85-050 06-28-07, 11-15-07, 05-17-12 Dorm Admission and Occupancy Policy and Procedures Oglala Lakota College Student Housing Policy The Oglala Lakota College (OLC) wants you to be able to achieve your goals and be successful in school while living in its dorm. Therefore, please understand that, while you are a resident in a dormitory, you will have certain rights and responsibilities that will guide your lifestyle. When choosing to live on campus, you must fully understand that you are agreeing to recognize and adhere to OLC’s Dorm Admission and Occupancy Policy and Procedures (“Handbook” or “Policies”). If later you choose not to recognize OLC’s dorm policies, you have the option of finding alternative housing off campus. Oglala Lakota College offers safe, clean and affordable on-campus housing units. Units are designated for full-time students while they attend OLC, although Nursing dorm rooms are sometimes rented to non-students. The atmosphere is in harmony with that of acquiring an education and personal growth in a tribal college setting. In an effort to create a setting that is conducive to students’ educational endeavors, the policies listed in this Handbook and Policies will be strictly enforced. Applications for these units will be processed on a first come, first served basis according to the day the completed application, including all documentation, is received. Priority will be given to Oglala Sioux tribal members from the district where the dorm is located. The Dorm Committee for each dorm reviews completed applications to ensure that they meet all criteria. Full-time student status is defined in the college catalog. Only credits from OLC will be considered. Usually, a full-time student is a student who is taking at least 12 credit hours. A student must vacate the unit immediately after graduation, transfer and/or not being a full-time student for any reason. All students are required to attend class regularly. Responsibility Safe, clean, and affordable housing is available at OLC. Dormitory housing is a privilege, not a right. It is the responsibility of the head of household to ensure the future of this privilege by taking personal responsibility in dealing with issues that may arise. Contact the Dorm Manager for help with maintenance issues, rent payment issues, and laundry facility issues. In an emergency, please call 911 for assistance. OLC strongly urges caution in an effort to prevent a more serious situation. The Dorm Manager is there to assist residents. Residents should write down any concerns so that they may be addressed. All concerns may be reported anonymously. However, it can sometimes be difficult to act on anonymous reports. Reports should include specific information. Every attempt is made to keep all reports confidential. Head of Household For efficiency and one-bedroom apartments, each application must show the full-time student as the head of household. The head of household must sign the application. The head of household must maintain full-time student status. Dropping below full-time student status may result in termination of housing and immediate eviction. The head of household must be making satisfactory academic progress toward their degree. For the Nursing dorm, the person signing this Handbook and Policies document is considered the head of household for purposes of these Policies. Rent Monthly rental charges are: Efficiency apartment: Furnished $175 One Bedroom apartment: Furnished $225 Nursing Dorm OLC Students 1 night in small room: $7 1 night in large room: $10 3 nights in small room: $20 3 nights in large room: $25 4 nights in small room: $25 4 nights in large room: $30 Monthly rate for small room: $150 Monthly rate for large room: $175 Monthly rate for double occupancy: $100 Non-OLC Students Nightly rate: $15 Rent is due on the sixth of each month for efficiency and one-bedroom apartments. Prorated rent is a privilege for tenants who follow the policies outlined in this Handbook. Rent is prorated on a weekly rate schedule and based on the size of the unit. Prorated rent will be determined based on the move in and move out dates. A $5.00 per day late fee will be charged if rent is not paid by the sixth of the month. Eviction proceedings will begin if rent has not been paid by that day. For the Nursing dorm, daily charges are due prior to receiving a key and assigned room. A signed copy of this Handbook and Policies document is required at the time of room assignment. For large rooms, there is the possibility of having to share the room, if there is a demand for its use. OLC Nursing students will have priority. Rent prices are subject to change with a 30-day written notice. OLC agrees to accept rental money without regard to any other charges owed by the student to OLC. Security Deposit For monthly rentals, the first and last months’ rent are due prior to moving in. The deposit of $100.00 may be paid in increments of $25 a month until paid in full. For the Nursing dorm, a security deposit of $35 is required. The security deposit will be used at the termination of this agreement