It is a condition of admission that all traditional age students in their first two years as full-time undergraduate matriculated students live in a university residence hall and eat in the university dining facilities unless they commute from their parent's or legal guardian's home. It should be noted that Residence Life contracts are binding for the entire academic year. Castleton adheres to a policy requiring first and second year students to live on campus because participation in the social, cultural and recreational opportunities of campus life enhances the formal learning that takes place within the classrooms. Students must participate in the room selection process to secure a room on campus for the Fall semester. If you require a housing accommodation, please see Disability Services and Accommodations or contact the Coordinator of Disability Services at 802-468-1428.
Residence life policies, procedures and regulations are for the safety of all residents and visitors to the residence halls and will be enforced by the residence life staff and other University officials. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.
Alleged violations of residence life policies may result in a disciplinary hearing. Serious violations such as tampering with fire safety equipment, possession of a keg or other common source container, supplying alcohol to a minor, violations of campus code of conduct, and repeated violations may result in eviction from the residence hall and/or dismissal from the University. Lesser violations may be adjudicated by the residence life staff or Student Court. The University uses an educational philosophy during the conduct process and views each interaction as a learning experience. Some sanctions could include but are not limited to community restitution, educational paper, fines, meeting with administrator, housing probation, disciplinary probation, attendance at a class or workshop or other sanctions as determined by the conduct officer(s) or Student Court.
When a student or a student’s guest is found in violation of a University policy or regulation, a sanction may be assessed to the resident. Residents hosting guests accept full responsibility for the actions of their guest and are subject to disciplinary action for their misconduct. Failure to complete sanction(s) by the established deadline is likely to result in a fine, the loss of privileges (including, but not limited to, participation in housing selection) and/or further disciplinary action.
Students may store their bicycles in their rooms (or suites). However, they will be held responsible for any damage that occurs as a result of storage. Students may not store bicycles in hallways or block exits, entrances, or access ramps with bicycles. Bicycles cannot be ridden in the buildings.
Staying in the residence halls over breaks is a privilege accorded by residence life. A break housing form is on your available here. You will login to your eRezlife account to register for break housing. This form should be submitted by 4 p.m. the day before each break begins to avoid any charges. Failure to comply with any break housing guidelines will result in immediate termination of an individual’s stay and/or other disciplinary action. During breaks, alcohol is not allowed in residence halls regardless if a student is 21 years of age. There are also no guests allowed in the residence halls during breaks. Dining services are not available during break periods.
Each residence hall occupant is issued an ID card which permits entry to his/her own hall 24 hours per day and other halls from 8 am until 11 pm. Beginning at 11 pm, students will only have access to the front door of their assigned residence hall. ID cards are to be used only by the individual to whom they are issued and cannot be given to others. Giving out a card to anyone or using an unauthorized ID card is a policy violation and will result in disciplinary action.
Students are required to carry their ID card and keys with them at all times. Stolen and lost keys must be reported immediately to a residence life staff member. Lost or missing ID cards must be reported to the Office of Public Safety. Lost keys and/or ID cards will result in a replacement charge.
If you are locked out of your room during the day or evening, contact a member of the residence life staff. If none of them are available, please contact the Office of Public Safety. Disciplinary action may be taken for excessive lock out requests.
Due to the fire hazard presented and the potentially offensive and pervasive smell, candles, wax warmers, and incense are not allowed in the residence halls.
When you check into the residence hall, the Community Advisor will fill out a room inventory form for your suite and/or room. A staff member will mark the condition of each item, taking special note of any damages already there. The student should examine the suite and/or room carefully and point out any damages which are not noted on the room inventory form. After assuring that the condition of the room and/or suite is accurately reflected on the room inventory form, the student must sign the form. The form must be returned to a residence life staff member. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of the right to appeal any damage charges after check 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. Students will check out with the Community Advisor in the CA office during scheduled check out times. Students may fill out an express checkout form and leave it in a designated express check out box. Choosing the express checkout may impact a student’s ability to appeal damage charges after checkout.
