Campus Housing Policies
The following policies are enacted to create a safe and healthy living and learning community at Carroll College. The policies are instituted, enforced, and adjudicated by the Department of Residential Life & Housing. Alleged violations of these regulations, or any policies identified in this Student Handbook, may be referred by the Department of Residential Life & Housing to the student conduct process outlined in the Carroll Code of Student Conduct.
Activities
Although residence halls are recognized as good gathering spaces and invite social interaction, they are not a good space for athletics-related physical activities. Any sports-related activities (e.g., soccer, football, volleyball, tag, etc.) are prohibited in the residence halls due to the risk of property damage, personal safety, and noise.
Animals
The only animals allowed in a resident’s room are fish, to be kept in an aquarium of no larger than a ten-gallon capacity. Special accommodation can be made for students with disabilities and who rely on assistance animals as required by law, approved emotional support animals (ESAs), or students training a service dog through the College’s Anthrozoology-sponsored Canine Companion program. Violators will be required to remove the animal, and they will referred to the College’s conduct process. In addition, the cost of professional cleaning will be applied to the student account of any student who is deemed to have housed an unsanctioned animal in their room. Failure to remove an animal will result in animal control being contacted. Animals on Campus (LINK )
Appliances
The following items are allowed in Residence Hall units: Irons, electric kettles, rice cookers, hot pots, popcorn poppers, small microwaves, small refrigerators of not more than 4.5 cubic ft., coffee pots, fans, and power strips with integrated surge protection.
Air fryers, toaster ovens, and InstaPot style devices may be stored in Residence Hall units, but must be used in Residence Hall kitchen spaces.
The following items are not allowed in Residence Hall units: appliances with an open heating element such as hot plates, grills, electric woks, toaster ovens, ovens, or electric fry pans, pressure cookers (eg. Instapots), private washing machines, dryers, and extension cords. Window, portable, and standing air conditioning units and portable heaters are not allowed.
For additional information regarding items that are not listed above, please provide your request to reslife@carroll.edu. Final approval must be provided.
Bathrooms/Showers, Use of
Bathrooms and showers on residential floors are gender-specified. Carroll students and their guests are not allowed to use opposite-gender bathrooms and showers. Gender inclusive restrooms can be found in the common areas of each residence hall.
Bicycles
Bicycles may be stored in the resident’s room, in bicycle racks, or specific storage areas designated by the College for bike storage. They may not be left in hallways, stairwells, balconies, or laundry rooms. Bicycles that are left in places not designated by the College for bike storage will be removed. If the bike is locked, the lock will be cut and the bike removed. The College assumes no responsibility for replacing a bike lock that is cut. After 30 days without being claimed, the bike will be considered abandoned and disposed of at the discretion of the college. All bikes are required to be registered with the College. (See Bicycle Registration.)
Check-in/Check-out of Residence Hall
Upon occupancy of the designated room, the resident must complete a review of their Room Condition Report through their eRezLife student portal within 5 business days of move-in. It is highly recommended that you complete a review of your room condition report BEFORE moving any personal items into the room. This condition report describes the condition of the room and is used to reflect any damages or charges to be assessed upon checkout. The resident is responsible for reviewing and comparing the condition of the room to the condition noted in the inventory. 5 days after check-in, if a Room Condition Report Form has not been submitted by the resident of the room, it will be assumed that the resident agrees with the condition of the room as described in the form.
Discrepancies must be brought to the attention of Residential Life staff through submission of the Room Condition Report review form on the eRezLife portal.
The resident vacating a residence hall room must arrange to be officially checked out of the space. An appointment must be made at least 24 hours in advance with the appropriate RA. Students must remove all personal belongings when checking out of the room, and the room must be returned to its original condition. The College will dispose of any unclaimed personal belongings after 90 days. Any charges incurred to remove, store, or dispose of a resident’s property will be assessed to the resident. Keys and security cards must be returned and the room condition report signed at the time of checkout. Students must officially check out within 24 hours of their last final exam or cancellation of the contract. Failure to follow the check-in/check-out policy will result in an improper checkout and a $150 fine.
