Residence Hall Policies - NMU Housing and Residence Life

The use of air conditioners in on-campus housing facilities creates the potential for a number of issues to occur including damage to windows and window frames.  Additionally, air conditioners use a disproportional amount of electricity in order to operate efficiently.

To prevent these issues from occurring, air conditioners of any type are prohibited in residence hall student rooms.

» View the university's full alcohol policy here

Bicycles properly attached to the fixed, covered racks near The Woods, Spalding, Magers, Van Antwerp and Hunt Halls can be left in place.  In addition, the bike rack under the awning of Spooner’s lobby entrance will be left in place. Those bicycles will not be removed by University staff. However, the portable racks located near the covered racks will be moved and the bicycles attached to them must be removed.  Bicycles left on the moveable racks at Thanksgiving Break will be removed and handled according to University abandoned property procedures.

Students living in a residence hall or University apartment will have the option of storing their bicycle in Spooner Hall through the winter months (until around the first week of April).  Students who store their bicycles will receive an email reminder prior to the pick-up dates.

Bike Retrieval

If you register and store your bicycle in Spooner hall during the winter, you will receive an email with information on when to retrieve you bike. This typically occurs near the end of the Winter semester. You will need to bring your student ID when you come to retrieve your bicycle. Specific information will be posted when it has been determined.

Requirements

• You must live in University housing.
• You must have your student ID with you when you take your bicycle to Spooner Hall.
• Your bicycle must be registered with NMU Public Safety – this can be done at the Spooner Hall desk before your bike goes into storage.

Because of the danger of fire, candles incense are prohibited in residence hall rooms and the university apartments. Also prohibited are items that melt or heat wax or oil. If you're looking for an air freshener, please use one where the oil is completely contained and cannot be spilled.

There are a variety of common areas (e.g., lobbies, the lodge, recreation rooms, TV rooms, study rooms/lounges, and laundry rooms) intended for the use of the students living in the residence halls and apartments. These facilities were constructed and are operated using funds derived only from residence hall student room payments and, as a result, the use of those facilities are reserved for use by residence hall students and their guests. Exclusive use of any of these common areas by one or more individuals will have an effect on the incidental use of these facilities. In addition, use of residence hall space by non-residence hall students or student organizations may also have safety and security implications. Recognizing, however, that from time-to-time it may be appropriate to allow one or more student organizations, including those from other residence halls, to utilize a particular common area space more or less exclusively, this policy and procedures are intended to provide guidelines for students and residence hall staff to follow in that regard.

Residence Hall Lobbies and The Lodge

For the most part, lobbies and the lodge, the most public of residence hall common areas, serve a public reception function, as general lounge and recreation space, and occasionally a place for scheduled activities, including those intended for raising funds for residence hall students and their guests. The behavior of students, their guests, and visitors must reflect those primary functions and, therefore, inappropriate behavior – e.g., disorderly conduct, littering, sleeping, cutting hair, watching personal TV’s, etc. – will not be permitted.

Occasional use of the lobbies/lodge for activities by registered student organizations will be permitted, with priority given to the residence hall organizations from the hall(s) adjoining the lobbies.

1. All registered student organizations wishing to request use of a residence hall lobby/lodge for any purpose must complete a Residence Hall Common Area Use Application Form available from the residence hall desk or resident director of the adjacent hall(s) at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the date of the activity to allow appropriate consideration by the hall government(s) and the resident director(s). Applications for lobby/lodge use will be considered by the appropriate residence hall government(s) which will serve in an advisory capacity to the resident director(s). A representative from the organization wishing to sponsor an activity utilizing a residence hall lobby/lodge may attend the hall government meeting(s) at which the application will be considered. The resident director(s) will approve or disapprove all applications. Non-residence hall student organizations wishing to conduct an activity in a residence hall lobby/lodge must also complete a Student Organization Facility Request available at the Student Activities and Leadership Programs Office and receive appropriate approval from that office.

2. Residence hall organizations will have priority over non-residence hall organizations and those from the residence hall(s) adjoining the lobby/lodge will have the highest priority.

