Student Housing Handbook 2008-2009
Area Attractions
Located between the Tennessee River and the Appalachian Mountains, Chattanooga earns its title as the Scenic City of the South. Chattanooga’s Civil War history can be explored at the nation’s oldest military park, the Chattanooga/Chickamauga National Park. The modern Chattanooga is proud to be the home of the Tennessee Aquarium, the world’s largest freshwater aquarium, along with many museums, professional sports teams, visual and performing arts groups, and many other area attractions. [ Top ]
Visitor Information
Information and ideas about area attractions can be obtained from the Chattanooga Visitors Center. The Visitors Center is located on Broad Street next to the Aquarium and is open from 8:30am until 5:30pm. [ Top ]
Transportation
The Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority, or CARTA, provides 22 bus routes to serve the Chattanooga Area. CARTA also provides Electric Shuttle service in the downtown area. In addition to these around town routes, the Mocs Express Shuttle will provide service from Engle Stadium around the campus for student use. All CARTA routes are free to UTC students with a valid Mocs ID. [ Top ]
Shopping
Among Chattanooga’s traditional shopping malls are Hamilton Place, which is Tennessee’s largest mall, Eastgate and Northgate. Chattanooga also has numerous antique shops, outlet stores on Market Street, and many galleries and off-the-beaten-track boutiques on Frazier Avenue. [ Top ]
Campus Life
Why select campus life? Well, picture this… It is 8:55 in the morning. As your alarm clock rings for your nine o’clock class in Holt Hall you have just enough time to get from your cozy bed to class. And you had time to brush your teeth!
Living on campus is the only opportunity you will have to fully embrace your life at college. With everything that we have to offer you’ll understand why our students return year after year! UTC campus life offers something for everyone. From traditional residence hall style to our brand new luxury apartments, everyone can find a style of housing to suit their needs.
Lockmiller Apartments is located next to Stagmaier. Lockmiller Apartments have two bedrooms, one bath, a kitchen, dining area, living room and some offer patios. Each apartment holds four students.
Boling Apartments is located behind the McKenzie Arena and next to the McClellan Gym. There are four private bedrooms, a living/dining area, kitchen and bath.
Village Apartments, located past Boling, provides four bedrooms (limited number of three bedroom units), a bath, kitchen and living area, and also a patio. All of our complexes are equipped with air conditioning, cable, and internet access.
UTC Place, our newest addition, in locates on the South side of McCallie Avenue. UTC Place offers one, two and four-bedroom apartments that come with a double sized bed, living room, one or two baths and beautifully kept grounds. [ Top ]
The Basics
The Application
There is a $25 non-refundable Application Fee that is due upon completion of the Application. Students will not be able to reserve a room unless the application fee has been paid. Please keep in mind that the Housing Application Fee is separate from the University Application Fee.
Payments may be made online, in person, over the phone or by the mail for your convenience. [ Top ]
The Reservation
After completing the application, the student will have an opportunity to reserve a bed. Once the student, selects a bed he/she will have 10 calendar days to make a $225 Reservation Fee payment. Failure to make this payment within the designated time frame will result in a loss of the reservation. [ Top ]
Contractual Agreements
When a student agrees to the electronic housing contract, the agreement covers occupancy for an entire academic year, unless specifically indicated otherwise on the contract itself. Any student, who for any reason wishes to alter the terms of the contract, must apply in writing to the Housing Office at least thirty days prior to the anticipated change. If their contract is modified, notification will be sent to all parties concerned prior to the action. Unless written the student receives exception, he/she is liable for the full extent of the original contract.
Students will not be able to check-in before the beginning of the contract period and are expected to checkout by the contract end date. Failure to do so will result in additional charges.
When a student ceases to be enrolled at UTC he/she may be required to vacate the premises within 24 hours of withdrawal from the University. Contract penalties will apply, please see your contract for details. All residents must be enrolled as a full-time student unless exempted by the Housing Office. [ Top ]
Keys
Residents are issued keys to their rooms. Misuse of keys, such as loss or lending to others, jeopardizes safety and may be grounds for disciplinary action. Loss of a key should be reported to the Resident Director. If lost keys are not found, the locks will be changed at the resident’s expense. [ Top ]
Sending and Receiving Mail
UTC residents are assigned a mailbox in their building, which will be shared with all roommates. Mailbox combinations/keys can be obtained from the receptionist or desk workers in your building. Mail will be delivered to each complex Monday through Friday. Mailboxes for outgoing mail are located throughout the campus. Stamps may be purchased at the DocuSource location inside the Lupton Library.