Courtesy Hours
As Carroll College is first and foremost a place for learning and study, courtesy hours—i.e., the conscientious moderation of noise levels within residence halls —are always in effect. At no time does anyone have the right to make as much noise as he or she wants to make while on campus. An atmosphere conducive to study must be maintained. Respect for neighbors and others should be taken into account at all times. Students can be asked at any time to lower their noise level and/or discontinue the loud activity. Students who own amplifiers for musical instruments must ensure that those amplifiers are moderated during courtesy hours and are not to be used during quiet hours (for more information on Quiet Hours, see below).
Custodial Services
Under the Department of Carroll College Facilities, custodial services are provided to the public areas of each residential community. This includes cleaning of common area social spaces, kitchen areas, and shared bathrooms and showers.
Residents are responsible for maintaining a reasonable level of cleanliness in each of these spaces. This includes cleaning up after kitchen use, removing personal items after use of common spaces, and carrying personal trash to designated dumpsters outside of the residence halls. Inappropriate use of facilities, including not maintaining an acceptable level of cleanliness, may result in disciplinary action and/or community-wide cleaning charges.
Damages
Charges for damages or missing items from residence rooms will be made to the responsible resident’s student account. Charges for community spaces and items (hallways, walls, lounge furniture, etc.) will be divided equally among members of the hall community if the individual responsible for the damages is not identified, the costs of repair or replacement, or a minimum charge of $25 (whichever is more) will be placed on student accounts. The College Reserves the right to escalate fees for continuing damages or policy violations within an academic year.
A resident has 10 business days to appeal the charge of damages once notified of the charge (by electronic billing sent via the Area Coordinator of the student’s hall). Charges will not be reversed after the 10-day deadline. Appeals of charges are made to the Director of Residential Life & Housing. Appeals must be made through the designated eRezLife Appeal Form.
Decorations
The decoration policy for the residence hall aims to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents, promoting a sense of community and respect. Decorations in windows and on doors must reflect the spirit of the Carroll College Mission Statement and the Student Code of Conduct. This housing policy addresses decorations that could negatively impact personal and educational experiences and which are therefore prohibited by the College:
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Offensive decorations, defined as any materials, posters, images, or items that contain explicit content, discriminatory language, hate speech, or depictions that might marginalize, demean, or harm an individual or group.
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Political postings and advertisments that can be viewed from public spaces are prohibited.
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Public displays of signs, monuments to, or empty containers for alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs.
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Decorations that block or restrict exit or entrance to the room, or that completely restrict the view of the room from the doorway of the room.
All decorations must be in compliance with the fire code. Only artificial Christmas trees are allowed in residence hall rooms. Decorations may not be hung from sprinkler pipes, or within 18” of any sprinkler head.
No permanent devices may be used to hang items from the walls (eg. screws, nails, bolts, etc). Residents are encouraged to use 3M Brand (or similar brand) hooks, command strips, Velcro strips, and/or poster putty. Damage to surfaces caused by these items will be the financial responsibility of the residents assigned to the room.
Doors
Propping of external doors is prohibited due to the safety/security risk it creates for residents. Propped external doors may result in either individual or community-wide fines.
Electrical Equipment
Any tampering with electrical equipment (breaker boxes, outlets, elevators, etc.) is prohibited. No electrical outlet is to be overloaded so as to cause repeated tripping of circuit breakers.
Emergency Protocol Guides
Each classroom, office, residence hall room, and campus apartment is furnished with an Emergency Protocol Guide (EPG) on the back of the door. These guides are intended to inform the Carroll community of protocol and to give direction in the case of a campus crisis. These guides need to stay in their locations and are not to be removed, unless in use for an emergency, and then they must be returned immediately. Disciplinary action will be taken against any faculty, staff, or student found in possession of Emergency Protocol Guides outside of an emergency situation. Residence hall students and apartment tenants whose EPGs are not in their rooms at the time of checkout will be assessed a replacement fee.
Fire Prevention
To safeguard the safety of students, all residence halls have fire and smoke detection systems. The safety of the resident communities is paramount, and any behavior or negligence that puts that community at risk will be regarded in a serious manner and dealt with through the conduct process.
