Texas Tech University University Student Housing
TTU Home University Student Housing

Residence Hall Policies

It is the responsibility of all students to know and understand the regulations or standards of acceptable behavior as a Texas Tech University student and as a student living in the Residence Halls. Residents should also be aware of the policies and procedures in the:

Student Judicial Services Violations

The following policies, as well as those mentioned above, apply to students living in the Residence Halls at Texas Tech University. Students who are alleged with violating these policies will be contacted by Student Judicial Programs or University Student Housing staff members in person, through mail, or through their Texas Tech email.

If you receive notice from Student Judicial Services of an alleged violation(s), you may reference the specific violoation below or Download the Residence Hall Policies

Hall and Room Maintenance Charges

Duing the Move Out » process, certain charges may be assessed. These charges will be noted on your Raiderlink account a few weeks after you move out. You may appeal or request more information about a charge using the Charge Appeal or Request for Information » form. For a detailed breakdown, please refer to your specific hall or complex below:

1. Alcohol Containers

University Student Housing policy prohibits the possession of empty and/or decorative alcohol container(s). For Texas Tech University's policy on Alcoholic Beverages, please see Section B.1. in the Code of Student Conduct.

Bicycles and Mopeds

Bicycles are to be left in either the bicycle racks provided adjacent to the buildings or in your room with your roommate's consent (note: bicycles cannot be hung in rooms) Bicycles parked in any other part of the residence hall may be removed. Motorcycles and mopeds are prohibited in the residence halls. These vehicles must be registered with a valid permit and parked in the appropriate residence hall parking lot. Bicycles may not be ridden in the residence halls.

3. Community Agreements

Community Agreements » are developed to help make living in the residence halls is a positive community living experience where all members have the right to live in an academically purposeful environment. People in the residence halls may not violate documented community agreements.

15. Courtesy and Quiet Hours

In order to create an environment conducive to studying and privacy, courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. This means that any noise should not interfere with the rights of others. This means that each individual should be aware of the impact of their behaviors on others. Should a student indicate that the noise is bothersome; the individual should comply with the request to alter the behavior and noise.

Quiet hours are designated from 10:00 pm to 10:00 am Sunday – Thursday and 12:00 am (Midnight) to 10:00 am Friday and Saturday.

Elevators

Persons who misuse an elevator will be subject to disciplinary action and held financially responsible for any damage. Items dropped down an elevator shaft can be retrieved by maintenance staff during normal business hours. In an emergency situation the person requesting retrieval will incur the overtime cost of maintenance staff.

Escort

Guests of the same gender and opposite gender must be escorted at all times. The majority of vandalism, theft and many policy violations occur as a result of unattended visitors or strangers wandering the floors and building. Residents are responsible for the conduct of their visitors and will be held accountable for their visitors' actions.

9. Fire Safety

It is a violation of University Student Housing policy to do the following:

a. Fire Safety Equipment Abuse

b. Failure to Evacuate

For Texas Tech University's policy on False Alarms/Terroristic Threats, please see Section B.10. in the Code of Student Conduct.

5. Flammable Materials

Flammable materials are prohibited in the residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to, possession or use of the following items:

a. Candles and Incense

b. Vegetation of a Combustible Nature

c. Light Strings

d. Covered Surfaces

e. Appliances

f. Lamps

g. Grills

h. Flammable Liquid or Compressed Gases

i. Large Coffee Pots

j. See other unauthorized items in the following sections.

For Texas Tech University's policy on Flammable Materials/Arson, please see Section B.5. in the Code of Student Conduct.

Furniture and Decorations

Room Furniture

Residents who do not return their room to its original condition before checking out will incur a minimum fee of $25. Residents are also responsible for the cost of repairs to damaged furniture or fixtures.

Room Decorations

Nails, adhesives, pins and tacks are not to be used on doors, walls, or furniture. Only tension type rods may be used for curtains.

