Student Housing Policies

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Student housing at Bevill State offers students a unique living experience that supports educational, social, and personal growth. The purpose of these policies is to help maintain a safe, clean, quiet, and respectful environment where students can live and study successfully.

Living in student housing is a privilege. By enrolling at Bevill State and living in campus housing, students are expected to become familiar with and follow all College policies and regulations. The College reserves the right to update housing policies at any time to maintain a safe and healthy environment for all residents.

Because community living requires cooperation and mutual respect, students are expected to work with the Resident Manager, the Director of Student Services, and fellow residents to maintain a positive living environment. The College reserves the right to relocate residents when necessary. Students may not move from their assigned room without prior approval from both the Resident Manager and the Director of Student Services.

The College also reserves the right to dismiss any resident from student housing for misconduct or policy violations when deemed necessary to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of the campus community.

Eligibility and Residency Requirements

To be eligible for on-campus housing, an individual must be 18 years of age during the move-in semester and enrolled as a full-time student (minimum of 12 credit or 12 contact hours, fall and spring terms) at Bevill State. Students under the age of 19 must have parents’ signatures on the Housing Application and Housing Lease Agreement. Any resident during their final semester of housing may submit a waiver request for an exception to the full-time student (minimum of 12 credit or 12 contact hours, fall and spring terms) eligibility requirement due to extenuating circumstances.
Summer housing is limited. Current residents who need summer housing must receive approval from the Director of Student Services if summer residency is required. Students approved for summer residency must pre-register and maintain enrollment in at least 9 credit hours or 9 contact hours during the summer term, or approval may be withdrawn. Students who are not approved for summer residency are not permitted to occupy student housing during the summer term and must turn in all housing keys to the Resident Manager or designated College official as part of the checkout process. Students who intend to return to Bevill State for the next academic year may request permission to store furniture in their assigned housing unit during the summer by signing a Summer Storage Acknowledgment Form and paying the required summer storage fee of $250. Permission to store furniture does not authorize occupancy or residency during the summer term.
Residents who will be absent from scheduled classes for more than ﬁve consecutive days must notify the Director of Student Services and the Resident Manager in writing. Failure to do so may result in termination of the housing lease.

Deposits, Fees, and Checkout Procedures

A $150 housing deposit must be paid before a student moves any personal belongings into a dorm room or apartment.
When moving out of student housing, residents must complete all checkout procedures and return all keys to be eligible for a deposit refund.
The housing deposit is required each academic year. A non-refundable $75 maintenance and pest control fee will be retained from the deposit each year.
A $75 fee will be charged for replacement of locks and keys or for failure to return keys.
Residents must remove personal belongings and vacate student housing within 24 hours of their last scheduled final exam, withdrawal from Bevill State, dismissal from Bevill State, or lease termination. Students who intend to return to Bevill State for the next academic year may leave approved furniture items in their assigned housing unit during the summer if they:
o Complete and sign the Summer Storage Acknowledgment Form; and
o Pay the required summer storage fee of $250.
All food and personal items must be removed prior to leaving for the summer.
Permission to store furniture does not authorize the student to occupy or reside in student housing during the summer unless separately approved for summer residency. Students not approved for summer residency must turn in all housing keys prior to leaving campus for the summer. Unclaimed items will be disposed of immediately.
Residents are responsible for cleaning their room as part of the checkout process. Failure to properly clean the room will result in an additional $50 cleaning fee.
Residents must sign a Housing Lease Addendum before the end of each term to either continue or terminate occupancy. Failure to sign the addendum will result in termination of the lease.

Housing Closures and Break Periods

During Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break, and Spring Break, as identiﬁed in the College Calendar, residents may not remain in student housing unless speciﬁcally approved by the College.

