Residential Life Policies
The Residential Life program at Loyola is designed to create a community and assist in a student’s development in various aspects of their life. Resident students are responsible for adherence to the specific provisions contained in the residence hall contract, as well as policies promulgated by the Office of Residential Life, and the Student Handbook.
Residential Life Staff
Resident Assistants (R.A.)
The Resident Assistant, more commonly known as the R.A., is the Residential Life staff member students will get to know the best. The R.A. will live on a student’s floor and can answer student’s questions while working to create a community on the floor, help the floor plan programs and social activities, and enforce Residential Life and University policies. If you have any questions, ask the R.A.
Desk Assistants (D.A)
The Desk Assistant provides each building with a measure of security as well as other services. The D.A. will monitor IDs to make sure only people who belong in the building can get in, sign in visitors, check out vacuums and carts, and check out keys to practice rooms. The D.A.s are here to welcome visitors and answer questions.
Mail Clerks and Office Assistants
The Mail Clerk is responsible for handing out mail to students in the residence halls. Office Assistants work in the Residential Life offices.
Resident Chaplains
Resident chaplains live in the halls and are available to students for personal and spiritual counseling. They are Jesuit priests, Catholic sisters, or lay religious who have chosen to live in the halls and minister to college students. Call on them if you need a listening ear about school, home, relationships, or anything else in your life.
Campus Residence/Food Service Requirement
A. Campus Residence/Food Service Requirement
1. All first-year undergraduate students not from the New Orleans metropolitan area are required, as a condition of enrollment to reside in University housing, to participate in one of the meal plan options offered by Loyola Dining Services. All residence hall students are required to participate in the meal plan for the entire academic year. Advanced placement credits do not negate this requirement. New Orleans undergraduate freshman must either reside in University housing to the extent that space permits or with their parents or legal guardian.
2. Subject to verification and written authorization by the director of residential life, freshman students may be given permission to live off-campus for any of the following:a. The student resides full time in the established household of his or her grandparents, sister, brother, uncle, or aunt.
b. The student has completed one academic year of full-time college enrollment.
c. The student has served one or more years in the U.S. armed forces.
d. The student has a health condition which precludes their living in a residence hall, subject to review and confirmation by the University health center.
e. The student provides evidence, satisfactory to the University, that they are lawfully married.
f. The student is 21 years of age or older on or before the first day of classes of the semester.3. Authorization for off-campus housing does not relieve the student of contractual obligations which may have been previously assumed with the University for housing in the residence halls.
4. The residence halls are designated for the traditional college student. It is recommended that non-traditional students be housed in accommodations best suited to their age, personal circumstances, interests, and needs based upon a personal interview with the director of residential life.
General Hall Regulations
1. Students will not transfer, vacate, or exchange rooms without proper authorization from the Office of Residential Life, nor will the student be permitted to remove any furnishings, appliances, or equipment from the assigned room or from any other part of the premises. Failure to adhere to this stipulation may result in financial penalty or other disciplinary action.
2. It is an expectation that residents regularly participate in the academic life of the University. Non-involvement in the academic process will be cause for eviction from University housing without refund. As a condition of enrollment, first-year students, not from the New Orleans area, must live in University housing. If a first year student is evicted from University housing it will result in suspension from the university.
3. Students are responsible for the contents of their assigned rooms as well as all behavior occurring in their rooms.
4. If a vacancy occurs in a suite, the unoccupied facility may not be used by suitemates or other residents.
5. In accordance with the State Life Safety Code, it is illegal and potentially dangerous to obstruct or interfere in any manner (e.g., hanging items from sprinkler) with the operation of the sprinklers located in the rooms and public areas. Disciplinary action and a fine up to $1,000 may result for anyone found tampering with life safety equipment.
6. Due to health, damage, and nuisance factors, pets are not permitted in the buildings or grounds of Loyola University. Fish in properly maintained aquariums and guide dogs for the visually impaired are the only exceptions. Disciplinary action, a $50 fine, and restitution for any damages may result for a first time violation to this policy.