Failure to check out may result in losing the right to appeal damage charges. Students will also be charged for any item which is missing or has been damaged since they moved in unless it can be determined that another individual was responsible. When students move on campus, they should insist on following this procedure. It protects from being charged for damages done prior to arrival and after proper checkout. The University reserves the right to charge for damage, including excessive cleaning, assessed after the checkout has taken place with the Community Advisor. Professional residence life staff members assess any applicable damage charges; moreover, Community Advisors are not responsible for determining damage charges.
Campus wide quiet hours, including inside the residence halls, are Sunday through Thursday 11 pm to 8 am and Friday and Saturday nights from 12 am to 10 am. During exam weeks, 23 hour quiet hours are in effect. The hour exception is 7 pm to 8 pm and is still considered a courtesy hour.
Residence halls may institute additional quiet hours should they choose to do so as a community. Courtesy hours are in effect at all times. During courtesy hours, noise must not disrupt the living environment of other students. Should a student be disturbed by unreasonable noise they are encouraged to speak to the applicable community member(s) and refer to a Community Advisor or residence life staff member if the conflict cannot be resolved. 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. Stereos and speakers may not be directed outside of residence hall windows or outside the residence halls.
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. See the section on Damage under Facilities.
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, on or from balconies or windows without permission from a residence life professional. Product advertisements, such as beer signs, hung in residence hall windows must face inward. Road signs, highway cones and construction lights may not be displayed in residence halls even if the item was obtained legitimately and will be confiscated if found. Residents of Castleton Hall are not allowed to post any outward displays from suite windows next to the main suite door.
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 except with the written permission of the Director of Facilities. Likewise, no wall coverings (posters, etc.) may be applied by the use of duct tape, adhesive glue or cement. No objects 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 a furniture removal fee. Furniture in lounges should be available for use by residents and their guests. Furniture may not be appropriated 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 unless an exception is granted. To receive an exception a student must submit a written request to the Director of Facilities and copy the request to the Director of Residence Life. They will then respond to the request in writing.
Beds may not be disassembled or removed from the room. Beds are only to be bunked or lofted as intended by the manufacturer. For health reasons, it is strongly recommended that bed coverings be used. Lofts must be approved by the Office of Residence Life.
The student requesting the loft kit will be responsible for signing out, picking up, and returning the lofting kit. Sign out will ideally occur during designated times on Move-In Days, but will be possible at later times at the convenience of a professional residence life staff member. 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 fee.
All residents are required to complete and sign a housing contract to secure a room on campus. (Copies of the contract are available in the residence life office.) The contract for University housing and dining is for one academic year unless otherwise specified in the individual contract. All students with a housing contract have a meal plan. Students have the first two weeks of each semester to make changes to your meal plan on-line through your student account. A student’s meal plan, as specified in the dining contract, does not include any meals during breaks even if there is meal service on campus. All students with a signed contract are financially responsible for all housing charges unless they receive a written release from the contract.
Students may, with written permission of the Director of Residence Life, 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 a University sponsored study abroad.
Students’ requests for termination of the contract should be submitted in writing to the Director of Residence Life. (Application for release does not imply automatic termination of the contract.) Applications will be reviewed, and residents will be notified of decision in five to ten business days. Release from the contract may be granted for reasons other than those specified above.
Behavior which disturbs or compromises the health or safety of students, staff, or guests will not be tolerated. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to fighting, unconsciousness, loss of motor control, destruction of public or private property and refusal to cooperate with a University official (including student staff) who is performing his or her duties. Disruptive behavior will result in disciplinary action.
Please see Fire safety
Castleton 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 a medical accommodation, it must come with a manufacturer's certification that the furniture meets or exceeds the California Technical Bulletin 129. To request a medical housing accommodation, students must contact the Coordinator of Disability Service in the Academic Support Center at (802) 468-1248.
