Information & Policies

The Mission of Residence Life at Gordon College

We exist to glorify God through the cultivation of an intentional Christian community committed to helping students:

• GROW in understanding,
• EXPERIENCE community, and
• SERVE faithfully.

Residence Life Staff 
Resident Directors, Resident Advisors, and Apartment Coordinators facilitate student’s growth, experience, and opportunities for service by fostering an intentional community, investing in relationships, developing and implementing programs, providing services, and connecting students to resources. It is our desire that all of our relationships, programs, services, and interactions with students honor God while facilitating students’ learning and holistic development, thus contributing to the educational mission of the college.

• The Resident Director is a professional who is responsible for the overall administration of the residence hall. Available for counseling, leadership training, college-life information, crisis intervention and other residence hall needs, Resident Directors also provide the structure and limits necessary to maintain healthy community life. 
• Resident Advisors (RAs) and Apartment Coordinators (ACs) are Gordon students who have been selected for their leadership and maturity. Their primary responsibilities are to be available to students and to assist the Resident Director in cultivating an intentional Christian community that will enhance personal growth and academic success.

Fees

Throughout the semester resident students may desire services and equipment best provided through the residence hall staff. To provide for various hall needs, a residence fee of $15 is assessed to each resident per semester. These fees go into a fund which is administered by the residence hall staff. Ten dollars per resident is used for floor and hall activities. The remaining $5 is placed in a contingency fund to pay for repairs if a common area is damaged and it is not possible to determine what person is responsible for the damage. If money remains in this contingency fund at the end of a semester, it is used for the benefit of the residence life program or to purchase items to upgrade the hall.

Housing

Off-Campus Housing
Gordon is a four-year residential college, which means that students are required to live on campus, unless granted special permission by the Director of Housing. Students who are married, are 23 years of age or older, are living with relatives, have part-time status qualify to live off campus. They must apply before the deadline for each academic year that they plan to live off campus. Mid-year petitions will only be considered in extraordinary circumstances. 

Students who live off-campus are expected to comply with all aspects of the Gordon College Life and Conduct Statement and are never permitted to live unmarried with a member of the opposite gender.

Apartment and Upperclassmen Housing
The following provisions apply to the Bromley and Tavilla Hall apartment units and spaces in the Village:

1. Only juniors, seniors, or students at least 20 years of age may be residents of an apartment or the Village.
2. Visitors of the opposite gender will be permitted in the living rooms and kitchen areas, and the bedrooms with bedroom doors fully open, during the following hours: Sunday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight. No individual (student or nonstudent) is to be in an apartment of members of the opposite gender at hours other than these. Living Rooms and Kitchens in the Village are 24-hour common areas. 
3. All expectations regarding on-campus behavior will apply to the apartment building and the Village, including provisions regarding alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, etc...
4. Normal disciplinary procedures will be utilized when residents violate behavioral expectations. Anyone violating those expectations may be required to move from their current living situation.
5. There will be a thorough inspection of each apartment at least once a year, with appropriate follow-up by Physical Plant and Student Life. Costs of cleaning or repairs necessitated by excessive wear and tear will be charged to the occupants.
6. Guests will be permitted to stay overnight in on-campus apartments or in the Village for no more than three consecutive nights, and for a maximum of two stays per month.
7. Apartment residents who follow normal semester-break housing guidelines may petition to stay in their apartments during semester breaks if their particular apartment buildings are being kept open. Apartment residents are expected to cooperate with the need to house other students in their apartments during Christmas break. This is not true of the Village. 
8. When a resident moves out of an apartment, students may be assigned to empty spaces at the discretion of Student Life.

Other Housing
The following provisions apply to all other residence halls on campus:

• Behavior All expectations regarding on-campus behavior as enumerated in the student handbook will apply to the non-apartment halls and their residents. Violations of these expectations will result in normal disciplinary action and may include loss of housing privileges.
• Common Areas Lounges, laundry areas, and the lobby of a building are common areas, open to any member of the residence on a 24 -hour basis (unless members of the hall voluntarily decide to impose specific restrictions). Because these are public areas, it is expected that students will conduct themselves with discretion and respect for the rights of others.
• Living Areas Except during visitation hours, residents and nonresidents are not to be in the wings, floors or stairways of the opposite gender.

