Respecting Living Spaces - The University of Tulsa
Close Menu
Close Menu

Respecting Living Spaces

Part of the experience of living on campus is doing your part to ensure that all students have access to success at the University of Tulsa. The following policies outline what is expected of all TU students.

Abandoned property

If a resident leaves personal property under circumstances which reasonably show abandonment, the University will remove and dispose of it. The student’s account will be billed for the removal charges.

Balconies, patios, roofs, & windows

Apartment Balconies & Patios

Residents may furnish and decorate their balconies and patios only with furniture and items designed to be used outside. Any item prohibited from your apartment is prohibited on balconies and patios. Balconies and patios may not be used to store items and must be maintained free from clutter and trash. No hot tubs, jacuzzis, or pools/large tubs of water are permitted on the patio/balcony of the apartments. For safety and cleanliness reasons, nothing may be thrown or passed onto or from balconies or patios. Violations may result in fines, cleaning charges, and/or further student conduct action.

Roofs

Students are not allowed on the roofs of buildings. They are not designed to support the extra weight, and footsteps break the tar seal causing leaks. Fines of $75.00, invoice repair cost, and/or further student conduct action will result from such violations.

Screens and Windows

Screens are never to be removed from windows. In the interest of safety, no objects may be passed or thrown out of or into windows. Students are also not allowed to enter or exit through a window. Students throwing anything from or entering through a window will be referred for student conduct action along with the recommendation that their housing agreement be cancelled. This activity has resulted in serious injuries in the past and is dangerous! No loudspeakers may be played out the windows.

Bunk beds/lofts

You are allowed to bunk your beds but do not attempt to do it by yourself! Get a friend to help. You must use proper bunk bed pins and they are available from a staff member. You can find approved bed risers at your local retail store.

Lofts are only permissible if the design or structure is approved by the Facilities Management engineer prior to construction and inspected and approved in writing prior to use. A well-constructed, free-standing, design built with bolts that would loft only the platform of an extra long twin bed to a bunked bed height, that allows you to sit under it at a desk, is the typical type of lofting that is approved by Facilities Management. 

Please forward the design/drawing with dimensions to campusservices@utulsa.edu to begin the approval process.

Cleanliness

Living in a community means that no one lives alone. The environment that is kept in your campus housing can affect your health and the health of those around you. You must maintain a clean environment to reduce the risk of pests and other issues that are fostered by unclean situations. Residence Hall/Sorority Housing rooms, suite rooms, and suite bathrooms will be inspected monthly to ensure residents are maintaining a clean and safe environment for all. Housing staff will inspect any housing space that is brought to housing’s attention due to pest or cleaning issues. If a room or apartment fails inspection, notice will be given to the residents detailing the immediate action necessary to resolve the issue. A second inspection will be conducted a week after notification is sent. If the area fails the inspection again, a cleaning contractor will be hired to clean the failed area, at the expense of all residents living in that area.

Examples of failed inspections

Any of the following would result in a failed cleaning inspection

  • Food trash around the room/apartment (including cans and bottles)
  • Spilled food/beverages on furniture or floor.
  • Dirty dishes anywhere but the sink.
  • Kitchen and/or stove covered with grease/food.
  • Filthy and/or moldy showers, tubs, and/or vanities.

Keeping a clean environment:

Here are a few tips to aid in keeping a clean environment and reducing the risks of pests.

  • Take out the trash daily (especially when there is food in your trash.)
  • Clean your bathroom weekly. Suite residents should take turns. The more often you clean, the easier it will be.
  • Wash your dishes regularly. Never leave food on your dishes.
  • Don’t leave food uncovered or unsealed in your room/apartment.
  • Don’t let things pile up, including clothes. These are places that insects may hide.
  • Clean the stovetop and counters after every use.
  • Don’t leave spills. Use a towel and soak up a spill right away. Then use small amounts of warm water and a towel to continue to soak up the area until the substance is gone.

Common area policies

Housing offers multiple common areas for the use of all students. Feel free to study or hang out in any of these areas, but please keep the following policies in mind:

  • Common areas are for the use of everyone in the hall. No activity should occur that inhibits the use of these areas by other residents without written permission from the Residence Life Coordinator.
  • When you use common areas, clean up after yourself. Failure to do so could cause the area to be off limits.
  • Furnishings and equipment in common areas are for the use of all residents and should be straightened when finished. Removal of any items including furniture, pictures, wastebaskets, etc.; deprives others of their use. Such action is considered theft and will result in student conduct action.

