Residential Living Policies and Procedures

Mission and Overview

The Residence Life program at Cabrini University is an integral part of the educational experience, intended to provide students with service and to assist them in the development of the Qualities of a Liberally Educated Person.

The department’s Mission Statement:

Residence Life is dedicated to promoting a secure and welcoming living learning community that provides an enjoyable experience, valuing individuals as engaged and socially responsible members of their community.

Residence Life Staff

The Director of Residence Life is responsible for the administration and programmatic components of the residence life program. The staff includes an assistant director and graduate assistants, resident assistants, and an administrative assistant.

Resident Assistants (RAs)

The RAs are undergraduate para-professional students selected and supervised by the Office of Residence Life, who oversee the daily operations of all three residential areas. The RAs work to facilitate the development of community on their floors by organizing programs and activities, assisting individual students and building community, and helping with students in crisis. Another important responsibility of the RAs is to uphold all University and residential policies and community standards. RAs can be expected to provide important information to their residents, inclusiveness for all members of their community, help resolve conflicts between roommates or floor mates, and to address the behavior of floor members who are infringing upon the rights of others. RAs provide duty coverage on a rotating daily basis. RA duty begins at 8:00 p.m. and ends at 8:00 a.m. daily. While on duty, RAs will conduct rounds of the buildings or areas at various times of the night, assist students when necessary, and document inappropriate student behavior or building facilities issues. In order to contact the RA on duty, students may stop by the RA on duty’s room during the above hours or call the appropriate RA duty number posted in the residence halls. The RA on duty may not be in the residence hall of the student in need, so contacting the RA duty phone is the best method of communication. If a student needs help prior to 8p.m., they should contact Public Safety.

Residential Expectations and Behavior

Living in a community requires sensitivity toward and respect for the needs of others. Cabrini University is an educational institution comprised of people from all backgrounds and belief systems, with differing expectations for community living. To protect the right of each student to a pleasant and fair living environment, civil behavior is expected by all community members. Students are encouraged to respectfully confront inappropriate or disruptive behavior and to seek out the assistance of student and professional Residence Life staff members. The Residence Life staff is here to listen, assist, and support students with any issues or concerns. The Residence Life staff cannot properly assist students who do not report issues of concern within their living space. Discounts are not offered for students based on incidents and or concerns within the residence halls.

A. Housing Policies

Housing Assignments and Selection Process Assignments

Housing assignments and placements are the exclusive responsibility of the Office of Residence Life. Residence Life reserves the right to change or modify housing assignments and fill housing vacancies as necessary for reasons of health, safety, discipline, or consolidation purposes. Students may not change assignments without authorization. Attempts to manipulate the housing assignment process may result in disciplinary action.

Housing Placement and Selection Process

New Students (first year and transfer students) are assigned during the summer after the June 1^st application deadline. First-Year students will be placed in designated first-year areas for their academic and social success. For transfer students, the University will take their previous experience into consideration and attempt to place students in areas designated for upperclassmen and or students of the similar age.

Current students or residents who plan to reside on campus the following Fall must participate in the housing selection process. Information explaining this process will be distributed to current residents towards the end of the Fall semester. Current students must have an opportunity to be placed prior to incoming students. Transfer or other students considered incoming students are not able to participate in the housing selection process.

Housing Cancellation Policy

If you have already signed your housing agreement and later find yourself in a situation that requires it to be considered for cancellation, you should submit a Housing Cancellation Application Form through your “MyHousing” Account. Students granted a release from their Housing Agreement may be charged a $300 Housing Cancellation Fee. All other bills and charges will be refunded based on the University’s Refund Policy and Schedule. The University reserves the right to cancel a housing agreement and remove a student from residence for failure to meet his/her financial obligations to the University.

If a student is looking to appeal the Housing Cancellation fee due to certain circumstances, they can email reslife@cabrini.edu within 3 days of completing the housing cancellation application form. A committee will review the appeal to decide on all appeals. Appeals will be considered on a case by case basis and approved for extenuating circumstances. The student would still be financially responsible for paying the amount owed via the refund policy. 

Examples of extenuating circumstances are listed and may require additional documentation. This list is not all-inclusive. 

Graduation from Cabrini University
Entering Military Service
Withdrawal from the University
Academic Dismissal
Participating in a University-approved study abroad program
Death of an immediate family member/guardian
Long-term hospitalization of the student or other extenuating medical condition that requires a medical leave.
Significant Life Change

Steps on how to Cancel your Housing

Complete the housing cancelation application through you “MyHousing” account by:

Log into your CabriniOne account (one.cabrini.edu) using your username and password.
Click on the student tab (located at the top)
Click on “MyHousing” (located in the bottom right corner)
Located under Application you will select- Housing Cancelation

Prepare to check-out of your room on the date and time you indicated in your application. You will need to turn-in your key at Woodcrest at the Housing and Residence Life Office
Your room will be inspected by a professional staff member for damages and cleanliness after you move-out.

Eligibility for Housing

Residential living is a vital component of a student’s social and educational experience which encourages engagement within the campus community. Therefore, all residents in University housing must be full-time undergraduate students (12 credits minimum) and in good academic standing. If a student falls below a full time status due to dropping a class, changing majors, etc., the Office of Residence Life should be notified by the resident immediately. Requests to continue housing will be considered on a case by case basis.

