Georgetown Main Campus Academic Housing | 103 Harbin Hall | Washington, DC 20057 | ph (202) 687-4560 | Email Us Georgetown University Academic Housing Policies     First-year and sophomore students who are enrolled in a full-time undergraduate degree program are required to live on campus unless an exemption is granted by the Housing Office. Exemptions may be granted because the student's local permanent residence is with immediate family, because the student has attained the age of 21 prior to the start of the academic year, because of a documented medical condition, or because the student is married or must live with a dependent. Upper-class students who desire campus housing must apply during the housing application/selection period designated by the Housing Office. The Housing Office will provide students with a handbook that describes the selection process in detail. Transfer students entering Georgetown University as sophomores will be guaranteed housing for their sophomore year. Students entering as juniors will be offered housing on campus as space permits. Living and Learning Communities Some students prefer to live with others who share their common interests and concerns. Special interest housing this year includes the Global Living Center located in Copley Hall; the Muslim Interest Living Community located in Alumni Square; the Living Well program located in Kennedy and Village C West halls; the Culture and Performance Living and Learning Program, located in Reynolds, and the Justice and Diversity in Action Living Community in McCarthy Hall. Information about these special housing arrangements is available from the Housing Office. Residence Hall Offices The residence hall office (RHO) is the communications center of each residence hall/apartment. Information about a variety of residence hall/apartment activities and resources is available through this office. RHOs located in residence halls/apartments are staffed by a RHO Manager and many student assistants. Services provided by the RHOs include: Equipment check out - Vacuum cleaners, brooms, etc. are loaned to students with a $5.00 deposit held in the RHO until the equipment is returned. The $5.00 is forfeited if the use exceeds 1 hour. Check with your RHO to see what specific equipment is available. Lockout and lost key assistance - Students who are locked out of their rooms should go to the RHO to gain re-entry. There is a lockout fee of $5.00 when the RHO is open. Residents must present their Georgetown I.D. Students must show the RHO staff their key upon entering their room. Failure to do so will result in the RHO notifying the Housing Office and a possible lock change request and additional fee of $50.00. When the RHO is closed, the lockout fee is $5.00 between 7:15 p.m. - midnight and $10.00 from midnight - 9:00 a.m. Lockout fees may be paid in cash or the student may elect to have the charge put on their student account (there may be an additional $10.00 fee associated with this option). Students who lose their keys should go to the Housing Office to report the key lost. Each lost key necessitates a lock change and a $50.00 (minimum) charge is made to the student. All fees unpaid at the end of each semester will result in a minimum additional fee of $10.00, which will be charged to their student account. Maintenance and housekeeping liaison - Any maintenance or housekeeping needs in a common area (hallway, stairwell, lounge, and laundry room) should be reported to the RHO. The RHO Manager and staff members will in turn report the problems to the proper offices. Package receipt - RHOs receive packages from UPS, Express Mail and parcel post that are addressed to students living in the residence halls/apartments. A list of students who have packages that have been delivered to the RHO is posted in each office daily and e-mails will be used as the official notification to residents. A student must present his/her I.D. to the RHO assistant to sign out any package addressed to him/her. Only the receiver can sign out his/her package. Any package not picked up within two weeks of notification will be returned to sender. Wait List The Housing Office also maintains a waiting list of those students interested in on-campus housing. Students who do not apply for housing through the regular selection process, or who may not be guaranteed housing, are eligible to obtain housing through the wait list. Accommodations There are four apartment complexes, 10 residence halls, and 66 townhouses at Georgetown. Since there is a heavy demand for apartments and townhouses, upper-class students who are eligible for housing are given preference in selecting these spaces. Students with Disabilities Students with disabilities are guaranteed on-campus housing for all four years based on the nature of their disability and recommendation from their health care provider. University Student Housing Closing Procedures for Holidays and Breaks All residence halls and apartment complexes are closed during the Christmas recess (townhouses remain open). Residents must vacate their rooms/apartments within 24 hours after their last exam. Students do not have access to their rooms, mailboxes, or hall facilities during the vacation. Residence halls reopen at noon on the Tuesday before classes start for the spring semester. All students, except graduating seniors, must vacate their rooms 24 hours after their last exam in the spring. The halls officially close for maintenance and preparation for summer programs on that weekend. Graduating seniors must vacate by noon on Monday following graduation. Vacating requires that you move out, remove all your belongings, (you may not leave your belongings with your roommate), and return your key. Students not complying with the regulations regarding the