Housing During Vacation Periods
All students are required to leave the residence halls during official College breaks unless they have extenuating circumstances (e.g., residence in another country, participation in Gordon athletic events during break, or student teaching). Students may apply to stay on campus in the designated residence hall. Students who are not required to stay on campus during break will be charged a daily fee. Housing during summer vacation is available for a limited number of current students at a weekly rate that includes one meal per day. (See Availability of Rooms.)

Guest Housing
Guests may stay overnight in the residence hall when the College is in session. The appropriate resident advisor must be notified of guest name(s) and visiting dates. Guests using residents' rooms must have permission of the residents whose beds they use. Under no circumstances may guests sleep in common areas. Guests may stay a maximum of three consecutive nights on campus and may do so no more than twice each month. Gordon College's residence hall and campus policies apply to guests as well as residents. Hosts are responsible for the actions of guests. A guest failing to comply with regulations will be asked to leave the campus.

Housing Procedures

Room Assignments
Resident students must be full-time registered students at Gordon College. Any exceptions must be approved by the Director of Housing, in conjunction with the Dean of Student Care. The College reserves the right to make room and roommate assignments while allowing students as much freedom of choice in this matter as possible. Prospective roommates are not subject to any preconditions or approval that would deny them access to any room. The College also reserves the right to change room assignments or terminate a housing contract whenever this seems to be in the best interest of the community. For billing purposes a single room is defined as a room with one occupant, a double room is a room with two occupants and a triple room is a room with three occupants, regardless of room size or possible occupancy.

Availability of Rooms
The residence halls will be open for occupancy when the College is in session. Opening dates are posted in the academic calendar and opening time is 2 p.m. on those dates. Students requesting access to their rooms before official residence hall opening dates may petition for permission to arrive early by emailing Housing@gordon.edu. Students who arrive earlier than the opening dates without prior permission will be charged $30 per night. Students should vacate their rooms within 24 hours of their last exam at the end of the fall semester and check out of their rooms within 24 hours of their last exam at the end of the year.

Check-In
When checking into a residence hall at the beginning of the year, each student must report to the appropriate staff member, who will issue the residence hall and/or residence room key(s) or ID card. At that time the student will complete a check-in form indicating the condition of the room (Room Condition Inventory) and acknowledging receipt of the key(s).

Changing Rooms
Any student who wishes to change his or her room assignment must first gain the approval of his/her Resident Director. Gordon's residence philosophy considers alterations of living arrangements during the year counterproductive to the development of the residence community. Every effort will be made to resolve any conflicts or issues between students and their roommates and neighbors before a room change will be approved. As a last resort, and at the consideration of all involved, approval to leave the current room may be granted by the Resident Director. At that point, the student must fill out a Room Change Request form, which needs to be turned into the Director of Housing in Student Life. Ultimate approval for any room change must be granted by the Director of Housing. 

Checkout
Each resident must check out in person with the appropriate staff member at the end of the year, or sooner if a student withdraws from the College or arranges to change rooms. Unless specifically excused from any of these steps by the Resident Director, the student should schedule a time to inventory the condition of the room; sign the checkout form in the appropriate manner; return the key(s); and vacate the room. Students not following this procedure will be assessed a $30 Improper Checkout fine. Students will be held responsible for any damages or custodial requirements not reported on the Room Condition Inventory during the check-in procedure.

Keys
Residents are expected to carry keys or key cards for their halls and rooms when they leave their rooms. A resident advisor (RA) should be available in emergencies to open the door of a student who is locked out of his/her room. If a student is locked out of a residence hall at night, he or she should immediately contact Gordon Police. Residents in a hall at night should not open doors for nonresident students wishing to enter the hall. If a resident loses his/her room or hall key during the semester, he/she must notify the Resident Director immediately. The Resident Director will assess a fee of $25 for a new room key and $50 for a new hall key; replacement of both keys is mandatory. Any student found with an unauthorized or duplicated key will be subject to a fine of $100 and disciplinary action.

