A. Principles for Residential Life

The following principles for residential life were adopted by the Community Council, following the recommendation of the Student Government Association, in 1991. They were presented to the Board of Trustees in March 1991.

1. Students at a residential college are part of a community of learners. Residential life supports and complements the academic programs and educational mission of the College.

2. Cultural and social activities support and complement the educational mission of the College. Residential life gives students substantial opportunities and responsibilities to initiate, organize, and direct the cultural and social life of the College.

3. As Middlebury attracts students from diverse backgrounds, it is crucial that the residential system nurture the educational and personal development of all students. While maintaining options for individual needs and preferences, every residential unit is open to all students without regard to race, sex, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or disability.

4. Residential life encourages tolerance, understanding, mutual respect, and lasting friendships.

5. Residential life gives students substantial control over their own lives. In their residences, students should create structures for self-government that will complement and strengthen campus-wide student government.

6. Residential life assures every student a comfortable and private environment.

7. Residential life encourages first-year students to become active and contributing members of the College.

8. The smaller houses, including those descending from the fraternities, offer varied and attractive living options for a limited number of students. These houses are expected to make distinctive contributions to the life of the campus and local community.

9. The same rules apply to all students and residences.

10. Residential life should facilitate student participation in the larger community beyond the College.

11. Residential life creates opportunities for significant faculty, staff, and town participation in the life of the College.

B. Commons System

In 1991, the Residential Life Committee recommended that the College develop a new residential system called the Commons System, which grouped residence halls into five units or Commons. The goals of the Commons System are to build a sense of community by creating more opportunities for meaningful relationships among students, faculty, and staff; to develop programs and events that enrich the Middlebury College experience; and to give students a greater voice in determining the nature of the intellectual, social, and residential life of the College. This recommendation was accepted and implemented during the 1992-93 academic year. In 1998, the Board of Trustees voted to enhance the residential Commons to fully incorporate three cornerstones: decentralized dining, faculty proximity, and continuing membership for students in Commons. The College is in the process of moving to a fully enhanced Commons System.

Approximately 400 students are housed within each Commons. The five residential Commons are: Atwater Commons (Allen, Le Château, Coffrin, Hall A and Hall B); Brainerd Commons (Stewart, Hepburn, Palmer, Brooker); Cook Commons (Battell North, Battell Center, Carr, Forest, Pearsons); Ross Commons (Milliken, Hadley, Kelly, LaForce, Lang); and Wonnacott Commons (Battell Center, Battell South, Gifford, Painter, Starr, Voter).

Each Commons is led by one or two faculty heads, a dean, and a Commons Council, which consists of students representing the various residence halls in the Commons. The Commons Council handles the affairs of the Commons; determines how the budget will be spent; and plans social, educational, and cultural events for the Commons. Council members are also responsible for disseminating information to the residents of the Commons. Brainerd Commons has adopted a constitution and its by-laws are available in the Commons office.

All members of the College community are encouraged and welcomed to affiliate with a Commons.

C. Policy on Student Social Organizations

For the purposes of this document, a student social organization shall mean an organization, whether located on or off campus, comprised primarily or exclusively of Middlebury College students, that has some of the purposes or attributes of a fraternity, sorority, or social house. This does not imply that Middlebury College authorizes, sponsors, or extends recognition to any off-campus student organizations.

Middlebury College takes the position that an inclusive, open community is fundamental to its mission as a residential institution of higher learning committed to the liberal arts tradition. Middlebury College does not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, place of birth, service in the armed forces of the United States, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability.

The College reaffirms its support of the decision by the Board of Trustees on January 13, 1990, concerning single-sex student social organizations:

"Any social organization which discriminates on the basis of gender or whose practices have the consequence of exclusion on the basis of gender is antithetical to the mission of the College and not appropriate as a model for society at large. Ties with any national organization whose rules or practices are at odds with this belief should not be maintained."

The College assumes that individual students are responsible and accountable for their own behavior and that groups of students are responsible and accountable for their collective behavior. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action against an individual or a group. Serious violations of the policy may result in a suspension of up to one year, and repeated infractions may lead to additional penalties.

D. Coeducational Residential Social Houses

In January 1990, the Board of Trustees of Middlebury College voted for significant changes in the fraternity system at Middlebury and charged the Community Council with overseeing the implementation of these changes. This section is a revision of the Document of Understanding (created in 1980 and edited in 1987). It assembles the recommendations of various committees, as reviewed by the Student Government Association and adopted by the Community Council.

1. General College Expectations of Coeducational Residential Social Houses

Middlebury College maintains houses in the belief that they can be a positive addition to the larger campus community and that they provide students with valuable opportunities for assuming responsibility for activities and programs that support the life of the College community. To the end of realizing this potential, each house will prepare a statement of purpose and program that shows how it will contribute to the life of the larger College community. This statement shall be prepared by the officers of the house in consultation with the Inter-House Council (IHC) adviser, and once each academic year each president shall review the statement of purpose and program with the Community Council (Subcommittee on the Houses).

2. Persons and Organizations Responsible for House Affairs

The following persons and organizations in the College community will be responsible for house affairs:

a. The College administration will be responsible for handling the following matters with individual houses:

i. The assistant to the dean of the College and the IHC adviser will work with each house in an effort to achieve its full occupancy.

ii. The dean of the College, the Commons dean and the IHC adviser will manage disciplinary problems.

iii. The Director of the Office of Facilities Services will supervise and manage maintenance in each house.

iv. The dean of the College will, when there is cause, recommend to the president that a house be terminated at Middlebury College (see 3.e. below).

b. The IHC adviser, working with the Inter-House Council, will be responsible for:

i. consulting on the house system and ways it might be improved;

ii. updating guidelines and regulations for students in houses and submitting all changes to the Community Council (Subcommittee on the Houses) for approval; and

iii. insuring a proper understanding in the houses of rules and regulations.

c. The Inter-House Council will be responsible for:

i. developing, in consultation with the IHC adviser, guidelines and regulations for students in houses to be approved by the Community Council (Subcommittee on the Houses);

ii. preparing plans for rush;

iii. submitting the IHC and individual social house budget requests to the Student Finance Committee;

iv. supervising social house access to the food closet;

v. promoting campus interest in the house social system;

vi. aiding houses in meeting the requirements of College, local, and state regulations.

d. The president of each house will be responsible for:

i. reviewing the house statement of purpose and program with the Subcommittee on Social and Academic Interest Houses during the annual house review process;

ii. overseeing the activities and programs in his or her house;

iii. insuring that his or her house adheres to College regulations; and

iv. representing the needs and interests of his or her house in the College community.

e. the Subcommittee on Social and Academic Interest Houses will be responsible for:

i. approving changes in guidelines and regulations for students in houses proposed by the dean of the College and the houses;

ii. recommending to the Community Council appropriate policies and actions pertaining to such matters as housing regulations, social regulations, the gender balance of house residents, rush, and room draw, if and when there is an unresolved disagreement on these matters.

iii. conducting the annual review of social houses as an agent of the Community Council.

f. The Finance Committee of the Student Government Association will be responsible for considering requests from houses for funds to finance functions and purchases that are available to and of general interest to the larger College community.

g. The Community Council will be responsible for recommending to the president the creation of a new social house or the termination of an existing house.

h. The dean of the College has independent authority to recommend the termination of a house (see 3.e. below).