Damages to room/apartment

Assigned Space: When a student checks into a newly assigned living space, even when the student is just switching rooms, he or she accepts responsibility for its condition. Each student will receive a welcome email containing a link to their condition form and must thoroughly complete the condition form with anything that is NOT in OK condition. This submitted condition report is compared to the condition of the living space at check out, and any discrepancies become the financial responsibility of the resident. The student should be sure to complete the condition form thoroughly and within the time frame allotted in the email. Failure to submit the condition form leaves no alternative but to assume that the living space was in good condition when the student checked in, and the student and his/her suite/roommates will be charged for any damage that might have occurred. At checkout each semester/term, housing staff members inspect each student’s room, suite, or apartment and determine charges, if any.

Residents scheduled to vacate their apartment can expect staff to pre-inspect their apartment approximately 4-8 weeks prior to the end of the semester. Residents will be held responsible for damages and/or changes of condition beyond those of normal usage, which occur in their living space. Damage charges will be assessed for repairs, replacement, and/or cleaning necessitated by such conditions.

Protests or appeals related to any charges must be received in writing within 30 days of billing date to receive consideration.

Common Area Damages: When damage occurs in the common areas of the floor, breezeway or building, individual responsibility is difficult to determine. In these situations, students and staff will work together to determine the nearest source of responsibility. Depending upon the circumstances, the university may bill groups, suites, complexes, or floors on a prorated basis for public area damage. Records of the condition of public areas are kept for all floors, lounges, apartment grounds, etc., and charge to the residents of the living area will occur for unnecessary damages. Housing & Dining Services reserves the right to prorate such damages at any time.

Insurance: renter’s & property

The university does not assume any liability for loss, damage, or theft of any personal property, or for damage or injury resulting from explosion; fire; mechanical failure of water, steam, or gas lines; defective wiring; or for the negligence of any other occupants of the building. Students who wish to protect themselves from the possibility of such losses should cover their belongings with appropriate insurance. It is to the advantage of the student to contact an insurance company and obtain renter’s insurance. Another alternative is to seek coverage under a parent’s homeowners’ insurance.

Garbage disposals & grease

Garbage disposals in all housing sinks are present to dispose of small food items that may fall down the drain. All other food trash, (e.g. rice and pasta) must be placed in the trash, and food trash should be taken to the dumpster the same day. Pouring any type of grease or greasy food down the any drain is PROHIBITED. Grease builds up in the drain and can cause a back-ups and major damage. Pouring grease outside or pouring grease directly into the dumpster is PROHIBITED. Proper disposal of grease means pouring cooled grease into a disposable container and placing it in the dumpster.

Hallways/stairwells/breezeways

Hallways, stairwells and breezeways are designed to be free and clear exits and pathways, and anything that may potentially, partially or completely obstruct the exit or pathway is prohibited. Examples of violations include storing personal belongings in hallways, breezeways and stairwells. Securing or parking bicycles or motorcycles in hallways, stairwells, or breezeways is also prohibited. Violations may result in fines, removal fees, and/or student conduct action.

Health and safety inspections

Housing staff reserves the right to conduct Health and Safety inspections in university housing. These inspections are scheduled on a monthly basis in the residence halls and greek campus housing, and done in campus apartments whenever a maintenance or conduct issue presents the need to conduct the inspection. During a Health and Safety inspection, Housing staff will document and follow-up on any situation of concern that is seen. Those generally fall into these four areas:

  • Cleanliness – Please refer to the Cleanliness policy on this page.
  • Safety Violations – Please refer to policies on this page, such as (but not limited to) AlcoholAppliances/Equipment, Bunk Beds, Candles, Cleanliness, Decorating, Smoke-free Housing, Trash, Weapons, Explosives, and Fireworks.
  • Facility/Furniture Condition/Safety – The staff will note any unsafe arrangement of furniture, broken or missing blinds, missing furniture, and any other major damages that might need immediate attention.
  • Occupancy – Confirming only the residents assigned to the space are living in the space.

Should an issue be found and depending on the type of issue discovered, the Housing staff will either take immediate steps to remedy the situation or will refer the situation to the Residence Life Coordinator for follow-up.

Improper checkout

Occupants who fail to check-out of their apartment/residence hall/sorority housing by the appointed time on the end date stipulated on their license or approved in writing, will be assessed $200.00 per day overstay charges. Individuals who fail to complete the necessary steps to checkout properly (i.e. return their keys to housing staff in the manner directed in closing and vacate materials), but do vacate their rooms/apartments on time will be assessed a $25.00 administrative fee.

Kitchens

Kitchen facilities are available for residents to use on a first-come, first-serve basis in each residence hall for recreational use. Everyone is asked to clean up after themselves and students are responsible for cleaning the kitchen after its use and may be charged for any cleanup required. If kitchens are not cared for properly or are abused, they will be closed. It is against university policy to leave a kitchen unattended while cooking, or to conduct experiments that are intended for a controlled laboratory setting.