3. A hall government and/or a resident director may support an application with limitations or chose not to support any application for the use of the lobby/lodge. In the event that the hall government and/or resident director of one hall adjacent to the lobby/lodge supports an activity in the lobby/lodge while the hall government and/or resident director of the other hall does not, every effort will be made to resolve the disagreement. If an agreement in support of the activity cannot be reached, the activity will not be approved.

4. Resident directors may approve requests for lobby/lodge usage without benefit of a hall government meeting review when unique circumstances warrant it.

Residence Hall Recreation Rooms, and Woodland MPR

Residence hall recreation rooms are also intended primarily for the exclusive use of the students living in the adjoining residence halls/apartments for meetings, activities, and incidental use.  In view of supervisory issues as well as the access to living areas, these areas are not for use by other residence hall/apartment organizations or non-residence hall/apartment groups. If a residence hall organization from one of the halls adjoining a recreation room wishes to sponsor an activity in the recreation room a representative from that group must:

1. Tentatively reserve the space by contacting the appropriate resident director(s).

2. Complete a Residence Hall Common Area Use Application Form available from the residence hall desk or the resident director.* The completed application must be turned in to either the residence hall desk or their resident director at least fourteen (14) calendar days before the date of the activity to allow appropriate consideration.

3. From time-to-time a residence hall organization may choose to co-sponsor an activity with another residence hall organization or with a non-residence hall group. The application process is the same as outlined above, although the completed application form must include information regarding supervision and control of access to the adjoining residence halls after they have been secured at night and the other group’s adviser must be present for the activity.

4. Applications for recreation room use will be considered by the appropriate residence hall government(s) which will serve in an advisory capacity to the resident director(s). A representative from the group wishing to sponsor the activity may attend the hall government meeting at which the application will be considered. The resident director(s) will approve or disapprove all such applications.

5. A hall government and/or a resident director may support an application with limitations or chose to not support any application for recreation room use. In the event that the hall government and/or resident director of one hall adjacent to a recreation supports an activity in the recreation room while the hall government and/or resident director of the other hall does not, every effort will be made to resolve the disagreement. If an agreement in support of the activity cannot be reached, the activity will not be approved.

* If a group from Spooner Hall or the Apartments wishes to have an activity in the MPR that includes the use of alcohol, the group must comply with the Procedures Regarding the Use of Alcohol in Designated Residence Hall Facilities.

General Conditions for Common Area Use

1. Conduct. Rights of residence hall students must be respected at all times. Use of public areas must comply with rules and regulations stated in the Student Code and University Ordinances as well as all other expectations set forth by the staff responsible for supervising the area.

2. Clean-up. The area must be left clean and orderly. Trash must be placed in proper receptacles, tables wiped off, floor swept/vacuumed, furniture properly placed, etc.

3. Costs. Any costs associated with set-up for non-residence hall organizations, clean-up, or damages for a particular activity will be charged to the sponsoring group(s).

4. Disqualification. In addition to appropriate charges, failure to adhere to these conditions may disqualify the organization from future use of a residence hall common area.

Other Residence Hall Common Areas

1. TV rooms and study rooms may be used by residents of the hall and their invited guests. Unless specifically approved by the resident director, TV and study rooms are not to be used for sleeping.

2. Residence hall laundry rooms may only be used by residents of the hall.

The Woods Common Area Use Form

The Quad Common Area Use Form

Every enrolled student automatically receives a university computer account which provides access to instructional files and software, e-mail, free dial-in access from off campus and other resources. Students are required to maintain this account which will be used by NMU to send time-critical information to students. The university will use a student’s NMU e-mail account as its primary means of communicating official university business, including legally required information.

As a condition of enrollment, all students are required to report at the beginning of each semester the local address at which they will be living. Changes of address between residence hall rooms may be arranged at the reception desk in the hall where the student has been living. Other changes of address must be filed within five class days of the change.

Failure to comply with this policy may result in summary termination of enrollment by the dean of students.

All NMU students, faculty, staff and visitors are encouraged to review the entire evacuation procedure, which includes steps for residence hall evacuations, evacuating persons with disabilities and some special requirements for specific campus facilities.

» Review the Fire Alarms and Evacuation Procedures

There are times when a residence hall house is interested in changing the name of the house.  Over the years most of the houses on campus have changed names at one time or another.  Name changes generally coincide with new paint projects.  To find out more about a House Name Change, contact your resident adviser or resident director.