As a safety precaution, student construction within the room must follow these guidelines:

10. Guests and Visitors

It is a violation of University Student Housing policy to have visitors outside of the approved visiting hours. A visitor or guest is defined as a person who does not live on the floor or wing, regardless of gender. These hours are subject to a vote but default to Sunday through Thursday 11:00 am - midnight, Friday and Saturday 11:00 am - 2:00 am prior to the vote. Additionally, the host will be responsible for ensuring that the guest is familiar with, and observes, all university and residence hall policies and procedures. The host and the visiting guest will both be held accountable for any policy violations, damages, and/or loss of property.

The host will be responsible for ensuring that the guest is familiar with, and observes, all university and residence hall policies and procedures. The host and the visiting guest will both be held accountable for any policy violations, damages and/or loss of property.

a. Overnight Guests

Residents may host a guest of their own gender overnight in the residence halls. Guests are considered any individual who does not live in the designated room. No more than three people, including residents, may occupy a room overnight. Overnight guests are allowed to stay a maximum of three consecutive nights and a maximum of three nights during a week. The roommate's rights to the room must be given priority with regard to guests. The roommate should not be compelled to leave the room in order to accommodate a guest, nor should he or she be placed in situations that might cause embarrassment or inconvenience. Under no circumstance will guests be issued keys, access cards, roll away beds or mattresses.

b. Visitor Bathroom Use

Visitors must be escorted to public restroom facilities in the lobby of each building.

c. Escort

Guests (of any gender) must be escorted by a host at all times while in the residence halls. Both guests and their host will be held responsible for the conduct of their visitors. Residents are responsible for any violations that occur within their rooms, regardless of whether or not they are physically present.

Visitation Vote

Visitation policies in the residence halls may be amended at the beginning of each academic year through the Visitation Vote. Each residence hall may choose from one of the following four visitation options:

The residents of each residence hall vote at the beginning of each academic year, and must have a two-thirds vote of the building to approve an option. Failure to approve one of the above will result in keeping the default hours (Option 1). Once approved, the visitation hours will remain in effect for the rest of the academic year. More information on the visitation vote will be provided by the Residence Halls Association at the beginning of the fall semester.

The Director of University Student Housing shall have the discretion to modify and/or withdraw visitation hours should it be determined that members of a residence hall have not maintained community standards related to the visitation policy and behavioral expectations of the university described in the Code of Student Conduct.

7. Items Not Permitted in the Residence Halls or Public Areas

Possession of the following items are a violation of University Student Housing Policy:

a. Appliances, including but not limited to:

  1. Air-conditioners
  2. Dishwasher
  3. Dryers
  4. Microwaves over 1500 watts
  5. Outdoor antennas of any kind
  6. Ovens
  7. Refrigerators over 3.7 cubic feet
  8. Toasters and toaster ovens
  9. Washing machines

b. Furniture, such as:

  1. Non-approved bed lofts
  2. Waterbeds

c. Telecommunications Network Items

d. Unsafe Items

12. Keys/Access Card Policy

It is a violation of University Student Housing policy to misuse a lockout key/access card. For Texas Tech University's policy on Unauthorized Entry, Possession, or Use, please see Section B.12. in the Code of Student Conduct.

11. Opposite Gender Restroom

Students of the opposite gender are not permitted to use community restrooms. See also, Visitor Bathroom Use section.

8. Pets and Animals

Pets, with the exception of fish, are not allowed to visit or be kept in residence hall rooms. Guide dogs (or similar domesticated animals) are permitted within the residence halls for persons with a documented disability. Guide dogs or other such animals should be brought to the attention of University Student Housing staff.

Resident Consideration Policy

Living in the residence halls is a community living experience where all members have certain rights and responsibilities. Since the members of a residence hall community are unique individuals with different perceptions and values, the interpretation of these rights and responsibilities can sometimes conflict.

When conflict between members of a residence hall community occurs, it is important to address the conflict rather than let it escalate. While resolving conflict is not easy, it can lead to understanding and respect among community members and help build a positive living environment. In order to encourage resolution of conflict by the individuals involved, the Resident Consideration Policy was established.

A resident is expected to be the first person to handle the situation when his/her, or the community's rights are being violated. If, after addressing the inappropriate behavior of another individual, he/she does not attempt to alter his/her behavior then the resident should take steps to visit with his/her CA and work out alternatives.

