Below you’ll find policies and procedures related to the following:

Damages

The Resident agrees not to modify or allow modification of the room or other parts of the building except as provided in this publication. This includes the removal of University property from his/her assigned room and/or public areas. For residents in Birch and Linden push pins are to be used when hanging items on the walls to minimize paint damage. The Resident agrees to leave the premises in the same condition in which it was noted on the Room Inventory form completed by the Resident upon occupying the room. Upon vacating the room, the Resident must check-out of his/her assigned room with a Residential Life staff member. Failure to follow these procedures may result in an assessment charge. The Resident agrees to be financially responsible for keeping the room, its furnishings, windows, window screens and doors clean and free from damage. When two (2) or more Residents occupy the same room and responsibility for damages to the room or contents cannot be ascertained, the damage will be assessed equally among Residents.

The Resident agrees to use all public areas in a careful manner and to help in assuring their cleanliness. The Resident will be financially responsible for any damage or lack of cleanliness caused by the Resident to the public areas.

Damage Charges

Residents are held financially accountable for the replacement of, or repair to, furnishings in the residence halls because of damage attributed to their behavior or the behavior of their guests. The minimum charge is $10.00. Some common damage charges for residence hall furnishings are listed below.

The damage charges listed are minimum charges and may not necessarily reflect additional labor charges. Damage charges may change without notice due to the cost of parts and labor. Damage that requires non-University labor to repair will be billed to the student at the cost to the University. Students wishing to appeal damage charges must do so by contacting Housing & Residential Life or designee within 30 days of receiving the damage charge bill.

Bathroom

  • Repair Shower Faucet: $50-$200
  • Repair Stall Door: $50
  • Replace Light Fixture: $150-$250
  • Replace Toilet: $200-$300
  • Replace Toilet Seat: $50-$100

Beds

  • Assemble Bed Frame: $25
  • Replace Bed: $65-$200
  • Replace Mattress: $200

Carpeting

  • Clean Carpet: $50
  • Replace Carpet: $300

Desks

  • Repair Desk Drawer: $50
  • Replace Chair: $100-$250

Keys/Key Cards

  • Replace Key/Door Recore: $50
  • Excessive Tag Key Check-out: $1/each time

Painting/Cleaning

$50/hour

Miscellaneous

  • Repair Electrical Outlet: $100
  • Replace Ethernet Cable: $25
  • Replace Exit Sign: $100
  • Recharge Fire Extinguisher: $50
  • Replace Light Fixture: $100
  • Replace Mirror: $50
  • Replace Countertop: $250
  • Replace Lamp: $85
  • Repair Door Knob: $50
  • Replace Closet Door: $250
  • Replace Room Blind: $100
  • Repair Room Heater: $100 – $1000
  • Repair Room Thermostat: $150
  • Repair/Replace Smoke Detector: $75
  • Replace Telephone: $50
  • Replace Towel Rack: $50
  • Replace Broken Window: $100-$300
  • Repair/Replace Screens: $45-$100
  • Replace TV Cable: $15

Decorations/Holiday Decorations

For fire safety purposes, doors and windows may be decorated with nonflammable materials as long as the decorations do not exceed 20% of the area. No nails are permitted. Only adhesive picture hangers are to be used.

Fresh-cut Christmas trees are not permitted in residence halls rooms. However, nonflammable artificial trees are permitted. Small UL-approved lights are the only type permitted. All holiday decorations must be removed before leaving campus for breaks; exceptions need approval of the Residence Hall Director.

Documentation of Incidents

Residential Life staff and students are asked to provide written documentation of violations of University policies and accidents. Incident reports are submitted to the Residence Hall Director.

Electrical Appliances

Electrical appliances such as personal computers, televisions, stereos, radios, clocks, hair dryers, fans, hot air popcorn poppers, microwaves, crockpots and coffee makers are permitted in rooms. Heat-producing appliances must have non-exposed heating elements. Because of fire safety, no ironing or cooking other than in microwaves is permitted in rooms. Cooking and ironing should be done in the floor kitchens. All electrical appliances must be safety labeled by either Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM). Lamps/lights with halogen bulbs must be UL approved, and should be used with caution. Air conditioners are not permitted in the residence halls.

Eligibility for Residency

Residents must be enrolled for a minimum of six (6) semester hours of classes at Bemidji State University, Northwest Technical College or a combination of both. Loss of this status or failure to register will require an individual to vacate the room within forty-eight (48) hours. Exceptions must be approved by the Director of Housing & Residential Life or designee.

Explosives

Items such as ammunition, fireworks and gasoline are not permitted on state property. Car batteries are not permitted in the residence halls because of their explosive nature.

Fire Safety

Fire Evacuation

When a fire alarm is sounded, residents must assume that there is a fire in the building and are expected to evacuate the building. Failure to evacuate may result in civil action as well as University conduct action. Residents may return to the building only when instructed to do so by Residential Life staff, or BSU Department of Public Safety personnel. Written fire evacuation procedures are posted on the back of each residence hall room door.

