Housing and Residential Life Policies 2024-2025
黑料网 Housing and Residential Life seeks to provide a positive living and learning environment supporting its mission to ensure high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence. The concepts of personal integrity and community responsibility remain central to this mission. The following community expectations have been created to aid in this endeavor for students living in or visiting campus-provided housing. Individuals are expected to comply with these expectations, as well as any and all local, state and federal laws, and with the 黑料网 Student Code of Conduct, any time they are in or around campus-provided housing.
These policies were created while thinking about the concepts of personal integrity and community responsibility. Each student鈥檚 participation with campus housing is conditional upon acceptance of these policies and behavior consistent with them.
Additionally, vital conversations about choices, behaviors and community expectations are central to the creation and maintenance of a positive and productive residential community. Such conversations include peer accountability, as well as accountability from professional staff. Accordingly, individuals are expected to use campus resources to confront behavior that does not comply with these community expectations. Remaining in the presence of acts that violate these expectations, even if one is not actively participating, may still be considered a violation through implied consent.
Although individuals are expected to adhere to these policies while on campus, every member of the campus community remains accountable to applicable law and the Student Code of Conduct regardless of whether they are on or off campus. Behavior that does not comply with the Student Code of Conduct while on campus may result in the student being referred to the student conduct process.
The 黑料网 Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook Policies will be periodically updated.
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to be familiar with and abide by these policies!
黑料网 acknowledges the use of alcohol by individuals 21 years of age and older is a personal choice. However, the university also recognizes the choice to use alcohol, in some circumstances, may impede the university鈥檚 goal of providing a positive, living-learning environment. Alcohol may not be consumed by anyone under the age of 21, no matter the legal drinking age in a student鈥檚 home country. Accordingly, the following policies are in place within campus-provided housing.
All use of alcohol in residential spaces must be in compliance with all campus, city, state and federal policies and laws and any time that alcohol is being consumed, all people present must be 21 or older. See below for explanations of wet, damp and dry rooms:
- A wet space is defined as one where everyone assigned to live there is 21 years of age or older. In this situation, all residents in the space may store or consume alcohol in the space (without underage guests and if abiding by other alcohol policies).
- A damp space is defined as a space where one or more residents assigned to the space is 21 years of age or older and one or more residents assigned to the space is under the age of 21. In this situation, the resident of legal drinking age may only consume alcohol in the presence of an underaged resident if that underage resident is their assigned roommate and the resident of legal drinking age is in their assigned bedroom. The underage resident is not allowed to consume alcohol in that space, or any other space, or be in the presence of alcohol in other spaces.
- A dry space is a space that is occupied entirely by individuals under the age of 21. In this situation, there should be no alcohol in the space. All building common spaces are considered dry spaces.
A1: Possession, Consumption and Presence
Individuals who are not 21 years of age or older may not possess, consume or be in the presence of alcohol. Alcohol may only be consumed by individuals of legal age, 21 years of age or older, no matter the legal drinking age in home locations. Individuals who are of legal age to possess and consume alcohol may have alcohol in their assigned residential space for personal consumption, as long as it is a 鈥渨et鈥 room. Additionally, alcohol may not be consumed in a public space including, but not limited to, hallways, lounges, parking lots, apartment patios or balconies, laundry rooms, parking lots or the Webster Village Apartment (WVA) clubhouse.
A2: Over-Consumption and Disruption
Given the health concerns related to the over-consumption and rapid consumption of alcohol, individuals may not possess excessive amounts of alcohol on campus and/or possess or use devices intended for the rapid consumption of alcohol. This includes, but is not limited to, kegs, beer bongs and beer pong. Excessive alcohol consumption (whether on campus or off campus, and regardless of the resident's age) is prohibited. Residents will be held accountable for any alcohol consumption that leads to the disruption of the University community or endangers the resident(s) involved.
A3: Paraphernalia
Collections of alcohol containers are prohibited on campus, even if used for decoration, and regardless of age of residents.
A4: Distribution
Individuals on campus are prohibited from providing alcohol to individuals under 21 years of age. Alcohol may not be in the presence of individuals under 21 years of age, with the exception outlined in the 鈥渄amp space鈥 definition.
Individuals should store bicycles and scooters on the racks provided outside of the residential facilities. Individuals may store bicycles and scooters within individual rooms as long as each roommate agrees, and the bicycle/scooter does not obstruct access to the room or egress from the space. Individuals may not ride bicycles or scooters within the residence halls or along patio areas. Individuals may not store bicycles or scooters within public areas of buildings, on patios/balconies or on/under stairwells (unless affixed to a bike rack located under the stairwell). Additionally, gasoline/electric-powered scooters/mopeds/motorcycles/bicycles must be stored outside of buildings and are not permitted to be stored in bicycle racks. If you wish to park your gasoline/electric powered scooter/moped/motorcycle in a parking space, you must obtain a parking permit from Public Safety. All residents with bicycles are encouraged to register their bike, at no expense, with Public Safety.
DC1: Disorderly Conduct
Conduct that could result in a personal or public risk, a disturbance or threaten the public peace is not allowed.
DC2: Pranks and Practical Jokes
Given the risk of personal injury or property damage, pranks and practical jokes, including, but not limited to, shaving cream and water fights, are prohibited on campus.
DC3: Sport Activities
Sports activities are prohibited inside campus housing. Hall sports can create a disturbance and increase the possibility of personal injury and/or damage. This includes, but is not limited to, baseball, frisbee, football, hockey, skateboarding, rollerblading, nerf guns, soccer or horseplay. In seeking to maintain residential facilities, individuals may not possess or use darts and/or dartboards.
DC4: Threatening Behavior
Conduct that threatens the health and safety of oneself or any other person in or around 黑料网 operated areas is prohibited. Threatening behavior can include behaviors or actions that could result in the spread of illnesses.
DC5: Inappropriate Driving and Parking
Behavior that could endanger others in Housing-affiliated parking lots. This includes, but is not limited to, driving the incorrect direction in a parking lot, speeding, doing donuts or parking in unassigned lots or spaces.
In addition to the Student Code of Conduct policies related to 鈥淒rugs,鈥 Housing and Residential Life recognizes that additional measures are required for a living environment, which can be detrimentally affected by the use of drugs. This policy is applicable in both parking lots and buildings of residential areas. To that end, Housing and Residential Life maintains a separate 鈥淒rugs鈥 policy, which is utilized in addition to the Student Code of Conduct:
D1: Marijuana Usage
The possession or usage of marijuana, consumed in any form containing THC, in a Housing space, is a policy violation. An odor from cannabis-related products confirmed by two or more staff members suspected to be coming from a Housing space may constitute a violation of this policy and therefore necessitates a meeting with a professional staff member.
D2: Paraphernalia
Drug paraphernalia, including but not limited to bongs, blowtubes, pipes, THC or marijuana-labelled vape pens, and homemade devices, is not allowed, even if drugs are not present with them. All paraphernalia will be confiscated and not returned to the owners.
D3: Distribution
Evidence suggesting an individual is selling and/or distributing illegal substances or synthetic type substances will be met with an elevated response due to the threat posed to the residential community.
D4: Other Drug and Drug Usage
Illegal drug use of any type is not allowed, including improper use of prescribed medication. Moreover, residents will be held accountable for any drug use that leads to disruption of the Housing or campus community or endangers the resident(s) involved.Due to the communal nature of the residence halls and current fire codes, the following policies are in place:
F1: Kitchen Appliances
In seeking to provide a safe living and learning environment, 黑料网 limits the appliances that may be used within residential facilities. Housing and Residential Life reserves the right to prohibit students from keeping appliances within their assigned space if they do not utilize them responsibly. Appliances with exposed or open heating elements are prohibited, except for coffee makers with an automatic shut-off function.
- Microwaves less than 1,200 watts are permitted within individual residence hall rooms (one per room). An additional microwave is provided within the kitchenette area on each floor within the residence halls as well as the kitchen in West Hall.
- Only individuals residing in apartments are permitted to have toasters (one per apartment kitchen), along with University-provided appliances.
- Residence hall rooms are limited to one mini-refrigerator per room. Mini refrigerators may have a maximum capacity of 5.0 cubic feet and must be Energy Star rated.
- Air fryers (no grill models), rice cookers, crockpots and instant pots with automatic shut-offs are approved only for use in kitchens, however only one can be plugged in at any given time. Residents in dorms may store but not use appliances in bedrooms.
- Toaster ovens, griddles, indoor grills, pizza ovens, panini press and deep friers are not allowed in housing spaces at all.
F2: Candles, Incense, Open Flames
Due to the potential risk to the welfare of the campus community, devices with open flames are not allowed on campus. This includes unused items intended for decoration. If these elements are to be found in a resident鈥檚 assigned living area, they will be confiscated by staff and may not be returned.
This includes but is not limited to candles and incense. In addition, blow torches and items used to cause intense flame (more than a standard lighter) are not allowed.
F3: Fire Equipment and Ceiling Decorations
Due to concerns related to the fire safety and sprinkler systems, students are prohibited from hanging/draping cloth across the ceilings of their assigned spaces. Residents cannot hang items from, block or cover any fire equipment, such as sprinklers, smoke detectors, heat detectors or fire extinguishers. If students are found to have caused damage to fire equipment or damage resulting from tampering with fire equipment, they will be responsible for any cost incurred to fix the damage.