Room Selection Process
In order to participate in any aspect of the room selection process, you must be registered for fall classes and pay a housing deposit. Housing selection for the next school year takes place during the end of the third quad and goes throughout the fourth quad. The housing selection process is as follows: off campus housing, single room applications, apartments & the Village, current room reservation and "reserve and appeal", the general housing lottery. Be sure to view the Housing Selection Flow Chart for additional information!

• Apartment Housing: Groups of students (the number applying equal to the apartment capacity) desiring to live in an apartment must submit a group application. The selection process consists of a point system based on eligibility and class, and is open only to students 20 years of age or older, or at least junior status. Students on disciplinary probation are not eligible to apply for apartments unless approved by the Dean of Student Care.
• The Village: Students may apply in groups of 2,4 or 6 (for 1-3 rooms) for spaces in the newly renovated Road Hall Village! The selection process consists of a point system based on eligibility and class, and is open only to students 20 years of age or older, or at least junior status. Students on disciplinary probation are not eligible to apply for apartments unless approved by the Dean of Student Care.

• Current Room Reservation: You may reserve your current room with a roommate(s) of your choice. Two people must reserve a double room, three people for a triple room, and four people for a quad. Any attempt to reserve more than one room will result in all students in each room being removed from housing. If you do not want to reserve your current room, it will be reserved for new students or will be open in the general room selection process. Apartments, singles, HUD and Nyland suites may not be reserved. If you would like a different room in your current hall, you may reserve your current room and submit a “reserve and appeal” for a new room in your current residence hall, again with the appropriate number of roommates. NOTE: “Reserve and Appeal” requests are granted at the discretion of the Director of Housing and the Resident Director. Any students who do not secure a room will participate in the housing lottery. A final option is to request an "Appeal Only" within your current hall. This does not guarantee you a space anywhere, and if your appeal is denied you will have to go to the Housing Lottery. 

• Lottery: Priority in the room assignment process is based on a student's class as of the first day of spring semester. Every student will be given a random draw number within their class. Students will choose a housing space in order of their class and draw number (current seniors first and current freshmen last). Students without a roommate who sign up for a double or triple room will have other students assigned to the open space(s).

Residence Hall Facilities
All residence halls are equipped with a kitchen for the use of residents within that hall. It is the residents' responsibility to keep the kitchen clean and to respect the property of others (e.g. food, utensils, etc.). Kitchens may be closed off or fines levied if respectful use is not demonstrated.

Laundry and Vending Machines
Washers and dryers are available in the residence halls for resident student use. Vending machines are also available in some residence halls. All problems with the vending machines, or need for a refund of money lost in the machines, should be reported to Auxiliary Services, ext. 4532 . Concerns with the laundry machines should be submitted through your RA/AC through the work request system. 

Residence Hall Exteriors
Students are never permitted to be on a residence hall roof or to climb the exterior of a residence hall.

Storage
Each of the halls has space available for baggage storage during the school year and between semesters. During vacation periods and for the length of the summer recess, each resident of a hall is entitled to keep two clearly labeled items in the designated storage areas. International students and domestic students who are from a significant distance away may be granted permission to store up to four items depending on the amount of space in the storage room. Permission must be granted by the Resident Director of the building in which they live. Unclaimed or unlabeled items will be donated to charity by the College. Tires, bicycles, furniture, motorcycles or flammable items may never be stored in residence halls. Exception: See Bicycle Storage.

Bicycle Storage
Bicycles may be stored only in designated bike storage areas (in Chase, Fulton, Ferrin, Nyland and Gedney Halls). Storage in students' rooms or in areas of residence halls other than those noted above is prohibited. Outside, bikes must be parked on bicycle racks only. All bicycles on campus must be registered with Gordon Police and display a registration sticker (for which there is no charge). Improperly parked bicycles may be confiscated and the owners fined. To prevent theft, bicycles should be locked with U-bolt or other heavy-duty locks. Student Life does not guarantee indoor storage space for all bicycles brought to campus. Students should weigh the necessity for having a bicycle and the likely frequency of use when deciding whether to bring bicycles to campus.

