Housing and Residence Life

Living Guide

Community standards are a set of guidelines by which residents of the community agree to live. The standards work in conjunction with University and Housing policies to help residents create a positive living and learning environment. Residents are asked to become involved in creating standards at meetings held by their Community Advisor (CA), Community Life Leader (CLL), Safety On-Call Staff (SOS) or Apartment Community Manager (ACM).

Students are expected to:

• Help create and adhere to community standards
• Respect one another
• Encourage accountability among peers and attempt to resolve problems before relying on staff support.
• Take personal responsibility for their education and role in the community
• Comply with reasonable requests made by students, staff or University officials
• Monitor and accept responsibility for the behavior of their guests and adhere to the guest policy
• Always carry room keys and Eagle card

Safety and Security

All residence hall doors are locked 24 hours a day.

Students are expected to participate in the safety of the building by:

• Not propping exit doors open to prevent unwanted visitors.
• Asking someone you don’t recognize if they live in the building.
• Keeping your residence hall room door always locked.
• Registering overnight guests at the hall office.
• Closing and locking windows when out to prevent theft
• Always carrying room key and Eagle Card

Fire Safety and Protocols

Students must evacuate to the designated area any time there is a fire alarm. The fire department will key into your room based on their discretion. If you need assistance evacuating the building, call your hall’s on-call phone number.

Fire Extinguishers

• Located throughout each residence hall and outside entrances to apartments.
• Follow the instructions on the extinguisher.
• Use ONLY in the event of a fire.

Hallways and Exits

• Must be kept free of furniture and other objects
• Fire doors must not be propped open under any circumstances.
• These doors are designed to prevent the spread of smoke and flames.

Wellness

Tips for staying healthy

Due to the fact that students live in close proximity to each other and share common bathrooms, Housing and Residence Life recommends the following:

• Wash your hands with soap and water after using the bathroom.
• Do not drink from someone else’s cup or drink.
• Go to a medical facility if you have a prolonged illness.
• Notify Student Accommodations and Support Services (SASS) if you have an extended illness.

Mental Health tips

Starting college is exciting, but it can also be overwhelming. Prioritize your mental well-being with these helpful tips.

• Create a routine – consistency helps manage time and manage stress. Consider a planner or calendar to track classes, assignments, and events.
• Find your community – Join clubs, talk to classmates, or attend your Res Hall and campus events. Check out EagleSync for info on what is happening on campus!
• Get enough sleep – Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep. Sleep helps with focus, memory, mood, and coping with stress.
• Eat and hydrate regularly – This helps you feel better physically and mentally. Check out the Food Pantry in Tawanka for healthy food options.
• Stay active – Physical movement boosts mood and energy levels. Check out the University Rec center to find activities that fit your needs.
• Try mindfulness or deep breathing – Practices like meditation, breathing exercises, or simply taking a quiet moment can help you stay present and reduce anxiety
• Use campus resources – Talk to Housing Staff about the various resources on-campus that are here for student support with everything from mental health to tutoring
• Reflect, check-in, and be kind to yourself – Take time to reflect on your college experience. Transition is hard, so make sure to celebrate your victories and give yourself time and space to grow!
• Unplug – Constant social media use can negatively impact your mood

Alcohol Safety

Not all college students drink, probably even fewer than you think. You never have to drink to fit in. It’s okay to say no. Your comfort and safety come first. If you choose to drink, here are some tips for staying safe.

• Pace yourself and know your limit
• Eat before and during drinking
• Stick with a trusted group and don’t leave people behind when drinking
• Don’t leave your drink unattended or accept drinks from strangers
• Plan a safe way home in advance

Drug (or Cannabis) Safety

• Know who and where you are getting cannabis from. Often cannabis is mixed with other substances.
• Stick with a trusted group of people
• Plan a safe way home in advance
• Do not mix substances. Mixing substances can lead to adverse reactions

Safety and Security

• Lock your door even if you are just going to the bathroom
• Do not let people into the building that you don’t know
• Do not prop any doors
• Download the EagleSafe App. Available on both Apple Store and Google Store

Room Changes

Room changes typically open 2-3 weeks after the start of each quarter.

• Residents must first discuss issues with their roommate before requesting a room change
• Community Advisors (CAs) and Apartment Community Managers (ACMs) are available to help mediate conversations
• If a room change is needed, discuss concerns with your CA or ACM. They will work with professional staff to explore options.
• A Room Change Request Form must be completed online to begin the room change process.
• The Room Assignments Coordinator and professional staff member will process requests as quickly as possible, and patience is greatly appreciated.