Upon checking-out of your complex, please complete a forwarding address form. This will allow your mail to be directed to the appropriate location. [ Top ]
Check Ins and Outs
When checking into a room you will be given a Room Condition Report. This RCR card is very important when charges are assessed at the end of the year. When you are filling out or agreeing to the condition of the room, it is your responsibility to maintain the current condition. Please inspect your room carefully. You are responsible for listing any present damages on the card. Any new damages not on the card will be billed to you and your roommate(s).
When vacating a University room, all residents must complete an official checkout with a member of the RA staff. Before a resident can be checked out of his/her room, it should be clean and all personal belongings removed. During a checkout the condition of the room is evaluated and noted on a room condition report. The resident is given the opportunity to review and comment on this evaluation before being asked to sign it.
If you will not be returning to campus housing after the winter break, you must request permission to break your contract with 30 days advance notice and you must also complete an official room checkout with a member of your complex staff before leaving for break. Be aware that if you do not follow the above steps for checkout, you will be assessed charges in additional rent. [ Top ]
Room assignments and changes
Students who desire to change rooms after the official move-in day may do so provided there is available space. Students first need to contact the Resident Director of the complex that they are currently in to fill out a Request to Move form that must be signed by the RD. Once that RD has given permission and signed the form, the student may contact the RD of their desired complex for possible options.
To avoid being charged for two rooms, students must make the move in a twenty-four hour period. Students who wish to move from UTC Place (either to another room at UTC Place or to another complex) will incur a cleaning/administrative fee and other charges as determined. (Please check your contract for full details on release from your lease.)
For students living in all other complexes, please note there is no charge to move during the “free move period” designated by the Housing Office, however, moves after that time are $25 for the first move and $100 for the second. The Housing Office reserves the right to deny requests or to initiate moves for administrative purposes. Please note that students who are moved through the office administration may not be charged for the move.
Subletting by the student is not permitted except at UTC Place. See UTC Place management for proper procedures.
The University reserves the right to make any changes in the accommodations it deems proper or necessary. In case one of the occupants moves, the remaining student(s) agrees to accept an assigned roommate(s) or to move to another room upon request. When available, a student may request a double room to be occupied privately at a higher rate. [ Top ]
When to Leave
Housing expects all students to leave within 24 hours of their last exam. Graduating seniors are required to check out by noon on the day after graduation. Students moving into summer campus housing may be asked to consolidate until their summer assignment is available. All students must vacate the premises during official vacation periods.
Students who cease to be enrolled at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga are required to vacate the premises within 24 hours of withdrawal from the University. Contract penalties may apply, please review your contract for full details. All residents must be enrolled full time students unless exempted by the Housing Office. [ Top ]
Security
Residents are able to leave belongings in their rooms during the holiday break, but UTC will not claim responsibility for these items. Campus security will continue to be on duty during the break. For security reasons, please remember to close and lock windows, lower blinds, and lock and dead bolt all doors. [ Top ]
Locked Out
When students are locked out of their room, they should call the Complex Office in order to reach the RA on duty who will let them content into their room. After two lockouts in a semester, a service charge will be assessed. [ Top ]
Damage
Residents are responsible for the condition and care of the accommodations to which they are assigned and shall reimburse the University for all damages to their room. Charges for damages and cleaning will be assessed to the student and should be paid promptly. Please refer to information regarding your RCR card for damages assessed. [ Top ]
Fee Assessment
After a checkout each room condition report is reviewed. If deficiencies or damages are evident, the resident may be assessed a fee for replacements, cleaning, or repairs. Students will also incur fees for failing to return their keys or to complete an official checkout. These fees will be placed on the students University Account and should be paid in a timely fashion. [ Top ]
Visitation
Residents may have overnight guests of the same gender for short periods of time. All overnight guests must be registered at the complex office. Guests are limited to three days per visit, and visits by the same person should not be a frequent occurrence.
