Student Handbook 2012-13

Residential Guidelines for Community Life

The following guidelines and policies are in place to preserve the facilities and provide for the safety of each resident. Failure to abide by these policies will result in disciplinary action.

Antennas/Satellites

Access to LETU Television services is provided to all on-campus residential students as well as in selected student commons. Exterior antennas and satellite systems give residence halls and apartments a cluttered appearance and are potentially damaging to roofs and buildings; therefore, they are not allowed.

Appliances

Students are permitted to use microwave ovens, small refrigerators (4.6 cubic feet or smaller with a max pull of 1.5 amps), coffee makers, popcorn poppers, hot pots, slow cooker, and blenders in their rooms. These items must be plugged directly into the wall outlet and, combined, cannot exceed 15 amps. Window air conditioning units, hot plates, and deep fryers are not permitted in residence halls. Other appliances such as George Foreman grills, electric skillets, counter top ovens, and any other high-temperature appliances with or without exposed heating elements are not allowed in rooms due to electrical wiring, smoke damage, and fire hazards but may be used in areas designated by the Resident Director. Questions regarding the use of appliances not specifically mentioned in this section should be directed to the Resident Director.

Irons used in the residence halls must have an automatic-off feature. Ironing must not be done on a bed or on the floor without proper protection from the heat. Extension cords are not permitted, however outlet center/power strip extensions that are UL-rated are allowed. If a student's use of any power cord is considered a fire hazard, the Residence Life staff will instruct the student accordingly.

Bicycles

Students must register their bicycles with the University Police Department for protection and identification in case of theft. Registration can be arranged by contacting the Security Office at (903) 233-4441 or registering online here. Students will need to provide the make, model, and serial number (see Vehicle Registration). The University also provides bicycle racks outside each residence hall. All bikes must be stored outside of buildings, unless otherwise specified by the Resident Director.

Because of the possibility of theft, the University strongly recommends that bicycles be locked with a heavy-duty lock when not in use. LeTourneau University assumes no liability for loss of or damage to bicycles while they are on university property.

At the end of each spring semester, all bicycles (except those used by students attending Summer Sessions) must be removed from the campus. During the summer, University Police will dispose of any bicycles remaining at bicycle racks that do not belong to summer residents.

Bikelids

LeTourneau University offers lockable bikelids as a service to students residing on campus. The purpose of bikelids is protection from theft and weather. There is no cost for using a Bikelid. Please contact University Police at (903) 233-4441 for more information.

Camping

Camping on university property is strictly prohibited.

Constructing on Campus/Projects in the Residence Halls

Students are permitted to construct additional shelving units (think bookshelves) for their residence hall room. Such construction must be limited in size so that they can be fully built or assembled outside the residence hall and easily carried directly into your room. Construction should occur in such a way that no object resting on the shelves rests within 18" of the ceiling, and also so that shelves are free-standing. All loft and shelving construction must be completed by the second weekend of the semester. For more information, see the "Guidelines for Residential Construction" or visit www.letu.edu/ResLife.

Any construction for a room or class project must occur outside the residence hall unless prior permission has been received from the Resident Director. Students will be held responsible for any damage incurred during construction.

Construction Zones on Campus

Due to the numerous risks and potential for serious injury, the following are expectations for student behavior within construction zones on campus: anyone found inside a fenced-in construction zone will be handed over to the local authorities for trespassing. Furthermore, anyone discovered on any structure or piece of construction equipment inside a construction zone fence will be suspended immediately.

Curfew

Although the University does not maintain a formal curfew, students are required to sign out with their Resident Assistant prior to leaving overnight or longer. It is an issue of courtesy, providing the ability to make contact in case of emergency and to know when to expect the student's return to campus. Students are subject to fines or other disciplinary action for failure to sign out. Persons outside the residence halls between 1 am and 6 am may be questioned by University Police primarily for reasons of personal and campus security.

