests comply with all College policies
and the Honor Code. In fairness to all residential students
and their hallmates, repeated and/or frequent guests (including
other students) are strongly discouraged. This includes guests
who visit frequently who do not necessarily stay overnight.
The spirit of the guest policy applies to all residential
students, including those who live in single rooms. Violations
of the spirit of the guest policy could result in administrative
action that may result in loss of guest, as well as campus
housing, privileges.
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Heating:
The optimum room temperature during the winter months is between
68 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Should you feel that there is
a problem with the heating unit in your room, contact Facilities
Services, x7930.
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Insurance:
The College does not insure the contents of student rooms
or storage areas. The College assumes no responsibility for
loss due to fire, theft or any other cause. Students are therefore
urged to obtain a rider to their family homeowner’s
insurance or a separate policy to protect against loss through
theft and other risks.
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Moving In: Keys must be picked up at the Facilities Services office in the Ward building between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you are moving in after 5 p.m. on weekdays or on the weekend, you must go to the Public Safety Office to be let into your room.
During your stay: If you are locked out of your room, you may contact Public Safety, which will respond in as timely a manner as possible.However, they may be delayed by other circumstances on campus. Lockout calls do not have priority status. You may also contact your Hall Adviser who may let you in, depending upon her availability and at her discretion.
Lost Keys: Students who lose their keys or whose keys do not work properly should promptly request replacements at Facilities Services. There is a charge of $50 for each replacement key.
One Cards: One cards are used for campus building access, library services, photo ID, meal plan authorization, and access to declining balance accounts. Lost one cards must be reported to the One Card Office as soon as possible. A replacement fee will be charged.
Moving Out: Room keys must either be returned to the Facilities Services office in the Ward Building or left in the Facilities Services drop box in the Campus Center. Keys may not be returned to the offices of Public Safety or Residential Life.
Laundry: Cashless laundry machines are located in each dorm. For repair, call Facilities Services.
Lofts:
Students are not permitted to construct lofts in their
rooms because they are fire and safety hazards and cause structural
damage. Violators are subject to administrative action.
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Meal
Plan: All resident students except those in Perry House and
Batten House are required to participate in the
board plan. Please see the section on Dining Services for
further information.
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Painting:
Note that student room painting is chargeable damage. Residents
will be charged for repainting and for tape, paint, poster
putty, decals, and/or nails in/on room (including doors) and/or
corridor walls.
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Pets:
Because of the College’s concern for the health
and well being of all, pets (excluding guide animals) are
not allowed in the residence halls. Violations of the pet
policy may result in administrative action that may include,
but is not limited to, charges for cleaning and/or pet removal
or boarding costs, as well as loss of on- campus housing privileges.
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Room
Assessment Procedure: Facilities Services conducts room-condition
checks at the beginning and end of each academic year. Students
complete a form and return it to the College on each occasion.
College staff verify these reports and charge residents for
any damage to the room or its furnishings. You should complete
an assessment form to protect yourself from charges for damage
that you did not cause.
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Room
Assignments: Residence on campus is required of all undergraduates
except those who live with their families in Philadelphia
or the vicinity, and those who live in houses or apartments
off campus after having received permission from the College
and their parents to do so. A Room Draw system based on class
priority and computer-assigned random numbers has been established
by the Residence Council. Room Draw takes place in April.
Single rooms are not guaranteed. Room Draw merely provides
an opportunity to select a room. Residence selections, once
made, remain in effect for the entire academic year. Students
may not unofficially trade one room or space for another.
Rooms and places in specific halls are not automatically retained
from year to year. Room Draw rules are posted online in mid-March. Make sure to
read and understand them.
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Room Changes: One of the practical results of Bryn Mawr’s principle of individual responsibility is the Residence Council’s policy on room changes. The main premise of this policy is that a change in room assignment is a special case based on unusually problematic circumstances. Roommates are expected to do their best to make a success of their placement. We encourage the resolution of problems and of difficult situations according to the principles of the Honor Code and through consultation with resource people in the halls. Students who have not demonstrated this effort will not be granted room changes.
The Residence Council’s Special Cases Committee meets to consider confidentially those requests submitted by persons who feel that they need room changes. Forms are available from the Residential Life Office. Please note that no room changes are acted upon until Oct. 1.
No change may be made without talking to one’s roommate and going through the application process of the Residence Council Special Cases Committee. Students must try to work out conflicts or problems before requesting a room change. Trading of rooms is not allowed in any case. Confidentiality is strictly observed by the Special Cases Committee and by the Residential Life staff who work with the group.
There
is a $30 charge to be shared by all roommates for all room
changes. Unauthorized moves result in a $50 charge and the
students involved must return to their original rooms.
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Summer
Storage: Summer storage is very limited and it is offered
to international students and
students who live on the west coast (defined as Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming). Students store at their own risk. The College accepts
no responsibility for loss or damage of any kind.
All other students should expect to pay for off-campus storage.
A listing of storage options is available on the Residential Life website. No items may be left in student rooms or any other campus
site over the summer.
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