Housing Policies
Policies and Services
See below for more information about important policies and services provided by the office of Housing and Residential Life:
- Alcohol policies
- Campus police
- Check In and Check Out
- Child Care
- Cleaning Expectations
- Damages
- Domestic Partnership
- Faxing
- Fire Alarms
- Garbage removal
- Grills
- Guest Registration
- Judicial Appeals
- Keys
- Laundry
- Lock-outs
- Mail service and package pick-up
- Noise
- Parking and vehicle info you must know
- Party Policy and Conditions of Approval
- Pets
- Recycling
- Roommate considerations
- Solicitation
- Telephones, computers and TV
- Tornadoes and severe storms
Alcohol Policies
The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on property owned or controlled by the University is controlled by regulations of the University and by laws of the State of Illinois. Small quantities of alcohol may be stored and consumed by residents and their guests of legal age within campus apartments. This policy is generally extended to the sidewalk and lawn immediately outside of your apartment. While it is permissable to consume (not store) small quantities of alcohol outside of your apartment, open alcohol is not to be carried between buildings or into the parking lots. Moreover, alcohol may not be brought into any public building on campus including the Housing Commons and Student Center. Alcohol that is carried in could result in the loss of the campus liquor license and disciplinary action against the offender. Student groups wishing to host an activity with alcohol must attend the host training for student organizations and follow additional procedures and policies.
More information for student organizations on hosting events with alcohol is available from the division of Student Affairs and the Office of Student Life.
Campus Police
The U.I.S. Campus is served by an around the clock police force. In addition, twelve code blue phones are located throughout campus. These provide immediate direct access to campus police dispatchers.
Check In and Check Out
Residents must make appointments to check in to UIS Housing. They must also complete a proper check out when vacating campus housing.
Childcare
Children of UIS students may live in Family Housing. The Cox Children's Center on campus provides child care primarily fo rinfants, toddlers, and children of UIS students. For additional information, contact the director at (217) 206-6610.
Cleaning Expectations
Residents are responsible for maintaining living units in a consistently clean and sanitary condition. Living units should be kept clean and free of dirt. Properly dispose of trash and garbage in the dumpster. All roommates will share the cleaning duties equally in the common living area unless all mutually agree to another arrangement. All furnishings, fixtures, walls, ceilings, and living unit surfaces are to be kept clean and clear of litter and debris.
The University will provide for pest control as required. Pest control charges incurred due to failure to properly maintain a clean living environment shall be assessed against all residents of the apartment or bedroom involved. The University may conduct inspections, as it deems necessary to assure a safe and clean living environment.
Damages
When a resident checks in to campus housing, the R.A. will complete an inventory check-in form for the living space. Each resident is responsible for making sure that all damages and deficiencies are noted on this form. When the resident checks out of campus housing, all damages and deficiencies not listed on the inventory check-in form will be charged to the resident(s) of the living unit. You are financially responsible for any damage to your living unit and furnishings other than normal wear and tear. Furnishings must not be dismantled or removed from the living unit. Residents are asked to help preserve their buildings by reporting incidents of damage or vandalism to their R.A. In all cases, housing staff members will work to identify the responsible party. If you see anyone attempting to vandalize University property or leaving trash in public areas, please confront them yourself or contact your R.A.
- View the Damage Charges (pdf)
Domestic Partnership
As a function of serving our family housing residents, domestic partnership is allowed. This service is only provided to those that live in a family housing area, complete the form, and do not escede occupancy in an apartment.
Faxing
Campus Services offers a fax machine in BSB 114 for student use. The fax number at that location is (217) 206-7279. Rates are:
- $0.65/page for local and toll-free numbers
- $1.00/page for In-State numbers
- $1.25/page for Out-of-State numbers
Fire Alarms
All fire alarms must be reported to the University Police. For emergency reports only, the number to call is 6-7777. The non-emergency police telephone number is 6-6690. Should the fire alarm in your apartment activate, you must report the location and the nature of the alarm (smoke from cooking, grease fire, steam from the shower) to the police. If the alarm in your building goes off, please evacuate your apartment. By evacuating your apartment, the R.A. on duty and police may account for all building residents. Treat every fire alarm as if it were a real fire.