Visitation options are listed below:
All Complexes
Freshmen – Fri-Sun 12p-12a
Upperclass – As desired, but no overnight guests of opposite sex
Visitation is limited to the common areas of the Apartments. [ Top ]
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours have been established in each dorm and apartment complexes. The following hours are in effect seven days a week.
Boling, Lockmiller, Village, and UTC Place – 10pm until 7am
Courtesy quiet hours are 24 hours a day. This means that if you are asked by another resident to lower noise volumes, you would do so out of respect. [ Top ]
Work Orders
If something in a resident’s room, apartment, or complex community is not working properly, the receptionist in that complex should be contacted so that a work order can be issued. A work order provides important information about a repair that is requested and the date that the request was made. Every attempt will be made to complete repairs in a prompt manner.
Work orders are collected by the maintenance staff every weekday morning and repairs are completed with priority going to more pressing repairs. Emergency situations, regardless of the date they are filed, will be handled first. Routine repairs will follow emergencies in the order that the work order was filed and according to the availability of materials.
Service repairpersons with legitimate work orders for an area are allowed access to that area. If the occupant is not in, the maintenance worker will be able to enter for the stated purpose only and the privacy of the resident will be respected. [ Top ]
Fire Drills
Each residence hall conducts at least one fire drill each month. Anytime a fire alarm is sounded in any University building, every occupant must evacuate immediately. No one will be allowed to reenter the building until a campus police officer evaluates the situation. Anyone who is responsible for a false alarm may be subject to disciplinary action as well as arrest and other fines and penalties. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a violation of the state and local fire safety code and subjects violators to all penalties under the code. [ Top ]
Smoking Policy
Smoking is not permitted inside the residence complexes. Smoking should take place at least 25 feet from the main entrance/exits of the buildings.[ Top ]
Overnight Guests
Residents may have guests of the same sex provided that they obtain the permission from the Resident Director at least one day in advance of the visit. A registration card must be completed and signed by the host, the guest, and any roommates. Guests are subject to all of the University guidelines and are not allowed to stay more than 3 days per visit. [ Top ]
Alcohol and Drug Policy
UTC is a dry campus. The official alcohol and drug policy of the university is as follows: “The possession or use of alcoholic beverages or other illegal drugs or intoxicants of any kind is strictly prohibited on campus.” This includes alcohol containers whether empty or decorative. [ Top ]
Weapons, Explosives, Fireworks, and Gambling
The possession of firearms, knives, fireworks, or other types of weapons and explosives is not allowed in the residence halls or other University buildings and will be confiscated by Campus Police. Gambling is not allowed on campus. [ Top ]
Solicitation Policy
Commercial publicity or solicitations are not allowed on campus. No person or groups are allowed to solicit in residence halls. If someone comes to your door, ask for identification and notify the Resident Director of your complex immediately. [ Top ]
Vandalism
Vandalism is a crime. When it occurs, everyone pays through damage to facilities, renovation delays, and ultimately higher housing costs. If you see vandalism occurring, report it immediately to a staff member. [ Top ]
Animals
The only pets allowed in residence halls or apartments are fish, which can be contained in an aquarium of ten gallons or less. Cleaning and damage fees will be assessed for the presence of other animals. [ Top ]
Fire Hazards
Burning candles, incense, halogen lamps, or potpourri is a fire hazard and is not allowed in residence halls or apartments. Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.
Due to fire regulations, hot plates, microwaves, and other cooking appliances may not be used and students should instead use the kitchen area provided. [ Top ]
Safety Regulations
The following steps must be taken to ensure the health and well being of the on-campus community.
1. Fire extinguishers should be in proper working order and should not be blocked by any items. Exits and hallways should be unobstructed.
2. All trash must be properly disposed of in a timely manner.
3. Proper ashtrays should be used at all times.
4. Percolators, hotplates, immersion heaters, grills, popcorn poppers, and halogen lamps should not be used in the students room or apartment.
5. Small amounts of supplies such as paint thinner and rubber cement may be kept in rooms, but only in metal containers and away from heat sources.
6. Extension cords must be Underwriter Laboratory approved. Do not put cords under rugs, clothing, trash, books, or near heat sources.