Northern Michigan University’s requirement for on campus residency is intended to provide students with a living environment rich with opportunities for personal growth and social development. Residence hall communities, primarily through the unique interpersonal environment and opportunities for involvement and participation, maximize opportunities for social involvement for students and it is that involvement that accounts for the contributions made toward the gains they experience.

NMU has a two year housing requirement for undergraduate students. Learn more about NMU's housing requirement here. 

Loft kits are available on a first come, first serve basis and there are a limited number available.  Students will receive specific details on how to request a loft kit with their fall housing assignment (housing assignments are sent to students NMU email at the end of July/early August).  Loft kits are $100 and are non-refundable.

Beds in the residence halls are manufactured differently and, therefore, we do not permit students to construct their own lofts.  We have purchased loft kits from the company that manufactures these beds.

Students who want to return a loft can do so by submitting a maintenance request through the Housing Portal. 

The NMU Parking Services is responsible for overseeing vehicle registration and enforcing parking violations. View more information about motor vehicles and parking on campus on their website.

Standard Overnight Guest Policy

The University recognizes that students may wish to host a guest overnight in their room or apartment.  The University also supports student's right to privacy and quiet in his or her on-campus residence.

The Northern Michigan University Student Code states:

University Regulations Students at Northern Michigan University are responsible for their guest's compliance with University rules and regulations.  Students may be charged through the NMU judicial process for violations of the Student Code by their guests.

Overnight Guests  Overnight guests are permitted in University housing facilities provided the roommate and suitemates have agreed to the visit.  Guests must be registered in accordance with the Overnight Guest Registration Procedures, available through Housing and Residence Life personnel. Guests must be registered at least one day in advance, and residents are urged not to host guests during final examination week.  The host shall be responsible for their guest's conduct.  Guests may not stay more than three consecutive nights, and must be 16 years of age or older. Under no circumstances will more than six people be permitted to occupy a residence hall suite overnight.  

Rights of Residents  A resident's right to privacy and quiet within their own room or apartment is very important and must be a primary consideration.  It is essential that students wishing to host an overnight guest respect their roommate's and, as appropriate, suitemates' rights. The host/hostess must honor all reasonable requests made by his or her roommate and/or suitemates in this regard.  Difficulties between roommates and with suitemates that cannot be resolved must be brought to the prompt attention of a Housing and Residence Life staff member (e.g., resident adviser or resident director), preferably before proposed arrangements for the guest's arrival are finalized.

Limitations  As indicated in the Student Code regulation concerning Overnight Guests, guests are permitted for up to three consecutive nights, and must be 16 years of age or older. There are to be no more than six people permitted to occupy a residence hall suite at a time. 

Host/Hostess Responsibilities  The host/hostess is responsible for:

1.    Obtaining prior approval from his or her roommate and suitemate(s) to have a guest stay in his or her room and utilize the bathroom.

2.    Completing an Overnight Guest Registration Form and properly registering his or her guest with his or her resident director at least twenty-four hours prior to the guest's scheduled arrival.

3.    Informing his or her guest(s) of applicable expectations, rules, and regulations and encouraging appropriate behavior from the guest(s). Students are responsible for their guest's compliance with University rules and regulations and may be charged through the NMU judicial process for violations of the Student Code by their guests.

Expectations for Guests

1.    Pre-approved guests must sign in at the appropriate desk upon their arrival and must sign out at the desk when they leave. Host/hostesses must note established desk hours.

2.  All guests must abide by house and hall expectations.  In addition, guests who are University students must abide by University Regulations and Administrative Policies. Non-student guests must abide by University Ordinances. Reports of inappropriate behavior of guests will be processed in accordance with appropriate University procedures.

Visitation (Non-Overnight Guests)  While the University does not limit the days or times that a student may have a visitor of the opposite gender in their room, the person's roommate's right to privacy and to quiet must be a primary consideration.  In addition, the University's Student Code states, "Visitors are permitted in the residence halls so long as they are invited in and escorted by a current member of that hall."

