Living Procedures
The night before classes begin each semester there will be a mandatory meeting of residence hall students at which time residence hall and University policies will be explained. Attendance is required and roll will be taken. Absence from this meeting will result in disciplinary action which includes a fine of $50. At this meeting, students will be requested to sign a statement that they have read and agree to uphold all information that is contained in the handbook on campus living. Failure to pay the fine for not attending will result in a HOLD being placed on the student account which will prevent registration for classes.
If you find yourself without a roommate after the semester starts (and you are not a first semester freshman) and all students desiring housing have been assigned, you will be given the option of either consolidating with another resident or keeping your room as a private room at the additional rental rate. When a resident prefers consolidation to paying the single room rate, he or she will be contacted by the Hall Director with directions for the consolidation process as well as the availability of spaces. When possible, the student will be allowed to choose where and with whom to live or may elect to have the Hall Director make the consolidation assignment. The Residence Hall and Dining Service Contract states that “the University reserves the right to make changes in assignments when considered necessary by the Department.”
Room and roommate assignments are made for the academic year. Room changes are made only when deemed necessary by the Hall Director or Program Coordinator. If you have a problem with your current assignment, we encourage you to discuss this with your RA, HD, or PC. Room changes made without the approval of Residential Services staff will result in a fine of $200 applied to the student account.
In October, on-campus residents are notified how to reserve a room for the spring semester. Off-Campus students should contact Residential Services regarding availability of spring housing.
During the spring semester, students who desire to live on-campus for the following academic year are given first priority to reserve a room. A specific time period is devoted to signing up for your same room or a different room in the same hall. After this "same hall" period, time is set-aside for students who desire to change halls.
A $250 Advance Housing Payment and a current status on the student account are required to secure a room reservation. Students who do not make reservations during this two-week period lose their priority and will be considered for housing only after all new students have been assigned rooms. Failure to follow the reservation process can seriously jeopardize your chances for living on campus.
At the time you reserve your room, your submission of the Advance Housing Payment obligates you for a one-year period. The only exception is for seniors who will be graduating at mid-term or students who are registered in a TCU Study Away program. Upon submission, the Advance Housing Payment is subject to the schedules and penalties outlined in the Residence Hall and Dining Service Contract. Students who move off-campus during the academic year forfeit their Advance Housing Payment as outlined in the Residence Hall and Dining Service Contract. Remember that you are signing a legal document and will be held to its terms. Housing information is communicated via your TCU e-mail account and my.tcu.edu.
Every effort will be made to protect the rights of students against search and seizure of their residence hall rooms and personal property. University officials reserve the right to enter and inspect residence hall rooms, when necessary, to protect and maintain the property of the University, preserve the health and safety of its students, or to maintain discipline. These procedures are followed:
- Every effort will be made to notify the resident(s) in advance and to have the resident(s) present at the time of entry.
- Entry and inspection of residence hall rooms to determine the existence of fire or health hazards for maintenance and repair purposes may be made by residence hall staff and/or authorized maintenance personnel provided notification is made to the student whose room is entered and inspected. Safety and health inspections will be made during each semester.
- When a violation of University regulations or criminal or civil law is suspected, a student's room may be entered and searched after a student has signed a Consent to Search Form or after approval is granted by the Dean or Associate/Assistant Dean of Campus Life or the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. The student, if available, will be advised of the suspicion and allowed to be present at the time of the entry and search. An additional witness to the entry and search is required.
- In emergency situations where danger to life, health, safety or property is reasonably feared or if there is substantial evidence that violation of University regulations is in progress and that delay in securing a search warrant will lead to destruction or withholding of evidence, a room may be entered without written permission of designated Student Affairs staff. In such cases, two witnesses must accompany the University representative conducting the search.
- Articles found in residence hall rooms which may be in violation of University policies or civil or criminal law can be confiscated and removed from the room. A receipt acknowledging the seizure will be presented to the student. All personal property will be returned to the student as soon as possible, providing its possession is not in violation of University regulations or civil or criminal law.
TCU residents may place signs, posters, and symbols (including flags) in residence hall windows and banners outside residence hall windows, provided certain requirements are met.
Signs and banners may not be offensive or demean individuals, ethnic groups or religious groups; may not contain vulgar language or symbols; may not contain obscenities; and may not denigrate race or national origin. Specific regulation are:
- No signs or banners may be placed that block or hinder emergency access to or exit from a residence hall or pose a safety hazard (e.g. electricity attached).
- No sign or banner may advertise a commercial product or establishment.
- Signs may cover no more that 50% of a residence hall window; banners may not cover any part of a hallway.
- Signs must be completely removed by the resident upon vacating the room.
- Banners must either be made with permanent paint and be securely fastened to the building or be removed in inclement weather.
- Banners that indicate occupants of a building support or oppose any particular or specific act (.i.e. XYZ Hall supports...) must be approved by the governing body of that hall in accordance with the above guidelines.
- Signs, posters, and symbols in residence hall windows are not permitted to identify the resident(s) of the room including first and/or last name, phone number, room number, or other identifying information.
Appropriate members of the Division of Student Affairs may grant exceptions to the policy for special University events.
All first semester freshmen are required to have roommates. When space permits, double rooms may be used as private accommodations for all other students. The rental charge for private accommodations is approximately one and one-half (1 1/2) times the stated rate for double occupancy of a particular residence hall room. Single room priority, for both built single rooms and double rooms used for private accommodations, will be given to requests of upper-division students, and all determinations of priority will be made by the Coordinator of Housing Assignments or the designee. Singles are more likely for Spring Semesters.
Learning to live in a community with others is an important part of your educational experience at TCU. Acting responsibly and respectfully is our goal for every residential student. The Code of Student Conduct which appears in the current academic year's TCU Student Handbook provides behavioral standards for all students.