Housing Policies

Undergraduate students and graduate students residing on campus, including apartment- style housing, must be enrolled as full-time students. Full time is defined as registered for 12 credits as an undergraduate student and 6 credits as a graduate student. Should any residential student drop below full time, and/or fail to attend classes at a level necessary for satisfactory academic progress, housing status will be reviewed and may be revoked.

Resident Assistants (RAs) participate in an on-call duty rotation in the Residence halls. The RAs will be available on each campus to support the residential community. The RAs’ duty schedule is as follows:

• 8 – 11 p.m.: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.
• 8 p.m. – 1 a.m.: Friday and Saturday nights.

Resident Assistant duty coverage does not apply during break weeks. See Break Housing for additional details.

Resident Assistant passive duty begins when active duty ends at the above listed times. RAs will be in their rooms or the building until 7 am the following morning and will be available to residents. 

A professional residence life staff member is on call on a 24/7 basis except during the semester break from the end of December until January 4th.

Professional Staff can be reached through Public Safety or your Resident Assistant.

A member of the residence hall staff is on call every evening to answer questions, handle emergencies, and direct students to resources. Contact information will be available on each campus. Please see a member of the residence life staff to contact the on-call duty staff member.

The residence halls will remain open for scheduled breaks of less than one week. For scheduled breaks of one full week or longer, the residence halls close at 7:00pm on Friday and re-open at 9:00am the Sunday prior to classes resuming. Please refer to the academic calendar for dates and times of these closings.

• Requests to remain on campus during breaks will be considered. All requests must be received via eRezlife on or before the stated deadline. Break housing approvals are made on a case-by-case basis. A student’s conduct history may be considered for being approved for break housing. The following are a few reasons for approval: athletics, international students, student teaching, and nursing.

Policy for Break Housing

The VTSU Code of Conduct and policies remain in force during breaks. In the Residence Halls, overnight guests are not allowed during this time. Non-compliance with these expectations may result in immediate removal from housing for the remainder of the break. Alcohol is not allowed during breaks regardless of age.

Please note: The use of a campus meal plan may not be available to students during break weeks. This is the case whether the student must remain on campus or not. Limited food service options may be available in designated locations for all students on campus during these scheduled breaks. Please check with your campus dining services for meal availability prior to break weeks.

All residence halls remain open throughout the academic year; therefore, residents are not required to leave. Residents are required to complete the break housing form to remain on campus during university breaks. At least one apartment resident must be staying at the apartment when a guest is present over break.

Cooking is prohibited in any space in the residence halls except in kitchens. The following is a list of acceptable appliances to use in the Residence Halls and campus apartments:

• Hot Pots
• Electric blankets
• Coffee pots with an auto shut off
• Electric irons with an auto shut off
• Floor lamps/lights (non-halogen)
• Plastic shades prohibited
• One small refrigerator (less than 4.5 cubic feet) is allowed per room

Common Areas in suites may have one microwave and one refrigerator (less than 4.5 cubic feet). Microwaves are not allowed in student rooms unless accommodation has been approved by Disability Services.

All electrical items need U.L. labels. The UL safety Mark indicates it meets scientific safety standards. Look for UL safety Marks on the product itself or a tag. For more information: https://www.ul.com/look-ul-safety-mark-you-buy
 
Appliances must plug directly into an electrical receptacle, as indicated in their manuals. Never use an extension cord as this increases the risk of electrical hazards and fire. Certain cooking appliances can be used in apartments.

If you have questions about a specific item not listed above, please contact the Residence Life Office on your campus.

Cooking is prohibited except in kitchens. Plug-in tart warmers/wax burners (i.e., Scentsy) and candle warmers including lamps are prohibited. Most halogen bulbs are also not permitted in the residence halls. Any UL-approved halogen lamp manufactured after 1996 is allowed.

The following is a list of unacceptable appliances in the residence halls and apartments. Kitchen appliances marked with an asterisk are allowed in campus apartments only and must be plugged directly into an outlet

• Air Conditioners
• Space Heaters
• Ski Waxing Paraphernalia
  • (Waxing or tuning of skis and snowboards are also prohibited in the residence halls)
• Any Open-Flame or exposed heating element appliances.

