Ramapo College of New Jersey || On Campus Living

On Campus Living: Policies and General Information

A. Housing Selection

First Year and other new students:
Freshmen have specific spaces reserved for them. Transfers and re-admits are assigned to available spaces taking into account the date of their application and available spaces at the time of application.
Continuing students:
Continuing students may participate in housing selection ($200 non-refundable deposit is required) in the Spring semester. Details of the process are posted on the Web in mid-semester and notice is given via e-mail to all students. The process normally allows students quite a bit of choice regarding where and with whom they live.

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B. Roommates

Roommate Selection
Residents are given quite a bit of choice regarding with whom they live. Students are given the opportunity to choose their roommates during housing selection. Residence Life staff makes every effort to accommodate all such requests.

Dealing with Conflicts
One of the most effective ways to deal with a roommate conflict is to identify and discuss potential problems in advance. Roommates should have a conversation at the beginning of each semester to talk about what each expects from the other. Roommate contracts are a great way to put these discussions in writing and avoid future problems.

At the beginning of the Fall semester, 1st year students will be required by the Resident Assistants to fill out a Roommate Agreement. This is a contract created by the roommates together, with the help of Resident Assistants. Continuing students may request the Resident Assistant/Community Assistant to assist in creating a Roommate Agreement, but they are not mandatory.

Residents who are experiencing problems with their roommate should talk to him/her directly about their concerns. If a resident feels he/she needs a mediator to help the discussion, he/she should see a Resident Assistant/Community Assistant as soon as possible.

Roommate rights

The right to read and study in one’s room without interference.
The right to sleep at reasonable hours without disturbance from noise, guests, roommates, etc.
The right to a healthy and clean living environment.
The right to free access to one’s room.
The right to personal privacy and freedom from inappropriate behaviors of others.
The right to host guests (as long as you and your guest(s) are not interfering with the rights of others).
The right to live in an environment free from drugs and illegal alcohol use.

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C. Quiet Hours

Official quiet hours are in effect

Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 PM to 8:00 AM
Friday and Saturday from 1:00 AM to 12:00 PM

During these hours noise should not be heard outside your bedroom, suite or, apartment. Violators of this policy are subject to disciplinary action.

Quiet hours are extended to 24-hours a day during final exam week and are strictly enforced.

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D. Alcohol Policy

Ramapo College has established an Alcohol Policy for the safety of all community members and compliance with the New Jersey State Alcoholic Beverage laws. The Alcohol Policy is described in detail in the Student Handbook. All students are expected to be familiar with the policy.

The following is a summary of the policy available in detail in the Student Handbook:

Persons under the age of twenty-one MAY NOT

Be in possession of or in the presence of alcohol in any place in College Housing.
Permit persons to bring in or consume alcohol in their room/suite/apartment.
Carry opened or unopened alcoholic beverage containers any place on campus.
Provide alcohol to anyone on campus.
Possess alcohol displays made up of empty alcoholic beverage containers.
Consume alcohol ANYWHERE on campus.

Persons twenty-one and older MAY NOT

Consume alcohol outside of a room/apartment (lobby, hallways, stairwells, grounds, etc.)
Consume alcohol in a room/apartment, which has no resident of legal age, or in which the legal drinking age person is not present.
Provide alcohol to others under the age of twenty-one.
Charge other students/guests for alcohol consumption.
Possess kegs, beer balls, or paraphernalia that promotes large consumption of alcohol.
Permit underage possession or be in the presence of, alcohol in their room/apartment.
Possess alcohol or alcohol displays within Pine, Linden, Oak, Maple and The Overlook Halls or any designated "No alcohol" or "wellness" living areas.

Persons twenty-one and older MAY:

Consume alcohol in their own room/apartment.
Consume alcohol in another room/apartment if the host is twenty-one or older and is present.
Carry unopened alcoholic beverage containers on campus (must be packaged and out of plain view).
Provide alcohol in their own room/apartment to others aged twenty-one or older.
Possess alcohol displays made up of alcoholic beverage containers if all residents are over the age of twenty-one.

NOTE: Underage persons who are present, within college housing, where alcohol is being consumed by those over the age of twenty-one will be presumed to have been drinking or in possession of alcohol if Security, On-Call Administrators, or Residence Life Staff are called to the scene.

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E. Technology

Computers
Almost all students bring their own computers to campus. Computers are used by everyone-for writing papers, research, entertainment, and even for chatting via e-mail with parents. Computers are available in several labs on campus; some labs are open 24 hours a day.

Every resident has an individual data jack, which connects to the College network. To connect to the network, a student must have a 10BaseT Ethernet card (3Com is recommended) installed in their machine and 20 feet of RJ45 cable before arriving on campus.

