Franklin & Marshall College

Occupancy for College Houses and Theme Houses

PLEASE READ THIS CONTRACT CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING YOUR CONTRACT CARD. A STUDENT WHO SIGNS THE ROOM AND FOOD SERVICE CONTRACT CARD IS BOUND TO ALL THE TERMS OF THIS CONTRACT.

This contract establishes specific financial and other relationships between the College and the student, including occupancy of a room in College and Theme houses.  This contract covers the period of the academic year 2011-2012.

The College endeavors to provide students with a comfortable residential environment conducive to personal interaction, relaxation and learning.  Students who occupy a room in College housing are provided sleeping, study and limited kitchen facilities, as well as routine maintenance, common area housekeeping and security services.  Housekeeping is not provided in individual rooms, suites, or apartments.

All regularly enrolled first year students, except commuting students living at home or with a legal guardian, are required to live on the residential quad in College housing.  Second year students may choose to live on the residential quad in College housing or theme housing.  Juniors and seniors have the option to live in College housing, theme housing or off campus housing within the College's portfolio.  Please see page four for meal plan requirements and guidelines.  

Full-time students have priority for College housing.  In the event that the student has approval to change from full-time to part-time status, this contract may be terminated.

CONTRACT TERMINATION

Contracts are not terminated, except for extraordinary circumstances in which a student's mental or physical health necessitates a College-prescribed leave of absence or removal from College housing.  A student seeking termination of a contract has the burden of establishing the existence of extraordinary circumstances through a medical or psychological report.  The College, in its sole discretion, shall determine through a appropriate College official (i.e. the Director of Student Health Services or the Clinical Director of Counseling Services) whether any such report is sufficient to justify a termination and whether the student's mental or physical health necessitates a termination.  A contract shall not be deemed terminated until the student has obtained prior written approval from the College Residential  Coordinator.

In all other instances, if a student request termination of a contract and the College agrees to the termination, the student will nevertheless be assessed a fee of $300.

Any student who has contracted for room and board in College housing and who moves off campus without written authorization from the College Residential Coordinator is responsible for full payment of room and board charges as long as there is a room available in any College housing.

ROOM ASSIGNMENTS AND CHANGES

All room changes within the College House System require the prior approval of the House Prefect.  All room changes within the Theme Houses require the prior approval of the College Residential Coordinator.  In most circumstances room changes will not be allowed during the first three to six weeks of each semester.  A student is not permitted to sublet his or her room nor knowingly permit any unauthorized person to occupy the room.  Any student requesting a room change must first speak with the College Residential Coordinator and the House Prefect, if necessary.  If a student changes his/her room without permission from the Office of the Dean of the College, he/she must move back to the original assignment and may face disciplinary action which may jeopardize the requested move.  A $50.00 improper room change fee may be assigned.

Double rooms are to occupied by two students.  If during the contract period, one of the occupants is terminated or one occupant moves elsewhere, the remaining student must accept an assigned roommate or move to another room upon request of the House Prefect or designee.

The College reserves the right to reassign a student to any room or to terminate this contract when in the judgment of the College, such action is necessary to maintain College standards and College programs.

OCCUPANCY

Rooms must be vacated within 24 hours following the student's last scheduled final examination in any semester.  Students who do not follow check out instructions may be assessed a $50.00 improper check-out fee.  Graduating seniors may retain their rooms until the time specified by the Office of the Dean of the College (usually the day after graduation).  Exceptions to these deadlines may be granted only by the College Residential Coordinator or designee.

Specific information regarding closing for each break period will be published prior to each break period.

During vacation periods and emergency situations the College may encourage students to temporarily remove personal belongings to secure place provided by the College in order that the College may provide lodging for temporary residents during these vacation and emergency periods.  Any College operated housing may be used for break and emergency housing.