These include, but are not limited to:

• Butane torches
• Camp stoves
• Lanterns
• Charcoal Grills
• Toaster Ovens*
• Electric sandwich presses
• Electric frying pans*
• Hot plates*
• Volatile liquids
• Petroleum fuel
• Motorized vehicles
• Gasoline-fueled machinery
• Explosive devices or materials
• Air Fryers*
• Toasters*
• Heat Lamps
• Griddles
• Ice Machines
• Air Poppers (Popcorn Makers)

Due to the fire hazard presented and the potentially offensive and pervasive smells, candles, wax warmers, candle warmer lamps, and incense are not allowed in the residence halls. As a fire safety precaution, possession or burning of incense, candles, sterno, kerosene or oil lamps, similar flammable materials, and the use of matches and/or a lighter is prohibited in every student room, even during the loss of electrical power. Candles are prohibited even as decorative items.

Students may store their bicycles, skateboards, scooters, or other small non-motorized vehicles in their rooms (or suites) if roommates and suite-mates agree. However, they will be held liable for any damage caused by storage. Students may not store any non-motorized vehicles in hallways or block exits, entrances, or access ramps. Vehicles cannot be ridden in buildings. 

E-Bikes and Lithium-Ion Battery Devices

Due to significant fire safety concerns, e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, and other devices powered by lithium-ion batteries may not be stored or charged in any campus buildings, including residence halls, academic buildings, or common areas. These items must be stored and charged outside in designated areas. Violation of this policy may result in confiscation of the item and disciplinary action

Sports activities, including ball sports, rollerblading, skateboarding, scooters, and bicycle riding are prohibited in residence halls or campus apartments. Hall sports which result in damage or disruption will be considered disruptive behavior and may result in disciplinary action

When entry into a student’s living area is required, reasonable attempts will be made to advise the student in advance. VTSU recognizes that students are entitled to privacy in their individual residence hall rooms and campus apartments. However, students should be aware that there are occasions when University representatives may, without specific consent or prior notice, enter rooms to check for conditions or articles causing concern, even in closed spaces. It may include wardrobes, closets, a student’s desk, and drawers.

Room entry may occur for the purposes of responding to housekeeping or maintenance requests; a concern for health, welfare, or safety of any room occupant or the room itself; or when there is reasonable basis to believe that there may be a violation of the code of conduct, campus policy, or State or Federal laws. The University reserves the right to remove any prohibited or illegal items if found upon entering a student’s room. The University reserves the right to request that residents open closed spaces. University officials may open closed spaces in the event of health and safety concerns.

The University reserves the right to conduct health or safety checks regularly. These inspections must be posted at least 24 hours in advance and serve a specific purpose, such as break inspections.

Resident rooms should always be locked. The resident is responsible for locking their room door. Similarly, suite residents are responsible for keeping their suite doors locked.

Residence hall entry doors cannot, under any circumstances, be propped open.  All doors must open fully and not blocked at all times. Residents should also not block windows with furniture or coverings. Residency in one hall does not entitle a student to free access to other halls. The outside doors of residence halls are always locked. Residents must use their ID card to enter a residence hall. The University cannot guarantee the financial viability of off-campus living arrangements, the conditions of off-campus facilities, or the safety of students who would choose to visit or live in off-campus environments.

Thefts should be reported immediately to Public Safety.

The University will conduct periodic health and safety inspections of all residential rooms and University apartments. Advance notice of at least 24 hours will be given. These inspections are to maintain a safe living environment for all residential students. If during safety inspections, code of conduct or University policy violations are discovered, those responsible may be sanctioned.

When you check into the residence hall room, you will be responsible for logging in to eRezlife to complete your room’s inventory form. Students will examine the suite and/or room carefully and point out any damage not noted on the room inventory form. After assuring that the condition of the room and/or suite is accurately reflected on the room’s inventory form, the student must submit the form. A residence life staff member will be available for support if any questions or concerns arise. Failure to do so will result in the loss of the right to appeal for any damage charges after checking out. This inventory will be reviewed at check-out.

Students must check out of their room with a residence hall staff member within 24 hours of their last final or 7:00 PM, Friday May 14th, 2027, whichever is sooner.

Students will check out with the Resident Assistant (RA) in the RA office during scheduled check-out times.

Failure to check out may result in losing the right to appeal against damage charges. Students will also be charged for any missing or damaged item(s) since moving in unless it can be determined that another individual was responsible. When students move off campus, they should insist on following this move out procedure. It protects them from being charged for damage done prior to arrival and after proper checkout. The University reserves the right to charge students’ accounts for damage, including excessive cleaning, assessed after the checkout has taken place with the Resident Assistant. Professional residence life staff members assess any applicable damage charges; Resident Assistants are not responsible for determining damage charges. If a student wants to appeal against the damage charges, they must contact the Assistant Director of Residence Life for their campus to initiate the process.

Personal property left in University housing after the approved period of occupancy will be removed and disposed of after reasonable opportunities have been afforded for owners to claim such property. An email to the student’s University email account, sent within three business days of discovery of items, shall be considered sufficient notice. The deadline to claim items will vary on the size and perceived value of the item but will be no more than 30 days in any case.

