The Student Life staff seeks to serve students and work with them to provide a living situation where their basic needs are met and where they are challenged to live responsibly with others. The structure of the living arrangement is designed to do this. The living units are called mods. Nine to 15 people live in a mod. These students share a common bathroom and lounge area. The group is led by a Christian student leader called a resident assistant (RA).
The Hesston College campus community welcomes all students regardless of race, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and social or economic class. Hesston College is, by design, a diverse campus with persons coming from across the United States and around the world. The community celebrates this diversity and realizes that differences require each individual to seek understanding and integrity in relationships.
Administration
The Student Life staff is responsible for managing residence hall life and activities. The vice president of student life coordinates all residential living policies and provides supervision and training to the resident directors (RDs) and RAs.
The RDs are adult staff who live in separate apartments in the dorms. Each RD supervises a group of RAs. The RD responds to student needs, provides leadership in the residence hall, is available for counseling and conflict resolution, and is involved in campus life as a mentor and role model for students. The RD responds to emergencies and assists the vice president of student life with campus security.
The RA is a second- or third-year student who is committed to Christ. Each RA is chosen to provide leadership for a mod. The RA is available to help students move in and get acquainted with other students and the college. RAs serve as a communication link between students and RD; help organize educational, social, and recreational events and programs; and assist in enforcement of college policies.
Facilities and Dorm Policies
All full-time single students without children, 23 years of age or younger are required to live in the dorms or at home with a parent or guardian. Any special exceptions must be approved by the vice president of student life. Incoming students age 21, 22, or 23 who wish to live off campus must submit a written request to the vice president of student life. A review committee consisting of the vice president of student life, the division chair of the student’s declared area of study, and the student’s admissions counselor will consider the request and respond in writing to the student.
Residence hall options at Hesston College are:
- Erb Hall—Erb Hall east—occupancy of 88 persons, Erb central—occupancy of 64 persons, and Erb west—occupancy of 90 persons. All rooms have carpet and air conditioning. Each mod has access to a kitchenette. The approximate room size is 12' x 15'.
- Kauffman Court–occupancy of 125 persons. Each mod has a private entrance. Rooms and halls have carpeted floors and air conditioning. Approximate room size - 11' x 13'.
Each residence hall room is furnished with the following items for each student: bed, mattress, mattress pad, dresser, mirror, desk, chair, desk lamp, bulletin board, book shelves, blinds, a modular phone jack, and a campus computer network jack.
As students move into their rooms, they will find their accommodations comfortable and adequate. It is important for students to know that Hesston College along with the State Fire Code enforce the following restrictions:
Beds (for Erb central and west)—Kansas Fire Code permits students to build bunk beds. Maximum dimensions are 78" (6'6") in height (including mattress), 4' in width, and 8' in length. Each student in Erb central and west may have a deck. Hanging beds and waterbeds are not permitted. No elevated surfaces or decks larger than 4' x 8' are permitted. Beds may not be constructed by using any furniture such as desks, shelves, chests, or built-in units for structural support. Furniture attached to the walls may not be removed.
Dorm/Room—The following electrical appliances may be used in dorm rooms: stereos, lamps (halogen lamps are not permitted because they are potential fire hazards), clocks, coffee makers, TVs, personal computers, and small refrigerators (3 cubic ft. or smaller, one per room maximum)(contents are subject to inspection at any time). No freezers.
Microwaves, electric grills, fryers, toaster ovens, electric heaters, and ceiling fans are not permitted in dorm rooms. In addition, cooking and food preparation are not allowed in the dorm rooms. Each Erb Hall floor kitchen and Kauffman Court mod is equipped with a microwave.
Each student is responsible for his or her room and shares the responsibility for the mod in which he or she lives.
Resident students must observe and respect the following housing policies:
- Students in renovated dorms (Erb east, Kauffman Court) may not move any furniture out of their rooms or build structures such as bunk beds.
- Students in Erb central and west may store some Hesston College dorm furniture in the storage rooms. The furniture must be labeled with the student’s name and room number and stored in an orderly manner in the storeroom on the same floor. Items stored in the storeroom must not impede the door from opening and closing. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the same furniture gets moved back into his or her room. Students will be fined for any furniture not present at checkout.
- Students may not move furniture, plants, or any other school property from lounges or from other areas of campus.
- When moving the furniture within their rooms, students should lift the furniture rather than sliding it. Carrying the furniture protects its legs and preserves the floor coverings.