7. Storage of gasoline, fuels, or vehicles containing them is prohibited.
8. Students should take extra care to insure that their entrance doors are secured/locked at all times and that common doors are not propped.
Residents are responsible for following all safety rules promulgated by the Department of Public Safety and Housing Department. Damaging or interfering with smoke and fire detection equipment and failure to follow fire evacuation procedures and directives from safety officers or residence life staff are also violations of safety rules. [ Top ]
Inspection and Search Policy
Entry by University authorities into occupied rooms of residence halls is divided into three categories: inspection, search, and emergency.
Inspection is defined as the entry into an occupied room or apartment by University authorities in order to ascertain the health and safety conditions in the area, to check the physical condition of the area, to make repairs on the facility, or to clean an area. Scheduled inspections shall be preceded, if possible, by 24 hours notice. During an inspection there will be no search of drawers of personal belongings. When specified in advance, closets will be included in an inspection.
Search is defined as the entry onto a room or apartment by on-campus authorities for the purpose of investigating suspected violations of campus regulations and or city, state, or federal law. On-campus authorities will not enter a room or apartment for the purpose of search except in compliance with state law and with the permission of the resident, or with the written permission of the Dean of Students or his designee. University officials shall have, if possible, the Resident Director accompany them on a search.
An emergency situation exists when a delay necessary to obtain search authorization constitutes a danger to persons or property.
For the purpose of maintenance and fire safety evaluations, rooms will be inspected monthly by resident staff. [ Top ]
Incident Reports
Incident reports are used by an RA to communicate the facts of an incident to the Resident Director and the Housing Office. Incident reports are used to document rule violations, theft, damage, or other emergencies. If you are named in an incident report, you may be asked to speak with your Resident Director or someone from Student Development. Students found to be responsible for the behavior described in a report will be assigned sanctions. [ Top ]
Programming
Each complex is staffed by Resident Assistants (RAs) and a Resident Director. They are responsible for promoting community in the complex through creative programming. The University follows a wellness model when designing programming for the complexes. The RAs are more than happy to take suggestions from students about what programs they would like to have in their complex. Feel free to make suggestions to your RA. [ Top ]
Telephones
For on campus calls, you need only dial the last four digits of the telephone number. Off campus calls require that you first dial 9 to get an outside line. Local calls are free and unlimited. Students are encouraged to bring their own phone. We also have private lines available in each building for your convenience. These lines are an additional fee per semester and may be purchased by calling Telecommunications at 425-4784. [ Top ]
Long Distance Calls
Long distance calls can only be made with use of a regular calling card or by setting up an account with Telecommunications and receiving a personal identification number (PIN). These UTC long distance accounts can be billed either to the students campus or home address. This service offers reasonable rates at 10 cents a minute. No calls can be billed to campus telephones and collect calls cannot be accepted. For more information contact Telecommunications @ 425-4784. [ Top ]
Lost and Found
UTC Housing is not responsible for property which is found after a resident checks out. Residents cannot store items in their rooms, even if they plan to return to the same assignment after fall. Any items left in a resident’s room, either intentionally or accidentally, will be removed and discarded. [ Top ]
Property Insurance and University Liability
The University is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property due to fire, water, theft, or mysterious disappearance. All students are urged to identify their property with the permanent inscription of their ID number. Services for marking valuables are available through Campus Security. The University suggests that student protect their belongings through an insurance company policy (We also suggest that you check your parents homeowners policy for possible coverage). [ Top ]
Health Services
Medical treatment is available from UTC Student Health. Appointments and information can be obtained by contacting Student Health @ 425 - 4453.
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Counseling and Career Planning
The Counseling and Career Planning Center offers a variety of programs to assist students. The staff of professionally trained, licensed, and certified counselors addresses problems that are common to college age students. Areas of focus include career decisions, stress management, substance abuse, relationship problems, and crisis intervention. All services at the Counseling and Career Planning Center are confidential. Appointments can be made by calling 425-4438.
Additional rules and regulations are found in the Housing Contract, Student Handbook, other University publications and on official bulletin boards. Each student is expected to abide by all University rules and regulations. [ Top ]
Additional rules and regulations are found in the Housing Contract, Student Handbook, other University publications and on official bulletin boards. Each student is expected to abide by all University rules and regulations.
