Policies

The University may determine, in its sole discretion, that the student has abandoned the room if: (1) student appears to have moved out; (2) the Contract term has expired; or (3) student has not been in the room for five (5) consecutive days while any amount owed under this Contract is due and unpaid. If the University reasonably determines that the room has been abandoned, the University may at its discretion put the student’s personal property into storage, at student’s expense. If the student has not retrieved their personal belongings within 14 calendar days after the room is determined abandoned by the University, the University may consider the personal property abandoned and dispose of part or all of the abandoned personal property or donate the abandoned personal property. Students are encouraged to contact the University as soon as possible if they move out and wish to retrieve any personal belongings.

• Alcoholic beverage containers, full or empty, are not permitted in any university residence hall. Any student or guest in a room who knows that alcohol is present will be held responsible under the alcohol policy unless they inform a staff member of the violation, or they remove themselves from the room. 

• The Office of the Dean of Students will notify parents/guardians of students under 21 years of age when a student is found responsible for (1) violations of the drug policy, (2) a second violation of the alcohol policy, and (3) on the first violation of the alcohol policy when one or more of the following occurs: 

• The student demonstrates a reckless disregard for their personal safety or the safety of others; 
• Medical attention to any person, including the student, is required as a result of the student's alcohol related behavior; 
• There is property damage; 
• The student operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol; 
• The incident involves another serious violation. 
• The student's alcohol-related behavior negatively impacts the learning environment.

Intoxicated and Incapacitated Students

Any person found intoxicated or incapacitated as a result of alcohol or other controlled substances on campus property or who is abusive, disorderly, destructive, combative, etc., can be arrested by the University Police and charged with appropriate violations. Based on the place of residence, the person may be referred to the Office of Housing and Residence Life or the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action. Any financial costs such as emergency room care, EMT care, damages, etc., associated with the actions of a person as a result of alcohol or drugs will be the responsibility of that person. Students found in violation of this policy may be placed on disciplinary probation.

• Animals, alive or dead, are not permitted in the residence halls. A resident who houses an unapproved animal in their room will be asked to remove the animal immediately and will be assessed a $200 room cleaning fee. Students who are found responsible for violating the policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.
  
  This includes newts, frogs, salamanders, turtles, birds, laboratory specimens or any life form that can survive outside of water. Fish in aquariums are permitted in the residence halls. An aquatic pet must not be able to leave its bowl or tank on its own. Aquariums or tanks larger than 20 gallons are not permitted in the halls. Guests' pets are also not permitted in the residence halls.
  Again, Students who are found responsible of violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

Any unapproved ADA motorized/wheeled vehicle (i.e., scooters, mini-bikes, mopeds, motorcycles, etc.) are not allowed within the residence halls. This type of motorized vehicle must be parked outdoors in a designated area.

A student may store a bicycle (unicycle, etc.) in their room provided it does not create an unsafe condition and the roommate has given permission for storage. Riding bicycles or any other unapproved ADA motorized/wheeled vehicle in the residence halls is prohibited and students may lose storage privileges if this policy is abused. 

Students are responsible for any damage incurred from storage of the bicycle (i.e., rooms, hallways, common areas, elevators). Bikes may not be stored in hallways, lounges, kitchens, or any common area in the residence hall, unless designated as such.

Any individual using the Ball State University computing network must comply with the Ball State Student Code Information Technology Users Policy. Illegal distribution or downloading of copyrighted materials is expressly forbidden.  
 
In addition, wireless routers and wireless devices are not permitted in the residence halls. Students found to be utilizing programs that take more bandwidth than is customary for typical academic assignments may have their computer port turned off pending review by proper university officials. 
 
*Please note: When a student shares unauthorized copyrighted materials (i.e. movies, music, programs) with other computer users, whether on a personal computer or in a computer lab, it is a violation of the university's policies and your actions may result in legal action by the music and/or film industry.

The Student Code Information Technology Users Policy additionally includes the prevention of unauthorized network devices from being connected to the campus network for any reason. (This includes but is not limited to, wireless routers, wired routers, DHCP servers, media center servers, etc.) When rogue devices are detected or reported to Information Technology Services (ITS) networking then disables the port(s) that are associated with the device. HRL Tech Support will then report the violation to the assistant directors of Housing and Residence Life. Residential Learning Coordinators or Apartment Managers will then contact the residents in the room that was detected as violating the policy. A first-time violator will be required to disconnect and power off the networking device before the port can be re-enabled by ITS networking staff. A second-time violation will result in a port shutdown pending a disciplinary hearing.

Damage, destruction, or theft of public property, including bulletin boards and posted information, or private property and furnishings is prohibited. Hall staff response to vandalism on a floor or hall is determined through the community contract process established by students generally occurring in the fall semester. 
 
Students are required to complete room inventory forms when first moving into any room. Students are held accountable for any damage that occurs within that room, including those from bed unit construction, decorations, adhesives, and bike storage. Failure to complete a room inventory form indicates that no damage was present upon move-in. 
 
