Policies, Procedures, & Emergency Info.
Residential Living Handbook:
The link below contains a PDF version of the Residential Living Handbook. All students must adhere to and know the policies and procedures within. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call our office for clarification:
For a full list of policies and procedures please see the Residential Living Handbook | Fall 2023
In an effort to provide the best possible living/learning environment in and around the residence halls at Nicholls State University, the following rules and regulations have been enacted. Students should familiarize themselves with this document and follow them carefully. All rules and regulations are designed to create an atmosphere that is conducive to study, sleep, relaxation and at the same time provide opportunities for living and learning experiences for all resident students. Enforcement of residence hall regulations, including application of appropriate sanctions for minor violations will be handled by Residence Life staff. Procedures will follow those outlined in the 2017-2018 Housing Handbook.
1. To be eligible for University Housing one must:
– Be a full-time Nicholls State University student.
– Have a completed Nicholls State University housing/food service contract and paid deposit, and
– Promptly meet all University-related financial obligations.
2. Residents are required to carry their room key and ID card with them at all times. Residence hall staffs are not responsible for opening residents’ rooms. Repeated lock-outs will result in a fee.
3. Pets (with the exception of fish) are prohibited in the residence hall.
4. Bicycles cannot be stored in the rooms, stairways, or halls. All bicycles must be kept outside in the racks.
5. Fire regulations prohibit hot plates and any appliance that requires use of oil in the residence halls. Microwave ovens are allowed in the rooms. All cooking, with the exception of microwave cooking, must be done in the kitchen area.
6. The use of candles or other flammable materials is prohibited. Use of incense or room sprays which are capable of activating a fire alarm system is prohibited.
7. Soliciting is not permitted in the residence halls.
8. Quiet hours are to be respected by all persons in the residence halls from 10:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., and Friday and Saturday. Twenty-four hour study/quiet hours will be in effect during mid-term and final exam week.
9. All residents must have their cars registered with University Police and must have a valid parking decal. Illegally parked cars are subject to towing. Any car parked in a handicapped space that does not have a handicapped license plate WILL be towed at the owner’s expense. No exceptions.
10. All residents are responsible for their rooms. All facilities are considered part of the room, such as doors, locks, closets, windows, beds, telephone jacks, chairs, desks, walls, etc. The use of nails, tacks and glue on residence hall room doors, walls, ceilings and/or floor is prohibited. Water beds are prohibited. Roommates are held equally liable for damages done to their room. Suite mates are held equally liable for damage done to shared areas of the suite. Note: All residence hall students’ area considered equally responsible for residence hall “commons” facilities such as elevators, television lounges, kitchen areas, lobbies, hallways, game rooms, and stairwells. Residents may add furniture of their own but may not remove any existing furniture from the rooms. Furniture from the lobby area, game rooms, television rooms, etc., is to remain there and not to be moved into individual rooms.
11. All residents moving out of the residence hall must follow the proper checkout procedures. These procedures are available from your RA and/or the Housing Office.
12. Residence halls are closed during the summer, semester breaks, and holidays except for those designated as break housing halls. Anyone needing accommodations during these times should make arrangements to live in a break housing hall.
13. Anytime a residence hall fire alarm system is activated, all persons in the residence hall MUST evacuate immediately according to the residence hall emergency exit procedures. Tampering with fire safety equipment is not allowed.
14. In order to protect the safety and welfare of students, employees, and guests of each residence hall, and to protect the property of the University, it is required that any person in or around the residence hall facility or in attendance at a residence hall function present identification upon request of a University employee. (Note: Residents are required to present identification when entering residence halls.)
15. Guests must properly check in at the lobby desk. Guests who are 17 years of age or under must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Proper identification (picture ID) is required. Residents must accompany their guest(s) at all times while they are in the residence hall. During visitation hours, as posted in each residence hall, students of the opposite sex are allowed to visit a student’s room.
16. Overnight guests of students must be 18 years of age or older. Guests must check in at the front desk before staying. The fee for any guests to stay overnight is $12.00/night. Guests of the opposite sex are not allowed to stay overnight except in the Brady Complex.
17. Firearms, ammunition, explosives, fireworks or other dangerous weapons are not allowed in or around the residence halls.
18. Illegal drugs and alcohol are not permitted in the residence halls.
19. Students are not allowed to paint any of the furnishings in a residence hall room.
20. Smoking and use of all tobacco is prohibited inside and outside of ALL buildings including student rooms, common areas such as hallways, stairwells, lobby areas, kitchens, lobby restrooms and elevators. In addition, E-cigarettes and vaporizers may not be utilized in campus residential facilities or within 25 feet of the entrance of any residential facility.
In any group living situation, the health and safety of all residents is of utmost importance. The following procedures have been developed for your protection and must be strictly followed to make sure everyone is as safe as possible.