Students must vacate their residential room and remove all their belongings from their room and any other residence hall area 24 hours after their last exam. If their last exam is scheduled on the last day of exams, students must be checked out with a residence life staff member by 7:00 PM.

The abandoned property policy does not apply when a student moves out of their residence hall in May for summer break. Students are not required to remove all items from their room between the fall and spring semesters unless they are not returning to the University. Exceptions are made only for seniors and students participating in graduation ceremonies. These students may stay until 12:00 P.M. on the day following commencement. If an exception is made, it is the student’s responsibility to request this in writing by email to the Assistant Director of Residence Life within the specified deadlines.

Students who have officially checked out of the residence halls are not allowed back into the residence halls and may not be a guest of another student. Residence Hall and room access may be terminated if a student fails to vacate the residence halls as required. Students who do not vacate the residence halls as scheduled may be fined for improper move out.

Should a student or their guest damage University property, the student must report the incident to a residence life staff member and understand that they will be responsible for the damage. If the person responsible is not identified, the cost of the damage can either be charged to the members of the room, the residents of the suite, all the students living on the floor, or the building. For other campus buildings, the cost may be billed to all students.

Dartboards that require the use of metal tipped darts are prohibited. Dartboards and plastic tipped darts are permitted so long as they do not damage walls, doors, etc. 

Students cannot hang banners or signs on the exterior of buildings, including on or from balconies and windows without permission from a residence life professional. Product advertisements, such as beer signs, hung in residence hall windows must be faced inward. Road signs, traffic cones, and construction lights may not be displayed in residence halls and will be confiscated if found, even if the item was obtained legitimately. Residents are not allowed to post any outward displays from suite windows next to the main suite door. Decorative alcohol container collections (i.e., beer cans, liquor bottles, etc.) are not permitted in the residence halls.

No item may be anchored to the wall, ceiling, or floor. Nothing shall be attached to any electrical fixture, electrical conduit, sprinkler head, or sprinkler piping. No command strips, foam tape, duct tape, or other types of strong adhesives are permitted when hanging items to the walls. LED lights that have adhesive are not permitted to be used in the residence halls.  Only masking or painters’ tape is permitted. Thumb tacks or small finishing nails are permitted but may cause damage charges for residents.

The fire code requires that furnishings of an explosive or highly flammable nature not be used and/or possessed in a residence hall. Wall coverings such as posters or other paper/cloth decorations can only cover 50% of a wall. No holes, nails, or screws may be put into any residence hall door, wall, ceiling, floor, or furniture. Likewise, no wall coverings (posters, etc.) may be applied using duct tape, adhesive glue, or cement. No object may cover electrical outlets, heat or smoke detectors, fire alarm signaling devices, or lighting fixtures. No decorations or coverings may hang from the ceiling or light fixtures. 

Residence hall furniture is considered common property for all residents, and students may not remove it from common areas. Students found to have lounge furniture or other unauthorized University furniture or equipment in their rooms will be charged with a furniture removal fee. Furniture in lounges should be available for use by residents and their guests. Furniture may not be removed for use in any room to which it was not assigned. Dismantling or removal of furniture from its assigned room may result in disciplinary action and/or fines. All residence hall improvements, repairs, and painting are done by the facilities staff.

Vermont State Residence Life upholds a strict furniture policy to ensure fire safety and protect the cleanliness of the residence halls and rooms. All residence hall rooms are furnished appropriately for the residents with a twin extra-long bed, twin extra-long mattress that meets or exceeds the California Technical Bulletin 129, desk, desk chair, dresser, wardrobe or closet and blinds. Furniture varies in each residence hall, room, and building.

Personally owned upholstered or stuffed furniture such as, but not limited to the following: sofas, chairs, loveseats, bean bags, and futon beds are not permitted in the residence halls unless a student can provide the manufacturer’s certification that the furniture meets the Flame Resistance: California Technical Bulletin 117-2013 Section 1: Cover Fabric Test; CS-191-53, Class 1; BIFMA X5.7-1991; UFAC, Class 1; B. S. 5852 Part 1: 1979 Ignition Source 0, smoldering cigarette.

Personal mattresses are not permitted in the residence halls. The mattresses that are provided to residential students meet or exceed the California Technical Bulletin 129. If a student is requesting a personal mattress due to medical accommodation, it must come with a manufacturer’s certification that the furniture meets or exceeds the California Technical Bulletin 129. To request medical housing accommodation, students must contact their home campus’s Office of Disability Services.