3. Guidelines and Regulations

a. Guidelines for Membership

The guidelines for social house membership were revised and approved in 2000. A copy of these guidelines is available from the IHC adviser.

b. Guidelines for Room Draw

i.  The president and vice president of each house must reside in his or her house and are responsible for overseeing the activities of the membership in the house. If a house's capacity is eight or fewer beds, only the president or the vice president is required to reside in the house.

ii.   Each house will conduct its own room draw using an honest and equitable procedure on a date designated by the assistant to the dean of the College, at least one week before the beginning of regular College room draw.  Social house members are subject to the same guidelines that govern regular room draw.  House occupancy lists will be given to the assistant to the dean of the College at a designated date before the beginning of the College room draw.  No members of a social house may participate in campus-wide room draw until their house is filled.  Once a social house is filled, the next semester's house residents will be withdrawn from campus-wide room draw.  Sophomores may not live in a house prior to winter term of the sophomore year.  Additional, specific regulations are available from the IHC advisor.

Before social house room draw, all prospective residents must email the assistant to the dean of the College to confirm that they intend to live in the house. 

iii . The total membership of any house must include no less than one-third of either gender. Similarly, one-third of either gender must be represented as residents of the house.

iv.   Approximately 90% of each house must be filled by current members of that house. The maximum numbers of non-residents per house are as follows: KDR: 2, Xenia: 1, Mill: 2, Tavern: 3.

v.  All membership privileges will apply equally to women and men. Major house officers must include both women and men.

c. Housing Regulations

All of the College regulations that govern life in the residence halls also apply equally to all of the houses.

A representative from the Office of Facilities Services, in consultation with each house president will identify storage areas in each house, which may be used for house items. These storage areas will be supervised by the house president when the College is in session and by the Office of Facilities Services during vacations and the summer. Access to these storage areas is allowed only when the appropriate supervisor permits access. Secure storage for valuable items (e.g., stereos) is not available in houses, but it is available to all Middlebury College students on the main campus. Interested students should contact the Department of Public Safety. Social house members may not store personal belongings in the house during the summer.

d. Termination of a House

i. Middlebury College maintains houses in the belief that they can be a positive addition to the larger College community and that they provide students with opportunities for assuming responsibility for activities and programs that support the life of the College community. Should the dean of the College come to believe that the activities of a house are a detriment to the life of the larger College community, he or she may recommend to the president that the house be terminated at Middlebury College. The Community Council may also consider termination of a house for this reason and may recommend such to the president.

ii. The dean of the College will recommend to the president termination of a house at Middlebury College if the following occurs:

(a) Termination will be recommended for disciplinary reasons if there is an extraordinary violation by a house of the College guidelines and regulations for students in houses.

(b) Termination will be recommended for disciplinary reasons if there are repeated violations by a house of College guidelines and regulations. In the case of a violation of guidelines and regulations, the dean of the College will issue an appropriate sanction to a house. Sanctions may include disciplinary probation, which will involve the loss of the right to hold parties and of other privileges to be specified by the dean of the College. If a house on probation persists in the violation of guidelines and regulations, the dean of the College may recommend to the president termination.

(c) Termination will be recommended on the grounds of loss of student support and extraordinary expense to the College if room occupancy of the house by members fails to meet the capacity requirements established by the Office of the Dean of the College and the IHC in 2001-2002.

iii. Should the dean of the College recommend that a house be terminated, the president normally will ask the Community Council for its recommendation before taking action to terminate the house. However, should an extraordinary violation of the College guidelines and regulations or a serious violation on the part of a house on probation occur when the College is not in regular session so that a prompt meeting of the Community Council is not feasible, the president reserves the right to take whatever action is necessary, including immediate, indefinite suspension of the house or termination of the house. The Community Council, after review of the situation at its next regular meeting during the academic year, may recommend to the president reinstatement of the house. Indefinite suspension shall mean suspension of the house as a social organization at Middlebury College, including loss of the right of members to reside in the house.

E. Academic Interest Houses

In 1991, the Residential Life Committee, the Student Government Association, and the Community Council recommended creating, in addition to the existing foreign language houses, a limited number of academic interest houses. Academic interest houses are houses in which residents pursue a common academic interest and share the fruits of that interest with the campus community.

1. Purpose

The purpose of academic interest houses includes:

a. promotion of the academic interests;

b. development of special programming to support these interests among house members and throughout the College community;

c. enrichment of the College experience of students in attaining a better understanding of and appreciation for the cultures or way of life that relate to the academic interest;

d. promotion of contact with faculty, staff, and other members of the community who share the common academic interest; and

e. aid in extending the intellectual mission of the College, broadly defined, beyond the classroom and courses.

2. Stipulations

a . All houses must be open to all students.

b. Admission to these houses is based first on evidence of a student's commitment to the academic interest of the house.

c. Admission should be by application to an advisory committee or to the academic department.

d. In considering applications for admission and room assignments, priority will be based on seniority.

e. It is expected that most students living in the houses will be upper class students. First-year students are not eligible to live in academic interest houses.

f. Students should normally expect to live in academic interest houses for no more than one academic year. These houses should not become self-perpetuating cliques.

g. Admission to foreign language houses should be based on linguistic competence and commitment to the study of the relevant foreign language and culture.

h. Every academic interest house must have at least one faculty adviser.

i. All academic interest houses should be governed by the same standards for renewal as the coeducational houses.

j. All houses are required to observe the guidelines for membership with particular emphasis on the criteria for guaranteeing women membership, as adopted by the Community Council.

k. All houses are expected to develop a system of self-governance with the help of their advisers.

F. Residence Hall Regulations

1. All students are required to live on campus unless given permission by the Office of the Dean of the College to live elsewhere.

2. The Office of the Dean of the College makes all first-year student room assignments and supervises room draw for enrolled students and all other room assignments. A change of residence without authorization may result in disciplinary action. (See Room Change Policy, Section i )

3. The Commons dean has jurisdiction in the first instance to hear and determine violations of the regulations in this section concerning residential life at the College and to impose penalties. The imposition of a penalty by the dean may be appealed to the Community Judicial Board.

4. Conduct that violates the principles stated in the Student Conduct chapter of this Handbook, or that creates a public disturbance in a residence hall, may lead to disciplinary action. The College is a community established to facilitate the pursuit of learning, and the residence halls should be places where students can study in their rooms. Interference with another student's right to study may lead to disciplinary action.

5. The College reserves the right to reassign student housing where that decision will serve a compelling community interest, or in instances where a student has demonstrated a flagrant and/or repeated disregard for the principles set forth in the College Handbook.