Financial Liability
The College assumes no responsibility and does not provide insurance or any other financial protection for the personal property stored by students. It is recommended that students obtain insurance protection against loss, damage or theft of personal property.

Furnishings
College equipment, furniture or plants must not be dismantled, removed from the building or moved from one room to another without authorization. Students must not remove equipment attached to the walls. A fine of at least $25 will be levied against individuals who remove such items without permission.

Waterbeds are not allowed in residence halls due to their size and weight.

Upholstered furniture is not permitted in non-apartment residence halls. Upholstered furniture in Bromley, Tavilla and the Ferrin apartments must comply with California Technical Bulletin 117 fire code. Furniture must have an attached tag with the appropriate fire code listed. Personal nonupholstered furniture made of bamboo or rattan is not permitted. Futons may be used as long as the mattress has an attached tag showing it complies with California Technical Bulletin 129 or BFD 1x-11.

Due to the high temperatures generated by halogen lamps and the possibility of flammable materials being ignited by contact with them, halogen lamps are not permitted in residence halls. Multi-headed lamps are also not allowed in residence halls. 

Closing Hours
To maintain security of the buildings, each hall is locked 24 hours per day. Nonresidents must leave the building at 10 p.m. unless escorted by a resident of the hall.

Night Lobby and Lounge Policy

• Nonresidents will be allowed to enter and/or remain in the lobby or lounge of a residence hall only while they are guests of, and in the presence of, a resident of that hall.
• Students are reminded that lobbies and lounges are public areas. It is assumed that students will conduct themselves with discretion and respect for the rights of others.
• Students or their guests are never permitted to sleep in the lounges.

Community Guidelines

Visitation Hours
Visitation hours provide resident students opportunities for informal social interaction and interpersonal growth within the context of the residence hall atmosphere. Additionally, they are seen in some instances as social events which can provide students the opportunity to meet other students. Visitation hours are not intended to provide complete privacy. As always, but particularly during visitation hours, it is expected that students will conduct themselves with discretion and a respect for the rights of others. They must be careful to maintain a biblical standard of morality and be sensitive to community standards of good taste and decency.

• There are campus-wide visitation hours in non-apartment on the following schedule: Monday- Thursday, 5 p.m.-10 p.m.; Friday, 5 p.m.-midnight; Saturday, 1 p.m.-midnight; and Sunday, 1 p.m.-10 p.m.
• Upperclassmen building (Bromley, Tavilla & the Village) visitation hours are as follows: Sunday-Thursday, 11am-11pm; Friday & Saturday, 11am-midnight. 
• The Resident Director or an appointed RA/AC is responsible for supervision of visitation hours.
• Visitation hours are not intended to provide complete privacy. Therefore, in order to maintain a suitable environment during visitation hours, doors must remain fully open and lights left on while entertaining guests, and excessive or offensive displays of affection will not be acceptable.
• Because Gordon is a Christian community, it is expected that students will take mutual responsibility for one another, committing themselves to an active role in the maintenance of both the spirit and the letter of this policy. If the policy is not upheld, students may lose their visitation privileges. Except during visitation hours, individuals are not to enter the stairwell or living areas of the opposite gender in residence halls without prior, explicit permission of the resident director or RA/AC.

Quiet Hours
All residents are required to refrain from causing any disturbing sound or disruption. A disturbing sound is defined as that which interferes with study, sleep or any other legitimate educational/residential activity, regardless of the time. This requires residents to be considerate of one another 24 hours a day and especially from 11 p.m. to 9 a.m. (designated quiet hours). Residents are encouraged to confront one another when their rights to study or sleep are being violated and to respect the residence life staff in their discretionary enforcement of the policy.

Campus-wide 24-hour quiet hours are in effect during final exam weeks. It is expected that all residents will especially respect the rights of others to study and sleep during these times.