to cover the cost of: Repairing damaged on the premises caused by the resident, his or her family or guests, and/or Any unpaid rent or other charges owed by the resident and/or Cleaning the premises Any unused portion of the security deposit after deductions will be returned to the head of household. The resident must provide a forwarding address for this purpose. Rental Agreement The terms of the rental agreement include, among other things: o The head of household is responsible for the actions of all household members, guests, and visitors. If guests violate these policies, they may be requested to leave by the Dorm Manager or, in serious incidents, others in the dorm may notify the BIA/Tribal Police. A non-compliant guest may be escorted off the premises and may be barred from OLC’s dorm facilities. o The head of household cannot transfer possession of the unit they are assigned. o The head of household cannot use or permit the use of the unit for any purpose other than as a private dwelling unit solely for the head of household and her/his family. o All people residing in the unit must be on the rental application and rental agreement. Changes are subject to Dorm Committee approval. o Tenants shall not provide accommodations to any temporary lodger, guests, or other person not listed on their application. o Students living in the dorm must attend a monthly meeting with the Dorm manager. Fire Safety No smoking or chewing of tobacco is allowed in Oglala Lakota College student housing. Students who violate this rule will be subject to disciplinary action. Smoking is allowed only in designated outdoors smoking areas and well away from apartments’ windows and doors. Occupants are prohibited from possessing any candle that can support an open flame. Students are forbidden from burning incense, tobacco, or any other combustible material in a dorm building. Each student housing facility must have working smoke detectors and fire extinguishers. Occupants need to know the location of fire extinguishers and how to use them. Do not overload electrical outlets. Do not use broken, frayed or cracked electrical cords. Do not suspend lamps or lights by their own cords. Do not store any flammable materials in a dorm building. Information that a fire has occurred should be reported to the Dorm Manager and to: Pine Ridge Fire Department: 605-867-5768 Kyle Fire Department: 605-455-2311 Evacuation The procedures for student housing evacuation are: * Call 911 and Campus Security at 605-441-7692 for assistance. * Listen and follow all instructions from emergency personnel. * Remain calm and evacuate to the nearest exit immediately. If the exit is blocked, use the secondary exit. * If someone needs assistance leaving the building and you can do so safely, please help them. * Assemble on the lawn outside the college centers in Pine Ridge and Kyle, and assemble at the hospital for Nursing Dorm residents. * Help account for person(s) in your area at the evacuation assembly point for your area. * Do not return inside the building until emergency responders and/or law enforcement have said to do so. * Do not evacuate into: o Areas filled with smoke o Parking lots o Areas involved in chemical spills * General guidelines for assisting person(s) with disabilities include: o To alert visually impaired persons: ? Announce the type of emergency. ? Offer your arm for guidance. ? Tell the person where you are going and warn of obstacles before they occur. o To alert persons with hearing limitations: ? Turn lights on/off to get the person’s attention, or ? Indicate directions with gestures, or ? Write a note. o To evacuate persons using crutches, canes, walkers, or wheelchairs: ? Do not attempt to carry people during an evacuation. ? Persons with electrical respirators get priority assistance. ? Persons on the ground level may need minimal assistance, but lend them your arm and guide them to help them navigate outside of the building. Drugs and Alcohol Having drugs, drug paraphernalia, or alcohol on the premises at OLC student housing is cause for immediate eviction and suspension from school. This is a Zero Tolerance policy and applies to any person in the dormitory at any time. Because the use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited, storage of these items and empty alcohol containers are not allowed on OLC property. All suspected drug activity will be reported to the proper authorities. Move In Procedure The Dorm Committee will notify tenants of their move in date. Keys to the unit will not be released until the deposit is paid. Rent payment begins whether keys are released or not. Prorated rent is calculated and billed to the head of household. Upon moving in, the head of household must make an appointment with the Dorm Manager to inspect the unit. If this step is not completed within two weeks, the unit will be considered in perfect condition. The Dorm Manager will inspect the rental unit and place a copy of the findings in the tenant’s file. The head of household should be present during this inspection. The head of household may