- Mod storage rooms are available for college furniture only. Items stored in the storeroom must not impede the door from opening and closing. Fire code does not permit mattresses, personal items, or cardboard boxes to be stored in these rooms.
- Students may not make repairs or alterations to any wiring (electrical, phone, etc.) or any Hesston College property. The Campus Facilities Department maintains all facilities and takes responsibility for necessary changes.
- Painting of the rooms is not permitted.
- Students may hang pictures with adhesive picture hangers which are available in the Bookstore. Students are responsible to remove the hangers at the end of the year. Students should avoid using duct tape on all permanent surfaces including floors, walls, and furniture. Students may not drive nails into the walls, furniture, or woodwork.
- The Student Life Office will charge any damage, beyond normal wear, done to the room during the school year to the student(s) who resided in that room. Students should immediately report to their RA or RD if another person damages their room. Otherwise the damage becomes the student’s responsibility.
- All mod members are responsible for activity in the general living area. The mod is responsible to pay for any damages or to identify the individual(s) responsible.
- Christmas lights are not allowed in halls, lounges, and bathrooms.
- Students must keep dorm hallways and janitor closets clear of all beds, boxes, bikes, wood, and other items. Residence Life staff will check hallways for items left and assess fees for the reclaiming of personal items left in the hall, and/or fines to the mod for trash in the hallway.
Guaranteed Single Room—If there is room in the dorms, a student may sign a contract with the Student Life Office for a guaranteed single room. The additional cost is $620 per semester. (Typically limited to sophomore students. Third-year students will be given priority.)
Two-room suites—Erb Hall’s east wing (women only) offers eight two-room suites, if available, at a cost of an additional $210 per person per semester for three residents in a suite.
A room deposit of $50 is required of each student. This money is refundable upon completion of studies at Hesston College provided the room has been cleaned, all furniture is in place, there is no damage, and the key is returned.
Room Changes—Room changes are discouraged once classes have started. All room changes must be approved by the RD. A $35 fee per student is charged for all room changes. Mediation is the first step in dealing with any roommate conflicts. RDs will only consider room change requests after mediation is completed.
Open house hours are posted in the dorms designating the times when it is permitted for men and women to visit in each other’s residences. These hours are strictly enforced.
The Student Life staff is committed to providing a campus living environment that respects the needs of individuals for adequate rest, study time, and personal privacy, and that also respects the rights of campus neighbors and the Hesston community. To help facilitate these goals the college has instituted the following guidelines: by 10 p.m. the campus is to be quiet enough that persons outside the dorms will not be disturbed, and by midnight, it is to be quiet enough in the mod that individuals can study and/or sleep without being disturbed.
Guest Housing For Residence Halls—Guests may stay overnight in the residence hall for up to three nights without charge. A $10 per night fee is charged to guests staying more than three nights. Guests must abide by all residence hall regulations. A guest failing to comply with regulations may be asked to leave.
Inappropriate Material—Items pertaining to alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs or which are sexually explicit or degrading are inappropriate and may not be displayed in the residence halls. Examples of such items include cans, bottles, posters, and hookas.
Inspection of Rooms—The college reserves the right to have authorized personnel enter a student’s room in cases of emergencies where danger to life, safety, health, or property is reasonably feared. Personnel may also search a student’s room when there is reasonable cause to believe that Hesston College regulations or public laws have been or are being violated. Student permission is not necessary for such search procedures.
Personal Property—Students are responsible for the safe keeping of their property and no reimbursement from the college can be expected from the loss of such property. Rooms should be kept locked at all times.
