Public Area Responsibility
Public areas are defined as those areas of the residence hall not assigned to an individual. This refers to study and social lounges, bathrooms, corridors, pantries, lobby and laundry areas, computer rooms, stairwells, and elevators—those areas open to everyone in a floor section or in a hall.
Individuals who cause damage are expected to take responsibility for their actions. Those directly responsible for damage bear the burden of paying for the damage rather than having a particular floor section or residence hall pay for such damages. Only when the responsible person is not identified are students living in the affected area charged for such damages. Although the staff makes every effort to find the responsible person(s), it is expected that students will assist in identifying these people. Prorated hall and/or floor charges are only made when, after a reasonable time period, those responsible for the damage are not found. Students who fail to report damage and who are later shown to be responsible for that damage will be referred for disciplinary action. The prorate damage policy is one that stresses student responsibility. The benefits of such a policy are: if damage occurs, the persons actually responsible for the damages pay for it; there is an increase in student responsibility and student self-discipline; and a strong feeling of community responsibility for common living areas develops.