Damage to School Property

The student is responsible for the cost of repair and/or replacement of any University property damaged regardless of whether the damage was caused by accident, neglect, or intent by the individual causing damage. In accidental damage, the student may wish to contact family members to decide if costs will be covered by their Homeowner's Policy.

Darts

Due to the possible damage to person and property, metal-tipped darts may not be used in the residence halls.

Explosives/Fireworks

Improvised explosive devices will not be tolerated anywhere on University property. Furthermore, any person using University resources to create explosive, hyper-expansive incendiary, or noxious fume/smoke devices is subject to immediate and severe disciplinary action, whether or not it is activated.

Fire Alarms

All students are expected to leave the building immediately when a fire alarm sounds, regardless of the cause of the alarm. Students not evacuating for an alarm are subject to disciplinary action.

It is important that individuals take precaution to avoid accidentally setting off a fire alarm on campus. It is critical to avoid false alarms, especially in the residence halls. Our primary concern is that a number of false alarms can desensitize students from the importance of leaving the building in potentially life-threatening situations. The secondary reason to avoid false alarms is that the City of Longview allows the Fire Department to charge the University for LFD’s response to our false alarms. Below are descriptions of the differing fines and their amounts:

• Negligent actions that result in the activation of the fire alarm (e.g., burnt food in a microwave) will result a minimum $50 fine.
• Flagrant actions that result in the activation of the fire alarm (e.g., burning a candle) will result a minimum $100 fine.
• Tampering with any components of the fire system (see “Fire Protection”) incurs a minimum $200 fine and further disciplinary action.

Please pay special attention not to use an aerosol product directly under a smoke detector, and never leave a microwave or toaster unattended.

Fire Drills

Fire drills for each living area will be held once each semester. Evacuation routes and meeting areas are posted in the hallways of each residence hall. Disregard for fire drills will result in immediate disciplinary action.

Fire Hazards

The following items are considered fire hazards and are not allowed in the residence halls: motorcycles, motorcycle parts, automobile parts, go-kart parts, tires, engines, gas tanks or containers that contain gasoline, space heaters, halogen lamps without protective grill covers, and any other flammable materials/liquids. Prohibited items found in the residence halls may be confiscated, and a fine may be assessed. Storage of flammable liquids in the residence halls will result in a minimum fine of $100 and/or other disciplinary action. Excessive accumulation of newspaper, shredded paper, clutter, trash, or other items in rooms, hallways, or stairwells is also considered a violation of fire code and therefore is prohibited. By order of the Longview Fire Marshal, hallways and stairwells must always be clear of lumber, lofts, boxes, furniture and other obstructions, at all times. (See also “Open Flames”)

Fire Protection

All rooms and hallways are equipped with smoke detectors which will be checked regularly by Residence Life and/or Facilities Services staff. Tampering with or disabling a smoke detector by removing the battery, disconnecting power, or covering in any way will result in a fine of up to $200, and/or other disciplinary action. Emergency flood lights and overhead emergency night lights are located in the hallways of all residence halls. Tampering with emergency lights by disengaging the light bulbs will result in a fine of up to $200, and/or other disciplinary action.

Guests

If an invited guest desires to stay with a resident overnight, he/she must sign the register on the Resident Assistant’s door as well as notify the RD (in person or by phone/email). A guest may stay a maximum of five nights within one semester (consecutive or not). The guest’s first three nights of stay are at no cost; the cost for the fourth and fifth nights is $5.00 per night. The hosting resident is responsible for their guest’s actions.

Hazing/Initiation

Texas State Law and the University do not allow initiation activities which can do mental or bodily harm to any person, or which is offensive to the dignity of an individual. No person may be forced against his/her will to do anything he/she does not want to do. Violations of this principle may result in loss of University status for the individual or group, in University discipline, and/or in State prosecution.

Statement from the Texas State Penal Code: “

Hazing” means any intentional knowing, or reckless act, occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution, by one person alone or acting with others, directed against a student that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in, or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are students at an educational institution.