vacating of rooms will be subject to both of the following: Room occupancy and storage fees. Fees will be charged for belongings left with your roommate. Belongings will be moved out of the rooms and the student will assume full responsibility for any losses. During holidays and vacations students should plan to take small valuables home. The University is unable to provide storage during holidays, vacations and the summer months. During holidays and vacations students should plan to take small valuables home. The University is unable to provide storage during holidays, vacations and the summer months. Residence Hall and Townhouse Occupancy Agreement All students living in University residence halls, apartments, and townhouses are subject to the terms and conditions of the Agreement. Failure to abide by these terms may result in judicial action. The terms of the Agreement can be found on the Housing Office website: http://housing.georgetown.edu/academic Vacancy Filling Procedures Apartment and townhouse residents have three days (from the date the Office of Housing Services is notified in writing of a student's decision to vacate) in which to fill a vacancy, in accordance with the eligibility and assignment requirements of the Residence Hall & Townhouse Occupancy Agreement and subject to the approval of the Office of Housing Services. Continuing residents must submit a jointly signed statement approving said replacement. The student selected must sign an Occupancy Agreement within the three-day period. If the vacancy is not filled by the apartment/townhouse occupants, the Office of Housing Services reserves the right to fill the vacancy. A replacement may be named only once by the continuing occupants. Students who have a vacancy in their room/apartment/townhouse are obligated to accept a roommate(s) assigned by the Office of Housing Services. Any attempt to discourage another student from moving in will be considered a breach of contract. This breach will be considered by the University to be sufficient grounds for reassigning the current occupant(s) and/or further disciplinary action including a fine. Housing Operations The Office of Housing Operations coordinates the operations of the residence halls, apartments, and townhouses. The staff works closely with the Office of Facilities Management to ensure that adequate housekeeping and responsive maintenance services are provided to each resident. The office is also responsible for residence hall and apartment furnishings and plans for improvements in the residence halls. New student move-in, senior deposit refunds, and damage assessments are also managed by this office. Damage Billing Program Guidelines Student housing fees must cover all standard operating expenses. Routine "wear and tear" in University student housing is expected and the costs are built into operating budgets. Vandalism, however, is not included in the budget. Rather than use housing fees paid by all students to recover vandalism costs of a few, individual students and residential communities are held liable for vandalism costs. Vandalism costs vary from year to year and cannot be properly forecast to insure the lowest possible room rates. Housing Operations, therefore, uses a charge-back system, via the Office of Student Accounts, to recover these costs. Some residence hall vandalism charges include administrative expenses. Routine Wear and Tear University student housing operating budgets build in costs associated with normal wear and tear. These costs are not charged back to the students beyond the established housing fees. All University student housing furniture has life expectancy ratings based upon historical data, industry standards and budgetary constraints. Individual Damage Billing Charges not covered under routine wear and tear are:(1) misuse; (2) vandalism and abuse; accidental use and/or modifications necessitating repair, replacement, or other expense; (3) deliberate damage; (4) loss or theft; and (5) maintenance and housekeeping services beyond those reasonably required. As agreed to in the Residence Hall and Townhouse Occupancy Agreement, residents assume total responsibility for their rooms. Room damage repair costs, therefore, are charged to the room's occupant(s). Upon assuming occupancy, the resident is required to inspect the room and its furnishings with Residence Life Staff and note what they find on the Apartment Condition Report/Room Condition Report. The University holds each student responsible for property loss and damage beyond normal wear and tear. When the resident vacates the room, Residence Life staff inspects it. (There is a pre move-out inspection done by Residence Life Staff during spring semester itemizing potential problems in the room to the resident. This provides the students with notice of problems that may result in charges and time to correct them.) If there are two or more residents, each is liable for a proportionate amount of the cost unless responsibility is assumed in writing by either a resident or a third party. Students are responsible for the reasonable care and cleaning of their rooms. The necessity of additional cleaning, maintenance and repairs by University or contract personnel for the purpose of health or safety will result in charges. Damage Billing Appeals Inquiries regarding specific residential facilities damage charges and appeals from the decision of the Office of Residence Life to impose a charge under this policy may be made in writing to Housing Operations, 100 Harbin Hall. All damage billing appeals must be made within sixty days of the original billing date. All decisions rendered by the Office of Housing Operations are final. Community Damage, Vandalism, and Theft Billing If damage occurs and responsible individuals are not