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Welcome
The Housing & Residential Life Staff is committed to providing quality, well maintained living options, programs and services that support the academic mission of Western by promoting safety, encouraging student development, and fostering the understanding and appreciation of diversity.
The following information will help you with your Residential Life experience. Please take the time to read over the information carefully. Some of the information might be new to you and perhaps will help to clear up some potential difficulties in your transition.
If you have any questions about the provided information, please call the Office of Residential Life at 816-383-7100.
We look forward to living and working with you!
TO BE A RESIDENCE HALL STUDENT AT MISSOURI WESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY, we expect you to recognize the strength of personal differences, while respecting institutional values. You are encouraged to think and act for yourself, however, we expect you to understand that the Office of Residential Life has non-negotiable values in which it believes strongly. These values include:
Respect – Civility – Citizenship – Individual and Social Responsibility
These values along with the University Values of Serving others, Quality, Enthusiasm about learning, Freedom to exchange ideas, and Courage to shape the future, are the hallmark of the University, and will be protected diligently. Each person has the right and ability to make decisions about his or her own conduct. Just as importantly, each person has the responsibility to accept the consequences of those decisions. When individual behavior conflicts with the values of the department or University, the individual must choose whether to adapt his or her behavior to meet the needs of the community or to leave the residence halls or the University. This decision, among others, assists each person to determine who he or she is with respect to the rest of society.
Residential Life Office
The main office is located in the new Commons building in the center of Logan, Beshears, and Juda and is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. The building also has a 24-hour service desk, convenience store, wireless internet access, mail service and upscale coffee, smoothies and a brick oven pizza shop. Students can also check out vacuums, get garbage bags, and toilet paper. The Residence Hall Directors for Logan, Beshears, and Juda along with the Assistant Director and Director of Residential Life are also located in this building.
The Residence Life Community
The Office of Residential Life believes that learning is not limited to the classroom. A premise stemming from this concept is that student life outside of the classroom is critical to the enhancement of a student’s ability to function responsibly in a complex world. Thus, the Office of Residential Life believes that co-curricular learning is an integral part of the total college learning experience. Learning and growing is a continuous process that takes place in and out of the classroom. With this in mind we highly encourage you to “live-on” and get involved.
Office of Residential Life Rules and Regulations
The following policies and procedures apply to all Western students and guests while visiting the residence halls. Students or staff who suspect or witness any Missouri Western students breaking University or residence hall policies should contact the Office of Residential Life and report the incident. Based on the incident report the Assistant Director for the Office of Residential Life will review the report and send the report to the appropriate residence hall staff hearing officer. All professional staff members have been named disciplinary hearing officers and can conduct informal dispositions for selective violations including removal from the residence halls. Incidents involving the potential of dismissal or expulsion from the University are not heard by hall staff, but forwarded to the Dean of Student Development.
Those wishing to appeal a sanction handed down during an informal disposition may do so in writing to the Residential Life Hearing Panel within three working days after being notified of the results of the informal disposition. This panel will consist of three - four members made up of students and staff. The Assistant Director advises the Hearing Panel. At the time of the hearing, the student will be given the opportunity to provide any additional information not covered in the original hearing or initial incident report.
Findings and corresponding sanctions handed down by the Residential Life Hearing Panel are final. All discipline cases are confidential and files are maintained for five years.
As is stated in the terms and conditions of the housing contract/agreement, the University reserves the right to search student rooms and property for reasons of health, safety, or potential violation of campus policy. When possible, but not required, the student will be present for the search of their room.
AIR CONDITIONING & HEATING: Each room in the suites and each apartment has its own heating and cooling system. It is advised that students always keep suite and apartment doors closed when using either system, as this will boost energy conservation. It is also advised that air conditioners in the suites be used with the “vent” button in the off position, as that will prevent pulling air in from the outside. Failure to follow these recommendations will result in excessive mold in the rooms.
Air Conditioning and heating in the Living Learning Center is centralized with individual controls.
ALCOHOL: Alcoholic beverages are specifically prohibited in the residence halls. The possession of alcohol or empty alcohol containers is prohibited.
AMPLIFIED SOUND: Any outside sound which interferes with others right to study or sleep is prohibited. Outside music/noise must be kept to levels that do not interfere with these rights.
BALCONIES: Balconies should be kept clean and clear of garbage & debris. Hanging of banners, signs or other marketing materials is prohibited. Throwing items off the balcony including cigarette butts is prohibited. Misuse of this policy will result in restricted access to the balcony.