Graduate housing or housing for Non- traditional undergraduate students, 23 years of age or older, will only be granted housing on a case by case basis and if availability permits. Cabrini University does not provide separate housing for non-traditional aged or graduate students.

Students should have up to date immunization records and appropriate medical insurance filed with Health Services based on University policies.

Move-in, Move-out, and Hall Closings

Students agree to move into and out of their assigned spaces during the allotted times as designated by Residence Life. In addition, students may be asked to leave their housing due to suspension, withdrawal, other disciplinary outcomes, leave of absence, or termination of full-time status. Upon any move out, students are expected to return the space to its original, clean condition. Failure to do so will result in fines being assessed. There are limited instances when Residence Life permits students to access the residence halls prior to scheduled move-in dates or remain in residence beyond the scheduled closing dates. All residents will receive an email with break and closing/opening information. It is the student’s responsibility to request, prior the given deadline, if there is a need for an exception. In addition, all hall closings and openings are listed online through the University Calendar. Students who are moving in or moving out, may only move prior to quiet hours to ensure that all residents are not disturbed by moving furniture, excessive noise, etc.

University Holiday and Break Housing

Residence halls and dining services are closed when the University is closed (i.e. Thanksgiving, Winter, Spring, and Easter break). If a student has an extreme circumstance and wants to stay during a break period, a student must submit a break housing application by the given deadline. Residence Life staff will review the request and respond to the student with an approval or denial. Students may be asked to consolidate into other buildings for reasons of safety and security during break periods. The dates and times for all hall openings and closings can be found on the University website, posted in the halls, or on the University calendar. Family vacations, flights, and other personal reasons are not considered extreme circumstances and students should be planning ahead accordingly. Students who receive permission to remain on campus are subject to University policies as well as additional break housing policies, all students must sign a break contract, and will be charged $30 per day for housing (charges excluding University related reasons such as in-season athletes).

Students who fail to notify the Office of Residence Life and/or fail to follow proper break housing procedures are in violation may face sanctions and/or fines. Students who have violated code of conduct policies during a break housing period will be asked to arrange other accommodations for the remainder of the break period and will not be permitted to stay during subsequent breaks. Due to limited staffing during breaks, there are additional policies for students to follow. Students who are approved for break housing will be required to sign the break housing contract, which lists all of the additional break policies. Students may not stay if they do not complete a contract prior to the halls closing. Break periods include Thanksgiving, Winter, Easter, and Spring Break. Hall openings and closings are posted on the Residence Life website and will be emailed out in advance. It is a student’s responsibility to be aware of all hall openings and closings and to make appropriate plans as needed.

Room Changes

Room changes may be accommodated after the second week of the semester during the Open Room Change Process if there are available vacancies. Students are not permitted to make a room change without prior approval from Residence Life. Unauthorized room changes will result in disciplinary action. After the Open Room Change time period Residence Life will only support a room change if the students have exhausted all other options (i.e., roommate discussions, roommate contracts, and mediation). No student, under any circumstances, can force another to vacate a space. The Office of Residence Life will not approve room changes solely on the basis of difference of race, religion, sexual orientation, physical disability, national origin, or age. Any such efforts will be referred for disciplinary action. Students who are in a double room may receive a roommate at any time throughout the semester, and Residence Life reserves the right to consolidate rooms whenever it deems necessary.

Room Condition and Common Areas

Common Area and Common Area Furniture

Common areas and furniture are provided by Residence Life for all students in the community to enjoy and use. Common area furniture may not be used or moved into a student’s individual room. Students who move lounge or common area furniture into their rooms will be required to return the furniture to its proper location and may be referred to disciplinary action. Students are also not permitted to take common area furniture outside of the building or to an unauthorized location, such as inside an elevator. If common area furniture breaks while a student is there, the student should report the incident to Residence Life staff. Subsequent violations of our common area furniture policy will result in further disciplinary action. The residents of a hall/ building are responsible for the condition of all public areas and University-owned furnishings. Vandalism, damage, or missing University property will be billed to the residents of that particular suite, hall, apartment, or building. Room costs reflect the actual cost of housing students and maintaining residence halls. Since no allowances are made for theft or damages, such costs must be endured by members of the community. All acts of vandalism or damage should be reported to Residence Life or to Public Safety. Vandalism can include, but is not limited to, damaged property, graffiti, unwanted mess, or excessive trash in common areas.

Room Condition

Each resident of a room must submit an online Room Condition Form (RCF) to document any problems with the condition of the room when it is initially occupied.

Upon check-in, you will receive a reminder email with instructions and a link to the “MyHousing” section of the Cabrini Portal to complete the form.

Residents will be held responsible for any damage to their room that is found when they move out unless:

It was noted on the RCF
It is normal wear and tear; or
It is a maintenance problem that arose during the year that was properly reported.

Rooms will be inspected at the end of the spring semester or whenever the room is vacated. Residents are encouraged to be present for this inspection and to schedule this inspection with their RA before moving out. If, for any reason, the RCF was never submitted, the Office of Residence Life will assume that there were no problems with the room when the residents initially moved in. Any damage charges will be billed to the student’s account.

Cleaning

Students are required to maintain a level of cleanliness and safety in their rooms. Although custodial services are provided for public areas, students are expected to assist in keeping those areas clean as well. This includes using trash rooms and not stacking trash in containers in the hallways. If a student’s room is deemed extremely unclean or the smell is affecting those around them, staff will ask students to clean the area. In situations where areas are excessively dirty, the residents of that hall may be charged for the necessary cleaning.