7. Solicitation is not permitted in residence halls, nor will students be permitted to use their rooms for any commercial purpose.
8. All types of firearms, weapons, and explosives, including firecrackers, gasoline, and combustible materials, are prohibited in the residence halls. A chemical and/or pepper based dispensing device sold commercially can be possessed and used for self-protection.
9. Illegal possession or use of drugs, narcotics, and hallucinatory agents is prohibited in the residence halls.
10. Excessive noise, building or hall sports, and unruly behavior are not permitted in the residence halls.
11. The intentional littering, overturning of trash receptacles, or “trashing” of any residence hall public area is considered an act of vandalism. Violations of the policy will result in disciplinary action and/or a fine.
12. The University shall accept no responsibility for the theft or loss of monies or valuables of students living in residence halls owned by the University. Students are encouraged to carry adequate personal property insurance.
13. Only official notices and messages approved by the director of residential life or their designated representative may be placed on official hall bulletin boards.
14. Mailboxes may not be used for any purpose other than mail. Special notices placed in boxes must be authorized by the director of residential life and placed in boxes by the staff members.
C. Residential Access
In order to provide students with better security, Cabra Hall is locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The front doors to Buddig, Biever and Carrollton Residence Halls will be locked Sunday through Thursday at midnight and on Friday, Saturday, and evenings of holidays 2 a.m. The front doors will be unlocked at 10 a.m.
With the exception of the front entrance doors of Biever, Buddig, and Carrollton Residence halls and the front and back doors of Cabra Hall, all other doors leading to the exterior of the halls are equipped with alarm systems which will sound if opened. These exits are to be used only in the event of emergency evacuation from the building.
Resident students of all halls must show their Loyola Identification Card and building sticker to the Desk Assistant on duty as they enter the building, each time they enter the building. We ask residents to do this to identify themselves as a building resident. By taking this measure, we significantly increase building security. We do this for students safety, so please be cooperative with the desk staff.
To provide greater security for the residents, a security access system has been installed in each residence hall. To gain access to a door governed by the system, simply slide your Identification Card through the reader located beside the door.
Residents should be extremely cautious about admitting persons after the building is closed. Don’t put yourself and other residents in danger by allowing an innocent looking thief or rapist in the building! Report anyone who looks suspicious to University Police at x3434.
The room key you receive at check-in is the principal means of security for residents belongings. Keep your door locked at all times --- even when you retire for the night or just go down the hall to visit a friend. Make sure you carry your keys and ID with you at all times when you are out of your room, even when you go to the bathroom.
If a theft should occur, report it to both a residence hall staff member and University Police immediately. The University cannot be responsible for personal property that is lost, stolen, or damaged. Students are encouraged to discuss purchasing personal property insurance with your parents. Remember, the best protection against theft is a locked door.
D. Lockout Policy
All residents are strongly encouraged to carry their Loyola identification and keys at all times. If a student should forget their keys or identification card and cannot gain access into their building, they will be charged a lockout fee if the R.A. or Residential Life staff member has to let you in. The fines are as follows:
- $10 to gain access to your room.
- $20 to open the front door after hours.
If a student loses their keys, please report it to Residential Life as soon as possible. The cost of changing the locks and making new keys will be added to a student’s bill. The purpose for the cost is to cover key reissue and lock change for every person in your suite/room, or for loss of a wing key, for every person in the hall.
E. General Visitation Guidelines for Residence Halls
1. The residential visitation program in Buddig and Biever Halls for freshman students:
Sunday-Thursday………………….......10 a.m. – midnight
Friday- Saturday…………………........10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
Eve of Holidays………………………...10 a.m. – 2 a.m.
University designated holidays with extended visitation are Labor Day; Fall Break; Martin Luther King, Jr. Day; and Independence Day. However, visitation guidelines change during Thanksgiving, Easter, Mardi Gras, and the opening and closing weeks of school. During these times, guidelines will be posted for residents.
2. The residential visitation program in the Cabra and Carrollton Halls:
Sunday – Saturday………………….24 hour visitation
Students residing in Carrollton Hall or Cabra Hall may have any member of the opposite sex visit in their student rooms in accordance with the approved hours.