When individual responsibility cannot be determined for damage in common areas, the amount may be prorated among all members of the community. Students will be given the opportunity to provide information in a timely manner prior to final billing. When an accused student is found to be responsible for damage, they will be charged for the necessary repairs, replacements, or custodial services. The student may also face disciplinary action under the vandalism policy. Hall staff response to vandalism on a floor or hall is determined through the community contract process established by students.

Appeals

At the end of each academic year, Housing and Residence Life Staff revisits each room, assessing its condition. Upon inspection if damage is found students will be sent via their Ball State email address a copy of their room inventory form showing the damage that was recorded. 
 
The student belonging to the room and charged with the damages are responsible for payment of these charges. Payment of these charges may be made in person at Bursar’s Office or through mail.  Charges will appear on the appropriate billing statement from the University through the e-bill system on Self-Service Banner and are due according to the deadline indicated there.   
 
Students charged with room damage have the option to appeal these charges in writing by filling out the following form.

Appeals

• Using, abusing, possessing, selling, distributing, manufacturing, or transferring narcotics, illegal drugs, or any controlled substance, (including marijuana, inhalants, and abuse of over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs), except as expressly permitted by law is a violation of the drug policy. Possession of drug paraphernalia, which can be demonstrated to be linked to illegal drug activity, is also a violation of this policy. Students and their guests are not permitted to possess paraphernalia such as bongs, rolling papers, deseeding trays, roach clips, scales, or any item used to inhale/ingest illegal substances, or any item used to disguise the use of drugs. Also not permitted is misusing legal substances to obtain an unnatural reaction such as aerosol cans or salvia.
  
  Federal and state laws forbid the sale and use of drugs that are not prescribed by a physician for personal use or are not available on the legal open market. Any person known to be possessing, using, or distributing such drugs is subject to university disciplinary action and possible arrest, imprisonment, or fine according to the state drug law.
  
  Violation of the drug policy will probably result in the termination of the housing contract and further disciplinary action with the Office of Student Conduct.

Cameras and Video Recordings 

• The use of cellular devices, and other technological devices with photographic and or video capabilities cannot be used in a manner that creates a hostile environment in the residence halls. A hostile environment is one that interferes significantly with a person's employment, education, and/or living condition. Residents and guests are expected to comply with a person's reasonable expectation of privacy in residence hall rooms, bathrooms, and common areas.

Safety Equipment and Security Cameras 

• For the safety and security of residents and guests, safety equipment such as security cameras may be placed in the common areas of the residence halls. People's behaviors may be recorded using these devices. It is a violation of residence hall policy to tamper with safety equipment, including security cameras.

Illegal Downloading

• Music and video downloading has become an integral part of the Internet, especially for college students. Peer to peer (P2P) networks allow users to link up with one another and share files, providing a nearly unlimited supply of music, movies, and videos. However, downloading copyright protected materials without the consent of the copyright holder is illegal. Those that are found to have illegally downloaded copyrighted music and/or movies are subject to Criminal Penalties and/or Civil Penalties ranging from $750 per work infringed to as high as $30,000. 
   
  Ball State University's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities require users of BSU computer-related resources to comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, those related to copyright and trademark. 
   
  The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade group which represents most of the major record labels. The RIAA routinely monitors popular file sharing Web sites so as to identify users' IP addresses. An organization called the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) performs a similar function for the film industry. An IP address does not identify an individual; therefore, RIAA's attorneys will contact the internet provider to obtain the names of file-sharers. While many internet providers (including many universities) will not willingly turn over their customer's information, the RIAA has been successful in obtaining subpoenas to obtain identifying information. Since July 1, 2008, over 20,000 lawsuits have been filed by the RIAA and countless "pre-litigation settlement letters" have been sent to students from various universalities nationwide offering to settle claims of copyright infringement (usually in the range of $3,000 to $5,000) with the student prior to filing suit. If the student fails to settle with the RIAA it can be assumed that the student will be sued.

Starting or attempting to start a fire, or acting in a manner that disregards the fire safety policies which results in a fire is prohibited in or around the residence halls. Negligent behavior such as not monitoring cooking and causing smoke or fire resulting in a fire alarm may be subject to discipline procedures and sanctions. Any student who discovers a fire, no matter how insignificant he/she thinks it is, should sound the alarm by pulling the nearest pull station and notify the front desk staff, a resident assistant (RA), or Residential Learning Coordinator (RLC) immediately. The building must be evacuated before attempting to contain the fire.

Students and guests must leave the buildings and go to their designated locations when a fire alarm sounds. Staff may enter rooms to do an evacuation room check if there is reason to believe that anyone could not or did not evacuate. Fire evacuation routes are posted on the back of student room doors.

Tampering with fire and safety equipment (i.e., alarms, doors, pull stations, extinguishers, security cameras) is prohibited. Students who violate this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation and may be subject to termination of the Housing and Dining contract.