The term “hazing” includes, but is not limited to:

• Any type of physical brutality, such as whipping, beating, striking, branding, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on the body, or similar activity;
• Any type of physical activity, such as sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, calisthenics, or other activity that subjects the student to an unreasonable risk or harm or that adversely affects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
• Any activity involving consumption of a food, liquid, alcoholic beverage, liquor, drug, or other substance which subjects the student to an unreasonable risk of harm or which adversely effects the mental or physical health or safety of the student;
• Any activity that intimidates or threatens the student with ostracism that subjects the student to extreme mental stress, shame, or humiliation, or that adversely effects the student from entering or remaining registered in an educational institution, or that may reasonably be expected to cause a student to leave the organization or the institution rather than submit to acts described in this subsection;
• Any activity that induces, causes, or requires the student to perform a duty or task that involves a violation of the Penal Code.

A person commits an offense if the person:

• engages in hazing;
• solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid another in engaging in hazing;
• intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly permits hazing to occur; or
• has firsthand knowledge of the planning of a specific hazing incident involving a student in an educational institution, or firsthand knowledge that a specific hazing incident has occurred, and knowingly fails to report said knowledge in writing to the Dean of Students or other appropriate officials of the institution.

Online Resources:

Beyond the laws of the state of Texas, our desire is for every organization and living area on campus to create an atmosphere of love where we can live well together and outdo each other in showing honor to those around us (Romans 12:10).

ID Cards/Identification

As a means of ensuring the safety and security of the University community, all students, faculty, and staff are required to present their University-issued ID card upon request by University Police officers, guards, or University officials. ID cards are created in the Division of Student Life or during Edge and Orientation events. Replacement cards for students are $10 each. The Division of Student Life will not supply temporary ID cards for use in the dining hall or other locations; if an ID card is lost or damaged, it must be replaced immediately with a new card and the former card will be deactivated.

All individuals at the Abbott Aviation Center (AAC) campus must be identified by a name tag or ID card as specified below. All tags and/or ID cards must be clearly displayed on or above the waist AT ALL TIMES when on the AAC campus.

• All LeTourneau University faculty, staff, and students must have their university name tags or ID cards clearly displayed.
• Aviation and law enforcement personnel (e.g. TSA, FAA, Lakeport Police Department, Gregg County Sheriff'’s Office, airport management personnel, etc.) are not required to have LETU identification, but must have their personnel badge or ID card clearly displayed.
• All others must check-in at the receptionist desk, admissions office, or dispatch counter and be issued a visitor tag (e.g. visitor, vendor, admissions, alumni, etc.).
• All children must be accompanied by an adult with appropriate identification at all times.
• No one may enter the Airport Operations Area (AOA) unless escorted by an authorized person wearing a blue identification badge issued by the Gregg County Sheriff’'s department.

Keys and Locks

Only University-approved locks are to be used on residence hall rooms and within the residential societies. If a lock does not work properly, the Resident Assistant should be notified immediately to initiate repairs or replacement. The Resident Director, University Police, and Facility Services must have a key to any door locks (building, room, and any storage area) in any residence on campus. The possession or use of unauthorized copies of keys, keys created by persons other than designated University staff, or any lock-picking equipment will result in disciplinary action that may include suspension. (See also “Security Systems”)

Laundry

Our coin-operated laundries are located east of Trinity Halls and north of Tyler Hall for all students, and inside several residence halls. It is open every day with hours posted. In addition, the Village Center provides laundry facilities for residents of the Village Apartments only. Please contact your Resident Director for information on collecting money lost in one of the laundry machines.

Lounges

Lounge areas are provided for enjoyment and fellowship and are to be kept neat and orderly. Lounge furniture must not be removed from the lounge for any reason without prior approval from the Resident Director. Lounges are open according to posted schedules; they are available for special events and reservations through the Resident Assistant or Resident Director.

The main lobbies for the residence halls (including the Village Center) are open to members of the opposite sex from 8 am to 12 midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and from 8 am through 1 am, Friday and Saturday. Please note that hours may vary slightly from building to building.

