Things To Know
Services
Contractual / Policies & Procedures
Emergency Procedures
Things to Know
Residence for Vacations & Holidays
College housing is closed during vacation periods. If a resident needs to stay on campus during vacation, the following guidelines are in effect.
- All students wishing to stay must be approved by the Assistant Director and register with the Office of Residence Life.
- All college policies must be followed, students violating policies risk losing the privilege of stay in housing over the break.
Light Bulbs
Free light bulbs are provided for resident students in the Office of Residence Life. Residents must complete a maintenance work request to have fluorescent light bulbs replaced. Do not replace bulbs with brighter bulbs than provided. Halogen lamps are prohibited.
Trash Disposal
Trash receptacles are available in the common area of all living units. Trash bags are available in the Office of Residence Life. For those living in houses, garbage totes are to be taken to the curb for pickup. Pickup is on Tuesday morning for Florida Street and Fridays for all others. Garbage is not to be on the street for pickup more than twelve hours ahead of collection. In the event that trash or recyclables are not being taken out to the curb or removed from the apartment, the Office of Residence Life will have the trash removed and fine the residents a minimum of $30.00 per pickup. Failure to observe the above mentioned regulations may result in a $50.00 fine and/or disciplinary action. Houses that are fined by the city for not properly placing garbage at the curb or removing empty cans in a timely manner, will be responsible for payment of ticket.
Recycling
Canisius has been testing, with positive results, a recycling program within the residence halls. Currently, the program exists in Bosch/Frisch Halls, the Village Townhouses, and all campus owned houses. Large containers are located on every floor of Bosch/Frisch, while the houses/townhouses receive totes to place recyclables in. Information concerning the dos/ don’ts of the program, as well as pick-up schedules will be provided at the first floor or building meeting.
Painting Student Rooms
Students are not allowed to paint their rooms. Adhesive wall borders and contact paper are not permitted. Glow in the dark stars and decorations are not permitted on ceilings or walls unless hung with poster wall putty.
Storage of Bicycles
A bicycle rack is located outside of Frisch Hall (Quad Side). Under no circumstance are students allowed to store bikes in stairwells, basement corridors, utility closets, or any other public area. Canisius College is not responsible for stolen bicycles. Students living in upper class housing facilities may store bicycles in apartments or designated areas.
Snow Removal
When snow accumulates in parking lots, students will be advised to move vehicles in an effort to clear parking lot areas. Alternate parking will be suggested.
Telephones
Bosch, Campion, Eastwood, Frisch, Griffin, Main Humboldt, Desmond Hall, Village Townhouses, Main-Delavan, Delavan Townhouses, and the George M. Martin Hall are equipped with the Canisius Connection telephone service. This includes local phone service and phone mail. You must bring your own touch-tone phone and for long distance calling you must have a Campuslink long distance PAC number. To get a PAC number, call Campuslink Customer Service at 1-800-962-4772. For information on telephone usage or if you are experiencing telephone problems, call the Telephone HELP Line at 888-2299. Campion apartments and college houses are equipped with telephone jacks. Residents must contact Verizon and make individual arrangements to establish telephone service. It is suggested that students contact Verizon to establish service before they arrive.
TV-Cable Service
Bosch, Campion, Eastwood, Frisch, Griffin, Main Humboldt, Desmond Hall, Village Townhouses, Main Delavan, the Delavan Townhouses, and the George M. Martin Hall are equipped with the Canisius Connection Cable and cable television service.
Mail Services
Letters and magazines are delivered to mailboxes located at the tunnel level of the Palisano Pavilion for Bosch, Eastwood, and Frisch Hall residents. For students living in other college housing, mail will be delivered to the individual residences by the United States Post Office or by a designee of the Office of Residence Life. For further information on your specific address, contact the Office of Residence Life at (716) 888-8300. Mail delivery will occur between 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Laundry Services
Laundry service charges are included in the housing rate during the Fall and Spring semester.
Parking on Campus
You may bring your car or motorcycle to campus but parking is very limited. Freshmen resident students are encouraged not to bring cars to campus. Freshmen resident students are only permitted to park in the residence lots from 4 p.m. until 7 a.m., Monday through Sunday. Freshmen resident students are able to park in the following lots 24 hours per day:
- Blue Cross Ramp – 3rd level
- Jefferson/Florida lot
- Spillman/Florida lot
- Upper and lower KAC lot
Vending Machines
A variety of snack and beverage vending machines are located in the residence halls. For loss of money in vending machines, contact the PurchasingDepartment at 888-2815.