University Initiated Room Changes

Housing and Residence Life may initiate a room change for:

• Violations of contracts, policies, or laws under active investigation.
• Facility issues requiring relocation
• This decision may be made by the professional staff, The Director of Housing and Residence Life, or their designee.

Understanding the conduct process helps you navigate potential policy violations and their outcomes. EWU’s approach focuses on education and community restoration while maintaining accountability.

Incident Documentation

• When a potential policy violation occurs, staff document the incident and submit a report to Housing or Student Rights & Responsibilities (SRR).

Meeting Notification

• You’ll receive an email requesting a meeting with a Housing administrator or SRR officer to discuss the incident and share your perspective.

Decisions and Outcomes

• After reviewing all the information, staff determine if a violation occurred and what educational or disciplinary measures are appropriate.

Appeal Process

• If you disagree with the outcome, you may have the right to appeal through processes outlined in your decision letter.

Potential Consequences

• Warning
• Educational Assignment
• Probation
• Relocation
• Housing Removal (permanent or temporary)
• Suspension or Expulsion
• Fines and Restitution

Student Cleaning Expectations

Individuals, roommates, and/or floors can be charged for the costs of extra cleaning and collective damages that occur in specified living areas when a responsible party cannot be identified.

• Students are expected to care for and clean their own space. Don’t sweep trash from your room into the hallway or shared spaces.
• Wash dishes promptly and do not leave them in the sinks or kitchen areas (Dishes left for more than 24 hours maybe thrown away by custodial staff)
• Help keep the bathroom clean by putting paper in containers, rinsing sinks and not leaving personal items in the bathrooms.
• Clean up your own mess in common areas such as bathrooms, kitchens, hallways, elevators, laundry rooms, TV rooms, etc.
• Place trash, recycling and sharps in appropriate containers/dumpsters. Ask your hall staff for specific details.
• Do not put food or garbage in the drinking fountains
• Students in Anderson Hall (with in-room baths), and the Apartments are responsible for keeping their bathrooms/common areas clean. We expect that you deep clean your bathrooms at least twice a quarter.
• Students with approved assistance animals are expected to care for and clean up after their animal
• Keep exterior areas (lawns, flower beds, etc.) clear to allow Grounds personnel to mow and maintain landscaping
• Residents must comply with any university prescribed corrective actions and will be held responsible for any charges because of failure to keep room or shared areas in clean, orderly, or in good condition

Student Maintenance Expectations

• If something in your hall, room, or apartment needs repair, fill out a maintenance request at the Hall Office or via the website.
• Do not try to fix anything yourself. If you attempt a repair and maintenance must fix it, you will be charged.
• Rooms must be clean enough to allow maintenance staff to perform repairs without delay.
• All apartments have exhaust fans in the bathroom and are expected to use them to keep excess moisture from causing damage to the unit.
• All mattresses in University Apartments are required to be on a bed frame to prevent moisture damage from the bed being on the floor.

Housing Maintenance Staff Responsibilities-Requests and Repairs

• Submit maintenance online through the Housing Portal (found on the Housing website)
• Repairs handled by Facilities Maintenance employees (work hours: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday)
  • If students are present, they may be asked to leave or step outside while work is completed.
  • Students are responsible for moving personal property that obstructs maintenance tasks
• Emergency Maintenance
  • During business hours: Call the Housing and Residence Life Office at 509.359.2451
  • After hours: Call the Residence Hall or Apartment Manager on-call phone
  • Housing staff will determine what qualifies as an emergency. If uncertain, maintenance personnel will make the final decision.

Emergency vs. Non-Emergency Maintenance Issues

• Emergencies: Immediate danger to residents or significant property damage
• Non-Emergencies: Issues that do not pose immediate harm will be addressed on the next workday
• Important note: After-hours maintenance calls incur overtime costs, which may impact housing rent prices.

Custodial Responsibilities – Residence Halls

Each residence hall has custodial staff responsible for cleaning bathrooms, hallways, lobbies, and lounges. If you have concerns about your custodial staff, please contact your Hall Staff.