BREAKS AND HOLIDAYS: You are not required to move all of your personal belongings out over breaks and holidays during the year. However, you might be asked to move or remove some of your belongings, so that scheduled repairs and maintenance can be completed. It is advisable that you take home any expensive items or items of great personal value during these times. The University is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items.
The residence halls officially close for breaks on the dates and times listed in the University calendar. Students who have not completely vacated the premises by the publicized hall closing may be found in violation of policy and charged a fine. Halls will remain open for Thanksgiving and Spring Break. Students wanting to stay during these times need to sign up with their Residence Hall Director and pay an extra fee in advance. The halls will be closed for semester break and all students must vacate the halls. Please note that there is no dining service when classes are not in session.
CABLE TELEVISION:
Each suite is equipped with cable television at no additional cost. Many channels, such as MTV, GAC, HBO, ESPN, Cartoon Network, CNN, among others, are available. Both the suites and the apartments have a universal cable outlet in the common area and two outlets in each bedroom. Cable problems should be reported to the Telephone Services Office. Click here for the television channel list.
COMPUTERS:
Computer Internet hook-ups (Ethernet) are available in all student rooms. There is also a PC computer lab in Vaselakos Hall. The lab contains 15 IBM compatible computers and several printers. Various software are available on the computers. No personal software or games may be loaded onto these computers. Internet access is also available on the computers in this lab. Use of the Internet might be limited, since this lab is an academic lab to be used for homework projects. Time restrictions for Internet use may be imposed at the discretion of the lab attendants, based on demand. Click here for Wireless Network Access on our campus.
DAMAGES: The student shall reimburse the college for all damage to, or loss of, any fixtures, furnishings or college property furnished under the contract caused by negligence of the student or his/her guest. If the damage cannot be directed to a specific student, the damage expenses will be prorated among the residents of the suite/apartment/floor/building.
DECORATIONS: Residents may not add attachments of any type to residence hall light fixture, including paint, tissue paper, crepe paper, tinfoil or any other material. NO materials, whether flammable or non-flammable, may be suspended from, attached to, or draped beneath the ceiling. Decorations with open flames, or which present a fire hazard, such as candles, wick lamps, incense, etc. are prohibited in student rooms. However, candles with unburned or removed wicks are allowed for decorative purposes.
Residents may not post, hang, or otherwise attach any material to the outside of their suite door. The only exception to this is residents will be allowed to post one memo board (those composed of pressed fiber board) not to exceed 11" x 14" per room on the outside of the door. RAs may also hang door decs (name tags) on residents' doors to assist in community building.
Residents seeking temporary exemptions to this policy (birthday, anniversary, special occasions, etc.) may request temporary exemption from their Residence Hall Coordinator stating the reason for the request and the duration of time for which the exemption is sought.
No public area decoration may hinder the use of, or restrict access to, hallways, doorways, stairs, corridors, or fire related equipment. Do not attach anything to or tamper with the light fixtures or exit signs.
Only ARTIFICIAL holiday trees are approved for residence hall use. The use of electric decorative holiday lights is restricted to "miniature Italian lights" that are either "U.L" (Underwriter's Laboratory) or "F.M." (Factual Mutual) approved.
DRAPERIES: Only University curtains; or draperies that meet state fire codes may be used in student rooms. Blankets, towels, or other materials not classified as draperies are prohibited.
DRUG PARAPHERNALIA: Students shall not possess any items that are designed for the use of drugs (bowls, bongs, etc.).Any items that are fashioned for the purpose of facilitating or disguising drug use will also be considered a violation of this policy.
DRUGS: Students shall not possess, purchase, distribute, sell, or consume any illegal or controlled substance in crude or refined form except under the direction of a licensed physician.
ELECTRICAL APPLIANCES: Toasters, toaster ovens, and other appliances with open heating coils are prohibited in the residence halls. Skillet or other hot plates are also prohibited.
EMERGENCIES:
In the event of an accident or emergency, contact the Housing and Residential Life Office (x7100) and/or the Security office (x4438). Give the person you speak with as much information as possible, including your full name, the hall you reside in, the location of the incident and a phone number you can be reached at during the emergency time.
FALSE BOMB THREAT: The penalties for the transmission of a false bomb threat are severe. The recommended sanction for such action is suspension from the University. The Office of Residential Life reserves the right to remove anyone found in violation of this policy from the residence halls and immediately cancel their residence hall contract. In addition, the Public Safety Department may pursue criminal charges which could lead to one year imprisonment and a $1,000 fine.