request a written statement of the findings showing the condition of the dwelling and of the equipment and furniture in it. These findings are used when the resident moves out. General Occupancy o Absolutely no pets are allowed on OLC premises, including visitors’ pets, with the exception of an animal that is used for disability reasons. o Waterbeds are not allowed in the units. o Pianos and organs are not allowed, with the exception of those that have volume control. It is expected that they will be kept at a minimal level. o Plumbing, electrical or gas burning equipment will not be used for any purpose other than that for which it was intended. All liquid fuel appliances are prohibited in the units, and burning of any kind is prohibited. o Low water volume causes the toilets to plug easily. Be aware of the shut off valves on all water sources, and keep a plunger by each toilet. o All broken windows will be repaired at the expense of the resident. The charges will be billed to the head of household and will be specific as to the damages involved, correction action taken, and the cost. o No firearms, knives or any device that could cause bodily harm may be stored in the dorm. If a resident is found to be in possession of a weapon, the BIA/Tribal policy will be notified and the Dorm Manager will request that it be confiscated. The resident may be subject to penalty according to law. Communication All Communication with the Oglala Lakota College must be in writing. All requests, complaints, and grievances must be put in writing in a timely manner in order for the Dorm Committee to process them or take action. If something is not in writing, the Dorm Committee cannot respond. Right to Privacy All occupants of Oglala Lakota College dorms are placed on notice that they do not have an expectation of absolute privacy. OLC will make every effort to contact a tenant and schedule an appointment to enter their housing. The only time OLC should enter a resident’s room without prior notice is when an emergency requires it or all alternatives have been exhausted. When entering a resident’s housing, Oglala Lakota college personnel are required to knock loudly several times, announce themselves, and wait for a response. If there is no response, the OLC official will announce loudly that the master key will be used. OLC personnel are required to leave a notice that they have accessed the tenant’s housing. If a resident is suspected of using drugs and/or alcohol in OLC housing, they will automatically subject themselves and their property to a search. Evidence must be turned over to the appropriate authorities. If illegal substances are found, the Dorm Manager must notify the BIA/Tribal Policy to ensure that the resident’s rights will not be violated. The head of household agrees that their residence shall be searched by OLC employees and local law enforcement in response to any emergency, criminal activity, or security concern on college property or at any college-sponsored event. Inspections Housing units will be subject to monthly and/or occasional inspections for “good and clean condition,” sanitary standards, and maintenance purposes. In the Nursing dorm, inspections will be made weekly by the Dorm Manager or Nursing Department Chair. There will be a schedule for the weekly inspections, and an effort will be made to adhere to that schedule. Residents may or may not be present at the inspection. The head of household agrees that the employees of OLC will be permitted to enter their unit for the purpose of conducting random inspections throughout the school year. Entry for inspections will be made only during business hours, and prior notification is not required. After the inspection, the head of household will receive a written notice of the need to take action, in accordance with the results of the inspection. If a tenant does not take the needed action and/or consistently fails to pass the inspection, there is the possibility of termination of their rental agreement. Insurance Oglala Lakota College insurance does not cover personal belongings within or outside the unit, or vehicles parked in the parking lots. Heads of household may purchase their own renter’s and/or auto insurance from an insurance agent. Utilities: Phone, Cable and Internet Service The units are cable and phone ready and can be connected at the expense of the tenant, who can contact the agency of their choice. Satellite dishes are not permitted. Keys Dorm occupants should take care of the keys to their unit to avoid unnecessary lockouts and/or key fees. If an occupant locks him/herself out of their apartment, they should contact the Dorm Manager. If there are any changes in who should have access to a key, as listed in the application and rental agreement, the head of household should notify the Dorm manager. Tenants must report lost keys to the Dorm Manager immediately. There is a $50 charge to replace a lost key. If the head of household doesn’t find the key by the time they vacate the apartment, OLC will charge a re-keying fee of $35 for each exterior door. A tenant