WITHDRAWALS, LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND DISMISSALS

A student who withdraws or is dismissed during the academic year must vacate the room and return all keys to the Key Shop at the Facilities & Operations Office within 24 hours after the date of withdrawal, leave of absence or dismissal.  The student is responsible to check out of the room and reference the move out checklist provided.  Failure to follow check out procedures will result in the assessment.  Students withdrawing from the College must complete the Notice of Withdrawal form available in the Office of the Dean of the College.  If the requisite written notice of withdrawal is given, the College will refund tuition and room fees previously paid by the student, as outlined in the Catalog, less administrative costs.

Board fees paid by the student are refunded in case of withdrawal in the amount of the weekly rate for board times the number of full weeks remaining in the semester at the time of withdrawal.

LIABILITY

The College shall not be liable for any loss or damage to property left in a room after the room has been vacated by the student; nor shall the College be liable for loss or damage to property resulting from fire, theft, flood, or any other cause, or for personal injuries occurring within a student's room unless caused by or resulting from the negligence of the College's agents or employees.  Students are encouraged to have insurance coverage for the personal possessions in their rooms.  International students are strongly encouraged to purchase renter's insurance.

PAYMENTS OF DEPOSITS

Failure of a new student, including one returning to campus after having withdrawn for any reason, to submit the General Matriculation Deposit disqualifies the student from consideration for housing.  Failure of a currently enrolled student to satisfy a "financial hold" place on their account by the Business Office may result in the student's forfeiture of his or her assigned room.

ROOM ENTRY

The College, or its agents or employees, may enter a student's room for the purpose of: examining the condition thereof, making repairs as needed, inspection for health or safety reasons, or enforcing this contract.

DAMAGES 

Each student is personally responsible for his or her room and the furnishings that are in the room. Each student is liable to the College for damage or the cost of any repairs and replacements to the room and furnishings due to any cause other than reasonable wear and tear. The condition of each student's room and furnishings is checked prior to the student's occupancy. If the room is leased to more than one student, each student is responsible for his or her own room payments, but all are responsible jointly for damage and cost of repairs and replacements. In the common areas, including but not limited to lounges, hallways, kitchens, stairwells, and washrooms, the costs of repairs and replacements shall be prorated among all students living in and using these areas, if direct responsibility for such damage or destruction, other than reasonable wear and tear, cannot be determined by the College (unless such costs are paid for by the House government). In the larger public areas, including but not limited to main lounges and perimeter areas of College housing, the cost of repairs and replacements shall be pro-rated among all students in the particular College housing if responsibility cannot be determined (unless such costs are paid for by the House government).

REGULATIONS

Specific information and regulations for College housing are found in the Franklin and Marshall College Life Manual. However, the following regulations need special emphasis:

A student MAY NOT:

a).  Cook in his or her room.

b).  Use the room, common areas or any other areas of College housing for any disorderly purpose or such a manner as to interfere with the rights of other students in their academic pursuits.

c).  Use musical instruments (specifically, electric guitars or keyboards) or other items in a manner, which causes excessive noise or distraction in College housing and interferes with other residents in their academic and social pursuits.  Drum sets are prohibited in College housing.

d).  Participate in sports games in College housing.

e).  Damage the room, common areas, or any other areas of College housing or furnishings aside from reasonable wear and tear.

f).  Keep any pet, other than fish, in the room.  Aquariums must be 20 gallon capacity or less.

g).  Keep, use or possess in the room firearms, including B.B. guns, pellet guns, paint ball guns, fireworks or any other dangerous weapons, including knives, swords, etc., or keep, use or possess any materials or substances which are prohibited by law or possession of which is punishable by fine or imprisonment.

h).  Keep or use electrical appliances in the room specifically prohibited by College policy, i.e., air conditioners, halogen lamps, neon lights or signs, hot plates, toasters, microwave ovens (unless rented from the College vendor) and electric or kerosene heaters.

i).  Keep a refrigerator larger than 24" x 36".

