Damage Prevention

Damage Prevention

Prevention

The key word in residence maintenance is prevention. By anticipating and preventing problems, they can be significantly reduced. Some unavoidable problems will inevitably develop, but staff are committed to preventing as many as possible and to responding quickly to problems that do arise. There are a number of things students can do to help prevent problems:

• Students may not paint, install wallpaper/borders, or alter the physical condition of the residence in any way without the permission of the associate dean of residence life.
• All posters and pictures should be attached to the walls with blue painters tape or pins. Pins and small nails 1/16th of an inch or smaller may be used. However a large cluster of pin holes in a concentrated area is not allowed.  Please only use blue painters tape to attach any items to doors. Pins, small nails or staples cause permanent damage to the doors.
• Do not use tape or other types of adhesive. Because of its strong adhesion properties and glue residue, duct tape is not to be used anywhere in the residence halls or apartments. Any student who uses duct tape will be assessed the cost of repairs caused by its use.
• Pets, with the exception of fish, are not allowed in any college residence. Pets can transmit diseases and contribute to the wear and tear on the residence. Fish must be kept in aquariums not to exceed a 10-gallon capacity. Students are responsible for their care and any damage that may occur as a result of maintaining fish.
• No adhesive-backed tiles, memo boards, or bulletin boards may be put on the walls or doors . Be certain that whatever is put on the walls or doors  is easily removable at the end of the year.
• Screens must not be removed from any windows. A $25 fine will be assessed to any student who removes his or her window screen. Removing screens often results in damage and, therefore, persons removing screens will be assessed charges for inspection and repair, in addition to the $25 fine.
• The roof of any residence is off limits. Walking on roofs can damage them. An automatic $100 fine will be assessed on each offense.
• Water fights are not permitted in or near the residences. Water may not be thrown from or at the windows of the residences. (This includes snow and ice.)
• Do not dispose of sanitary napkins, paper towels, cleaning wipes (even if described as “flushable”) coffee grounds, leftover food, or other non-dissolvable items in the toilet or bathroom sink.
• When living in one of the residence areas, take time to keep the areas clean. Be especially conscious of cleaning needs in kitchens and bathrooms, as this will reduce the need for maintenance service. Students are responsible for cleaning and must obtain their own cleaning products.
• Firefighting equipment is located throughout each residence for the protection of the residents. Tampering with fire extinguishers, exit signs, or fire equipment; placing false alarms; or interfering with the proper functioning of the fire alarm system will be just cause for disciplinary action, a $250 fine, and prosecution under Minnesota Statutes 609.686. Anyone who intentionally engages in the above activities is guilty of a misdemeanor.
• Non-Bethel supplied lofts are not permitted in residence halls. Bethel supplies beds that offer lofting options.
• Students may not alter electrical equipment in housing (e.g., lights, ceiling fans, switches, outlets, etc.). Students tampering with these items will be fined a fire code violation of up to $250 plus the maintenance charges to return the unit to safe condition. Students overloading circuits, including through the misuse of extension cords, will be warned by maintenance and asked to correct the situation.
• Students may not alter or rewire phone jacks or equipment. All wiring must be done through a work order request. Failure to comply will result in a $25 fine on each occurrence plus any charges for maintenance repairs. The only exceptions to this are commercially manufactured plug-in adapters.
• One cable TV outlet is provided per suite/room in sophomore and upper class residence halls. No cable splitters are allowed. 
• All maintenance repairs must be done by Bethel Facilities Management. Use Blink to go to the Facilities Management website and fill out a work request, or call the Housing Hotline, 651.638.8250. For maintenance emergencies such as loss of heat or safety-related issues, contact the RA/RD. If you are not able to contact your residence life staff, please call security at 651-638-6055. Failure to follow this procedure may result in a fine that is substantially more than the published amount due to additional time and materials required to correct the attempted repair.
• Students are responsible for the furniture in their room. Please do not store any furniture or personal items in the hallways, custodial closets, stairwells, or lounges, even temporarily. Items left in hallways or stairwells are a fire code violation and will be removed by Facilities Management. Students must follow this policy to avoid a year-end charge when they check out.
• Non-Bethel furniture is permitted, but must be removed from Bethel property at the end of the school year.
• No devices or instruments containing mercury are permitted in residence halls; this includes thermometers.