Fireworks and other explosives are not permitted in the residence halls or surrounding areas. Starting or attempting to start a fire, or acting in a manner that disregards the fire safety policies which results in a fire is prohibited in or around the residence halls. Negligent behavior resulting in a fire alarm may be subject to discipline procedures and sanctions.

Furniture should not be dismantled or removed from its designated space to another area of the hall. Students who have moved items from the public areas (i.e., hall lounges, study areas) to their rooms will be charged $5 each day until the item is replaced or returned. Charges begin at the time it is determined the item is in a student room. The daily fee is in addition to an initial charge of $5 for each item moved to a student room. When necessary, room searches may be instituted to locate public area furniture. Student room furniture must also remain in the rooms. Removal of room furniture may result in replacement charges. Student room furniture should be returned to its original configuration upon vacating the room.

Residents are allowed to have visitors (any gender) with the approval of their roommate. 
 
Guests (non-residents of a particular hall) are expected to follow all policies of the University and instructions of University employees. Residents are responsible for their guests and all actions of the guests while in the halls. Guests found in violation of residence hall or University policy will be asked to leave University property immediately. Guests must be escorted at all times in any area other than the main lounge. Keys will not be issued to guests. A maximum of one (1) guest per room resident may sleep in a room for a total room maximum of four (4) nights ONLY with the permission of the roommate. 
 
Guests from the ages of 13 and under the age of 18 must have parental/guardian permission to stay as a guest of a student living in a residence hall. The student host is responsible for ensuring their guests have the appropriate permission and are registered. Parental/Guardian permission forms are available online and at the residence hall front desks. Guests age 12 and under may not stay overnight in the residence halls (unless the guest is a legal dependent of the resident) and must leave the building no later than midnight. 
 
Guests are not permitted to permanently live in the residence halls. If a guest is found to violate the spirit of the policy by living in the halls, they will be trespassed from the hall and the resident may face disciplinary charges.

Housing and Residence life provides “Not for Public Posting” bulletin board space inside each residence hall, the University Apartments Office, and in the University Apartments laundry facilities for the posting of approved non-commercial signs, notices, posters, and banners by members of the university community.  Members of the university community may submit an “Advertising” request form to have materials posted. This form allows us to confirm the posting is a university club, organization, or department. For more information refer to Ball State University’s “Non-Commercial Expressive Activity and Assembly on University Property” policy.

All bulletin boards in community areas inside the residence halls, university apartments office and university apartments laundry facilities have been designated “Not for Public Posting” as related to Ball State University’s “Non-Commercial Expressive Activity and Assembly on University Property” policy. 

Posting of material (e.g. flyers, signs, notices, banners, flags, etc…) on Community Area wall space (i.e. spaces external to individual room spaces) is not permitted without written permission from Housing and Residence Life Central Office and may be subject to immediate removal. Use of non-bulletin board advertising (e.g. banner stands, “sandwich boards”, table tents, loose flyers, etc…) in the residence hall are not permitted unless it is HRL related business (arrival, family weekend, housing contract info, etc.).

Building directional and informational signs (i.e. Bathroom signs, hygiene reminders, caution wet floor, elevator out of order, directions to the ice machine, etc…) may be located on Community Area walls with the permission and approval of the office of Housing and Residence Life Central Office. 

For more information regarding postings and advertising in the residence halls please review the office of Housing and Residence Life’s Solicitation Policy, Advertising in the Halls information and Community Areas information.

Door-to-door distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, sales, or commercial activity are not permitted within the residence halls. A student may, however, by express invitation invite a distributor, solicitor, fund-raiser, or salesman to the students' room for distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, sales to that student and the students' invited guests in the privacy of his or her own room. In addition, a student may engage in distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, or sales in the privacy of their own room.

Deliveries may be made to the lounge area only if:

• The commercial activity consists of demonstrations of goods and services not only involving sales and is sponsored by that hall's council. 

• The commercial activity, including sales, is part of a fund-raising activity of the hall's council and is conducted in accordance with the restrictions of paragraph 4.02 of the Ball State policy concerning distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, sales, and commercial activity on university property.

Ball State University is a tobacco-free campus. Use of tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and any non-FDA approved nicotine delivery device, is prohibited in all buildings, parking structures, and outdoor areas (including the residence halls or residence hall complexes). 

 
Students who violate this policy in the residence halls or non-designated areas will be subject to judicial process and a citation. Students who are found responsible of violating the policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

Students must not tamper with the equipment as indicated by local city ordinances. If the battery needs to be replaced or there is a problem with a smoke detector, the student should immediately enter a work order at the “Fix My Home” Web site*. Do not remove batteries from smoke detectors or remove smoke detectors from the ceiling. Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

*Make sure the pop-up window on your Internet browser is enabled to use the maintenance request software.

Students must prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the residence halls. Students, guests, and/or residents may not enter another resident's room without their permission. Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.