• Fire Alarm and Fire Equipment: Any tampering with fire alarms, fire signs, hoses, extinguishers, or a fire escape is prohibited by state law and College regulations. Removal of a smoke detector battery, tampering with a hard-wired smoke detector, and tampering with fire alarms and fire equipment will result in a minimum fine of $300 for each student involved.
• Fire Drill: Each residence hall has a fire drill plan. The RAs will inform all students of the appropriate procedures and precautions to be taken in case of fire or other emergency. Each semester a fire drill will be held in each hall. Failure to leave the building will result in a disciplinary response.
• Fire Hazards: All residents must maintain their rooms in a manner that will not constitute a fire hazard. Decorations may not block egress from the room.
• Sprinkler Pipes: Students are not allowed to hang any objects from the sprinkler pipes, or within 18 inches of the sprinkler head.
• Candles: Candles and heating elements for non-burning candles are not permitted in the residence halls. Candles may be kept as long as the wicks are removed, and the candle remains unmelted/burned.
• Incense: Incense and potpourri are not allowed to be burned in campus housing
• Black Lights and Lava Lamps: These lights are not permitted in the residence halls because they operate at higher temperatures than standard light bulbs.
• Chemicals and Explosives: Chemicals and explosives including combustion engines and flammable or explosive liquids are not permitted in the residence halls. This includes materials and devices which by themselves, or when combined, could be explosive, toxic, flammable, or dangerous.
• Fuel (propane, gas, or otherwise) and camp stoves are prohibited. These items are available for checkout from the Hunthausen Activity Center (HAC).
• Extension cords are not allowed due to potential fire and electrical hazards. Only power strips with surge protection are allowed.
• Please see the “Appliances” portion of the housing policies for more information on prohibited and permitted devices.
Furniture
Furniture provided by the College must remain in the room in which it is found at the beginning of the academic year, and it may not be removed. The College will not store any furniture assigned to a room that a resident does not want. Students may supplement College furniture with their own, but they are responsible for the removal of all supplemental furniture upon termination of residency. Due to fire hazard, any furniture left in the hallway will be removed and residents will be billed the removal/replacement cost of these items.
Public areas are furnished for the comfort and convenience of all. Furnishings in lounges or other common areas are College property and must remain in the common areas where they are placed They are not permitted in students’ rooms. Removal of furniture from common areas can be considered theft. Student(s) found with College furniture may be charged for the cost of the furniture.
Guest Policy
All guests to the residence halls are required to present identification upon request and to follow all school policies. Any guests who fail to present identification or to act appropriately will be removed from the campus and not allowed to return. Residents of the building will be held responsible for the behavior of their guest(s).
No visitor under 18 years old is allowed in the residence halls unless that person is a member of the immediate family of a resident student and has been approved in advance by the Area Coordinator.
In order to promote students’ right to privacy and right to study and sleep, Carroll College has set visitation expectations for students and their guests. When living in a community, respect for privacy and quiet hours is important for all members of that community.
Overnight guests must be the same gender as the residents of the room and are restricted to a two-night stay within one week, pending approval by any assigned roommates. Residents are prohibited from allowing anyone who is not contracted to live in the room to become a temporary or semi-permanent resident of that room (including other students and non-students).
Violations of this policy may result in the initiation of the conduct process, as well as the loss of visitation privileges for both student host and guests.
Health
All residents must maintain their rooms in a manner that will not constitute a health hazard. Health and Safety checks will be performed by Residential Life & Housing staff once per semester. Residents will be notified at least 24 hours in advance of these checks and any associated expectations.
Housing Agreement Termination
The Reservation and Housing Agreement will be terminated if the resident withdraws from the College during or at the end of the semester, or is suspended or dismissed from the College or the residence halls for disciplinary reasons. Persons not enrolled in classes may not reside in the residence halls. A student must either be taking a minimum of 12 credits or get permission from the Director of Residential Life & Housing. The student is still responsible for any financial obligations incurred in accordance with this agreement. Rooms are contracted and assigned on the expectation that the student will occupy the room for the Fall and Spring Semesters. Refund and penalties for cancellation or termination of the agreement are as follows:
Between June 1 and the opening date of the Residence Halls, a cancellation fee of $600 will be posted to the student’s account (except in the case of a full withdrawal from the College).
