Residential Living and Learning Policies and Procedures

This section outlines processes and procedures within Residential Living and Learning. Please note that this section does not include the University's Policies. For more information on the University's Policies, Procedures, standards, and Statements.

Abandoned Property

East Texas A&M and the Department of Residential Living and Learning staff are not responsible for student property left in any on-campus residential space. If property is left in a room or apartment after the housing contract period is over, it will be removed and stored at the owner's expense. If possible, the student will be notified to arrange a pick-up date.

The Department of Residential Living and Learning will maintain abandoned property for 90 days, after which the property will be disposed of. Residents will be charged $180/month for the 90-day period during which abandoned property is maintained.

Communicable Diseases

Students living in the Residence Halls or University Apartments who are diagnosed with a communicable disease, including but not limited to COVID-19, chicken pox, measles, mumps, mononucleosis, Ebola, and SARS that proves to be a health threat to other residents may be relocated to an alternate apartment/room on campus until such time when it is determined the student is no longer contagious. Residential Living and Learning staff will maintain the privacy, to the extent possible, of any student who has knowledge of testing positive for any communicable diseases. To make arrangements to temporarily relocate due to having a communicable disease, contact your apartment or Residential Living and Learning Staff.

Contract Release

The Contract Release Request is located in each resident's myLeo housing portal under Other Applications. To be considered for a contract release, residents must complete the form and upload documentation.

Discrimination

In accordance with A&M System Policy 08.01.01.R2 Anyone who experiences, observes, or becomes aware of illegal discrimination and/or related retaliation should promptly report the incident(s) to any of the following: their supervisor (if a East Texas A&M employee), Title IX Office: 903.468.3104 or [email protected], University Police Department: 903.886.5868 or [email protected], Human Resources Office: 903.886.5282, Office of Student Rights & Responsibilities: 903.886.5195, Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline: 888.501.3850.

Emergency Contact Information

During the housing application and contract renewal processes, students living on campus are required to provide at least one emergency contact to Residential Living and Learning. This information will be kept confidential. It will only be used by Residential Living and Learning staff and other East Texas A&M University staff members with emergency response job responsibilities or in the case of emergencies involving students, such as death, life-threatening injuries, or a missing person report.

Emergency Preparedness

In some emergency situations, such as flooding or the release of hazardous materials, emergency responders may order protective actions for persons who live or work on campus. Typically, these protective actions are to evacuate to a safer area or to shelter in place. It is possible that some emergency scenarios could result in one of these protective actions being ordered for one part of campus and other protective actions for a different area of campus. When such actions are warranted, police, fire, safety, or university officials will appropriately advise you. Students are also encouraged to download the Lion Safe app, which will send students important safety alerts and provide instant access to campus safety resources. This app is integrated with the university's safety and security systems.

Area Evacuation for Emergencies

An area evacuation is an organized withdrawal from a building or area to an assigned safe location. Upon notification to evacuate, quickly:

· Dress appropriately for the weather.

· Take only the essentials with you, such as eyeglasses, medications, identification, and money (cash/credit cards). Do not take time to pack your belongings.

· Turn off computers, unnecessary equipment, and appliances.

· Close and lock the door as you exit your room/apartment.

· Follow the directions provided for safe routes of evacuation.

· Listen to the radio to monitor emergency status.

· Do not use your personal vehicle for evacuation unless specifically instructed.

· If you need special assistance, contact your Resident Assistant, Community Director, or other appropriate emergency contacts. If these staff members are unavailable, call the University Police Department at (903) 886-5868 for assistance.

Sheltering in Place for Emergencies

When emergency conditions do not warrant or allow evacuation, such as in some active shooter scenarios and/or a gas leak, the safest method to protect individuals may be to take shelter inside a campus building or apartment and await further instructions. If asked to shelter in place, quickly:

  • Move indoors or remain there. Avoid windows and areas with glass.
  • If available, take a radio, computer, or mobile device to the room to track emergency status.
  • Keep telephone lines free for emergency responders. Do not call 911 for information.

If hazardous materials are involved:

  • Turn off ventilation/AC systems (if accessible) and close or seal all air inlets and cracks from the outside.
  • Select a room that is easy to seal and, if possible, has a water supply and access to restrooms.

If you smell gas or vapor, hold a wet cloth loosely over your nose and mouth and breathe through it as normally as possible.

