Resident Life Policies F - M
F
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of student education records. Generally, University officials are not allowed to share information concerning your student’s time on campus without their consent, unless we believe they have a health or safety emergency. Other exceptions apply as well, such as when the university receives a subpoena for their records. For more information concerning FERPA, please refer to the federal government website.
Final exam week check out
At the end of the fall and spring semesters, residents must vacate their unit within 24 hours after their last scheduled exam.
Fire alarms
Residents and guests are expected to immediately vacate the building each time a fire alarm is sounded. Misuse of the fire alarm system, including sounding a false alarm or tampering with extinguishers and other fire safety equipment is prohibited.
Fire safety
Students are expected to know the locations of fire alarms and exits in their residence hall. Prompt and complete cooperation in case of fire is important for everyone’s safety. All living spaces also have fire suppression (sprinkler head) systems. Tampering with smoke detectors, fire extinguishers and/or suppression (sprinkler head) systems is strictly prohibited. NOTE: Items must not be hung on or obstruct the room’s sprinkler head(s), smoke detector, or pipes. Residents and guests are expected to immediately vacate the building each time a fire alarm is sounded. Misuse of the fire alarm system, including sounding a false alarm or tampering with extinguishers is prohibited and may result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct.
Fire suppression sprinkler heads are located in all student residence hall rooms across campus. These sprinkler heads contain significant water pressure and are capable of discharging hundreds of gallons of water per minute. It is strictly prohibited to obstruct or prevent the sprinkler head from operating properly. You are not permitted to use the sprinkler head as a “hook” on which to string lights, hangers, clothing, hats or any other item. Please be aware that setting off the sprinkler head due to inappropriate use or horseplay may result in University discipline in addition to being held financially responsible for associated repairs, damages and flood water cleanup.
Firearms, explosives, and weapons
A student shall not possess or use firearms; explosives (including, but not limited to, fireworks and black powder); dangerous chemicals; weapons; knives with a blade longer than three inches, hunting knives, fixed blade knives, switchblade knives, throwing knives, daggers, razors, other cutting instruments the blade of which is exposed; or items that forcibly eject projectiles (including BB, CO2-powered, pellet and air soft guns); and any other device that may be injurious to others, except as part of an approved university activity and under the supervision of a University official. Firearms (including BB, CO2-powered, pellet and air soft guns) may not be stored in University residences. Any replica of any of the foregoing weapons is also prohibited. Firearms and ammunition used for hunting must be properly registered with the CMU Police Department and stored in compliance with University regulations.
The State of Michigan has enacted a concealed carry law that prohibits carrying a concealed pistol into a dormitory (residence hall) or classroom of a university.
Flushable wipes
Flushable wipes are permitted, but must be disposed of in the garbage.
Flyers
Residents interested in posting flyers must receive approval from the Office of Residence Life in Ronan 270 prior to posting.
Furnishings
All University-provided furniture and equipment must remain in the room or apartment as inventoried upon check-in. The removal of public area furniture is strictly prohibited. Residents are permitted to bring personal furniture and accessories to their unit and to move/set up University- provided or personal furniture within their unit (rearranging furniture is the responsibility of residents). All roommates must be in agreement about the furniture arrangement. The following guidelines also apply to furniture within on-campus housing:
- Any non-University mattresses are strictly prohibited due to fire safety standards.
Furniture should not block vents, thermostats, or means of egress.
Upon move-out, all university-provided furniture must be present and set up to match the university layout standards (building specific instructions will be provided prior). See “Order Weeks” information.
All furniture/accessories belonging to residents must be removed from campus prior to move-out or else the furniture left will be subject to removal at the owner’s expense and forfeited.
Residents will be charged for any damages to furniture not reported within the timeframe given at check-in.
The university beds can be reconfigured to add space, learn more here.
G
Gambling
Gardens- apartment
Gender inclusive housing
- Adam Isley: Assistant Director of Residence Life for Housing Assignments 989-774-3285
- Office of LGBTQ Services and Gender Equity Programs 989-774-3637
Guests/visitation
Each community allows visitation and requires guests to be escorted at all times. Escorting a guest consists of a resident being present with their guest when their guest enters the building and are in public areas up until the time a guest leaves the building. Residents should abide by their community’s procedures and Residence Life policies and the Office of Residence Life Housing Contract. In terms of specific living units, a guest is considered any person who does not have a contract for that living unit.
For all residents:
- The resident is responsible at all times for their guest(s).
- A resident’s right to privacy prevails over a resident’s right for guests.
- Guests must be escorted by the resident host. Only a resident of the community can serve as the host.
