skip the i-GuideIllinois State UniversityAdmissions at ISUAcademics at ISUEvents at ISUMap of ISUISU A to Z ListingISU AccessibilityISU 150th Anniversary

Apartment Handbook.

Section 3

III. GENERAL POLICIES

  1. Regulations

    ALL RESIDENTS ARE SUBJECT TO THE REGULATIONS AS OUTLINED IN THE CONDITIONS OF OCCUPANCY, THE UNIVERSITY HANDBOOK, ALL PROVISIONS AND POLICIES OF UNIVERSITY HOUSING SERVICES, ALL UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS, AND ALL STATE, FEDERAL, AND LOCAL LAWS.

  2. Eligibility Requirements

    Family students and qualified single students are eligible to reside in University apartments, provided one member of the married couple is, or each single student is enrolled in a degree program for at least seven (7) hours in each of the first and second semesters and four (4) hours during the summer session. Enrollment for fewer hours is acceptable during the final semester of degree completion. Continuing residents are not required to enroll during the summer when pre-registered for the upcoming fall term.

    Family students are defined as married students with or without dependent persons residing with them or single students with dependent persons residing with them.

    Spouses and/or dependents of married students as well as dependents of single students are required to live in the apartment during the entire lease period. Additionally, dependent persons must be in continuous occupancy in order to qualify for a two-bedroom unit. Exceptions to the hour enrollment and spouse or dependent residency policies may be granted.

    Apartments not requested by students may be made available to faculty and staff. Currently, faculty and staff applicants are not being offered apartments unless they also maintain the enrollment requirement. Student residents who accept faculty or staff appointments at Illinois State must continue to enroll in a degree program for seven or more hours to be eligible to remain in the Complexes.

    Single junior or senior students must meet the following requirements:

    1. Single junior or senior students must have an accumulated grade point average of 3.30 or higher at the time of application and assignment.
    2. There may be no record of a sanction applied by the Student Dispute Resolution Services Office, nor any procedure pending with that office, at the time of initial residency.

    NOTE: Exceptions may be made, in isolated instances, based on criteria such as previous living experience, military service, and age. A written request for an exception must be submitted with the application.

  3. Alcohol Policy

    The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by residents and their guests who are 21 years of age or older is permitted within the confines of the individual resident's apartment. The use of alcoholic beverages on University premises shall be considered a privilege and may be allowed only if consistent with State laws and University policies. See the Student Handbook for additional information.

  4. Pets

    Pets, with the exception of fish, are not to be in vehicles or anywhere on the grounds of the Complexes at any time. This includes pets owned by residents or residents’ guests. Total capacity of all aquariums in an apartment is limited to 20 gallons.

  5. Guest Visitation

    Visits of guests are limited to a one-week stay. Exceptions may be granted upon appeal to the Area Coordinator for Apartment Living, University Housing Services, if special circumstances exist. Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests at all times.

  6. Subleasing Guidelines
    1. Residents of the Cardinal Court and 300 Shelbourne Drive complexes may sublease their apartments, if the resident is returning to the unit, providing the sublessee meets the eligibility requirements as listed in III. General Policies, Section 2 of this handbook, the Conditions of Occupancy and the Apartment Living brochure.
    2. Subletting must be approved, in advance and in writing, by University Housing Services. The subletting period may not exceed four months. In order to secure approval of subletting arrangements, the following information must be submitted, in writing, to the Associate Director for Apartment Living, University Housing Services:
      1. The departure and return date of the resident
      2. An address and telephone number at which the resident may be reached during the period of absence
      3. The full name, social security number, and class standing of the sublessee(s) along with indication of family, graduate, or single undergraduate status. Current grade point averages for single undergraduate students must be provided. In addition, the expected arrival and departure dates of the sublessee(s) must be furnished to University Housing Services.
    3. Furniture must remain in the apartment during the subleasing period.
    4. Subletting is the responsibility of the resident who makes the arrangement with the potential sublessee(s).
    5. The rental account and all utilities must remain in the name of the Designated Resident, who is responsible for their payment.
    6. All repair and cleaning charges, if any, will be paid by the Designated Resident.
    7. It is the Designated Resident's responsibility to determine that the sublessee(s) is aware of and agrees to abide by all provisions in the Conditions of Occupancy, the Apartment Living Handbook, all provisions of University Housing Services, all University Regulations, and all State, Federal, and local laws.
    8. The Designated Resident must immediately notify University Housing Services of any changes, such as occupant’s arrival and departure dates, etc., in the written information provided to the Associate Director for Apartment Living.
    9. Requests for exception to any of the subleasing requirements should be directed to the Associate Director for Apartment Living.
  7. Entry Policy

    The University may enter the premises for the purpose of determining general cleanliness, to treat for pest extermination, to make repairs, to decorate or remodel, and to enforce general University rules and regulations.

