Rates include $20 ($10.00 per semester) for the Associated Residence Halls (ARH) activity fee.
They also include $200 Hawkeye Dollars per year ($100 per semester). Hawkeye Dollars may be
used at any campus food service outlet, residence hall laundry and some vending machines. This
Hawkeye Dollar account is accessed using your University ID card.
Recycling
University Housing & Dining recycles paper, plastic, and aluminum. Recycling is available in each residence hall. Please inquire at the information desk in you hall for specifics.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators are only provided in rooms with kitchenettes.
Students may bring their own refrigerators that are smaller than five cubic feet and use less
than 9 amps. Only one refrigerator (personal or department issued) is allowed per
room/suite/apartment.
Repairs
If you believe there is a mechanical problem in your room (electrical, heating/cooling, or other
problem) please report them to the front desk. Additionally, requests for loft disassembly should
also be made at the front desk.
Only University maintenance personnel are authorized to modify rooms or facilities. No fixtures
may be attached to floors, walls, or ceilings.
If, after a maintenance problem has been reported and a work order has been filed, the work
has not been completed (or completed to your satisfaction), do not file a new work order. Instead,
bring the matter to your hall coordinator or area coordinator’s attention, or call the University
Housing & Dining facilities office at (319) 335-9970.
ResNet
ResNet is a service offered by University Housing & Dining in conjunction with Information
Technology Services (ITS) that provides all students living in residence halls with a computer data
port. This port provides a fast, direct ethernet connection to the campus network and Internet.
Contact ITS at 4-HELP (4-4357) for information regarding computer requirements necessary for
ResNet access. Information can also be accessed through the ITS website at http://its.uiowa.edu/resnet.
All residents are subject to the ResNet Acceptable Use Policy, see pages 32 and 36-39. Violation of this policy may result in the termination of your connection.
Roofs/Fire Escapes
Residents are not allowed on roofs or ledges, for any reason.
"Catwalk" fire escapes are for emergency use only and are not to be used for general entering and/or exiting of the building.
Room Changes/Transfers
Students wishing to change/transfer rooms are able to do so, provided that transfer approval
is received from the hall coordinator and alternative space is available. Students may not transfer
rooms without prior written approval from the hall coordinator. Room changes (transfers) are not
possible the first full week beginning each semester.
If you would like to request a transfer, please follow these steps:
Discuss with your RA the reasons why you wish to move; you may be able to find a resolution without the inconvenience of moving.
If you still wish to transfer, meet with your hall coordinator to place your name on a transfer waiting list.
If you wish to transfer to another building, go to that building's office to place your name on their transfer waiting list.
When the type of room that you requested becomes available, you will be notified. At that
time, you will sign an amendment to your contract.
If you wish to switch rooms with another student, both of you must go to the hall coordinator's office together.
Within 48 hours of room transfer approval, you must visit the front desk to pick up/return
keys. An automatic lock change charge will be assessed if you fail to return a room key during
the allotted time. You also must complete a new room condition checklist for your new room
and sign out of your old room with your RA.
If you move and fail to complete all necessary paperwork, you will be subject to disciplinary action and/or be required to move back to your original room.
Requests for room transfers can only be completed as the type of space requested by you
becomes available. No room transfers are made on the basis of race, color, religion, sexual
orientation, or national origin.
If you have an unoccupied space in your room, you must be considerate to all prospective
roommates. This means keeping one half of the room ready for a new roommate to move in at any
time. Failure to welcome a new roommate may result in being billed for a single room or being
moved to a new space.
Room Entry/Search Policy
The rights of students to be secure in their residence hall rooms against unreasonable entry,
searches, and seizures are assured. Entry, search, and seizure by civil officers are governed by the
civil law.
University officials may enter a student's room only when:
Maintenance requested by the occupant(s) or University personnel is being performed.
Routine inspection of rooms for safety, health, and general upkeep purposes or if maintenance
is performed. Institutional-initiated inspections are generally preceded by at least 24 hours
written or posted notice to occupant(s).
There is perceived imminent risk to safety, health, and/or occupant(s) or institutional property.
The entry occurs during announced break times.
Reasonable suspicion exists that a University policy is being violated.
Turning off an alarm, loud stereo/music, or loud TV is necessary when residents are not present.
There is a search warrant being carried out by a member of law enforcement. These agencies
include, but are not limited to, University of Iowa Police, local Police Departments and/or
County Sheriff, and the Iowa Highway Patrol.
It is a reasonable and lawful request for staff to ask residents to open doors in any situation.
Failure to comply with the request is a policy violation, and you will be subject to judicial action.
Roommates
Sharing a room with someone offers many opportunities for interesting experiences, fun, and
maybe a lifelong friendship. Keep in mind that, like any relationship, a good roommate experience
requires respect, consideration, and compromise. Good communication between roommates is also
essential.
If problems occur you have several options for how to handle it. You can choose to address
the situation yourself. You can choose to involve your RA, as he/she is trained to help students
resolve roommate conflicts, some of which are the result of individuals who have different
schedules, habits, and lifestyles. If conflicts remain, you should speak with your hall coordinator
about a room change. If you choose to do nothing – your comfort and success at Iowa can be
hindered so speak up and let your hall staff help you.
Roommates can take some steps to set a good foundation for the relationship:
In the first few days of school, talk about issues such as anticipated normal bedtime, study
patterns (is music on or off?), guests, cleaning the room, sharing belongings (clothes, stereo), etc.
Talk about problems with each other as they come up. Don't write complaining notes, which
could potentially create more problems rather than solving any.
Keep the lines of communication open. ARH (Associated Residence Halls) has developed a "Roommate Bill of Rights," detailing what basic rights of a roommate include:
The right to read and study free from undue interference in one’s room. Unreasonable noise and other distractions inhibit the exercise of the right.
The right to sleep without undue disturbance from noise, guests of roommate, and so forth.
The right to expect that a roommate will respect one's personal belongings.
The right to a clean environment in which to live.
The right to free access to one's room and facilities without pressure from a roommate.
The right to privacy.
The right to have guests with the expectation that guests are to respect the rights of the host's roommate and other hall students.
The right for redress of grievances. Residence hall staff are available for assistance in settling conflicts.
The right to be free from fear or intimidation, physical, and/or emotional harm.
The right to expect reasonable cooperation in the use of "room-shared" appliances (telephone, refrigerator, etc.) and a commitment to honor agreed-upon payment procedures.
The right to be free from peer pressure or ridicule regarding your choice to drink or not drink alcoholic beverages.
The right to expect to be consulted with prior to any significant reconfiguration of the room.
All residents assigned to a particular room are subject to sanctions for violating laws and
policies. If your roommate is involved in illegal activity, you are advised to call the University of
Iowa Police and contact your hall coordinator.
Roommate Agreement
All roommates will complete a roommate agreement within the first two weeks of the semester. This roommate agreement will address the manner in which roommates deal with sharing of space.