Hard surfaced furniture such as tables, chairs, shelving units, and nightstands are permitted. University owned furniture may not be stacked on top of tables. For example, you are not permitted to stack a couch on a table.

The furniture approval policy does not apply to the Johnson Apartments as they are not furnished. Any furniture that students bring to the apartments must be removed when moving out. If any furniture is not removed, you will be fined $100.00 for each item not removed.

Beds may not be disassembled or removed from the room. Beds are only to be bunked or lofted as intended by the manufacturer. It is strongly recommended that bed coverings be used. Lofts must be approved by the Office of Residence Life. (Please note that not all campuses have beds that may be lofted. Contact your home campus Residence Life office. Unapproved bed lofts may result in disciplinary action deemed appropriate by the University.

The student requesting the loft kit will sign out, pick up, and return the lofting kit. The sign out of lofting kits will ideally occur during designated times. Those times may take place on Move-In Days. Other times, at the convenience of a professional residence life staff member, may be possible. Kits must be returned during designated times throughout the last week of each semester. 

Because kits are signed out to individuals and not to rooms, if a student changes rooms, they must take their kit with them and must alert their professional residence life staff member. Leaving the kit behind in a previous room will result in a $50 fee for removal. By signing the Loft Kit Sign Out Form, the student agrees to follow proper procedures. Specifically, failure to return the kits by leaving the kit in your room/suite and sign the Return portion of the Sign Out form will result in a $50.00 fee.

All residents are required to complete and sign a housing license to secure a room on campus. The license for University housing and dining is for one academic year unless license is specified in the individual contract. All students with a housing license have a meal plan. Students have the first two weeks of each semester to make changes to their meal plan online through their eRezlife account. A student’s meal plan, as specified in the dining contract, does not include any meals during breaks even if there is a meal service on campus. All students with a signed license are financially responsible for all housing charges unless they receive a written release from the license. If approved to live in apartment style housing, you are not required to have a residential meal plan.

Students may, with written permission of the Assistant Dean of Students or their designee, be released from this contract or any portion thereof without penalty for any of the following reasons: withdrawal from the University, academic dismissal from the University, completion of a degree program, leave of absence, or participation in the University sponsored study abroad program.

Students’ requests for termination of the license should be submitted in writing through eRezLife to the Assistant Dean of Students or their designee. Application for release does not imply automatic termination of the license. Applications will be reviewed, and residents will be notified of a decision in five to ten business days. Release from the license may be granted for reasons other than those specified above.

All students who reside in a University residence hall are required to purchase a residential meal plan and will eat meals in designated University dining facilities under the approved meal plans. Students offered a Campus Apartment on the Johnson campus mid-year must keep a residential board plan for the rest of the academic year on the Johnson Campus.

Changes to meal plans may only occur through the first two weeks of classes each semester. The exceptions to the meal plan are as follows:

• Students assigned to the Rita Bole Complex at the Lyndon Campus are exempt from this requirement.
• Students assigned to the Johnson Campus Apartments are exempt from this requirement.
• Students are required to have a meal plan when living at Saint Micheal’s College.

(See complete St. Michael’s College Addendum)

Announced fire drills in residence halls will be conducted by the Residential Life and Public Safety Department once per semester during the first two weeks of school. Unannounced fire drills may be conducted on occasion in residence halls to ensure that evacuation and other safety measures are correctly observed. Students are required to vacate the building immediately once a fire alarm sounds. Entrances to buildings and fire lanes must be free of obstacles. All students are required to be 25 feet from the building entrance during an alarm. Assume that all alarms are emergencies. Your residence hall staff will review proper evacuation routes and procedures with you during the first week of each semester.

The following violate the fire safety code and therefore are prohibited in the residence halls only. Please see below the items that are allowed at the College apartments on the Johnson Campus:

• Tampering with or removing fire safety equipment
• Smoking, vaping, or tobacco use of any type in the residence halls and campus apartments
• Open flame or fire (i.e., candles or incense)
• Live trees or wreaths
• Additional furniture, exceeding those items covered by the furniture policy
• Anything near, covering, or attached to the smoke detector or heat sensor
• Items hanging from the ceiling, or storing items near the ceiling that restrict the flow of air to the smoke detector or heat sensor (such as bulky items stored above wardrobes)
• Toaster ovens, hot plates, electric frying pans, toasters, crock pots, air fryers, and insta-pots  (Residence Halls only. Johnson apartments see below)
• Indoor or outdoor grills
• Space heater
• Blocking doorways or exits
• Storage of flammable liquids
• Tapestries not flat against wall
• Anything blocking, covering, or using the room heater as a shelf
• Storage of bikes or any other items in residence hall corridors, stairwells, entryways, or bathrooms
• Leaving any footwear outside of Residence Hall rooms in the hallways, including but limited to shoe racks
• Decorative lights must be LED. Decorative string lights are allowed but cannot be hung from fire safety equipment including sprinkler heads
• LED lights that have adhesive are not permitted to be used in the residence halls