  8. Assignment Policy
    1. Apartments are assigned according to the date the application was received in University Housing Services.
    2. Residents with non-spousal dependents in continuous occupancy have first priority for assignment to two bedroom units. Priorities are as follows:
      1. Current residents with dependents
      2. Incoming residents with dependents
      3. Current residents without dependents
      4. Incoming residents without dependents
    3. The University reserves the right to assign apartments, to authorize or deny apartment and apartment-mate changes, to consolidate single student vacancies, and to require residents to move from one apartment to another.
  9. Firearms, Explosives, and Flammable Material
    1. A resident or guests of a resident shall not possess or use firearms, explosive devices, or any other devices classified as a weapon by the State of Illinois.
    2. Storage and/or use of flammable material in Illinois State University Apartment Living Complexes is prohibited.
  10. Restriction of Business Practice or Advertisement in Illinois State Apartment Living
    1. Unauthorized selling and soliciting in the Complexes is prohibited. If such activity occurs, call the ON DUTY Community Aide or the Illinois State University Police, 438-8631.
    2. Any advertisement of commercial items must be approved by University Housing Services.
    3. Residents may not carry on any organized business for remunerative purposes from the apartments.
  11. Waterbeds

    Waterbeds are allowed only in Cardinal Court first floor apartments. Waterbeds are not allowed in Shelbourne or in second floor Cardinal Court apartments. The Resident must provide a waterbed liability policy prior to installation.

  12. Decoration Policy
    1. No outside decorations will be permitted.
    2. Natural decorations such as cornstalks, hay, straw, etc., shall not be used in University-owned apartments.
    3. Natural Christmas trees are permitted, provided they are purchased fresh, placed in water-containing holders, and placed away from radiators, televisions, and other sources of heat.
    4. Only miniature energy efficient lights, UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or FM (Factory Mutual) approved, shall be used in any decorations.
    5. All lighted decorations shall be unplugged when leaving for overnight or longer periods of time.
    6. No candles or open flame devices shall be used in any decorations.
    7. Power cords cannot run between the door and door frame, where they may be pinched or cause other hazards; run the cord under the door. Do not run power cords under rugs or carpeting.
    8. No decorations may be placed so as to obstruct the exiting path for the apartment or for other apartments.
    9. University Housing Services and the Illinois State University Office of Environmental Health and Safety shall have the final authority as to what material may be used in decorations, should questions arise.
    10. Decorations in violation of University policy must be removed immediately, at the direction of the Environmental Health and Safety Office or University Housing Services.
  13. Guidelines for Outdoor Grills
    1. Grills may not be operated inside any University apartment.
    2. Grills may not be operated on any University apartment balcony or on the second floor walkway at Cardinal Court.
    3. Grills must be at least six feet from the building when in use or hot.
    4. Charcoal lighter fluid may not be stored outside any University apartment.
    5. Gasoline may not be used to light charcoal fires.
    6. Charcoal grill coals must be cold before disposal and must be dumped into a suitable garbage disposal container.
    7. Charcoal grill coals, whether hot or cold, may not be dumped onto the ground.
    8. The owner of the grill is responsible for the grill's operation whenever it is in use or hot.
    9. Small grills may be stored outside a resident's door; large grills must be stored at the end of the building.
  14. Smoke-free Buildings
    1. Whenever residents or visiting guests in a smoke-free building wish to smoke, they will be required to refrain from smoking while inside the apartment or within 25 feet of the building
    2. Any person wishing to smoke will be required to do so outside of an apartment and 25 feet away from a smoke-free building.
    3. University Housing Services reserves the right to change the Smoke-Free designations at any time. Should a point be reached in occupancy where there is a need for more smoking units, the building status as smoke-free may be changed.
    4. If the residents or guests of an apartment violate this agreement, the resident may be required to either transfer to the next available same type/size apartment where smoking is allowed or vacate the Apartment Living Complexes.
  15. Bulletin Boards/Posting Policy
    1. Bulletin boards are only for residents’ use.
    2. All items must be approved by the Graduate Assistant.
    3. All material is dated and initialed by a UHS staff person before it is placed on the board.
    4. Materials are removed two weeks after posting unless the resident requests an extension. In case of an extension, all material is re-dated by the Graduate Assistant, or a Community Aide.
    5. Residents cannot operate a business from their apartments; therefore no advertisement of any such business can be posted on the boards.
    6. No materials promoting or displaying any alcohol or alcohol manufacturer or substance abuse product may be posted any time.
    7. Nothing, including banners and signs, may be attached to the exterior of Complex buildings