Resources

Policies

As a resident living on campus at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee, you have joined a unique community. Living on campus will contribute to your learning and academic success, provide many opportunities for involvement, create lifelong friendships, and offer conveniences only experienced when living on campus! As a part of this community, you will have the responsibility for developing and living by community standards and expectations. The experiences you encounter living with others will help to develop skills you will need to succeed in organizations, neighborhoods, and communities throughout life. Get ready for an exciting time of friendships, learning, engagement, and growth. We encourage you to interact with your neighbors and get involved as much as possible.

Thank you for choosing to live the Bull’s life!

Our Vision, Mission, Motto
Educational Priority
Commitment to Community
Commitment to Diversity
Disabilities and Accommodations 

OUR VISION

Our dynamic residential experience produces proud USF alumni and engaged global citizens.

OUR MISSION

We are dedicated to creating safe and welcoming residential communities that promote student success.

OUR MOTTO

Best place to live.
Best place to work.
Best place to learn.

EDUCATIONAL PRIORITY

Our Educational Priority is: At the conclusion of the residential experience, students will be holistically well, interpersonally skilled, academically engaged, and self-aware to make a positive societal impact.

COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY

Residential Education employs a Residential Curriculum to provide a holistic learning experience. The Residential Curriculum supports the development of residents into global citizens who are socially, culturally, and personally responsible, academically and professionally prepared. At the conclusion of the residential experience, students will be global citizens who are holistically well, interpersonally competent, and academically engaged. This means that you as a resident play a vital role in creating an environment that will help USF students grow and succeed at the university.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Housing & Residential Education promotes healthy living and learning environments within our inclusive community and does not discriminate on the basis of a person’s race, color, gender, religion, creed, national origin, disability, marital status, disabled veteran status, or sexual orientation. We strive to create a supportive and constructive environment in which everyone feels free and comfortable to contribute to the community. This can only be accomplished when multicultural understanding exists. To experience growth, we must allow ourselves to incorporate new perspectives into our framework, despite the discomfort this may initially cause. With this in mind, Housing & Residential Education will provide opportunities for you to share your experiences, values, and beliefs, and to hear the same from others. In turn, we ask that you work with us to create a safe, supportive environment that will allow assumptions, biases, and prejudices to be identified and challenged.

DISABILITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS

For reasonable accommodations within the living environment or at programs, please contact the Residence Life Coordinator. If you are unsure of who to contact, please email sar-housing@usf.edu.

Section 1: Student Leadership Opportunities

Hall Council
A hall council plans activities for and addresses issues within the hall and/or area. Ask your Resident Assistant (RA) or Residence Life Coordinator (RLC) how to get involved.

Resident Assistant (RA)
Resident Assistants are student staff who work in the residential community in which they live. RAs implement a residential curriculum for residents that facilitate student learning. They remain available and accessible to residents virtually and in-person for personal, relational, social, cultural, emotional, and academic concerns. They serve as a resource for students, and are trained to recognize and report concerns and issues to supervisors. RAs also plan and implement curricular events and hall activities. Additionally, RAs consistently enforce policies without bias or malice, and serve on duty by conducting rounds through the residence hall. 

Section 2: Policies and Guidelines

Living in a residence hall represents a unique opportunity to experience community living. In a community, residents are afforded rights and have responsibilities to uphold the policies and procedures of Housing & Residential Education and the USF Student Code of Conduct. All residents will be held accountable to the USF Student Code of Conduct, Federal and State Law, and the Housing & Residential Education student housing agreement. The University reserves the right to make additional and/or modify existing rules and regulations. Housing & Residential Education agrees to make every reasonable effort to inform resident students of any regulation changes or pertinent policy information.

Access Card
In the interest of safety and security, residents are prohibited from giving their student ID/access card to anyone else to use. 

Activities within Your Room
Along with your roommate, you are fully responsible for all activities that occur in your room. Even if you are not actively involved in a policy violation, you may still be held responsible if you are present during a violation, or if you give others access to your room. Therefore, you should always lock your room when you leave, even if you leave for only a few minutes. This will prevent others from committing violations in your room without your knowledge. It is your responsibility to put an end to any violation that occurs in your room and to call Housing staff and/or University Police if you need assistance.  