Mattresses

University mattresses are not to be removed from rooms for any reason. Sheets must be used at all times and washed on a regular basis. Our mattresses are 39” x 80” and require Twin-XL (extra-long) bedding.

Microwaves and Refrigerators

Students may bring their own microwave and mini refrigerators for their rooms. These items must be plugged directly into the wall outlet. Refrigerators must not exceed 4.6 cubic feet in size or use more than 1.5 amps of electricity (all items requiring electricity cannot total more than 15 amps in one room). Students are expected to clean these units regularly as part of room inspections. Refrigerators are to be unplugged, and perishable food/beverage items are to be removed from these units during Christmas break each year. (See also “Appliances”)

Open Flames

Open flames or incense is not allowed in the residence halls and are allowed in other areas only as approved by the Associate Dean of Student Life. Open flames or heating coils of any kind without administrative approval will result in a fine of up to $100, and/or other disciplinary action. (See also “Fire Hazards”)

Paintball Guns

Paintball guns may not be used or stored on campus, though they may be stored in the trunk of a personal vehicle for off-campus recreational use.

Pets/Animals in the Residence Halls

Except for fish, all animals are prohibited in University-owned housing for any length of time.

Quiet/Courtesy Hours

Quiet hours are from 11 pm to 9 am for all living areas. Additional evening quiet hours will be decided by each floor at the beginning of the year and should correspond to those set elsewhere in the residence halls. During quiet hours, noise and music must be contained within one’s room.

Throughout the rest of the day, students are expected to observe “courtesy hours” by being sensitive to the quiet needs of those around them. Each student is encouraged to confront his/her neighbor when noise or music volume is excessive. Further complaints concerning excessive noise and music volume should be directed to the Resident Assistant or Resident Director. Continued problems with excessive music volume may result in sanctions such as the confiscation of the student’s equipment.

Right of Entrance

The University reserves the right of entrance by approved University personnel into students’ rooms at any time for the purpose of maintenance, repairs and/or inspection. Such inspections may routinely take place during scheduled breaks and at other times during the semester. A room search, conducted by Student Life personnel, is authorized when there is reason to believe that an individual is violating University community standards or using the room to conduct illegal or immoral activity. Access for such a search will be gained in accordance with Residence Life policies for room entry. If an illegal activity is discovered in such a search, it will be stopped and University Police will be notified. The search may then be resumed in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas concerning search and seizure. In the case of an emergency involving clear and present danger that life or property is in immediate or imminent danger, any University personnel may also enter a room immediately.

Roofs

Due to the high risk of personal injury and the accelerated deterioration of the roofs, no student is allowed on the roof of any building without permission from the Dean of Students.

Room Furnishings/Wall Hangings

University-provided furnishings are not to be removed from a room without permission from the Resident Director, nor are they to be stored anywhere other than the room or apartment. In the Village Apartments, University furniture may not be stored in the attic or moved outside of the apartment at any time.

In living areas with sheet rock walls (Gilbert Hall, Thomas Hall, Davis Hall, the Quads, South Hall, Village Apartments and Societies), posters may be attached to the walls with straight pins or brad nails. Use brad nails or straight pins with moderation. In these residence halls, Plasti-tac should be used on all wood surfaces. In Tyler Hall and the Trinities, no items of any kind may be attached to any surface of the room other than with Plasti-tac. The use of 3M Brand Command Strips and Mavalus Brand Dorm Tape is recommended as another method of hanging items on either drywall or cinder block. Other items are allowed only as approved by the Resident Assistant or Resident Director. Please seek counsel from your RD if you have questions.

Room Inspections

For reasons of hygiene, personal responsibility, and community safety, rooms are to be kept clean at all times. Each Resident Director will work with his or her Resident Assistants to complete regular room inspections to insure that the room is clean and orderly. A majority of the room inspections will be held at regular intervals (in residence halls, these will occur every two weeks; in the Village Apartments, every three weeks) and should be announced well in advance. A member of the Residence Life Staff will hold regularly scheduled room/safety inspections. In addition, “spot” inspections may be held without prior notice. Each room should be maintained in a clean and orderly manner. The neatness and cleanliness of a living area are the responsibility of each student.

