Facilities Policies and Procedures
Residential facilities are maintained in a cooperative effort between the HRL Office, Facilities, and Management and Planning. While the following list of policies gives general facility guidelines, it is not intended to be an exhaustive list. Residents should recognize that their rooms are University property and therefore they are not allowed to make modifications or additions to the residential facility.
Accessing Unauthorized Spaces
Residents are not allowed to access unauthorized University premises, including but not limited to, building rooftops and storage or maintenance facilities. Vehicles are not allowed on to Res Road without prior approval from HRL or DPS.
Air Conditioners
Residents are not allowed to install inside portable air conditioners or window coolers in their room windows. Window fans are allowed as long as the screen remains in the window. Nothing can extend from the window or the building.
Bicycle Storage
Bicycles cannot be stored in any of the common areas or hallways of residential buildings. They must be stored outside in the bicycle racks located in the residential community or in an area in which they would not be blocking an exit door. Any bicycle that is blocking a doorway may be removed from the area without notification.
Beds in Rockwell Towers
For Towers residents living on the second floor and above, all beds must be positioned perpendicular to, rather than parallel to, the windows. Non-compliance will result in disciplinary action.
Entry System
Propped door alarms are installed at the ground floor entrances of each residence hall. Residents tampering with the door latching mechanism, or vandalizing the entry system, doors and/or propped door alarms may be subject to a minimum $100 fine per incident and disciplinary action.
Fire Safety
In the interest of providing a safe and secure environment and demonstrating compliance with California fire codes, the University expects all residents to comply with the standards described in this section. Residents found in violation or tampering with fire and life safety devices may be subject to fines up to $500 and disciplinary action. Repeated violations of the Fire Safety standards may result in dismissal from the residential community. HRL staff will be entering all living spaces to conduct Fire, Life, and Safety walkthroughs several times a semester to ensure that residents are in compliance with the standards.
While the University ensures the residential buildings against damage from fire, this insurance does not cover the personal possessions of students. Residents should therefore provide insurance for their own possessions.
Residential Fire Hazards
With the exception of approved appliances, the University prohibits burning open flames or incense in any living area at any time. Any acts of negligence or intent that place the community at risk of fire are prohibited. Additionally, fire hazards such as fireworks, lava lamps, halogen lamps, appliances with exposed heating elements, unapproved space heaters, and personal BBQs or other items considered unsafe in a residential environment are strictly prohibited in or around any living area. BBQs in the community area are available for student use. Residents are not to use any part of the oven or broiler for storage purposes. The possession or use of candles (with or without wicks, burned or unburned) will result in disciplinary action including confiscation and/or other sanctions.
The use of string lights (Christmas lights) is only permitted between the Thanksgiving holiday and before students leave for winter break. Christmas lights may be displayed on a fireproof figurine (e.g., artificial Christmas tree); however lights cannot be attached to the interior of any student housing facility i.e. walls, ceilings, furniture, appliances, windows, doors or stairwell railings. Christmas lights may be displayed on the exterior of the building, but cannot be hung on any roof area or attached to any structure by the use of nails or staples. Natural cut Christmas trees may be displayed outside as long as they are at least 10 feet from any structure. All Christmas decorations, including string lights and Christmas trees must be removed from the community before winter break. Please direct any questions to the HRL Office or the Resident Director.
Light fixtures in the residential community should never be obstructed or covered by any material. Residents may not cover their walls with material that will create a fire hazard, such as cardboard or cloth. Decorations or posters may cover up to 10% of each wall. Covering public area couches and chairs with fabric and throws is prohibited.
Powered appliances, surge protectors and extension cords should not be used in violation of manufacturers' specifications (e.g., using multiple extension cords with multiple plugs in one outlet, plugging a surge protector into another surge protector). Fire hazards found in the residential community will be immediately confiscated; in most cases, items that have been confiscated will not be returned.
Fire Doors and Windows
Due to California Code, doors within the residence halls, except for the bedroom doors, are fire doors. Lobby, hallway, laundry, and suite doors must not be propped open. Locks and doors, including bedroom doors, should never be tampered with to impede the proper function of the lock, such as taping the locking mechanism against the doorframe. To enable fire or other emergency personnel access to a room during an emergency, residents are not allowed to block access to windows by placing furniture at window height in front of windows.
Fire Equipment
The fire-fighting equipment and alarm systems were installed for the protection of the residents and their property. County fire regulations make it illegal to tamper with fire equipment. Tampering with this equipment including, but not limited to: fire alarms, propped door alarms, fire extinguishers, hoses, fire sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, mechanical bells, and fuse boxes may result in a $500 fine, immediate dismissal from the residential community, and possible criminal prosecution. Residents are not permitted to hang any items from smoke detectors or mechanical bells. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action. Residents are not permitted to hang any items (including clothes hangers) from ceiling fire sprinklers in any residential facility. Hanging items from sprinklers could result in flooding. The resident will be held financially responsible for any water damage caused by activation of the sprinklers.