Alcohol
The possession and consumption of alcohol is a privilege provided to those of legal age living within the residence hall with certain restrictions. These restrictions are designed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students. Any behavior deemed disruptive that interferes with the rights of students living in Atala Hall due to alcohol consumption will lead to disciplinary action.

Consumption of alcoholic beverages and/or possession of open alcoholic containers are strictly prohibited in public areas. Public areas include hallways, lounges, office areas, stairwells, elevators, common areas, community kitchens, public bathrooms, any non-approved recreational areas, outside buildings and any other areas deemed public by Housing & Residential Education.

Residents 21 and older:

• May possess and consume alcohol only within the strict confines of their room or apartment
• May possess and/or consume alcohol in the presence of their underage roommate
• May not drink and/or possess an open container when underage guests are present in the student room/apartment

Residents under 21:

• May not be in possession of or consume alcohol
• May not have any guests, even those of legal drinking age, consume alcohol in the room/apartment

Residents may not possess excessive amounts of alcohol. The definition of “excessive” will be at the discretion of the Housing & Residential Education staff. Kegs, party balls, trashcans, beer bongs, beer pong tables, or large vessels that contain alcoholic beverages are strictly prohibited within residence halls and surrounding areas. The creation or playing of games that encourage the drinking of alcohol is prohibited.

Appliances & Cooking
Use of electrical appliances is permitted in rooms and apartments only under certain guidelines. Due to concern for fire and safety standards, only microwaves that use less than 1,000 watts, automatic coffee makers, and refrigerators which do not exceed 4.5 cubic feet may be used in student rooms and suites.

The following appliances are not allowed in individual bedrooms or suites:

• Toasters
• George Foreman grills (or similar appliances)
• Hot plates
• Roasters
• Popcorn poppers
• Deep freezers
• Air fryers
• InstaPots (or similar electric pressure cookers)

The above appliances are allowed in apartments that contain a kitchen area. For more information as to specific appliances allowed within your room, please see your RA.

Cooking is strictly prohibited in bedrooms or suites, but may be done in designated cooking areas in each building and within apartment kitchens.

Damages
It is the responsibility of the assigned resident(s) to pay for the replacement or repair of damaged property within a resident’s room or in areas adjacent to it (i.e., windows, doors, and suite study areas). Charges may also be incurred for not cleaning the room properly or failure to return the room to its original condition at checkout.

Residents may be responsible for damages that occur in common areas. Common areas may include but are not limited to apartment living rooms, lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, laundry rooms, and elevators. Residents may be billed for damage, vandalism, stolen furniture, or housekeeping charges in a common area.

Doors
Exterior doors are never to be propped or disabled for any reason. Disabling or propping open building exterior doors carries the same consequences as tampering with other fire and life safety equipment and may result in immediate disciplinary action.

Elevators
In order to keep elevators in safe working condition, the following are prohibited and may result in disciplinary action: Intentional damage/and or vandalism, misuse, or tampering with elevators; smoking/vaping in elevators; overloading; use of emergency alarms and emergency stops in non-emergency situations.

Fire Safety
All residents are required to follow these fire and safety regulations. Our Fire and Safety regulations follow mandates set by the USF Office of Environmental Health and Safety. Fire drills are required at the beginning of each semester to ensure that residents know what to do in the event of a fire and how to properly evacuate the building. Please review Fire and Safety information on the Office of Environmental Health and Safety website.

Fire and Safety Equipment
In the interest of safety for all residents, it is imperative that fire and safety equipment is operable at all times. Tampering with fire and safety equipment is a third degree felony (Florida Statue 806.10) 

Therefore, the following acts are prohibited:

• Covering a detector or in some other way rendering a smoke detector inoperable
• Obstructing stairwells and/or corridors with furniture, debris, and other materials
• Disabling or propping open the exterior door to any building

Restricted items and actions
The following are prohibited because of their serious potential as fire hazards:

