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Resident Student Handbook
Resident Student Policies & Procedures

Below you will find Policies and Procedures practiced and enforced on Campus. These Policies and Procedures include things such as grilling, football, housekeeping, building access, bicycles, guests, hygiene, lockouts, storage, pest control, courtesy hours, snow removal, substance-free housing, window screens, etc.

Resident Student Policies & Procedures

Students must read and understand the SVSU Policy Concerning the Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Substance Free Housing:  This housing option provides an environment for students free of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.   Residents may request Substance Free Housing at the time they submit their Housing Contract. Students living in substance-free housing agree to support a zero-tolerance lifestyle for the use/possession of alcohol, other drugs and tobacco products.  Residents will not introduce any alcohol, controlled substances, tobacco products, and/or paraphernalia into the living environment.  Residents will not host others who are under the influence or carry any alcohol or controlled substances.  Students living in substance-free housing who are responsible for violations of the SVSU Alcohol and Other Drug policy may jeopardize the privilege of living on campus. Consequences could include relocation to other housing facilities, removal from University Housing facilities and/or other sanctions.


Antennas, clotheslines or other attachments are NOT allowed on or near the buildings. Holiday lights are permitted from November 1 through December 31.


Residents who desire to grill outside must do so away from the buildings and are NOT allowed to operate barbecue grills on porches or other covered areas. Charcoal grills are not permitted. Propane tanks must be stored outdoors.


It is important that all residents understand that once enrolled at Saginaw Valley State University every student is responsible to abide by all University policies and regulations found in official publications, to include, but not limited to:  the SVSU Student Handbook/Code of Student Conduct, Resident Student Handbook and the University Housing Contract. Additionally, residents are required to abide by all reasonable requests of Housing and Residential Life staff.


Bicycles are welcome on campus, however, they must be stored on bike racks or in student rooms (with permission of roommate/suitemates).  Bikes may not be secured to stairwells, trees, balconies, exterior buildings, or located in hallways.

To avoid damage from snow removal procedures, bikes must be removed from the bike racks with the advent of snow and must also be removed from racks by the last day of final exams in the Winter semester.

Residents are encouraged to register your bicycle with University Police.


Each resident is provided with an SVSU Identification Card (TheCARD). Public entrances of First-Year Suites, the Living Centers, and University Village 420/432 require the presentation of the card for entry. Residents’ brass key which opens suites, rooms or mailboxes will not work.  Students should not allow access to anyone other than their guests. Residents of the facility have access 24 hours per day. Residents of the campus have access from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm.


Students are responsible for their own health and seeking appropriate medical attention when injured or ill.  If a student is aware or has reason to believe, they are infected with a communicable health issue they must report that information to a university official. Students have a duty to conduct themselves in accordance with such knowledge in order to protect themselves and others. 

As part of the university’s response, each student's situation will be handled on a case-by-case basis in the best interest of the student and campus community.


In all dining and food service areas, students are required to clean up after themselves, removing all used tableware/trash and placing in appropriate receptacles provided.

Non-disposable items removed from foodservice outlets must be returned expediently or students may face disciplinary action.


Students are not to disregard the reasonable directive, verbal or written, of a University official.  University officials include, but are not limited to, Resident Assistants, Resident Directors and University Police Officers. Students shall not obstruct University Housing Operations, Residential Life or other University officials in carrying out their assigned duties.


Electrical equipment (e.g. television, stereo, hairdryers, etc.) is allowed for use in the room/suite/apartment. All electrical items should carry the approved "UL" label. All surge protectors must have a toggle switch with only one plug per outlet (no splitters to add to outlets).  Modifications by residents, particularly dimmer switches, are prohibited due to the safety factor involved during installation.

Additionally, halogen light fixtures, spider, and medusa lamps, open element cooking appliances such as hot plates, toaster ovens, and George Foreman grills are not permitted in residential facilities.  Other heating appliances are permitted and will be monitored.  View a full list of Prohibited/Monitored Items here.


For safety reasons, students are not allowed to play ball, toss frisbee disks, and throw snowballs, water balloons, etc. in or around the residence halls or apartments. A minimum fine of $50 will be assessed to violators. Residents should seek an open space, at least 50' minimum, from the buildings for such activity.


University furnishings and property are not to be removed from the rooms, public areas, lobbies or study lounges. Residents will be responsible for all missing furniture. If beds are dismantled during the academic year, they must be correctly re-assembled prior to check-out. Removal of the attached study desks (FYS) from the walls will result in a minimum charge if a violation is incurred.