Fire Related Charges

The student responsible for the fire alarm will be billed for charges billed to the University for agencies responding to an alarm or fire. Any damages caused by a fire will also be billed to the responsible student.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke Detectors have been placed in every residence hall room. The smoke detectors are either battery operated or hard wired. For the protection of the entire community, smoke detectors are to be kept in working order. New smoke detector batteries may be obtained by exchanging the old battery for a new one at the residence hall reception desk. Questions regarding smoke detectors should be directed to the RA.

Fire Equipment

Fire extinguishers, pull stations and fire alarms are located throughout the residence halls for the protection of human life and property. To use this equipment for other purposes is prohibited by state law. Any resident who pulls a false fire alarm or is found tampering with any fire equipment is subject to any or all of the following:

  • Damage or replacement charges;
  • Referral to the BSU Student Conduct System; and
  • Referral to civil authorities for possible criminal action.
  • Fire Safety Regulations

For the safety of all, residents are expected to maintain their rooms in an orderly manner at all times in compliance with the following fire regulations:

  • No ironing or cooking (except microwaves) is permitted in student rooms.
  • No appliances with heating units, with the exception of hair dryers, coffee makers and hot air popcorn poppers may be used in student rooms. When in use, acceptable appliances must not be left unattended.
  • Smoke detectors, fire alarms, pull stations or other fire safety equipment must not be tampered with in any way.
  • Light fixtures, electrical outlets, switches, etc., must not be tampered with in any way. Items that might serve as electrical conductors should not be hung from them.
  • No candles, oil lamps, incense or other open flame products may be burned in student rooms.
  • Motorcycles, mopeds, motorbikes and other motorized vehicles may not be stored in student rooms or in any residence hall location.
  • Excessive use of paper on doors is not permitted. As a guideline, no more than 20% of a door may be covered.
  • Only metal or fire retardant wastebaskets are allowed in student rooms.

Minnesota Statutes classify several degrees of behavior related to false fire alarms, tampering with or injuring a fire alarm system (1998, Chapter 609, 609.686).

A misdemeanor includes: intentionally giving a false alarm of fire; OR unlawfully tampering or interfering with any fire alarm system, fire protection device or the station or signal box of any fire alarm system or any auxiliary fire appliance; OR unlawfully breaking, injuring, defacing or removing any such system, device, box or station; OR unlawfully breaking, injuring, destroying, disabling, rendering inoperable or disturbing any of the wires, poles or other supports and appliances connected with or forming a part of any fire alarm system or fire protection device or any auxiliary fire appliance. (subd. 1)

A felony includes any violation listed above as a misdemeanor by tampering and knowing or having reason to know that the tampering creates the potential for bodily harm or the tampering results in bodily harm. Sentencing involves imprisonment for not more than five years or payment of a fine of not more than $10,000, or both. (subd. 2)

Tampering, for the purpose of this section, means to intentionally disable, alter or change the fire alarm system, fire protective device or the station or signal box of any fire alarm system of any auxiliary fire appliance, with knowledge that it will be disabled or rendered inoperable. (subd. 3)

Furniture Removal

Furniture in the lounge area is meant to be used by all residents of the hall and therefore, is not to be removed. There is a $25.00 per item charge for having furniture moved back to the public area by University personnel.

Gambling

Gambling is a violation of state law and is prohibited in the residence halls. If you or a friend is experiencing problems with gambling, please contact a residential life staff member.

Gasoline

Gasoline, oil derivative products and propane pose a fire and safety hazard and are, therefore, not allowed in the residence halls. This includes the storage of motorcycles, outboard motors, ice augers and gas- or propane filled containers.

Grand Silence

Special study hours, known as Grand Silence, are established immediately prior to, and during, Finals Week to support the academic atmosphere of the residence halls.

Guests

Guests are welcome with the permission of the roommate(s). Hosts are responsible for the actions and conduct of their guests at all times. Therefore, hosts are expected to escort their guests whenever the building is locked to general admittance. Guests will be asked to leave the residence hall if their behavior is disturbing other residents or if they are in other violation of University or Residential Life policies, rules or state/federal law.

Overnight guests or visitors may not stay in the residence halls for more than three consecutive nights or six days per month. Overnight guests are defined as anyone who is not assigned to your room. Guests are not permitted for residents who arrive early or depart late. At no time is this policy meant to allow a guest/visitor free lodging or to avoid entering into their own housing contract with Housing & Residential Life. Guest behavior may result in University Conduct charges for the guest and host, as well as the possibility of related civil action that may be necessary.

Guns & Weapons

The use or possession of weapons and munitions is prohibited in the residence halls. Weapons include, but are not limited to, guns of any type, ammunition, knives, spears, arrows, etc. The BSU Department of Public Safety maintains weapons storage lockers for student use.