Grills
Coal-based barbeque grills are allowed. However, grills may not be placed directly beneath apartment balconies to avoid possible fire hazards. Do not put hot coals from a cookout on the ground or in the dumpster. When the ashes are cooled, please dispose of them. Liquid propane gas grills are not allowed.
Garbage Removal
Residents are responsible for removing trash and garbage from their apartments as well as cans from common areas. Trash must be secured in plastic bags and placed in your court dumpster. Trash should not be left on balconies, doorways, stairways, in recycling containers, or in public areas. Residents are also responsible for disposing of unwanted personal furniture or other large items. TV's computer monitor, mattresses, and upholstered furniture may not be placed in your dumpster.
Guests
Occupancy is limited to those persons assigned by contract. Overnight guests are permitted. Guests remaining more than three days must be registered with the Housing Office. Residents of single student apartments must obtain consent from all roommates before overnight guests may be permitted. The University reserves the right to limit the number or frequency of overnight guests. Residents are responsible for insuring that guests comply with all University rules, regulations, and policies. Residents may not sublet the premises nor give routine accommodation to roomers, boarders, friends, or relatives.
Judicial Appeals
As part of each student's due process we offer appeals following judical hearings. At the conclusion of a hearing you have two business days to complete the judicial appeals process. For more information please contact your Resident Director.
- Judicial Appeals Form (pdf)
Keys
The keys to your assigned living space, mailbox, and storage are issued to you when you check in. Your key is for you and is not to be loaned or given to anyone else. If you lose your key, you must report it immediately. You can request a lock change at the Housing Office if you believe your key was lost or stolen. If the lock is re-cored you will be charged for the replacement of the core along with the keys. The cost of key replacements are found on our damage summary sheet. Resident provided door-locking mechanisms are prohibited.
Laundry
Laundry facilities are available in each court. Washers and dryers are coin operated. When in laundry rooms, please do not remove another person’s laundry. If you are inconvenienced by a load of laundry which has finished its cycle and been left unattended, please call the R.A. on duty for assistance. When a resident forgets his or her laundry, a staff member of the Housing Office will collect and remove forgotten laundry when another person is waiting to use the machine. The laundry will then be sacked, secured, labeled, and taken to the Housing Office where the resident can claim it. This approach allows the machines to be used efficiently, prevents a resident’s laundry from being carelessly treated, and minimizes the risk of laundry theft.
Lock-outs
If you are locked out of your apartment when the Housing Commons is closed or there is no staffing at LRH or Founders, please call the campus police at 206-6690. A staff member will meet and assist you. If you are locked out during the day you will be let in at 4:00pm or during the day if staff is available. During the day please notify your area's front desk (Townhouse and Apartments front desk is Housing Commons). Please show him or her a photo id. Please know that your first two lock-outs will be free of charge but every subsequent lock-out will come with a cost of $25 per lock-out.
Mail Service and Package Pick-Up
Mailboxes and mailbox keys are assigned to residents upon checking into housing. Residents' names must be on the mailbox in order to receive mail. Only residents’ names may appear on or inside the mailbox.
Residents may also receive packages from all major package carriers. Packages are delivered to housing offices located in the eastside and westside apartment complexes and both residence halls. You will be notified by a slip in your mailbox whenever a package arrives for you. You must present this slip at the front desk of Housing Commons, LRH, or P20 to receive your package, depending on where you live.
- Student or State ID is required to pick up any package.
- Only the resident to whom the package is addressed can claim the package.
- All packages must be addressed to current residents or they will be returned to the package carrier.
When you check out of campus housing, you must complete a change of address card for the U.S. Postal Service. The Housing Office will not forward mail.
Noise
Noise levels in and around campus housing are expected to be moderate and conducive to a positive academic learning community. Residents have a right to sleep and study free from undue interference in their living spaces. Roommates and neighbors should reach a general agreement about acceptable noise levels to prevent conflict. If you are having difficulty with a neighbor regarding noise, please attempt to talk to the person and resolve the problem. If you have further problems, you may call your R.A. or the R.A. on duty. University housing staff members may confront residents who are making too much noise even if they have not received a complaint, and residents who are confronted because of noise levels are expected to reduce the noise immediately.