The following are allowed in apartments:

• Toaster ovens
• Hot plates
• Electric frying pans
• Toasters
• Crock pots
• Air fryers
• Insta-pots

Misuse of any fire safety systems endangers both life and property, is considered a serious offense and can lead to disciplinary action up to, and including, dismissal. Specifically, fire alarms, smoke detectors, or extinguisher systems are forbidden. Emergency exit doors are not to be blocked on either side by obstructions. Falsely pulling any alarm or intentionally setting off a smoke detector is illegal and may be punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.00. Hallway fire doors must always be closed.

Everyone must leave the building immediately, taking keys and clothing appropriate for the weather. It may be some time before you can re-enter the building. Only Public Safety or Professional Residence Life staff can allow re-enter a building after a fire alarm.

All rooms are checked to make sure everyone has exited the building. Residents and their guest(s) who fail to exit the building are subject to the student conduct process and a fine. Preventing someone from leaving a building during an emergency, or encouraging another person to ignore alarms, is not permitted and could result in disciplinary action. Fire drill evacuation plans and emergency procedures are posted near or on the back of all room doors in each residence hall; please become familiar with them.

Students with approved Emotional Support Animals (ESA) may not reenter the building to retrieve their animal. It is the student’s responsibility to gather their ESA before evacuating the building. If a student cannot retrieve their ESA, they should alert Public Safety or Residence Life Staff. Having an ESA does not entitle a student to notification of when a scheduled fire drill takes place.

In keeping with the Vermont State University policy 314, all campuses within the VTSU have committed to becoming tobacco-free. Our desire is to ensure a safe and healthy environment for all students, staff and visitors who work and use our facilities. All university-owned grounds and buildings, including residence halls and campus apartments, are tobacco-free. Please access the website or portal for additional information related to our tobacco-free campus policy.

Per this policy, tobacco is defined as any manufactured product containing tobacco or nicotine, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipe tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco, dipping tobacco, shisha, pipes, water (hookah) pipes, dissolvable tobacco products, electronic cigarettes, other electronic or battery-powered vaping devices and all forms of smokeless tobacco.

As of September 1, 2019, it is illegal for a person under the age of 21 to possess or consume tobacco products.

Guests are defined as follows:

• Commuter Students
• Non-student
• Overnight guests are defined as any non-resident that stays beyond 11:00 p.m.

Residential students are not considered guests on their home campus or any other VTSU campus. If a residential student stays in another resident student’s room overnight, they must get agreement from their roommates or suitemates.

Guests are permitted if University policies and procedures are adhered to, and all roommates agree to the visit. Guests must comply with the following:

• The host must register overnight guests one business day prior to visit on eRezlife and verify roommate’s permission.
• The guest form can be found at https://vermontstate.erezlife.com/
• Residents who have a guest(s) accept full responsibility for the actions of their guest(s) and are subject to disciplinary action for the misconduct of their guest(s).
• This includes students from another VTSU campus
• Guests will be considered the same age as their host when enforcing alcohol policies if their host is under the age of 21.
• Alcohol consumption by guests of the legal drinking age is not allowed in underage student rooms.
• Guests can stay overnight only if all occupants of the room/suite/apartment agree to the visit.
• Overnight guests under 16 will not be permitted.
• Non-student overnight guests under 18 need parental permission and must register in person at the Office of Public Safety.
• No guests can stay on campus more than three nights during a seven-day period, and no more than six nights in a thirty-day period.
• The number of guests cannot exceed the maximum number of residents in that room, and no resident may have more than two guests at any one time.
• All overnight guests with cars should check in with the campus’s Public Safety Department for visitor parking.
• Guests who do not register may be required to leave immediately.
• All guests must register with a Residence Life staff member and abide by Vermont State University policies and code of conduct.
• Registered guests must stay overnight in the room assigned to the student hosting them, including apartments.
• Resident Guests cannot be left alone in the room they are not assigned to live in.
• Off campus guests must be always accompanied by their host, and their host must always be in their assigned housing unit with the guest

A host may lose guest privileges if they or their guest are violating the student code of conduct. Having a guest on campus is a privilege not a right and may be revoked by the Residence Life staff.

In case of medical emergencies with a guest on campus, Residence Life Staff and Public Safety are required to call emergency services.