Evacuation During Fire Alarm
Students must evacuate immediately when a fire alarm sounds or a University official gives a directive. Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action including but not limited to: University Probation, a fine, and/or educational sanctions such as research on university fires, interviewing firefighters, and field trips to fire sites.
Furniture and Lighting
Placement of furniture in the rooms and public areas has been made with students' comfort in mind. Therefore, all furniture must remain in the room or apartment to which it is assigned. Lobby or suite furniture may not be taken into individual rooms or other suites. Furniture may not be taken outside of the building. All room furniture must remain in the room to which it was assigned, even if one person is living in a double room. Extra furniture may not be stored in suite areas. A $50 fine will be assessed for relocated or misplaced furniture, and HRL staff will replace the item(s) if necessary.
Due to safety and fire code regulations, residents are not allowed to use halogen or lava lamps in the residential community. Due to safety concerns residents are not allowed to loft their furniture, unless the furniture was already lofted (in the case of triple-occupancy rooms only). Residents are allowed to lower or raise the height of their mattresses only with resources available from HRL.
Microwaves
One Microchill (freezer/fridge and microwave unit) comes included in every room within our suite-style housing communities (Seaside, Towers, and Suite-Style Houses)! If desired, each room may have a second Microchill unit purchased/rented through College Products. Suite-style residents are not allowed to bring a personal microwave.
One energy-efficient microwave (maximum 700 watts) is permitted in each campus housing apartment. University-approved Microchills (freezer/fridge and microwave unit) are available for rent from College Products.
Painting, Hangings, and Fastening
Residents may not alter the overall condition of their rooms by making noticeable additions or changes, such as painting. Fines will be assessed if a room has to be repainted. Small tack nails or hooks are only allowed to hang pictures or other items. TV mounts, large screws, nails, or bolts are not allowed. Adhesive materials such as double sided tape or stickers on walls, doors, or furniture are not allowed due to the difficulty of removing the material and potential for damage. Residents are encouraged to use commercial, non-staining, removable wall tack (temporary adhesive putty). Residents are not permitted to hang any objects from or on the ceiling due to heating elements and ceiling materials. Residents will be charged for any damage caused by using anything larger than a pushpin.
Refrigerators
One Microchill (freezer/fridge and microwave unit) comes included in every room within our suite-style housing communities (Seaside, Towers, and Suite-Style Houses)! If desired, each room may have one additional student-owned mini-fridge (three cubic feet or smaller) or a second Microchill unit purchased/rented through College Products.
Each apartment kitchen in Drescher, Lovernich, and George Page is equipped with a full-sized refrigerator.
Reporting Facilities Problems
Residents should assist maintenance staff by reporting maintenance problems immediately. A general Maintenance Request can be submitted online at: community.pepperdine.edu/housing/maintenance In the case of a maintenance emergency (water pipe breakage, electrical problem, etc.) during business hours, call 310.506.4101 to reach the Maintenance Hotline. After 5 PM or on holidays or weekends, residents should call Public Safety at 310.506.4442. University maintenance personnel reserve the right to enter rooms to address requested or needed repairs.
Resident Responsibility
All residents are jointly responsible for the protection of the living area, its furnishings, and its equipment. When the University cannot identify the person(s) responsible for damages, residents will share in the payment for those damages, including charges for labor and materials. Charges for damages will be assessed as they occur throughout the semester and will appear on the student's financial account (minimum $5 charge). Disciplinary action will be taken when appropriate.
Room Access and Lockouts
Residential students are expected to carry their University ID with them at all times. In the event that a student is locked out of his or her living space, the student should first contact the roommate(s) for access. If the roommate(s) is unavailable between the hours of 8AM and 5PM, Monday through Friday, the student is welcome to call the Housing Office for remote unlocking. Students must fill out their security questions through the Housing Portal in order to be eligible for remote unlocking. Remote locking is offered only during business hours, and costs $10 each time.
If the lockout occurs between the hours of 5PM and 9PM, residents must go to the Seaside Hall front desk to obtain access into their space. From 9PM to 1AM, Monday through Friday, or during the weekends or holidays, the student should contact the Resident Advisor (RA) or the Spiritual Life Advisor (SLA) to request lockout assistance. If the RA or SLA is not available, the student should contact the Department of Public Safety (310.506.4442). The fee for unlocking after business hours is $15. Lost IDs can be replaced at OneStop. Found IDs must be returned to the assigned student or DPS immediately.