identified, damage costs are paid from general housing fees or from community charges. The University cannot assume all responsibility for vandalism costs in residential facilities. University personnel inspect and inventory residential facilities routinely, thus providing a benchmark for measuring theft and damages. A resident community may be defined as a floor, stairwell, building or residential area. Students may not remove furniture from common areas and may be charged for missing items. When common area damage occurs, residents are encouraged to identify specific individuals who are responsible for the damage thus avoiding community charges. If no one individual accepts responsibility for the damage, a decision will be made by Housing Operations in conjunction with Residence Life and the Community Council as to whether a charge is appropriate. Individuals thought to be responsible for damages should be reported immediately to Residence Life staff. Residence Hall Procedures The following sections describe a number of the procedures and guidelines that must be followed as a condition of living in University student housing. Please review them carefully. Residents Responsibilities Residents are responsible for keeping their rooms, apartments, and townhouses and common areas in good condition throughout the year. This responsibility includes informing Facilities Management of required repairs. Please monitor the condition of your residential area continually and report all problems to the Office of Facilities Management at 687-3432. Additionally, Housing Operations welcomes your call at any time (687-3001). Room Condition Reports Whenever a student moves into a room, apartment, or townhouse such as at the beginning of the academic year, the condition of each facility is noted by the residence hall staff on a Room Condition Report. Each resident should examine the report during the first week to ensure that it accurately records the condition of the residence. The residence hall staff can help in this review. [NOTE: The Apartment/Room Condition Report is not used to report maintenance problems. Please report them yourself by submitting an on-line form (http://www9.georgetown.edu/facilities) or by calling 687-3432, as you are better able to provide details on the nature of the problem.] Maintenance Problems Requests for maintenance repairs and pest extermination should be directed to Facilities Management either on-line at www.georgetown.edu/facilities or by calling 687-3432. When calling in a request, make a note of the date and time. Repairs will be completed as soon as possible. If work is not completed in two weeks, residents should call to check on the status of the request. Be sure to inform the receptionist of the date and time of your first call, to aid in tracking the request. Residents will not be charged for repairs or maintenance due to normal wear and tear. Furniture Housing Operations purchases and installs furniture for the residence halls and you may request repairs to furniture by calling 687-4560. All basic furniture is provided by the University and must remain in each room. Room Entry and Inspection Throughout the year there will be regularly scheduled inspections of each room, apartment and common area. General condition, cleanliness, maintenance needs, health and safety questions will be noted. Repairs and preventive maintenance is completed as necessary on a continuing basis. If there is evidence of damage due to vandalism or neglect, the repairs will be made and the residents will be charged to recover costs. The University reserves the right to enter a student's room or apartment for administrative, safety and regulatory purposes. Searches, Room Entry and Inspections The University reserves the right to enter a student's room or apartment for health, safety and administrative purposes. University officials may also enter a student's room to investigate suspected violations of University policy. Students are reminded that they are expected to comply with the directions of those members of the University, including, but not limited to, campus police officers, residence hall staff, etc., who are performing their official duties as assigned by University authorities. Typically, a student's room may be entered with the consent of the resident or under the following circumstances: Members of the University staff may enter a student's room for administrative purposes, such as safety inspections, facility repairs and general housekeeping. After knocking and waiting for a reasonable period of time, entry may be made. If a resident is not present, a note will be left indicating the name(s) of the person(s) entering and the reasons for doing so. It is practice for staff/ employees to lock the door upon leaving regardless if the room was unlocked or locked upon entering. See also "7. Search and Seizure & 8. Room Entry and Inspections" sections of the Residence Hall And Townhouse Occupancy Agreement. Members of the University staff may enter a student's room when there is evidence or strong suspicion of an emergency that warrants immediate entry. For example, the presence of smoke, flooding, screams for help, or other indicators of danger to others may justify entry. A search, given reasonable suspicion of conduct that may violate University policies, may be performed upon authorization of any of the following: the Vice President for Student Affairs, the Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, the Associate Dean of Students, the Director of Residence Life, the Associate Director of Residence Life, or the Assistant Director of Residence Life. This administrative search authorization may be provided orally, and memorialized in writing at a later time. This search may be conducted in the presence