Housing Terms and Conditions

Please note that campus living is an extension of our broader community. In addition to these housing terms, all policies in the Student Handbook apply to residential spaces. As a resident, you are responsible for understanding and adhering to both sets of policies. Violations of these standards may result in action through the student conduct process.

Aerials, Antennae and Cable TV

Aerials, antennae and satellite reception equipment may not be installed on any building, placed outside of windows, or used in any other manner that does not meet safety standards. It is against the law to splice or tamper in any way with cable television lines or in any other manner intercept cable television signals.

Air Conditioners

Because of their power requirements, room air conditioners may not be installed by students. Students who have a medical reason for having an air conditioner must be approved through the Disability and Accessibility Resources Office (Request for Access Form available here). If permitted, the air conditioner will be provided and installed in the student’s bedroom by the college’s Physical Plant. The college’s Physical Plant will not install air conditioners in common areas of cottage or apartment communities.

Alcohol

As outlined in the Student Handbook, the possession, consumption or display of alcoholic beverages and related containers — including empty or decorative bottles, and dispensing paraphernalia — is strictly prohibited in all college housing units. Any alcohol or prohibited items found in residential spaces will be confiscated and disposed of immediately.

Basements

The City of Holland prohibits the use of any basement for habitable space as defined in the city housing code for living areas, sleeping areas or student areas unless it meets all code requirements for such space. Basements may not be used as living space (bedrooms, living rooms, game rooms, etc.).

Basements may be used as storage at your own risk during the academic year only. Personal items may not be stored in basements over the summer months. Any personal items left behind at the end of the academic year will be disposed of or donated. Students will be assessed a charge for the removal of items.

Any damage done to items due to facilities issues (e.g., broken water pipe, loss of electrical or waste back-ups) is not the liability of the college. No items may be placed within 15 feet around the furnaces and hot water heaters. No items may be placed in front of basement doors or the building’s mechanical area access doors. No locked spaces may be accessed by students.

Check-In

Students who are assigned to live in residential facilities must complete check-in procedures when they enter each semester. A student entering residential facilities prior to the designated opening date and term, or students who have not received permission from the Student Formation Office to enter residential facilities, will be subject to the removal of belongings from the room and other disciplinary action. Students are responsible for noting any damages to their space upon move-in in the Room Condition Report.

Check-Out

Students withdrawing from housing during the academic year must complete checkout procedures within 48 hours of submitting a withdrawal form or receiving off-campus permission. Students leaving campus housing without following proper check-out procedures will be subject to removal of belongings from the room, appropriate charges (cleaning, storage, etc.), and fines (improper check-out, etc.). This could include fines associated with not returning keys and/or access cards.

Seasonal Decorations

Christmas or other seasonal decorations may not be hung in hallways or stairwells or on the exterior of buildings and windows. Because overloaded circuits and excessive paper create a fire hazard, this includes electrical lights, candles and hall or doorway paper decorations. Live Christmas trees, branches and wreaths are prohibited on campus. All Christmas decorations should be removed before students leave for Christmas break. Residential Life and the Occupational Health and Fire Safety Department reserve the right to request that decorations be removed.

Cooking

For health and safety reasons, cooking is not allowed in residence hall facilities, except where kitchen facilities are provided. Residence halls have kitchens that are available for the preparation of snacks by the residents of the residence halls. These kitchens, however, are not to be used for the preparation of meals on a regular basis.

Damage

As students are responsible for the items in their rooms, charges will be made for damage to college furniture, equipment and rooms. Each student is responsible for what occurs in the room to which they are assigned. If a student is charged for damages and wishes to appeal, the appeal must be submitted prior to the deadline stated in the emailed notice. No appeals will be considered outside of that given time range. 

Electrical Extension Cords

No extension cords may be permitted to extend the length of a surge protector and no extension cords plugged into the surge protector to extend its distance to an electrical device. Taping down electrical cords and extension cords, or placing them under rugs or carpets is prohibited.

Decorative strands of lights are permitted with an Underwriter’s Laboratories label or listing (UL). Do not exceed the number of permissible stands plugged in together in one circuit (typically three strands) or extend their length with any extension cords to reach an electrical outlet.

Electrical Appliances

No electrical appliances with exposed heating elements are permitted in college residence facilities. A short list of approved appliances is stated below. All appliances must be in good working order and UL-approved. If appliances are in poor condition or being irresponsibly used, they will be removed or repairs required immediately. Most household appliances, including microwave ovens, may not be used in student rooms because of fire hazards related to electrical drains or overload. Appliances using significant amounts of power or a large number of appliances in a student room must be approved by the Director of Campus Safety. Refrigerators of more than five cubic feet are prohibited. The College may add or remove the authorization of an item based on additional information or risk.

*Allowed in cottages and apartments only.