Decorating

Students are encouraged to personalize and decorate their room, suite, or apartment within reason. Students are not permitted to make any permanent alterations, including painting walls, adding wallpaper, or coverings that will not remove without damaging the wall. No shelving or other construction is permitted unless it is free standing. When hanging items, students should use mild adhesives like scotch and/or painters tape to avoid damaging walls. Using tacks, nails, or other tape may cause holes and paint damage to the wall. Should students make permanent alterations, they will be billed for the cost of correcting those alterations.

Students are encouraged to make their rooms feel like home, however we ask that students bring products that are new or lightly used and ensure that there are no bed bugs, fleas, or other problems coming in with the furniture that can be spread throughout the halls. Students should consult their roommates before bringing any items in or making any changes to a room. Most rooms cannot accommodate many additions; so, it is wise to consult with a roommate and Residence Life staff to avoid any future problems. Please consult all of the other policies to make sure your items are approved to be in the halls. University furniture cannot be removed in place of personal items.

Inappropriate posters, signs, stickers, or other items hung in windows outwardly displayed toward public areas are not permitted. Students displaying advertisements, posters, pictures, etc. in plain sight that portray alcohol consumption and/or are considered to be offensive will be asked to remove such items. As excessive alcohol consumption compromises academic achievement and is a primary cause of vandalism, disorderly conduct, sexual assault, and other unacceptable behavior, window or room displays involving alcohol containers (bottles, cans, cups, etc.) are not permitted in the residence halls.

Furniture

Students accept the responsibility for all University-provided room furnishings. Room furniture may not be stored at home, moved to another room, or taken from the residence halls. Should furniture be removed from the residence halls, the student moving the furniture will be fined and adjudicated for theft of University property (if lost or damaged). All room furniture in the student’s room at the time that the student moves in must remain in the same condition during the year as when the student checks out, as is the case with wall surfaces, windows, window screens, and other University property. The University furniture meets requirements and is up to code. Personal mattresses are not permitted unless medical accommodations are specified by proper documentation through our Accessibility Resource Center. Students are not approved to loft/bunk beds in residence halls without prior permission from Residence Life.

Storage

Storage spaces for personal belongings are not available to students, even for temporary situations. All students in need of personal storage need to consult a private company. There are a few locations close to campus that provide storage units at the student’s expense.

Trash Disposal

In all residence halls, residents are prohibited from placing their trash cans or bags outside their room doors. All trash is to be carried to the designated trash rooms or dumpster areas. Common area receptacles, such as lounges, laundry rooms, or bathrooms are not for personal garbage collection. Failure to adhere to these procedures may result in disciplinary action and/or fines. No personal items may be stored in the hallways, including running shoes, sporting gear, etc. Items left will be discarded after 24 hours and the student is responsible for paying to replace the items and/or for any theft of items that may take place.

B. Facilities and Maintenance

Maintenance Repair and Work Requests

Needed repairs should be reported immediately. Reported repairs are completed as soon as possible. Maintenance personnel may enter student rooms throughout the year to make necessary repairs.

To report a needed repair in any facility, students should make a work request by using one of the following procedures:

Routine maintenance (non-emergency):

Go to https://www.cabrini.edu/about/departments/facilities, click on Facilities Work Order
Fill in all spaces completely and accurately.
Students should always try to enter their own requests first. Staff will help out if needed.
Routine repairs include, but are not limited to:
- Room lighting issues
- General wear and tear of University furniture (i.e., loose toilet paper dispenser)
- Improper operations of heating and air conditioning systems (not during extreme
- heat or cold)
- Broken washers and dryers
- Pest control issue
- Submission of any work order provides permission for Maintenance to enter the room to fix any reported problems.

Emergency issues and non-routine maintenance:

Emergency issues and non-routine maintenance items should be handled through contacting Public Safety. Public Safety is open 24 hours a day and can be reached by calling (610) 902-8111. Emergency issues are those which present hazards to life, health, property, or interruption to utilities (electric, water, gas, heat, etc.) as well as hazards that would cause sufficient disruption to scheduled activities. A few examples of emergencies are: flooding, large leaks, and the smelling of gas.

Internet/ Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi or internet connectivity issues should be directed to University Information Technology Services through contacting the Help Desk at (610) 902-8366.

Pest Control

For pest issues please submit a work order through the University Facility’s system at https://www.cabrini.edu/about/departments/facilities. Our Exterminator is available once a week. Residence Life can supply ant traps as temporary measures for ants and small pests.

Bed Bugs Policy

The University is vigilant in treating all signs of bed bugs. Prior to the start of the Fall semester all residence halls were deemed clear of bed bugs by an exterminator. In order to ensure that our community is cleared of bed bugs, inspections will occur throughout the academic year. Dates and times of inspections will be communicated to all residents via email to their University issued email accounts. Bed bugs are a common occurrence in hotels, public transportation, homes, and especially in universities where students live with and visit one another. Since it can affect the community, the University will provide washers and dryers for students to launder impacted items. After treatment, if bed bugs are present due to students’ failure to follow instructions and provided timeline, or subsequent reports after determining bed bugs were eliminated, the University reserves the right to charge students the cost of laundry services and/or subsequent treatments of the room.