may have the unit re-keyed when a key is lost or wait until they move out. Keys may not be duplicated by anyone other than OLC, as duplicated key damage the locking device. The head of household will be responsible for any damage and/or costs pertaining to the locks. At the Nursing dorm, the doors are locked at all times. Each occupant is required to have their key at all times. At the end of the rental period, keys must be returned to the Dorm Manager within 24 hours or on the next scheduled business day, or a $5 per day late fee will be assessed. See “Move Out Procedures” for more information. Residents are strongly encouraged to lock their housing space at all times. Oglala Lakota College is not liable for any loss, theft or damage of any personal items belonging to the occupants. Tampering with locks is illegal, and any person tampering with a lock will be subject to OLC rules and all applicable laws. Laundry Facility Washers and dryers are not permitted in OLC student housing. A limited laundry facility is available on-site. Residents need to sign up on a schedule with the Dorm Manager. The laundry facility is open seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. All laundry must be completed by 10:00 p.m. The laundry facility is locked each night at this time and will not be re-opened until 8:30 a.m. the following morning. The care and cleaning of the machines and laundry rooms is the responsibility of the residents. Lint and garbage must be cleaned from the washers and dryers. The machines should be wiped clean, and all excess laundry boxes, bottles, and other waste should be placed in the garbage cans provided. Occupants should not leave clothes unattended for long periods of time. If they do, the laundry will be removed from the washer or dryer. This keeps other residents from waiting to use the machines and reduces the risk of having clothing damaged or stolen. Items left in the machine or laundry facility over 24 hours will be bagged and removed. If not claimed, they will be disposed of after one week. Oglala Lakota College is not responsible for damages to personal belongings. To inquire about lost and found items or to report that a machine is not working, inform the Dorm Manager. Vehicle and Parking Regulations All parking lots are restricted to tenants only. Vehicles are not allowed on the fire lane, lawns, or walkways at anytime. Parking will be monitored by the Dorm Manager. Unauthorized vehicles will be moved or towed at the owner’s expense. Guest parking is on a short-term basis only. Handicap parking is reserved for those with a valid handicap sticker. Anyone parking in a handicap parking stall without a valid sticker will be fined $25. Fines may be charged to both the student and their guest. Vehicles that aare not in running order are not allowed and will be towed at the owner’s expense. Mechanical work and vehicle washing are not permitted on the premises. Any abandoned vehicle will be towed off the campus after 10 days. Recreational vehicles are not allowed on the premises. The 5 mile per hour speed limit must be followed. Maintenance, Repairs, and Unit Entry Requests for repairs or maintenance serve as permission from the tenants for the repair person to enter the unit. If the repairs or improvements are an emergency, tenants may not deny OLC permission to enter the unit. OLC reserves the right to enter any unit during reasonable working hours for the following reasons: (a) safety, security and health of all occupants, (b) preventive maintenance, inspection, and pest control, or (c) improvements or repairs. Whenever possible, OLC will inform the head of household at least 24 hours before entry into the unit. Care of the Unit and Surrounding Area o Except for normal wear and tear, occupants may not destroy, deface, damage, repair, paint, or remove any part of the premises or permit any person to do so. o Heads of household are responsible for vandalism occurring to their living space or other ares of the dorm. If this occurs, Oglala Lakota College will assess an appropriate fee for labor and material for any repairs needed. This amount will be billed to the student’s account and must be aid prior to receipt of transcripts or a diploma. o The tenant will use reasonable care to keep the unit in a condition to prevent health or sanitation problems from arising. o The head of household will notify the Dorm Manager promptly of needed repairs and any known unsafe conditions that may lead to injury or damage. o Small tacks or nails may be used for hanging picutes or posters on the walls. Do not use adhesives, putty, or screws. o Do not put stickers on any surface at student housing. o Do not install coat hooks, shelves, hanging plant hooks, or other items on walls, ceilings, woodwork, or doors. o Gas grills are not allowed inside the unit and should be kept a safe distance from the units when in use. Walkways and Courtyard Area For safety reasons, courtyards and walkways must be kept clean at all times. This includes: o Snow will be removed from the parking lot. The resident is responsible for the