F4: Combustion Engines
Engines and engine parts such as those on motorcycles, motorized bicycles or other vehicles are prohibited in University housing spaces, including balconies, patios and building walkways, at all times.
F5: Electrical Outlets
Due to safety concerns, the University does not permit the modification of electrical outlets or use of extension cords or electrical outlet adapters. However, the University does allow the use of Underwriter鈥檚 Laboratories (UL) surge protectors/power strips with circuit breakers.
Additionally, 鈥渄aisy-chaining鈥 or plugging multiple surge protectors/power strips together is not allowed.
F6: Grills and Grill Supplies
Storing grills within University housing is prohibited, including at Big Bend Apartments. This includes inside rooms/apartments, common walkways, in front of units and on patios or balconies. Big Bend residents and guests are not allowed to use personal grills anywhere on Housing property. Grill supplies meant to help start a fire, such as charcoal and wood, and/or flammable liquids such as gasoline, kerosene and lighter fluids are not allowed.
F7: Lighting
The University does not allow the use of halogen light bulbs or any other light source that produces excessive heat, including lava lamps. Lamps with plastic lampshades are only allowed if LED bulbs are used. Strip lighting is not approved, and students will be charged for damages incurred from removal.
F8: Window Coverings
Curtains and window coverings are strictly prohibited due to concerns related to emergency entrance and egress from buildings, as well as the fire grade of such objects.
Additionally, windows are not permitted for use to hang items such as banners, flags or other potential items that block the window at all or are outward-facing decorations that can be seen from outside the building.
F9: Heating and Cooling Equipment
Space heaters, fireplaces, firepits (electric or other heating mechanisms) are not allowed in housing spaces. Window AC units are not permitted, however, fans are allowed.
In order to provide a safe and secure residential area, residents and their guests are expected to follow the University Guest Policy and Procedures.
- A resident is defined as a student who is currently assigned a bed space in campus housing at 黑料网's Webster Groves Campus.
- A guest is defined as an individual who is not assigned to the host鈥檚 residential space and is visiting the host resident.
- A resident hosting a guest(s) must escort their guest(s) at all times. All guests must be 18 years or older, unless the resident hosting the guest receives prior written approval from their Community Director. Guest(s) are expected to abide by University policies and procedures. The resident hosting a guest(s) is responsible for the actions of their guest(s).
G1: Visitation Limits
The resident hosting guests may only host three (3) guests at a time during quiet hours. Guests who stay past 2 a.m. are considered overnight guests. Overnight guests may only stay with the approval of the host鈥檚 roommate. Any resident may only have overnight guests a total of 14 nights per year, and guests may only stay a maximum of three consecutive nights at a time. Spacemates are expected to discuss and come to an agreement on expectations surrounding guests: when they are able to be present, what notice is requested ahead of their arrival, what expectations are there for behavior in shared spaces, etc. In the event that assistance is needed to have or mediate these conversations, please reach out to your Resident Assistant or the Housing and Residential Life Office.
G2: Guest Registration at East, West and Maria Halls
If the residence hall front desk is open, a resident hosting a guest(s) must check in their guest(s) with the individual working at the front desk. When checking in at the front desk, the guest(s) will need to provide a valid picture ID (not including passports). At all other times, guests are expected to have a valid picture ID on their person. Guests may pick up their ID upon checking out with the front desk. If the front desk is closed when the guest(s) seeks to check out, they may obtain their ID from the Housing and Residential Life Office.
G3: Residency Verification at East, West and Maria Halls
Every resident entering East, West or Maria Halls is required to show their student ID to the Desk Attendant who is staffing the front desk area. Staff members will use the provided residency sticker to confirm the student鈥檚 resident status.
N1: Courtesy Hours
Each residential community will maintain 24-hour courtesy hours. During this time, individuals should act appropriately so as not to disturb others in the community.
N2: Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are in place from 11 p.m.鈥10 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from 1鈥10 a.m, Friday and Saturday. During quiet hours, individuals shall refrain from creating noise that may be heard outside of the individual鈥檚 assigned space. The Housing and Residential Life Office may adjust quiet hours throughout the semester, such as during midterms, finals week and breaks.
N3: Presence
Courtesy and quiet hours exist to support the academic mission of the University by providing individuals with a space to study and rest. Both are predicated upon the mutual respect for individuals within the community. Students who are present in a loud situation, even if not directly making the noise themselves, will be held responsible for a noise violation.
N4: Amplification
Individuals should not direct amplified noise outside of the residence halls and apartments by placing speakers in windows facing outside, yelling, blowhorns, etc.
Pets are prohibited within Housing spaces with the exception of fish or other fully underwater aquatic animals contained in a tank with a capacity of 10 gallons or less.
All requests for an Emotional Support Animal (ESA) must be approved in writing through the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) Coordinator and Director of Housing before the animal enters University residential spaces.
Service Animals that meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act are not required to be approved, but staff might ask:
- If the animal is a service animal, and
- What service, work or task has the animal been trained to perform.
Misrepresentation of an animal鈥檚 status as an ESA or Service Animal is a policy violation. Failure to appropriately clean up after or care for animals is also a policy violation.
R1: Elevators
Individuals may not misuse elevators in the residence halls, including, but not limited to, false alarms, vandalism, overcrowding, tampering, forcing doors to open, jumping, unscrewing lightbulbs or stopping the elevator. Any incident that incurs damage to the elevator as a result of misuse will be the responsibility of the student(s) involved and those student(s) will be financially responsible for the costs incurred to fix the damage.
R2: Furniture
University owned or University-provided furniture items may not be removed from the space to which the item was assigned. Residents are responsible for the furniture items provided in the assigned spaces. Spaces operating at single occupancy that are designed for multiple occupants must keep all sets of furniture within the space. Students will be held responsible for any damage to furniture.
R3: Laundry
The University provides laundry amenities for the residential population. Residents should take appropriate measures to maintain the washer and dryer units, including not overloading them and cleaning lint filters after every use. The use of Tide pods or laundry pods are strictly prohibited. High efficiency (HE) liquid detergents, softeners and dryer sheets are the only approved cleaning agents for the washer and dryer units. If a resident is found to be using Tide/laundry pods and damage is incurred to the machine, said student may be financially responsible for the cost to fix the damage. Individuals residing in University-leased properties located off campus, such as Big Bend, may not use laundry facilities located in East, West or Maria Halls or in the WVA Clubhouse. Instead, individuals must use the laundry facility assigned to their living space. Laundry rooms have common-use etiquette standards posted. Failure to follow these etiquette standards may constitute a violation of the laundry policy, including, but not limited to, going through other鈥檚 laundry and taking items that are not yours.
R4: Painting
Individuals may not paint their assigned living space. Murals and painting of hallways and other public areas are prohibited. If residents cause damage to any of the walls or floors, they are prohibited from painting over the damage and can be charged upon checkout depending on the seriousness of the damage.
R5: Patios and Balconies
Individuals living in the Webster Village Apartments and Big Bend Apartments need to maintain the apartment鈥檚 patios and balcony. This includes only using appropriate outdoor furniture. University-provided furniture may not be used for outdoor spaces. Any damage caused to university-provided furniture will result in the resident assigned to the space incurring the cost of the replacement furniture. Individuals may not hang items from the railings on the patios and balconies, including drying clothes, banners, flags, yard signage or other items. Individuals not place trash or any items that may be deemed trash outside their apartment door or on the patio. Only Housing-approved signage is allowed to be visible outside apartment spaces.
R6: Vandalism
Damage and vandalism to common areas in the residence halls and apartments will be attributed to the responsible individual or group who will then be charged for the repair or replacement of the damaged property. Whenever it is not possible to assign charges for damage or theft of University property to specific individuals, those costs will be divided evenly among the smallest group of individuals to which the damage can be attributed. For this reason, it is important that a staff member be contacted immediately with information regarding damage to or theft of University and/or personal property.
R7: Windows
Window screens must remain in windows and may not be removed. Individuals may not use open windows as entrances and/or exits. Additionally, individuals may not throw objects out of windows. Residents who damage screens or windows will be charged. Students may not place signage or messaging that can be seen from outside the building in windows.
R8: Cleanliness and Encroachment
Students may only occupy the assigned portion of a space they reside in, even if no roommate is present. Residents must keep their space at a reasonable cleanliness level. Excessive trash, food waste, lack of clear floor space, body waste or other cleanliness concerns that pose a potential health and safety violation is not allowed.
S1: Roof Access
Presence on University rooftops for any reason is prohibited.
S2: Granting Access
To maintain a safe and secure environment, the residential buildings require ID cards to enter the building. Individuals may not prop open doors, hinder the locking of doors, tamper with doors or allow individuals to enter a building unless they know the individual has current card access to that building (this includes allowing 鈥渢ailgating鈥 or allowing residents to follow others into a building). Individuals may not prop open doors, hinder the locking of doors, tamper with doors, give their ID card or ID number to others or allow others to enter through the side doors, even if they are a current resident of the building.