6. Students are expected to be considerate of others with respect to noise in the residence halls. (See I, Noise Issues, listed below.)

7. The College does not accept responsibility for loss of money or other personal property or damage thereto which may occur in residence halls and elsewhere on campus. Students may wish to insure their property against such loss.

8. Students may occupy their rooms at the beginning of the term on the date approved by the dean of the College. At the end of fall and spring terms, students must vacate their rooms within 24 hours after their last exam. Keys must be returned to the Department of Public Safety (see Keys and #11 and #12 below for more information). Students who are staying on campus prior to their approved arrival date or students who fail to leave on time are subject to a $200-per-day fine.

9. Graduating seniors must vacate their rooms by 11:00 p.m. on the night of graduation. A fine of $200 per day will be imposed on those who fail to comply.

10. Only students who are registered for winter term may reside on campus during winter term.

11. Room keys are issued by the Department of Public Safety. Students must report lost or stolen keys to the Department of Public Safety immediately. The student will be allowed to sign out a second key from Public Safety for a 24 hour period. There is a key charge and a lock change fee for lost and stolen keys (see #12 below). On occasion a student is not able to come to Public Safety to obtain a replacement key at the time of the lock out. If the student requests a Public Safety officer to assist with unlocking his/her dorm room door, the lockout service will result in a $10 charge.

12. Students who are moving out of College housing (going abroad, graduation, changing rooms) must return their dorm keys immediately. A nonrefundable key charge of $50 will be billed within 3 days after a student's move out date if the key has not been returned. An additional $50 will be charged for a lock change if the key is not returned. Students returning to the same dorm room during the academic year do not have to return their key during the academic year, only at the end of the academic year.

13. A room inventory is made at the time of occupancy and signed by the occupant. Another inventory is made at the end of the period of occupancy. Students will be charged replacement costs for missing items and for damage not noted on the first inventory. Students who do not leave their room in neat condition will be charged $200 plus labor. A neat room contains no trash, recycling, cinder blocks, or non-College furniture. Students who have failed to pay an assessment for damages at the time of any College registration will not be permitted to register. Students who live in suites, quads, and other residential spaces with lounges or common areas who do not leave these shared spaces in neat condition will be charged $200 plus labor, the cost to be divided among the residents.

14. With the exception of bed frames and mattresses, College furniture provided with a room may not be removed. Removed bed frames and mattresses must be stored in accordance with the College storage policies and returned to the room before the student moves out. Failure to return a bed frame or mattress may result in a fine per item. Furniture, including beds, may not be removed from Battell, Stewart, Coffrin, Painter, Starr, LaForce, KDR, the Mill or Weybridge. Beds may not be removed from Allen, Coffrin, Painter, Starr, Stewart, Brackett, Prescott, Bowker or Weybridge. No furniture may be removed from rooms in Ross Commons or in Atwater's Halls A and B. Room furniture may not be placed in a dormitory hallway at any time; it will be removed, and the student to whom it was assigned will be charged replacement costs of missing or damaged furniture.

15. Walls and floors may not be paneled, painted or physically altered. If a room needs paint, it should be reported to the resident assistant. Only two walls of any rooms may be draped. Ceilings may not be covered with tapestries. Other wall hangings and posters may be prohibited if a fire hazard is created. Nails, cellophane tape, and screws may not be used on dormitory walls. Pictures may be hung from moldings or, in some cases, with tacks or masking tape. Because the rules vary from one dormitory to another, the resident assistant will explain the rules in each residence hall.

16. Nothing may be hung from a sprinkler apparatus. The room entry and exit must be clear. Nothing may be built or placed over or around a room radiator that will interfere with the free flow of air around the radiator or with easy access to service it.

17. The following guidelines need to be followed for small house common spaces and suite lounges:

Nothing can be hung from the ceiling or from any sprinkler apparatus.

Furniture from a room can be taken out of the room and placed in other areas of the house if it does not block an exit and the size of the path of the escape route is still maintained. Students will be responsible for returning the furniture to its original room.

Furniture in common spaces cannot block an exit, and additional furniture will affect the capacity size of the room. That means the more furniture the room contains the more it will reduce the capacity for social events.

Only one wall per common space can be decorated (but no painting), and the decorations cannot be near an ignition source (e.g. lamps, fireplace, etc.). The only exception to the one-wall rule applies to posters or pictures framed in glass, then more than one wall may be decorated.

Nothing can be posted in an exit route (i.e., posters in the hallways, stairways, etc.).

18. Lofts meeting the criteria established by the College safety officer, may not be larger than 4' wide and 8' long, must be free-standing and independent of walls (6" from the wall), and may not block sprinkler heads, smoke detectors, or room exits. No more than one loft to a room is permitted. Storage of materials on the loft must be at least 18" from a sprinkler head. Lofts must be removed before the room is vacated, or the student will be charged $25, in addition to the cost of removal, and other applicable charges. Lofts are not permitted in Weybridge, Painter, Starr, Coffrin, Battell, Stewart, the Modular Homes, LaForce, or Halls A and B.

19. Ping pong tables are allowed in designated areas of social houses and some block draw senior houses only. Tables are never allowed in rooms, suites, or lounges of residence halls. Tables found in unauthorized areas will be considered in violation of fire safety regulations and will be confiscated and disposed of by College officials. Students will be charged for the cost of removal. Violations will be referred to the student's Commons dean or the IHC adviser.

20. Water beds are not permitted.

21. Every dormitory has a kitchen unit. Appliances that have exposed heating elements, such as toasters, hot plates, electric frying pans or grills, and irons without automatic shutoffs may not be used in student rooms. Only small refrigerators (approximately 24-inch cubes) and microwaves are permitted.

22. Fire Safety inspections will be organized and conducted on an on-going basis as deemed appropriate. Students will be reminded that inspections will occur at the beginning of each semester, and advised of the conditions of the inspections. Any material in violation of the fire safety guidelines will be confiscated at the time of the inspection and the necessary penalties will be assessed in accordance with the Handbook guidelines.

23. Smoking is prohibited in all residence halls, including the small houses. Failure to observe this policy will be treated as a fire safety violation and subject to the penalties described below (in 24).

24. Fire Safety violations include: possession of candles, incense, halogen lamps, portable heaters, or Christmas tree lights (with the exception of "ropelights"). Fire safety violations also include: smoking, blocking the means of egress, or hanging tapestries on more than one wall and/or the ceiling. Discovery of any of these violations will result in confiscation and disposal of the prohibited item, and a minimum fine of $25 and the possibility of additional disciplinary measures as deemed appropriate by the Commons dean or the Office of the Dean of the College. These measures may include judicial proceedings.

25. Students must maintain clean and sanitary conditions in dormitory rooms, and must clear common space after personal use. Damages to common areas or adjacent hallways will be billed to the residents of the entire dormitory unless the individual(s) responsible can be identified. Charges for dorm damage may be appealed to the Dorm Damage Appeals Committee. This committee consists of one member of Facilities Services, a representative from the Controller's Office, and a representative of the students' Commons.

