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Community Living Expectations

[Overview] [Resident Responsibilities] [Roommate Relations] [Roommate Bill of Rights]
[Quiet Hours] [Child Supervision] [Violence] [Non-Smoking Apartments]

Overview

In order to carry out our educational mission, the WMU Apartments Office, along with the university, aspires to create and maintain conditions that are conducive to learning. With this in mind, Community Living Expectations were developed to help you and your family become academically and personally successful. Community living expectations balance the rights of the individual with the rights of the community.

All WMU Apartment residents (and their guests) are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others or interfere with the educational functions of the university, and that shows consideration for the facilities. By signing your lease you agree to abide by the WMU Student Code (available in your move-in packet and from the Office of Student Judicial Affairs), the WMU Apartment Lease, WMU policies, and all City, State and Federal laws. Anyone violating the Community Living Expectations could be subject to disciplinary actions, prosecution, replacement fees, and/or eviction proceedings.

Resident Responsibilities

As a resident, you share the common areas of the apartment complexes and are responsible for helping maintain them and keeping them safe and clean.

You are responsible for:

• keeping the apartment and stairwells free from dirt, garbage and trash;
• helping keep walks, balconies, stairways, laundry and storage rooms clean and clear of dirt, clutter, snow and ice;
• keeping grounds and other common areas clean and in a safe condition, free of toys and clutter; and
• reporting maintenance and pest problems.

Roommate Relations

Your enjoyment of life in your WMU apartment will depend to a large extent on the positive relationship you develop with your roommate. One of the building blocks of relationships is respecting the rights of the other person.

Roommate Bill of Rights

• The right to read and study in one's apartment free from undue interferences. Unreasonable noise and other distractions inhibit the exercise of this right.
• The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise or guests of roommate.
• The right to expect that a roommate will respect one's personal belongings.
• The right to a clean environment in which to live.
• The right to free access to one's apartment and facilities without pressure from a roommate.
• The right for redress of grievances.
• The right to live free from fear of intimidation, physical and/or emotional harm.
• The right to expect reasonable cooperation in the use of the telephone and a commitment to honor agreed-upon payment procedures.
• The right to host guests with the expectation that guests are to respect the rights of the host's roommate.

Quiet Hours

Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, and residents are asked to respect their neighbors' right for a quiet, collegiate atmosphere. Loud music/noise is not permitted at any time, but during quiet hours all sound must be contained within your apartment.

Regular quiet hours are in effect on weekdays, Sunday - Thursday, from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and on weekends, Friday - Saturday, from 9 p.m. to 8 a.m.

Finals Week

Quiet hours are in effect on a 24-hour basis beginning the Sunday before finals week and ending the Saturday there after. During this time, all sound must be contained within your apartment.

Chronic offenders will be subject to penalties and/or eviction.

Child Supervision

Children are an integral part of our apartment community and their safety and well-being are of utmost importance. Children may not be left for any period of time without your supervision, and you are responsible for the behavior of your children. We urge all community members to be aware of laws dealing with child abuse and neglect which, among other things, deem it unlawful to leave children under the age of 12 unattended.

Violence

Western Michigan University is committed to creating a community free from violence. Any act violating this is a serious offence. This includes, but is not limited to, physical assault or harassment, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, threats, reckless endangerment to others, intimidation and indecent exposure, whether against family members, visitors or other residents. This is true whether the act is conducted in person, via telephone, facsimile or computer transmission.

Non-Smoking Apartments

Some apartments have been designated as non-smoking. If you are a resident in a non-smoking apartment you have agreed not to smoke and not to allow your guests to smoke.