Oct 12, 2024  
2013-2014 Catalog 
    
2013-2014 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Residence Life Policies



Substance Use Policy

CMC is concerned with the health of each student. CMC is committed to the concept of providing a comprehensive alcohol and drug education program that will promote health, wellness, and responsible decision-making. CMC’s policy on alcohol or drug use and abuse, as stated in the Student Handbook, has been developed to provide students and employees with the opportunity to make responsible decisions with regard to the use of alcohol or other drugs.

As of the fall of 1998, a federal law was amended to allow colleges and universities to notify parents of alcohol or other drug related violations.

Although possession and use of marijuana for certain medical conditions consistent with the requirements of the Colorado Constitution is no longer a crime in the State of Colorado, the possession and use of marijuana remains illegal under federal law. Consistent with federal law, including the Controlled Substances Act and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, the use and/or possession of marijuana continues to be prohibited while a student is on college property including residence halls or as part of college courses/activities.

Alcohol Policy

All individuals on college premises are not allowed to possess, consume, manufacture, distribute (exchange), or sell any alcoholic beverages. The term “college premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities and other property in possession of or owned, used or controlled by CMC. Based on the College policy stated in the Student Handbook, the following may result in judicial action:

  1. Students who engage in alcohol activity off-campus and who are disruptive and/or noticeably intoxicated when they return to the residence hall or other campus property, can be documented for violation of the alcohol policy.
  2. Empty/Full or keepsake alcohol containers or other alcohol paraphernalia are prohibited on college premises.
  3. Students found in rooms where others are consuming alcohol can be held responsible for an alcohol violation.

Illegal Drugs and/or Controlled Substances Policy

The Residence Life staff supports the enforcement of the State of Colorado laws, Federal laws, and CMC policy on controlled substances. Residents are reminded that CMC staff are required to respond to and report, any drug-related activity on the college premises.

All individuals on college premises are not allowed to possess, use, manufacture, cultivate, distribute, or sell illegal drugs, narcotics or controlled substances in violation of state and federal law and CMC policy. Possession of drug paraphernalia on college premises is prohibited.

Based on College policy, a number of residence hall rules concerning illegal drugs, controlled substances, and possession of paraphernalia have been established.

  1. Students who engage in illegal drug and/or controlled substance activities off-campus and who are disruptive and/or noticeably under the influence when they return to the residence hall or other campus property, can be documented for violation of the illegal drug and/or controlled substance policy.
  2. Physical evidence of drugs or drug paraphernalia are prohibited. Illegal items will be confiscated and the matter may be referred to local law enforcement agencies.
  3. Students found in rooms where evidence of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia are present can be held responsible for a violation of the illegal drugs and/or controlled substance policy.

When residence hall staff members have reasonable evidence that alcohol or illegal drugs are being used in a room, they will be expected to contact the occupants of the room, diffuse the situation and document the incident for review by the Coordinator of Student Life.

If staff members find any physical evidence of drugs, or drug paraphernalia the room may be searched and items will be confiscated. Illegal items including paraphernalia and any form of drugs will most likely be referred to local law enforcement agencies.

Additionally, in the interest of public health and the safety of our students the college prohibits the possession and consumption of legal or illegal substances not intended for human consumption, experimental drugs, incense, bath salts and mind altering plants, including “K-2/Spice”, and “Salvia” and other substances used to induce intoxication or impairment.

Amplified/Acoustic Instruments

Amplified instruments, excessively loud speakers, subwoofers, and drums of any kind may not be played in the residence hall at any time. The playing of acoustic instruments will require prior arrangements made with the Assistant Coordinator. We reserve the right to prohibit the use of an instrument should it become necessary.

Bicycle Parking/Storage

Bicycles must be locked in designated areas only and may not be locked to ramps, trees, light poles, etc. Bicycles found in non-designated areas will be removed by CMC staff. No motorized bikes are permitted inside the building at any time.

Bicycle storage varies from campus to campus. Check with the Residence Life staff to ensure you are aware of proper bicycle storage procedures at your campus. remaining bicycles will be disposed of after hall closing in the spring.

Candles and Incense

Candles, sage, and incense, for use or decoration, are forbidden due to their high fire potential as well as the smoke or odor they may create. Candles and/or incense will be confiscated if found and may be dealt with through judicial action.

Gambling/Wagering

Gambling is an illegal activity and is not condoned. Residents who engage in wagering/gambling in the hall are reminded that such activity can result in financial and/or personal problems. Gambling activities may be dealt with through judicial action.