If you suspect you may have bed bugs, please refer to the following procedures:

As soon as any member of the University residential community suspects that bed bugs may be present in their room (look for rust colored spots-indicates fecal matter or blood from being crushed), apartment, suite, or any residence hall common spaces, Residence Life should be informed, so the formal process can begin. Security should be notified after normal business hours.
Staff will contact the University’s exterminator to perform a thorough inspection of the area in question. Please note that the exterminator can only be dispatched on business days. It is recommended that students report the concern to Residence Life as early on a regular business day as possible in order to facilitate the quickest response. It is possible that the exterminator will not be able to come until the next few business days. Students may not, at any time, deny the University’s exterminator or maintenance staff access to their living space (including their bedroom, suite common space, kitchen, bathroom, etc.)

Students should not clean their room or belongings until a technician can determine if there are any signs of bed bugs. If possible, students should try to retrieve a sample bug with clear tape for the exterminator to examine.

Inspection: If the technician finds that there are no bedbugs present then no further action will be taken. The student will be asked to continue monitoring the living space and to immediately report any further concerns to the RC.
If the technician concludes that bed bugs are present in the room, suite or apartment, Residence Life will provide the affected student(s) with a detailed list of instructions for the removal and laundering of personal items. As this is a community concern, the University will provide strict procedures to follow. The Office of Residence Life will work with students to secure washer and dryers for the treatment of soft items.

Bed Bug Reminders:

Don’t panic!
Do not apply pesticides on your own
Do not move your mattress or any furniture out into the hallway
Do not go sleep in a friend’s room or in places off-campus. If you have bed bugs, you will only spread them to others
Only the University’s exterminator can confirm or deny the presence of bed bugs – NOT student health services or any outside person. Bed bugs are a serious community issue, and ALL students are expected to comply with all instructions given to them within 24 hours of bed bug confirmation. Failure to comply with all instructions in the given amount of time will mean student is responsible for all costs of extermination, laundry, and cleaning!

Bed Bug Treatment Checklists for Students

Bed bugs can travel in clothing, bags, backpacks, laptops, furniture—anything with small spaces to hide. Therefore, all actions should be performed inside your room to prevent the spread of bed bugs.
Backpacks should be treated as clothing.
Personal electronics (i.e. cell phones, laptops) should be left on the desktop during treatment so they can be examined.
Textbooks and study materials should also be left in your room (not bagged) during treatment.

Check with the Office of Residence Life if you have any questions about these instructions.

Prevention Tips:

Fully inspect your suitcase before you leave to head to college, especially if you have travelled during the summer. Be sure to have washed all clothes in hot water before coming back.
If you stay at a hotel, always inspect the room before putting your suitcases down.
Look for blood splatters on the mattresses, and use a flashlight to look into small, dark spaces.
Before putting sheets on your residence hall bed, inspect the mattress seams for stains or spots. Thoroughly inspect your entire room before unpacking. If you see something you think is suspicious, contact Residence Life staff.
Never bring in second-hand or used furniture.
Always wash in hot water

Damage Billing and Vandalism

The cost of any repairs as a result of normal wear and tear will be covered by the University. Repairs that are required because of vandalism or student negligence will be billed to the individual responsible for the damage. In the event that the individual at fault is not found, the building, floor, or hall will be required to share the cost of repairing the damage.

Health and Safety Inspections

At the beginning of each break, Residence Life will conduct a formal health and safety inspection of every resident space. Failure of a health and safety inspection will result in a staff follow up and possible disciplinary action. In addition to formal inspections, unannounced health, fire, safety or maintenance inspections may be made of residence halls or a resident’s room by University personnel or proper health officials

Personal Property Insurance

The University cannot and does not assume responsibility for personal accident, injury, or illness sustained either by residents, guests, or visitors or for any damages, thefts, fire, or loss of any property belonging to a resident’s guest, visitor, or others. The University does not provide or endorse the sale of any specific insurance products; however, we recommend that students secure adequate insurance through their own or their parents’ homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy

C. Community Living Policies

Academic Atmosphere/ Quiet Hours

University residence halls are a place for a living/learning experience. It is important to create an atmosphere where students can be assured they have an appropriate place to study. The University has set in place specific times to ensure the academic well-being of all students living in the residential community. Residents and/or guests may not disturb other residents/neighbors or interfere with their rights, comforts, or conveniences. Residents may not play any television, radio, or sound system in a loud or objectionable manner that can be heard in the hallway or by neighbors.

Courtesy hours

Courtesy hours are in effect within the residence halls 24 hours a day. We encourage all students to speak with their neighbors respectfully if any noise occurs. During exams, “24-hour quiet hours” are in effect and violations may lead to a conduct hearing

Quiet Hours

All University housing shall maintain the following “Quiet Hours”

Sunday-Thursday 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.
Friday-Saturday 12:00 midnight. to 10 a.m.

Residents are expected to refrain in disruptive or loud behavior during quiet hours, there should be no excessive or unnecessary noise in rooms, apartments, suites, or hallways, including slamming doors, running, shouting, playing loud music, etc. To maintain a considerate academic atmosphere, residents are not permitted to store or play items that amplify sound and disturb the surrounding community. These items include, but are not limited to amplifiers, surround sound speakers, subwoofers, air horns, and megaphones. Students may not play musical instruments or throw/bounce balls within the residence halls due to the effects on others in the living area.