If approved for withdrawal after the first day of occupancy,room charges are refunded in accordance with the tuition refund policy (See Carroll College Academic Catalog LINK).
Students who attempt to terminate their housing contract for any reason other than withdrawal (including attempting to terminate between semesters) will not be approved, and they will be financially liable for the entirety of the Housing Agreement. Students who would like to appeal their housing agreement for extenuating circumstances may submit a written appeal to the Director of Residential Life and Housing for review by the Carroll College Appeals Committee. (LINK https://www.carroll.edu/resources/documents-forms-resources/application-exception-campus-housing-meal-plan)
No refunds will be issued after the last three weeks of any semester.
Housing Requirement
Carroll College considers residents living on campus as part of the College’s unique educational experience. All unmarried, non-parenting students who have not resided in campus housing for six semesters are required to reside in the college residence halls. Only the Director of Residential Life & Housing may grant exceptions to this policy based on the following circumstances:
• Extreme financial need, verified by the College’s Financial Aid Office (demonstration of accommodations off campus for less cost does not meet the criteria for extreme need).
• A medical condition demonstrated by a case history and verified by a physician’s letter, which cannot be accommodated in the residence halls.
• Enrollment delayed by three or more years beyond high school graduation.
• Students who are from the Helena area (30 miles or closer) and will live at home with their parents or guardians.
• The student is married and/or parenting a dependent child(ren).
If you believe you may qualify for an exception from the housing policy because of one of the above criteria, refer to the Application for Exception to the Housing and Meal Plan Requirement Form.
Keys
Student IDs double as room keys in all residence halls and apartments. Students are responsible for their IDs at all times and are responsible for reporting lost or stolen IDs to Student Life as soon as possible to avoid any unauthorized use or access. Students are not allowed to disable their room locks or prevent their door from locking. Lost IDs cost $15 to replace
Laundry
The laundry facilities are shared among the residents of the building. Clothing items left longer than 7 days will be removed from the laundry room and placed in the lost and found. Unclaimed items will be disposed of after 30 days.
Lock-outs
Residents are expected to keep track of their ID card at all times. All on-campus students are allotted 2 “free” lock-outs per year. After that, each lockout will result in a fee of $10 being assessed to the student’s account.
At no time will Residential Life & Housing staff open a room for someone not living in that room, so students are encouraged to take all personal items with them after visiting a friend.
Lofts
Residents may utilize lofts or bed risers. Residents loft beds at their own risk. Some beds are “bunkable,” and therefore do not need a loft. Lofts must not incorporate or damage existing furniture or walls in the room. All loft materials must be removed from the room at the end of the academic year. They will not be stored by the College.
Maintenance
When maintenance is needed, residents must report items that need repair utilizing the "Work Order" form located in the eRezLIfe software. In case of emergency repairs (eg. broken pipes, doors not locking, risks to health and safety, etc.), contact Residential Life On-Call at (406) 459-0540, or Securitas at (406) 461-7611.
Meal Plans
All students residing on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. Special dietary needs approved by the Carroll College’s Director of Accessibility Services should be directed to the food service manager. The Director of Residential Life & Housing may grant exceptions to this policy based on one of the following criteria:
• Extreme financial need; verified by the College’s Financial Aid Office.
• A medical condition demonstrated by a case history and verified by a physician’s letter, which cannot be accommodated by Carroll College Dining Services and verified by the Director of Accessibility Services.
If you believe you may qualify for an exception from the meal plan requirement because of one of the above criteria, please visit the application on the Carroll Website.
Personal Property
The College is not responsible for a resident’s personal property. The College is also not responsible for items lost or damaged due to theft, natural disasters, or as a result of unexpected facilities incidents (i.e. burst water pipes, etc). The College does not provide professional or legal council concerning personal insurance.The following serves as general recommendations.