26. Tampering with fire-safety equipment is forbidden and carries a minimum $50 fine and additional charges to repair or replace equipment. These charges will be borne collectively by the residence hall if the responsible individual(s) cannot be identified. When an individual is identified, the fine is $200 plus the cost to repair or replace equipment, and the individual is subject to disciplinary action. This equipment includes smoke detectors and sprinklers. Any problems with smoke detectors must be reported to the Department of Public Safety or Facilities Services immediately, as nonfunctioning detectors endanger the lives of all residents.

27. Students must exit a building when a fire alarm sounds. Failure to do so is considered dangerous behavior and can result in disciplinary action, as well as a $200 fine.

28. Tapping or tampering with the cable television system is illegal. Students who tamper with the cable jeopardize the College's cable service, may be subject to disciplinary action, and will be fined $100 by the College. Those who are responsible may also receive up to $100 in additional fines and be held "liable in a civil action for three times the actual amount of damages sustained thereby" in accordance with the Vermont law on tapping cable television. Please note: seniors living in spaces where cable is permitted in the lounge areas, are prohibited from tapping cable to individual rooms.

29. Satellite dishes are not permitted and may be removed by Facilities Services. Charges for removal will be incurred by the student.

30. A guest of a student may stay in a dormitory no more than three days in any one term. The resident assistant must be told in advance where the guest is staying. No guests may stay overnight in residential lounges. Students are responsible for the behavior of their guests. The College reserves the right to remove any guest whose behavior is not cooperative.

31. Solicitation in residence halls for any purpose by persons outside the College community is prohibited.

32. Storage for some student belongings during the academic year is provided in College buildings. Interested students should consult with their resident assistant and see College Storage Policies in Section J (below) for additional information.

33. Students have a right to privacy in their dormitory rooms. Department of Public Safety and other College officials should enter a student's room only under certain circumstances and in conformity with the procedures listed below. In the event that stolen property or illegal goods are observed, the items will be confiscated, notice will be sent to the Commons for appropriate action, and the occupants of the room will be notified.

34. The roof or outer surface of any College building is not to be used for activities or storage of objects. Accessing a roof in any manner or climbing on a building is considered dangerous behavior and can result in disciplinary action, as well as a $100 fine.

G. Entry into Residential Rooms

1. Emergency Entry

The Department of Public Safety is authorized to enter a student's room in the event of emergency circumstances, such as fire, fire alarm, fire drill, an immediate threat to life, a call for help, or what reasonably seems to be a dangerous situation. If time permits the Department of Public Safety should first seek authorization from the Office of the Dean of the College or the Commons dean before entering a student room to deal with an emergency. (See Special Room Inspection, 5. below.)

2. Community Service

The Department of Public Safety may enter a student dormitory room to perform a community service, for example, to turn off an unattended alarm clock or radio, or to allow family or friends to pick up various belongings. The Department of Public Safety is authorized to perform these community services, but should be accompanied when possible by a residential life staff member. (See Notification of Entry, 6. below.)

3. Routine Inspections and Repairs

The College conducts routine inspections of student rooms in the dormitories to check on violations of health and safety regulations and to recover misappropriated property. Inspections are held at reasonable times, in a manner that will least inconvenience residents. Students are notified by voice-mail and written notice at least 24 hours before, and not more than two weeks prior to the inspection. Students discovered in violation of health and safety regulations, or in possession of stolen property or illegal goods, are subject to normal College disciplinary action as appropriate. During vacation periods, student rooms in College housing are inspected to check heat settings, to ensure that lights and appliances are turned off, and that windows are closed. Following such inspections, or at other times, facilities services personnel may enter student rooms to make repairs. (See Notification of Entry,6. below.)

4. Communications Infrastructure Maintenance.

Improperly configured or malfunctioning computer or communication equipment can seriously degrade the operation of the College's communication networks. It may be necessary for personnel to enter a student room to confirm the location of such a device, and, if necessary, disconnect it from the network until the situation can be resolved. LIS will attempt to contact the student before entering the room, but time-critical situations, where significant network services are impacted, may require entry without prior approval. Students' computers will not be touched without their prior consent; room entry will be only for the purpose of confirming that the misbehaving computer has been properly identified. For the protection of the student, the Department of Public Safety and/or the Commons office will be notified if entry is made without prior approval. Any temporary disconnection will be made in the network equipment closet, without directly handling students' property.

If students request assistance from LIS to repair a problem with their network connection, they may give LIS permission to enter the room and disconnect equipment for testing and troubleshooting in their absence. Similarly, Telephone Services personnel may enter student rooms in the residents' absence to effect repairs to voice telephone equipment or infrastructure. (See Notification of Entry,6. below.)

5. Special Room Inspection

While it may be necessary for the Department of Public Safety or other College officials to enter student rooms to conduct routine inspections, to perform a community service, to make repairs, or to deal with an emergency situation as described above, student rooms will not otherwise be entered or searched by College officials without specific prior written authorization from the dean of the College. Authorization by the dean of the College to search an individual student's room must have the concurrence of the student co-chair of the Community Judicial Board whenever possible. The Commons deans may initiate entry of a room and/or a room search in order to meet a medical crisis, to avert danger to human life, or when there is reason to believe that a very serious violation of College regulations has been committed and that the evidence may be found in a student's room. Possession of firearms would be an example of a very serious violation. When possible, the student or students concerned and a witness shall be present when a room search is conducted. (See Notification of Entry, 6. below.)

Students living in College housing have the right to be free from unlawful room searches conducted by law enforcement officials. In most instances, a lawful search must be conducted pursuant to a warrant issued upon a showing of probable cause. College officials must arrange with law enforcement authorities to obtain a search warrant before searching a student's room if they intend to turn over for purposes of criminal prosecution evidence found in the student's room. If a police officer sees a student commit what reasonably appears to be a criminal offense or violation of local ordinances, the College will not interfere with the officer's legal pursuit of the student into a dormitory and into a student room. Similarly, a Department of Public Safety officer who sees a student commit what reasonably appears to be a crime or a violation of College regulations has the right to pursue the student into a dormitory and into a student room.

6. Notification of Entry

Whenever a student's dormitory room is entered by a College official to meet an emergency, to make a repair, to carry out a community service, to conduct a routine inspection, or to conduct an authorized search, a note will be left indicating the time, date, reason, and name of the College person or office responsible, unless the occupant of the room is present at the time of entry.

7. Entry into Student Residence Halls, Houses and Suites

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for patrolling residential areas on campus and may enter student residence halls and houses in order to perform their duties (examples: locking the building, respond to complaints and calls for service, party checks, etc.). Since many residential houses need to be patrolled and may require checks or locking (examples: Homestead, KDR, Jewett, Weybridge, Fletcher, The Mill), officers may enter the communal areas as appropriate. Public Safety officers respect a student's right to privacy and would not enter more private areas such as suites or very small houses (Modulars) without knocking and gaining permission to enter unless conducting a party check, addressing significant College policy violations or in accordance with the other entry policies listed above.