FIRE SYSTEM: Tampering with the fire system (i.e. disabling, covering detectors or pulling false fire alarms) is a serious offense. Those found in violation of pulling a false fire alarm will be removed from the residence halls and fined. The University may pursue criminal charges.
FIREWORKS: The possession and/or use of fireworks is prohibited in residence halls. The university assumes that possession of fireworks implies an intent to use them. The use of fireworks is dangerous and constitutes a serious fire hazard. Consequently, the penalties for possession and/or use of fireworks may be severe. The University Public Safety may seek criminal charges against individuals violating this policy which could lead to a $1000 fine and subject to cancellation of their residence hall contract and/or suspension from the University.
FIREARMS & WEAPONS: Students shall not possess or use on Residence hall property firearms, including concealable firearms, fireworks, explosives, chemicals, ammunition and other implements used as weapons and other items classified as weapons in the Missouri Revised Statutes. Students found violating this policy will be immediately removed from the residence halls and may result in expulsion from the University.
FURNISHINGS: All University furnishings, including beds, must remain assembled and in their designated room. University furniture is not allowed on balconies or walkways. Only personal furniture manufactured as “indoor/outdoor” furniture may be moved out on the balcony. Waterbeds are not allowed in student rooms.
GRILLS: The use of grills is not allowed in the residence halls or on balconies. Grills are provided in each courtyard for residence hall student use only. Outside groups wishing to use the courtyard/grills must fill out a request for use. Lighter Fluid or combustible fluid is prohibited in student rooms, common areas and balconies.
HALOGEN LAMPS are prohibited in the residence halls.
HARASSMENT: The Office of Residential Life and Missouri Western State University neither condone nor accept harassment, discrimination and/or suppression of any person or group of any kind and will investigate all allegations of harassment. Should the Office of Residential Life have evidence that an individual has harassed another student or group of students in the residence halls, the harasser is subject to relocation to another residence hall or cancellation of their residence hall contract.
Harassment can be:
- Verbal, non-verbal, or physical;
- Exclusion based upon personal or group differences;
- Intimidation or humiliation based on personal or group differences;
- Abusive language, threats, or similar acts of bigotry, racism, sexism, or discrimination;
- Jokes, comments, gossip or graffiti that perpetuate personal or group myths, fallacies, prejudices, or stereotypes;
- Any subtle or direct references, based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion, which demean, exclude, intimidate, or adversely effect an individual or group
- Unsolicited e-mail or telephone calls containing abusive language, threats, causes, discomfort, derogatory, or sexual in nature;
- Unsolicited, deliberate or repeated sexually derogatory statements, gestures or physical contact which are objectionable to the recipient and which cause discomfort or humiliation;
- Pressure from a person or either sex against a person of the opposite or same sex;
- Unwelcome sexual behavior or words including demands for sexual favors accompanied by implied or overt threats concerning an individual's educational or employment status;
- Conduct that is criminal in nature such as rape, sexual assault, stalking and similar offenses
HORSEPLAY: Includes but not limited to: Water guns, water balloons, water fights, mud fights and snowball fights are prohibited in or around the residence halls and courtyards.
ICE MACHINES:
Ice machines are located in or next to each of the laundry rooms except in the LLC.
KEYS:
Keys must be picked up at the designated location upon arrival. If a student arrives at any other time than a scheduled check-in time, he or she should go over to the Residential Life Office in the Commons Building.
Keys must be carried at all times. Any student who forgets their keys or locks themselves out of their rooms can contact the Housing and Residential Life Office. A "tag key" will be issued to the student to gain access for room door locks. This key needs to be returned within one hour or a core change will be issued. Each resident has three free “lockouts” per semester. On the fourth lockout, the student will be charged $10.00 and will be charged $10.00 for each lockout thereafter.
Lost or broken keys should be reported immediately, so that new keys can be made and/or locks can be reprogrammed. Residential Life is not responsible for lost or stolen items due to propped open doors. There is a $10.00 charge for lost card keys and a $35 charge for hard keys.
Should a student request a core change after hours or on weekends the cost will be $50 based on overtime charges.