of the person against whom the evidence is being gathered and an official of the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, but such presence is not required. The person who issues authorization for a search to be conducted shall document that authorization in writing, and state particularly the time and location of the search, provide a brief statement of the reason that the search is to be conducted. The person authorizing the search shall ensure that a copy of the authorization is filed with the Office of Student Conduct in a reasonably timely manner. If, in searching a room pursuant to a search authorization, a University official has reasonable cause to suspect that a student in the room is concealing on his person either (1) a narcotic substance or other material obtained or possessed in violation of University regulations, or (2) any object which poses a threat of imminent harm to persons or property on the campus, the official may conduct a search of the student's person. If, as a result of an administrative search, there is a basis to suspect that a violation of law, the University's Department of Public Safety will contact the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia. Evidence gathered in the course of such a search will be provided to the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia, and the Metropolitan Police will take steps as they deem appropriate, which may include placing a student under arrest. Damages in Student Rooms/Apartments/Townhouses No remodeling of rooms, apartments, and townhouses or their furnishings is permitted. Lofts, hammocks, or shelving may not be installed. Furniture may only be used in its intended manner and not reversed, flipped, unbolted, or removed from the room. Residents are responsible to keep all furniture in their room or apartment. No item may be removed or placed elsewhere in the complex. All furniture has been inventoried and may only be removed by University staff. Any arrangement of furniture causing damages beyond normal wear and tear is expressly prohibited. If vandalism, neglect or preventable damage occurs, however, costs to restore the facility or furnishings will be billed to the residents. Additional sanctions may also be administered. A reasonable standard of cleanliness will be used to assess conditions and if a room or apartment does not meet that standard, residents may be charged and/or subject to sanctions. Residents are responsible for the exterior portions of their doors and windows and any damages occurring to them. Before move-out, a preliminary inspection will be conducted by a member of the Residence Life staff, notifying the Hall Director of any deficiencies apparent at that time. After move-out, the Hall Director will conduct a final inspection using the Room Condition Report, comparing the condition at close of the year with that of the beginning of the year. Damages attributable to neglect or unusual wear and tear will be billed to the responsible individual. If responsibility cannot be established, all occupants will share the cost equally. Charges will also be incurred for failure to properly return University keys or other property, neglect and abuse of the residence halls and their furnishings, uncleanliness, misuse of fire safety equipment and trash left in the residence. It is to the advantage of the residents to maintain their areas in good condition throughout the year and to follow all check-out procedures carefully. Damages in Public Areas Damages to public or common areas that are preventable (broken windows, graffiti, stolen furniture and light fixtures, etc.) and are not assignable to individuals will be billed in equal amounts to the groups having responsibility for those areas. It is the responsibility of all residents to notify the Hall Director or Resident Assistants of individuals responsible for damage of community areas or property. Senior Security Deposits Seniors in the Residence Halls and Apartments are required to pay a security deposit of $100, and seniors in the Townhouses are required to pay a security deposit of $500. Security deposits will be charged to each student's account at the beginning of the fall semester. The deposit will be held until the student graduates or terminates his/her housing. Any damage assessments resulting from the final room inspections will be deducted from the senior deposit. Security deposit refunds can be claimed from the Office of Student Accounts after graduation or move-out. Mandatory Recycling Students in the residence halls must participate in the University-wide recycling program. Specially designated recycling bins are located throughout each residence hall and apartment complex to collect paper, glass, plastic and cans. Failure to comply with the program or destruction of the containers may result in fines and/or disciplinary action. Student Rooms-Prohibited Items The following items are prohibited in student rooms and apartments for reasons of health and safety: pets and other animals explosives, weapons, firecrackers electrical cooking appliances (except as noted below) kerosene lamps contraband The lighting of candles and/or incense is prohibited gasoline-powered bikes (mopeds, motorcycles) torchere (halogen) lamps lofts grills/hibachis (Grills are provided for use by students in designated areas of campus. Grills and hibachis may not be used in stairwells, on walkways, terraces or rooftops, including the Village A decks.) waterbeds, waterchairs hot tubs satellite dishes The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports over 100 fires and 10 deaths since 1992 have been linked to the use of halogen torchere lamps. Several cases of residence hall fires at Georgetown have been attributed to the use of these lamps. As a result of