S3: Locking Doors
Residents are expected to lock their room, suite and apartment doors.
S4: Unauthorized Entry and Use
Individuals may not possess, duplicate or use keys, identification cards and/or access codes to any University premises or enter or use University premises without proper authorization. Trespassing, forcibly entering, or otherwise proceeding into unauthorized areas of University owned or leased facilities, their roofs, storage areas, tour spaces, or the residential space of another without permission is prohibited. Using someone else鈥檚 ID card or ID number to grant access, purchase food or engage in any other ID-related transaction is not allowed.
黑料网 is a tobacco-free and smoke-free campus. The use of tobacco products, smoking and vaping, whether filled with a tobacco product or any other type of material, is not allowed inside residential spaces or on campus property, including residential parking lots.
U1: Posting of Flyers
Individuals may not post materials within the residential community, indoor or outdoor, including in parking lots and on cars. All materials must be brought to the Housing and Residential Life Office for approval or emailed to housing@webster.edu. Once the materials are approved, Housing and Residential Life staff members will post them within the residential community. If an unapproved flier is found within the residential community, it will be removed immediately and the entity may be restricted from posting fliers within the community.
U2: Solicitation
Outside solicitation is prohibited in University Housing. Solicitation is defined as: door-to-door contact for the purpose of soliciting funds or sales; recruiting members or support for an organization or cause; compiling data for surveys; distributing advertising or other materials; or use of hallways, lobby or lounge areas for any of these purposes. Note that solicitation includes postings on exterior or hallway facing doors regarding causes, politics, organizations or any other items that could be considered an informational or recruitment item. Report door-to- door salespeople, political campaigners or other trespassers on the property to Housing and Residential Life staff.
Individuals may not possess and/or use fireworks, firearms, other explosives, other weapons or dangerous chemicals on campus, including for decorative purposes. Weapons are as defined in the University鈥檚 Campus Violence and Weapons policy.
High-speed wireless internet provided by the University is available campus wide. Wireless internet access is provided to residents at the Webster Groves campus, including the Webster Village Apartments, East and West Hall, and Maria Hall. Some locations still have wired data ports available, which residents may continue to use. You will need an Ethernet cable (RJ45) to connect your device. However, these ports should be used to connect end devices only, such as desktops and laptops. Unmanaged wireless routers are prohibited.
Students residing in West, East and Maria Halls, and the Webster Village Apartments are prohibited from setting up their own wireless routers or other wireless access points. The possibility of conflict with personal wireless routers or access points and the Webster wireless network will expose the University to considerable security risk and network service disruptions. Discovery of unapproved installations of equipment that conflicts with Webster network services will result in termination of the network connection. The offending equipment must be immediately removed from connection to the Webster network.
Disciplinary action will result, and sanctions will be determined based on the severity of damage caused, and could include restriction from continued use of the Webster network.
Students are expected to review the University's information technology polices. Any student found violating any of the IT policies will be sent through the conduct process.
Housing and Residential Life Processes and Procedures 2023-2024
This document is an overview of the regular and frequently asked about processes and procedures that happen each year within 黑料网's Housing and Residential Life. It is important that residents and those who interact with the Housing and Residential Life Office are familiar with the following processes and procedures.
These processes and procedures can be updated and amended throughout the year based on departmental need and institutional changes. In addition, this document works in conjunction with the Housing and Residential Life Policies document, Housing and Residential Life Emergency Procedures document, and all other 黑料网 policies and procedures.
Important Housing and Residential Life documents, including, but not limited to, the Housing Contract Terms and Conditions, Housing Processes and Procedures, Housing Policies, and Housing Emergency Procedures can be found by scrolling down to "Important Information" on the 黑料网 Housing website.
The 黑料网 Student Code of Conduct and Student Handbook Policies will be periodically updated.
IMPORTANT: It is your responsibility to be familiar with and abide by all of these policies and procedures!
The growth and development of students at 黑料网 is central to our goal of maintaining an environment conducive to student learning, academic achievement, individual responsibility and respect for the rights and privileges of others. One aspect of this mission includes the availability of Counseling, Health Services, educational programs and policies to foster health and safety.
Addressing Health and Safety and Emergencies
At times, emergency situations may occur that require immediate response and continuing support. Emergency situations may include:
- Destructive or other inappropriate behavior.
- Drug and alcohol abuse.
- Eating disorders.
- Suicidal ideation or action.
- Any behavior that points to possible imminent danger, foreseeable danger to oneself or another member of the University community.
In these emergency situations, the University may take actions in order to assess the situation and better support a student experiencing an emergency:
- Consult with and refer the student to a mental and/or health care facility or provider (the University鈥檚 Office of Counseling and Life Development, Health Services, an area hospital or licensed mental health or health care professional).
- Refer the student to the University student conduct process if the student鈥檚 behavior has violated any rules, policies or procedures.
- Contact Public Safety and/or law enforcement to respond to situations, which threaten the health and safety of the student in crisis and/or the campus community.
- Contact emergency medical services to respond to physical or mental health emergencies.
In some cases, these situations will result in a hospitalization, or the student leaving campus for a period of time. After the emergency situation is resolved, the Dean of Students Office, Health Services, Counseling, and other campus resources are available to assist with the student鈥檚 transition back into the University community.
Involving Essential Parties
黑料网 reserves the right to notify the parents or emergency contacts of the student and appropriate University Officials who have a need to be informed of the emergency in order to better support the student.
Returning to Campus
Prior to returning to campus, the student needs to meet with the Dean of Students, Director of Housing and Residential Life, or their designee to ensure that the student鈥檚 transition back to campus proceeds smoothly. This is an important meeting during which the student will discuss the resources available on campus to support members of the University community and learn helpful information, including names and contact information for Residential Life Staff members and other key administrators. The student may also receive referrals to resources on campus, including:
- Student Health Services
- Academic Advising
- Student Counseling
- Academic Resource Center
- Public Safety
- Title IX Office
- Etc.
Any personal property that is abandoned on the premises of the housing complex (including, but not limited to, exterior spaces, hallways, stairwells, lounges, laundry rooms and formerly occupied rooms) will be subject to the following:
- If the owner of the abandoned property can be identified, Housing and Residential Life staff will contact the individual to claim the item(s) from the Housing and Residential Life Office or Public Safety Office within a set period of time.
- If the owner does not claim the property within 14 days from provided notice, the item(s) will become the property of 黑料网 and will be subject to transfer/disposal of surplus property. For perishable items, the time period to claim the property will change based on the item.
- Should the owner of the abandoned property be unidentifiable, the property will be immediately subject to transfer or disposal.
- Fines for removal of any and all abandoned belongings may be assessed by Housing and Residential Life staff when necessary.
- Housing and Residential Life reserve the right to immediately dispose of any items that are prohibited in University Housing facilities or pose a safety risk.
All residents must be actively enrolled full-time to remain in campus housing. This means for undergraduate students at minimum 12 credit hours per semester, however, 13 is recommended due to impact of being considered full-time flat fee. Graduate students must maintain 6 hours per semester to remain in campus housing for that semester, with a minimum of 3 credits per term. Students must be currently enrolled in classes each term (including not withdrawn or dropped) when they live on campus. This means that each term a student must be in the majority of their courses (not all in Fall 1 or all in Fall 2). The Director of Housing and Residential Life may grant exceptions to this guideline. Students interested in requesting an exemption should contact the Director of Housing and Residential Life prior to course scheduling.
Postings
All postings must be pre-approved by the Housing and Residential Life Office, located in West Hall. The Housing and Residential Life Office will display the postings in the residential communities. Postings include any type of publicity, flyer, signage, etc., to be placed anywhere within the residential communities or Housing property. Only postings for 黑料网 events will be approved. All postings must have the following:
- Contact information.
- Name of the event.
- Name of the organization and/or department sponsoring the posting.
- Time, date and location of the event.
The Housing and Residential Life Office will accept 30 flyers for 黑料网 events. These flyers will be distributed to:
- 11 flyers will be given to the East/West RA mailboxes to be posted on their floors.
- One flyer will be placed in the display case next to the mailboxes in West Hall.
- One flyer will be placed in the display case at the entrance to East Hall.
- Six flyers will be placed in the WVA RA mailboxes to be posted on their buildings.
- Four flyers will be placed to the Maria RA mailboxes to be posted on their floors.
- One flyer will be placed on the bulletin board at the front desk entrance in Maria Hall.
- One flyer will be placed in the WVA Clubhouse Laundry Room.
- One flyer will be placed in the display cases at the WVA Mailboxes.
- Two flyers will be placed in Glen Park and Big Bend each.
- Staff will only post in these locations.
Mailbox Stuffers
Housing does not accept mailbox stuffers of any kind.
Door Tags
Door tags are considered to be any form of going door-to-door and leaving something with each room, whether it is taped to the door, hanging from the door handle, slid under the door, etc. Door Tags are prohibited by any organization outside of Housing and Residential Life.
Outdoor Advertising
Outdoor advertising must also be pre-approved like all other methods of advertising in Housing. This includes sidewalk chalking, staked signs, display boards and leaflets on car windows. Sidewalk chalk and staked signs advertising events are permitted around campus housing at the following locations:
- The sidewalk between Maria and Webster Hall.