CONTRACTUAL/POLICIES & PROCEDURES
Advanced Room Deposit
In order to receive a room and board contract, a student must pay a non-refundable deposit of $200, which serves as a down payment for a year-long room and board contract. If a student fulfills the conditions of the contract, the $200 is credited toward the spring semester’s room and board bill. This is fulfilled by living in college housing for the entire academic year. If a student does not return to college housing for the spring semester, he/she forfeits the $200 deposit.
Freshman/Sophomore Requirement
The College places a great emphasis on the quality of the education it provides. Statistics show that students who live in college owned housing perform at a higher academic level, make the transition to being a college student quicker, are exposed to many more educational, cultural, and learning experiences than students who commute. In that spirit, Canisius requires that all freshman and sophomore students, who do not live with their parents at their primary address, live in college owned housing.
The only exceptions to this requirement are:
- Students who are married or have children.
- Adult students (over 21 years of age)
Assignments to Rooms
Priority in the Housing Selection process is determined by grade point average, number of semesters in college housing and class standing. In addition, a student’s disciplinary record is reviewed and considered. Priority is achieved through a point system developed by Information Technology Services. This system will rank each student based on how many points each individual receives for the above- mentioned categories. Details are published each spring semester by the Office of Residence Life.
New resident students are assigned rooms during the summer months. When possible room or roommate preferences are granted but not guaranteed.
Once a room has been assigned, all roommates have equal rights to the use of the room and its facilities.
Students must be enrolled as a full-time (minimum 12 credit hours) to obtain and maintain resident status. Students who fall below the minimum credit hour requirement may lose their housing assignment.
Check-In
Students shall be allowed to move into rooms when specified by the Office of Residence Life.
Keys are issued only when the Office of Residence Life is open. The office is usually open on weekends during check-in. Hours will be posted.
Upon receiving their key, students must complete a key registration card.
A room inventory (a checklist of property and conditions in the room) is provided for the student’s protection. It is the student’s responsibility to return the completed and signed inventory within one week of the check-in-date to the Office of Residence Life. Failure to return a signed and completed inventory will constitute the student’s acceptance of the room as being in good condition and free of all damages. When students move out they will be financially responsible for all damages to their room that have not been noted on their inventory.
Changing Rooms
Room and roommate changes will be permitted for one week only. This will usually occur during the fifth week of classes. The official time shall be posted in advance. Request for exceptions may be directed to the Assistant Director of Residence Life.
Failure to observe this policy shall result in a $100 charge for improper room change and possible disciplinary action.
Sufficient notice (usually 3 days) is given to the resident before another student is moved in. However, under certain circumstances, advance notice may be shorter.
Consolidation of Rooms
Should a vacancy occur in a room, the remaining student(s) shall either be assigned another resident(s), agree to the appropriate increased rate for a single room, or be assigned a different room.
Withdrawal from Housing Process
A student who has decided to leave the residence halls must follow these procedures.
- The student must receive authorization to withdrawal from the Director of Residence Life or designee. Once authorization is given the student will be given a Withdrawal from Housing Form and his/her Room Inventory Contract.
- Students must return the key and the Room Inventory Contract to the Office of Residence Life, and initial their Check-in Registration Key Cards.
- Students will need to leave a forwarding address on the Room Withdrawal Form.
Payment of Room & Board Fees
Room and board payments are made to the Office of Student Accounts in the Health Science Center, upon receipt of a bill. Bills are generally for a semester at a time and are mailed out prior to each semester. If exceptional circumstances prevent a student from making payments as scheduled, the problem should be discussed with the Office of Student Accounts prior to the deadline for payment. Failure to comply with this procedure will result in a late payment fee. In extreme cases, a student’s registration may be cancelled.
Room & Board Contract Release
A resident may be released from the Room Contract with the permission of the Associate Director of Residence Life prior to the official opening date of College housing, and when one of the following reasons is demonstrated: a) academic dismissal; b) affiliation with special college program away from the campus; c) failure to be admitted to the College.
Room & Board Contract Termination
If a resident student withdraws from college housing after opening day, he/she is responsible as outlined below:
No refund of tuition or housing costs may be demanded as a matter of right when a student leaves the college or college owned housing without completing the semester in which enrolled. For a student to obtain a refund, the withdrawal must be authorized by the appropriate dean and/or the Director of Residence Life or designee, by the filing of an official form, countersigned by the parent or guardian in the case of a freshman. If this is done, the student may request in writing a refund of tuition and/or housing costs only according to the following schedule:
First week of classes (Drop and Add Week) -- 100%
Second week of classes -- 90%
Third and fourth week of classes -- 50%
Fifth week through eighth week of classes -- 25%
After eighth week of classes -- None
Fees are not refundable.
