Bicycles

Residents may keep bicycles in their room or outside the residence hall on the provided racks. Bicycles should not be parked in hallways, stairwells, inside or outside entranceways, or in any other public area in the residence hall, as this creates a hazard. Bicycles may not be stored by hanging from hooks installed in ceilings or by hanging or storing on pipes. And of course, please, no riding inside the buildings.

Cable Service

Basic cable TV service is provided free of charge in each residence hall room. Premium channels may be contracted by individual rooms through MediaCom. Splicing existing cable TV or outlets, wrapping TV cable or otherwise connecting into premium channels without authorization is prohibited. Residents are not permitted to set up any outside antenna system.

Computer Network

Computer network connections are available to every student. The connection in the room provides direct access to the WCU campus data communications network and to the Internet. Network connections also are located in study areas. All residents are expected to abide by the WCU Computer Policy. For additional information or problem resolution, residents may contact your ResNet Computing Consultant or Information Technology Services at 227-7487 or by email at itshelp@email.wcu.edu.

Elevators

Report all problems with elevators immediately to a Residential Living staff member. In the unlikely event a resident is stuck in an elevator:

• Remain calm
• Press the alarm button, on, off, on, off, until someone responds.
• Do not try to pry open the elevator doors.

Hall Offices

Residence hall offices are staffed during posted times each day by residence life staff or Resident Assistants. If you need assistance, stop by your hall office during the posted hours, or call you RA, Assistant Resident Director, or Resident Director. Residential Living staff are available at other times in their rooms, Staffing lists for each building will be posted with names and phone numbers for your information and use.

Housekeeping Services

Housekeeping services are provided for all public area space including community and suite style bathrooms.  Standard services are provided Monday through Friday during normal operating hours of 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.  Reduced services are provided on weekends, with emergency services available as necessary.  All residents are expected to maintain a clean, safe and healthy living environment inside and outside their rooms.  For questions about housekeeping services, call the Department of Residential Living at 227-7303.

Insurance

The university does not assume any legal obligation to pay for the loss of or damage to residents’ personal property or provide insurance for residents’ personal belongings. We recommend that residents check with their insurance companies about coverage through homeowner’s policies, or seek renters insurance, should you desire insurance.

Keys

It is important to take all of your keys with you at all times. Exterior entry doors will be locked at all times. If you find yourself locked out of your room, contact a Residential Living staff member to unlock your door for you. Report all lost keys to a Residential Living staff member as soon as possible.

Laundry Facilities

Each residence hall has a laundry room equipped with coin and/or CatCard operated washers and dryers.  These facilities are for the use of residents only.  Students should not leave personal items unattended in the laundry room.  Should you have problems with either machine, notify a staff member immediately.  Please be specific as to the nature of the problem. Post a sign on the machine, “Out of Order.”  The University cannot be responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged clothing/items as a result of facility use.  Students found abusing laundry facilities may be subject to a fine and loss of laundry room privileges.  Should you lose any money in a laundry machine, fill out the vending refund form found here.

Mail

The University provides mail services for all students living on campus in a residence hall. U.S. Mail is picked up and distributed to the Student Mail Center and delivered to each resident's mailbox where it may be picked up at any time. More information about mail services for students can be found here.

Recycling

Aluminum can and paper recycling bins are located in specific areas of each residence hall. Residents are encouraged to use the bins to dispose of all aluminum drink cans and paper products. Tons of aluminum drink cans and paper can be diverted from the Jackson County waste stream if taken into the Facilities Management Recycling Program. Please do your part for the environment. Recycle!

Repairs

Should you become aware of a maintenance problem related to your room or a public area within the residence hall, please report the problem immediately using one of the following methods.

• Complete a Maintenance Request Card. Maintenance Request Cards are available in the Maintenance Box located near each residence hall office, or
• Submit an online Maintenance Request.

Please describe the problem as specifically as possible. Urgent or emergency repairs should be immediately reported to a residence hall staff member or to Residential Living (227-7303).

Room/Roommate/Building Changes

If it is evident that you and your roommate cannot live together in peace and harmony, you should contact a hall staff member, who will assist you in facilitating a mediation process between you and your roommate. See the Room Assignment Coordinator in the Residential Living office to request a room change. Residents who are changing rooms must officially check out of their current room and residence hall if changing buildings, and check into a new room. Any questions about the moving process should be directed to your Resident Director or Area Coordinator.
Residents who change rooms without a room change form from a professional staff member may face disciplinary action or administrative fees.

Safety

Each member of a residential community is responsible for protecting and safeguarding the community, including the preservation and appropriate use of public area furniture and other building features (windows, doors, etc.). It is important for residents to be watchful for strangers to the community and report suspicious behavior immediately to Residential Living staff or University Police, 227-7301. In the interest of safety, please avoid propping doors, sharing keys or leaving room doors unlocked.

Special Needs

Students requiring special living accommodations due to visual, auditory, or physical disability should make requests, in writing, to the Residential Living Office by completing a Request for Residential Living Accommodations form and providing supporting documentation from a physician, counselor or psychologist.  Students requiring services outside of the residence halls should contact Disability Services. Located in the Student Affairs office, 4th floor of the HFR Building, or call 227-7234

Storage

Storage is not available in the residence halls (including the storage of residence hall room furniture to make room for other furniture). Residents who need to store items should make arrangements with a local storage company, which may be identified in the yellow pages of the telephone book. Personal items may not be stored in hallways, stairwells, closets, or other public space. Residents may not leave or store belongings in the residence halls between spring semester and summer session, nor between summer session and fall semester.

Telephone and Voice Mail

Local telephone service is provided in each residence hall room.  Residents are required to bring their own telephone.  One telephone jack is located in each residence hall room. Semester room rent includes local telephone service to the University, Cullowhee, Cashiers, and Sylva areas.  WCU also offers residents a discount long distance calling program with BTI. With this service, each student receives a service account and Personal Security Code (PSC) upon arrival to campus.  With use of a Personal Security Code, students can make long distance calls from any residence hall room phone.  These calls will be billed directly to the student’s personal account.  Emergency/Courtesy telephones are located at each residence hall near a primary entrance.  These are for local service or emergency calls only.  Voice mail is provided for each residence hall room. A broken dial tone will indicate you have new messages.  To view instructions for on-campus phone service and voice mail, click here.

Vending Machines

To satisfy those midnight munchies, each residence hall has a variety of vending machines.  All machines are coin or CatCard operated.  If you have a problem with a machine, post a sign on the machine “Out of Order.”  Notify the building staff of the specific problem as soon as possible so that the problem can be reported to Auxiliary Services for repair.  Should you lose any money in a vending machine, fill out a vending refund slip at the residence hall office during evening hours, or submit online here.