8. Entry at request of College Official

The Department of Public Safety may be called to a student's residence to handle evidence of a crime or College policy violation at the request of a College official. The officer may enter to meet with the other College official but should be accompanied when possible by a residential life staff member.

If the College official has left the area prior to the officer arriving, the officer has the authority to enter into communal areas of the residential space but can only enter a student's room in accordance with the policies listed above.

H. Off-Campus Living Policy

1. The College permits up to 60 seniors to live off campus. Permission is granted by a process coordinated by the Office of the Dean of the College. Special students must live off campus and are not included in the total number. The limit of 60 is based on our commitment to the residential nature of the College and an evaluation of the rental market in the town of Middlebury. Off-Campus status may not be granted if a student has been subject to official College discipline or academic failure; when a student's record comes into question, off-campus status requires the approval of the Commons dean. Students living off campus must provide their local address and phone number to their Commons dean and the residential systems coordinator of the College within the first 5 days of the term.

2. We need to plan accurately for our housing needs on campus. Thus, all off-campus forms must be turned in to the residential systems coordinator by the determined deadlines. Any student wishing to move off campus after the Off-Campus application deadline must notify the residential systems coordinator to be placed on a waiting list.

Off-campus permission is granted through a random draw in February for the fall and November for the spring. Students applying for off-campus permission from abroad must either:

(a) notify the residential systems coordinator by phone, email, or mail by the application deadline, or

(b) include their name with a group applying through the on-campus draw.

Students selected in the random draw must agree to sign an off-campus living contract stipulating their willingness to abide by the College's regulations and community standards. Students who accept off-campus housing status are ineligible to participate in Room Draw.
[updated 2008-Jan-28. Second sentence of paragraph added] 

3. A new off-campus rebate form must be filled out and permission must be granted for each term a student wants to live off campus. A form filled out one term will not automatically transfer to the next term. Students living off campus in the fall term will be given priority to live off campus during the spring term, but they must fill out a new rebate form to retain this priority. Completing the form every term provides the Office of the Dean of the College with up-to-date residential information.

4. Students given permission to move off campus who decide after room draw to move back on campus will be placed on a waiting list. Students will not be guaranteed their first choice room but will be assigned one from the pool of available rooms. Students wishing to move back on campus for fall term will be assigned a room during August. Those wishing to move back on campus during the academic year will be assigned a room when one becomes available.

5. Students who choose to live off-campus without authorization - that is, students who are not granted off-campus status but move off-campus noassnetheless - will be subject to official college discipline.

6. Off-campus applications are available from the residential systems coordinator.

7. Students who live off campus are expected to be good citizens. Students who violate College policy or local ordinances will be subject to College discipline.

8. Request for off-campus housing on the basis of a medical need must meet the following criteria:

(a) The medical need must be compelling, such as post-hospitalization with ongoing care needs.

(b) Requirements for special medical equipment which cannot otherwise be met through campus housing.

(c) The need for special care attendants to be present to help the individual which cannot be met by other campus housing facilities.

Issues such as social anxiety, mild depression, and cognitive impairment issues are typically not considered to be compelling reasons to gain off-campus housing. Students wishing to pursue this avenue through the dean of the College must apply through normal channels, and include letters from treating physicians and/or other medical professions. They must also agree to full medical disclosure with the dean of the College and his College's designee, which may include the College Physician or Director of the Center for Counseling and Human Relations. The medical records from the treating physician must include a proposed treatment plan for ongoing care while the student is at Middlebury College. Students without such recommendations will not be considered for off-campus housing. Students who find the social environment of their living situation unsatisfactory should attempt to address the issue through the Residential Life channels outlined in the Handbook.

[Section H updated 2008-Jan-28. References to "assistant to the dean of the College" replaced by "residential systems coordinator."]

I. Room Change Policy

At Middlebury College, we base our residential system on the principle of community living. We value the benefits and challenges of learning to live with other people. By interacting with people of different backgrounds and interest, community members form rich relationships. A residential community of roommates, hall mates, and friends prepares students to be involved in local, national, and international communities and to face the challenges of difference in a diverse world.

If students are experiencing a roommate conflict, they are highly encouraged to see their FYC, RA, or CRA before approaching the Commons dean or filling out a room-change request.

For fall mid-semester switches, room-change requests will be considered in mid-October. For end of fall semester switches, room-change requests will be considered in December. For J-term, the deadline for room change requests will be at the end of the first week of classes. For the spring semester, room changes will be considered in mid-February. Requests after the deadline will not be considered until the following semester. Room-change request forms are available in the Commons offices.

If a student is offered a room change, he or she has 48 hours to accept it. If students have a double as a single for whatever reason, they must know that the College will ask them to find a roommate or move into a true single. It should be emphasized that students will always be encouraged to resolve any conflicts before considering a room change.

J. College Storage Policies and Procedures

1. Storage during the regular academic year for students enrolled in the undergraduate College:

a. Regular dormitory storage (trunks, suitcases, boxed items).

i. Resident assistants in each dormitory have keys to the storage areas and will give residents access upon request.

ii. At the end of the school year, Facilities Services staff will clean out these storage areas and will dispose of any items not removed by students.

iii. Social houses may only store house items, such as pool tables and composites, in their houses over the summer recess. Personal items may not be left in the social houses. The president of each social house is responsible for supervising the storage area.

b. Bicycles

i. Students bringing a bicycle to campus must register the bicycle at the Department of Public Safety.

ii. Bicycles may not be kept in dormitory corridors and must be stored in the areas or in racks designated for this purpose. Bicycles locked in stairwells, hallways, and/or lounges will be removed by the Department of Public Safety. A $25 fine will be assessed at the time the bike is claimed by the owner.

iii. Bicycles locked to trees, or other outside fixtures (stair railings, traffic sign posts) will be removed by the Department of Public Safety or Facilities Services.  A $25 fine will be assessed at the time the bike is claimed by the owner.

iv. Bicycles must be removed from dormitories, Commons bike storage rooms, and bike racks at the end of each school year. Unclaimed bicycles will be removed by the Department of Public Safety and will result in a $25 fine to be assessed at the time the bike is claimed by the owner.

v. Bikes found, abandoned, or removed from campus by Public Safety will disposed if unclaimed after 1 year.  Bikes that are old or significantly damaged will be disposed of if unclaimed after 30 days.  Public Safety will attempt to notify owners of registered bikes prior to disposal. 

c.  Department of Public Safety storage:

i. Storage at Fletcher Barn is intended for use by Middlebury College undergraduates who will be away from the College for a school term or more, but not exceeding 18 months.  Space is limited and available on a first come first serve basis.  All items to be stored will be received at one time and will be stored collectively.  Upon returning to campus, students must retrieve all items at one visit during the scheduled storage hours.  (Contact Public Safety for storage hours.)

ii. The following items may be stored at Fletcher Barn:

• Items contained in sturdy cardboard boxes or plastic bins with lids and measuring a maximum of 18x18x18 and weighing no more than 75lbs.
• Trunks (i.e., foot lockers)
• Refrigerators (defrosted, empty of food, and measuring 18x18x18 maximum)
• Suitcases
• Skis

iii.  The following items may not be stored:

• Hazardous Materials (such as fuels and household chemicals)
• Rugs or carpets
• Furniture
• Bicycles
• Tires
• Futons
• Lamps
• Food

iv. Storage areas are not climate controlled.  The College is not responsible for any damage caused by cold, heat, humidity, insects, or rodents.

v. The charge for storage is $5 per item per term.  (A summer is considered a term).

vi. Students must indicate in the User's Agreement the term/year in which they will retrieve their stored items, which will not exceed 18 months from the date of drop off.  Students who fail to retrieve their belongings will NOT be contacted prior to disposal of their belongings by the Department of Public Safety.