3. All guests, resident and non-resident, must be met at the front desk, checked in at the front desk during desk hours, and escorted at all times.
4. Cohabitation is prohibited.
5. You may have overnight guests of the same sex stay with you in your room. As a courtesy to your roommate, however, you should obtain their agreement to the visit, particularly if your guest is to occupy your roommate’s bed. All overnight guests must be registered with your R.A. Each room may have a maximum of three people, including residents, staying in it at one time. Your guest may not stay in the building for more than three nights in one week and not in consecutive weeks. As a host, you are responsible for any charges that may result from their stay in the residence halls. Guests must obey all University and residence hall policies and regulations.
6. Violations (Minor)
The following actions constitute minor violations of the residential visitation policy:
a. Failure to register/escort guests.
b. Person either exiting or found within the building within 5-20 minutes following the end of visitation hours.
For these minor infractions, the host and guest will be subject to the following penalties, up to and including the stated limits:
c. First Offense – Withdrawal of guest and host privileges for up to two calendar weeks, effective immediately.
d. Second Offense – Withdrawal of guest and host privileges for a period of up to 18 weeks, effective immediately, during weeks in which the University is in session.
e. Third Offense – Referral to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Provost or designee for disciplinary action up to and including eviction from the residence hall. These minor violations are recorded on a cumulative basis per year. It is not necessary to violate the same regulation three times to be referred for additional disciplinary action.
When one of the above mentioned penalties has been imposed, the Assistant Director for Residential Development will notify all resident assistants and all residence hall reception desks of the revocation of privileges.
Students who do not abide by the penalty imposed will be referred to the Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Provost or designee for additional disciplinary action, up to and including eviction from the residence hall.
7. Violations (Major)
The residential visitation policy is established to provide for guest visitation during established hours. As such, the following are considered to be major infractions and will subject the student host and guest to disciplinary action up to and including suspension from the University.
a. Loyola students of the opposite sex entering or exiting residence buildings at times other than those specified as visitation hours or beyond the 20 minute grace period.
b. Loyola students of the opposite sex who are discovered in a residence building at times other than those designated for visitation.
c. Non-Loyola persons of the opposite sex who enter or leave a building at times other than those designated for visitation may be subject to the permanent denial of the use of all campus facilities.
d. Any guest who is not escorted by their host.
F. Room Entry and Room Search
It should be clearly understood that the guidelines outlined for search and entry are intended for the protection of the individual student and the University. It is anticipated that the spirit of the search and entry policy will reflect an attitude of fair play to maintain the integrity of the individual and the University.
1. Room Entry
Rooms can be entered by authorized representatives of the University, including residential life staff personnel, for the following reasons which are made known to the occupants:
a. Inspecting for condition of room and compliance with safety regulations.
b. Repair, maintenance, or cleaning of facility and furnishings by the Physical Plant staff.
c. Responding to reported or perceived emergency situations.
d. Enforcing University policy and investigating possible infractions thereof.
e. Inspecting rooms to insure that the hall is vacated during fire drills or in other emergency situations, and during vacation periods.
Please note that the residence hall staff are expected to respond to violations of University policy discovered upon entering a student’s room.
2. Room Search
Rooms will only be searched with “reasonable cause” and with the voluntary consent (waiver) of the student; unless an administrative search authorization has been granted by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Associate Provost or designated representative. The occupant(s) will be informed of the reason for any room search. It is understood that this policy in no way limits bona fide law enforcement officials with a search warrant from lawful entry. Possible reasons for room search are:
a. An indication that the occupants are in violation of University policy with regard to conduct, health standards, and safety regulations.
b. An emergency situation where in the judgment of an authorized person (i.e., a student affairs officer, residential life professional staff, or a public safety/University police officer), there is an immediate and clear emergency regarding health or safety.