Disruptive Behavior

The University reserves the right to reassign or revoke on campus housing or take other necessary action, without a formal hearing, for those students whose behavior is considered disruptive or potentially detrimental to the well-being of the individual, roommates, and/or others in the residential community.

Emergencies

For health-related emergencies during normal business hours, students should call Public Safety at (610) 902-8111. Public Safety will assess the situation and will call the emergency medical personnel, if needed. Students may also use emergency phones to contact Public Safety. Emergency blue light boxes are located outside in locations across campus. These should be used to communicate with Public Safety staff in an emergency. In serious life-or-death emergencies, students should call 911 for local ambulance/fire and then let Public Safety know of the situation. A Public Safety officer will meet with the incoming squad and escort them to the location of the patient. Student will be responsible for any medical costs incurred for ambulance services.

For reason of liability, University staff members, including the Resident Assistants, cannot accept responsibility for transporting students to and from the hospital in the event of medical emergencies.

Emotional Support Animals, Service Animals, and Pets

Pet Policy

For health and safety reason, pets, animals, or indication of animals are not permitted in the residence halls unless approved though Accessibility Resource Center as a medical accommodation. Students found with pets or animals in their room will be given 24 hours to facilitate humane removal, and may be fined and referred to the Conduct process. Due to health concerns associated with animals living in the residence halls there are no pets. Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Service Animal and Emotional-Support Animal Policy

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), and the Fair Housing Act (FHA), Cabrini University is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities who require the assistance of a qualified service or emotional-support animal.

Service Animal: A “service animal” is trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability (guiding those with impaired vision, pulling a wheelchair, fetching items, alerting individuals who are hearing impaired about sounds, etc.). The work or tasks the animal provides must be directly related to the disability. Animals whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

Emotional-Support Animal: An “emotional-support animal” provides comfort to an individual with a disability upon recommendation of a healthcare or mental health professional. An emotional -support animal does not assist a person with daily living and instead lives with them, alleviates the symptoms of their disability, and provides companionship, affection, calming influence, or otherwise functions as part of a regimen of psychological treatment. Federal law gives emotional-support animals access to residence halls, but not to the entire campus, unless they also qualify as a service animal.

The University reserves the right to request vaccination and licensing information for animals. Animals authorized to live in University housing must not interfere with others’ enjoyment of residential space (barking, creating unsanitary conditions, etc.). Care and supervision of the animal is the sole responsibility of the student. The student must maintain control of the animal at all times, is responsible for cleanup of the animal’s waste, and must toilet the animal appropriately. The student is financially responsible for any damage caused by their animal and must ensure that the animal does not threaten the health and safety of the campus community.

The owner must provide contact information for an alternative caregiver who will take responsibility of the animal and remove it from campus if necessary. This alternative caregiver must reside off-campus and must be available to remove the animal in a timely manner.

Dogs must be removed within six hours; all other animals must be removed in no more than 12 hours.
If an animal is not removed in a timely manner, the University may have it removed.
If the animal’s needs are not being provided to ensure immediate health and well-being, the University reserves the right to have the animal removed.

Cabrini may consider the following factors, among others, as evidence in determining whether the presence of the animal is reasonable or in the making of housing assignments for individuals with Emotional-Support Animals:

The size of the animal is too large for available assigned housing space
The animal's presence would force another individual from housing (e.g., serious allergies)
The animal's presence otherwise violates individuals' right to sleep, study and/or socialize
The animal is not housebroken or is unable to effectively cohabitate with others
The animal's vaccinations are not up-to-date
The animal poses or has posed a direct threat to the safety of the individual or others (e.g., displays aggressive behavior).
The animal causes or has caused damage to housing beyond reasonable wear and tear.

A request may be denied as unreasonable if the presence of the animal:

imposes an undue financial and/or administrative burden on the institution
fundamentally alters University housing policies
poses a direct threat to the health and safety of others or would cause substantial property

Students must complete the following steps to be considered for housing accommodations:

Complete Cabrini’s Housing Application from Residence Life and indicate a preference for accommodated housing.
Submit page 2 of the Service and Emotional Support Animal Request form and have a licensed health care provider (physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) complete and submit pages 3 and 4.
Email Kathleen Johnson at kmj72@cabrini.edu to schedule an appointment to discuss housing accommodations.

Please include several available days and times.

Any questions should be directed to the Accessibility Resource Center at 610.902.8572 or in person at Founder’s Hall, Room 86.

Safety Regulations

Fire Safety

All University residences are smoke-free. Students found smoking in the residence halls will face disciplinary action. Smoking is prohibited within 30 feet of any University residence hall entrance or exit, and under any covered walkway or building overhang.

The University holds routine fire safety drills in accordance with Pennsylvania State Law, and all residents are expected to participate. Students may not disregard a fire alarm or refuse to evacuate a building in which an alarm is sounding, regardless of its nature (drill, false alarm, or actual alert). Student and/or students’ guests who tamper with alarms, fire safety equipment, who fail to leave during alarms, or cause a fire due to carelessness will face stern disciplinary action. This may include termination of University housing and/or referral to civil authorities. Initiating a false fire alarm is a clear violation of the University’s code of conduct and will be adjudicated as such.