Fire Alarm System

Each building is equipped with a fire alarm system. Residents are required to evacuate the building during the sounding of all alarms unless told otherwise by a member of the building staff and/or the University Police Department. Residents are prohibited from tampering with these systems, including but not limited to pulling fire alarms when no fire or threat of fire is present, playing with fire extinguishers, covering smoke detectors, and hanging items on or playing with the sprinkler system within the building. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in sanctions that could include fines or fees.

When an alarm sounds, residents should do the following:

  1. Immediately close windows.
  2. Grab keys, phone, and University ID card.
  3. Wake your roommate and inform them of the alarm.
  4. Put on shoes and grab a jacket (if during night and/or colder months)
  5. Check the door or doorknob. If it is cool, open it and proceed towards the closest emergency exit to the assigned meeting location. If it is hot, do not open it; place a towel under the door. If smoke is either seen or smelled, call 911 and inform them of your location.
  6. Leave the door closed and walk to the exit. If smoke is encountered, stay low for air.
  7. Do not use an elevator.
  8. Do not re-enter the building under any circumstance until cleared by UPD or a Residential Living and Learning staff member.
Severe Winds

The best protection in severe winds is a permanent building on the campus. As a result, steps will be taken to ensure the safety of students/employees within the buildings rather than to evacuate. Time permitting, students and employees in temporary structures will be moved to permanent buildings/structures.

  • At the time of warning of impending severe winds, property and equipment not properly anchored should be moved inside a building or tied down.
  • Immediately after the cessation of severe winds, university personnel will inspect all areas for damage.
Watches and Warnings

The National Weather Service and local radio and television stations will announce watches and warnings about severe weather. If a Tornado Watch or Severe Storm Watch is issued, you should:

  • Review Emergency Plans.
  • Be alert for changing weather conditions.
  • Be prepared to act.

If a Tornado Warning or Severe Storm Warning is issued, you should immediately take the following precautions:

  • Do not go outside.
  • Move into the smallest interior space without exterior windows or doors (such as inner hallways, interior stairwells, bathrooms or closets).
  • Avoid the top floor of buildings and any area that may be glass enclosed or has a large unsupported roof.
  • If you are unable to move to a small interior place of shelter, get under a sturdy piece of furniture.
  • Monitor local radio or television stations for announcements of any additional actions to take and/or for cancellation of the warning.
  • Occupants of the building should remain in the place of shelter until the warning has been officially canceled.

Drop and Tuck Position:

  • With your head toward an interior wall,
  • Drop to your knees, bend forward, and tuck your body to your legs,
  • Clasp your hands across the back of your neck

Fire Drills

For the protection and safety of our community, unannounced fire drills will be held during the academic year. Your cooperation is mandatory to become familiar with evacuation routes. Anytime the alarm sounds, residents must exit the building. Participation in fire drills is required by state law. If you are confirmed to have a service/support animal, you are responsible for the animal during the fire drill.

Internet Access

Using Wi-Fi is convenient, but unlike other types of data connections, there are many factors to consider when Wi-Fi isn't working well. Unlike a wired connection, Wi-Fi is a shared resource. Everyone using it plays a role in making everyone else's experience better or worse. The Housing wireless service covers all residence hall common areas and bedrooms at East Texas A&M.

Wi-Fi Login for Laptops, Phones, and Tablets (How to connect to Apogee)

  • 1. If your device already has connectivity: Go to https://tamuc.apogee.us to sign in.
  • 2. If your device does not have any connectivity like your PC or MAC: When connecting for the first time, go to your wireless settings and connect to “MyResNet Start Here”. This will automatically take you to the online portal (https://tamuc.apogee.us) where you can sign in.
  • 3. Once you are on portal https://tamuc.apogee.us:
    • Create an account
    • Copy/Remember the Wi-Fi Password/PSK that pops up on screen
    • Once account has been created, sign out of account
  • 4. Connect to the Network
    • Navigate to the wireless settings on each device
    • Connect to MyResNet-5G (Always use 5G, however, you can connect to MyResNet2G if your device is not 5G compatible)
    • Enter your Wi-Fi password when prompted to connect
    • Enable the “auto-join” feature
    • If you arrived at the portal via the “MyResNet Start Here” SSID – click to “forget” that SSID

Helpful Tips:

  1. MyResNet-5G: Connect to MyResnet-5G for the fastest WiFi connection. This should be your default setting.
  2. Each user's password must be unique – if someone at the same institution has the same password it will ask you to choose another password.

Need Some Help?
If you need any help, a support representative is available 24 hours a day to assist you.