• Open flames such as candles, incense, smoking, the burning of any materials, or other flame-emitting items.
• Use or possession of fireworks or firecrackers.
• Extension cords (only power strips with built-in circuit breakers are allowed in the halls)
• Personal grills
• Self-heating meal kits (e.g., ready-to-eat Sichuan hot pot meal)
• Flammable liquids (and other hazardous chemicals)
• Operation, charging, or storage of transportation devices with Lithium-Ion Batteries/battery packs (including, but not limited to hover boards, skateboards, scooters, Segways etc.) unless the device is approved through The Office of Student Accessibility Services.
• Electric heaters or portable heaters
• Lava lamps, halogen lamps, and all lamps with paper shades. Never cover any light with a material that prevents the free flow of air around the bulb.
• Extreme care should be taken with appliances such as curling irons, hair dryers, and irons. Do not leave these items on when not in use or place them next to flammable areas such as on beds.
• Large gatherings. Private gatherings held in student rooms/apartments must be confined to that specific room or apartment. The Housing & Residential Education staff reserves the right to determine if the occupancy of the room/apartment for private gatherings exceeds the amount that would be considered in violation of fire and safety regulations.

Fire, Health & Safety Inspections
Housing & Residential Education staff will facilitate Fire, Health, and Safety Inspections each semester with at least 24 hours notice to residents. Any violations found during these inspections must be corrected within the specified time period. Residents are to immediately correct unsafe or potentially hazardous conditions in your room (such as overloaded power outlets) as requested by staff. Failure to correct fire, health, and safety violations may result in disciplinary actions.

Guests
You are responsible for the conduct of your guests, regardless of who they are, when they are present in on-campus housing. If you intend to have visitors or guests in the hall, be aware that you may be subject to disciplinary action because of their behavior. Additionally, residence hall staff members reserve the right to ask any non-resident to leave the residence halls. See also: Visitation 

Interactions with Housing, Residential Education and University Staff
Housing & Residential Education staff members, who in the course of their duties are confronted with violations of University policy, are obligated to report them. Housing & Residential Education staff members include Residence Life Coordinators, Resident Assistants, facilities staff, housekeeping staff and desk workers. The harassment of any University staff members may result in disciplinary action.

Maintenance
USF Housing & Residential Education and Facilities Maintenance staff strives to provide the best living environment for all residents. The Maintenance and Housekeeping staff and residents share responsibility to maintain all rooms and buildings. Your responsibilities include:

• Maintaining the condition of your room and its contents
• Timely reporting of damages and concerns via the maintenance request system
• Arrangement of furniture and belongings to facilitate easy access by maintenance staff (bathroom cleanings, AC filter changes, etc.)
• Restitution for damages to the physical area of your room (including the window and the exterior door).

Motorized Vehicles
Motorcycles, mopeds, scooters, golf carts, other motorized vehicles or parts to a motorized vehicle may not be operated, stored, or charged in the buildings at any time, including the period between semesters. These vehicles must be properly parked in a designated parking spot on campus, following parking rules and regulations.  Medically required scooters can request an exemption in the Housing Portal.

Pets
Fish in aquariums no larger than 10 gallons are the only pets allowed in on-campus housing. All other pets are prohibited, even to visit for a short time.

Posting/Advertising Materials
Any materials posted in common areas including outside of room /apartment doors, windows, hallways, lounges, kitchens, common areas, etc. are subject to approval by Housing & Residential Education staff. Materials posted inside rooms such as posters, pictures, etc. must be agreed upon by all roommate(s).

Fliers posted in common areas of the residence halls must be approved by the Residence Life Coordinator before posting.

Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are:

• Sunday - Thursday from 10 p.m. until 10 a.m.
• Friday - Saturday from midnight (12 a.m.) until noon (12 p.m.)

During these hours, residents are expected to refrain from excessive noise and other disruptive activities. Non-designated quiet times are “courtesy hours.” Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. During these times, residents are expected to maintain reasonable volume levels including conversations in stairwells, slamming doors, and music volume. Students are expected to comply when a request is made by fellow residents or staff members regarding noise. During Reading Days/No Exam weeks and Finals Week, 24-hour quiet hours are in effect until the completion of the final exams period.