Maintenance (Facilities Management)

Residents are responsible for the proper care of their University housing assignment and will be charged for any damage. In order to maintain a healthy environment, residents should regularly clean their living space. Cleanliness and proper use of disinfectant cleaners will help prevent pest control problems. When maintenance is required, the resident should report the problem through our online Request Maintenance service. If it is an emergency between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on a weekday, the resident can call Facilities Management at 918-631-2287. Maintenance requests will be attended to in a timely manner. Residents should not attempt to adjust or tamper with any mechanical, electrical or gas/fire equipment that is furnished by the University. Residents are required to promptly report maintenance/equipment problems to Facilities Management. It is wise to write down your work order number and retain it. If problems continue, share your concerns and contact your Residence Hall or Apartment staff directly, referencing the original work order number.

Maintenance Emergencies

Occasionally, a resident will have an emergency maintenance problem. An emergency is defined as a situation where a maintenance repair or some attention is essential to maintain the health and safety of the resident as well as to protect the building and its property. Examples of emergency situations:

  • No water (hot or cold)
  • Frozen/burst pipes flooding unit
  • Gas smell
  • No heat (only when temperature is below 40 degrees)
  • No air conditioning (only when temperature is above 90 degrees)
  • Power loss to entire room or apartment
  • Locks not working properly
  • Broken window in which someone could gain entrance

Emergency Maintenance Procedures

If an emergency maintenance situation arises after office hours, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m., the resident should contact the Security dispatcher for assistance (918-631-5555).

After Hours Maintenance Non-Emergencies

Below are examples of situations that are not actual emergencies, but can be considered a major discomfort to the resident. Please report the problem immediately. If residents desire to accept financial responsibility for overtime contract work, a reasonable effort will be made to engage an approved source. Non-emergency situations:

  • No hot water
  • Toilet stopped up (shut off the water at toilets)
  • Refrigerator not working
  • Partial power loss
  • Stove/oven not working
  • Laundry Room issue

Storage

Beyond the apartment summer storage option that is offered only to continuing residents in apartments, the University does not have storage space available for storing student belongings. Please contact an off-campus space rental facility for necessary storage of personal belongings. No furniture may be removed from the residence hall rooms to be stored anywhere else.

Portable Storage/Moving Units: You must get prior approval from a housing staff member if you plan to use a portable storage/moving company that will drop off a unit for you to pack and then move it for you. Units should take up no more than one parking space and can remain on TU property for no longer than 10 days. The resident is responsible for making sure space is available for delivery and pick up of unit. Storage units acquired without prior approval may be ticketed and/or removed by a complaint to the rental company.

Trash

Residents are responsible for keeping the area around their room/apartment clean and neat. Proper care and concern by resident’s leads to a clean and healthy environment. All garbage and trash must be placed inside dumpsters located near your residence hall or apartment complex.

Residence Halls

Residence Hall students are expected to remove their own trash to the dumpster. Dumpsters are located just outside each housing area. Failure to remove trash and/or placing personal bags of trash in common areas will result in a $10.00 fine for the removal of trash and/or student conduct action.

Apartments

In the University Apartments trash left behind on breezeways, common areas, patios, porches, balconies and stairwells will result in an automatic $25.00 fine (minimum) assessed to the resident(s) and/or student conduct action may accompany any violation of this policy.

Thermostat

(Apartments) Residents shall keep their apartment at or above 55° F to prevent water pipes in and adjacent to licensed premises from freezing, especially during break periods. Residents shall be solely responsible for any and all damage caused to, or by, water pipes freezing/bursting due to resident’s failure to keep the apartment sufficiently warm.

(Residence Halls) For energy conservation and proper air flow in the building, please keep your thermostats on low whenever you are going to be gone for more than a day. West Suites residents should set thermostats to 65 in the winter and 75 in the summer when you are gone for more than a day.

Water damage prevention

Water causes the most damage to housing structures. Your attentiveness to these requirements will help in maintaining safe and pleasant living environments. If you fail to comply with these polices, you can be held responsible for property damage to the housing unit and/or action taken against you.

  1. Immediately report any water leak/ standing water or signs of mold/mildew in your apartment/room to Facilities Management at 918-631-2287 (after hours call Campus Security at 918-631-5555)
  2. Promptly notify Facilities Management at 918-631-2287 (after hours call Campus Security at 918-631-5555) of any problem with your heating or air conditioning. Beyond your comfort, temperate air is required to keep the water pipes from freezing and the humidity levels down.
  3. Do not use any shower without a properly installed waterproof shower curtain. Be sure the curtain is large enough to cover the entire side of the shower, and the bottom of the curtain is inside the tub/shower. Pay attention to the bathroom floor after a shower and wipe up any excess water. Apartments only: Use the bathroom exhaust fan and leave the bathroom door open when finished until the bathroom has had time to dry.