Cancellation  The President or his designate (e.g., resident director, assistant director of housing and residence life, director of housing and residence life, or dean of students) may decide that individuals have abused the privilege of hosting an overnight guest and may suspend the policy for an individual until such time and upon such terms and conditions as deemed appropriate.

Parking  Overnight guests must register at the Parking Bureau, located in the Public Safety and Police Services Office inside of the Services Building.  Parking Bureau hours are 8 AM to 4 PM Monday through Friday.  If a visitor cannot register with the Parking Bureau, he or she must register with the Public Safety and Police Services dispatch.  This can be done 24 hours a day.  Overnight guests may park in Lot 20 (located on Lincoln Avenue) and Lot 21 (located on Center Street). 

Each year residence hall students choose to participate in paint projects in the hallways of the residence halls.  High-quality paint projects add character, identity and life to residence hall communities and make those areas more attractive and comfortable for those who live in them.

The paint projects consist of several submissions and checkpoints with the resident director. For more information about how to start a paint project contact your resident adviser or resident director.

Pets of any kind, except fish, are prohibited in University residence halls and apartments. Fish tanks, one per living unit, cannot exceed 10 gallons. 

In addition to the items already listed on this page, including alcohol, open flames, pets and tobacco, the following items are also prohibited in on-campus housing. Please note, the items noted below are not intended to be detailed, all-inclusive explanations, but rather brief overviews of the policies and procedures that you will come in contact with during your stay at Northern Michigan University. For more information or details about concerns that you may have, please contact your resident adviser or resident director.

Drugs
No students shall possess, use, distribute, sell or manufacture illegal drugs or other controlled substances in any building or on any property owned or controlled by Northern Michigan University, except as permitted by law.  See student handbook 2.3.12   Drugs: Possession, Use or Sale

Weapons
No students shall keep, possess, display, use or carry any weapon anywhere on the Northern Michigan University campus or field station. In the interpretation and application of this regulation, weapons shall be deemed to include, but are not limited to, rifles, shotguns, handguns, bows or other lethal or dangerous devices capable of casting a projectile by air, gas, explosives or mechanical means.

Weapons used for recreational purposes may be registered and stored in the Public Safety and Police Services Office storage facility if they are transported directly from the Public Safety and Police Services Office storage facility to points outside the campus and field station of Northern Michigan University, and are transported from such points directly back to the Public Safety and Police Services Office storage facility. The means of transportation must be in accordance with Public Safety and Police Services Office instructions, and the weapon or weapons transported must be unloaded and, when possible, encased, dismantled or broken down.

Examples of projectile weapons include, but are not limited to: cross bows, airsoft guns, paintball guns, sling shots, and bb guns.

Dangerous Materials/Chemicals and Open Flames
Dangerous materials and chemicals such as gun powder, gasoline, acid and similar materials are not permitted in the residence halls.   In addition the presence of open flame or embers (i.e.,candles, oil lamps, Coleman stoves, etc.), open element burners or hotplates are not permitted in your room. 

Full-Size Refrigerators
Refrigerators larger than 4.0 cubic feet are not permitted in residence hall rooms.

• Air conditioners
• Air fryers without a plastic exterior
• Animals that are not fish
• Candles
• Clip-on lamps
• Electric heaters
• Flammable or explosive materials
• Hoverboards 
• Open element cooking appliances, such as a Foreman grill
• Wireless router

At the beginning of each semester, there is a hold placed on room changes while the department processes housing contracts and determines openings. Once the hold is lifted (normally 2-3 weeks into the semester), students may contact their Resident Director to inquire about the possibility of a room change and begin the paperwork. 

Northern Michigan University is a tobacco-free campus.  The use of any tobacco product including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes is prohibited in or on any property owned by NMU (with the exception of the NMU golf course and personal vehicles with the windows closed).

Please visit www.nmu.edu/tobaccofree for more information.

The Student Handbook informs the NMU community about expectations, acceptable standards of behavior, and procedures for addressing issues/concerns. It is intended to protect the rights of all members of the NMU community.

» Review the NMU Student Handbook

Acceptable products/brands to use for wall hangings.  Any other products/brands used may result in charges on student account as a result of damage(s). 

The Woods: Push pins

The Quad:  3M command strips