Safety and Security

The safety of students in the residence halls is the first and most fundamental concern of the Office of Residence Life; it should be your first priority, too. Your individual actions can have a direct impact on your safety and security and that of each student who lives in the residence halls.

The Office of Residence Life and each resident are partners for the safety and security of the residence halls. Each individual resident has PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY for his or her own safety and security.

The University and the Office of Residence Life have taken steps that contribute toward maintaining a safer and more secure environment. Staff, equipment and information resources are provided to encourage behavior that prevents dangerous situations and to assist if an emergency should occur. Despite these reasonable and good faith efforts, however, it is impossible to predict individual actions or guarantee that no unwanted acts or situations will ever occur. All the fire equipment in Union County cannot prevent a fire caused by a resident’s carelessness with a cigarette, candle or prohibited appliance. Nor can all the campus police at Kean prevent a theft when a resident has left the room door unlocked and a wallet on the dresser while he or she is away from the room. Remember, when one resident is careless, all residents may be exposed to the consequences of this carelessness.

General Safety and Security Procedures

Here are some personal safety and security suggestions:

LOCK YOUR DOOR EACH TIME YOU LEAVE YOUR ROOM. CARRY YOUR KEYS WITH YOU AT ALL TIMES.
Walk with friends or in a group.
Walk in well-lighted and well-traveled areas.
Constantly be aware of your surroundings.
Know the location of emergency phones.
Report suspicious persons or activity to campus police.
Keep your room door locked.
Carry your keys and Kean University ID with you at all times.
Report damaged doors and locks to your community center or Resident Assistant immediately.
Report “salespeople” or “solicitors” to your community center.
Do not let your guests wander the building — they must be escorted at all times. Don’t leave guests unattended in your room/apartment.
Do not prop doors open.
Do not use fire exit doors unless it is a fire/evacuation emergency. Those who should be in the building should have keys or an access card.
Remove valuables when you are away and during University closings.
Keep your vehicle locked.
Make sure personal property is covered by your own or your family’s homeowner’s or apartment dweller’s insurance policy.

The University is not responsible for loss of or damage to personal property; therefore, individual students are advised to purchase personal property insurance. Contact the Office of Residential Student Services for more information. All students are furnished a key to their apartment. Each individual is responsible for locking his or her door.

Students must enter and exit the building through the front doors only. Side exits are for emergency use only and are wired into the fire alarm system. These doors are locked for your protection.

Passing Your Keys or Cougar ID Card

Giving your key and/or Cougar ID Card to any person is a violation of policy. The passing of such items will subject the violator to disciplinary action including the possible termination of their Office of Residential Student Services Contract and Agreement. If found passing your key and/or ID card, guest privileges will be forfeited for that evening.

Passing of keys or Cougar ID cards will subject the violator to the following sanctions (but not necessarily in this order depending upon the severity of the violation):

First-time violators: a $75.00 fine (payable by check or money order to Kean University within ten (10) business days) and a Warning Letter.
Second-time violators: a $100.00 fine (payable by check or money order to Kean University within ten (10) business days) and Housing Probation.
Third-time violators: TERMINATION of the student’s Residence Hall Contract.

Residents who pass their Cougar ID Card to other residents or guests are subject to fines, disciplinary action and possible termination of the Residence Hall Contract.

Outdoor Activity Policy

The Kean University residence halls provide housing accommodations for students for the main purpose of facilitating academic learning. A quiet and healthy living environment is required for effective study. Often residents, as well as nearby community neighbors, experience unacceptable negative effects from loud music and/or unruly behavior in the outdoor area or sports playing in the quad walkways. It is expected that the University should provide a reasonably quiet and safe study environment for the residents.

This policy has been developed to safeguard everyone’s rights and provide a reasonably quiet living environment. The primary purpose of this policy is to regulate, in accordance with University policies and Union municipal ordinances, the prohibited activities within the residence hall outdoor areas and to stipulate conditions and sanctions for violations.

To control high volume and unruly behavior in the residence hall outdoor areas during the academic year, no one will be permitted to play outdoor games, specifically football, baseball, lacrosse or field hockey, in the residence hall quad or on any roads and/or pathways adjacent to any residential facilities. These sports may be played in the University recreational facilities, athletic fields, or the grassy areas between Sozio Hall and Rogers Hall or the grassy area behind Dougall Hall. Any other sports such as Frisbee, jump rope, etc., will be allowed at the discretion of the Residence Life staff.

This policy further stipulates that when individuals are found creating high volumes and/or engaging in unruly behavior in the outdoor area after 10 p.m., they will be subject to disciplinary action and/or legal action. Please also refer to policy number 30 on page 18 as it pertains to various sports and recreational equipment that is prohibited in areas adjacent to the residential facilities.

In support of the information above as well as to ensure student safety and security within the residence hall community area, no one will be permitted to gather and remain in the quad area Dougall Hall patio, and the New Residence Hall Courtyard areas from 3 – 8 a.m. Noncompliance may result in disciplinary action and/or immediate suspension from the residence halls.

Quiet Hours

The following hours have been established as quiet hours in all residence halls so that an atmosphere conducive to studying and sleeping can be maintained. Twenty-four-hour quiet hours will be in effect the last two weeks of each semester for the final exam period. It is expected that consideration for others will be exercised at all times.

Some students have different class schedules and different work hours. They may work late into the night and need to rest during the daytime. If a neighbor is resting or studying, keep the volume level down. If any resident requests that the volume level in a room or apartment be lowered, residents are requested to comply regardless of whether it is during quiet hours or not, as 24-hour courtesy hours are always in effect. Noncompliance may result in disciplinary action.

The residential complex is an experience in community living, and, as such, individual students must be aware of the ways in which their behavior affects others. This is particularly true of high volumes and other disturbances. It is expected that after 10 p.m., residents lower the volume of any stereo or television equipment so that it is not discernible. Loud music from stereo speakers, radios and the like heard outside a resident’s room or apartment, indoors or out, is strictly prohibited.

Occupants are considered residents of the Township of Union and are subject to its ordinances. Disturbances by an individual or group may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Residence Hall Contract, and a municipal fine may be applicable.