Both Windows-based PCs and Macs are supported. Students expecting to use very specialized software should consider whether the application desired is platform-specific before purchasing a computer. (Note: College staff is not allowed to install hardware or software on personal computers.) Given the number of connections which must be done during the first few weeks of the term, students should expect that it may take up to 72 hours for the work to be completed.

Email
Resident students are required to have a (free) Ramapo College email account and to monitor it daily. Important notices are sent to students’ College email accounts and students are responsible for being aware of information distributed in this manner. (This requirement does not preclude a student from maintaining another non-College email account.)

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F. Banking

There is an ATM on campus in the Student Center. The ATM is maintained by Commerce Bank and is part of the MAC, NYCE, CIRRUS, VISA and MASTERCARD network. There is no charge for withdrawals as long as the user has an account with Commerce Bank. Accounts can be opened before students arrive on campus at any Commerce Branch. More information is available at www.commerceonline.com.

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G. Mail

Mailboxes for Pine, Linden, Laurel, Oak, Maple and The Overlook Hall residents are located on the first floors of those halls. Students living in the College Park Apartments are assigned mailboxes located in the Lodge. Mailboxes for residents of The Village are located in the Thomases Commons. Mail is distributed Monday through Friday during the main academic year, except on State holidays.

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H. Smoking Policy

Smoking is NOT PERMITTED anywhere in the residence halls (including individual rooms) or within twenty-five feet of the entrance to any hall. Fire safety is paramount. Ashtrays are located around campus for your convenience. DO NOT put out or throw cigarettes on the ground.

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I. What to Bring

Each campus residence is furnished. Students should not plan to bring additional items until they see how things look after they move in. No upholstered furniture may be brought to campus unless it meets CAL133 fire safety guidelines (tag must be attached or certificate provided to the Graduate Residence Director/Residence Director).

Dress - as on most campuses - is casual. There is no specific dress code, but reasonableness is expected. There are occasions when business/party attire is needed, e.g., job interviews, restaurant nights in dining halls, special events in the Berrie Center, and trips to NYC.

Various meal plans are available. Students residing in Pine, Linden, Laurel, Oak, Maple or The Overlook Halls are required to have a meal plan. Additional information about meal plans is available from the Dining Services Office located in the Roadrunner Café or from the Office of Residence Life. In addition to meal plan restaurants, food is available in Roadrunner Café in the Student Center; the Curtain Call Café (gourmet coffee, sandwiches and snacks) in the Berrie Center; and the convenience store in the Pavilion.

All Residents

Bed Linens (all residence halls have long twin beds except College Park Apartments which have standard twins)
Pillows and back rest (for reading in bed)
Warm blanket or comforter
Egg crate, arthritic bed pad (makes bed more comfortable)
Towels, Bathroom rug
Camera (inexpensive one)
Small Television (cable Ready)
Hair Dryer
Posters for walls - Use only painters tape to hang on walls. The use of nails to hang anything is prohibited. Damages from nail holes, tape residue, or damaged paint will be charged to the students account.
Toiletries, including small carryall for storage.
Stereo/radio/CD/MP3 player with headphones
Laundry basket or bag, detergent and softener, (put powder in small plastic bags)
Alarm clock/clock radio with backup battery.
Magnetic memo board
Cleaning supplies (especially for bathrooms).
Clothing (including warm sweaters, umbrella, jacket, and business and party clothes.
School supplies (may be purchased at the campus store (open on check-in Day)
Small lockable storage chest (may be found in bed and bath stores
Bathing suit
Large wastebaskets and disposable plastic liners
Storage crates (small and stackable)
Desk Items (e.g.; stamps, envelopes, stapler, etc.)
Address book with important phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
Iron with automatic shutoff capability and portable ironing pad.
Prescription medications
Pre-paid phone card for non local calls or cell phone
Extra set of car keys
Clothes hangers
Small sewing kit
Small medical kit (pain reliever, antacid, band-aids, etc.)
Medical insurance card
ATM card (college ATM is serviced by Commerce Bank)
Credit card or checks for major campus store purchases (textbooks, supplies, etc.)
Appointment book or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant)
Surge Protector (Very important!)
Backpack or other bag to carry books.
Small amount of cash for snacks and sundries.
Push pins for tack boards (Pine, Oak, Maple, Village, Overlook and Laurel).
Flashlight (candles and incense are prohibited)
Small snow shovel and deicer (if you have a car)
Auto club membership and local area maps

Patience and good humor, a sense of adventure, focus on personal goals, commitment to making the most of your time in college, an open mind….and more.