3. Procedures for Room Entry/Search
a. No student room should be entered without knocking. Entry, following the knock, shall be preceded by a time lapse of sufficient duration to provide occupant(s) with ample opportunity to open the door themselves. In situations where a room is entered in the absence of its occupant(s), written notification will be left by authorized personnel.
b. Students will be given a receipt for any belongings removed following a search or discovered upon entry. These belongings will be returned, if and when it is safe and lawful to do so, after the disposition of the case by the appropriate University and/or civil authorities.
c. Two persons, to include one student affairs officer, must be present when it is necessary to search a student’s room when an occupant is not present.
G. Fire Safety (or things not to bring)
For fire safety, personal safety and pest control send the following things home:
Halogen lamps (desk/floor)
Microwaves (except Cabra)
Oil lamps
Space heaters
Hot plates
Fireworks
Illegally obtained property (street signs, barricades, cones, etc.)
Illegal Substances
Candles
Incense
Extension Cords
Fire arms, knives and weapons of any kind
Open coil appliances: hot plates, skillets, toaster ovens, toasters
Pets
H. Room Change
Entering students are matched as roommates based upon individual interests or by mutual requests. On occasion, people desire to change roommates. In such cases, it is expected that every effort will be made by the people involved to resolve their differences and seek harmony prior to requesting a change. A request to change rooms should be viewed as a last recourse. If a room change is necessary, the following procedures will be followed.
There will be a one-week period in which any student, after consultation with a resident assistant and approval of the Assistant Director, can change rooms or roommates by filling out a room change form. Room changes are not permitted when race, color, creed, or national origin may be the underlying cause. No room changes are to be made prior to permission granted. Students requesting room changes outside of the room change period will be charged a $100 service charge per student moving.
Also, please note that if a roommate does not show up in the fall, moves out before the end of the semester, or if a student should not be assigned a roommate originally, the student will have two options:
- The student may keep the double room as a single by paying the single room rate, provided there is room.
- The student may consolidate by moving to another vacancy in the building.
I. Quiet Hours
Every effort is made to maintain an atmosphere in the halls that is conducive to study and sleep. Thus quiet hours are observed as follows:
Sunday – Thursday: 8 p.m. – 10 a.m.
Friday – Saturday: 10 p.m. – 10 a.m.
During quiet hours, residents must keep stereos, TVs, voices, musical instruments, and other sources of noise at a level that cannot be heard outside their own room. Hallway noise should be kept at a minimum. In addition, courtesy hours are in effect at all times. This means that residents should turn down their stereos or tone down their voices upon request, whenever they are interfering with another student’s right to sleep or study. During exam times, 24-hour quiet hours are enforced. Quiet hours and courtesy hours include the residence halls, the porches, and the quads.
J. Noise in Residential Quad and Greenville Lawn
Chanting, singing, and other loud noise are not allowed in the residential quad without written permission from the Office of Residential Life. Permission will not be granted during residential life quiet hours (8 p.m. – 10 a.m., Sunday – Thursday and 10 p.m. – 10 a.m., Friday and Saturday). A fine up to $250 will be levied against student(s), groups, or organizations that violate this policy. Club sports must have a reservation on file with Recreational Sports and Danna Center and Student Activities for practice in the Residential Quad.
K. Community Living
Living in a community environment is not like living at home. When you are living in hall, your actions affect not only you and your roommate, but also the 40-50 other students who live in your hall. Every resident possesses the right to be able to study or sleep in his or her own room at any time. Your rights end where the other person’s rights begin. Although each individual has rights, the rights of the group take precedence in most cases. If you have any questions or feel your rights are being violated, talk to your RA.
L. Inspection of Rooms
Every semester the professional staff of Residential Life and Physical Plant inspects each room. The rooms are checked for health and safety concerns, including overloaded electrical sockets, room damage, fire hazards, and other dangers. Signs will be posted on your floor to remind you when the inspections will take place. A note will be left in each room to let the occupants know that an inspection took place and if any problems were found. All identified problems must be corrected in the specified period of time.