LAUNDRY: Laundry Facilities are provided for residence hall students only. Each residence hall has a laundry room. The apartment laundry rooms are located in the basement of each building. The suite buildings each have a laundry room located in a corner of the first floor. The Living Learning Center has laundry rooms on each floor. Residents must supply their own laundry supplies, such as soap and dryer sheets. The washers and dryers are coin-operated and only take quarters. The washing machines cost 50 cents to operate, while the dryers cost 25 cents for 20 minutes of drying time. A change machine is located in the Residential Life Office in the Commons Building.
LITTERING: Littering in/on or around the residence halls is prohibited. Littering constitutes the throwing, dumping or depositing of trash of refuse in places other than the trash container provided.
LOTTERIES: As established by the statutes of the State of Missouri , raffles and lotteries cannot be held, nor can chance tickets be sold without a license. Therefore, no individual(s) or organization(s) may hold a raffle or lottery, or sell chance tickets, in the residence halls or on the University campus.
MAIL:
Mail is delivered to the residence halls Monday through Saturday. No mail delivery is available on University holidays. Each student is assigned his/her own mailbox. The apartment mailboxes are located in the lobbies of the apartment buildings and the suite mailboxes are located in the Commons Building. The mail for the Living Learning Center is located in the Lobby.
Mail is typically available in the afternoon. Students receiving packages will have a slip in their mailbox. You must present both the slip and their student ID at the Housing and Residential Life Office in order to receive the package.
MAILBOX STUFFING: Registered Student Organizations are prohibited from stuffing mailboxes with any type of commercial advertising, including coupons. Products or services by commercial agencies must be delivered through the United States Mail Service unless otherwise authorized by the Assistant Director of Residential Life.
Mailboxes will be stuffed if: The event is open to all residence hall students and is sponsored by a university department or a student organization, does not display profanity or alcohol or illicit substances, is size appropriate; has been approved by a professional staff member.
MAINTENANCE:
If, at any time, something is wrong with your room, fill out a maintenance request slip in the Housing and Residential Life Office or on line. A written request is required in order to have something repaired. Repairs are done on a priority basis, so please describe the location and the problem as clearly as possible. Maintenance requests will not be taken over the telephone.
PERSONAL PROPERTY: The college will not be responsible for the loss or damage to any of the students' personal property. To insure that property does not get stolen, please keep all doors shut when not in the suite/apartment, locked at night and make sure security locks are in place. Immediately report any concerns with your room or outside door locks or missing keys. The Public Safety Department offers a program called Operation ID, which tags property with an ID number making it more recoverable if stolen.
PETS (other than fish) are not allowed. This includes lizards, snakes and other reptiles and amphibians. Students residing in a living area with a pet may be charged a fee to cover the cleaning and treatment of carpet and furniture.
POSTINGS: The Office of Residential Life recognizes the need for a balance between students’ need for information and the maintenance of a residence hall community environment. The posting policy serves to create this balance. All materials posted must be approved and stamped/initialed by a professional staff member or the front desk in the Commons prior to posting. Hall staff will be responsible for posting and removing all posted materials. Materials promoting or displaying any alcohol or alcohol manufacturers, illegal drugs or offensive language will not be posted. Materials posted without permission will be taken down. Material will only be posted in designated areas. Door hangings are not permitted. Materials posted will remain up for no more than two weeks. Postings are no longer allowed on outside doors.
QUIET HOURS are from 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. Sunday – Thursday, and Midnight to 10:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday. The courtyard in the suites is included in the quiet hour policy. Stereos, radios, televisions and any other noise which tends to disturb an adjoining suite/apartment, whether next door or above or below, will subside during quiet hours. "Courtesy Hours" exist 24 hours a day, every day, and will be enforced. Reasonable quiet is expected at all times during the day and night. The college reserves the right to require students to remove stereos after continued violation of this policy.
REFRIGERATORS are permitted in student rooms providing they do not exceed four cubic feet and draw more than 1.5 running amps.
REMOVAL & REFUNDS: In the event that a violation of University rules or regulations leads to removal from the halls, or when a student ceases to be enrolled as a regular student for at least 9 credit hours (except by reason of involuntary military service,) such student shall immediately vacate his/her accommodations, if requested to do so by a University official. If vacated, the University will be under no obligations to refund any payment.
RESIDENCE HALL WINDOWS: Climbing in or out of a room or suite windows is prohibited. In order to protect those individuals who may be walking outside the residence hall, no object of any kind may be thrown, dropped, pushed out of, placed outside of, and/or allowed to fall from any residence hall window. All screens, if so equipped, must be kept on the windows.