Fire safety is EVERYONE’S responsibility. Students have to be aware that carelessness affects not only their safety, but that of members of the community. Any false alarm or abuse of fire safety equipment will result in fines or suspension of guest privileges to the hall or building where the abuse takes place, unless the individual responsible can be identified. In cases where those responsible are identified, the individual(s) will be adjudicated and may be arrested. Therefore, students must understand that they are responsible for instances in which they create fire hazards in the residence halls. All residents must pay close attention to fire hazards.

Due to the safety of the community, students are not permitted to:

Possess candles and incense. Open flame devices of any kind are prohibited which could include candles, candle melters/burners, lanterns, and incense, etc. This includes candles that have never been used.
Possess improper light fixtures: i.e. halogen or quartz bulbs, black lights, lava lamps, medusa lamps with plastic shades, rope lighting, or electrical decorations that are not UL approved.
Use unapproved electrical appliances: hot plates, electric frying pans, sandwich makers, waffle irons, Forman grills, crock pots, toaster ovens, and portable heaters as well as any appliances such as irons and coffee makers without automatic shut-off options. Residents may have refrigerators in their room that are UL approved and have a capacity of no more than 4 cubic feet.
Cover exterior of room door with flammable decorations, cover vents, or cover lights.
Use non-fire retardant window coverings. If students wish to add or provide their own window coverings, they must meet the same standards as the University. Documentation/verification of retardant fire products will be required.
Hang items or decorations improperly. This includes hanging items from fire sprinkler heads, heat detectors/ smoke detectors, and also from lights or ceilings.
Hang lights out of windows, over window coverings (especially curtains) or over doorways.
Overload electrical outlets or use multi-plug outlet cubes or extension cords. Students must use surge protectors only.
Run electrical cords or wires under carpets, through door jams, or under doors.
Store or use illegal or harmful items (i.e., excessive trash, garbage, paper, flammable items [paint, fuel, lighter fluid, etc.], explosive devices [fireworks, firearms, weapons]).
Use open flames inside or outside buildings, such as barbecues or fire pits.
Possess live Christmas trees.
Store bicycles or large items in rooms, hallways, common areas, or walkways. Bicycles should only be stored outside and locked to a bike rack. Bike racks are located across campus and students are responsible for supplying locks and/or coverings when bad weather occurs.

This list is not all-inclusive. Additional items may be added as deemed necessary by University personnel or as outlined in the University’s housing contract.

Residents may not tamper with or alter the following in University resident buildings:

Structure
Plumbing
Wiring
Fire Safety Apparatus such as smoke detectors, heat detectors, sprinkler heads,
or CO detectors.
Locks on doors or windows
Door closures
Exit signs
Fire Extinguishers

The University periodically conducts health and safety inspections to prevent fire safety violations. Misuse or abuse of fire safety equipment is taken very seriously. Tampering with fire or safety equipment will result in disciplinary actions being taken. The equipment’s purpose is to protect and save the lives of the residents of the building and their guests.

Because this is a community issue, it is the responsibility of the community to ensure any violation of this nature does not occur. If individuals responsible cannot be identified, the fine will be divided among all members of the respective residence hall. Therefore, any person possessing information related to incidents of misuse or tampering should report to Residence Life or Public Saftey.

Dangerous Practices

The following are defined as dangerous items and/or behaviors in a residential community and are prohibited. Students found in possession of these items or engaging in these behaviors will be subject to disciplinary action.

Weapons of any kind including firearms and ammunition, tasers, pepper spray and mace, replicas of weapons and martial arts equipment resembling weapons, gas and air pistols or rifles, pellet and BB guns
Projectiles or any substance thrown with the potential of defacing or damaging personal or University property, or causing personal injury or disruption.
Entering or misusing restricted areas such as attics, roofs, fire escapes, work rooms, mechanical rooms, or storage areas
Blocking or preventing the use of room doors, hallways, exit doors, and stairwells
Propping of exterior access doors and fire doors

Indoor Athletic Activities

The playing of athletic games or “hall sports” is prohibited within the residence halls due to the potential for personal injury, elevated noise levels, and damages that often occur to the facilities as a result of such activity. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, rollerblading/skating, skateboarding, tag, Frisbee, football, soccer, basketball, baseball, hockey, darts, etc. Students should be aware that bouncing of balls off the walls/floors echoes and is prohibited due to its disruption to the community. We encourage students to inform one another when these activities are negatively affecting them. Skateboards, bicycles, hover boards and any other wheeled vehicles motorized or non-motorized are not permitted in the residence halls.

Windows, Window Screens, and Window Displays

For reasons of safety and security, under no circumstances should students remove window screens or security bars, or climb in or out of residence hall windows.

Residents will be charged $75 for each window screen in their living area that must be replaced as a result of it having been improperly removed. Removal of windows screens from lounges, bathrooms, hallways, or stairwells is also prohibited and may result in floor/section or common area damages being assessed against building residents.

Electrical cables, wires or antennae should not be hung outside of windows. Banners, signs, or window decorations may not be hung on the exterior of buildings or windows. Material hung on the interior of windows and displayed toward public areas must be in keeping with the values and standards of the Cabrini University community.

Meal Plan

All residents are required to have a meal plan and may choose between the 19 or 14 meal plan. Due to full function kitchens and different schedules, senior residents living in the Cabrini Apartments may have the additional options of the 50 Block Plan or the 5 meal plan. Cabrini Apartment Residents need to request their meal plan in writing to reslife@cabrini.edu.