- When a resident’s room and board contract is terminated, the student forfeits their housing deposit.
- The College may terminate the Room and Board Contract for disciplinary reasons occasioned by the resident.
- If the resident’s affiliation with the College is terminated for disciplinary reasons, the contract will be considered terminated and subject to the above conditions.
The entry into student rooms may be conducted under the following circumstances:
- To perform routine custodial services.
- To ensure that health, fire, and safety regulations are maintained.
- To provide routine repairs or maintenance services.
- To protect the welfare of a student or to prevent damage to student property or college property in emergency situations.
- To investigate the reasonable possibility that evidence exists within a room regarding a violation of college regulations.
- To conduct damage inspections.
Fire Safety Info
Fire Alarms
All alarms should be considered fire alerts and the building must be evacuated immediately. The college reserves the right to hold students accountable who do not follow or interfere in this process. Additionally, students will be held accountable if their actions activate the system, whether intentional or not. A $50 fine shall be applied to the account of any student who activates the system. Intentional activation or tampering with fire safety equipment shall result in more serious sanctions. Please see Emergency Procedures, for a more detailed explanation of evacuation procedures.
Fire Safety Inspections
Fire safety inspections are performed by the Office of Residence Life staff. Each room, apartment, or house is inspected for compliance with fire, as well as health and safety regulations. Residence Life staff will request the correction of safety violations. A resident’s failure to remove dangerous or prohibited items when requested to do so by Residence Life, may lead to confiscation of the item or removal from housing.
Smoke Detectors
Smoke Detectors are placed in student rooms for safety. Any student found tampering with smoke detectors will be subject to disciplinary action, including suspension, and may be charged $200.
Restricted Appliances/Items
College fire, safety and sanitation regulations prohibit the use of all dangerous appliances in student rooms. Expressly forbidden are the following: open coil heaters, air conditioners, satellite dishes, halogen lamps, woks, immersion coils, deep-fat fryers, rotisseries, hot plates, stoves and any type of exposed burner, frying appliance, or other types of open flame devices. Any student causing a fire in or about college housing facilities is subject to restitution and disciplinary action, to include but not limited to suspension from housing or expulsion from the college.
Allowed for cautious and limited use are: hot pots, toaster-type closed ovens and crockpots. Electric skillets and fry pans may be used only in the kitchen area. Other allowable appliances include microwaves, electric blankets, stereos, radios, TVs, VCRs, hair dryers, curlers, or curling irons, coffee pots and popcorn poppers.
Christmas Trees/Flammable Decorations: Real Christmas trees are not allowed in the residence halls. Only potted trees or plants are allowed in student rooms. During the Christmas season and throughout the year, only fire resistant decorations are allowed. Flammable decorations are not permitted in the residence halls. In addition, decorative electric lights of any kind are not permitted in residence halls.
Candles/Incense
Because of fire safety concerns in college owned housing, Canisius College has banned use of all types of candles and incense. If found during inspections, the Office of Residence Life reserves the right to cut wicks of candles during room inspections or confiscate and return the items to students at a later date.
Refrigerators & Other Allowable Appliances
Refrigerators must be compact, (3 cubic feet or less and outside dimensions no larger than 25" x 25" x 25", unless approved by the Office of Residence Life), rating of 3 amps per hour or less and be in safe electrical condition. For proper ventilation and sanitation, refrigerators should be placed on a stand. Putting them in closets does not allow for proper ventilation. Personal refrigerators must be inspected by the Residence Life staff.
Lights
Rope lights, string lights, and holiday lights are prohibited in College housing.
Extention Cords
Extension cords are prohibited in all college housing. However, power strips may be used.
Use of Permitted Appliances/Inspections
Even those appliances permitted in student rooms demand that the user exercise reasonable precautions. It is important to unplug appliances when they are not in use since even items with thermostatic controls may prove defective. All appliances must be used in a manner prescribed by their manufacturers. Use of a noncombustible pad of adequate size is required along with the appliances to protect the room furnishings and to prevent fires. Damage or injury resulting from the use of any appliance not provided by the Office of Residence Life shall be the responsibility of the user and/or owner.
Liability for Theft or Loss
The College does not accept responsibility for loss, theft, or damage to personal property. It is strongly recommended that each student carry insurance coverage for all items of property. Residents are advised against keeping large sums of money and other valuables in their rooms.
Students are encouraged to guard against theft by recording serial numbers of all their personal property and marking all items such as TV’s, stereos, cameras, etc. with their names. A marking tool is available for use from Public Safety.