2. Interim summer storage for undergraduate students:

a.  Undergraduate students who are attending a Middlebury Language School or working for the Language Schools and who wish to store some of their belongings between the end of the spring term and the beginning of the Language Schools session may do so at Fletcher Barn.  A similar arrangement is available between the end of the Language Schools session and the beginning of the regular fall term.

b.  The charge for interim storage is $2 per item.

c.  All items stored in Fletcher Barn by students planning to attend the Language Schools must be removed at the beginning of the Language Schools session.  Similarly, items stored there after the end of the Language Schools session must be removed before the end of the first week of the fall term.  The Department of Public Safety will dispose of unclaimed items.

K. Noise Issues

Middlebury College seeks to promote the quiet, comfort, and health of the College community and residents of the town of Middlebury. Students should neither cause nor condone excessive amounts of noise, but should strive to be considerate and respectful of others.

The following guidelines have been adopted to ensure that Middlebury students respect the peace and safety of their neighbors, inside and outside the premises of the College.

1. Education

All matriculated first-year students will receive information about the town of Middlebury's noise ordinance from the Office of the Dean of the College. In addition, first-year students will be informed of the College's noise regulations by the residential life staff.

The student body must uphold the Ordinance for the Regulation of Noise of the town of Middlebury. This ordinance prohibits excessive or unnecessary noise, including vocal disturbances and loud music, and punishes offenders with fines.

2. Noise Complaints Against Individuals, Organized Groups, or College Residences Originating from Off Campus

If an individual student violates the town ordinance and a complaint is made from off campus, the Department of Public Safety may take the following actions:

a. The first substantiated complaint made against any identified individual during a given time period should be brought to the attention of the appropriate member of the residential life staff, or the Department of Public Safety.  Repeated offenses should be brought to the attention of the dean's office for appropriate judicial action.

b. A second substantiated complaint made against any individual during the same time period may result in judicial charges through the College judicial system.

c. Any subsequent charges brought against an individual during the same academic year may result in the initiation of further judicial hearings.

3. Noise Complaints Against Social Houses Originating from Off Campus

Social Houses are responsible for the noise originating at their events.  Complaints are dealt with through the IHC system of internal governance in collaboration with the IHC adviser.

4. Complaints Against Individuals or Groups Originating on Campus

a. Each hall is encouraged to meet at the beginning of the year to discuss noise issues and consider the establishment of quiet hours at their own discretion.

b. Should complaints arise, students are encouraged to approach the individual or group themselves. However, where problems cannot be resolved in this way, the complaint should be brought to the appropriate member of the residential life staff, or the Department of Public Safety. Repeated offenses may be brought to the attention of the dean's office for appropriate judicial action.

Student Life. A. Student Organization Policies

1. General

a. All student organizations are subject to College policies.

b. All recognized student organizations must have constitutions that have been approved by the Constitution Committee of the Student Government Association. The Constitution Committee may not approve a constitution with provisions that are in violation of Federal, State, or local laws, or Handbook policy.

c. All recognized student organizations must have an adviser who is a current, full-time Middlebury College faculty or staff member or contract employee of the College. An adviser may inform an organization about its legal responsibilities and make appropriate suggestions about policy, but does not have authority to control policy or make personnel or financial decisions.

d. Approval of a constitution does not guarantee funding. The Finance Committee of the Student Government Association administers funding of student organizations by allocating the Student Activities Fee. This fee is separate from the comprehensive fee and is not a part of the College's general budget.

e. Student organizations are financed, in whole or in part, by the Student Activities Fee, which all students must pay in order to register for each term. Since these funds are collected by the College for the general student body, the College and the Finance Committee of the SGA bear fiduciary responsibility for student organizations.

f. Approved student organizations also have the right to schedule the use of College facilities, use the College name and logo in reference to their group, and be eligible for programs and services through the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL). A complete listing of student organization rights and responsibilities may be found in the CCAL office. The Center for Campus Activities and Leadership may suspend or revoke any organization's registration, affiliated members, advisors and/or coaches at any time, in its sole discretion, for any abuse or violation of the outlined rights and responsibilities, or any reasonable cause deemed to be in the best interest of the organization.

g. The College assumes that individual students are responsible and accountable for their own behavior, and that groups of students and student organizations are responsible for their collective behavior. Failure to comply with College policy may result in disciplinary action against an individual or group. Serious violations of the policy may result in a suspension of up to one year; and repeated infractions may lead to additional penalties.

2. Discrimination

a. Middlebury College complies with applicable provisions of state and federal law which prohibit discrimination in employment, or in admission or access to its educational or extracurricular programs, activities, or facilities, on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, place of birth, service in the armed forces of the United States, or against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability.

b. Any student organization that discriminates on the basis of any of the aforementioned qualities or characteristics is antithetical to the mission of the College and is not appropriate as a model for society at large.

c. No student organization may discriminate in its membership, programs, or activities on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, marital status, place of birth, service in the armed forces of the United States, or against qualified individuals with disability on the basis of disability.

d. Middlebury College recognizes the long-standing importance of religious belief and practice in American society, and the diversity of religious belief and practice within the Middlebury community. Students and student organizations may pursue their own religious beliefs, and the articulation of those beliefs, through religious practice and community life. When allegations arise that those beliefs and practices have resulted in actions that discriminate against an individual or group, the procedure outlined in item g. below should be followed.

e. A student organization may require candidates for leadership positions or offices to fulfill certain prerequisites prior to election or selection, and may restrict leadership roles and voting to those members with demonstrated prior affiliation with the organization. Such procedures, including all prerequisites, restrictions, and nomination requirements, must be consistent with Handbook policy, including anti-discrimination language, and must be stated in detail in the organization's constitution.

f. An organization may express in its constitution ideals or preferences regarding beliefs its leaders might hold. No student may be precluded from being on a ballot or participating in a selection process on the basis of any of the qualities or characteristics referred to in item c. above.

g. Students who believe themselves to be the victims of discrimination by an individual or a group on the basis of the aforementioned qualities or characteristics, or who believe an organization has violated College policy, may submit a written complaint to the dean of the College, who initiates the investigative process through established judicial procedures. The dean of the College may refer the complaint to appropriate administrators for investigation. The dean of the College, or a designate, has the authority to adjudicate and enforce College policies for student organizations.