Entry of rooms by University Personnel
The university reserves the right to enter and search student rooms but in all cases tries to respect the privacy of students. Rooms will be entered only with probable cause, and searches are made (very rarely) in cases relating to health or safety. Semesterly ‘Health & Safety’ checks will be conducted but students will always be notified in advance. In the case of entry and searches, every effort is made to have the resident present. The university may also enter rooms for maintenance purposes, or occasionally, on matters relating to the comfort or safety of others, for example, to close a window or to conduct a health and safety inspection, etc. Staff will also look under cabinets to inspect pipes and drains for leaks.
Fire Drills
By law the university is required to conduct fire drills a minimum of once per semester in all residence halls. It is a serious violation of university policy not to immediately leave the building when an alarm sounds. It is also against the law and could result in your suspension from the university.
Fire Discovery
Extinguish small fires ONLY, and only if no risk is involved. Pull the nearest fire alarm & call 4911, if appropriate. If you attempt to extinguish the fire, maintain an avenue of escape at all times. Aim the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire. Evacuate the building.
Fire Procedures – In the event of an actual fire or upon hearing the alarm, all building occupants must follow these procedures:
- Grab a towel to cover your face and put on a pair of shoes for protection. Dress appropriately for the weather (a coat may be needed).
- Close windows, raise blinds or shade, open curtain, and turn on lights.
- Feel the door. If it is hot, do not open it. Put a towel under the door to block smoke and open your window. Call for help. DO NOT JUMP out of your window.
- If the door is NOT hot, open slightly and put your HAND out into the hallway.
- If the hallway is hot, DO NOT GO OUT. Close your door and follow Step 3.
- If the hallway is NOT hot, and is clear, close your door and proceed to the nearest exit and evacuate the building as quickly as possible. There is an evacuation plan on the back of your room/suite entrance door. Take a moment to read and become familiar with this plan. DO NOT TRY TO USE THE ELEVATORS.
- MOVE AS FAR AWAY FROM THE BUILDING AS POSSIBLE. (Emergency Vehicles need to be able to access the building)
- Never turn your back on a fire.
- If you are unsure as to whether or not your exit is blocked, proceed to Step 3.
- Do not return to the building until you are told to do so.
- FAILURE TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING IMMEDIATELY WILL RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION.
For your own safety, be sure you know the location of the fire alarm, extinguishers, and evacuation location for your building. Misuse of the fire equipment will not be tolerated and violators will be severely sanctioned.
For further information, each Residence Hall has copies of the Nicholls State University Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plan available at the front desk.
Tobacco Policy Statement
Concern for indoor air quality is a trend-taking place across the nation. In 1989, the Surgeon General renewed a health education campaign against smoking, and Congress passed legislation restriction smoking on domestic airline flights and began consideration of a bill that further limits advertising for smoking products. Studies have revealed that nonsmokers who breathe secondhand smoke face similar health risks as smokers. As a result, a significant number of corporations and academic institutions now require a completely smoke-free environment.
Nicholls State University has a vested interest in creating a healthful and productive atmosphere for its faculty, staff, and students. Providing a generally smoke-free environment is a step in establishing activities that promote a long and health life.
Effective January 1, 2011, Nicholls State University became a tobacco free campus. The use of any tobacco product in any form is prohibited. Restricted tobacco products include cigarettes, cigars, e-cigarettes, pipes, water pipes, all smokeless tobacco (chew, snuff, etc.), and all non FDA approved nicotine products. This policy applies to all University students, faculty, staff, contractors, and visitors (the general public).
Housing Requirements and Exemption/Release Criteria | All students under the age of 20 are expected to live in on-campus housing unless they meet one or more of the following:
- Student living in a family member’s house within commuting distance
- Commuting distance is defined as less than 1 hour or within the following parishes: Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. Mary, Assumption, Ascension, St. Charles, St. James
- Student who is a parent or primary caregiver of a family member
- Student who is married or who is in a cohabitating living arrangement with significant other
- Student who has completed four regular semesters
- Student enrolled in less than 12 hours per semester
- Student enrolled in full-time solely in Nicholls Online classes
- Student who has veteran status or is active military
- A student for whom living on campus contributes to a significant financial burden
- A student who’s medical, disability, or mental health needs are not conducive to living on campus
- Student whose religious practices cannot be accommodated through campus housing
- Student participating in an approved internship/externship outside of the commutable distance
- Other extenuating circumstances falling outside of these criteria will be evaluated on a case by case
basis
Please note that an exemption or release request must be approved by the Office of Residential Living. If you have any questions about becoming exempt, please contact our office via email at housing@nicholls.edu, by telephone (985-448-4479), or in person.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Office of Residential Living
Office of Residential Living | Brady Complex Clubhouse
PO Box 2061
Thibodaux, La 70310
CAMPUS LOCATION