our experience with these lamps and recent safety concerns about these lamps, Georgetown University does not allow their use in residence halls and apartments. Safety inspections will continue to be held regularly in residence halls and apartments. Students will be liable for all damages resulting from violations of these restrictions and prohibitions and may be subject to judicial action. The prohibited items may be confiscated. Appliances The wiring in University residence halls was not designed to handle high wattage appliances. The use of such appliances is a fire hazard and presents a threat to the residents. The only types of cooking appliances permitted in any residence hall are hot pots with self-contained heating units and hot air popcorn poppers. Both the appliance and the cord must be UL approved. Other heating and cooking appliances are prohibited in student rooms. Other appliances may be used only in the full size kitchens located in floor lounges in Darnall, LXR, Copley, Kennedy, Reynolds, McCarthy, Harbin, New South, and in apartments and townhouses. Refrigerators are permitted in all buildings provided they meet certain safety requirements. All refrigerators must be portable with a capacity no larger than three cubic feet. The wiring limitations of some residence halls require that there be restraints on the voltage used by refrigerators. (Both the unit and the cord must be UL approved.) Personal computers are permitted in University student housing. The use of surge protectors is recommended. Room Painting and Decorating Students may paint their room/apartment in accordance with established guidelines and procedures. Application to paint may be made through Housing Operations. The Housing Operations staff will determine the need and/or eligibility of the room/apartment to be painted. All residents must agree to the terms on the application, and return it with a deposit to 100 Harbin Hall. Residents will be notified of approval, along with the date and location to pick up supplies. They will have two weeks to complete painting and then must return all supplies (brushes/rollers/drop cloth) and any unused paint to Housing Operations; the deposit will be refunded when all supplies are returned. Once completed, staff from Facilities Management and Housing Operations will inspect the work. Satisfactory work will be noted in the Apartment/Room Condition Report, while unsatisfactory work will lead to a charge to remedy the unsatisfactory condition. Students may NOT paint their room or apartment with unauthorized paint colors, magic marker, crayon, etc, and will be subject to charges and possible disciplinary action from these types of decorations. Applications for paint requests will not be accepted after May 1. Linen and Laundry Students must provide linens, a pillow, bed spread, mattress pad and blankets. Mattress sizes vary but the average size is 80 inches by 36 inches. Flat or twin extra long sheets are recommended. Laundry arrangements are left to each student. Laundry facilities are located on each floor of New South, 3rd floor of Z Wing Village C, in the basements of Harbin, Darnall, Nevils, Copley, and the ground floor of LXR and McCarthy and in all apartment complexes and townhouses. Storage Lack of space prevents Georgetown University from storing student belongings on campus. The University is not responsible for theft of personal belongings. Theft and Accidental Damage Any theft occurring in University student housing should be reported to Public Safety. The Resident Assistant or Hall Director should be notified as well. Georgetown University does not insure students' personal property against loss or damage resulting from any cause including, but not limited to, fire, theft, water, etc. It is up to each student to arrange for insuring his or her own property. Generally, a family homeowner's policy provides coverage for student belongings. Check with your insurance provider to determine your coverage. It is wise to keep a record of serial numbers of personal property. During the holidays and vacations, students should take valuables home. Key Procedures Residence keys are obtained from the RHO upon move-in at the beginning of each semester. On the first day of classes, key cards and keys will be moved to the Student Housing Office in Harbin Hall. To avoid security risks for all occupants, care should be taken to guard against the loss or misplacement of keys. Lost or stolen keys should be reported by going to the Office of Student Housing in Harbin Hall and completing a Lock Change Replacement form. At that time, the staff will issue a temporary key until the lock is changed. The cost for changing the lock and cutting keys ($50.00 minimum) will be billed to the resident's student account. Once the lock has been changed, the residents may pick up their new keys at the Office of Student Housing. University keys may not be duplicated. If a student makes a change during the academic year, the key to the original room must be picked up or properly returned to the Office of Student Housing. When a key needs to be returned during hours when the office is not open, please follow directions as indicated on the suite door. You can only receive a receipt when the office is open. The receipt will serve as the official proof that the key has been returned. Do not give the key to the student taking your place or to the AC, HD or RA. A charge ($100.00 minimum) will be assessed for each unreturned key the day following the scheduled move out date, as a lock change will be necessary to maintain residential security. At the end of the school year, a letter will be distributed to all residential students indicating the proper procedure for returning room keys.
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