Only 12 people are allowed in suite common areas at any time, including the suite’s residents. 

Only 6 people are allowed in a residence hall room at any time, including the residents. 

Johnson campus apartment residents can only have 6 people in the apartment at one time. The only exception to this is a unit assigned as family housing.

Non-compliance with these expectations may result in further guest limit restrictions or review of eligibility to retain or renew your housing contract.

All students will be issued one student ID at no expense. This ID is valid for the entire time students are enrolled at the University. Residential students will use their IDs for access into their Residence Hall. Depending on your residence hall, students may receive a physical key or use their student ID to enter their suite and or room. Students are required to have their student ID card at all times.

Student IDs also serve as a meal card and library card and are necessary for entry into the SHAPE facility. A student ID should always be on your person and should never be loaned to anyone else. Students should report lost or stolen IDs immediately to Public Safety. Keys shall not be loaned to others and must be returned immediately upon termination of University residential status. Keys lost or not returned to by the student’s move out date indicated on student paperwork will be billed to the student’s account. If a student misplaces their student ID, they should visit the Public Safety Office on their campus during normal business hours to request a temporary access card. A temporary access card is valid for only seven days. If a student’s ID is not found within that time, a new ID must be purchased.

Please report any maintenance problems through our online eRezlife workorder system. Students can do this through their eRezlife accounts. Please report any emergency maintenance problems such as lack of heat, loss of power, or hot water to Public Safety if the residence hall staff is not readily available.  

Facilities staff may be required to enter a student’s room to address concerns. When possible, Residence Life will be in communication with the resident(s) to schedule repairs. However, if there is a reasonable basis for the concern about the health, welfare, or safety of the room for occupants, facilities staff may need to enter without prior notice.

Vermont State University observes courtesy hours 24 hours a day, and quiet hours during specific time periods. Courtesy Hours means that one’s activities should not interfere with the basic peace, quiet, and life activities of community members. Quiet hours are in effect outdoors and in common areas as well as in residential areas including the campus apartments.

The residence hall quiet hours are as follows:

Sunday through Thursday 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 12 to 10 a.m.

Should a student be disturbed by unreasonable noise, they are encouraged to speak to the applicable community member(s) and refer to a Resident Assistant or residence life staff member if the conflict cannot be resolved. Stereos and speakers may not be directed outside of residence hall windows or outside the residence halls. Amplified instruments and stereos are only allowed if the volume is kept at a reasonable level which does not disturb other residents of the hall or other halls. Percussion instruments cannot be played in the residence halls. Campus wide quiet hours, including inside the residence halls, are Residence halls may institute additional quiet hours should they choose to do so as a community. During exam weeks, 23-hour quiet hours are in effect. The hour‘s exception is 7 to 8 p.m. and is still considered a courtesy hour.

Campus-wide quiet hours are from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 1 to 7 a.m. on Friday and Saturday night. Quiet hours during final exam periods will be posted.

Pets are not allowed in the residence halls except for fish. Prior approval from the roommate is required. The size of the fish tank is limited to 10 gallons. There is only one fish tank allowed per resident.

If you need a service or emotional support animal, please speak to Disability Services. Please click the following link for more information:

Disability Services- Emotional Support & Service Animals | Vermont State University. Emotional Support Animal accommodations must be approved through Disability Services and students must meet with Residence Life to sign and review the ESA agreement before any ESA may be brought to campus.

VTSU does not require renters’ insurance, but strongly recommends it because the University is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items (that were not caused by the University).

Common areas, such as lounges and kitchens, are open to be used by everyone in the hall. To ensure that the amenities provided stay available for everyone equally, all furnishings (such as couches, chairs, and televisions) must remain in the common space. Additionally, it is the expectation that the lounge be cleaned and reset after each use.

Residents may be held responsible for the cost of cleaning messes left behind. Common spaces are not to be used for storage of personal belongings.

During the first two weeks of each semester there is a room freeze; any room changes will take place after the freeze, apart from extenuating circumstances. This allows the Residence Life Department to determine who has arrived and which rooms might be available. During the last two weeks of each semester there is also a room freeze. All room changes must be approved prior to the end of the semester room freeze.

Unauthorized room changes may result in administrative action deemed appropriate by the Residence Life Department. There may be fines for unauthorized room changes, and they may be required to move back to their assigned room. There will be no room for rate adjustments after the class withdrawal date stated on the academic calendar.