Additionally, due to fire safety considerations and the significant amount of damage done to residence hall room windows, the Office of Residential Life prohibits the posting, hanging of material on either side of the residence hall windows.
Drawings, paintings, writing or any other form of mural on residence hall walls & windows are prohibited.
ROOM CHANGES: Room changes cannot be made until after the tenth day of classes each semester. Students may request a room change through their Residence Hall Director. A room change request based on roommate conflict is discouraged unless it is preceded by mediation with a staff member. These requests may not be approved until there has been a serious attempt made to adjust the room situation. When requesting a room change, it is the responsibility of the resident to provide the Residence Hall Director with the hall name and room number of the desired move.
Should all residence hall spaces be filled, only one-for-one room changes can be approved. Residents are responsible for officially checking out of their room when completing an approved room change. The hall staff will provide further details.
A student who changes buildings must sign a contract amendment and pay any additional fees before being allowed to occupy the new room. After the student vacates the old room, he or she must turn in all keys from the old room and fill out the appropriate paperwork and Room Condition Report.
ROOM INSPECTION: Missouri Western or its agent may inspect the student's accommodations once a week for maintenance/cleanliness issues or upon reasonable grounds to believe that the student has violated the college rules or regulations. Under the latter circumstance, the student will be present if at all possible while his or her room and/or possessions are being inspected. See the Terms and Conditions of the housing contract for more information.
ROOM/SUITE/COMMON AREA CLEANLINESS: All students are responsible for the cleanliness of their individual bedrooms and bathrooms, and are collectively responsible for the cleanliness of the common area of the suite/apartment and balcony, where applicable. Failure to maintain cleanliness may result in the assessment of a cleaning fee and possible disciplinary action. Students wishing to use any outside service agency in the residence halls (i.e., cleaning services) must get written permission from the Office of Residential Life.
SMOKE FREE HALLS: All residence hall rooms and other interior areas have been designated as "smoke free". Students who choose to smoke outside of the building or on balconies are responsible for disposing of cigarette butts properly.
SOLICITATION: Official registered campus organizations wishing to canvass door-to-door must request this at least 7 days in advance to Residence Council. Canvassing for sales/profit is prohibited. If approved the organization must contact the front desk in the Commons Building before they can canvass. They also must abide by all hall and university regulations and abide by the wishes of residents who do not wish to participate. Residents may not carry on any organized business for remunerative purposes from their room.
SPACE RESERVATIONS: Organizations wishing to reserve space in and around the residence halls including the courtyard, grills, basketball court, or volleyball court must submit a written request 10 working days in advance to the Residence Council. All requests will be reviewed during weekly general assembly meetings.
SPORTS IN THE HALLS & COURTYARDS: Sports or sports related activities within the residence halls and courtyards (e.g. rooms, lounges, hallways, stairwells or other public areas including the courtyards) are prohibited. Playing sports in a confined area such as a hallway can lead to student injury and/or damage to private or University property.
These activities are allowed on and around the basketball courts, grassy area behind Beshears or on the balcony side of the suites and in-between Vaselakos and Leaverton hall.
STAIR TOWERS (suites): Please do not block the stairs or balcony walkways.
STORAGE OF BELONGINGS: Residents are required to remove all of their personal belongings from their room when they check-out. In the event this does not take place residence hall staff will inventory, pack and store the student belongings. The student will be charged an initial $25 packing and handling fee above and beyond the $25 improper check-out fee (if appropriate). Belongings will be stored for thirty days at a rate of $1.70 per day or $50 for the month. After 30 days the belongings will be donated to charity or disposed of.
TELEPHONE SERVICE:
Students are provided with a working telephone jack upon arrival to campus. All a student needs to do is plug in a phone to receive calls and to make local calls. A touch tone telephone is required to access the features programmed on the phone lines, including Caller ID and Voice Mail. Long distance calls can be made by using a prepaid calling card only. Telephone numbers will be provided to residents upon their arrival. Phone problems should be reported to the Telephone Services Office.
VISITATION: Suite/Apartment Visitation hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 12 midnight Sunday through Thursday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Residents who have visitors are responsible for their guests and their behavior during their stay. No guests of the opposite sex will be allowed to stay overnight in an opposite sex suite/apartment. Visitors will be asked to leave the campus if involved in policy violations.
HANDBOOK CHANGES: The college reserves the right to change any of the rules and regulations in this handbook and will notify students of any such changes.
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