Students with special needs who cannot be placed on the meal plan and is requesting a Dining Plan modification should contact the Accessibility Resource Center. Students cannot obtain a meal unless they have an ID card to swipe or pay cash/credit at the register. Students are not permitted to just enter their ID number and not present an actual ID card to dining staff to use their meal plan. Students found lending their ID cards out for use of purchasing of meals will be subject to disciplinary action.

To cancel or change a meal plan, a student can make the appropriate changes within their “MyHousing” account at specified times.

Posting Policy

Any flyers or advertisements students wish to hang in the residence halls must be approved by a Student Engagement or Residence Life professional staff member prior to posting. Please hand all flyers or postings to a Residence Life staff member to approve and hang the specific item(s). Only Residence Life staff members are permitted to hang or post items in the residence halls. This includes flyers for sporting events, club meetings and activities, and any other campus organizations or events.

Release of Information

Periodically, individuals and companies that contact the Office of Residence Life seek addresses and telephone numbers of resident students. Residence Life will not release the campus address and telephone numbers of any resident student, except when necessary for room/roommate assignment notification purposes. Cabrini University email addresses and the given personal phone number will be shared during roommate notifications. Information may also be released for emergency purposes or appropriate governmental requests.

Residence Hall Security

For the safety of the residential community, only authorized individuals are permitted in the University’s residence halls. Students are expected to report any unauthorized persons to Public Safety (610-902-8111).

All students are required to swipe upon entering the residence halls. Desk Assistants are stationed at first-year buildings and require guest registration at designated times. Students residing in the upper-class housings have the added responsibility of keeping their facilities secure since desk assistants are not stationed in these areas. Public Safety will make periodic rounds through these areas and across campus. All doors to residence halls should be locked upon closing, requiring an ID card or key to enter any facility. Residents should always be sure to close and lock doors behind them, as well as prevent anything from propping open fire exit doors, front doors, or back doors. All students are encouraged to let Public Safety know if doors are not properly functioning and/or if there is anything suspicious going on near the buildings, such as a strange persons trying to gain access.

Residence Life Communication

With the technology available to students, it is imperative that students keep up-to-date with the University and the information sent out to its students. The University will make a reasonable attempt to provide all students with the proper and necessary information. It is the student’s responsibility to keep up-to-date with all University communications, to be properly informed, and to enhance their college experiences. Cabrini University will use the email accounts distributed by the University as the main way of communicating with all students. Students are responsible for checking their University email accounts.

Cabrini University utilizes E2Campus alerts as an alert system and allows students, parents, faculty, and staff to receive updates and campus-wide alerts on users’ cell phones and email. The system will add another immediate mechanism to the existing methods that the University has in place to alert the community to an emergency situation or inclement weather conditions. The University will not send any form of advertising or other unsolicited content. Please note that subscribers to this alert system will pay no fees for the service, other than any regular fees associated with text messaging services.

Room Access/Search Policy

To assure individuals of reasonable privacy and to protect the well-being of the community, the Office of Residence Life has adopted the following procedures regarding access/search of University rooms occupied by students:

Room Access:

In all emergency situations which could affect the health and welfare of an individual or the community, or if there is a reasonable suspicion of a violation of University policy, federal or state law, rooms may be entered by Security and/or Residence Life staff. Rooms may be entered for maintenance, repairs, check out/ University closing procedures, or health and safety inspections. No room will be entered unannounced. Discovery of any prohibited items by University personnel while conducting maintenance or safety inspections may be cause for disciplinary action. Any illegal substance or material will be turned over to Public Safety or to the police.

Room Searches:

If there is a reasonable suspicion of illegal activity, rooms may be searched by a Public Safety and Residence Life supervisors. Searches must be requested by the Director of Public Safety or the Director of Residence Life (or their designees). These searches must be authorized by the Vice President for Student Life or his/her designee. A reasonable attempt shall be made to notify the student of the search and/or to have the student present for the search.

ID Cards, Keys and Lock-Out Procedures

Each student receives an ID card and a key to their room at the time of check-in to the residence halls. Students may not duplicate their room and mail keys under any circumstances. All students are reminded to lock their doors at all times and to carry their key with them. When keys are lost or stolen, the student should notify Residence Life staff immediately. If needed, the student will be billed for the key replacement and/or lock change. In addition, students may not lend their ID cards to anyone for any purpose. This includes guests and visiting family members. Any student found using another student’s ID or lending their ID to someone else will be held judicially responsible.

Students must return their keys through the check-out system at the end of the school year, when changing rooms, or when leaving the institution permanently. When a key is lost, a student must ask for a new key immediately for their safety, the safety of their belongings, and the safety of their roommates. The student will be billed if no key is returned during checkout. A temporary key will be issued if a key is lost or broken until the issue is permanently fixed. Residents should not rely on other services to grant them access or key into their room. In case of an emergency, and if all other options are exhausted, the University offers the following suggestions if a resident is locked out of his/her room. Subsequent lock-outs may result in a fine or disciplinary action.

During Residence Life Office Hours (Monday – Friday 8:30am – 4:30pm), residents can receive a loaner key by contacting Residence Life staff.
All loaner keys can be loaned to a student for a period of 48 hours. If a loaner key is not returned in 48 hours, the room key is considered lost and a new key and core are ordered at the student’s expense.
During Non- Office Hours students can contact Public Safety and will be required to show identification upon entering the room. Subsequent lock-outs may result in a fine or disciplinary action. Public Safety will respond to lock-out calls depending on priority of responsibility and availability.