- The sidewalk along the west wall of Maria Hall.
- The sidewalks around the WVA Clubhouse and the WVA mail kiosk.
- The sidewalk surrounding the circle drives at East and West Halls.
Display boards can be placed outside the residence halls and apartments 鈥 please contact the Housing and Residential Life Office for acceptable locations.
Solicitation
It is prohibited for any individual, group or organization, to go door-to-door soliciting, selling or other door-to-door behavior 鈥 this includes attaching to or sliding items under doors.
Individuals found to be soliciting will be escorted out of the building by a Housing and Residential Life staff member, Public Safety or the Webster Groves Police Department.
Failure to Comply and Removal
Failure to comply with any of the processes as outlined above may result in immediate removal of advertisements, advertising privileges being revoked, and may result in involvement with the student conduct process. In addition, individuals may be charged for any damage to facilities for items that were displayed incorrectly. Questions about this advertising policy should be directed to the Housing and Residential Life Office. All postings will be taken down two weeks after being posted.
To provide a safe and secure living environment, the exterior entrances to East, West and Maria Halls will be locked 24 hours per day. Residents of these halls are able to enter the building by using their ID card with the electronic reader. Residents should use the main entrances into the residence halls. The side doors should be reserved for exiting the building only.
Secured exterior doors may not be propped open. Additionally, residents are not permitted to enter through or allow others access to the building through the side door.
Should a resident forget their ID, or if their ID is not properly encoded to access the building, the resident should contact the front desk attendant to gain access to the building in which they live. The first two times that a resident is granted access to the building without an ID are free. Starting with the third 鈥渘o ID鈥 incident, residents will be fined $10 each time thereafter. After a resident has accumulated $30 in 鈥渘o ID鈥 fines, they will be referred to the student conduct process. All fines/fees are billed to the student鈥檚 account.
Residents living in University-owned or -leased apartments are expected to lock their individual apartments and bedrooms.
Room condition and damages are the responsibility of each resident. Upon moving into the residence halls or apartments, a Unit Condition Report (UCR) is completed via online form. This form records the condition of the space as the resident receives it. It is important to make any additions to this form accurately as it will serve as a guide for comparison of the room's condition when the resident moves out. Additional notes to the UCR must be provided to the resident鈥檚 RA within 48 hours of the resident checking into the space. After the 48-hour period, the student will be responsible for any additional damages found in the room during checkout.
All damages to a room should be reported to a staff member immediately so that the necessary repairs can be arranged. Each resident will be held financially accountable for those damages which have occurred during the resident's stay and are assessed by a staff member to be above and beyond normal wear and tear.
Additionally, students checking into the Glen Park or Big Bend will need to secure an occupancy permit from the Webster Groves City Hall prior to moving into the space.
Upon check out, residents are also responsible for cleaning all room and bathroom areas. Failure to clean appropriately may result in a cleaning fine for each space (room, bathroom, kitchen, common area, etc.). Keys not returned upon check out will result in a charge to the resident to re-core the door lock for the next occupant. East, West, and WVA mailbox keys not returned will also result in a charge to the resident to re-core the lock at the expense of the resident. All checkout times must be scheduled with a staff member no less than 24 hours in advance of the desired checkout time unless the student is approved to do an express checkout. Individuals who do not complete the checkout process may be assessed an Improper Checkout fine.
Students with questions regarding the checkout process are encouraged to contact their Resident Assistant, Community Director or the Housing and Residential Life Office.
WVA residents will have access to the Clubhouse laundry area and lounge unless otherwise reserved for event usage.
Living in a community necessitates a common concern regarding the living environment. If a common area space or furniture is damaged, the entire community can be affected. If common area damages occur, staff members within the Housing and Residential Life Office will work to determine the individual or individuals responsible for the damage. Individuals with knowledge of the situation are encouraged to speak with a member of the Housing and Residential Life staff. If staff members are not able to determine who is responsible for the damages, the office may charge the floor/building.
After the damage is reported and if staff members are not able to determine who is responsible, the floor/building affected will be notified with an Intent to Bill notice. Residents will have three (3) days to identify the individual(s) responsible for the common area damage. If responsibility cannot be determined within the three-day grace period, the floor/building will be held responsible. If this occurs, residents will be notified, and the amount listed in the Intent to Bill notice will be divided by the members of the floor/building and charged to each student鈥檚 account at the end of the month. The charges will appear on the regular monthly statement. All payments should be made directly to the business office in a manner similar to how tuition and room charges are paid.
Housing and Residential Life staff members may confiscate items including drug paraphernalia, alcohol or alcohol containers, candles and certain appliances that are in the possession of students and in violation of housing policies during health and safety inspections or when they are viewed by staff members at other times. Certain items, including alcohol, alcohol containers, drugs, drug paraphernalia and candles will not be returned to students; other items will be returned in accordance with procedures established by the Director of Housing and Residential Life.
At different times during the academic year, students may find themselves without roommates due to cancellation or withdrawal. To fill an open space in University housing, one of three options may be available:
- Consolidate with another student who is also without a roommate.
- Receive a roommate as assigned by the Housing and Residential Life Office.
- Pay a higher adjusted rate for the double accommodations as a single. In the case of a housing shortage, this option will not be offered.
When consolidating, Housing and Residential Life staff will provide all affected residents the most feasible options available at the time. As room changes are made due to consolidation, residents will follow typical room check-in and check-out procedures. Situations in which a resident with a vacancy discourages the moving in of another resident or prospective student may result in the involvement of the student conduct process.
The housing contract/lease for the residence halls or apartments is for the full academic year. Students must petition to terminate their contracts or leases. The Request for Termination form can be completed by emailing housing@webster.edu for information on cancellations and terminations.
All requests for termination are subject to requests for appropriate documentation. Contract breakage fees will apply if the request is granted. Please reference the Housing website pages on Cancellations and Terminations for additional information, or email housing@webster.edu for situationally specific questions.
For information about termination and cancellations go to:
All decorations should be of a temporary nature so as not to permanently deface or damage the finishes in the student鈥檚 room or apartment. Use of duct tape, mounting tape and/or poster putty is not permitted. Blue tape is the only recommended method for adhering decorations in a space. Damage of any kind caused to walls from decorations, or other damage, may be billed to the residents of the space. Painting walls in any way is not permitted. Students may not hang or display any kind of decoration in or from the windows or that are visibly resting in windows.
Entrance doors, bedroom doors and closet doors as well as cabinet and furniture surfaces shall remain free of nails, stickers, tape, or any other additions to the original surface. All University-provided furniture must remain in the room into which it was originally placed.
Per St. Louis Country fire code, decorations on exterior room doors cannot exceed coverage of half the door鈥檚 total space. Additionally, decorations may not jut away from the surface of the door, past the space allotted by the doorframe. No exterior decorations are to be placed on hallway or apartment building walls. While decorating, please note the solicitation policy if you wish to place items on an exterior facing door.
Residents shall not hang any items from the ceiling or draped above the fire sprinkler heads. Damage to the sprinkler heads could result in flooding and excessive water damage for which the resident may be held responsible.
In the event of an emergency, all residents have a responsibility to follow University-outlined protocol. 黑料网 Public Safety has protocols for general evacuation and relocation, tornadoes, fires, bomb threats, hazardous materials, evacuation for persons with disabilities, earthquakes, civil protests, explosions and active shooters. Each resident is responsible for knowing these protocols and should review them on Webster University Public Safety鈥檚 webpage.
Students who have an emotional support or service animal should contact the Academic ADA Coordinator by email (disability@webster.edu) or by phone (314-246-7700) to set up an initial meeting pertaining to the animal鈥檚 presence on campus. All emotional support animals must get written permission from the ADA Coordinator and Director of Housing and Residential Life before being brought to campus.
In order to provide a safe and secure residential area, residents and their guests are expected to follow the University Guest Policy and Procedures. A resident is defined as a student who is currently assigned a bed space in campus housing at 黑料网-Webster Groves Campus. A guest is defined as an individual who is not assigned to the host鈥檚 residential space and is visiting the host resident. Hosts are responsible for the behavior/actions of their guests.
Please refer to the Housing and Residential Life policies for more information on guest expectations.
All residents are required to submit a completed Student Health Packet. The completed packet must be submitted to the Health Services Office before move-in. Residents who do not provide appropriate documents by the deadline noted above may not be allowed to move into University Housing, a hold being placed on their account preventing them from course changes, and/or will be given a short window of time to complete all materials. All international students are required to enroll in the University鈥檚 student health insurance plan.
Due to the communal nature of living in University Housing, there are vaccine requirements. Full and updated information on vaccines is available under "Required Health Forms and Vaccinations" on 黑料网's Student Health Services page.
Currently all residents in East, West, Maria, Webster Village Apartments, Glen Park and Big Bend are required to provide proof of the following vaccinations as part of their Health Packet: MMR vaccination (two doses of the MMR vaccine), and Meningitis (If given before age 16, a booster is also required). The University reserves the right to update vaccine and health requirements, and updates to said requirements are not considered approved grounds for cancellation or termination of the Housing contract.