Firearms, Fireworks and Other Weapons

Possession of firearms (including but not limited to B-B, pellet or paint guns), fireworks (cherry-bombs, bottle rockets, firecrackers, etc.) and other explosives, knives, bows and slingshots is prohibited on all college premises. The use of any object to cause, or to attempt to cause, either injury to a person or damage to property is prohibited.

The possession or use of any fireworks is in violation of city, state and federal law, as well as college regulations. The discharge of firearms and explosives is restricted by municipal code. Students identified as responsible for such activity may face serious judicial action, and/or hall suspension as well as court prosecution.

The possession and/or use of a knife three inches in length or over, or one with a blade which is automatically projected from the handle, are prohibited.

Furnishing False Information/Uncooperative Behavior

Supplying false information, refusing to identify one’s self, or refusing to produce identification to any CMC staff or faculty member will not be tolerated and students may be subject to judicial action. Residents are expected to comply with all reasonable requests which are made by residence life staff in their efforts to create an academic environment in the residence hall and maximize the residential experience for all residents. It is the students’ responsibility to see the appropriate college official (as directed by Residence Life staff ). Failure to do as directed or in a prompt manner may result in further judicial action, including fines as listed in General Information .

Guests and Visitors

The privilege of both visiting and hosting others carries with it an equal responsibility to consider the feelings, rights, values, and principles of the members of the residence hall community. Consideration for an occupant of a room should take precedent over the right of a roommate to entertain a guest in the room. You may not have guests on campus between the hours of 12 a.m. and 8 a.m., Sunday through Thursday. However, guests may be permitted to stay in the residence hall on Friday and Saturday under the following conditions:

  1. Guests must comply with CMC policies and procedures.
  2. The student host/hostess is responsible for the guest’s conduct, and must be with them at all times.
  3. The host/hostess must obtain their roommate’s consent for the guest’s stay.
  4. All overnight guests must be registered with the Residence Life staff. (Limit 2 guests per room, per night)
  5. An overnight guest is limited to a stay of two consecutive nights per visit, with a maximum not to exceed 12 nights per semester.
  6. No overnight guests under the age of 18 years are permitted without prior approval of the Assistant Coordinator.

Please be aware that students who have been suspended, or non-residents who have been restricted from campus may not be allowed in the residence hall. Any student found hosting these persons will be subject to judicial action.

A guest may be asked to leave the residence hall should they be involved in a violation of residence hall policy or procedure. A student who fails to comply with the guest policy will face judicial action which could result in loss of privileges, probation, or suspension.

Courtesy and Quiet Hours

CMC is committed to providing an environment within the residence hall that is conducive to academic achievement. The right to sleep and study supersedes the privilege to entertain oneself or others at all times. Violation of quiet hour guidelines will not be tolerated and will result in judicial action.

Quiet hours are in effect from 10 p.m. to 9 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 12 a.m. midnight to 10 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. During quiet hours, noise from any student room which emanates to any public area, and noise in public areas emanating into any student room is prohibited. Noise from the areas immediately adjacent to the building is expected to be minimized.

During all those times when quiet hours are not in effect, “courtesy hours” will be in effect. Courtesy hours mean that any resident has the right to ask someone to quiet down. The right to sleep and study will always take precedence. Residents are expected to comply with all requests from fellow residents as well as CMC staff to minimize noise and maximize the academic environment in the hall. Failure to comply with such requests will result in judicial action. Stereo speakers may never be positioned so that music is directed outside of the room. Local community and neighborhood ordinances should also be respected.

Special Quiet Hours

Quiet Hours are in effect for 24 hours a day the last week of classes each semester. This policy is necessary to provide support to students completing academic projects or preparing for final exams.Policy violations during finals week may result in you being asked to vacate the community immediately.

Offensive Odors

Please understand that some odors you find appealing can be offensive and harmful to others. Perfumes, scented sprays, patchouli, and strong body odor may be unappealing to others. Please keep these odors in check by limiting their use and by maintaining personal hygiene.

Displaying Offensive Items

Residents displaying offensive or disrespectful items in common areas or in areas susceptible to public viewing, such as doors, windows or near the doorway, will be challenged to consider the possible ramifications to self and others. Some statements made or illustrated may potentially reflect poorly on the individual(s) or the College as a whole. Severe cases may warrant judicial action or some type of public forum to address the issues. Students are encouraged to be assertive in expressing their views to the person or persons who are offending them or showing disrespect.

Pets

For the health, safety and comfort of residents, and because of the residence hall design and the problems (noise, sanitation, inhumane treatment) inherent in keeping animals in or around the residence hall, no pets of any kind are permitted. (Assistance animals may be exempt.) This includes visitors’ pets. A student having an animal in or around the residence hall will be asked to remove it immediately; if the pet is seen again, it will be turned over to the nearest animal control facility. The student will also be financially responsible for any damages done by the animal to the carpet or other CMC property. Repeated incidents involving animals are likely to result in hall suspension.