- Guests are expected to abide by all University and Residence Life policies. Guests who violate policies or are disruptive to the community may be asked to leave by a Residence Life staff member. Residents may be held responsible for the actions of their guests.
- A resident may host a guest in their living unit with the prior expressed consent of all roommates.
- Residents are responsible for completing a roommate agreement that should include mutually agreeable expectations that define guest visitation and privileges.
- Only contracted residents assigned to a specific living unit may live there.
- Residents and guests may not sleep in the public areas of any community.
- Disciplinary action may be taken in cases where residents do not abide by these expectations.
- No overnight guests during the weekdays should occur. Overnight Guests on the weekend can occur according to the terms laid out in each living unit’s roommate agreement workbook and with expressed consent from all roommates. Cohabitation is not permitted with Guests. A guest should not be staying overnight more than two consecutive nights.
H
Halogen lamps
Any lamp requiring or utilizing a halogen or halogen-type bulb is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, torchiere and desk lamps.
Hosting a keg and/or supplying alcoholic beverages to minors
Residents are not allowed to distribute alcoholic beverages within University housing per state law. Michigan law is interpreted to mean that the sale, trade or giving away of alcoholic beverages requires a license. Therefore, each person must supply their own alcoholic beverages. No kegs or mass purchases are allowed.
I
Internet
Items left in hallway/public area
Items not recommended
The following items are not recommended as they may damage university property if used improperly, diminish air-quality and/or impact others with sensitivity to smells.
- Air fresheners including wallflowers
- Humidifiers/dehumidifiers
- Non-university desk chairs, unless used with a floor protector mat
- Ice makers
K
Keys and additional locks
A key(s) is issued to each resident at check-in. Keys provide access to the resident’s room/apartment and mailbox. At check-in, a resident acknowledges receipt of the key and an assumption of responsibility. Keys must not be loaned or duplicated. If a key is lost, the resident must pay for a lock replacement and new key(s). Lost keys should be reported at once to the Residence Hall Director. Additional locks are not allowed on any residence hall or apartment door due to safety concerns.
It is the responsibility of the resident to carry their key at all times. If the resident does not have it, a staff member will unlock the resident’s door no more than two times during the academic year. After two key ins, the resident will be charged $20 each time the resident requests a staff member to unlock their door.
L
Living unit condition
Your living unit has been inspected and any recognized deficiencies have been noted and repaired or are in the process of being repaired. If you recognize any deficiencies or damages within your living unit, please report the issue immediately to the maintenance link provided on the back of the door. Items reported after 4:00 p.m. on the first Tuesday of classes may result in charges. Additional charges will be assessed throughout the year if repairs are needed due to abuse or vandalism.
Lofts
Lofts are permitted but must be rented through BedLoft.com. Personal lofts are prohibited. If you decide to rent a loft, the University furniture must be stored in your own residence hall room. Lofts are not allowed in Carey due to the size of bed. Bedlofts are prohibited in Campbell, Celani, Fabiano, Kesseler and Kulhavi halls as the University provided beds are already loftable.
The University has an agreement with Bedloft who rents approved lofts to interested residents. Central Michigan University is not responsible or liable for the services and/or actions of Bedloft.com.
Recreational marijuana/cannabis
Although many states (Michigan included) have passed laws legalizing medicinal and recreational marijuana, all forms of marijuana continue to be illegal under federal law on campus. Federal law supersedes state law, as a result, institutions are not obligated to accommodate users of medicinal or recreational marijuana in residence housing, on campus, or otherwise. CMU does not allow the use or possession of any form of marijuana on campus.
M
Mattresses
Any non-university mattresses are strictly prohibited due to fire safety standards
Micro-mobility devices (spin scooters)
Micro-Mobility Devices include but is not limited to electric skateboard, electric scooter, electric bicycle, electric hoverboard or other personalized motorized device.
Personal mobility devices such as wheelchairs (manual and power), mobility scooters, knee scooters or other mobility devices prescribed by a physician which are used due to a disability are excluded from this Policy.
The charging, storage, possession, and or use of micro-mobility devices is prohibited within all university buildings. You should not ride or bring a micro-mobility device into any university building.
Users must park at bike racks or designated parking corrals on campus; this is true for personally owned and professionally owned devices.
If injured while using a micro-mobility device, please notify a University official.
Missing person
If the Office of Residence Life is notified that a resident is believed to be missing, staff are directed to contact CMU Police.
Movie viewing
Due to copyright laws, the viewing of prerecorded movies (DVD, Blu- Ray, streaming services, etc.) in public areas is prohibited. This includes lobby, lounge and study areas. The rental or purchase of movies does not carry with them licenses for non-home showings. A resident’s individual residential unit is considered to be their home, and thus they can view movies within the confines of their residential unit.