Residential facilities have limited access for safety and security purposes, therefore, guests must be escorted at all times. A guest is defined as any person not assigned to the unit. The University reserves the right to limit or suspend SVSU residential student visitation privileges to protect the rights, safety and security of others. The rights of a roommate to live in reasonable privacy supersede the right of a host to have guests.  

Hosting guests is a privilege for all residents and is not designed as a means of cohabitation and does not authorize overnight guests. Residents are not to leave a guest unattended in their unit or room at any time.  Residents are responsible to be aware of, and abide by, visitation and escort policies and procedures. 

  • Residents must be knowledgeable of the identity of their guest(s) and responsible for guests’ behavior. 
  • Residents are held liable for loss or damages to University property caused by their guest(s).  
  • Resident hosts are to be present with their guest(s) at all times and are not to leave a guest unattended in their room/apartment/suite at any time. Unescorted guests may be required to leave and are subject to arrest for trespassing and the resident may be charged with a violation of the Code of Student Conduct. 

Students may host overnight guests following these guidelines:  

  • Have permission of the roommates, and/or be in accordance with, the signed Roommate Lifestyle Agreement. 
  • All guests must be 18 years of age or older. 
  • Maximum of 2 guests per resident. 
  • Maximum of 2 nights per guest within a fourteen (14) day period – repetitive hosting is not permitted. 
  • Students in the First Year Suites and Living Centers may host overnight guests on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights only, between 2 am - 10 am. 

The University permits guests in the First Year Suites and Living Centers during these times and in accordance with the Roommate Lifestyle Agreement:  

  • Sunday-Wednesday:   10:00 am - Midnight 
  • Thursday-Saturday:     10:00 am - 2:00 am 

Overnight guests are NOT permitted the weekend prior to and during final exams week regardless of roommate consent. 


It is the responsibility of all residents to keep their assigned living quarters neat, clean and free of any hazard to sanitation or congenial group living. Since several people share the same living area, it is essential for everyone in that living unit to take an active role in cleaning. The RA of each living area will complete routine Health and Safety inspections. This means that a staff member will visit each unit and check the cleanliness and safety of each room, including bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms and common areas. Living units that fail Health and Safety Inspections will be charged a minimum of a $25 fine. Additional charges will be imposed if SVSU staff must clean the unit.  Disciplinary referrals will also be initiated. Living units that regularly do not pass Health and Safety inspections may be put on a more rigorous schedule for inspections at the discretion of Residential Life or Housing Staff. Students may be removed from University Housing facilities for severe or repeated housekeeping infractions.  

The Health & Safety Notification & Cleaning Expectations (389KB)   placed in rooms at the start of the semester by RAs, indicates the week in which inspections will occur in a living unit.  RAs will provide students with 48 hours notice of the day/time of the actual inspection.


It is the responsibility of residents to give particular attention to their own personal hygiene in order to contribute to optimal congenial group living. In addition, residents are responsible for cleaning their laundry. Residents who fail to live accordingly may be subject to disciplinary action. Noxious odors may be considered a violation under this policy.


Resident students who become incapacitated as a result of drinking, drug usage or a medical condition will receive proper emergency medical care immediately upon staff members becoming aware of their condition. Residents will be financially responsible for the costs of the medical care including ambulance and/or hospitalization. Incapacitated students who are in violation of University, local, state or federal laws concerning alcohol and/or other drugs are subject to penalties as prescribed by law or referred to University support programs or community agencies. Residents who report such a matter will not be charged with a violation of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy under the Student Code of Conduct.


Residents must carry their room keys at all times. Students who are locked out may find it necessary to wait for their roommates, as Housing and Residential Life staff may not be readily available. For lockout service, residents are to contact the following:

  • during university business hours - Housing Operations (989) 964-4255
  • after university business hours - on-duty phone for your facility

Residents must complete a lockout request in order for the room to be unlocked. There is a fee for lock-out services. Students must provide photo identification and proof of key to staff members for entry.


Meal plan changes will be accepted through the first 5 business days of the semester in writing only.  You can email "housing@svsu.edu" and include your Last Name, First Name, Student ID, and requested change.

You can always upgrade or add to your meal plan throughout the semester as long as you have pending financial aid or pay in advance.


Exterior areas (front porch/back patio) are not to be used for outdoor storage except for BBQ grills and lawn furniture. SVSU Grounds Crew will remove inappropriate items during their daily rounds inspections. For the protection of your belongings, we ask that you move items indoors that might be considered inappropriate for outside storage.

Please check with the Resident Director of your facility if you have questions regarding outdoor storage.


Residents are not permitted to paint any portion of their rooms/suites/apartments.


