Opening/Closing Dates
Policies, Procedures and
Conduct
As a condition of the
housing contract, the student agrees to be aware of and
abide by all published rules of conduct and housing
regulations as outlined in the Student Handbook. The student
also agrees to maintain a proper standard of behavior and
not disrupt the functioning of the residential community.
Violation of the terms of
the housing contract or any of the rules and regulations
outlined in the Student Handbook will normally be handled
through the campus nonacademic discipline and appeals
procedures. However, the university reserves the right to
treat such violations as a breach of contract. Further,
students dismissed from the residence halls or from the
university during the semester for disciplinary reasons are
not entitled to a refund.
Conduct Standards
Any community, including ours, must develop standards of
conduct, which serve as a guideline for fostering a healthy
living environment. While the policies located in the
Principles of Student Life apply to all students,
residential students will need to keep the following
policies and procedures in mind also in an effort to provide
a peaceful and functional residential community. All USF
residential students will be expected to:
- Respect the physical and
emotional rights of all other residents.
- Recognize and respect
the educational mission of USF and the need for students
to maintain a climate that supports this mission in the
residence halls.
- Properly care for the
residence hall facilities.
- Recognize that academic
and personal development are the primary reasons for
residing in this community.
- Accept responsibility
for their own behavior at all times.
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Serious Breaches of Conduct
Standards
Serious breaches of student conduct standards within the
residence halls and participation in these breaches of
conduct will result in disciplinary action(s). The following
acts, by way of example and not by way of limitation, will
result in discipline.
- Destruction of property.
- Possession, use or
distribution of alcoholic beverage or illegal drug in
any residential facility or on campus property.
- Lighting of any fire or
tampering with a fire alarm or fire/safety equipment.
- Littering or
intentionally marring the appearance of university
property.
- Violation of visitation
policies.
- Disorderly or disruptive
behavior, especially that which disturbs other
residents.
- Failure to comply with a
proper order of a university official acting in
accordance with university regulations.
- Violation of local,
state or federal laws.
- Creating, encouraging or
participating in a situation detrimental to the health,
safety or welfare of the university community and its
members.
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Absences
The university urges resident students to notify the hall
director of her/his whereabouts when the student is planning
to be away from campus so that the university may contact
the student in case of an emergency. If the student chooses
not to follow this suggestion, the university assumes no
responsibility for the student's whereabouts.
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Air Conditioners
Residence halls are not air-conditioned at the University of
Saint Francis. The university possesses a small number of
air conditioning units for medical purposes only. In order
to request air conditioning, the student must submit a
doctor's prescription for air conditioning. Because the
university has limited numbers of air conditioners, roommate
accommodations may have to be forfeited in order to meet the
health needs of residents.
Beginning in the fall of
2002, students requesting air-conditioning for health
reasons will be assigned by need for the air conditioner
over roommate preference.
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Babysitting
Due to the possible danger for small children, the
university prohibits babysitting within the residence halls.
Guests under the age of 18 need to be accompanied by a
parent or guardian or have prior permission of the Director
of Residential Life to visit. Residential students who are
also parents may have their children visit for short periods
of time, but children are not permitted to spend the night
with their parents in the residence halls.
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Check-In/Check-Out
Procedures
Each resident hall room is inspected at the beginning of
each school year by the staff to insure a clean and orderly
room. Students are requested to fill out a Room Condition
Report as part of the check-in process. Residents must also
go through an official check out of the room at the end of
each year, when they change rooms, or when
graduating/withdrawing from the university. A residence hall
staff member must be present and will do a follow-up
inspection before a resident's check out is considered
"official." When a student checks out of the room,
it should be clean enough that another student could check
right back into the room. Failure to officially check out
will result in the forfeiture of the housing deposit.
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Computer Room Policy
Computers are located in some residence halls for the use of
all resident students. The computer rooms will be available
for both male and female residents on a 24-hour basis. The
following procedures must be observed:
1. Resident students only
will be permitted in the computer room.
2. When using the computer room, residents are asked to sign
in for use of the computers. They are also to sign-out when
finished. Sign out sheets are located in every computer lab.
3. Residents should immediately report any problems with the
computer(s) to their RA or the front desk of their
respective halls.
4. Residents needing the computer for academic use will be
given priority over students who are checking e-mail,
chatting, or playing games.
5. It is a violation of university policy to display or
transmit images that could be deemed offensive to others,
for example pornographic websites. (See Information
Technology Acceptable Use Policy.)