College Park Apartments and Laurel Hall

Reading lamp, desk lamp and table lamp for living room
(no Halogens).
All kitchen, cleaning and decorative items
Padlocks for closets
Microwave-proof containers/dishes

Pine, Linden, Oak and Maple Residents

Reading and Floor lamps (no Halogens)
Padlocks for closets (Linden, Oak, and Maple)
Snack food for micro-fridge (a micro-fridge is provided in each bedroom.)
Microwave-proof containers/dishes
NOTE: Pine residents have bunkable beds, Maple has two bunked beds, and a single bed; Oak and Linden have two single beds.

The Village

Living room lamps provided; bedside lamps needed
Tension rod with curtain to create door to open closet (opening is approximately 60")
All Kitchen, cleaning and decorative items
NOTE:

Floors in the Village living rooms are tiled: bring area throw rugs to limit noise transmission.
Color scheme: Blue (Quad 1), Green (quad 2), Red, Maroon (quad 3)
Emphasis on sustainable living: Recycling required

Optional Items

Sports equipment (bicycle, basketball, volleyball, tennis racquet and balls, handball, golf clubs, rollerblades/protective gear, etc.) There are bike racks in front of Linden, Laurel, Pine, Oak, Maple, the Pavilion, the Lodge in CPA, the Security Office, and at the Thomases Commons in the Village.
Hobby Materials
Sand or beach chair for outdoor reading or lounging during warm weather.
Electronic game machine/games
DVD player
Cases of water/soda/juice drinks/microwaveable food
Family/pet pictures in frames
Computer, printer, scanner and supplies such as paper, toner, etc.
Stuff that reminds you of home

Note: The above are just examples of what other students have brought to campus. You should bring whatever you feel will make you comfortable and equipped to be a successful student. Just keep in mind that space is limited. It is also a good idea to plan ahead with your roommate(s) to avoid unnecessary duplication.

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J. Prohibited Items

The following lists some of the items residents may not have in the residence halls; violators will be fined and face judicial action. Items may be confiscated and discarded, regardless of the expense of the item.

Appliances with exposed heating elements
Extension cords and any devices that overload electrical receptacles (more then three appliances per outlet or multiple plug adapters). You need to use power strips with circuit breakers that automatically shut off when overloaded.
Halogen lamps and sun lamps – you may have lighting that operates on incandescent or fluorescent light bulbs.
Incense and incense paraphernalia
Candles are not permitted for any reason in any campus residence area whether they are decorations, mementos , souvenirs, etc.
Holiday lights, Christmas lights, or any other type of stringed lighting
Hot plates, skillets, electric open element grills (e.g., George Foreman Grills), toasters and toaster ovens, rice cookers, etc. (College Park Apartment, and Village residents are permitted to have these items.)
Immersion Coils
Oil Lamps
Fireworks of any kind, including sparklers
Light Dimmers, ceiling fans, or any other device that replaces, adds to, or interferes with any building fixtures.
Gasoline powered items such as mopeds, motorcycles, or their components (These must be parked in marked stalls outside.)
All flammable and combustible liquids including thinners or chemicals.
All live Christmas trees, wreaths, etc.
Explosives, gasoline, potpourri, burners, incendiary devised of any kind
Knives, rifles, handguns, BB guns or weapons of any kind even if they are presumed to be solely decorative or collectible
Space heaters (unless provided by facilities in emergencies)
Pets (except for a service animal used by a person with a disability; otherwise, only fish in a maximum 10-gallon tank are allowed
Window air conditioning units (all residence halls are air conditioned)
Additional microwaves (aside from College provided microwaves. Additional microwaves are permitted in CPA only.
Additional refrigerators (aside from the College provided refrigerator)
Swimming pools (inside or outside of residence halls), waterbeds, hot tubs
Aerosol cans in Pine and Linden
5-Light multi-colored lamps
Any products that produce mist, fog or smoke conditions (i.e. mist, fog or smoke machines and dry ice products designed to simulate fog)
Upholstered furniture not provided by the College (unless it meets CAL133 fire safety guidelines)

This is not a complete list of prohibited items. Students should review the list and use good judgment about what they bring to their campus homes. The College reserves the right to change anything contained herein. Notice of changes will be provided to residents in their campus mailboxes, by voicemail to phones in residence halls, or to students’ College e-mail accounts.

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K. Guest Policy

Visitors are allowed in the Residence Halls as long as they comply with all Residence Life policies and do not disturb the normal operation of the building. Visitors must carry valid identification with them at all times. Overnight guests are permitted, with some exceptions.

Residents are permitted to have adult (eighteen years and older) overnight guests in their room. In order to house your guest(s), you must receive prior permission from your roommate(s), and you must register your guest(s) by completing and submitting an overnight guest application to the appropriate location by 2:00 AM. Guests may not be accommodated in any of the residence halls for more than two consecutive nights.