Fines—Failure to adhere to residence policies may result in a fine. Fines serve as a preventive measure. Damage to college or personal property will also incur fees for cost of repair or replacement. Fines will be given for the following:
| 1. | Open house violation | $50.00 |
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| 2. | Violation of quiet hours (10 p.m.-community) | $25.00 |
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| 3. | Throwing water inside a building | $25.00 |
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| 4. | Riding bikes, rollerblades, or skateboards inside | $25.00 |
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| 5. | Being on the roof of any building on campus | $50.00 |
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| 6. | Removing window screens and/or sitting on window ledges | $25.00 |
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| 7. | Accessing locked college facilities | $50.00 |
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| 8. | Driving across campus on sidewalk or grounds (reserved for authorized persons only) | $50.00 |
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| 9. | Having school property in room | $25.00 |
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| 10. | Lost Keys | $25.00 |
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| 11. | Tampering with vending machines or laundry equipment | $50.00 |
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| 12. | Burning candles or incense, open flame, candle warmers, or smoking inside buildings | $50.00 |
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| 13. | Tampering with fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, exit signs, setting off fire alarms (including door alarm) | disciplinary action and $100.00 |
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| 14. | Failing to evacuate building during a fire alarm | $50.00 |
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| 15. | Explosive devices or fireworks | disciplinary action and $100.00 |
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| 16. | Smoking or chewing tobacco on campus (except in designated areas) | $25.00 |
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| 17. | Alcohol and/or illegal drugs on campus | disciplinary action and $100.00 |
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| 18. | Purchasing alcohol for underage drinker(s) | disciplinary action and $250.00 |
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| 18. | Special situation (fine determined by SDC, Dean of Students, or RD) | TBA |
When a fine is levied, the student receives a notice from the Resident Directors with a date to pay the fine amount in full. The Student Life Office handles all monetary transactions. If the student has not paid within two weeks, the Student Life Office will bill their account with an added charge. Fines may be doubled for each repeat violation.
All other disciplinary actions resulting in more than a fine will go before the RD Council, Dean of Students, or SDC.
Grill—For students who wish to use a barbecue grill to prepare food: the grill pan that contains the charcoal or gas heating element must not be in contact with the ground. Grilling is only allowed in the following designated areas: Kauffman Court–patio on either side of the lounge, Erb Hall–on the concrete slab south of Bontrager Student Center, or on the sidewalk south of the Bookstore, or at the end of the ramp near Erb central and west.
Pets—Pets are not permitted in the residence halls with the exception of tropical fish in an approved aquarium not to exceed 10 gallons.
Fire codes do not permit live Christmas trees in the dorms.
Campus Lifestyle Standards
Hesston College has adopted a set of Campus Lifestyle Standards to maintain a healthy living and learning community. The college requires every member of its community to abide by these standards which encourage students to adopt lifestyles and values that reflect Christian faith and commitment and promote wellness. Each student’s signature on the Campus Lifestyle Statement indicates that he or she understands and agrees to keep these standards. The standards may not represent an individual’s conviction or preference; however, each person must abide by these standards while attending Hesston College.
- Respect for the rights and property of others and responsible use of campus and community facilities.
- Respect the dignity and diversity of others. Whether in seriousness or in jest, any form of bigotry, harassment, intimidation, threat, or name-calling, either spoken, written or implied, will not be tolerated.
- Responsible relationships that are not coercive, exploitative, abusive, or promiscuous in nature. With respect to sexual relationships, Hesston College holds with the Confession of Faith in a Mennonite Perspective that, “According to Scripture, right sexual union takes place only within the marriage relationship.”
- Honesty in academic assignments (to be addressed by the vice president of academics), lifestyle choices, community life, and interaction with others.
- Decency in dress and appearance. In addition, clothing that advertises or promotes alcohol, drugs, sexually inappropriate behaviors, violence, or behavior demeaning to the mission of Hesston College is prohibited.
- Adherence to city and state codes regarding fireworks, firearms, alcohol, drugs, theft, and so forth. Violation of the law will also be considered a violation of campus standards. No guns (including BB, pellet, air, and paintball guns), ammunition, or fireworks are permitted on campus.
- Abstinence (regardless of age) from the use, possession, or distribution of alcohol or illegal drugs. The possession of related containers or paraphernalia is also prohibited. A drug screen may be required if there is cause to suspect the student is using illegal drugs. The student is responsible for the payment for the screen. Abstinence from the use of tobacco products is strongly encouraged. Smoking and chewing tobacco are prohibited on campus except for two designated areas.
We are committed to campus safety and security. The following violations may carry an automatic consequence of suspension and/or expulsion from school:
- Possession or use of fireworks, guns, ammunition, or explosives of any kind on campus
- Tampering with fire safety alarms or equipment
- Deliberate destruction of school property or theft
- The threat of/or violent action toward another person(s)
Lifestyle Accountability and Support
The purpose for Lifestyle Accountability and Support (LAS) is to help students remain accountable to the Campus Lifestyle Statement that they have signed and for Hesston College to provide support to students as needed for them to be successful. Each person is unique and often discipline reflects that uniqueness.
Our approach to discipline is based on the model of mercy through which students are encouraged, supported, confronted, and guided as modeled by the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. In understanding this model, we attempt to actively be in relationship with students as they make life choices and experience life consequences.