Private property must be stored in the student’s room. In order to avoid theft, loss, or damage, students are encouraged to keep doors locked and to avoid leaving money or expensive items in plain view. Each student is encouraged to have renter’s insurance (see below). Alternatively, many parents’ homeowners’ insurance will cover student loss or can be adjusted to do so. Students are also encouraged to keep a written personal inventory with serial numbers. Any theft or loss should be reported to the Area Coordinator and may be reported to the Director of Campus Security and Public Safety.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Monday-Thursday, and 12:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday . Quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day beginning the weekend prior to Final Exams and running through the entirety of Final Exams week. During quiet hours, students should avoid loud talking, loud volume for music, television or video games, or disturbances in the hallways, bathrooms, common lounges, and student rooms.
Right of Entry
All residence hall rooms and apartments are considered the property of Carroll College. The College reserves the right to enter any student residence by Residential Life & Housing staff or other agents of the College (including Security) for reasons of normal maintenance, health and safety, to uphold community standards, and in the event of emergencies. This includes the ability to ensure compliance with the Code of Student Conduct. Failure to comply with requests made by College officials may result in disciplinary action. Entry can also be made for inspection or inventory of necessary repairs to rooms, furnishings, or equipment. Safety and security checks are made of all rooms periodically during the academic year. Residents will be notified at least 24 hours in advance of routine inspections.
Room Changes
Students who have reserved specific rooms or have been assigned rooms will be expected to reside in that room. Room change requests may be made three weeks after the check-in date. The College reserves the right to make room changes prior to and during occupancy for the good of the resident or residence community.
Room Consolidation
To better utilize the College’s spaces or to fill empty beds in partially occupied rooms, the College reserves the right to consolidate residents. Students will be notified of room consolidation in advance.
Room Furnishings
Each room comes furnished with enough furniture for each resident occupying the space. Individual residents can expect to have an XL Twin bed frame and mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser, and designated wardrobe or closet space.
Safety
Carroll College strives to provide a safe and secure environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. While instances of criminal activity on campus are rare, the College is not immune to crime and cannot assure or guarantee a crime-free living or working environment. Therefore, the College promotes a proactive approach to safety. The members of the campus community are expected to actively participate in making the College a safe and healthy living/learning environment and to act in a safety-conscious manner.They are required to avoid actions that would jeopardize their own security as well as the safety and security of others on the campus.
The College benefits from a community whose members truly care about one another. By watching and remaining alert to our surroundings, we can work to maintain a safe environment and identify dangerous and unsafe practices or facilities.
The College is not liable for students’ injuries that are a direct result of personal negligence in College residence halls, buildings, or grounds. Any pranks, jokes, or tricks that are a threat to safety or property will be treated as a serious disciplinary matter. Carroll College community members are encouraged to report problems, safety issues, security issues, crimes, or suspected criminal behavior to the College. The best method is to contact either the 24-Hour Community Living number ([406] 459-0540) or Securitas’s campus safety service ([406] 461-7761). The latter is available 24/7 when school is in session and between 3 p.m. and 7 a.m., seven days a week, during break periods. The Director of Campus Security and Public Safety can be contacted at (406) 447-4404.
All crimes are reported to the police, who will send an officer to take a formal statement. If the responsible party is found, that person(s) may be held accountable by law enforcement officials, as well as face sanctions from the College.
Screens and Windows
Students may not remove screens from windows. Residents are responsible for their screens. Removed or damaged screens will result in a $25 fine in addition to the cost of repair or replacement.
Misuse of windows in the residence halls is prohibited. No objects or fluids may be thrown or dropped from the window of a residence hall. Using a window as an exit or entrance to the building will result in disciplinary action and transgressions may be subject to fines.
In St. Charles Hall, the top window may not be opened at any time because opening often causes damage. Residents will be assessed the cost of needed repairs.
Signs
Signs that are the property of the federal, state, or local government, or which belong to the College or local businesses, may not be posted in student rooms. Students who are found in possession of such signs will be reported to the proper authorities, including the College, police, or business owners.
