Student Handbook - Butler University

as well as establishing norms for unit activities and involvement. Unit agreements will be posted in each hall
and violations of such agreements will be handled through the University student conduct system.
Room changes
Room assignments are intended to be permanent for the length of the contract period. In situations
where problems arise, students should contact their RAs/AVAs or residence life coordinators. If a problem
arises, the RA/AVA or residence life coordinator will help students to work on roommate differences and to
reach compromises.
No room change can be made without approval of the residence life coordinator or assistant director of
residence life. Unauthorized room switches are not permitted and will result in an improper checkout charge.
Changes will not be granted based on race, national origin, sexual orientation or religious preference. Room
changes cannot be made within the first two weeks of either semester or last three weeks of spring semester.
Room condition report
Upon moving into a room, a student will receive a room condition report (RCR) that describes the
move-in condition of the room. The room condition report will be used upon checkout to assess damages
and charges incurred throughout the length of stay. The student must read, sign, date and return this report
to his or her RA or AVA within 24 hours.
Roommate/Floormate rights
Each individual’s enjoyment in his or her residence hall/apartment complex will depend largely on the
thoughtful consideration practiced by everyone. In regard to the conduct of other residents, each resident has
these basic rights.
• The right to read and study free from undo interference, excessive noise or other disturbances.
• The right to sleep without undue disturbance from hallway noise, roommate’s guests, etc.
• The right to expect that a roommate will respect one’s personal belongings.
• The right to a clean environment in which to live.
• The right to free access to one’s room and facilities without pressure from a roommate.
• The right to personal privacy.
• The right to host guests with the expectation that guests are to respect the rights of the host’s roommate
and hall mates.
• The right to be heard if grievances arise.
• The right to be free from fear of intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm.
• The right to expect cooperation in the use of the telephone or other shared items of the
room/apartment
R.S.V.P.: Report Student Vandalism Promptly
R.S.V.P. is an incentive program. It allows residence life to keep RAs/AVAs and RLCs informed on a
monthly basis regarding the amount of damage that is being incurred in public areas due to vandalism. It is
the responsibility of the residents of either the unit or the entire hall to cover the costs of repairs to public
areas that are damaged during the course of the year.
The cost of damages can be kept down if students who see other students damage public areas REPORT
these incidents to their RA/AVA or RLC. If individuals can be identified, then the damages can be charged
to the individuals responsible for the damage rather than the entire unit or hall.
Each semester, a certain amount of money is set aside per person for a unit damages fund and per person
for an all-hall damages fund. If the group stays below the "set aside" amount, then the hall government
and/or the RLC will be able to use this difference to make improvements to the residence hall on a hall improvement
project following the approval of the director of residence life. The projects should be submitted
and approved on a per semester basis.
Smoking
As a result of a spring 2003 student initiative, smoking is not permitted in the common areas of the
residence halls such as lounges, lobbies and hallways. Smoking is also not allowed in any student rooms
in any on campus residence. Smoking on campus is only allowed beyond 20 feet from the exterior door of
76