Hard surfaced furniture such as tables, chairs, shelving units, night stands will be allowed as space is available.
Lounge 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 a furniture removal fee. The furniture will be removed and disciplinary action may be taken.
Guests are defined as follows:
Guests are permitted as long as all University, policies, and procedures are adhered to and all roommates agree to the visit. Guests must comply with the following:
Facilities and residence life staff periodically inspect student rooms for damage during break periods and at other times as stated in the housing contract. A professional residence life staff member will do monthly inspections of suite common areas, common areas, and bathrooms. This is to ensure the health and safety of our community. Residence life staff will also inspect rooms for prevention of theft and fire and to ensure closing guidelines have been followed at the beginning of each break. Rooms/suites which do not meet health standards of cleanliness will be noted, and the occupants will be notified of potential disciplinary action.
Please report any maintenance problems (including broken items) to a residence life staff member as soon as possible. Students can do this through an online work order system through their eRezlife accounts. Please report any emergency maintenance problems to public safety if the residence hall staff is not readily available.
Due to Covid-19 and the safety of our community, the occupancy policy is as follows until further notice.
Please refer to housing contract addendum: https://www.castleton.edu/covid-19-coronavirus-updates/fall-2020-updates/housing-contract-addendum/
A member of the residence hall staff is on call every evening to answer questions, handle emergencies, and direct students to resources.
7 pm – 12 am: Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights
7 pm – 2 am: Friday and Saturday nights
Community Advisor passive duty will be when active duty ends at the above listed times 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 and are on rotating weeks. They can be contacted through Public Safety or your Community Advisor.
Pets are not allowed in the residence halls with the exception of 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. See also “Pets on Campus” under Facilities. If you need a service animal or an emotional support animal please see Disability Services and Accommodations.
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 Community Advisor. The Community Advisor 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). During the first two weeks of each semester there is a room freeze; any room changes will take place after the freeze, with the exception of extenuating circumstances. 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 may result in disciplinary action.
While the University recognizes students’ rights to privacy in their rooms and with respect to personal effects, students should be aware that there are circumstances when authorized University representatives may, without specific consent, enter their rooms unannounced and/or check for conditions or articles of concern, even in closed spaces. Room entry may occur for purposes of housekeeping, repairs and maintenance; when there is reasonable basis for legitimate concern about the health, welfare, or safety of the room occupants or other persons; or when there is reasonable basis to believe that there may be a violation of University policies, rules or regulations. An inspection or search of closed spaces may occur when there is a reasonable basis, either existing beforehand or resulting from room entry, to justify the inspection or search because of legitimate concern about the health, welfare or safety of room occupants or other persons.
The following situations may warrant entry into a student’s room:
Residents are advised to close and lock their room and suite doors at all times. Residence hall entry doors cannot, under any circumstances, be propped open. Residency in one hall does not entitle a student to free access to other halls. The outside doors of residence halls are locked at all times. Residents are expected to use their ID card to enter a residence hall. Guests or visitors who are intoxicated, loud or disruptive will be asked to leave or refused admittance. Students with health emergencies, needing assistance or having problems with unwanted visitors, vandalism, etc., should contact the Community Advisor on duty or public safety.
The University cannot guarantee to 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.
Any thefts should be reported immediately to Public Safety. It is the responsibility of the resident to lock his/her room door. Similarly, suite residents have the responsibility of keeping their suite door locked.
Please see Tobacco Use Policy
Sports activities, including but not limited to ball sports, rollerblading, skateboards, and bicycle riding are prohibited in the residence halls. Hall sports which result in damage or disruption will be considered disruptive behavior and may result in disciplinary action.
Vandalism to University property (including bulletin board displays) is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action.
Weapons are not allowed in the residence halls. See also Firearms and Weapons under Safety and Security.
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 or balcony. Exiting or entering a residence hall through a window or a balcony is also prohibited. Window screens may not be removed. See also Windows under Facilities.