Housing Contract

A copy of the housing contract is included here for general information. Each residential student is expected to sign a copy of this contract annually as an indication of understanding of and commitment to policies and regulations of on-campus housing.

This contract is an agreement between Centre College and separately with each student signing below. It entitles the student to use their assigned accommodations only as set forth in this contract and in accordance with regulations published elsewhere in the Student Handbook under, among possibly other sections, Housing and Housing Assignments and under Student Life Standards and Policies.

1. Each residence hall room includes an individual bed, mattress, chest, desk, chair, mirror, closet space, and mini-blinds. Students provide their own blankets, sheets, mattress pads, bedspreads, pillows, study lamps (excluding halogen lamps), etc.
2. At the time of initial occupancy, the student will complete a Room Condition Report.  The student should identify in that report and at that time any damages to the room or provided furnishings or any equipment not working correctly.  This Report will be used when the student moves out of the room to identify damages occurring during the time of occupancy by that student.
3. No alterations (for example, painting walls or installing carpet) are permitted to be made to the room or its contents without advance permission of the Director of Housing. Students are responsible for reversing any alterations and returning the room to its original condition and appearance (e.g. returning College furniture to proper locations). Should the College find it necessary to restore the room to its original condition and appearance after occupancy has been terminated the student will be assessed whatever charges accrue to that restoration.
4. Personally supplied beds or mattresses may not be used in residence hall rooms. Lofted beds may not be constructed for use in residence halls and homemade bed risers such as but not limited to cinder blocks are not permitted.  Store bought bed risers are allowed.
5. Electric appliances and other items such as, but not limited to, Instapots, Airfryers, hotplates, George Foreman type grills, toaster ovens, frying pans, waffle irons, portable heaters, microwave ovens (over 1200 watts), refrigerators (over 6 cubic feet), self-installed ceiling fans, halogen lamps, candles, candle warmers, wax melters, live Christmas trees, and air conditioners may not be used in any student room.
6. No externally viewable signage/flags may be placed in college windows without prior approval of the Dean of Student Life.
7. Window screens should not be removed from windows. Doing so would result in a safety violation and dealt with as such by the Housing Office.
8. Smoking is not allowed inside any student residential facility belonging to or leased by the College.  All persons are to observe other limitations on smoking outside the facility, as well, such as limitation s on smoking around the doorways.
9. All students living in Centre residence halls are required to comply with the fire regulations as listed in the Campus Safety and Security and Risk Management sections of the Student Handbook.
10. No fireworks, firearms, or any other items, which could be considered weapons, may be kept in student rooms. See further explanation as stated in the Campus Safety and Security and Risk Management Policies sections of the Student Handbook.
11. Pets are not allowed in the residence halls or houses at Centre. Violation of this policy will result in a minimum fine of $50 and the immediate removal of the pet from campus.
12. New students may occupy their rooms no earlier than Wednesday, August 28 , 2019.  Returning students may occupy their rooms beginning with check-in on Saturday, August 31, 2019 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm and Sunday, September 1, 2019 from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm, but are not to interfere with any new student orientation events. The first contract meal for upper-class students will be dinner, Sunday, September 1, 2019.  Any exceptions to these dates must be prearranged with the Director of Student Life & Housing.
13. The residence halls will close for winter break beginning on Friday, December 13, 2019 until Monday, Janaury 7, 2020. We realize that there are a few students who live such a long distance away from Centre that they are unable to leave during this break. If they are unable to go home with a friend or make other arrangements, we will accommodate these students if arrangements are made at least two (2) weeks in advance with the Housing Office. There are no meals served during this break. The college reserves the right to move students remaining on campus during the December break to a centralized locations for safety, financial, and maintenance reasons. Damage charges and fines are tripled during any College break, during finals, and for summer residents.
14. The residence halls/houses will close for the summer at 6:00 pm on May 20, 2020; however, students must leave campus 24 hours after their last final.  Students are also expected to make other off-campus housing arrangements when the College is closed.
15. Students are expected to take every precaution that communal property is not abused. When damage does occur in or to communal property, and the responsible party cannot be identified, all occupants of that residence or hall will be assessed damages on a prorated basis.
16. Students are not to switch rooms without prior written authorization from the Housing Office.
17. A student whose roommate departs or does not return for whatever reason during the first two weeks of any long term may be responsible for accepting the charge for a private room, or establishing a new roommate relationship. This new relationship may be established directly by the student or with the assistance of the Housing Office. Failure to cooperate with the Housing Office as they reassign roommates or assign a new room will require assessment of a single occupancy charge to the student's bill.
18. The College reserves the right of access to student rooms at any time for the purpose of supervising conditions regarding damage, safety, health, and compliance with College and residence hall policies and regulations. Personnel with such authorization are Residence Directors, Resident Assistants, facilities management staff, public safety officers, and Student Life Office staff. Rooms may be entered and inspected, but personal belongings will not be inspected or searched without prior authorization from the Dean of Student Life or other designated College officials. The Housing Office reserves the right to restrict the use of any furniture deemed unsafe or inappropriate in any College owned residence or Greek house. This includes any furniture/structure intended to be used as or that could be construed to be a serving area for alcohol.
19. Failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this contract may result in the immediate revocation of the Housing Contract, termination of residency and loss of any and all housing fees. The College will remedy the noncompliance and assess necessary charges to cover expenses incurred as a result of the violation. All students who test positive for Latent TB must be treated or they will not be allowed to reside in Centre housing.
20. Upon termination of occupancy, the student is expected to complete the “check out” portion of the Room Condition report with an RA, unless they choose Express Checkout at the closing of school in May.  Each student must sign a copy of this contract to acknowledge agreement with and understanding of the terms, and, further, as an agreement to exercise appropriate care in the residence hall.