snow/ice removal individual sidewalks. o Do not store household items, boxes, or personal belongings such as garbage cans, buckets, brooms, mops, building materials, furniture, household decorations, or clothes racks on the walkways or sidewalks. o People must be able to easily access the unit if there is an emergency. o Do not store appliances for furniture of any type. o Do not store automotive supplies such as tires, oil, or gas cans. o Trash or garbage cans cannot be stored for any amount of time outside your unit. This is a No Tolerance policy. Garbage needs to be taken to the dumpsters provided. If garbage is left outside a unit and OLC staff has to remove it, the resident will be billed for the removal. o The storage or scraping of animal hides is not permitted at the student housing for health and safety reasons. This is a No Tolerance policy. If animal hides or other organic materials are left outside your unit and OLC staff has to remove it, the head of household will be billed for the removal. The head of household will be given a notice naming the item(s) to be removed and the date that the removal needs to be completed. If OLC has to remove any of the above named items, there will be a minimum $25 charge assessed to the resident’s account. Most items that are collected are taken to the dump. Living Standards o All persons are expected to respect the property and privacy of others. o The head of household must notify the Dorm Manager for approval of temporary lodgers not listed on the lease. o The Nursing Dorm is co-ed and can only accommodate the person(s) on the lease. o Visitors are not allowed on the premises between 1:00 am and 6:00am Monday thru Friday. Any tenant violating this policy will be given one warning. A second violation will result with termination of the rental agreement. o From 10:00 pm until 7:00 am is considered quiet time. All activity and noise should be kept to a minimum. o Stereos and televisions should be kept at a minimal volume level. o Any threats or physical violence directed toward anyone will not be tolerated. Occupants or guests violating these rules will be subject to disciplinary action, including possible suspension, termination of dorm privileges, and legal proceedings. Children Children are subject to all of the policies in this Handbook and Policies. Children are prohibited from playing in the parking lot and roadways fro their safety and that of others. Children must be supervised at all times. Toys found on the walkways by housing personnel may be removed and discarded. Potentially dangerous toys and sports equipment are prohibited. This policy applies to BB guns, gasoline-powered toys, bows and arrows, golf balls and clubs, weapons, and any other dangerous items. Personality issues with children need to be addressed with parent(s). If an issue is deemed dangerous, the head of household may exercise the right to call 911 and must then notify the Dorm Manager immediately. Children are not permitted in the laundry room without an adult and should not have access to laundry room keys. Abandonment It is the responsibility of the head of household to notify the Dorm Manager of any anticipated absence that exceeds 7 days. Failure to notify OLC will constitute abandonment, at which time the Dorm Manager may enter the unit to assess abandonment. If it is determined that the head of household has abandoned the unit, OLC may inventory, remove, and store all abandoned property for 15 days. OLC will send notice to the head of household via mail that it has the resident’s property in possession and that the head of household has 15 days to claim the property. If the tenant wishes to recover the abandoned property, they may, within 15 days of the property being stored, request repossession of the property. After 15 days, the abandoned property becomes the property of OLC. OLC is not responsible for any items lost and/or damaged during the storage period. The head of household will be assessed a moving and storage fee for the property. Termination of Agreement It is the responsibility of the head of household to provide the Dorm Manager a 15-day notice prior to vacating the unit with a forwarding address. The notice will serve as termination of the housing agreement. Failure to provide a 15-day notice may result in charge for a full month’s rent. It is also the responsibility of the head of household to contact the Dorm Manager for an extension of the move out date, if necessary. Termination of the agreement for any reason other than loss of full-time student status makes the person(s) involved in the rumination ineligible for future OLC student housing. Occupants who have received a notice to vacate must leave the student housing within 48 hours. There will be no exceptions to this rule. OLC may terminate the agreement by written notice for: o Excessive damage/vandalism to the unit or to OLC property o Failure to pay rent by the sixth of the month o Abandonment o Failure to maintain full-time student status; as exception may be made under extenuating circumstances o Illegal drug use, sale, or