to download the 2012-2013 Student - Methodist University

Check-out ProcedureIt is the responsibility of every student to remove all of his/her personal property from and thoroughly cleanhis/her residence hall room by the specified date distributed each semester. It is also his/her responsibilityto follow the checkout procedure. The University reserves the right to remove and dispose of all personalproperty left after the announced closing date. A $100.00 fine will be imposed upon any student notvacating his/her room at the designated time. All residents must vacate the residence halls within24 hours of their last exam. Graduating seniors must vacate the residence halls within 24 hours ofgraduation. Students may contact the Residential Coordinator to discuss extenuating circumstances.Final decisions will be at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life.Students checking out of a residence hall during or at the end of a semester must do so properly withthe Residential Coordinator or Resident Assistant. At that time, a staff member determines the conditionof the room, assesses any damage or cleaning fees, and makes other arrangements for the student’swithdrawal from the hall. Damage fees are reported to the Business Office. All rooms must be cleanedbefore checkout. A student will be fined a $50 cleaning fee if they reside in a traditional residence halland a $100 cleaning fee if they reside in an apartment. If trash is left either inside or outside of a room orapartment, a trash removal fee of $50.00 may also be assessed. If a student does not follow the correctcheckout procedure, additional fines may be imposed.Improper Check-out PolicyStudents failing to follow proper checkout procedures waive their right to appeal room damage fees andmay incur a $100.00 improper checkout fee. Students wishing to appeal room damage fees must do so inwriting to the Residential Coordinator within thirty days of vacating the residence halls. In the event that astudent moves off campus or to another residence hall, personal items left in the residence hall room willbe stored for two weeks. After such time, the items will be dispersed. If such items are left behind, a $50removal of personal property fee will be assessed. Methodist University assumes no liability for belongings.Community BillingThe Residential Coordinator will notify residents within 48 hours of the act of vandalism. It iswithin the discretion of the Residential Coordinator to assess community billing charges for otheraction not considered vandalism (i.e. excessive trash in community areas). A list of these itemswill be posted in community areas, discussed in hall meetings, and may be made available toresidents upon request. The University will not absorb the cost of damage and vandalism thatoccur in the residence halls during the academic year. In cases in which the perpetrator cannotbe identified, the costs for repair are prorated among the residents of the hall/building. Therewill be a $5 minimum assessment for community billing charges.Damage Deposits and AssessmentsMethodist University requires that a damage deposit of $100.00 be posted by every resident studentof the University. This deposit is held in escrow to cover the costs charged for damage to the student’sroom or to public areas of the residence halls. Students who are billed for damages will have that amountdeducted from their damage deposit. They will be required immediately to reimburse the deposit to the$100.00 level in order to continue as a residential student. Students who are charged for damages orcleaning fees at the end of a semester as they check out of their rooms will also have these fees chargedto their damage deposit. Reimbursement must be paid before the student will be allowed to enroll asa residential student for the following semester. Damage charges in excess of $100.00 must be paidimmediately as noted for other payments above.The damage deposit that is noted above remains with the Business Office of the University throughoutthe student’s career at Methodist. It is refunded only when a student permanently leaves the residencehalls and the Housing and Residence Life office certifies that there are no damages to the room or otherUniversity property for which the student is responsible.Every student is responsible for his/her residence hall room. Damages to the room will be charged to theoccupants, unless another person has been proven the cause. Students are also held liable for the publicareas of the halls in which they live. Damages to the halls, restrooms, lobbies, and other public areasare charged to the individual(s) responsible. In cases in which the perpetrator cannot be identified,the costs for repair are prorated among the residents of the hall/building.Students are required to conduct themselves as adults and to respect University property. Universityfurniture must not be removed from the rooms or common areas. If any piece of furniture is damaged orbroken, the student(s) responsible will be charged for the cost of replacing the item(s).40