Room Inventory/Check-Out Process and Damages

Each student is expected to complete a room inventory/condition form upon move-in and move-out of their residence hall room. By signing the form, the student agrees to the condition listed on the report upon check in. If within 48 hours of check-in to a room assignment, a student does not agree to the condition listed, it is the student's responsibility to make the changes on the form, and along with the Community Advisor (CA), initial and date all changes.

At move-out, students are expected to check out with a CA to verify there are no damages. The current room condition is notated by staff on the inventory and students are given a back copy for their records. If the room condition at move-out is different from move-in, a charge may be assessed. A professional staff member, for the assessment of damage charges, will inspect all rooms. Charges for damages/losses are generated based on the condition noted at check-in compared to the condition at check-out. Students are responsible for the payment of such assessment; failure to pay will result in a hold on all student records, thus preventing the student from conducting any further business with the University until the damage total is paid.

Screens and Sealed Windows

Screens must be left on the windows and window ledges are not to be used for storage. Students can be held personally liable for any damages to property and/or any personal injury resulting from items being thrown from windows or falling from ledges. In Chitwood/Weymouth and Coleman Halls, the windows have been sealed for your protection and to prevent objects from falling out of the windows. Sealed windows must be left sealed and unopened. If you unseal your window, a $40.00 charge to reseal the window will be assessed. If a screen is removed, a $40.00 charge to replace the screen will be assessed. In Murray Hall, $25.00 will be assessed if the window stoppers are removed.

13. Selling, Solicitation, and Printed Materials

Advertisements, sales, displays, or distributions of publications on campus are not permitted without approval, unless provided for by University policy or law. Only university departments and recognized student organizations with prior approval are allowed to sell in the residence halls. Neither residents nor off-campus sales persons are permitted to solicit room-to-room, through the mailboxes or through the posting of flyers. Please report the presence of door-to-door salespersons in the residence hall to the hall office or a staff member. Residence hall students may post flyers to sell personal items, but need to contact the hall office for designated locations to post flyers.

a. Student rooms may not be used for commercial purposes.

b. Student organizations wishing to post flyers within the residence halls must provide advertisements through the Residence Life Office in Horn 108.

The Selling, Solicitation, and Printed Materials policy for Texas Tech University is in Part VIII of the Student Handbook.

2. Smoking Policy

Smoking is prohibited in all campus administrative facilities; this includes all residence hall rooms, public areas, lobbies, hallways, lounges, game rooms, bathrooms, showers, computer rooms, kitchenettes, and dining halls. Students may smoke outside as long as they are at least 20 feet from any part of the building and utilize designated receptacles for disposal. For Texas Tech University's policy on Narcotics or Drugs, please see Section B.2. in the Code of Student Conduct. The Smoke-free Environment Policy is outlined in the Texas Tech University Operating Policy and Procedure Manual 60.15.

14. Sports in the Residence Halls

Sports are not allowed in the hallways or public areas of a residence hall. This policy applies to skateboards, roller blades, bikes or objects rolled along the floor. Bicycles may not be ridden in the residence halls, see the University Parking Services Rules and Regulations 8A.

Storage

Storage facilities are not provided by University Student Housing. All furniture and fixtures provided with the room should remain in the room.

6. Theft, Damage or Unauthorized Use

Theft, Damage, or Unauthorized Use –The intentional or unintentional misuse of residence hall facilities, equipment, and furniture is a violation of policy. This includes, but is not limited to:

a. Public Area Furniture

b. Room Furniture

c. Elevator Misuse

d. Screens and Sealed Windows

See also the Flammable Materials section.

For Texas Tech University's policy on Theft, Damage, or Unauthorized Use, please see Section B.6. in the Code of Student Conduct.

4. Weapons

It is a violation of University Student Housing policy to have items used as weapons, including but not limited to, dart guns, knives of two or more inches in length, and hunting equipment (including shotguns, paint guns, pellet guns, bows and arrows, and designated martial arts equipment). For Texas Tech University's policy on Firearms, Weapons, and Explosives, please see Section B.4. in the Code of Student Conduct.