Housing and Residential Life staff may conduct health and safety inspections two to four times per semester, typically aligning with fall, winter and spring breaks. These inspections help to ensure students enjoy a safe living environment, as well as to help address any facilities concerns. Upon the completion of the inspection, Housing and Residential Life staff members will provide the resident with a note indicating the status of the inspection, as well as any follow-up action that may need to be taken. Students with questions are encouraged to contact the Housing and Residential Life Office or their respective Community Director.
During break periods, except for summer and winter break, the residence halls remain open for those who wish to stay on campus. To inquire about Winter break housing, students will need to email housing@webster.edu during the Fall 2 term. Winter break housing is reserved for University-related obligations. Not all Winter break requests will be accepted as there is limited staff working during this time. All apartment options will remain open over the course of winter break. Only students residing in West, East or Maria Halls need inquire about winter break housing.
Students interested in summer housing will need to submit the Summer Housing Application. This application will be posted on the Housing and Residential Life Office website during the Spring 2 term.
All 黑料网 residents must carry their student ID card at all times and must present it to any University official upon request, including Housing and Residential Life and Public Safety staff members. Lost or stolen cards should be reported immediately to a member of the Housing and Residential Life staff. For residence halls, ID cards should be validated each semester (upon registration) by obtaining an appropriate validation sticker from the Housing and Residential Life Office. Access to residential facilities is terminated upon expiration or release from the housing contract or apartment lease.
Personal property or renter's insurance is highly recommended for your personal belongings. In the event of a fire, flood, theft or other emergency, the University does not cover students' personal items. Policies can be very affordable and may be included with parents', homeowner's or renter's policies.
Our system is set up so that East/West/Maria residents are able to watch television through the internet on a laptop or desktop computer. This can be done through the use of an ethernet cable which enables the user to access our online cable TV platform. Please note that for this option, it is required that the device be connected to an ethernet port in the resident鈥檚 room. Students will need to provide their own ethernet cord for this option.
For those students who prefer to use online streaming networks to access entertainment options (e.g., Hulu, Netflix, Vudu, etc.), these will be available for your use through normal laptop, desktop or tablet use via the 鈥淲U_Wireless.鈥 Login to the Webster WiFi is available by using your Connections username and password. If you encounter difficulty logging on to the 鈥淲U_Wireless鈥 network, please contact the Help Desk at 314-246-5995.
For those students bringing Smart TV鈥檚, gaming device or other streaming device, you will need to register these items on the Webster 鈥淲U_Gaming_&_Media_Devices鈥 wireless network by submitting a work order, including the device鈥檚 MAC address. Instructions for registering these will be available during move-in, and your RA will be able to assist you with set-up on this wireless network.
For students who wish to bring a TV to access cable, please anticipate accessing cable via Smart TV functions or through an additional device plugged into the TV to access the internet. Students should anticipate streaming cable via ethernet, gaming devices or through a Smart TV.
If you encounter any difficulty with accessing cable services, please contact your RA and/or the Housing and Residential Life Office. If you need assistance for any other device, please contact the IT Help Desk at 314-246-5995.
Students should carry their keys at all times and should be conscientious about their personal safety by locking their doors when they leave their rooms and at night. Keys must not be duplicated or lent to other people. If a student loses their key, they should notify the Housing and Residential Life Office immediately so the lock can be re-cored. The cost of the re-core will be billed to the student who lost the key and is not refundable if the key(s) are found at a later date. Replacement of a bent or broken room key costs may result in a key duplication charge.
If a resident is locked out of their assigned space, a Housing and Residential Life staff member can let them back into the space.
Residents who have been locked out of their assigned space should contact the Housing and Residential Life Office during business hours for re-entry (West Hall Office: 9 a.m.鈥5 p.m., Monday鈥揊riday). A staff member will check out a spare key to the room to the resident, the resident will complete the lock-out, return the key to the staff member (within 10 minutes), and the staff member will document the lock-out on the resident鈥檚 lock-out card.
During non-office hours, residents on campus should call the RA on call, and Glen Park/Big Bend Students should call Public Safety. A Housing staff member will then assist the resident to access the room. The staff member will document the lock-out on the lock-out card.
All residents will be asked to verify their identity in order to gain access to the room or to be issued a lock-out key. If the resident鈥檚 ID is locked in the room with the keys, the resident will be asked to verify their information on the lock-out card. Only residents can be granted access to spaces, and impersonation of a resident could result in students being sent through the conduct process and/or legal action.
On-Campus Residents
The first two lock-outs for the academic year are 鈥渇ree;鈥 after the second lock-out, residents living in WVA, West Hall, East Hall or Maria Hall will be charged $20 for each subsequent lock- out during the academic year. After the first billable lock-out, the lock-out tracking card will be given to the Community Director for Housing Operations to add the charge to the resident鈥檚 student account.
Off-Campus Residents
The first lock-out for the academic year is 鈥渇ree;鈥 after the first lockout, residents living in Glen Park or Big Bend Apartments will be charged $40 for each subsequent lock-out during the academic year. After the first billable lock-out, the lock-out tracking card will be given to the Community Director for Housing Operations to add the charge to the resident鈥檚 account. All lock-out charges will be placed on the resident鈥檚 account.
Loft kits are available for rental through the Housing and Residential Life Office. Residents can request a loft kit via email, or in response to emailed forms.
There are a limited number of loft kits available. Loft kits will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Individuals who have been assigned a loft kit will be notified in late-July or early-August. The $100 rental fee will be billed to the student鈥檚 account, and after assembled by staff will not be refunded. Residents who are not initially assigned a loft kit may be placed on a wait list should a loft kit become available and will be notified via email.
Residents are not permitted to build their own lofts or make use of any loft.
All campus residents' vehicles must display a current parking permit. All parking permits are purchased through the Department of Public Safety, located at 536 Garden Ave.
Students residing in the residence halls are able to purchase permits to park in the Garden Parking Garage or Lot M only. Students residing in the Webster Village Apartments are able to park in the parking lot in the WVA complex, but must still request and pick up their permit. Students residing in Glen Park or Big Bend are able to park in the parking lot in their assigned apartment complex.
Students with additional questions should contact the Department of Public Safety.
All freshmen enrolled at the St. Louis main campus are required to live on campus for their first two years at the University. Exceptions to this requirement are granted for freshmen living with their parents within a 35-mile radius of the main campus in Webster Groves.
Undergraduate international transfer students are also required to live on campus for their first year enrolled in classes at the main campus.
Additionally, all Study Abroad students (undergraduate and graduate) who study abroad at any of the St. Louis metro campuses are required to reside in on-campus housing for the duration of their study abroad experience. All site transfer students are required to reside on campus for their first year enrolled at the Webster Groves campus.
Students may request an exemption from this requirement. The exemption form is located on the 黑料网 Housing and Residential Life website or by emailing housing@webster.edu. Request for exemptions are not guaranteed.
Students interested in a semester space change should complete the following process; however, not every room change will be approved. Room changes are made based on need and availability.
All residents must follow this procedure when requesting a room change.
- Notify your RA of the reason(s) you wish to change spaces. If it is a room/suite-mate conflict and there has been no previous attempt to solve the problem, then your RA will sit down with you and your roommate and attempt to find a solution to the situation. This initial step must always be taken.
- To request a room change you must first meet with your RA, who will then connect you with your Community Director.
- Once a decision is reached regarding the request, a Housing and Residential Life staff member will contact all involved parties. If a room change request is granted, a $75 room change fee will be placed on the student鈥檚 account.
- The resident changing spaces will need to arrange a time to check out of their current space with their RA. Everyone who changes rooms must complete a new unit condition report (UCR) for the new space and complete the checkout portion of the UCR for the current space.
- All room changes need to be completed in a three- to five-day period as agreed upon by the Community Director approving the move.
Failure to complete the move and all paperwork in this timeframe may result in improper toom change fees and a potential Housing Policy violation.
Improper room changes may result in a fine and a hold on all room changes until the situation is corrected. Improper room changes include, but are not limited to, failure to complete all check-in materials, failure to complete all check-out materials, failure to check out with the RA and/or failure to complete the space change process in the time allowed.
Independently switching keys and moving without prior written permission by a Community Director is not permitted. If this occurs, an improper room change fee may be assessed and each resident will be required to return to their original space. Room changes may not take place during mid-term exams or final exams.
Residents have a right to privacy while living in campus housing. However, in some specific situations, it may be necessary for University staff to enter a resident鈥檚 living area or room.
The University reserves the right to enter a room for the purpose of inspection, repair, inventory or to correct a hazardous, disruptive or life-threatening situation. Housing and Residential Life staff members may enter facilities if they believe a University policy or civil or state law may be being broken, or if they believe a person is in danger or needs assistance. Staff will also enter facilities during fire alarms or for noise violations if there is no response from the resident.
Students are not required to be present for staff to enter unless a staff member specifically requests the student's presence. Any items found in plain view, which violate University policy or local, state or federal law, will be confiscated and students may become involved with the student conduct process and/or Public Safety or Policy, or other Emergency Personnel may be contacted. Please refer to the housing contract or apartment lease and to the policy on Health and Safety Inspections. All of these forms can be found on the 黑料网 Housing and Residential Life website.