Parking/ Vehicle Info You Must Know
Residents, visitors, and guests must comply with University policies regarding parking, traffic, and the maintenance of vehicles. The housing contract does not include parking privileges. Parking hang tag or vehicle registration requirements must be met by residents prior to bringing a vehicle on campus. The University policies are available at the Housing Office and the Parking Operations Office. Residents of UIS Housing will have a color coordinated UIS hang tag depending on their area of campus.
- Purchase your parking hang tag at the Parking Website
Parking in, or driving through the inner courtyards of Sunflower (East) Court or Clover (West) Court is not permitted at any time. Removal of chains from these courtyards is also not permitted except by University staff. In addition, driving or parking on the lawns near Pennyroyal (Northwest) Court is not permitted. Charges for damage to grounds will be assessed in these cases. Residents are responsible for their guests’ adherence to University parking regulations. Illegally parked vehicles may be towed without notice at owner’s expense. Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles must adhere to regulations governing all other vehicles and can not be driven or parked inside courtyards, on lawns, inside buildings, or on sidewalks. All terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, and other motorized vehicles not licensed for operation on public streets are prohibited. Bicycles must be parked in bicycle racks or in storage closets. Bicycles may not be parked or stored in apartment hallways, on walkways, or on balconies. Access to the inner courtyard drives may be obtained for the purpose of moving into or out of housing by contacting the Housing Office or your R.A.
Parties
You may have social gatherings in your living space within certain guidelines. Apartment residents who wish to have a larger quantity of alcohol for of-age attendees only, and all residents who wish to invite guests equal to thirteen or more people inside/about an apartment (which includes the residents of the hosting apartment), or who sponsor an activity which features excessive noise must register their “party” with the Housing Office. To register, the host of the party must fill out the form below and all roommates must also complete the roommate form below. The party will not be officially registered until each individual has completed the appropriate form.
Pets
The only pets allowed in campus housing are small fish in an aquarium and guide dogs for the visually impaired. Residents may not volunteer to watch a pet nor have one visit.
Recycling
The University of Illinois-Springfield maintains white recycling containers in each court for considerate residents to use. Items that can be accepted for recycling include: water bottles, soda bottles, detergent bottles, milk containers, and aluminum and tin cans.
Roommate Considerations
Residents are expected to cooperate and communicate with their roommates. Residents who demonstrate an inability to maintain effective roommate relationships may have their contract cancelled. The Housing Office expects you to attempt to talk to your roommates and resolve conflicts and deal with problems first, and to contact your R.A. or the R.A. on duty if you have further problems.
Solicitation
Door to door salespersons are not permitted on University property. Any type of solicitation or distribution of unauthorized material, regardless of purpose or organization, should be reported to the R.A. on duty.
Telephones, Computers and TV
Local telephone service is included as a part of your rent. Families are provided a single telephone line into their apartments, and single students have a line into their bedrooms. Long distance calling is achievable by using a calling card. Residents are responsible for providing their own telephone instrument. Please consult your telephone services guide for more information about your telephone service.
The living room and all bedrooms in each apartment are wired for cable television. The University has embarked on its own 72-channel, satellite-based cable system. This system provides a diverse channel lineup featuring ten foreign-language based channels (German, French, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, and Arabic); 3 HBO's, Disney, sports packages, etc. Residents will no longer be able to contract directly with Insight Communications, the former cable provider. Additional "premium" channels and digital box upgrades are not available on the new system at this time.
Internet, Cable, and email access are available through the campus network. Please complete registration forms in the Housing Office. Your computer and operating system must be compatible.
Tornadoes and Severe Storms
In the event of a tornado or severe storm, please take shelter immediately. In Bluebell and Larkspur Court apartments, the safest room is the most interior bathroom. Closets will also suffice. Residents in upstairs apartments should set up a plan with a nearby downstairs apartment to go there. In Sunflower and Clover Courts, the storage room at the end of your building, which is accessible by your apartment key, is the safest place. Do not take shelter in your car. Do not go outside to watch the storm. Storms and tornadoes are quick and unpredictable. You are expected to cooperate with all Housing Office staff and University police instructions. As soon as all residents are sheltered, safety staff can also take shelter. The Commons Monitor will instruct all people in and around the Commons where to take shelter. The concourses at Brookens, PAC, and HSB serve as central University Emergency Shelter.