The RD Council is made up of the resident directors of Kauffman Court and Erb Hall. This council will review student issues that appear to be first time infractions. The RD Council will have discretion to render discipline or to refer the student to the Dean of Students. The council may respond with fines and or LAS.
The Student Development Committee (SDC) addresses violations of Campus Lifestyle Standards. SDC consists of one faculty representative, one staff representative, two student representatives, and the vice president of student life. The vice president of student life, at his or her discretion, may offer an option to address violations directly with the student if the student admits to committing the violation. If the student does not admit to committing the violation, the case will be heard by SDC.
Response to violations may include lifestyle accountability and support, financial or work penalty, other penalties as appropriate in each case, suspension, or dismissal.
Lifestyle Accountability and Support* (LAS) means:
- Student’s progress and behavior are closely monitored. The student may be required to meet with a faculty or staff member for accountability.
- Parents are notified that the student is on LAS.
- Student may be required to attend counseling/therapy, complete an evaluation, or participate in other supportive type services.
Usually LAS is for the remainder of the semester unless otherwise specified. If the student commits another violation while on LAS, the Student Development Committee or the vice president of student life may suspend or dismiss the student.
*Lifestyle accountability and support will be considered disciplinary probation when transfer requests are completed for other colleges.
Suspension means:
A student is sent off campus for a specified period of time. Arrangements are made through the vice president of student life.
Dismissal means:
A student is dismissed from the college. At the time of dismissal, the college will specify if/when the student may reapply to Hesston College. If not otherwise stated, dismissal is for the remainder of the academic year.
Appeals:
Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Vice President of Student Life within twenty-four (24) hours of notification of any decision and should include the offense committed; the disciplines assigned, and complete reasons for the basis of the appeal. The Vice President of Academics will review the appeal request to determine if the appeal should be granted. If the appeal is granted, the student and the Student Appeals Committee will be notified. The Administrative Council appoints the Student Appeals Committee, which consists of a faculty member, staff member, student, and member of Administrative Council. This committee will review all documents, interview persons involved, and either overturn or uphold the decision of the Dean of Students or SDC. All appeal decisions are final.
Grounds for appeals:
- The decision is unreasonably disproportionate to the infraction (including consideration of the student’s prior offenses or willingness to cooperate in the disciplinary process).
- Policies and procedures relating to student or academic issues were not followed that affected the student’s right to receive a fair decision.
- The disciplinary or academic decision was not supported by evidence.
- New evidence has become available since the initial hearing that would have significantly altered its results.
Emergency Procedures
Fire—Posters and other flammable materials should be placed with discretion. The college prohibits all types of burning in its residence facilities. This includes, but is not limited to the burning of candles, oil lamps, incense, and smoking. Every residence hall is equipped with fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and smoke detectors. State Law requires that everyone vacate the building when the alarm sounds. Anyone who refuses to leave will be fined $50. Tampering with fire protection equipment (alarms, extinguishers, and smoke detectors) is a federal offense and may result in a $100 fine and suspension or dismissal from school.
Tornado—The City of Hesston sounds a continuous alarm blast in the case of a tornado warning. All students are to leave their rooms and go to the nearest windowless area. Basements, hallways, and restrooms can provide shelter. Windows must be avoided because of the danger of flying glass. On clear weather days, the Hesston siren blasts a practice tornado alarm every Monday morning at 10 a.m.
Lockdown—In these days of unsolicited violence on college campuses, we must be prepared to respond to possible violent actions. Therefore, the following policies and procedures are in place to protect the campus community.
Campus staff (RA, RD, faculty member, or staff person) will notify you that a lockdown has been initiated. Go to the nearest inner room and lock yourself in. Staff in each building are instructed to lock the building and move people to safe areas. You must follow all directions. In the dorms you will need to go into the dorm room and lock the door behind you as well as lock the windows. Stay on the floor and away from windows or doors. Remain in your safe area until an identified staff or faculty person gives an all clear.
The college will have emergency drills for all of the above.
Residence Hall Calendar
Fall Term - Open 9 a.m., Fri., Aug. 22, 2008
Christmas Break - Close 10 a.m., Thur., Dec. 18, 2008
Spring Term - Open 8 a.m., Sun., Jan. 4, 2009
Spring Break- Close 10 a.m., Sat., March 7, 2009
Open 7 p.m., Sat., March 14, 2009
End of School - Close 6 p.m., Sun., May 3, 2009
Residence halls are closed during Christmas Break and Spring Break. Students are responsible for their own housing arrangements during these times.