6. Students must provide their own computer disks.
7. In the event that a student is causing problems or
difficulties, the Hall Director should be notified.
8. Anyone caught abusing these rules is subject losing the
privileges of the computer room.
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Cooking in the Residence
Halls
While students are provided a meal plan as part of living on
campus, some students choose to cook additional meals for
various reasons. Students are welcome to use George Foreman
grills, toasters, and other cooking type items in the
kitchenette areas only. (See Kitchenettes).
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Disrespect for Residence
Hall Staff
Any disrespect for residence hall staff or their directives
or any abusive language, threat of violence or physical harm
to their person will not be permitted. Violation of this
policy will result in disciplinary action.
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Entry Into A Residence
Hall Room
The intent of this policy is to provide protection for the
rights of each student while at the same time providing
residence hall staff members and university officials the
means to maintain and protect the educational environment
necessary for the university to fulfill its primary purpose.
Entry into a room or room search of any student may be
conducted by resident assistants, hall directors or other
university officials or personnel for the following reasons:
- Maintenance /Repair
- Violation of university
regulations or civil law
- Hall closings
- Emergency situations
- Fire Drills
- Health and safety
inspection (monthly safety checks)
- Any other time when,
considering the facts and circumstances of the
situation, in the judgment of the university personnel,
entry appears necessary for the best interest of the
university.
In addition to the above listed situations, a reasonable
search of a student's room, that has been entered by a
resident hall staff member and/or other university
officials or personnel, may be conducted if, after
entering the student's room, the residence hall staff
member or other official notices a clear violation of
university policy. The staff members and official
present at the time the violation was noticed shall
determine the appropriateness of such searches.
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Fire Safety Procedures
The university takes a number of precautions to prevent fire
in the residence halls. Fire drills are held regularly and
participation in all fire drills is mandatory. Fire
extinguishers are placed on each floor. Regular inspections
are made by fire safety personnel. The use of electrical
appliances is regulated.
In the case of a fire:
- Call 9-911 and Security
at 3222. Be sure to report both the building name and
the address.
- Activate a pull station
to sound the alarm.
- Confine the fire by
closing all windows and doors.
- If the fire is small
enough to use an extinguisher, do so. If you have any
doubt, leave the building immediately.
- Hall Directors and
Resident Assistants will direct the evacuation by making
sure everyone proceeds in an orderly manner and all
doors are pulled shut as people leave.
When hearing a fire alarm
in the residence hall:
1. Leave the building. Never ignore an alarm.
2. If you are in your room, feel the door. If it is hot, do
not open it.
- Seal the crack at the
bottom of the door.
- Signal rescuers from the
window or try to telephone for help.
- Do not jump.
3. If you can leave your room:
- Take your key.
- Close the door when you
leave.
- Proceed to the nearest
exit.
- If you encounter heavy
smoke, turn around and go to another exit.
4. Once outside move away
from entranceways and off of driveways.
- Bonzel Hall - Wait in
parking lot close to buildings 5,6,7.
- Bosco Hall - Wait in
parking lot close to buildings 5,6,7.
- Trinity Hall - Wait in
lawn area east of Student Center.
5. If you suspect the alarm is false, you must still exit
the building.
6. DO NOT GO BACK INSIDE THE BUILDING UNTIL CLEARANCE IS
GIVEN
FROM A STAFF MEMBER.
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Furniture, University
Owned
Any unauthorized moving of university furniture or equipment
out of a room is prohibited. It is also unacceptable to
remove university furniture or equipment from common areas
and to place it in rooms. Residents may request furniture be
removed from their room by contacting the Office of
Residential Life at 434-7411.
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Group Billing
The university has found it in the best interest of both
itself and the residents to implement group billing instead
of charging a general/auxiliary fee to pay for unknown
damages. In all cases of vandalism, every effort will be
made to make the resident(s) responsible for the damage
accountable for the costs.
If the responsible parties
are not identified, costs for damages on a floor will be
split among all residents of the wing/floor where the damage
occurred. Residents are encouraged to make person(s)
responsible for damages accountable so that group billing
does not need to take place.
Damage to common areas (TV
lounge, study room, etc.) will be billed to all residents of
the hall.
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Guests
Individual rooms are reserved for the use of those who have
rented them for the academic year. A guest is defined as an
individual who does not reside in a campus residence hall
that he/she is visiting.
All guests need to be registered at
the lobby of the residents' respective halls. Guests of the
same sex are permitted to stay overnight in a student
residence hall room.