Residence Hall Network
The primary purpose of this network is to support students’ educational goals. In support of these goals, the following activities are prohibited:

• Setting up a router and building a private subnet.
• Setting up ANY type of information server such as a web, gopher, email, game, etc.
• Propagating e-mail chain letters; forging mail; allowing unauthorized persons access to the Network.
• The use of the Network for personal financial gain.
• Copying University-owned or licensed information to another computer without prior written approval.
• Modifying or attempting to modify University-owned or licensed information including software and data.
• Attempting to damage or disrupt networking services.
• The use of the Network, the University’s campus-wide network, or related resources in the commission of crime.
• The use of traffic-intensive applications that may cause problems within the network or dilute the level of service to other users.
• No print servers, mail servers, FTP servers, etc. are allowed. The network sharing of any computer-related device or materials that may cause excessive network traffic is forbidden.

For policies, procedures and protocol relating to the USF Information Technology (IT), please refer to the USF IT website.

Roommate Agreement
All residents are required to complete a roommate agreement at the beginning of the assignment into their room. Resident Assistants will use the roommate agreement to open a discussion with each resident and address any existing and/or potential roommate conflicts. The Roommate Agreement, once agreed upon and signed by all roommates and a Residential Education staff member, is considered a binding agreement. If roommate conflicts continue, all roommates are encouraged to attend a mediation with the Resident Life Coordinator.

Smoking, Tobacco, Vapor
USF is a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and vapor-free campus. USF is committed to providing a safe, healthy, and enjoyable learning, living and working environment. Smoking and use of tobacco products are not allowed in any indoor or outdoor areas, including residence halls, parking lots, grounds, sidewalks, or recreational areas. This policy also includes the use of e-cigarettes.

As a tobacco-free, smoke-free, and vapor-free campus, USF hopes to promote overall health and wellness for the university community and create a more attractive and enjoyable campus experience by completely eliminating smoking and tobacco product use. Learn more

Solicitation
Solicitation by organizations or individuals, for commercial or personal gain, is not permitted. If a person is found to be soliciting in the residence halls, please report the person’s name and company to University Police immediately.

Sports Inside the Building
In the interest of personal safety and out of respect for the hall environment, sports of any nature are not permitted in the hallways, bathrooms, lobbies, elevators, or other common areas of the building. This includes throwing any objects from or at a residence hall building. Examples of prohibited items include footballs, Frisbees, squirt guns and water pistols, Nerf guns, and sling-shots. Riding skateboards, including longboards are prohibited inside buildings.

Subletting
A room may be occupied only by the student to whom it is assigned. The residence hall space may not be sublet to another person (Reference: Student Housing Agreement).

Vandalism
It is not acceptable to deface, damage, or destroy property, including but not limited to: personal property, bulletin boards, lounge areas, bathroom facilities, and other common areas.

Visitation
Hosting visitors is considered a privilege. A resident’s right to comfortably study, sleep, and have privacy in their room or apartment at any time takes priority over any resident’s ability to host a guest. A resident’s request for any guest to leave at any time must be honored. The safety and security of a comfortable environment could be compromised if unwanted guests are present, or if guests refuse to leave because they are visiting within posted visitation hours. Guests must be escorted by a resident at all times.

Visitation is defined as periodic visits of guests and does not encompass cohabitation in a room, suite, or apartment as each space in university housing may be occupied only by the student to whom it is contracted. Residents are not permitted to loan access cards to guests at any time. Guests are permitted to spend the night; however, the resident must have the explicit consent of the roommate beforehand. However, even with consent, no guest may stay more than 3 nights in a 30-day period.

All residents will have the opportunity to vote for one of three guest visitation policy choices at the beginning of the Fall Semester:

1. No guest visitation.
2. Guest visitation between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m., Monday through Thursday with weekend guest visitation beginning at 10 a.m. Friday and continuing until 2 a.m. Monday.
3. 24 hours a day/seven days a week guest visitation. Visitation within student rooms must be determined by mutual agreement among roommates.

Weapons
No weapons of any kind are permitted in any residential facility. Residents who bring anything deemed to be a weapon into the residence halls are subject to disciplinary action, including removal from housing.

Windows
Posting, hanging or otherwise displaying materials in or around the residence hall windows or on university window coverings is not permitted. This includes, but is not limited to, signage, posters, flags, banners, signs, paint, lights, personal messages, post-its or anything attached to these windows.