We understand that an issue may arise with your roommate and/or suitemates. If this happens, you should first speak with your roommate and/or suitemate(s) and then speak to your Resident Assistant. The Resident Assistant will explain what alternatives are available and will assist you in resolving the situation. You may not change rooms without prior approval by the appropriate residence life professional(s). The University also reserves the right to reassign rooms or assign roommates at any time should conditions arise which necessitate such changes. Failure to comply with may result in disciplinary action.

We live in small communities where we have mutual respect for ourselves and each other. We encourage the following suggestions while living in our communities:

• Locking your door whenever you leave your room, no matter how briefly.
• If you have a car, keep it locked and do not leave valuables in it, especially in plain sight.
• Have a list of your possessions with serial numbers.
• Take pictures of your possessions, especially if there’s unique features.
• Purchase renters’ insurance. The University is not responsible for the theft of personal belongings
• Report missing items to Public Safety immediately.
• Report suspicious activity or individuals.

Vandalism or defacement of any university property or personal belongings of university community members is prohibited. Examples include (but are not limited to):

• Damage to university or others’ personal belongings
• Vandalism of walls, windows, walkways, or any other surface
• Damage of academic or library resources
• Damage of vending machines or vendor spaces
• Damage to Bulletin Boards or Displays

The weapons policy is outlined in our Public Safety policies.

Throwing or dropping anything from a window or balcony is dangerous and a serious violation of residence hall policies. No object may be thrown up to a window or balcony, nor may any object be thrown through a window from a balcony. Exiting or entering a residence hall through a window or a balcony is also prohibited. Removing and/or damaging window screens in the residence halls is prohibited. Yelling from windows is not allowed at any time.

How to Qualify for an Apartment

• Are age 23 or will turn 23 on or before the start of the spring semester
• Are married or partners of a civil union
• Are a parent with custody of their child(ren)
• Are completing an internship, teaching practicum or assistantship* outside the area
• Have already lived on a college campus for four semesters
• Have completed 60 or more credits
• If you do not meet these criteria, the Director of Residence Life and Housing Operations may review and determine if an exception can be made.

Active Duty Hours 

Active-Duty hours are 24 hours, anyone from Residential Life or Dept. of Public Safety (DPS) can and will monitor the Johnson apartments at any time.

A professional residence life staff member is on call on a 24/7 basis and are on rotating weeks. They can be contacted through Public Safety or your Resident Assistant On call staff policy.

A member of the residence hall staff is on call every evening to answer questions, handle emergencies, and direct students to resources. 

Alcohol and Other Drugs

The alcohol policy can be found on the university and system policies page.

For the safety of all residents on campus, the following actions and items are prohibited and considered fire safety violations:

• Candles, of any kind / shape / size
• Incense Burners
• Hookahs
• E-cigarettes and vapes of any kind
• Fireworks
• Items suspended from sprinkler head and pipes
• Temporary dividers or partitions
• Cinder blocks
• Unauthorized locks on any door
• Appliances that have exposed heating elements,including but not limited to wax melters,toasters, hot plates, electric frying pans/grills (including “George Foreman” grills), toaster ovens, and rice cookers are prohibited anywhere but in kitchens.
• Sun lamps
• Air Conditioners
• Fog machines, smoke machines
• Halogen lamps
• Portable heaters or space heaters (regardless of heat/fuel source)
• Dangerous or hazardous chemicals / materials including propane tanks and camp fuel)
• Spider / Octopus style extension cords
• Electric water coolers
• Waterbeds
• Oversized refrigerators (larger than 4.0 cubic feet)
• Oversized microwaves (larger than 500 watts)
• Firearms/weapons
• Holiday lighting that is not UL approved
• Larger carpets with foam or rubber backing
• Rooms that are overly congested with furniture or are extremely untidy
• Live Christmas trees or other live décor
• Outside décor attached to TH units including, but not limited to, decks, etc.
• Drapes or tapestries that interfere (or cover) with egresses, sprinkler head, or smoke detector
• Electric blankets
• Wall coverings (covering more than 50% of the wall and/or interferes with ingress/egress)
• Coverings on doors (that interfere with the operation of the door)
• Drones
• E-Bikes / scooters / hoverboards / skateboards (containing lithium batteries)

Smoking

• Smoking is prohibited in any College space. Please see the Tobacco Free Policy.
• Marijuana is prohibited in any form on campus.

Outdoor Cooking / Outdoor Fires

• Any type of outdoor fire or open flame is prohibited on campus. This includes campfires, bonfires, portable fire pits, and/or torches.
• Propane or charcoal grills are allowed on campus for cooking purposes and must be placed 20 feet from any building when in use. The grills must be attended to at all times while in use.
• Propane tanks or canisters are not to be stored inside any residential area, including any townhouse storage rooms.