3. Freedom of Association

Students bring a variety of interests previously acquired to the College, and they develop many new interests as members of the academic community. They should be free to organize and join associations to promote their common interests.

a. In order to ensure the integrity of recognized student organizations as Middlebury student activities, the membership, policies, and actions of a student organization will be determined by vote of only those persons who hold bona fide membership in the College community.

b. Affiliation with an extramural organization does not in itself disqualify a student organization from institutional recognition. College policy prohibits student participation in or affiliation with single-gender fraternities or sororities.

c. Students are free to organize informally for any legal aim, subject to the rules and regulations of the College. If they seek official College recognition that makes them eligible for student activities funds and other student organization privileges as outlined in the Rights and Responsibilities. They must have a written constitution formally approved by the SGA Constitutions Committee.

i. The purpose of the organization's fund-raising must be clearly advertised in advance.

ii. The organization may not initiate any activity, the profits of which will be used for any direct or indirect contributions to a political campaign.

iii. The fund-raising must conform to the SGA Finance Committee guidelines.

4. Anti-Hazing Policy

Hazing is a violation of Vermont law and is not permitted at Middlebury College. (See Anti-Hazing Policy in Student Conduct chapter)

Individuals or groups may not force others or expect others to participate in any activity against their will, as a precondition for membership in a social house, or as a precondition for membership in any organization, club, or sport.

5. Freedom of Inquiry and Expression

a. Students and student organizations are free to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. They should always be free to support causes by orderly means, which do not disrupt the regular and essential operation of the College or community. At the same time, it should be made clear to the academic and larger community that students or student organizations speak only for themselves in their public expressions or demonstrations.

b. Officially recognized student organizations may invite to the campus and hear any person of their choosing. The College reserves the right to ensure orderly scheduling of facilities, which prevents unnecessary conflict with other College events and provides adequate preparation for the event. It should be made clear to the academic and larger community that sponsorship of guest speakers does not necessarily imply approval or endorsement of the views expressed, either by the sponsoring group or the College.

c. Student organizations bear full responsibility for arranging and financing any Department of Public Safety provisions that may be necessary in connection with controversial speakers. The Deans offices and the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL) have the right to receive full and accurate information regarding Department of Public Safety measures at any time they so request. The Deans' offices and CCAL also have the right to specify security measures to the organizations as seem appropriate. If the College, through the offices of the deans, CCAL or the president, judges that security arrangements are inadequate and that the sponsoring organization is either unwilling or unable to make proper arrangements, the event may be canceled by the dean or president. If time permits, action to cancel an event will be taken only after full consultation with the Community Council.

6. Student Publications and Media

Student publications and the student press are a valuable aid in establishing and maintaining an atmosphere of free and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration on the campus. They are a means of bringing student concerns to the attention of the faculty and College authorities and of formulating student opinion on various issues on the campus and in the world at large.

Student publications are financed by the Student Activities Fee, which all students must pay in order to register for each term. Since these funds are collected by the College for the general student body, the College and the Finance Committee of the SGA bear fiduciary responsibility for publications. There is no set limit to the number of publications produced each year, and the SGA has final jurisdiction in this matter. Each existing publication will be reviewed annually, including a preliminary check of the organization and publication by the Finance Committee and a final review by the SGA itself. Despite the legal and financial dependence of publications, the College, the SGA, and the Community Council must provide sufficient editorial freedom and financial autonomy for the student publications to maintain their integrity of purpose as vehicles of free inquiry and free expression in an academic community.

The editorial freedom of student editors and managers entails the corollary responsibility to abide by the canons of responsible journalism, including the avoidance of libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity, and the use of harassment and innuendo.

The constitutions of student publications must provide clear statements of general policy and the nature of their responsibility to the student body at large.

As safeguards for the editorial freedom of student publications the following provisions are set forth:

a. The student press will be free of censorship and advance approval of copy, and its editors and managers are free to develop their own editorial policies and news coverage.

b. Procedures for the selection of editors and managers of student press organizations must be submitted to the Constitution Committee of the SGA for approval annually, at least four weeks in advance of the selection itself. The SGA Senate has the power to remove an incumbent editor or manager by a two-thirds vote, in accordance with the procedures outlined below, but the SGA must ensure that editors and managers of student publications are not arbitrarily suspended or removed because of student, faculty, administrative, or public disapproval of editorial policy or content. Suspension or removal must be premised upon a finding of violation of the canons of responsible journalism or failure to appear at removal proceedings as described below.

c. A charge against an editor or manager may be filed only by a person aggrieved by the alleged offense. The charge must be stated in detail, and presented in writing to the president of the SGA within 10 school days of publication or broadcast of the offending material. The president will present the charges to the SGA Senate. Should the aggrieved party be the president of the SGA, the Student Co-Chair of Community Council will bring charges to the SGA Senate. Should both parties be aggrieved, the Speaker of the Senate will bring the charges.

d. Upon receipt of the written charges, the SGA Senate will determine by majority vote whether to initiate removal proceedings against the editor or manager charged. Removal proceedings may commence no earlier than three school days after the vote to initiate the proceedings.

e. The editor or manager charged, the aggrieved party, and the student staff member who wrote or broadcast the offending material must be present at the removal hearing. The president of the SGA will give notice to all parties of the time and place of hearing. Witnesses may be called by either side to support or refute the charges, or to determine the extent to which the editor or manager charged is responsible for the alleged offense.

f. At the commencement of the hearing, the editor or manager charged and the aggrieved party will each be allowed no more than 15 minutes to make an oral presentation before the SGA. Written defenses or allegations may be distributed to SGA members by either side at any time after the initiation of removal proceedings. Each side will be allowed access to all materials so disseminated. After the oral presentations, questioning will be allowed. The president of the SGA presides over the hearing and is responsible for keeping order.

g. A vote to remove must be taken within 15 school days of the vote to initiate removal proceedings. An editor or manager who has been removed by the required two-thirds vote may not serve for the remainder of the academic year as an editor or manager of the organization from which he or she was removed.

h. If an editor or manager is removed under these procedures, the organization that originally published or broadcast the offending statement must publicly retract it.

i. All student publications financed and published by the College must include a clear statement on the editorial page that opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of the College or the student body.

j. Advertisements in publications may not include references to alcohol, directly or indirectly.

7. General Provisions for Recognized Student Organizations

Any student organization that wishes to use College funds or the College's name in any way that implies recognition or sanction must have a constitution ratified by the Constitution Committee of the SGA, file a current list of responsible officers and advisors with the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL), and conform to such regulations as the Community Council and CCAL may specify. Student Activities Fee funds will be allocated only to organizations that have ratified constitutions and have submitted budgets detailing plans for the use of the money. Student activities funds may not be used for direct political action or for disbursement to any organization that is not an officially recognized Middlebury College organization. Individual students wishing to use campus facilities should consult their Commons office for assistance.

