Community Policies

Access Policy

Any student or guest who poses an immediate danger to the health or safety of theirself or others may not be allowed entry or access to the residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to:

Actions or behaviors that indicate a likelihood of physical violence.
High levels of alcohol or other drug impairment.
Unconscious or reduced levels of consciousness.
Contagious diseases.
Medical conditions that put themselves or others at risk.

In addition, emergency personnel may remove residents or guests from a residence hall if they are unable to care for him or her or when their health or safety is at risk.

Disorderly Conduct/Unacceptable Behavior

The Office of Community Living will use the student conduct process as a way of providing appropriate disciplinary actions to students living, visiting, or occupying the College’s residence halls who are in violation of the Marietta College Residency Agreement, the Marietta College Student Handbook, and the Student Code of Conduct.

The following abusive behaviors will not be tolerated in the halls and may result in immediate dismissal from the residence halls:

Verbal abuse, including offensive language and derogatory racial slurs.
Threatening behavior, whether written, verbal, or physical.
Any form of sexual harassment or coercion, including sexual assault.
Any use of force or physical violence.
Trespassing, entering, or remaining in a room without the resident’s permission.
Lewd, obscene, or offensive behavior.
Any behaviors that demonstrate an inability to abide by the requirements for group living.

The College also will not allow the posting of items that are deemed to be racist, sexist, indecent, scandalous, illegal, inciting, or in any way oppressive in nature. These items may be removed and disciplinary action may be taken.

General Visitation Policy

Students should feel welcome to invite a guest to their room for a visit. The College has guidelines to help ensure that visits from guests are a pleasant experience for all involved.

Prior to the visit, the resident must discuss having a guest(s) with his or her roommate(s), and gain permission for a visit.
After a student gains permission, his or her roommate(s) reserves the right to ask the guest(s) to leave.
No guest may stay more than two consecutive nights without the resident notifying the complex Assistant Director.
The maximum occupancy of a room is at the discretion of the residence hall staff. Resident Assistants and Assistant Directors may limit the number of guests based on College health and safety standards.
Hosts are responsible for guest’s behavior, and guests are expected to abide by all College rules and regulations.
Non-Marietta College guests must register their vehicles and can only park in lots designated by the Marietta College Police Department.

Quiet Hours

Common courtesy is in effect 24 hours a day, and excessive noise is not permitted at any time. If a resident has asked the person(s) making the noise to lower the noise level and they have not honored the request after two attempts, the resident should contact a Resident Assistant, who will intervene. If a staff members is in the hallway or on rounds and the noise can be heard approximately two rooms away that staff member may ask the person(s) to lower the noise level. Violation of quiet hours will result in disciplinary action.

All Buildings Quiet Hours: 11 p.m. – 11 a.m.

During the final exam period, quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day. Signs will be posted within the residence halls informing students when quiet hours will begin.

Search Procedures

College personnel may enter and/or search a student’s room, vehicle, or other area, including personal property, in either or a residence hall or other College-owned location or operated facility under one of the following premises:

If there is reason to believe that the room, vehicle, or other area as outlined above is being used for illegal purposes;
If there is reason to believe that the room, vehicle, or other area as outlined above is being used for a purpose that violates College or residence hall polices;
If there is reason to believe that the room, vehicle, or other area as outlined above is being used for a purpose that violates health and safety regulations;
With consent of the resident of that room or multiple room unit, or is the owner of the vehicle or personal property;
When specifically authorized by the Vice President for Student Life/Dean of Students or by his or her designee.

Search Procedures

The search shall be conducted by a member of the Student Life staff as appointed by his or her superiors, and one student (not employed by the Office of the Dean of Students, Office of Community Living, Division of Student Life, or the Marietta College Police Department) must be present during the search.
The certificate shall be signed by the party issuing it and shall specify the person against whom the certificate is sought, the premises to be searched, and the reasons upon which the certificate has been granted.
A reasonable effort should be made to ensure that a resident of the room or multiple rooms or the person whose vehicle is registered for on-campus parking is present for the search.
A copy of the certificate shall be presented to the student(s) against whom the certificate was sought at the time of the search. If the student(s) is not present, the search will be conducted according to the procedures listed above, and a Marietta College Police Officer must serve the student the certificate personally within 24 hours of the search being completed.

Seizure

Any item violating College policies, or creating a health or safety risk may be confiscated anywhere on College premises.
As specified by the State of Ohio, any illegal possessions not mentioned in the certificate will be sized and subsequent charges may be filed.
Evidence that is found in a legal search procedure can be used through the College disciplinary process.