Room Conditions and Inspections

All personal furniture, equipment, and small appliances must be approved by Housing personnel or the Resident Manager before being moved into student housing. Unapproved items that create safety concerns or disrupt the housing environment may be removed and/or disposed of.
Residents are responsible for keeping their rooms and surrounding areas clean. Trash and other waste must be removed daily and placed in designated receptacles. Unannounced room inspections may be conducted for cleanliness.
The College reserves the right to inspect residence hall rooms and require compliance with housing policies. Needed repairs should be reported immediately to the Resident Manager.
If necessary for safety, security, or maintaining an educational environment, the College may search a resident’s room, belongings, or vehicle when there is reasonable cause to believe College policies or laws are being violated, or when serious safety or security concern exists. All room searches must be approved by the Dean of Students or designee.
The College reserves the right to conduct room inspections and room checks during summer break periods. Maintenance personnel and authorized College staff may enter rooms and temporarily move furniture if repairs, maintenance, cleaning, or safety concerns require access to the room.

Meetings and Resident Expectations

Residents are required to attend meetings called by the Resident Manager and/or the Director of Student Services. Meetings are kept to a minimum and are considered important.
Children visiting residents must be immediate family members and must remain under the supervision of the resident at all times.
All persons must be fully clothed when visitors are present.

Damages and Property Responsibilities

Residents are responsible for any damage to their assigned room, furnishings, or College property caused by themselves or their guests.
If multiple students are involved in damage or loss and responsibility cannot be determined, the cost may be divided equally among those involved. In some cases, assessments may be charged to the entire residence hall community.
The use of paste, glue, nails, tacks, staples, screws, or similar materials on walls, furniture, doors, or woodwork is prohibited. Only non-damaging tape may be used on walls and doors. Adhesive materials such as bumper sticker-type adhesives are not permitted.
The College is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property.
Students are encouraged to secure their belongings by locking their rooms and maintaining personal property insurance. Theft should be reported immediately to the Resident Manager.
The College is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property stored in student housing during summer break periods.

Quiet Hours

Quiet Hours are established to provide an environment conducive to studying and rest.
Quiet Hours are in effect:
o Sunday through Thursday: 10:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
o Friday and Saturday: 12:00 midnight – 9:00 a.m.
Excessive noise or disturbances are not permitted at any time and may result in disciplinary action or immediate dismissal from housing.
Quiet Hours may be extended during ﬁnal exam periods.

Identification and Parking

Residents must have a valid Bevill State student ID card and parking decal.
Parking decals are available through Business Office,and student ID cards are issued through the Office of Student Services on designated days.
Identiﬁcation may be requested at any time by Bevill State personnel.

Visitation Policies

Residents and guests may visit resident rooms daily between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 a.m.
Residents must return to their own rooms when visitation ends. Overnight visitation is not permitted.
Visitors must be at least 18 years old,Bevill State student,or an immediate family member of a resident. Identiﬁcation may be required.
A resident or roommate has the right to refuse visitors at any time.
Visitors must remain with the resident they are visiting while in the residence hall.
Students are responsible for the conduct of their visitors while on College-owned or College-controlled property. Visitors are subject to the same conduct standards and policies as residents.
Areas surrounding the residence hall are off limits to non-residents after visitation hours.

Violations and Disciplinary Action

If resident or non-resident is injured while violating College regulations or policies, the College will not be held liable.
The Resident Manager or another authorized College official may issue written notices to residents or non-residents who violate housing policies.
The Director of Student Services will determine appropriate sanctions for policy violations.
If multiple students are involved in a violation and responsibility cannot be determined, all involved students may receive a notice of violation.
Violations of the Student Housing Policy or Student Conduct Code may result in disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion from student housing.
Students are entitled to due process, including notice and an opportunity for a fair hearing. Procedures for disciplinary appeals are outlined in the Bevill State Student Conduct Code.
If a student under the age of 21 violates policies related to alcohol, substance abuse, or pornography, the College will notify the student’s parent or guardian.
Non-student violators of the Student Housing Policy or Student Conduct Code may be referred to local law enforcement agencies.