The College, through the offices of the deans and the president, retains the right and ultimate authority to protect itself from criminal or civil action that could be taken against the College because of the conduct of a student organization. When advised by counsel that a forthcoming activity of an organization carries with it the possibility of legal action, the College may cancel the activity or request the organization to make appropriate changes in its plans. When time permits, the College will inform both the organization in question and the Community Council of its reasons prior to taking action.

8. Scheduling and Advertising Events and Use of College Facilities

a. The Center for Campus Activities and Leadership and Commons offices handle all student requests for use of space. Student organizations schedule spaces through the CCAL while lounges and other residential spaces are reserved through the respective Commons office. The offices should be provided a written description of events, equipment to be used, refreshments to be served, and the name(s) of the person(s) in charge. Requests for use of the McCullough Student Center must be placed through CCAL.

b. Political organizations may use College facilities at the invitation of College organizations and with the approval of the vice president for administration. Their presentations must be open to all. They may not use the occasions for fund-raising.


c. Bulletin boards for advertising events are maintained by the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership. Posters are permitted on designated bulletin boards or kiosks only. The organization or individual sponsoring an event or making an announcement is responsible for removing the material within 24 hours after the conclusion of the event or within 30 days of the posting, whichever occurs first. Please refrain from posting flyers on doors, walls, windows, buildings, lamp posts, trees or stairwells. Flyers found in these locations will be removed by College staff. Fines and/or disciplinary action may result from violations.

d. Private parties at which alcohol is being served are prohibited from advertising the availability of alcohol. Events open to the public for which have obtained a Middlebury College Friends Catering Permit has been obtained may advertise the function and any entertainment performing at the event. References to alcohol may not be made in any publicity (e.g., posters, newspaper ads) on campus, except for licensed events under the College's catering permit which may include a reminder to "please bring two forms of i.d."

e. Plans to charge admission to events must be approved by the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership or Commons office and may be referred to the Finance Committee of the SGA.

f. Profits accumulated through fund-raising activities by any organization that received student activities fees may be used for any purpose subject to the following restrictions:

i. The purpose of the organization's fund-raising must be clearly advertised in advance.

ii. The organization may not initiate any activity, the profits of which will be used for any direct or indirect contributions to a political campaign.

iii. The fund-raising must conform to the SGA Finance Committee guidelines.

Student Life. B. Health Care Policy Statement

In order to take full advantage of the educational opportunities offered by Middlebury College, a student must maintain good health, and the College expects each student to assume responsibility for his or her health. The College does not stand in loco parentis with respect to the health care of its students, and its health care services do not attempt to take the place of a family physician. In an effort to promote wellness, assist students in maintaining good health, and handle medical emergencies on campus, the College offers the following health care services:

1. Selected health education programs and preventive mental health programs on such topics as human sexuality, alcohol and drug abuse, stress reduction, sexual assault, and eating disorders.

2. A health center with a professional staff providing and promoting high quality comprehensive acute health care in a clinic and overnight infirmary setting, referring cases requiring long-term treatment or the care of a specialist, and providing counsel to students and campus-based student services on health matters.

While Health Center staff is available to provide medical care and health advice, the Health Center does not give medical information to support a class absence excuse unless specifically requested from a Commons Dean with a signed release to disclose medical information from the student.

3. An athletic training room available to intercollegiate athletes and members of the crew and rugby teams. The professional staff at the training room evaluate and treat many athletic injuries and refer serious problems to appropriate medical specialists.

4. Psychological counseling in the form of short-term therapy, crisis intervention, assessment, and referral.

The College provides minimum accident insurance coverage to all students through the comprehensive fee and requires that all students purchase and are covered by additional sickness insurance. Students not covered by a private policy are required to purchase the sickness insurance policy offered by the College through Koster Insurance Agency. The policy was designed in consultation with the College's medical staff and psychological counselors and extends the accident insurance coverage over the summer months. Prior to enrollment, and every summer thereafter, families will receive information and enrollment materials by mail. If a student has comparable insurance coverage of another kind, participation in the Student Medical Insurance Plan is not required. This plan does not provide comprehensive insurance coverage, and should be viewed as supplemental to major medical coverage, which all students are encouraged to carry through their families.

Student Life. C. Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA )

Middlebury College recognizes and supports the standards set forth in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, and similar state laws (hereinafter "applicable law" or "law(s)"), which are designed to eliminate discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. Disabilities may include physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of a person's major life activities, and which necessitates modifications to the facilities, programs, or services of the College. Middlebury College is committed to making reasonable accommodations for qualifying students, faculty, and employees with disabilities as required by applicable laws. Middlebury College is also committed to making the campus and its facilities accessible as required by law. The College cannot make accommodations that are unduly burdensome or that fundamentally alter the nature of the College's program.

While responsibility for the accommodation of students with qualifying disabilities must be assumed and shared by all members of the College community, the College has established a process that is designed to facilitate the reasonable accommodation of students with disabilities. An ADA Committee of faculty and staff, appointed by the president, certifies eligibility for accommodation under the ADA for students presenting evidence of qualifying disabilities, and reviews and acts upon all student requests for reasonable accommodations. Further, the ADA Committee, in consultation with appropriate campus personnel, facilitates the implementation of accommodations that have been deemed reasonable and appropriate in light of the nature of a student's disability and in consideration of the individual's academic requirements. The ADA Committee also serves as a resource to students and faculty on issues of accommodations and helps to coordinate the implementation of other approved accommodations within other sectors of the institution.

Faculty, staff, and other College employees who have ADA related concerns are currently assisted by Human Resources, which can be reached at 802-443-5465 (voice) or 802-443-5949 (TTY).

The ADA Policy can be found in the appendices to this Handbook or on the web at http://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/services/ada/. Individuals who have been accepted to Middlebury College who may require special services are encouraged to contact the ADA Office as soon as possible after admission in order to ensure the timely provision of services. The ADA Office can provide copies of the ADA Policy and the Special Needs Identification Form and can also answer inquiries about ADA issues and Middlebury College. The ADA Office can be reached at 802-443-5936 (voice) or 802-443-7437 (TTY) or via e-mail at ada@middlebury.edu.

Student Life. D. McCullough Student Center

Students and student organizations scheduling the use of any of the McCullough Student Center facilities, including but not limited to the McCullough Social Space, Mitchell Green Lounge, the mailroom, and the lobby, must do so through the Center for Campus Activities and Leadership (CCAL) at least one week before the event. Additionally, groups scheduling the use of the Social Hall or Grille must arrange a meeting with a CCAL staff member at least two weeks before the event. Failure to meet this deadline may result in a limitation of requested services.

The McCullough Student Center is a public space. Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the building at any time. With prior approval, events catered by the College's Dining Services Department may serve alcoholic beverages.