SECTION 3: ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES

Abandoned Property
Belongings left in one’s room, suite, apartment, or within common areas of the residence halls, after the Student Housing Agreement period ends or the agreement is canceled are classified as abandoned property. Residents have 30 days to claim their property. After 30 days, the University reserves the right to dispose of all abandoned property. There may be a fee associated with property that is abandoned.

Cancellation of Student Housing Agreement
Please refer to the Terms and Conditions of your housing agreement for information regarding cancellation eligibility. Requests to cancel the Student Housing Agreement are only accepted through the Housing Portal.

Check Outs
Residents will be provided with specific checkout information from their RA before each closing period. Students should refer to this information for more specific details regarding their responsibilities.

When you are checking out because you will no longer be living in the room (end of year, room change or contract cancellation) you must vacate your room and check out with your RA by the posted timeline on your effective date of cancellation. Failure to do so will result in a charge for improper check out.

Vacating the Residence Halls
All residents must vacate the residence halls within 24 hours of their last final exam with the exception of graduating seniors. Graduating Seniors must receive permission from Housing & Residential Education to extend their residence until after commencement. Residents may leave items in rooms during breaks between academic semesters, but may not occupy their rooms during the break time unless they request permission in advance using the Housing Portal, are approved, and agree to pay the associated break stay fee.

Non-Registration
Residents who are not registered for classes will be required to vacate the halls/apartments within 24 hours.

Communications from the University
You are responsible for checking your resident mailbox and your USF e-mail account frequently. These are the methods by which the University and Housing & Residential Education will contact you for official business. Failure to check these university-issued communication sites does not exempt you from any information delivered. 

Floor and Hall meetings are held at the beginning of each semester and periodically during the semester. Floor and Hall meetings are for your benefit, and as a member of the community, you are responsible for any and all information discussed at these meetings. If you are unable to attend a meeting, you should contact your RA for a summary of what you missed.

Furniture
All furniture assigned to student rooms, apartments, floor lounges, and other public areas must remain in their appropriate locations. The removal of University furniture from student rooms and/or public areas is prohibited. Residents are responsible for the proper care of University furniture and will be charged for any damages, repair, and replacement costs at checkout. All furniture belonging to residents must be removed from campus prior to checkout time. Any furniture left will be subject to removal at the resident’s expense.

Room Access
All due respect is given to the privacy that residents enjoy in their rooms. Occasionally, circumstances present themselves which necessitate authorized University personnel or vendors to enter student rooms for the purpose of repair and maintenance, assessment of damages, inventory of University property, determination of compliance with University policies, and emergencies where imminent danger to life, safety, health is reasonably suspected. When possible, advance notice will be given to residents. Submitting a work request authorizes maintenance personnel to enter your room.

Room and Roommate Changes
Housing & Residential Education assigns rooms and roommates. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to give everyone their first choice. The staff reserves the right to make assignments and changes as necessary.

• No roommate changes will be made during the first two weeks of each semester.
• Room changes will begin during the third week of the semester but will be dependent on availability.
• Students are encouraged to first talk with their RA before asking for a room change.
• In cases where no such resolution seems possible, the students should consult with their RA for assistance.
• The RA or Residence Life Coordinator will mediate and attempt to resolve the situation.
• If the situation cannot be resolved at this level, the Residence Life Coordinator will conduct a room change request.
• Room change requests will be facilitated via the Room Change or Room Swap request forms located in the Housing Portal.
• Residents will be provided with a timeline that indicates the dates they are allowed to move.
• Once approved, all room changes will result in a change of mailbox. Moving residents are responsible for knowing and checking their new mailbox upon completion of their move.

Room Condition & Damages 
Before residents arrive, their room/suite/apartment is inspected by the Housing & Residential Education staff. All residents are emailed and provided the opportunity to submit additional work orders to resolve any unseen needs. Residents are expected to provide high-quality care for their assigned space. At the conclusion of the agreement term, Residential Education staff will conduct an inspection of the room and issue appropriate charges to the Student Self-Service account for damages.

Room Personalization
We encourage you to use your creativity and ingenuity to make your room as comfortable as possible. Below are guidelines for room personalization to keep maintenance problems to a minimum and/or to save you money at checkout time by avoiding unnecessary charges resulting from damages to the room.