Fire Safety

To keep our residential community safe, residents must strictly adhere to the fire safety standards outlined in the Student Handbook. Open flames and heating devices — including all candles (lit or unlit), incense, wax/candle warmers, grills, e-cigarettes/vapes, and tobacco products — are strictly prohibited, as are unapproved electrical appliances and flammable liquids. Residents are required to evacuate immediately when an alarm sounds and must actively monitor all food while cooking. For the safety of everyone in the building, tampering with fire safety equipment (including covering smoke detectors or discharging extinguishers), propping fire doors or blocking exits, doors and windows is severe and strictly prohibited. 

Fish Tanks

Students are allowed to have fish tanks that have a total capacity of 15 gallons or less. The college does not assume any liability for the students’ fish or associated materials.

Furniture

All college property (including bed pieces, mattresses, desks, desk chairs, dressers, etc.) must remain in the student’s room. Students may not remove furniture from lounges, study rooms or student rooms. Students doing so may be charged for the replacement of the item at full cost. Students also may not place non-patio furniture on the porches of college property.

Guests

The right of a student to live in reasonable privacy takes precedence over the privilege to entertain guests. A guest is defined as anyone who does not permanently reside in that specific room, suite, apartment or residential building. All guests must be escorted by their host at all times while inside the residential facility.

Before hosting an overnight guest, residents must communicate with their roommate(s) to ensure they are aware of and comfortable with the visit and its duration. In no event are guests allowed to remain more than three consecutive nights, and guests of the opposite sex are not permitted overnight guest privileges.

Hallway Decorations

Small name tags and memo boards are the only items that may be hung in hallways or on room doors. Announcements may be posted on bulletin boards.

Keys and Codes

Students who lose keys and/or ID cards must have them replaced within 72 hours. A charge will appear on your account if access cards are not returned in good condition. New ID cards may be obtained at Campus Safety, 616.395.7770.

Lockouts

Students are responsible for making sure that their residence is secure and that they are carrying their keys/ID cards with them in order to prevent being locked out. If a student is locked out, a Residential Life staff member or Campus Safety may assist them. Each student is allowed two lockouts per semester. Students may be fined $50 for every lockout that occurs thereafter.

Locks

A student may not place additional locks or create any entryway obstacle in any Hope facilities.

Meeting/Gathering Areas

College cottage and apartment settings do not meet the minimum guidelines needed to allow areas to be termed “places of assembly.” As a result, no more than 49 individuals may be in a housing unit at any time. The college discourages event meetings/gatherings of less than 49 people if safety issues are still a concern due to the structure/design of the building.

Movies and Streaming Content

Federal copyright law restricts the public showing of movies, television programs, streaming content and other recorded media. Content may only be shown in accordance with the licensing and usage rights provided by the copyright holder.

Personal Property

The college is not responsible for items lost, stolen or damaged in student rooms, storage areas or elsewhere on campus. Students/families are encouraged to consult with their current insurance carrier regarding options for coverage of their belongings while on-campus or to purchase renter’s insurance.

Room Responsibilities

Resident rooms must be in the same condition upon departure as they were upon arrival. Room damages or decorating violations will be assessed and charged against the resident(s) responsible. If a responsible party does not come forward, the damage bill will be split among all residents of the room.

Pictures, posters and other materials must be hung with blue painter’s tape only. Nails, tacks, screws, glue, plastic hooks, and other adhesives (including removable wallpaper) may not be used on walls, ceilings, wardrobes, light fixtures, woodwork, doors or furniture. Any damage done by adhesives (including blue tape) will be assessed as a damage charge.

Alterations (including but not limited to painting) to a room/apartment/cottage or to any college property within a room/apartment or common area are prohibited.

Residents of the college are not permitted to sublease, rent or share their living space with any individual(s) that is not on the housing roster as assigned by the college. This includes but is not limited to posting the residence for rent, such as on Airbnb.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed in any campus facility, including student housing. (See Smoking Policy). Possession of tobacco and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted for anyone under the age of 21. 

Solicitation

There is no solicitation allowed inside or outside the residential facilities. This includes student rooms as well as hallways and lobbies. See Student Behavior Policy 13.3.

Visitation

As outlined in the Student Handbook, visitation hours govern the visiting privileges of members of the opposite gender in the living units. These hours exist to help create a safe, private and quiet atmosphere in which students live.

Waterbeds

Waterbeds are prohibited in college housing.

Window Screens

Screens are to be kept in place at all times. Students will be fined if the screens are removed. 

Wiring

Students may not use additional wiring (not provided by the college) in residential facilities. Extension cords are discouraged as much as possible unless the cord is being used to connect a single appliance to an outlet. Cords must be UL-approved, and breaker power stripes are encouraged; they must not be spliced, taped, frayed or routed under carpeting or across hallways or doorways. Dimmer switches and ceiling fixtures may not be installed. Telephone lines must also not create a tripping hazard and cannot be routed across doorways or hallways.