ROOMATE CONTRACT: TERMS OF AGREEMENTS

It is understood that both roommates sharing a common college dormitory have equal rights to that area; however, there are certain aspects of living together that must be in accordance to the terms that follow. RESPECT & PRIVACY As roommates, it is compulsory to show each other respect within the confines of the dorm, on campus, off campus, and online. Discrimination will not be tolerated. Any forms of discrimination based on, but not limited to, religion, race, ethnicity, gender (and its expression), sexual orientation, physical attributes, disability, or family situation will be reported immediately to both the Dean of Students as well as the Residence Assistant. Furthermore, any private information or habits of living that you become aware of while living with your roommate are not to be shared without their consent. This includes being shared both verbally and non-verbally. Non-verbal sharing on the internet or over cellular phones is just as malicious. Outing, denigration, and release of unauthorized images and videos are forms of cyber-bullying. As defined by the Criminal Justice Services of New York State: Cyber bullying is the repeated use of information technology, including e-mail, instant messaging, blogs, chat rooms, pagers, cell phones, and gaming systems, to deliberately harass, threaten or intimidate others. This is a serious harassment offense. Privacy should be deeply respected and roommates may not enter into each others drawers, closets, bags, pocketbooks, computers, books, journals, or diaries at any time unless there is a clear and present danger (such as significant evidence of weaponry or contraband). Excessive cursing or use of other inappropriate language will not be tolerated, either. Any issues between roommates are to be dealt with in a calm and appropriate matter. If it seems to be a larger issue that we are unable to solve on our own, both roommates must agree to either discuss it with the Residence Assistance or present the dilemma in a student council hearing. If a roommate has a complaint, comment, or suggestion, it should be presented in a clear and polite fashion either in person or written in a note and posted to the dorm bulletin board. Any note must be read and responded to in 3 days time. CLEANLINESS, POSSESSIONS, & RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES Both roommates are equally responsible for the cleanliness of the dormitory. Shared trash cans must be emptied before they are filled to the top and roommates should alternate in executing the task. Food generally should not pose a problem. Personal trashcans are the sole responsibility of the owner. They should be emptied before they are filled or earlier if they contain foodstuffs which may attract bugs. When eating anything in the dorm, each roommate must make sure not to leave crumbs and must properly dispose of rubbish. If a roommate seems to be in excessive violation of this rule, they must give up their rights to eat within the room for a period of 14 days. If excessive violation persists, they must give up their rights to eat within the room for a period of 1 month. Any further infractions will result in the notification of a Residence Assistant. Clothing and other items must not be left out excessively. Your possessions are your responsibility. Certain objects which are evidently breakable must be placed in a safe area. If items of such a nature are not

properly put away and the other roommate damages it, they are not at fault. Breakable items include but are not limited to laptop or desktop computers, cell phones, CDs, MP3 players, glasses, instruments, mirrors, vases, pots, and china. If reasonable amounts damage is done to an object that was not in a clearly hazardous place, it is the responsibility of the offender to come up with compensation for the item either by offering a replacement of equal or greater value or by means of monetary compensation. The amount of monetary compensation can be determined by a receipt, by an online price statement, or by a reasonable amount designated by the roommate being compensated. Anything taken without permission will be considered theft and an appropriate action will be taken. Certain items should be shared including, but not limited to, a printer, printer paper, a refrigerator, the shelves by the door, flashlights, hangers, and lamps. Shared items must be cared for equally. The price of ink and paper should be split equally between roommates. If either roommate abuses their use of any shared item, their privileges of using the item will be revoked for 14 days. Clothing articles and toiletries are not to be borrowed at any time unless you receive consent from your roommate. Although the refrigerator is shared, the food belonging to your roommate is not yours to consume without their permission. Consumption of food or drink that is not yours will result in the need to replace the food or drink within 48 hours except in the case of force major (such as an intense snow storm). NOISE & STUDY TIMES As students, we must respect time taken for work, reading, and sleeping. Each roommate is entitled to 8 hours of sleep per night as well as considerable time for schoolwork and studies. Each day, 4 to 5 hours will be designated quiet time during which work, reading, and studying will happen. If more time is needed, the roommate is welcome to continue their work in the residence common room or in the library. These conditions will be upheld at all times of the year unless both roommates can come to an alternate agreement in writing. SMOKING/DRINKING/DRUG USE Smoking, drinking, and drug use will not be tolerated in any form whatsoever. Any use of illegal drugs will be reported to the appropriate authorities. Smoking and drinking is not allowed in the residence halls or dorms and will also be reported. If a roommate comes back to the dorm heavily intoxicated, the other roommate is mandated to call the Department of Public Safety for the protection of the intoxicated person. GUESTS Notification must be given 12 hours prior to having guests and visitors in the room for an extended period of time and there must be consent on the part of all roommates. Guests should not be allowed to stay in the dorm room for longer than 6 hours unless there are extenuating circumstances. There will not be a guest of either sex permitted to stay overnight without at least 72 hours of prior notice. Excessive sexual behavior of any type is strictly forbidden in our dorm. If a roommate plans to bring someone home, it must be discussed with the other roommates. No one should bring anyone home without notice. If any roommates notices another roommate consenting to sexual activity while intoxicated, it is their obligation to do anything necessary to prevent it including notifying the Department of Public Safety.

By signing this contract, I understand that any infraction of this contract will result in presentation before the Residence Officer or student council. Alternatively, if both roommates agree on it, peer mediation can be used to settle contract disputes. I also understand that this contract will go into effect the day that we move into our dorms and will be ended either when we move out at the end of their year or whenever a roommate chooses to move out.

Name of Roommate #1____________________________________________________ Signature of Roommate ___________________________________________________ Signature of Parent (if under 18) ____________________________________________ Phone number ( ____ ) _____ - ______

Name of Roommate #2____________________________________________________ Signature of Roommate ___________________________________________________ Signature of Parent (if under 18) ____________________________________________ Phone number ( ____ ) _____ - ______

Name of Roommate #3 (If applicable)________________________________________ Signature of Roommate ___________________________________________________ Signature of Parent (if under 18) ____________________________________________ Phone number ( ____ ) _____ - ______

Name of Roommate #4 (If applicable)________________________________________ Signature of Roommate ___________________________________________________ Signature of Parent (if under 18) ____________________________________________ Phone number ( ____ ) _____ - ______

Name of Residence Assistant _________________________________________________ Phone number ( ____ ) _____ - ______ Signature of Residence Assistant ______________________________________________