A GUEST PLANNING TO BE IN THE HALL
AFTER MIDNIGHT MUST BE REGISTERED WITH THE RESIDENCE HALL
DIRECTOR PRIOR TO THE VISIT. GUESTS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE HOST STUDENT.
The host student is responsible for the
behavior and integrity of the guest, who is subject to all
university regulations and policies. Overnight guests are
limited to no more than two successive overnight periods.
Hosts may have no more than two registered guests in the
residence hall per night.
If a guest wishes to remain more
than six days during a semester, she/he will be charged $3
per night. Exceptions to this policy are made at the
discretion of the Director of Residential Life. (Underage
guests, see Babysitting.)
The account of the host student will be charged for any
unregistered guests. Former students who are barred from USF
for disciplinary reasons are prohibited from staying
overnight in the residence halls.
The university reserves the
right to deny access to any guest if it is reasonably
determined that a guest has disturbed or is likely to
disturb the campus environment.
Please remember that the
wishes of your roommate regarding guests must be taken into
consideration.
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Holiday/Seasonal
Decorations
- All decorations must be
made of fire resistant materials.
- No live Christmas trees
or greenery are permitted in rooms.
- Christmas lights may be
used as decorations as long as they do not touch
flammable materials. Lights must be turned off when a
room is vacant or occupants are asleep.
- Open flame candles are
not permitted.
- Overloading electrical
outlets is not permitted.
- Decorations must be
removed before leaving for Christmas break. Artificial
snow must be removed thoroughly.
- All exterior decorations
to the residence hall building will be left to the
discretion of the residence hall staff.
- Residence hall staff
will inspect rooms to insure that decorations are safe.
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Incident Reports
An incident report is a communication tool within the Office
of Residential Life in which staff members communicate the
behavior of residents and their actions in the residence
halls. At the time that an incident report is filled out by
a staff member, depending upon the nature of the incident,
the staff will notify the residents involved that their
actions are going to be reported to the appropriate
officials. This is done with a form called the Incident
Report Notification. Students will receive the Incident
Report Notification making them aware that an incident
involving them has occurred and has been reported. They need
to schedule a disciplinary meeting with the appropriate
administrator within 48 hours of the incident. Students who
fail to assist in setting up an appointment within the 48
hour time frame will be considered in violation of other
university policies, specifically impeding disciplinary
procedures with the possibility of even more severe
sanctions.
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Keys
Each resident is issued keys at the time of moving in. All
keys remain the property of the university. No key may be
duplicated, and any student found in possession of
unauthorized keys will be subject to disciplinary action. If
keys are lost, contact your Resident Assistant or Hall
Director to gain entry into your room. Keys must be returned
when the room is vacated.
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Lost Key Procedure
Residents who lose their room key should request a
replacement from the Office of Residential Life. Lost
residence hall room keys will be replaced for a fee of $25
per key (including mail keys).
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Kitchenettes
There is a kitchenette area provided in each residence hall
with a refrigerator, microwave, and a sink area. Cooking of
any food item in the residence halls is to be done in the
kitchenette area only. Dishes and cooking utensils are to be
washed immediately following their use. Any cooking devices
or dishes left in the kitchenette for a period of 24 hours
may be thrown away. Lack of cleanliness or abuse of
kitchenettes may result in the revoking of kitchenette
usage.
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Mail
All students are assigned mailboxes in their residence hall.
Outgoing mail is accepted at the main reception desk in
Trinity Hall. Stamps may be purchased at the university
reception desk of Trinity Hall or at the Business Office.
Packages may be sent from the university reception desk of
Trinity Hall or from the Operations Department in the lower
level of Trinity Hall. Please have incoming mail addressed
in the following manner:
Your name
Your hall
University of Saint Francis
2701 Spring Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46808
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Personal Property
The university assumes no financial responsibility for
damage to or loss of personal property of students, nor does
it carry insurance on the personal property of students. If
a student is not covered by the parents' policy, she/he may
check with any general insurance agency for details of
securing renter's or other such insurance.
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Private Rooms and
Consolidation Policy
Due to the lack of space, private rooms are rarely available
to students living in residence halls at the University of
Saint Francis. In the fall semester, a waiting list is
created for private rooms. After the third week of school,
the waiting list for the fall is destroyed. Students
interested in obtaining a private room for the spring
semester may contact the Office of Residential Life during
the fall semester "intention time" (roughly around
Thanksgiving Break) to be placed on a spring semester
private room waiting list.