Residents have a duty to report any infestation or communicable health concerns, as SVSU would have no knowledge of infestation unless reported by residents.  At the first occurrence of any insect or rodent infestation, please immediately call Campus Facilities at (989) 964-4080 AND complete a Service Request to schedule maintenance assistance.  

SVSU will follow up with a contracted vendor for pest services, as well as, make a recommendation to the student for a health consultation.  The outcome of the medical/health evaluation should be directed to the Director of Auxiliary Operations or Director of Residential Life.  SVSU will only consider infestations confirmed by a contracted pest vendor.  The diagnosis by a health professional presuming an infestation in SVSU housing must be validated by a contracted pest vendor.   Any infestation will be presumed to be introduced by the resident, roommates, and/or their guests. 

SVSU Housing will provide pest eradication services to the unit and adjacent units as recommended by the contracted vendor.  Residents will be held responsible for all costs involved in eradication not only to the personal unit but also to adjacent units.  If a concern is deemed strictly medical/communicable in nature, the medical protocols established by the Center for Disease Control and/or Saginaw County Health Department will be followed including education of the roommates through Residential Life for preventative/treatment measures.

The University may periodically request a complete inspection (with advance notice) and/or conduct a preventative maintenance program in this regard whether or not requested by the residents.


Pets, with the exception of some fish, are not allowed in any University building [with the exception of those trained to assist individuals with documented disabilities (or documented/approved therapy animals)]. Only non-carnivorous species of fish and other legless aquatic animals (e.g. goldfish, Beta fish) shall be allowed in University Housing facilities.  Any individual keeping aquatic pets must keep those pets in a container with a water capacity of no more than 10 gallons.  Each suite/apartment may have a maximum of one 10-gallon fish tank.  The individual, not the University, shall be responsible for the cleanliness of the container as well as the cleaning of any spills of that container.  Additionally, aquarium rocks are not to be put down the drain.

See the website for the University’s Policy Statement on Disabilities at the Accessibility Resources & Accommodations Office website. Requests for service/assistance animals should be initiated through Accessibility Resources & Accommodations and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. If the request is approved, specific guidelines will be agreed upon that will become part of the University Housing Contract.


The Residential Life staff at SVSU is committed to helping create an environment that affords each student the opportunity to study or sleep when they prefer. For this reason, quiet/courtesy hours have been established. 

DESIGNATED QUIET HOURS: First Year Suites/Living Centers

Sunday - Thursday

10:30 p.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Friday & Saturday

Midnight - 10:00 a.m.

DESIGNATED QUIET HOURS: University Villages/Pine Grove

Sunday - Saturday

Midnight - 10:00 a.m.

Quiet hours will be in effect on a 24-hour basis during the final exam week of each academic semester (beginning on the weekend prior to the first scheduled exam day).

  • Quiet hours mean that residents are to refrain from creating any noise that could be disturbing to others.
  • Courtesy hours will be in effect at all times in all residential complexes and when quiet hours are not in force.

This means that residents must comply with reasonable requests to keep noise levels to a minimum. Stereos, radios, TVs, computers and all conversations must be kept to levels that will not interfere with other residents. No sound amplification or musical instruments can be played within or in the vicinity of residential facilities. If residents prefer loud music, headphones are required.

Courtesy hours are in effect at all times except during the following quiet hours.  During these respective time frames, all sound must be contained within a resident's room and/or apartment and must not be disruptive to other residents.

It is the obligation of all residents to handle violations of quiet or courtesy hours by first approaching the situation themselves. The policy depends primarily on mutual respect and concern for a satisfactory study/living environment. In the event that residents are not successful in dealing with a violation of quiet hours, a referral may be made to a Residential Life staff member. Residents who violate quiet hours or courtesy hours may be subject to disciplinary action.


Each residential facility is equipped with a refrigerator. Additional refrigerators, ten (10) cubic feet and smaller, are permitted in residential facilities.


Requests made via email to the Housing Operations prior to check-in/move-in may be granted pending space availability.  Students requesting room changes after check-in/move-in must submit their request to their Resident Director after the first ten (10) days of the semester.


Residents may not engage in or invite any firm or corporation to engage in, the business of selling or advertising any services or products, or take orders or make contracts for the delivery of services or products, on University property without prior approval. If you are approached by a solicitor, do not give out your name, social security number, etc. If a solicitation is observed, please contact University Police at (989) 964-4141 and give the location of solicitors.


Pursuant to the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act 295 of 1994, sex offenders who are SVSU students enrolled on a full or part-time basis for 30 or more total days in a calendar year are required to register their current local address (on or off campus) through their local police department. Students who must register may contact the Saginaw County Sheriff, 618 Cass Street, Saginaw, MI 48602. The phone number is (989) 790-5400.