All SMC Tenants are expected to comply with established standards of community living, including maintaining adequate standards of room and apartment cleanliness to avoid interference with the general comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of the campus,Tenants and staff of Saint Michael’s College. Any personal safety or welfare issues should be brought to the attention of management; any Tenant causing another Tenant to feel unsafe in his or her apartment may be subject to termination.

Dangerous or Disruptive Activities.

Activities that endanger Tenants and or the school community are strictly prohibited, including, but not limited to, climbing on the roofs, climbing from windows, scaling outside walls, improper use of security doors, throwing objects out the windows, or engaging in violent, threatening or belligerent acts.

Maintenance.

Before a Tenant takes possession and occupies the rented premises, any required application fees, or security deposit, if applicable, and initial rents must be paid in full. Tenant must conduct an inspection of the premises and should note any defects, damages or other conditions that must be repaired or completed prior to move-in.

Landlord will promptly repair all noted defects, within reason, and Tenant will thereafter accept that the premises have been delivered in “as is” condition. Thereafter, all service calls must be reported to the management office by telephone, in person or by email at: kmcintyre@smcvt.edu. Service calls will be performed during normal work hours except in cases of emergency.

Liability Insurance; Personal Property.

During the term of this Agreement, Tenant agrees to maintain, at Tenant’s expense, renter’s liability insurance, with sufficient coverage to cover Landlord’s losses of any kind arising from fire, smoke or water damage caused by Tenant’s negligence.

When purchasing such insurance, Landlord shall be listed as an additional insured party noting the following information:  .

In the event Tenant elects not to purchase such insurance covering the term of the Lease period, then Tenant will be personally liable for all damages caused directly or indirectly to Landlord’s property arising from the negligent acts or omissions of Tenant or Tenant’s guests.

Further, Tenant will be held fully responsible for the conduct of Tenant’s guests, visitors, and invitees, including any harm to individuals or damage or defacement of any part of the Property or its fixtures.

Prohibited Uses

At all times during the lease term, Tenant is not permitted to:

• Bring onto the Property any firearms, weapons, explosives, and illegal drugs of any kind anywhere within the leased premises as well as within the public areas, and parking areas.
• Discharge of firearms or the display of firearms that may threaten or alarm others is strictly prohibited.
• Use gas, charcoal, open flame grills, on any balcony, deck, or patio or within 25 feet of the building in which Tenant resides.
• Engage in any criminal activity in the leased premises or on the St. Michael’s College Campus.
• Create loud noise or engage in disruptive behavior that can be heard outside of the leased premises or in neighboring rooms or apartments.
• Place trash outside of the leased premises, including on balconies, decks, or patios.
• Tamper with smoke detectors, sprinklers or fire alarms.
• Injure the reputation of the College, its Tenants, or Tenant’s neighbors. Tenant’s failure to abide by the forgoing rules of conduct shall be cause for termination of the Lease.

Cleanliness and Safety

Tenant agrees to maintain the leased premises in a clean, safe and sanitary condition at all times.

Tenant will place all trash and recyclables in the provided receptacles and will ensure that trash is brought out to such receptacles on the prescribed pick-up days each week.

Landlord, its agents, or employees reserve the right to enter any apartment or room to perform routine maintenance, inspections, or showings provided that Landlord provides Tenant with at least 24 hours of advance written notice of its intention to enter the premises.

In cases of emergency or when there is cause to believe that a situation exists that could cause danger to life, safety, health or property, Landlord reserves the right to enter the premises without prior notice.

Tenant Use

The leased premised are to be used for residential purposes only. Tenant may not place any signs, placards or other advertisements of any nature that are visible from outside the Property or the leased premises indicating that Tenant is operating an independent business from the premises.

Smoking

Smoking, vaping, or burning candles in any apartment hallway, elevator, stairwell, balcony, patio, or adjacent area is prohibited. If Tenant or Tenant’s guests engage in such conduct, Landlord reserves the right to impose a cleaning fee on Tenant that may include the cost for the removal and replacement of carpeting and the cleaning of ductwork to remove all odors from the premises.

Locks, Keys, Keycards

Each Tenant will be given one apartment or room key and one parking sticker, if applicable.

All keys, fobs and stickers must be returned to the management office upon vacating the premises.

If Tenant is locked out of the premises, management will unlock the door upon presentation of a photo ID at no charge if the lock-out occurs during regular office hours.

Tenant will incur a fee if management is required to attend to a lock-out after hours.

Replacement of a lost key, fob or sticker will incur a fee of $40 if replacement is necessary.

Any key, fob or sticker not returned to the management office after the premises are vacated will be charged to Tenant at the same rate as if the items were lost.