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Consolidation
Students whose roommates do not show up or leave prior to
the second week of class will be required to participate in
a consolidation process to maximize utilization of residence
hall space. A student involved in the consolidation process
may:
- Room with another person
via the consolidation process.
- Pay additional costs
associated with keeping the room private.
- Take a roommate as
selected by the Director of Residential Life.
Residents will be asked to
choose before the end of the third week in each semester.
Decisions made by students in writing are final for the
remainder of the semester.
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Prohibited Items for the
Residence Halls
The following items are prohibited in the residence halls
and will be confiscated immediately by Campus Security or a
Student Affairs staff member.
- Pets
With the exception of aquatic animals such as fish. Students
found with a pet in university housing will automatically be
given notice that they have 24 hours to remove the pet. Pets
may be turned over to the Animal Shelter if a student fails
to comply with this regulation.
- Aerial Antennas, Masts,
Satellite Dishes, and Other Shortwave
Radio Transmitting Equipment
Residents should use only indoor (di-pole,
"rabbit-ears," etc.) for television and stereos to
avoid FCC interference regulations and safety precautions.
- Electrical Appliances
Air conditioners, microwave ovens, room heaters, or any
other such high-wattage appliances are strictly prohibited.
(Please see Kitchenettes for information on cooking.)
- Candles, Oil Lamps,
Incense, Kerosene Heaters, Charcoal or
Gas Grills, Halogen Lamps, and Other Open-Flamed Items
These items are prohibited in promoting fire safety. Odors
produced by some of these items may also be offensive to
others in the residential community.
- Firearms, Fireworks and
any Dangerous Chemical or Explosive Material
Because of the obvious danger to self and others, all
firearms and other incendiary devices are prohibited.
- Knives, Swords,
Brandished Weapons
Any item brandished in a manner designed to cause harm or
threaten another individual will not be tolerated. Further,
knives over four inches in length, not purposely used for
eating, are not permitted in the residence halls. Also, any
decoration with a blade (i.e. sword, machete, saws) is not
permitted within the residence halls.
- Drug Paraphernalia
Along with any other drug use policies listed under the
Conduct of Standards Section of the Student Handbook,
possession of drug paraphernalia is not permitted within the
residence halls.
- Lofts and All Other
Construction
For the safety and welfare of all students, the construction
of lofts or other space-saving wooden structures is
prohibited. Any special needs associated with construction
within the residence hall can be discussed with the Director
of Residential Life.
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Roofs
Students are not allowed on ANY roofs on the University of
Saint Francis campus.
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Room Painting Procedures
A pilot program established for the 2001-2002 school year
was very successful. The Office of Residential Life and the
Operations Department continue to offer this opportunity. A
student wanting to paint his or her room may do so by
following these procedures:
- Fill out a paint
agreement form available in the Office of Residential
Life.
- Submit form with a $50
deposit.
- The Director of
Residential Life will pre-inspect the room and give
students paint
supplies for painting their room.
- Students will be given
an instruction sheet on how to paint and what they can
paint in the room. Students will have a week to get
their room painted.
- After the room is
completely painted, the Director of Residential Life
will do a post-inspection of the room. If the room is
painted in a satisfactory manner and all the
requirements met, the residents will then receive their
$50 deposit back.
- Unused paint and paint
supplies will be returned to the Director of Residential
Life for appropriate disposal.
- Painting is to be done
to add to the overall appearance of the room. Because
residents will not reside in the room forever, the
choice of colors is limited. The room should be painted
so that if new residents were to move in, they would not
want to repaint the room.
- Lack of clean-up or
inadequate clean-up, not returning of the paint
supplies, damage to the room, poor workmanship in
painting the room, or not getting the room painted
within the week's time frame will become the financial
responsibility of the student participating in the
painting program and will result in the forfeiture of
the paint supply deposit.
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Safety Checks
Safety checks are another form of ensuring the welfare and
safety of students living in the residence halls. These
checks will occur on the last Thursday of every month and be
printed in the Student Handbook calendar or in coordination
with a designated break-closing period (i.e. Thanksgiving
break). Safety checks will occur between the hours of 10:00
a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
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Security
Uniformed security officers are on duty on campus 24 hours
each day. Patrols include the areas around the residence
halls and parking lots. SECURITY OFFICERS CAN BE REACHED AT
ANY TIME AT EXTENSION 3222.