• Clean and disinfect the kitchen and laundry areas. Custodians will not clean these areas if students’ personal items are present.
• Clean and disinfect bathrooms everyday Monday through Friday. Please note exceptions are Anderson in-room baths.
• Take out garbage from common areas and designated garbage rooms
• Vacuum hallways, lounges, etc.
• Clean elevators
• Clean lobbies and public spaces

Custodial Responsibilities – Apartments

Apartments residents are responsible for cleaning their own units, including common spaces, bathroom, and kitchen. Custodial teams will clean individual bedrooms if a student moves out to get ready for new students moving in.

University Rights and Inspections

The university reserves the right to enter residence spaces for maintenance, cleanliness and security checks.

Residents are financially responsible for:

• Above and beyond cleaning, pest control, and damages beyond normal wear and tear
• Losses of University property provided under the Housing Contract

The University may terminate a contract due to persistent unsanitary conditions that affect others or property.

Snow Removal – Apartments

Apartments residents are responsible for snow removal from their apartment door to the sidewalk.

• The Ground department will plow the main sidewalks and the parking lots, prioritizing near ADA units.
• Do not park your vehicle where the front or back blocks the sidewalk, this prevents snow removal

Reasonable Wear and Tear

Students are responsible for making sure your room or apartment is in the same condition when you leave as when you arrived. Students are responsible for damage to their assigned and community spaces, except for normal wear and tear.

• Normal wear and tear: Unavoidable deterioration from regular use (e.g. carpet wear from foot traffic)
• Examples of damage beyond wear and tear, but not limited to (student responsibility)
  • Burns, scratches, tears, stains, etc.
  • Drawing on walls
  • Excessive paint damage
  • Cracks or holes in doors
  • Broken windows and/or window screens
  • Items flushed down toilets
  • Persistent filth or odors

Personalizing your room

We want you to feel at home when you move in! Bring items like a TV, stereo, carpet/rug, and posters to personalize your space:

Room Decoration Guidelines

• Use poster putty, painter’s tape, or push pins
• Keep door numbers and peepholes uncovered for safety.
• Do not use nails, Command strips, duct tape, packaging tape or electrical tape on walls or floors.
• Do not write on walls
• Do not make holes in walls or doors
• Do not move Lounge or shared space furniture into your room

Furniture and Bedding Rules

• Do not disassemble beds or remove furniture from your room
• For medical bed accommodations, contact Student Accommodations and Support Services

A positive residence living experience depends on mutual respect, open communication, and consideration between roommates:

• Communication – Talk and listen to each other openly
• Respect – Honor personal space, boundaries, and belongings
• Cleanliness – Keep shared spaces tidy and contribute to chores
• Compromise – Be flexible and willing to find middle ground
• Accountability – Take responsibility for your actions and commitments
• Courtesy – Be mindful of noise, guests, and shared schedules

Roommate Rights

Roommates have the right to:

• Sleep and study without disturbance from noise, guests, roommates, etc.
• Expect that roommates will respect one’s personal belongings
• Live in a clean environment
• Personal privacy
• Host guests agreed upon times, and with the expectation that guests respect the rights of the host’s roommate and other hall residents
• Expect that any concerns will be discussed in an atmosphere or mutual respect and openness
• Live in an environment free of harassment, bullying, and/or discrimination

Keys – Residence Halls

• Students are issued a key to access your room and mailbox
• If you are locked out of your room, you may check out a key at the hall office
• If the hall office is not open, call the on-call phone for your building to be keyed into your room
• If the key is lost, report it to your hall office immediately. The lock must be changed, and the cost is charged to the resident.

Keys – Apartments

• Students are issued separate keys that access their apartment and mailbox
• Residents who are locked out should call the Apartments on-call phone at 509.979.6589 or the EWU Police non-emergency line at 509.359.7676
• If the keys are lost, report it to the Housing Office immediately. The apartment and mailbox locks must be replaced, and the cost if charged to the resident.

Room Entry Policy

Whenever possible University staff will provide 24-hours notice prior to entering a student’s room. University staff may enter residence hall rooms and apartments without advance notice for the following reasons:

• Maintenance or custodial work
• Life safety concerns
• When a student’s roommate has moved rooms or checked out
• Community standards concerns (e.g. noise, odor complaints, etc.)

When practical, maintenance staff will provide reasonable advance notice for non-emergency maintenance requests NOT requested by the occupant.

Staff are expected to knock, announce themselves, and then enter the room or apartment. The door will be shut and locked upon leaving the room or apartment.