Audio, Music and Video Equipment
According to federal law, no individual or group may publicly show a film that is copyrighted unless the appropriate royalty fees have been paid. Videos that have been rented from local establishments or purchased are covered by this law. Individual students may rent and show video movies to a small group of relatives or friends in the privacy of a residence hall room or lounge. The showing may not be publicly advertised nor open to the public. The use of small practice musical amplifiers is permitted in the residence hall if used within the guidelines for quiet hours/courtesy hours. Large amplifiers are permitted only for special events with approval of the resident director. At the discretion of the resident director, stereos/TVs/DVD players/musical instruments or equipment privileges will be rescinded temporarily for those students who consistently disregard the requests of others to turn down such equipment, or for students found broadcasting music or sound out of windows, from patios, etc., or for students who broadcast lyrics of a morally offensive nature. If audio abuse remains a pattern, this equipment may be removed for a specified period of time at the discretion of the resident director.

Pranks
Any prank must be respectful and courteous, and adhere to the following guidelines:

• It must not violate any College behavioral standard or community guideline (e.g., visitation, quiet hours).
• It must not jeopardize anyone's health or safety.
• Destruction of property is never permitted. Consequences may be assessed for inappropriate pranks and/or damages.

Windows and Screens
The College reserves the right to limit the quantity and types of items displayed in or on room windows so as to maintain the attractive appearance of the building. Screens are not to be removed from residence hall windows. Under no circumstances are the fasteners to be broken, bent or removed. Student(s) in a room where a screen has been removed will be charged $25 each, plus damages if appropriate. Under no circumstances are windows to be used for entering or leaving the residence hall or for transferring items in or out of the residence hall; if this occurs, anyone involved will be assessed a fine of a minimum of $25.

Water, Snow, Etc.
Anyone involved in throwing or spraying water, snow, shaving cream, etc., into, out of, at, or within a residence hall will be fined a minimum of $25 each; be held responsible for any damages or custodial problems; and face disciplinary action for jeopardizing the safety and welfare of the community.

Sports
Sports in the residence hall are not permitted. Recreational facilities are available elsewhere. Students participating in any sports in a residence hall without the direct approval of the Resident Director for special events will be fined a minimum of $25 each, be held responsible for any damages or custodial problems, and face disciplinary action for their disturbance to the safety and welfare of the community.

Room and Hallway Policies

Entry and Inspection of Rooms
The College reserves the right to have authorized personnel enter any unit for the purposes of periodic inspection, repair, or when there is reason to believe that the health and safety of residents is in jeopardy. A College staff member may also search a student's room, accompanied by a staff member from Student Life, when there is reasonable cause to believe that College regulations are being violated.

Cleanliness of Rooms
Students are responsible for minimum standards of cleanliness in their rooms. Vacuum cleaners are available in each residence hall for use by students.

Recycling
Students are expected to adhere to the rules and regulations of the campus waste recycling policy. Students consistently disregarding recycling efforts or found disposing of trash inappropriately will be fined and/or face disciplinary action.

Room Decoration Limitations

1. Means of Attachment: Students are not permitted to use nails (even if preexisting) or tacks anywhere in their rooms. Putty or 3M "Command"™ style hangers that do not damage painted surfaces may be used to hang posters, etc. Other types of adhesives such as tape, picture hangers, decals, etc., may not be used as they are potentially damaging to most surfaces. Plant hooks or other items that penetrate the ceiling in any hall are not permitted. Removal of ceiling tiles is never permitted.
2. Types of Items: No alcoholic beverage containers are permitted in the residence hall. Only flame-retardant products and other materials may be used for decorating in residence halls. No decorations made from dried plant matter or from evergreens may be used (e.g., Christmas trees, wreaths, etc.). Upholstered furniture is not permitted in non-apartment residence halls. Upholstered furniture in the Bromley, Tavilla and Ferrin apartments must comply with California Technical Bulletin 117. Personal nonupholstered furniture may not be used in any residence hall if it is made of bamboo or rattan. Futons with solid wood or metal frames may be used if the mattress complies with California Technical Bulletin 129 or BFD 1x-11. Students must prove through attached fire code tags that a particular furnishing complies with the required fire code. Falsifying fire code tags on upholstered furniture, futons, or any decoration is cause for disciplinary action. Furnishings must not cause an obstruction that limits easy access into and out of the room. No lit candles, incense, or other combustible items will be permitted in residence halls; any violation will result in a $100 fine and disciplinary action. Any fabric/tapestry material that is used as a room decoration must be listed as fire-retardant on an attached label. This material may only be hung against a wall and may not be used in any way to divide the room or cover windows/doors/furniture. At no time are fire alarms, detectors, extinguishers, electrical outlets, room lights, etc., to be covered by decorations.
3. Nothing may be hung from ceilings. Strings of UL-approved rope-style Christmas lights may be hung only along the perimeter of the room near the ceiling. They may never be hung across, through or over doorways, windows, any walking space, or wrapped around furniture. Extension cords, phone cords and computer cables may not be strung across floors, ceilings or windows-only along the perimeter of the room. They may be strung across doorways where permanent support fixtures have been installed. Nothing may be hung on doors. Hallway or room wall decorations must not exceed 50 percent of the surface area in buildings with sprinklers and 10 percent of the surface area in buildings without sprinklers. Doorways, hallways and stairwells must be kept clear of decorations and furnishings that may cause obstructions of any kind. Floor or desk lamps with halogen bulbs or paper lampshades (such as the popular decorative oriental lamps) are not permitted.
4. The College reserves the right to require removal of decorations (posters, etc.) deemed to be in excessively poor taste. Examples of decorations or posters considered to be unacceptable are those that encourage or support violation of Gordon's Life and Conduct Statement (lust, abuse of alcohol, etc.), page 4.