For safety reasons, students should never lend these valuable items out to anyone, even friends/relatives. If any student loses a room key or their ID, the student should report it immediately. lost or Stolen Keys will result in a core change at the cost of $75.00. Students who lose their ID card should report it and go to Public Safety to get a new card as soon as possible. There is a $20.00 fee to replace a lost ID card. Students accounts will be billed directly.

Solicitation

Any group which is not affiliated with the University and seeks to solicit in residence halls must be approved by the Office of Residence Life. Any campus clubs, organizations, or residence hall groups wishing to sell items for fundraising purposes must also have the approval of the Office of Residence Life. Students may not use their residence hall rooms as a principal place of business. Any student who suspects that an individual or a group is soliciting illegally should contact their Resident Assistant immediately and /or contact the Office of Residence Life or Public Safety.

Vandalism

When incidents of Vandalism in the community occur, the University may impose fines to help offset the cost of damages or repairs to the community. Residence Life levies certain fines in order to deter students from dangerous and negative behavior in our residential community. Fines may be imposed singularly or in conjunction with other disciplinary actions.

Residential Visitation and Guests Policy

The University’s policies on guests and visitation are anchored in a concern for residence hall security, the privacy rights of roommates and building residents, and the maintenance of an atmosphere conducive to academic achievement. Hosting guests is a privilege, not a right, which can facilitate personal and social development and enhance the quality of life on campus. The University has set the following policies concerning registering guests and visitation hours. A guest is a person who is not an occupant of the room in which they are present.

Minor Guest Policy

Children under 18 years and younger are not permitted to sign into a University residence hall without a parent/legal guardian and are not permitted to stay in University residence halls past Visitation Hours unless approved by Residence Life for University functions (i.e., admissions overnight and or athletic recruiting visits). Babysitting of minor family members or friends is not permitted in the halls, even with written parental permission. Cabrini University does not offer family housing, but in the event that the resident student is the parent, the minor must still be with the resident at all times and must leave by 10PM.

Guest Registration

Please note that all overnight guests must be the same gender as the host student. Any student who is not a resident of the facility that has entered must be signed in by a resident of that facility. The non-resident must surrender his/her identification card to the desk officer. Any guest who is not a member of the University community must be registered from 8:00pm- 2:00am in accordance with the visitation policy and provide photo identification to be signed into the residence facility. Guests who do not have proper photo identification (such as a driver’s license or student identification from another college or University) cannot be signed into the facility as a guest.

Public Safety and or The Office of Residence Life has the ability to accept or deny identification as valid. Signing in and guest registration is only valid in the building in which the host resides. Residents’ guests signed in are limited to a 48-hour period, and a guest cannot exceed 4 nights over the course of a month. Residents are allowed to have a maximum of two guests at any time depending on occupancy of the room.

Each time a guest leaves the host’s building, the guest must sign out. Subsequent visits will require the host to register and sign their guest in again. Male guests may be hosted overnight only in rooms reserved for men; female guests may be hosted overnight only in rooms reserved for women. Permission of the room’s other occupant(s) must be obtained by the hosting student for an overnight guest. A guest is considered to be overnight, if the guest stays past midnight or 2AM, depending on the visiting hours of that day. The hosting of guests in individual rooms must not interfere with the roommates’ use of the room. Residents are responsible for their guest’s behavior and observance of the University rules in rooms and throughout the residence halls and on campus. A resident may lose their guest privileges (and/or resident status) if a guest is involved in a violation of University policy. Violation of the guest policy will render students subject to disciplinary action. Residence Life suspends guest privileges during University break periods, even if the residence hall is housing students during the break period. The University reserves the right to remove a guest who has violated University regulations. Sleeping in student lounges and other public spaces is prohibited. Guests who have been removed from campus and return are viewed as trespassers and are subject to arrest. The occupants of an individual room/apartment may wish to set more guidelines pertinent to guests and may do so as long as they stay within University policies. For assistance, please seek out a Resident Assistant and consult the roommate agreement form.

Visitation Policy

Accordingly, visitation hours for residence halls are established as follows:

First-Year Residents:

Same Gender Guests: 24-hour visitation privileges for same gender guests will be granted to residents with the understanding that they have signed in their guest consistent with the Guest Registration Policy and have the consent of their roommate(s).

Opposite Gender Guests: Guests of the opposite gender are permitted in residents’ rooms and suites only during visitation hours. Visitation hours are 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Sunday-Thursday, and 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. on Friday-Saturday.

24-hour visitation period may begin after room freeze period is over (two weeks after the start of classes). Until that time, the following visitation hours will be enforced: Sunday –Thursday 10:00am-12:00am; Friday- Saturday: 10:00am- 2:00am.

Upper-Class Students

Upper-class residents have 24-hour visitation privileges, with consent of roommates(s).

All guests must be signed into buildings where a Desk Assistant is present using a valid photo identification (driver’s license, University ID).

Occupancy Policy

Each resident can have up to two guests (according to the guest policy) at a time. The occupancy of each room may not allow for every resident in the apartment or room to have two guests at one time. The maximum amount of guests in any residence hall room, suite or building is double the residing occupancy plus one. A double room occupancy can have a maximum of 5 people; a triple room occupancy limit is 7. Events that exceed occupancy limits must be made by the Office of Residence Life in advance.