Skateboards, In-Line Skates, Scooters, and Bicycles
All individuals using skateboards, in-line skates, scooters, and bicycles are expected to use the equipment in a manner that is appropriate and considerate of others and of College property. The use of skateboards, in-line skates, scooters, and bicycles inside of campus buildings, including the residence areas, is strictly prohibited. In addition, individuals are prohibited from engaging in tricks (sliding, grinding, jumps, etc.) anywhere on College grounds that involve any College property (i.e. stairs, steps, railings, benches, entrances to buildings). Loitering or “sessioning” in these areas for the purpose of attempting tricks or stunts is strictly prohibited and will be confronted by College staff and/or law enforcement.
Solicitors
Authorization must be obtained from the Assistant Director of Residential Life & Housing or an Area Coordinator for all groups or individuals soliciting in residence halls.
Staff Requests
Students must comply with the reasonable directions of College officials, including but not limited to Resident Assistants (RAs), Security Officers, and Residential Life & Housing Professional Staff, during the performance of their duties. Residents must also identify themselves to these persons when requested to do so.
Storage
The college will not store any personal property for residents. Storage units are available for rent off-campus.
Tobacco-Free Campus
The use of tobacco and tobacco-related products including but not limited to lighted or unlighted cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, cigars, pipes, bidi, clove cigarettes, smokeless or spit tobacco, tobacco pouches, dissolvable tobacco, hookah shisha, snuff or snus, kreteks, and cigarillos, or any other tobacco delivery device, by students, faculty, staff, and visitors is prohibited in or on property owned, leased, or used for specific events by the College, conferencing guests, or any of its partners. Rooms with evidence of tobacco use will be assessed additional cleaning fees. Ceremonial use of tobacco in or on campus-controlled housing must be approved prior to the event by the Director of Residential Life & Housing.
Vandalism
In order to maintain a safe, respectful, and learning-conducive environment for all residential students, vandalism is strictly prohibited. Vandalism is defined as intentional or reckless damage to property, destruction, or defacement of College premises, property, and signs. This includes but is not limited to graffiti, carving or scratching into surfaces, intentional breaking or damaging College facilities, tampering with equipment, removal of posted College signs and material, or any other actions that compromise the integrity of College property and operations. Students are encouraged to report any incidents of vandalism or suspicious activities that may lead to vandalism to Residential Life and Housing Staff or the Director of Campus Security and Public Safety.
Vehicles
The use or repair of any motorized or non-motorized vehicles inside residence halls or other College housing facilities is strictly prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to: Motorcycles, Mopeds, Bicycles, Scooters (electric or manual), Hoverboards, and Skateboards. Any gas powered vehicles may not be stored inside College housing facilities.
Weapons
Possession, storage, or use of weapons of any kind is strictly prohibited in all College residential housing facilities, including residence halls and apartments. Possession of a permit to carry a weapon does not grant permission to carry a weapon on Carroll College property.
Weapons are defined as any item or object designed or intended to cause harm, injury, or damage to individuals or property. This includes, but is not limited to, firearms, bullets, knives of more than 6 inches in length (including the handle), brass or lead knuckles, slingshots, swords or daggers of any length, bows, arrows, and explosives. In addition, a harmless instrument designed to look like a firearm, explosive, or other dangerous or illegal weapon and which is used by or is in the possession of a person is prohibited.
This policy does not prohibit students from transporting an unloaded firearm or hunting bow directly between a parking area and the authorized location for checking in, checking out, and storing firearms and hunting bows in accordance with the Weapon Check-in/Check-out Procedure (LINK) described in the College Policies section of this handbook. Handguns are not allowed on the Carroll College campus and will not be stored in Weapons Storage. This policy also does not apply to licensed law enforcement officers when on duty and performing public safety duties at the College.
Compact personal protection pepper spray (e.g. Oleoresin Capsicum or OC) may be carried on campus. Individuals who discharge pepper spray when not intended for self-defense are subject to sanctions through the Code of Conduct process. Bear spray will not be stored in the Residence Hall, but may be stored in personal vehicles, or checked out from the Hunthausen Activity Center (HAC).