Storage

There are limited storage areas in most residence halls. The maximum allowable number of boxes for storage will be communicated to each resident by their Resident Assistant or Resident Director. There is no provision for storage of junk vehicles or furniture; those items are the responsibility of the student. When the residence halls close, all items stored in the floor storage room must be prepared as follows:

• Stored within a closed box: use a rigid carton with flaps intact. If reusing a carton, be sure it is in good condition with no holes. Wrap items separately and use adequate cushioning material.
• Boxes must be completely closed and taped with a strong tape designed for shipping.
• The box must be labeled as if it were being shipped. The student’s permanent delivery address must be written clear and complete.
• Stored items may not include food or any other perishable item likely to cause mold or other decomposition damage. If a student does not return to LeTourneau University, his/her items in floor storage will not be held longer than 30 days.

It is the student’s responsibility to retrieve the items in person or request that the stored items be mailed. The Mail Center will mail the student’s items only after payment is received from the student to cover shipping costs. The Mail Center will not mail stored items that are not ready to be shipped as described above.

PLEASE NOTE: THE UNIVERSITY ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR LOSS OR DAMAGE TO ITEMS STORED IN FLOOR STORAGE AREAS

Security/Access Systems

Abusing and/or vandalizing the security or access system is considered injurious to fellow students and compromises the safety of the buildings’ residents. Serious disciplinary action (including fines, the possibility of suspension, and the potential for criminal prosecution) will be taken in the case of a student who compromises the safety of residents. (See also “Keys and Locks”)

Shuttle Transportation

Shuttles to and from the airport, bus station, or train depot are the responsibility of the student. Students should make complete travel arrangements prior to the opening and closing dates of each semester.

Street Signs

In order to assure compliance with state law, students may only possess and display street, construction, or traffic signs if he or she has a proof of purchase, or can demonstrate that the sign was formally discontinued by traffic authorities.

Surveys

Surveys for any purpose, including those academically related, may be administered only after the originator of the survey has submitted a copy to the Dean of Students and has obtained subsequent approval. (See also “Student Research Policy” in the Special Policies section)

Telephones

Students living on campus acquire telephone service through the Office of Information Technology. The cost of local and on-campus telephone service is included in student housing fees and married apartment rent.

Students provide their own telephones and may bring any type of residential telephone. Each student is provided a unique telephone number; however, there is only one telephone line per room. Both telephone numbers ring to the same line. Therefore, only one telephone is necessary per room. The student telephone number that is called determines which voicemail box (which student’s email inbox) receives the message. Long distance service is not provided on residential telephones; students must use calling cards or other services that can be reached by calling a local or toll-free number from the rooms and lounges.

Students are not to accept collect calls, charge long distance calls to any telephone number on campus or any other long distance company, or charge telegrams through Western Union to any telephone number on campus. Any student responsible for such a charge to a campus telephone number will be billed for the charge and a subsequent fine. These restrictions are discussed in detail in the University’'s telephone policy. Copies of the policy may be obtained from the Division of Student Life.

Any student found committing telephone fraud in any way with the intent of using service without being charged for the usage or by using an authorization code that does not belong to them to obtain service will be subject to disciplinary action or prosecution by LeTourneau University.

Televisions

Students may have televisions in their rooms and LeTourneau University expects discretion in television viewing. (See also “Antennas/Satellites” and “Videos”) Digital cable service is provided in each residence hall and lounge. It is important to note that some TVs perform much better than others (and some not at all) on the LeTourneau digital cable system. A helpful guide on suitable TVs can be viewed here.