It is not possible for any housing (residence halls, houses and apartments) operator to assure 鈥渟ecurity.鈥
For the convenience of our residents, many benefits such as deadbolt locks are provided. University Public Safety officers provide regular patrol, but residents should not assume the constant presence of these patrols. Residents agree to first notify Public Safety regarding any incident of theft, vandalism or unsafe conditions, and whenever possible, provide detailed information, such as a description of the offender, time and day, make and color of car, license plate number, etc. Please call Public Safety (24 hours at 314-968-7430 or, in the event of a current emergency, dial 314-968-6911 or 911) to report any criminal activity.
Students are responsible for the proper disposal of their trash and recyclable items. Public trash cans and recycling bins are located on every floor in the trash rooms in every residence hall. There are trash dumpsters along the length of the parking lot, and recycling bins are located in Lot M. There are also recycling bins in the laundry room of the clubhouse. Recycling is available for the following items: cardboard, boxboard, paper, plastic (except #6), glass, aluminum (cans, trays and foil), and steel cans and tins. Do not try to recycle containers for motor oil, insecticide, herbicide or hazardous chemicals. Students found placing landfill items in the recycling containers may be subject to the student conduct process.
The University provides for trash removal from these designated areas only. WVA residents must have garbage contained in tightly closed plastic bags, which should then be deposited in dumpsters provided at the property. Do not deposit trash between the dumpsters and the fence.
Residents in Glen Park and Big Bend have trash receptacles located in the parking lots of their complex. Students assume responsibility for taking out and disposing of trash properly. Any trash found outside of apartment doors or adjacent to dumpsters will result in fines to the resident.
Residents who leave trash outside of their assigned space or elsewhere on campus may be subject to a fine and/or the student conduct process.
Routine maintenance requests for both the residence halls and apartments can be submitted online. To submit a work order, residents must visit the 鈥淲ork Order and Incidents鈥 webpage on Webster鈥檚 Information Technology website (for technology and facilities/maintenance). Additionally, students are welcome to contact a Housing and Residential Life staff member for assistance.
East, West, Maria and WVA Work Orders
- For any work order related to maintenance and facilities, residents should click the 鈥淪ubmit a Maintenance Work Order鈥 button. First-time users should register using their Webster email on the homepage by filling out their contact information and creating a password. Note that to complete registration, residents must complete and submit their first work order request. After clicking the 鈥淩egister鈥 button, residents should start on Step 2.
- East, West, Maria or WVA residents should select the location as 鈥満诹贤 Home Campus鈥. Residents should then select their respective building and the area as 鈥淒orm Room.鈥 In the 鈥淎rea/Room Number鈥 field, the resident should type the room number of their residence.
- On Step 3, residents should select the problem that best describes the issue that needs to be resolved. Residents should only click the 鈥淢aintenance Emergency鈥 button if the issue is a crisis situation, such as a broken toilet or a broken A/C unit. Residents also must call Public Safety (314-968-7430) for any maintenance emergency.
- On Step 4, residents should describe their problem or request. To submit the work order, residents need to type 鈥減assword鈥 into the field. After clicking the submit button, residents will be notified receipt of their requests, when the request is assigned to a technician, and when the request is completed.
NOTE: Unless the work order is a maintenance emergency, maintenance will resolve the issue on business days during regular business hours.
On-Campus Technology Work Orders
For any work order that is technology related, the residents should click the 鈥淪ubmit a Technology Work Order鈥 button. Then, residents should click login on the upper-right corner of the page and use their Connections username and password to login. Next, choose a service and category from the options on the page to report an issue or make a request. Then, choose the appropriate subcategory and click the 鈥淥K鈥 button. On the next webpage, the resident should provide contact information and the department, building and area/room where the service is needed. Residents living on campus should select 鈥淥ther/Not Listed鈥 as the department. In the box at the bottom of the screen, the resident should describe the issue/request. The resident should accurately answer the questions at the bottom of the webpage and click the 鈥淪ubmit鈥 button.
Big Bend and Glen Park Work Orders
For residents in Big Bend and Glen Park Apartments, the resident should call the Housing and Residential Life Office (314-246-4663) or email the Housing and Residential Life Office (housing@webster.edu) during normal business hours. Residents residing in either one of these apartments will also be provided a phone number at the beginning of each term for emergency maintenance. You can find more specific information by scrolling down to "Maintenance Issues" on the Housing for Current Students page.
Availability
The West Hall Kitchen is available to active 黑料网 students who reside in on-campus housing. The kitchen will be open from 9 a.m. -11 p.m., seven days a week. The key will not be checked out later than 10:30 p.m. The kitchen must be vacated and cleaned by 11 p.m., without exception.
Kitchen usage is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who wish to check out the kitchen key must have a valid student ID with them at the time of key checkout. Students will leave their student ID with the Desk Attendant (DA) on duty in exchange for the kitchen key. Once the student returns the key, their ID will be returned. DAs will check to ensure that the kitchen has been thoroughly cleaned. Damages not accounted for will be charged to the individuals whose IDs were logged prior to the check. Please be respectful of the space we provide. Lending the kitchen key to other students is a breach in contract and will result in the loss of kitchen privileges.
Please keep in mind that students are expected to always observe 24-hour courtesy hours. During courtesy hours, individuals should maintain a respectful volume so as not to disturb residents who may be studying or resting. In addition, students using the kitchen must be receptive to feedback from individuals/groups who are in the Multipurpose Room or the West Hall classroom. Failure to comply with requests to lower the noise level from the kitchen will result in the loss of kitchen privileges.
Cleaning and Cooking
Cleaning is the responsibility of those who use the kitchen. You are responsible for cleaning all surfaces of the kitchen, as well as taking out the trash and recycling. Always clean up messes and spills to prevent falls. All groups/individuals will be assessed charges for extra services, including, but not limited to, housekeeping, kitchen inventory replacement and any additional maintenance expenses brought about by the use of the facilities. We cannot guarantee or monitor an allergen-free, Kosher or gluten-free environment. Please take this into consideration when using this space. Do not leave food cooking unattended. Any damage to the kitchen will be the responsibility of the individual(s) whose IDs are logged with the desk attendant at the time of the damage. Do not pour cooking oil, grease or fats into the sink or toilet bowl. Use paper towels to remove oil and grease residue from cookware prior to washing. Alcohol of any kind is not permitted in the kitchen. Due to the limited space and demand for the kitchen, prepared meals are prohibited from being eaten in the kitchen.
Kitchen Amenities
Limited cookware, utensils, appliances and cleaning supplies have been provided in the kitchen. If bringing your own cookware into the kitchen, please label your items and keep them with you at all times. Any cookware or appliance left in the kitchen will be considered a donation to the kitchen.
Damages
Any individual or group using the space are responsible for the condition of the facilities and the use to which they are put during the time of use. The organization and such persons shall be responsible for all damages or misappropriation by any guests, invitees or attendees. The organization or individual shall reimburse the University for any such damage or loss.
No organization/individual other than the reserving organization/individual may use the facilities reserved. Excess housekeeping charges will be forwarded to the reserving individual or group; charges are incurred at the discretion of the Director of Housing and Residential Life.
Miscellaneous
- The kitchen door should be closed while cooking to prevent odors from spreading into the hall.
- Any unlabeled food left in the kitchen area will be thrown out monthly.
- All garbage must be properly bagged and sealed before it is disposed. If open food is dumped into the trash, it will attract pests and the kitchen will begin to smell.
- Housing and Residential Life reserves the right to remove food or cooking items from the kitchen that are unlabeled, unsanitary, creating a smell or that have expired at any time without notice.
- Housing and Residential Life is not responsible for food or items left or taken by other residents.
In Case of Kitchen Fire
- Go to the nearest alarm box (by the kitchen entrance door), follow the instructions printed on the box and activate the alarm. Evacuate the building immediately.
- As soon as it is safe to do so, call Public Safety (314-968-6911) and give the exact location of the fire, and notify a member of the Residential Life staff.
The Housing and Residential Life Office has the right to close the kitchen for any reason, at any time.
Housing and Residential Life Emergency Procedures 2024-2025
We hope that you have a smooth year living in Webster Housing. No matter the level of preparations we take, there can always be emergencies and crisis situations, so we hope you will review this packet of information, so you feel confident and are ready to take action if ever needed. Situations are listed in alphabetical order.
While the following procedures are an outline of steps that students should take in an emergency situation, it is important to know that all situations are slightly different. At all times, students should listen for directions given by Emergency Personnel, Public Safety, Housing Staff and other campus officials.
While mostly Housing-specific information is provided in this packet, it is vital that students are also aware of campus emergency procedures. For more information on Crisis Response on Webster's campus, make sure to review the Public Safety website.
For questions about emergency procedures in this packet, please contact housing@webster.edu or call the Housing Office at 314-246-4663.
For questions about campus emergency procedures, contact Public Safety.
Important Contact Information:
- Housing and Residential Life Office: 314-246-HOME (4663)
- Public Safety Non-Emergency: 314-968-7430
- Public Safety Emergency: 314-968-6911
- In the event of a true emergency, 911 should be called.
Be prepared! Download the RAVEGuardian App for Webster Alerts, campus notifications, and resources.