The best guard against property loss is a locked door. Report any property loss immediately to Public Safety, 888-2330, and to the Resident Assistant, who will notify the Office of Residence Life. Students should check periodically with the Department of Public Safety in case missing articles have been returned to the lost and found collection. Found items should be turned in to Public Safety.
Keys & Lock Changes
All students are issued a key(s) when they move into their residence. To borrow a key from the Office of Residence Life students must sign out a loan key and return the borrowed key within 10 minutes. If the key is lost and not found, there will be a $45.00 fee assessed per lock that must be changed due to the lost key. Students who duplicate a room key or do not return their room key at the end of the academic year will be assessed a $45.00 fee per lock that must be changed.
Damage Policy
Room Damage
Room and apartment damage shall be assessed for cost of repairs or replacement and charges will be appropriated as follows:
a. To any individual who accepts responsibility or is found to be responsible for the damage.Common Area Damages
b. To occupants of a room where the damage was done and direct responsibility is not placed.
c. Damage shall be classified as either accidental or malicious. Accidental damage is damage occurring through unintentional, chance happenings. Malicious damage is disruptive behavior resulting in damage. Disciplinary action will be taken and restitution assessed to students involved in malicious damage. Restitution will be assessed for accidental damage. Repeated occurrences of damage by an individual or group will be investigated to determine whether further disciplinary measures are warranted, including dismissal from college housing.
d. Dartboards are prohibited in College housing.
a. Common Areas are defined as any space other than individual student rooms, i.e., bathrooms, hallways, stairwells, lounges, elevators, lobby areas, etc.Loft Policy
b. In Common Areas where excessive damage occurs and responsibility is not placed, it may be necessary to hold responsible all occupants of the section, floor or building, where the damage occurs.
c. Individuals held accountable for damage to a common area will be held financially responsible and will be billed by the Office of Student Accounts, upon request of the Office of Residence Life. Responsible students shall not only be billed for the damage, but disciplinary action will occur.
Any student wishing to construct or purchase a loft must first get approval from the Office of Residence Life.
Furnishings
The College furnishes each Residence Hall room with desks, study chairs, beds, closets, and dressers. Furnishings for other college housing vary, and details may be obtained from the Office of Residence Life. Due to limited storage space, furniture will not be removed from rooms/suites/apartments or houses, regardless if they are not to full capacity. This does not apply to tripled rooms.
A resident must furnish his/her own blankets, pillow, sheets, phone, bedspread, clock, clothes hangers, wastebaskets and any other items needed for a comfortable environment. Possible additional items to bring include: laundry supplies, computer, dictionary, radio, plants, rugs, and personal items.
Satellite Dishes
Satellite dishes are not permitted in Canisius College Housing.
Housing Limitations
- Attics are to be used ONLY for storage. The College and the City of Buffalo Fire Code prohibit anyone from residing, studying or congregating in the attic.
- Students are strictly prohibited from using the balconies of all College housing. They are not to be used for sunning, barbecuing, cooking or any other purposes.
- Barbecues, when in use must be attended at all times. Coals must be extinguished immediately after use. Absolutely no cooking is to be done on porches.
- No driving vehicles on lawns and planted areas. No motor vehicles, including motorcycles and mopeds, may be parked on the planted areas of the college owned property.
- Porches are to be kept clear of furniture, bikes, and any garbage or debris.
- Beer Pong Tables or items considered to be used for Beer Pong Tables are prohibited in college housing. Students can be fined between $100-300 for possessing Beer Pong Tables.
To provide the Canisius College residence community and the surrounding neighborhood with reasonable living conditions, the Office of Residence Life has established standards, which help promote a positive living environment. Actions or behavior which have the potential to interfere with the residence community or surrounding urban environment, cause harm to residents or their guests or which violate state or federal law are prohibited. (Note: refer to the Community Standards for further guidelines).
Guests in residence halls
a. Resident students are allowed unrestricted guest privileges from 11 a.m. until 1 a.m. on days prior to class days and from 11 a.m. until 3 a.m. on days prior to non-class days. At any other time, individuals of the opposite gender, (other than college personnel), are not permitted in private areas of the residence hall, (room, apartment or suite rooms), designated for another gender.Occupancy
b. All residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests while they are in college housing. They are to insure that their guests observe all Residence Life regulations and college policies, in addition to the Community Standards.
c. All overnight guests must be registered with the Office of Residence Life. After 10 p.m., when the Office of Residence Life closes, overnight guests must register with the Office of Public Safety.
Occupancy for all college housing facilities is limited to double the residing occupancy plus one.