Electrical Appliances and Extension Cords in Student Rooms

• Appliances such as hair dryers, steam irons, etc., must bear the American UL or Canadian SA Underwriter's Laboratory seal of approval. Appliances of this type must be unplugged when not in use. Use of any non-UL listed items is not permitted.
• Power strips and extension cords must be UL-listed. Extension cords must be constructed of 14-gauge or larger wire and may only be plugged into power strips, not into wall outlets.
• Because of their potential fire hazards, no open-coiled appliances, hot plates or toasters are allowed in student rooms, because of fire hazards.
• Microwaves are not permitted in student rooms.
• Space heaters, heating fans, etc., are not permitted in residence halls or in student rooms unless placed in room by authorized Physical Plant personnel.
• Refrigerators must not exceed 3.6 cubic feet, should be of a modern, compact style, and must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Refrigerators should be checked by an appropriate residence staff member before installation.

Food In Rooms
The preparation or cooking of food is not permitted in student rooms. In order to guard against insects, any food such as cookies, crackers, etc., should be kept in sealed hard plastic, metal or glass containers.

Pets
Resident students are not permitted to have pets in residence halls. Exception: goldfish and tropical fish or aquatic turtles in an aquarium are permitted with the agreement of roommates. Aquariums are limited in size to under 20 gallons and should have their own stands.

Damages and Repairs
Students are liable for damages to College property. Damages should be reported to a residence staff member immediately so repairs may be made. The repair costs for any damages in a student room will be shared by the occupants of that room unless an individual or individuals assume responsibility for the repairs. An itemized list of damage charges is provided on the Room Condition Inventory (RCI). Damages occurring in other areas for which a responsible person cannot be determined may be billed to the hall account (see Fees, page 21) as long as money remains in that account. If this account is exhausted, damages will be billed in the following manner:

• Those within a specific floor will be billed equally to all residents of that floor;
• Those occurring in public areas such as lobbies and lounges will be billed equally to all residents of that hall.

Fines
In addition to paying for any damages, students may also be fined for behavior that is judged to be disruptive to or inconsiderate of others in the community. The sanction of a fine is a disciplinary response to the behavior, and fine receipts are placed in the residence hall account for use in programming for all residents of the hall. Fines are separate from making restitution for direct damages.

On Campus Emergency Calls and 911
If you require emergency assistance on campus:

• Dial ext.3333 from any campus phone.
• Dial 978.867.3333 from your cell phone 

NOTE: If you dial 911 from a campus phone extension, you will be connected with the Gordon Police emergency line. If you dial 911 from your cell phone, you will be connected with the Massachusetts State Police dispatch center in Framingham (they will connect you with the Wenham Police). For the fastest response, contact Gordon Police directly as indicated above.