• No physical alterations are to be made to any part of the building. Residents may not remove or relocate the fixtures, switches, outlets, closet or cabinet doors, or any fixed items in the room, suite or building.
• Nails may not be driven into the walls. Contact paper is not to be used. Remember, assessments will be made for the full amount to replace any furniture or room accessories that are damaged or missing at time of check-out.
• Room Painting Program: If you believe that your room needs to be painted, you should submit a work request. Facilities staff will evaluate each request and paint where necessary.
• Hanging Lights: Residents are prohibited from hanging lights (holiday lights, LED light strips, etc.) from their walls and ceilings.
• Waterbeds: Due to the chance of water damage and because of their excess weight, waterbeds are not permitted.

SECTION 4: CONDUCT PROCESS

Please visit the Student Conduct and Ethical Development website for information regarding student conduct policies.

SECTION 5: SERVICES

By being aware of the services provided as well as procedures for utilizing these services, living on campus can be convenient and fun. Please be aware of the following procedures and services and utilize them to your advantage.

Air Conditioning and Heating
General information about air conditioning in Florida:

• Maintaining a clean dust-free room promotes a cleaner and healthier living space.
• Keep air vents clear. Blocking return vents starves the air conditioner system, making it run harder and less efficiently.
• Thermostats can be set between 72-76 degrees.

Bicycle Security
Bicycle racks are provided on campus for bicycle security. Please see that your bike is securely fastened to the rack to avoid theft. Bikes may not be stored inside of the residence hall, hallways, common areas, or rooms. 

To avoid electrical hazards and to maintain a clear path for the grounds maintenance crew, bicycles should never be locked to light or electrical posts or stairway railings. The University Police provide engraving services to make identification easy should your bicycle be stolen. Bicycle registration is available to students at NO CHARGE from USF Parking Services and University Police.

Bulletin Boards
Your RA will keep you informed by posting information on hall bulletin boards. Centrally located boards are also kept up to date. To place information on a bulletin board, you must obtain permission from your Residence Life Coordinator.

Ethernet Connections
Ethernet connections for access to the Internet and university computing services are provided at no additional charge in all rooms. If you need assistance with your Ethernet connection, please contact the IT Help Desk at (941) 359-4350.

Emergency Procedures & Inclement Weather Information
For all emergency situations (bomb threats, hurricanes, tornadoes, emergency evacuations, etc.), all residents should refer to their Resident Assistants, Residence Life Coordinator, and/or the USF Homepage for up-to-date information. In addition, residents can contact Campus Safety & Security and the University Police Department at 941-993-8548.  

Facilities Management
A Housekeeper or Maintenance Technician will respond to repair and address problems in your room, suite, or apartment only upon written request or for preventative maintenance. Report any necessary repairs via the online work order system. Please contact the RA On-Call for emergency maintenance requests after hours.

Hall Security and Access Cards
The entry doors into the residence hall elevator lobby are secured 24 hours a day. Card access is applied to each resident’s student ID at check-in so they may access their hall. It is the responsible use of access cards that makes any security system effective. 

The exterior doors of the Student Center are secured when the building is closed. Card access is applied to each resident’s student ID at check-in so they may access the building after hours.

Laundry
The residence hall has a centrally located laundry facility on the second floor. Washers cost $1.50 per load and dryers cost $1.50 for 45 minutes of drying time. Laundry is expected to be removed from washers or dryers upon the completion of a cycle. All laundry not removed after 72 hours will be bagged, tagged, and subject to abandoned property fees. Report any problems via the phone number provided in the laundry room or by using the MyUSF Mobile app. Download for Android or Apple iOS

Lost Student ID Card
In the interest of your personal safety, if you lose your student ID card, report it to the Student Center service desk immediately. A temporary card will be issued, and it must be returned to the Student Center service desk within 72 hours. After that timeframe, a charge is initiated and will be posted to your Student Self-Service account.

Mail
Each student is provided with a mailing address associated with each room. If a student changes their room assignment, their mailing address changes and they will need to change their address/re-direct incoming mail. Mail and packages are delivered to the Student Center front desk directly by the various mail carriers. Students are notified via text and/or email that their package is available for pick-up if they have opted-in via the Housing Portal.