M. Housekeeping
The housekeeping staff regularly cleans all public areas, including Cabra Hall and Biever Hall bathrooms. However, it is an expectation that residents assist in helping to maintain a reasonable level of cleanliness in public areas. Your room is your own responsibility. Vacuums, brooms, and mops are available at the front desk for resident use. In Buddig and Carrollton Hall, suite baths must be regularly cleaned by suitemates. Trash is emptied in all three buildings Monday – Saturday.
N. Pests and Exterminators
Improperly stored food and trash will attract pests. Cleanliness by residents and their neighbors is more important than large quantities of bug spray.
To keep pest problems to a minimum, the resident community is serviced regularly by a professional exterminator. Residents can help this effort by adhering to sensible cleaning and food storage practices. If a major problem occurs, you may be required to clear closets, remove dresser drawers, cover food items, or assist in other ways the University deems necessary to facilitate an effective pest control program.
Residence halls are baited on a regular basis. If a resident is home when the exterminator comes, please allow them access to the room. Rescheduling the exterminator visit is not possible.
Note: If a resident has allergies that would be aggravated by bait, please contact the Assistant Director.
O. Cooking
Because of fire prevention regulations, as well as health and sanitation reasons, cooking is not allowed in the rooms or suites of the residence halls. Conventional ovens, microwave ovens, and stoves are provided in each residence hall for the convenience of the residents. Kitchens are on the first floor of Cabra, on the 12th floor of Buddig, each floor of Carrollton Hall and Biever, as well as in the apartment common areas of Carrollton Hall.
P. Maintenance and Repairs
When a resident’s room or its furnishings need routine repairs, notify either the R.A. or the desk staff on duty. Normal maintenance job requests usually take from three to five working days to complete. Please be patient, but be sure to tell the R.A. if a repair is not made in a timely manner. Emergency problems should be reported to the R.A. or the R.A. on duty as soon as possible.
Q. Elevators
Please do not tamper with the elevator equipment, as this can pose a serious safety threat to all residents. If a resident should drop their keys or I.D. down the elevator shaft, they must wait until the elevator is serviced or pay the fee charged by the elevator repairman.
R. Vandalism
Residential Life takes great strides to find the offenders of vandalism; however, many offenders are often unknown. Because of this, all residents must pay for the damage done within the residence halls. If you see someone committing vandalism you may report it anonymously to x3738 or University Police at x3434. This is in your best interest, so that offenders are caught and must pay for the damage.
S. Decorations
Residents are responsible for and will be charged for any decorations that stain, alter, or otherwise damage the room. This includes nail holes, hooks, decals, tape marks, and stickers. Residents will be charged if they move attached or permanently fixed furniture. If a resident decorates their windows, they should give consideration to the University and the people it serves. The housing staff will contact students regarding inappropriate objects or decorations in the window. RESIDENTS MUST RETURN THEIR ROOM TO ITS ORIGINAL CONDITION BY THE END OF THE CONTRACT PERIOD.
T. Furniture
Furniture is provided for residents convenience in the study lounges and kitchens of each residence hall. Please leave the furniture in these locations so that all residents may enjoy it. Removing furniture from public areas is prohibited and will result in a hefty fine.
U. Bail
The Department of Residential Life, as a service to students, will assist in releasing a resident student from police or sheriff lock-ups following arrest. The service is for resident students who have not been bailed out by the department before. The policy applies for minor crimes only (no drugs, weapons, violence, etc.)
The department contacts an attorney who handles the bail proceeding. It generally takes 24 hours or more for this process to get a student out of jail. The student is responsible for any fees the University may incur. To be bailed out, the student must call University Police at 865-3434 and request to be bailed out of jail.
The attorney, who is a Loyola graduate, may be contacted directly by students. He and his firm handle both minor and major off-campus student legal issues. If a student contacts the attorney directly, they must realize they are hiring an attorney and will be responsible for any legal fees. This direct process is much faster and can result in release in a few hours.
Raleigh L. Ohlmeyer, Jr., Attorney at Law
Phone: (504) 585-7370
Fax: (504) 585-7305
1100 Poydras Street
2900 Entergy Center
New Orleans, LA 70163-2900