Persons under the age of eighteen are not permitted to stay overnight in the residence halls, except between the hours of 12:00 PM, Friday through 12:00 PM, Saturday. Visiting minors must remain under the supervision of the host at all times.

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L. Health and Safety

Health Services
The Health Services Office, directed by a Nurse Practitioner, is located near the campus South Gate entrance at the corner of Route 202 and Hornbeam Road, and open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (summer hours vary). A physician has limited office hours during the academic year.

An appointment is required and may be scheduled by calling (201) 684-7536. All "walk in" patients will be triaged by medical personnel and will be seen immediately if it is an emergency. If it is not an emergency, the next available appointment will be scheduled.

ALL MEDICAL OR TRAUMATIC EMERGENCIES ARE IMMEDIATELY EVALUATED. A Well Woman's clinic is provided one day per week. A fee is charged for this service. Certain medications are dispensed by Health Services for a fee. There is no charge to see the Nurse, Nurse Practitioner or the Physician.

It is essential that students understand their health insurance coverage before coming to the College. The insurance company may not cover the cost of certain prescriptions or procedures. If enrolled in an HMO or similar type of insurance plan, students should contact their insurance company for a list of providers in the local area. Students are encouraged to bring sufficient supplies of medications taken routinely.

Students who have prescription coverage are encouraged to make arrangements to have their medications filled at local pharmacy covered under their insurance plan. A Self-Treatment Center is available in Health Services. Certain over the counter medications are available at no charge. However, students who routinely take non-prescription medications are encouraged to bring their own supply.

ID Cards
Every student is required to obtain and carry a College ID card while on campus. The ID card is needed to obtain services in the Potter Library, to use a meal plan in the dining rooms, to sign out equipment from the Athletic Department, and to gain access to some residence halls.

The Security Office coordinates the issuance of ID cards. Returning students should be sure to bring their ID cards with them to campus. New students may obtain ID cards when they come to campus to register for classes or during Orientation. The ID schedule is posted outside the Security Office (C-102). Students are expected to have ID cards by the first day of classes. Replacement cards cost $15, plus a $15 re-coding fee for the Residence halls.

Limited Escort Service
Students are strongly encouraged to move about the campus during daylight hours and during the time that the campus shuttle is in operation (8:00 PM to 2:00 AM daily during the academic year). An individual student arriving in the main parking lots between the hours of 2:00 AM and 6:00 AM may use a "blue" telephone in the parking lot to ask Security for an escort to their Pine or Linden residence. Escorts are provided by Security staff. This service is not intended to be used as a "taxi" service.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
There are times when students require care in a hospital on an emergency basis (often during the night). In such a case, Campus Security should be notified at Ext. 6666.

The College has its own EMS staffed by certified EMTs (faculty, staff and students). In cases where there is a need for multiple ambulances or when the College service is off-line, the Mahwah EMS will respond. Students are usually taken to:

Valley Hospital (Ridgewood, NJ)
Good Samaritan Hospital (Suffern, NY)

The College does not have an infirmary for overnight stays. The College does not automatically notify family members if a student is taken to the hospital (student’s wishes are taken into account). Of course, if the situation is very serious, notification is made to the person listed on the Housing Agreement/Emergency Contact card as the emergency contact.

Fire Safety
Fire safety is a high priority in the residence halls. Halls are evacuated every time an alarm sounds-no matter what the hour. Failure to evacuate is a serious violation of the College Code of Conduct.

The College is required to conduct a minimum of two drills per year. Most alarms are caused by behavior which could have been avoided, e.g., microwave popcorn, air fresheners sprayed in the direction of a detector, etc.
Students who vandalize safety equipment or who purposely activate a false alarm are dealt with severely (local disciplinary charges and possible arrest by Mahwah Police.). Civil penalties include a hefty fine and a jail sentence.

Note: All College residence halls are sprinklered. More detailed information regarding fire safety may be found in the Guide to Community Living which is found on-line.

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M. Laundry

Laundry facilities are located in:

Pine
Linden
Laurel
Oak
Maple
Thomases Commons
The Overlook
College Park Apartments in a separate building near the Lodge

Washers and dryers are free to on campus residents. It is recommended that students bring laundry detergent (low suds type) and fabric softener, etc. with them. Laundry powder can be put into small plastic bags for convenience. Detergent can also be purchased at the Campus Store.

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N. Personal Property Insurance Plan For Students

You can quickly order personal property insurance from CSI. The three step process asks you to determine how much insurance you need, the type of coverage required and complete the process via an online form.

CSI Personal Property Insurance | National Student Services, Inc.

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