Videos

There are certain copyright laws that govern the use of rented or purchased video-recorded materials, limiting the use of these materials to personal and/or home settings. These laws are ambiguous as to whether a residence hall or its lounges qualify as a “home setting,” so it is important that caution and restraint are exercised in using rented or purchased video-recorded materials on campus. Therefore, campus residents must abide by the following guidelines concerning a video that is not purchased through a licensing agency and is categorized as “home use only”:

• Printed materials must not be used to advertise the video showing and it may not be a fundraiser.
• A fee must not be charged (either formally or informally) and donations must not be requested from the viewing audience.
• The video must only be viewed in a student’s room or in a floor/wing/house lounge.
• The video must not be viewed in any area that would be considered public, such as a residence hall main lobby.
• The viewing audience must be limited to residents of the floor/wing/house in which the video is being viewed, and the residents’ invited guests.

Water Fights

Due to the potential damage to residents, their belongings, and the facility as a whole, water fights are not allowed in the residence hall or between non-consenting individuals anywhere on campus. Fines will be imposed and students held responsible for any damage that occurs.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds are prohibited in the residence halls. Exceptions may be considered for individuals who display a specific need for a waterbed that can be verified by a physician.

Weapons

The possession of any weapon—licensed or unlicensed—on any property owned, leased or operated by LeTourneau University is strictly prohibited. Firearms, with the exception of those in the lawful possession of a Peace Officer, are prohibited. The term “weapons” includes, but is not limited to: firearms, ammunition, explosive or incendiary substances, swords, spears, blow guns, martial arts weapons, crossbows, or illegal/prohibited knives (as defined by Chapter 46 of the Texas Penal Code).

The following non-exhaustive list provides an overview of the types of knives and edged weapons that may not be brought to any LeTourneau University facility:

• Blades over 5.5”
• Switchblades
• Butterfly knives (Balisongs)
• Bowie knives
• Gurkha knives
• Daggers
• Dirks
• Kris
• Poniard
• Stiletto
• Shurikens (throwing stars)
• Trench knives
• Machete
• Throwing knives or hatchets
• Tomahawks
• Any type of sword
• Belt buckle knives
• Any folding knife using gravity or centrifugal force to open
• Any hand instrument (knife, star, dart, etc.) designed to cut or stab by being thrown

Other items that are prohibited on University property are: BB guns, pellet guns and Airsoft guns.

Dry Ice bombs, Works bombs and any other explosive, hyper-expansive or incendiary devices constitute a highly dangerous, unstable and illegal device and are prohibited. Fireworks of any kind are prohibited on any LETU property. This is reinforced by city ordinance within Longview, TX city limits.

The Residence Life staff and University Police staff are available to help determine whether a weapon-like device is permitted on-campus. The Student Life staff will rely on the expertise of the Chief of Police to assist in the interpretation of the weapons policy.

Persons wishing to bring a compound bow, long-bow, or recurve bow to campus MUST be a member in good standing of the LeTourneau University Archery Club and must make prior arrangements with the Faculty Advisor of the club prior to bringing the bow to campus. Archery Club members must store their bows with the University Police Department.

Vandalism

Especially due to its destructive, disrespectful, and dishonoring nature, acts of vandalism will not be tolerated and participation in acts of vandalism will result in disciplinary action. Vandalism is defined as “a deliberate act of property destruction; the severe disruption of normal University operations; or the malicious, intentional, and willful destruction or defacing of public or private property.”

Visitation

Members of the opposite sex are not allowed in rooms or hallways without permission from the Resident Director. The exceptions to this policy are during scheduled visitation hours or open houses held periodically throughout the year. The typical hours of visitation are listed below, with the exception of certain holidays throughout the school year (i.e., Fall Break, Spring Break, Easter Break, and Thanksgiving Break):

•  Traditional Residence Halls
  • Thursday, Friday, and Saturday: 6 - 11 pm
  • Sunday: 5 - 9 pm
• Apartments, Societies, and Private Upper-Division Quads
  • Every Day: Noon - 11 pm

During visitation hours or open house, a resident’s door must be completely open with a light on when a member of the opposite sex is in the room. Failure to comply with these visitation policies will result in loss of visitation privileges and/or other disciplinary action.