Active Shooter Information is copied directly from the Public Safety website and is not Housing- specific. It is provided in this document for ease of finding the information.
An active shooter or hostile intruder incident can occur under a variety of circumstances, so no guidelines can cover specific actions to take in every situation. Even so, being familiar with these guidelines can help you to plan your own survival strategy for a variety of incidents.
黑料网 Department of Public Safety has adopted the Department of Homeland Security's recommended response to an active shooter, "Run, Hide, Fight."
Run, Hide, Fight
- RUN: if there is an acceptable escape path, attempt to evacuate the premises.
- HIDE: if evacuation is not possible, find a place to hide where the shooter is less likely to find you. Lock office doors and barricade entrances, if possible.
- FIGHT: As a last resort, and only when your life is in imminent danger, attempt to disrupt and/or incapacitate the shooter. Locate potential defensive weapons in your workspace, scissors, fire extinguishers, staplers, etc.
For additional information regarding the "Run, Hide, Fight" response, please view the Department of Homeland Security's video "" active shooter training video linked on the Public Safety website.
General Procedures
An active shooter is a person who is using a firearm with the intent to injure or kill others in a populated area. The Department of Public Safety will respond to the area to assist with any immediate medical needs; assist in evacuation procedures; assist in containment and be the eyes and ears for responding law enforcement personnel. Public Safety may implement a lockdown or lockout of the campus. A campus lockdown is a form of "sheltering in place" wherein personnel on campus should proceed to an area that can be locked or the door of an office space can be barricaded. Lights should be turned off and window blinds drawn, and cell phones should be silenced. A campus lockout is when exterior doors of buildings are locked and persons are prohibited from entering or exiting, if doing so will expose them to danger. In either case, Public Safety will give an "all-clear" by way of an IP phone broadcast only after it is determined that the campus is safe.
Be familiar with the 4 "As" of an active shooter response:
- Accept that the emergency is occurring.
- Assess what you can do.
- Act by Run, Hide, Fight.
- Alert law enforcement.
Law Enforcement personnel will deploy to the area and engage the shooter. Members of the University community (students, faculty and staff) who encounter an active shooter or hostile intruder should adhere to the following guidelines:
An Active Shooter Outside Your Building
Do not confront or try to apprehend the shooter. Assess the situation and when safe to do so, contact Public Safety to remotely initiate a building lockout. Relay your observations to the dispatcher. Note the shooter's location and clothing description and direction of travel.
If it is determined the shooter is outside your building, faculty and staff should alert others not to exit the building and immediately lock/barricade the students and themselves in their classroom. This is a form of shelter in place. If possible, cover any windows or openings that have a direct line of sight into the hallway. Barricade the doors with desks, tables, etc.
If not in a room at the time, proceed to a room that can be locked. On your way to the room, alert as many people as possible to do the same.
Lock all doors and windows; close all blinds or curtains and turn off the lights. Stay away from the windows. Do not try to "see what's happening."
Do not sound the fire alarm. A fire alarm would signal the occupants to evacuate the building and thus place them in potential harm as they attempt to exit.
Call Public Safety from a cell phone and be prepared to advise the dispatcher with the following information:
- Your location.
- Your name.
- Number of people in the room with you.
- Description and location of the shooter.
Keep everyone together.
Remain in the room until advised by law enforcement personnel to exit the building. Do not respond to voice commands or fire alarms.
Active Shooter Inside Your Building
Remember to Run, Hide, Fight ...
Run in the opposite direction of the threat if it is safe to do so.
If you do not feel that you can run from the situation, determine if the room you are in or near can be locked. If so, follow the procedures as indicated above.
If the room cannot be locked, you have two options:
- Locate the nearest exit and determine whether or not you can exit the building safely.
- If you cannot exit the building safely, lock or barricade the doors of the room you are in with desks, tables, etc. If communication is available, immediately call the Department of Public Safety at 314-968- 6911. Never assume that someone else has called Public Safety.
- If you can safely leave the building, do so by following the instructions listed below under 鈥淓xiting a building safely.鈥
As a LAST resort fight the intruder by any means possible.
Active Shooter Enters Your Office or Classroom Space
Try to remain calm and if at all possible, call 911.
If you are unable to speak, leave the phone line open so that dispatchers can hear what is taking place.
If you cannot escape or hide, and only as a last resort, confront and attempt to incapacitate the shooter. Use anything available as a weapon against the shooter: laptops, fire extinguishers, scissors, staplers, etc.
Active Shooter Catches You in the Open
If for some reason you are caught in an open area such as a hallway or lounge, etc., you must decide what you are going to do.
- Quickly assess the situation and determine if you can run to safety. If you decide to run, do not run in a straight line. Attempt to keep objects such as desks, cabinets, fixtures, etc., between you and the shooter. Once outside the building, use trees, vehicles and other objects as cover. When you are out of immediate danger, summon help and warn others in any way possible.
- You can try to hide, but make sure it is a well-hidden space or you may be found as the intruder moves through the building or area looking for victims. Take into consideration the area in which you are hiding. Will I be found here? Is this really a good spot to remain hidden?
- Your last option, if you are caught in an open area in a building, is maybe to fight back. Depending on your situation, this could be your last option.
Exiting Building Safely
- Have a route planned before attempting to leave.
- Do not attempt to carry anything with you while fleeing.
- Move quickly and keep your hands visible as you exit the building.
- Do not attempt to treat or remove injured people but note their locations so that you may provide that information to emergency responders.
- Proceed to a safe location, but do not leave campus. Keep in mind that the entire area is still a crime scene and officers will need to obtain information from you before you leave. Remain at whatever assembly area is designated until you are released.
- At all times, comply with the commands of law enforcement officers.
What to Expect from Responding Officers
Police officers responding to an active shooter are trained to engage and eliminate the threat. They may wear police uniforms, or they may have special tactical gear that will be clearly identified as Police. Responding officers are trained to immediately proceed to the area where the shooting is occurring. If people are injured, the initial responding officers will not stop to assist you as they are trained to first engage the shooter. Additional officers and/or tactical medics will follow to provide medical assistance once the threat has been eliminated. Remain calm and comply with all commands from law enforcement officers.
If Indoors
- Stay indoors, remain where you are.
- Move away from the windows, shelves and heavy objects.
- Take cover under your desk or kitchen table.
- If unable to get to a designated safe area, move to an interior wall.
- Turn away from any windows, kneel alongside the wall, cover your head with elbows, and clasp your hands behind your neck.
- Stay alert.
If Outdoors
- Move to an open space.
- Stay away from telephone poles and power lines.
- Move away from buildings.
- Lie down or crouch low to the ground.
- Stay alert.
After the Earthquake
- Do not light fires or smoke.
- Evacuate at Assembly Point for your area, as is safe to do so.
- Assemble at the designated assembly area and await further instruction from Housing and Residential Life (HRL) staff, Public Safety or emergency personnel. HRL staff will be conducting a headcount of residents, so make sure to check in with a staff member.
Assembly Locations
- WVA 1, 2, and 6 | Parking lot behind the Clubhouse and in front of Building 6.
- WVA 3, 4, and 5 | Parking lot between WVA and building 5 and 6.
- East Hall | Parking Lot M located adjacent to East Hall West Hall | Parking lot between WVA building 5 and 6.
- Maria Hall | Parking lot D by the dumpsters located adjacent to Webster Hall.
- Glen Park | Evacuate to the side of the parking lot. Staff will arrive on-site to direct students.
- Big Bend | Evacuate to the green area in front of the White House (7861 Big Bend) located in the complex.
If the elevator does not function properly, inform the Residential Life Office or Department of Public Safety immediately. Should you become stuck in an elevator, remain calm and remain in the elevator (do not try to climb out of the compartment). Use the alarm button and a staff member will come to your assistance. If you have a phone available, call Public Safety at 314-968-6911 for emergency assistance.
In the event of an explosion in a building, residents should take the following actions:
- Get out of the building as quickly and as calmly as possible. In the event of falling debris, shelter under a sturdy table or desk. Notify Public Safety at 314-968-6911 as soon as it is safe to do so.
- If there is a fire, stay low and evacuate the building. If possible, activate the building fire alarm system via the alarm panels.
- Assist others in exiting the building 鈥 when safely possible, on your way out. Exit via the stairway. Do not use the elevator.
- Once outside, move at least 500 feet away from the building and proceed to the designated area for evacuation. Keep roadways and walkways clear for emergency vehicles. Wait for instructions from Public Safety officers or other emergency or university personnel. Do not re-enter the building until instructed to do so.
- If you are trapped in debris, tap on a pipe or wall so that rescuers can locate you.
In the residence halls, fire extinguishers are located on each floor. Every apartment is equipped with a small fire extinguisher by the kitchen table.
When the Fire Alarm Sounds:
- Evacuate the building as quickly and as orderly as possible. Do not use the elevators.
- Before leaving your room or apartment, check your door. If it feels warm, do not open it. A warm door may indicate smoke and flames on the other side.
- If your door does not feel warm, open it cautiously to check for smoke outside or in the hallway.
- If it is safe to do so, lock your door and close windows as you exit your room/apartment.