distribution o Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia o Alcohol use on the premises o Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia o Alcohol use on the premises o Possession or use of fireworks o Presence of firearms of any type on the premises o Criminal convictions of any kind that occur while residing in student housing o Any violation of these Policies; or o Other good cause, as determined by the Dorm Manager. Move Out Procedure The head of household agrees to leave the premises in good, clean condition and to return all key when he/she vacates. OLC is not responsible for any articles of personal property left in the vacated apartment or on the premises. Keys must be turned in to the OLC Dorm Manager when the unit is vacant. With proper notification, prorated rent will be determined upon receipt of keys. Keys can only be received and verified during business hours. To avoid confusion, residents should be sure to contact the local Post Office and submit a change of address. OLC is not responsible for mail service or for any mail that is improperly delivered. If an occupant does not move out immediately upon graduation or eviction, they will be charged full rent for any additional time that their person belongings are left in a dorm. If the prepaid last month’s rent has been used for this purpose and there are additional charges, these additional charges will be billed to the student’s account and must be paid prior to receipt of transcripts, grades, or a diploma. Move Our Cleaning When occupants move out, the unit must be thoroughly cleaned to avoid cleaning charges. Any damage requiring professional cleaning will be billed to the tenant. Kitchen: The sink, countertops, cabinets, range hood, exhaust fan, and the area behind the range and the refrigerator must be scrubbed. The areas between the oven and cabinet and between the refrigerator and cabinet must be cleaned, Range: The range top, burner rings, drip pans, and the area beneath burners must be cleaned. The inside of the oven must be cleaned with an oven cleaner, removing all traces of food, including burned encrusted food. Refrigerator: All traces of food and odor must be removed. Sharp objects should not be used to remove encrusted food or stains. Bathroom: The tub, toilet, basin, and medicine cabinet must be cleaned inside and out, removing all traces of grime and detergent build-up. Floors: Floors must be swept and mopped, removing all traces of dirt and stains. Walls: Walls should be wiped with mild soap and warm water, removing all dirt and smudges. Holes should not be covered up with spackle. Maintenance will do this with no charge to the tenant. Windows: Windowsills, blinds, and the inside and outside of windows should be cleaned. If it costs more than the amount of the security deposit to clean the apartment, any additional costs will be billed to the student’s account and must be paid prior to receipt of transcripts or a diploma. Oglala Lakota College Dorm Committee The OLC Dorm Committee for a district and the Nursing Dorm has five members. These are the Center Director, one counselor from the affected Center, the Dorm Manager, one local board member, and one student representative. The Dorm Committee meets on an as needed basis. For the date and time of the next meeting of the Dorm Committee or to request placement on the agenda, a student may contact the appropriate Center Director or the Nursing Department Chair. Appeal Procedure The process for selection of dorm residents may not be appealed. For other appeals, the head of household will put a request for an appeal in writing and give it to the Dorm Manager within three business days of the incident. Appeals that are not in writing will not be heard. The resident must be specific as to their appeal, complaint, or grievance and include a suggested remedy. The request for appeal will be reviewed by the Dorm Manager and then directed to the Dorm Committee. The Dorm Committee will set a hearing date. The Dorm Manager will notify the head of household in writing of the hearing date within three days of receipt of the complaint. The Dorm Committee will make decisions on appeals. When a decision has been made, the Dorm Manager will inform the resident as soon as possible. The decision of the Dorm Committee is final. The undersigned understands the above Policies and agrees to abide by the Handbook and Policies stated above as part of their Rental Agreement with Oglala Lakota College. __________________________________________ _____________________ Head of Household / Authorized Guest Signature Date __________________________________________ Head of Household Name (Print) ___________________________________________ _____________________ Dorm Manager Date ___________________________________________ _____________________ Center Director Date Names of occupants other than Head of Household: _________________________________ _______________________________ __________________________________ ____________________________________ CC: Business Office Student Accounts Center Director File 2