In addition to the
emergency phones located at Achatz Hall, Bonaventure Hall,
Hutzell Athletic Center, and Bonaventure parking lot,
emergency phones are located at the back entrance to Trinity
Hall at both the east and west wings and at Bonzel Hall.
These phones can be used to call individual rooms; they also
have a direct dial to Security.
Students must assume
responsibility for their own safety and the security of
their property. Some common sense precautions are:
- Do not prop doors open,
especially exterior entrances.
- Maintain control of your
room key. Do not lend your keys to others or leave them
lying around your room in plain view.
- Report lost or stolen
keys immediately to residential staff.
- Always lock you
room-while sleeping, while away, even when going to
another area of the residence hall.
- Use discretion in what
information is posted on the door. Although leaving
notes on the door (such as "gone for the
weekend") is convenient information for friends, it
also provides a potential thief with the same
convenience.
- Keep you car locked and
do not leave valuables in a visible place.
- Report any suspicious
looking/acting individuals to Campus Security or to the
housing staff.
- Always walk with a
companion after dark. If no one is available, call
Campus
Security (3222) for an escort.
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted inside any building at the
university. All smoking must take place outside of the
residence hall beyond 20 feet of building entrances. Smoking
receptacles are appropriately located. Please place your
cigarette butts in a receptacle and help to maintain the
beauty of our campus by not throwing them on the ground.
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Telephones
Students are provided with a phone jack in their room for
their personal use. Local calls can be made without a
charge. Long distance phone calls may be made by calling
collect, by using a calling card, or via a cell phone.
Students need to dial a 9 to get an outside line.
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Tornadoes
The Security Office monitors the weather station for alerts
of tornado watches or warnings. In the event an actual
sighting is reported by the National Weather Service, the
officer on duty will notify the residence life staff. If a
tornado is imminent, follow these tornado safety procedures:
Bonzel Hall residents: To avoid flying glass and debris,
leave your room, stay in the hallway, go to the restrooms
or, if you have time, proceed to the basement and stay in
the TV room, hallway or the trunk room if possible. DO NOT
STAY IN THE LOBBY AREAS.
Bosco Hall residents: Because of the danger of flying glass,
take shelter in the restrooms. DO NOT STAY IN THE LOUNGE.
Trinity Hall residents: Take shelter in the hallways or the
restrooms. If you have time, go downstairs to the Chapel. DO
NOT STAY IN THE LOUNGE OR LAUNDRY AREA.
In all cases, the best
refuge is in a basement. If that is not a possibility, go to
the interior of the building you are in. Stay away from
windows and exterior walls. If you are outside when a
tornado approaches and can't get to a building, a low spot
or a ditch is the best alternative. Do not take shelter
under trees.
When the danger has passed,
the security officer will notify the appropriate residential
life staff members that it is clear to return to your room.
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Vehicle Registration and
Parking
The university requires that any vehicle of a residential
student be registered with the Security Office. There is no
charge for this registration. All students must have a
current university parking tag to park on campus. Parking
registration forms should be filled out during the check-in
process at the beginning of the year. Students will receive
their parking tags as part of the residential life check-in
procedures upon submitting the vehicle registration form.
Unless traveling to the Rolland Art Center, residential
students are only permitted to park in the residential
parking lots located between buildings 5,6,7 and Bonzel Hall
or on the stadium parking lot next to Bosco Hall. Any
residential vehicle parked in lots other than Rolland Center
or residential parking lots is subject to being ticketed or
towed at the owner's expense.
Students residing in
Trinity are not permitted to park behind Trinity Hall at any
time. Violating vehicles are subject to being ticketed or
towed at their own expense.
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Vending Machines
Snack and soft drink machines are located in the residence
halls for the convenience of the students. Money lost in the
vending machines should be reported to the Business Office
in Trinity Hall.
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Visitation Policy
Residents are permitted to have visitors of the opposite sex
in their rooms by following guidelines listed below:
- Visitors of opposite sex
are allowed to visit only during Visitation Hours. They
are: Sunday -Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m. and Friday
and Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Guests of residents need
to register at the front desk. Guests not registered
will be asked to register at the desk. If a guest
refuses to register at the front desk, he or she will be
asked to leave the building. A guest is defined as an
individual who does not reside on campus or in the
campus residence hall that he/she is visiting.
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Window and Door Displays
Students must use discretion when hanging posters or items
in the residence hall windows and on doors. No alcoholic beverage signs,
suggestive posters or offensive materials may be displayed.
The residence hall staff has the authority to determine what
is acceptable material.
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