  • Call support at (855) 377-4160
  • Email [email protected]
  • Chat live at https://tamuc.apogee.us

If you need to access your account at any time, visit https://tamuc.apogee.us and sign in.

Internet Access Troubleshooting

If your computer sees the Housing network but the signal strength is not strong enough to provide a consistent signal, here are troubleshooting steps to follow:

  • Restart your computer
    • If you experience problems connecting to Wi-Fi right after disconnecting from a wired (Ethernet) connection or when returning to your room after being connected to Wi-Fi at other locations, try restarting your computer. This will renew your IP address and reconnect your computer to the nearest Wi-Fi access point.
  • Look for sources of potential interference
    • Older microwave ovens, Smart TVs, cordless phones, Bluetooth devices, wireless speaker systems, wireless security cameras, wireless gaming controllers, Google Chromecast, Amazon Fire Stick, and Roku devices are just some of the commonly used devices that can interfere with your ability to establish and maintain a consistent Wi-Fi connection. Older microwaves are particularly prone to cause interference, reducing Wi-Fi performance and sometimes knocking everyone off nearby Wi-Fi access points while they are running.
  • Disable wireless devices when not in use
    • Printers
      • Many personal printers have the ability to connect to Wi-Fi to do wireless printing, and this feature is sometimes enabled by default. Since wireless printers can almost always be plugged into your computer via USB, we suggest turning off the Wi-Fi on any personal printers while they are in the residence halls. Consult your owner’s manual for instructions on how to do this.
  • Other devices
    • If you go to class and leave your laptop or tablet on in your room, you aren't just wasting electricity, you are occupying a wireless channel needlessly. Just put your devices to sleep (close the lid) and wake them up again (open the lid) when you return. Closing the lid should also lock your computer screen to help keep your data secure.
  • Disable personal wireless access points
    • East Texas A&M prohibits the installation and use of personal Wi-Fi access points in campus residence halls. This includes cell phone hot spots. The use of such services interferes significantly with campus Wi-Fi performance.

Interpersonal Conflicts

If residents are having a conflict, first discuss the problem with each other. Do not use passive-aggressive behavior in an attempt to resolve the conflict. Face-to-face, calm discussions are always the preferred route. If a resolution for the problem cannot be found, residents are encouraged to see their Resident Assistant (RA) to schedule a roommate mediation meeting. If the RA feels the problem is not resolved, a referral will be made to the Community Director (CD). If the problem cannot be resolved, Residential Living and Learning has the right to initiate a move for one or more parties or document through the RLL judicial system.

Meal Plans

One Year and Two Years Post-High School Graduation: Any Residential Student who enrolls in ETAMU within one (1) and two (2) years of High School graduation is required to have one of the following meal plans:

  • Meal Plan options:
    • 19 Meal Plan w/$800 FLEX or 17 Meal Plan w/$800 FLEX. A meal plan can be added through your myLeo housing portal.

Three or More Years Post High School Graduation: Any Residential Student who enrolls in ETAMU three (3) or more years post High School graduation is required to have one of the following meal plans:

  • Meal Plan options:
    • 19 Meal Plan w/$800 FLEX
    • 17 Meal Plan w/$800 FLEX
    • 14 Meal Plan w/$800 FLEX
    • 7 Meal Plan w/$800 FLEX
    • $1,365 FLEX Plan
    • $680 FLEX Plan.

Meal Plan Exemptions, Exceptions, and Disputes: Exemptions and exceptions of the mandatory meal plan requirement will be documented and approved by both the University and Sodexo as partners. If the student is canceling their meal plan, complete the Contract Release Request (myLeo). If the student is Adding/Changing their meal plan: Complete the Add/Change form (myLeo). The deadline to cancel or change your meal plan to a meal plan of lesser cost is the 12th class day of the first semester your meal plan begins.

Network Devices

Network devices (router, switch, hub, etc.) are NOT permitted on the University's network at any time unless the University owns it and has been put in place by Information Technology or specifically has been approved by Information Technology. These devices can serve as gateways to our university's internal systems and can result in data theft, as well as other malicious activity. Additionally, they can cause conflict with our network protocols and potentially bring down the entire network. Devices (PC, Mac, etc.) that are not owned and managed by the University CANNOT be connected to our wired network in the administrative offices at any time. However, these devices can be connected to the University's public wireless network.