- If you believe that the area outside your door is passable, and it is safe to do so 鈥 alert the other occupants on your floor/building. Proceed to the closest exit stairway.
- After you leave the building, proceed to your designated Assembly Point (outlined below). Maintain a safe distance from the building and do not interfere with the Fire Department or Public Safety operations.
- While at the Assembly Point, locate Housing and Residential Life staff members to check in that you have safely evacuated the building.
- Return to the building only when told it is safe to do so by a member of Public Safety or HRL Staff.
NOTE: Residents who do not evacuate the halls or apartments during a fire alarm are subject to the University conduct process or tickets and fines from police and fire departments.
If You Discover a Fire:
- Go to the nearest alarm box, follow the instructions printed on the box, and activate the alarm. Evacuate the building immediately and do not use an elevator. Extinguish the fire only if you can do so safely and quickly.
- As soon as it is safe to do so, call Public Safety at 314-968-6911 and give the exact location of the fire.
- When outside, find staff to notify them you are who pulled the alarm, and provide information about the situation.
- If your door is warm or if the hallway is smoke-filled, stay in your room with your door closed. Seal cracks around the door with towels or sheets to keep the smoke from entering the room. If smoke does enter your room, open one window slightly. Hand something noticeable out the window like a towel or sheet to indicate your exact location to firefighters. Call Public Safety at 314-968-6911 and provide them with your location.
- Above all, remain calm. The Webster Groves Fire Department is very familiar with all campus housing and will be on the scene directing rescue operations.
Assembly Points in the Event of an Evacuation
- WVA 1, 2, and 6 | Parking lot behind the Clubhouse and in front of Building 6.
- WVA 3, 4, and 5 | Parking lot between WVA and building 5 and 6.
- East Hall | Parking Lot M located adjacent to East Hall.
- West Hall | Parking lot between WVA building 5 and 6.
- Maria Hall | Parking lot D by the dumpsters located adjacent to Webster Hall.
NOTE: In the event of a necessary assembly, residents should look to Housing and Residential Life or Public Safety for additional instructions. During inclement weather, students should still report to their designated area. Staff members will direct residents to an additional assembly point as deemed necessary.
When the smoke detector and/or fire alarm sounds:
Evacuate the building as quickly and as orderly as possible.
- Before leaving your room or apartment, check your door. If it feels warm, do not open it. A warm door may indicate smoke and flames on the other side.
- If your door does not feel warm, open it cautiously to check for smoke outside or on the apartment landing.
- If it is safe to do so, lock your door and close windows as your exit the apartment.
- If you believe that the area outside your door is passable, and it is safe to do so 鈥 alert the other occupants of your complex. Proceed to the closest, safe exit from the complex.
- After you leave the complex, proceed to your designated Assembly Point (outlined below). Maintain a safe distance from the building and do not interfere with the Fire Department or Public Safety operations.
- While at the Assembly Point, locate Housing and Residential Life (HRL) staff members to check in that you have safely evacuated the building.
- Return to the building only when told it is safe to do so by a member of Public Safety or HRL staff.
- Residents who do not evacuate the apartment complex during a fire alarm are subject to the university conduct process and potentially tickets or fines from the fire department/police.
Assembly Points in the Event of an Evacuation
- Glen Park | Evacuate to the side of the parking lot, farthest from the source of the fire. Staff will arrive on-site to direct students.
- Big Bend | Evacuate to the green area in front of the White House (7861 Big Bend) located in the complex.
NOTE: In the event of a necessary assembly, residents should look to Housing and Residential Life or Public Safety staff for additional instructions. During inclement weather, students should still report to their designated area. Staff members will direct residents to an additional assembly point as deemed necessary.
Maintenance emergencies are defined as a facility issue/concern that impedes the ability of the resident to function safely in the space and/or has the potential to cause monetary damage to the facility. Examples of a maintenance emergency include an overflowing water source (toilet, shower, sink, etc.), faulty HVAC (heat or air conditioning), power outages, and many other items. All other non-urgent maintenance concerns should be routed to the (East, West, Maria, and WVA) or to the Housing Office. If you are ever unsure whether your maintenance concern is an emergency, please follow these steps:
Residence Halls (East, Maria or West Halls)
During normal business hours (9 a.m.鈥5 p.m., Monday鈥揊riday; holiday and break hours may be different), please contact the Housing and Residential Life Office at 314-246-4663 or located right inside West Hall. Outside of normal business hours, please contact Public Safety at 314-968-7430. Please be prepared to provide your name, room number and a short description of the issue. Public Safety will reach the Resident Assistant (RA) on call, who will assist you.
Webster Village Apartments
During normal business hours (9 a.m.鈥5 p.m., Monday鈥揊riday; holiday and break hours may be different), please contact the Housing and Residential Life Office at 314-246-4663 or located right inside West Hall. Outside of normal business hours, please contact the Resident Assistant (RA) on call at 314-565-9146. Please be prepared to provide your name, room number, and a short description of the issue. If you are unable to reach the RA on call, please call Public Safety at 314-968-7430.
Glen Park or Big Bend Apartments
During normal business hours (9 a.m.鈥5 p.m., Monday鈥揊riday; holiday and break hours may be different), please contact the Housing and Residential Life Office at 314-246-4663, housing@webster.edu, or located right inside of West Hall. Outside of normal business hours, please contact Emergency Maintenance 鈥 this number is provided to residents during the move-in process, along with periodic reminders throughout the academic year. If you do not have access to that number, please contact Public Safety at 314-968-7430, and they will assist you with contacting Housing and Residential Life staff.
In the event of a medical or mental health emergency, please contact Public Safety immediately at 314-968-6911. Be prepared to provide the Dispatcher with your name, phone number, location and the nature of the emergency. Public Safety will contact Housing and Residential Life staff, Counseling and Life Development staff, and/or Emergency Services as necessary.
If you are unsure if the situation is an emergency or not, Housing Staff can be called to help evaluate the situation.
Residential buildings may be occupied for a longer duration than academic and administration buildings during a power outage because they have additional resources such as Housing and Residential Life staff who are trained to utilize additional equipment to effectively evacuate residential areas during a power outage.
Evacuation procedures for residential buildings on or near campus also differ from procedures for evacuating academic/administration buildings, because these buildings are not all on the same electrical power grids, which means that a power outage may not affect all the residential area(s).
Variables that will influence the decision to evacuate a residential building will include:
- Time of day.
- Duration of the outage as provided by Ameren UE.
- Weather conditions.
In the event of a power outage, Housing and Residential Life (HRL) staff, along with Webster Alerts, will communicate instructions to student residents via email/texts (as set-up for Webster Alerts), floor/building group chats, via HRL student staff members, and/or through official HRL social media or email. Over the course of the outage HRL staff, along with Public Safety staff members, will complete walk-throughs of the affected residential areas.
In the event of an evacuation due to power outage, residents will receive instruction on the process and timeline via email/texts (as set-up for Webster Alerts), floor/building social groups, via HRL student staff members, and through official HRL social media.
Tornado season typically occurs during the spring and summer months. In Webster Groves (where the home campus is located), community alert sirens are in operation via a St. Louis countywide alarm system. Students will be provided inclement weather warnings and watch updates via Webster Alerts; however, you are also able to sign-up for alerts via the National Weather Service.
The National Weather Service issues two types of tornado alerts:
Tornado Watch
Conditions are present for the production of a tornado. During a watch, apartment residents should move any patio objects inside of the apartment. Residents should be sure to monitor the situation closely, in the event that a tornado warning develops.
Tornado Warning
A tornado funnel has been sighted or identified by radar. It is imperative that everyone takes shelter immediately. Tornadoes can and will move quickly. Therefore, time is of the essence. Keep in mind that since tornadoes can spring up at a moment鈥檚 notice, there may not be time for ample warning. It is recommended that if severe thunderstorms occur, be alert to the fact that these storms may trigger a tornado.
In the event of a warning, residents should take shelter in the following areas:
- East Hall | Residents should shelter in the lowest point of the stairwell on the side of East, closest to West Hall.
- West Hall | Residents should shelter on the first floor of West Hall in the pool table lounge, the laundry room, and the classroom hallway.
- Maria Hall | Residents should shelter on the ground floor of Maria, in the area by the elevator and Dining Services Offices - avoid sheltering by windows.
- WVA | Residents in the WVA should shelter in the innermost point of the apartment, with no or minimal window exposure. This will typically mean in the bathtub of the apartment.
- Big Bend | Residents in the Big Bend should shelter in the innermost point of the apartment, with no or minimal window exposure. This will typically mean in the bathtub of the apartment. If time allows, students can evacuate to the basement of the complex.
- Glen Park | Residents in Glen Park should shelter in the innermost point of the apartment, with no or minimal window exposure. This will typically mean the bathtub of the apartment.
Residents should familiarize themselves with the distinction between a watch and a warning, as the response is quite different.
In the event of a tornado, take the following steps for your safety:
- Remain calm.
- Go to an area of safety designated for the area you are in, if possible. If not, go to rooms and corridors in the innermost part of the building. Stay clear of windows, corridors with windows or large freestanding expanses. Do not use the elevators.
- Close all doors.
- Crouch near the floor.
- Stay alert for hazards in the aftermath of the tornado.