j).  Tamper with fire alarm or fire extinguisher systems.

k).  Install a satellite dish or direct TV dish in or on any part of College housing or Theme Houses.

l).  Install a water bed in College housing.

m).  Keep a moped, motor scooter or motorcycle in College housing or Theme Houses.

n).  Violate the College or/state Recycling regulations.  All trash must be separated and place in the appropriate containers.

o).  Build a loft without receiving prior permission from the Office of the Dean of the College based on approval by Facilities and Operations.  Lofts may be built in Weis, Marshall-Buchanan, and Schnader or in Theme Houses where loftable furniture exists.

p).  Smoke in any part of College housing.

q).  Possess candles or incense in College housing.

r).  Possess alcohol containers (full or empty) for the purpose of decoration or collection.

s).  Use cinder blocks or any other materials to elevate room furniture.

t).  Stay inside any residential space (including rooms and common areas) once a fire alarm has sounded.  Everyone must vacate in a prompt and orderly fashion, remaining outside of the building until College or City officials allow re-entry.

u).  Bring live, cut or rooted, holiday trees into College housing.  Artificial holiday trees are permitted, but must be dismantled prior to Winter Break.

Each Student must comply with all state, federal or municipal statutes, ordinances and regulations which are or may become applicable to the room or to the activities conducted therein, and with College regulations now in force or hereafter adopted with respect to the use and occupancy of room, which regulations the College reserves the right to adopt and modify.

Nothing in this contract shall be construed in such a way as to relieve the student from responsibility to abide by the rules and regulations of the College as set forth in Franklin & Marshall's College Life Manual and other official publications of the College.

KEYS

All keys are regulated by Public Safety in conjunction with Facilities and Operations. Loss of a room key should be reported to Public Safety. There will be a $40 fee for lock recombination and a $50 fee to replace the exterior fob. Keys must be returned when a student checks out of his or her room. Failure to return key(s) will also result in charges ranging from $40 - $90.

OVERNIGHT GUESTS

While the College does not prohibit overnight guests, it does insist that a roommate secure permission from the other roommate(s) before the guest stays over. Overnight guests cannot stay longer than three nights in a row. Students are at all times responsible for their guests' behavior and actions and must insure that guests behave according to College standards. Residents are also financially accountable for any damage done by their guests.

FOOD SERVICE

All regularly enrolled first & second year students, except commuting students living at home or with legal guardians, are required to select a block meal plan. First-year students are required to be on a 225 block meal plan and second-year students are required to be on a 225 block meal plan or a 180 block meal plan. Third and fourth year students are encouraged to select a meal plan but are not required to do so.   

Meal Cards (Student I.D. cards) are not transferable and may only be used by the student whose name appears on the card. Misuse of a meal card will result in disciplinary action.

Students living in off campus housing may contract for College food service.

The College Dining Services provides low-calorie meals and bland diets for students who have special needs, but does not provide a full range of special diets. In the event that a student's personal physician recommends a special diet, the College Dining Services will provide that diet if (1) the need for the diet is confirmed by the Director of Student Health Services and (2) the special diet is one that the College Dining Services normally makes available. If the need for a special diet is confirmed by the Director of Student Health Services and the diet is one that the College Dining Services does not normally make available, the student may withdraw from dining in the College dining halls, and a refund of board will be made as in the case of withdrawal from the College.

Students who request release from the food service portion of this contract for medical reasons must obtain a recommendation from the College Physician. Documentation of the medical basis for the request is required. Medical exemptions must be renewed annually. Refunds will be credited to the payee for the food plans.

COLLEGE LIFE MANUAL

Nothing in this contract shall be construed in such a way as to relieve the student from responsibility to abide by the rules and regulations of the College as set forth in Franklin & Marshall's College Life Manual and other official publications of the College.

FINAL REMINDER

A student who signs the Room and Food Service Contract Card is bound to all terms of this contract for the full academic year.