Parking

All motor vehicles must be properly registered with the University Police Department (UPD) at the time of class registration. All drivers should abide by University and State regulations. Parking on grass or in red curbed areas is strictly prohibited, including during all move-in/move-out processes. Any vehicles found in violation of these mandates will be referred to UPD. If a resident moves during the year to a different building, which requires a specific parking permit, the resident should visit the Cashier's Window, located on the first floor of the Business Administration (BA) building, to change their parking permit.

Visitors parking on campus are also required to obtain a visitor parking pass. For more information, please visit the following page (University Police Department) or visit UPD in Henderson Hall.

Posting and Fliers

Campus departments and registered student organizations wishing to post fliers within the residential communities must receive approval from the Residential Living and Learning main office, located on the first floor of the Halladay Student Services building.

Failure to abide by this policy will result in the posting or flier being immediately removed and may result in your organization not being permitted to post fliers within the residential communities for the remainder of the semester.

For best results when posting fliers, please get them to the staff at a minimum of seven business days in advance. This will allow time for approval and adequate time for dissemination of information. In instances where organizations elect to chalk their advertisements, chalking must be pre-approved by the Residential Living and Learning Residential Living and Learning staff and must be within areas that are susceptible to rainfall. Staff reserves the right to remove any chalking that is inappropriate, offensive, or not approved.

Registering to Vote/Physical Address For Residential Communities

Residential Living and Learning encourages every eligible resident to register to vote. To register to vote as a campus resident in Hunt County, you will need to indicate on your voter registration the physical address of your residential community and include a mailing address, such as a local post office box, where you can receive mail. As a reminder, the individual residential communities do not provide mail services

Physical Addresses for Residential Communities
  • F Halls: 1600 Education Drive, Commerce, Texas 75428
  • New Pride: 2000 Walnut Street, Commerce, Texas 75428
  • Phase 2: 2501 West Neal Street, Commerce, Texas 75428
  • Phase 3: 2400 Hwy 24, Commerce, Texas 75428
  • Prairie Crossing: 1809 Monroe Street, Commerce, Texas, 75428
  • Pride Rock: 2513 West Halls Avenue, Commerce, Texas 75428
  • Whitley Hall: 2001 Culver Street, Commerce, Texas, 75428

Roommate Agreements

To assist in the conversations that are needed to build strong relationships with those within your floor communities, and your room, residents are strongly encouraged to work with their Resident Assistants (RAs) to complete their Roommate Agreements. Roommate Agreements will be available during the beginning of the semester and revisited during situations where roommates are in conflict. Residents are required to abide by the stipulations of the agreements.

Room/Apartment Entry and Search

The University recognizes residents' desire for privacy, particularly in the context of their group living situation, and will do all it can to protect and guarantee their privacy. However, the University, through a Residential Living and Learning staff member, reserves the right to enter a resident's room/apartment at any time for the following purposes:

· To determine compliance with all relevant health and safety regulations.

· To provide cleaning, maintenance work and/or pest control.

· To conduct an inventory of university property.

· To silence unattended loud alarms or music.

· If there is an indication of imminent danger to life, health and/or property.

· If there is a reasonable cause to believe that a violation of university or housing regulations is occurring.

· To search for missing university property.

A room search by a designated Residential Living and Learning staff member is possible but rare. For such a search to take place, the conditions for room entry must exist.

Sexual Harassment/Violence

In accordance with A&M System Policy 08.01.01.R2 sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when this conduct is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it: Explicitly or implicitly affect an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work or educational performance or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment.”

Sexual Violence is defined by the Texas A&M System as “a form of sexual harassment. [Sexual Violence] refers to sexual acts perpetrated against the victim’s will or where the victim is incapable of giving consent due to the use of drugs, alcohol, or due to an intellectual or other disability. Examples include rape, sexual assault, sexual battery, and sexual coercion.” East Texas A&M encourages the reporting of harassment, discrimination, sexual and/or relationship misconduct by victims and witnesses. Please visit the Title IX website to complete the reporting form or to contact the Title IX Coordinator for ETAMU, contact our University Police Department, or seek the assistance of a Residential Living and Learning staff member.

Syringe Disposal

Residents required to use needles for medical reasons are prohibited from disposing of them within a regular trash bag/can and are required to utilize a puncture-proof container. If no container is available, please take used needles to the Student Health Services. Please visit them in Henderson Hall or contact them at 903.886.5853 for more information. If you find a syringe or other sharps that is not secured, do not touch it; secure the area. Contact Residential Living and Learning Staff immediately.

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