Sidewalks around residential facilities are for pedestrian traffic only; unauthorized automobiles, other gas- or battery-propelled vehicles are not permitted on the sidewalks at any time. Sidewalk chalking is also not permissible.


All University Housing facilities are designated as smoke-free, which includes all tobacco products and hookahs. 

Smoking is permitted only in lettered parking lots

Smoking materials and/or apparatus may not be stored in Substance-Free designated housing facilities.  Cigarette butts/refuse are not permitted in rooms.  Electronic cigarettes are not permitted in rooms; however, can be used in designated smoking areas on campus.  Hookahs are permitted in designated smoking areas; however, charcoal may not be used to operate the hookah.  Disciplinary action will occur if students violate the no-smoking provision of University Housing facilities; consequences could include removal from University Housing. 

For the Smoke-Free Environment Policy, refer to Smoke-Free Environment Policy 3.3-2


Residents of each University Village complex and Pine Grove are responsible for the removal of snow from their front door to the walkway of their apartments. Shovels will be made available to assist in this effort. Also, during the winter months, please do not park vehicles with the bumpers overhanging the walkways as this impedes the ability of the snow removal crew from effectively removing snow and could result in damage to the vehicle.


Furniture and other objects on balconies, hallways and stairwells can be a safety hazard to people using the stairs and thus not permitted. Items not removed from the noted areas may be confiscated.


This housing option provides an environment for students free of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.  Residents may request Substance Free Housing at the time they submit their Housing Contract. Students living in substance-free housing agree to support a zero-tolerance lifestyle for the use/possession of alcohol, other drugs and tobacco products. Residents will not introduce any alcohol, controlled substances, tobacco products, and/or paraphernalia into the living environment. Residents will not host others who are under the influence or carry any alcohol or controlled substances. Students living in substance-free housing who are responsible for violations of the SVSU may jeopardize the privilege of living on campus. Consequences could include relocation to other housing facilities, removal from University Housing facilities and/or other sanctions.


Residents are responsible for routinely and appropriately disposing of trash and recycling from their living area into the dumpsters and recyclable receptacles located adjacent to each facility, failure to do so may constitute grounds for disciplinary action, fines or removal from housing.   Grease disposal should be exercised with caution, cooled properly and disposed of in a leak-proof container and placed in a dumpster.

Residents are encouraged to be environmentally responsible and participate in the recycling program. Refer to the Recycle Flyer (89KB)   for guidelines and the Sustainability Guide (539KB)   for suggestions of simple changes that lessen your impact on the environment and saves money.


The most common damage charges assessed to residents are for tack holes in walls and adhesive damage from tape.

The Offices of University Housing Operations and Residential Life does not endorse any materials to be used on walls or surfaces such as nails, tacks, pushpins, 3M products or similar, putty, tape (including duct, masking or Scotch), adhesives, etc. Resident students assume all risk for any attachment. Careful removal may result in reduced fines incurred by damages.


To ensure a timely and appropriate response to the occurrence of moisture-related maintenance concerns or the growth of mold in any housing facility, residents must immediately report any of the following conditions, including, but not limited to:

  • water leak
  • excessive moisture or standing water in the assigned room or common areas
  • mold growth in an assigned room/public areas
  • malfunction of any part of the heating, air-conditioning or ventilation system of either assigned room or public areas, etc.

Please immediately call Campus Facilities at (989) 964-4080 AND complete a Service Request to schedule maintenance assistance.  Failure to report the above concerns in a timely manner could result in resident damage charges.


Window screens are provided for health and safety reasons and should never be removed. Violators will be charged a $50 fine for the first incident. Any future violations of this kind may result in a more severe sanction.


A limited number of loft kits are available for university housing bed furniture (Living Centers, University Village, and Pine Grove 7800-7809 buildings only). Only university-provided lofts are permitted. The fee associated with the loft kit request is non-refundable once delivered. Students are responsible for loft kit assembly and tear down.  

Loft kits can be requested by emailing housing@svsu.edu using the student's SVSU email address and including the following:

  • Email Subject Line: Loft Kit Request
  • Last Name
  • First Name
  • SVSU ID Number
  • Room Assignment (if known) including Building and Room

A $50 fee will be assessed to the student account once delivered. The fee is subject to change.


CONTACT US.


Housing Operations
Curtiss 118
housing@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4255

Residential Life
Curtiss 114
reslife@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4410

Dining Services
Curtiss Hall 122
dining@svsu.edu
(989) 964-4252