The keeping of fish may be allowed at your campus. Please ask your Resident Assistant or Assistant Coordinator about the proper procedures to follow to be granted that privilege.

Possession of Public Signs

Street signs, road signs, construction signs, and other public signs taken/stolen/acquired illegally is prohibited. Theft, especially of Forest Service signs, is considered theft of Federal property and can result in serious consequences. Therefore, students possessing public signs will be asked to remove all signs and return them to the proper authorities. Theft and display of public signs reflects poorly on the College and on the character of CMC students.

Posting of Public Information

Posting of public information such as posters, advertisements, announcements, etc. must be approved by a Residence Life staff member before they are posted, and may only be posted on designated bulletin boards.

Pranks

Pranks usually start out harmlessly but often escalate into serious violations. As members of a community, residents are expected to make choices that eliminate the potential for harm to another student or damage to College property. Pranks such as water fights, squirt guns, phone calls, jamming doors to student rooms, or any other activity that disrupts the community, presents a fire or safety hazard, or damages property is prohibited in the residence hall. Such activity may result in judicial action.

Relocating Campus Furniture

All CMC, residential, and campus furniture is intended for use by the entire residential and campus community. Removing furniture from any public area is not permitted under any circumstances. Student room furniture must also remain in the room to which it has been assigned. Residents found removing or possessing campus furniture may be subject to conduct action and fines of $50.00 per item and can be considered as theft. They will also be responsible for any damage, repair, or replacement costs to such furniture. Residents are held accountable for keeping track of the specific pieces of furniture they were issued at check-in.

Use of Tobacco Products

The residence halls are a smoke-free environment which includes all student rooms as well as all public areas. Colorado State law prohibits smoking in any public areas in the residence hall. Public areas are defined as rooms or hallways designed for the common use of all residents (i.e., the Multipurpose room, study and/or TV lounges, public restrooms, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms, etc…). Smoking may only occur in designated smoking shelters, not on/in parking lots or sidewalks. Smokeless/spit tobacco products are not permitted in common areas. Trash and waste need to be disposed of in appropriate receptacles. NO smoking on sidewalks.

Students who choose to use Smoke/Smokeless Tobacco should follow these guidelines:

  1. Occupants are responsible for the repair, replacement, or cleaning cost of any furniture, carpet, etc. damaged during their occupancy. There may be a minimum $50.00 charge for odor or stain removal if the room retains any odors or stains.
  2. Individuals or occupants are susceptible to cleaning charges outside of the room. Local community and neighborhood ordinances should also be respected.

Hookas are not permitted on-campus.These policies resulted from the health concerns and excessive damage to the residence hall furnishings resulting from tobacco use. Please contact the Coordinator if you have questions regarding this policy.

Sports & Recreational Equipment

Recreational sports equipment such as bicycles, skis, snowboards, skateboards, roller skates/blades and all other recreational equipment is to be kept clear of hallways, lounges, laundry rooms, and disabled access areas. Sports equipment found in these areas may result in fines and may be restricted from campus or confiscated.

Recreational equipment is not to be used or ridden inside any campus building. Repairs, tuning, and/or maintenance to bikes, snowboards, or skis are not permitted except in designated areas as provided.

Sports in the Residence Hall

Sports (such as hacky-sac, soccer, skateboarding, biking, skiing & snowboarding, or running, etc.) are not allowed in the residence hall. These type of activities have the potential to cause damage to rooms, hallways, stairwells and common areas as well as creating potential harm to individuals and excessive noise. You should expect to be confronted by Residence Life staff and documented for disturbing the residence hall environment.

Theft

CMC is not liable for the loss of personal goods housed in College facilities. You are encouraged to take precautionary measures against theft such as locking doors properly, identifying personal belongings, and carrying private property insurance. In the event a theft should occur on campus residents are encouraged to file a report with the local police and/or sheriff department. The Residence Life staff will assist in the resolution whenever possible.Any individual responsible for or involved in theft will face judicial action. This action may include suspension from the residence hall. In addition, the responsible party will be subject to prosecution. Other forms of theft include possession of road signs, name plates, or dining hall food and tableware. These types of theft will also be dealt with through the judicial process.

Vandalism

Vandalism of any type will not be tolerated. This includes damaging, destroying, or defacing the property of another, as well as College buildings and contents. Individuals are responsible for their actions regardless of their intent and will be subject to strict disciplinary action, including but not limited to repair and replacement costs. The Office of Student Life strives at all times to hold only the guilty parties responsible. In the event we are unable to identify the individuals responsible the damages will be divided among the community as a whole.