Noise
a. Courtesy hours are in effect at all times (including quiet hours) and are defined as the period during which each resident or visitor must act with consideration toward others in college housing, especially as it relates to noise. Each student or visitor has the responsibility of ensuring that his or her noise does not become disruptive or destructive to the college housing environment.Property/Dangerous Activity
b. “Quiet hours” are the minimum prescribed period of quiet outlined by the Office of Residence Life. These hours are as follows: Sunday – Thursday: 10 p.m. – 10 a.m.; Friday – Saturday: 12 a.m. – 10 a.m.
Quiet hours are defined as the period during which each resident or visitor has the responsibility to ensure that his/her noise is not of a level to disturb any other resident of the hall/apartments who may be sleeping or studying whether they are or not.
a. Damage to college property, to include vandalism, or property belonging to others is prohibited. Damage resulting from malicious behavior will result not only in restitution, but also in disciplinary action.ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY
b. Misuse, abuse, or unauthorized use of college property or property belonging to others is prohibited. Expressly prohibited are those actions, which endanger the student, the college community, or the academic process.
This applies to, but is not limited to the following:
- Being on roofs, climbing from windows, and scaling, or rappelling outside walls.
- Throwing objects from college housing windows.
- Cooking with appliances such as electric fry pans and open coiled hot plates.
- Playing sports in the hallway of the residence hall.
a. Duplication of or unauthorized possession of a room or apartment key.Residential Standards
b.Unauthorized painting, construction or project work in resident’s room or common areas.
c. Unauthorized subletting of a residence hall room, college owned off-campus apartment or house.
The Residence Life program at Canisius provides an educational and positive living experience for resident students. All resident students are expected to comply with established standards of living. The following are violations of these standards:
a. Failure to maintain adequate standards of personal hygiene or room cleanliness such that it interferes with the general comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of the residence community.Pets
b. Intentional effort to force roommate(s) to move out of the room, apartment or house.
No animals, except tank fish, may be brought into the residence halls. Small fish and fish tanks are acceptable (20 gallons maximum).
EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
Health and Safety Policies and Procedures
The following offices should be contacted immediately in the event of an emergency:
Public Safety • 888-2330 or 711If the emergency relates to a resident student or involves the residence facilities on campus, the appropriate RA on duty should be contacted. The RA on duty is available in the Office of Residence Life, 888-8300, during the following times:
Student Health • 888-2610
Sunday – Saturday 6–10 p.m.
The RA on duty is available in his/her room during the following times:
Sunday – Thursday 10 p.m.–8:30 a.m. (the following morning)The name, room and telephone number of the RA on duty is posted in each residence hall and is available at the Department of Public Safety.
Friday – Saturday 10 p.m.–6 p.m. (the following day)
Public Safety is available on a 24-hour basis and can be reached at 888-2330 if an emergency arises. For a medical emergency, a nurse is available in
the Health Center during clinic hours (8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday when classes are in session). Refer to the policies and procedures of Residence Life if more information is needed.
Fire Alarms
All fire alarms should be considered fire alerts, and the building must be evacuated immediately.
In case of fire, a student should sound the alarm in his/her area and call Public Safety at 888-2330. All students should evacuate the building immediately, knocking on room doors to notify fellow residents of the fire evacuation. Whether a fire or a false alarm, the building must be evacuated immediately. The following procedures should be followed:
- Wear or carry clothing suitable for the weather.
- Close and lock your room door.
- Leave the building via the stairway. (DO NOT USE ELEVATORS). Do so in an orderly and expedient manner.
- Do not obstruct passageways for fire fighters.
Any student found pulling a false alarm or tampering with fire equipment (i.e., hoses, smoke detectors, extinguishers) is subject to fines and disciplinary action, including but not limited to, suspension from college housing.
A $50 fine will be applied to the account of any student who activates the system. Intentional activation or tampering with fire safety equipment will result in more serious sanctions.
Blue Light Call Box Locations
- Campion Hall Walkway
- Main-Humboldt Apartments (Building A, B, C lot)
- Main-Humboldt Apartments (Building D, E lot)
- Tower Plaza
- Old Main Lot
- Eastwood Lot
- Bart Mitchell Park Quad
- Health Science Center Walkway
- Koessler Athletic Center (upper lot)
- Main Delevan Apartments (upper deck)
- Richard E. Winter Student Center Foyer
- Griffin Hall Driveway
- L.B.J. Lot
- Blue Cross Ramp 3rd Floor NE
- Blue Cross Ramp 3rd Floor SW
- Spillman Lot
- Village Townhouse Walkways (4)
- Jefferson Avenue at Spillman Lot
- Loring Lot
- Meech Street at Hughes Avenue
- Delavan Townhouse Area (2)