Frequently Asked Questions About Residence Halls
Residence Halls Housing Policies
When and how do I register for housing each semester?
During registration each semester, an online room reservation form will open for each student to complete in order to hold their room for the following semester. Students who do not complete this online form by the deadline, or in a timely manner, may not be guaranteed housing for the following semester.
Am I required to purchase a meal plan?
All students living in the residence halls are required to purchase a meal plan. There are three meal plan options. Students may choose either 14 meals a week, the Unlimited Plan, or the Unlimited Plus Plan. The meal plan includes a meal allowance with a declining balance. Patriot Dollars can be used to purchase food or beverages in the Patriot Café, the Daily Bread Bistro, DBU Coffeehouse, the General Store, and other University dining facilities.
What if I want to change rooms after classes begin?
Room changes are made as space is available. All changes must be approved by the University Housing Office. Any resident making an unauthorized room change may incur a fine and will be required to return to their designated room. In all cases, we recommend that you speak with your current roommate and inform him/her of your intentions.
Will I be able to live on campus during the holidays?
Residents who are taking mini–term classes during the holiday period may be allowed to remain in campus housing for the duration of the class and will be subject to a housing fee.
Residence Hall Rules
Are there any quiet hours in the residence halls?
Quiet hours are in effect from 10:00 p.m. until 8:00 a.m. Residents are to observe posted signs and keep the volume low for TVs, phone calls, etc. A student’s right to study or sleep during quiet hours is to be respected.
Is there a curfew?
An on-campus curfew exists and begins at 1:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 2:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Lobbies of respective buildings will be shut down 30 minutes before curfew. Residence hall entry doors are locked 24/7. Students entering the residence halls before or after curfew must use their student ID to gain access to their residence hall. A record will be maintained of students entering residence halls before and after curfew.
Will friends of the opposite gender be allowed to visit my room?
There is no opposite gender visitation in the residence halls. Guests of the opposite gender are allowed to use the lobby of each building to hold social gatherings. Building lobbies close 30 minutes before curfew.
May a guest spend the night in my room?
Overnight guests cannot be invited to spend the night in a residence hall. Students who fail to comply with the advance registration policy may incur a fine or disciplinary action. There are no family accommodations available on the DBU campus.
What if my property is damaged in the residence hall?
DBU is not responsible for theft, damage, or loss of personal property. DBU does not provide insurance coverage for the individual student’s property. Therefore, students should obtain renter’s insurance. You should also consider personal property insurance if you maintain valuable personal property in your room. All residents are reminded to lock their doors.
May I have pets on campus?
To insure a safe environment for all residents, animals, including cats, dogs, birds, insects, reptiles/amphibians, and fish are not allowed in the residence halls.
Living in the Dorms
How can I decorate my room?
Posters, pictures, plaques, and other wall hangings may be placed on residence hall walls if secured by poster putty, tacks, or thin hanging nails. The use of large nails, screws, glue, two-sided adhesive, or tape to secure items to the walls is prohibited. Damages incurred by such items will be charged to the resident(s) of the room affected. Items are not to be displayed in the windows. Lewd and obscene pictures or displays that are in conflict with the school’s Christ-centered mission are prohibited. Students are allowed to bring in carpet for their room, but no tack strips, glue, or other adhesives are permitted in the installation of carpet. If residents have questions about decorating their rooms, they should contact the Residence Life Office or their Resident Director.
Will my room be checked for cleanliness?
The Resident Assistants will conduct a weekly room check of each hall. They will evaluate and address cleanliness and general maintenance issues.
What if there is something wrong with my room?
If there is a problem with the room (plumbing problems, heater/air conditioner issues, etc.), you should report it to your Resident Assistant immediately. If the Resident Assistant is not available, report problems to the Resident Director or the Residence Life Office.
If there was damage done to my room, who will be charged?
At the beginning of each semester, residence hall personnel take inventory of each room, check the condition of the room, and make certain that all furnishings are in place. Each resident must examine and sign this inventory. Residents should bring to the attention of the Resident Assistant any damaged or missing items noticed on move-in day and make certain that notation is included on the inventory sheet at the beginning of the semester. Otherwise, the student may be charged for those damages. Students who enroll or withdraw from the residence halls at times other than the official beginning and end of school are subject to the same process. At the end of the semester, residents will be held responsible for the removal of furnishings and/or damages made after the original inventory. Roommates are equally responsible for the condition of their room. When damages occur, they will be charged equally for the cost of repairs, unless specific responsibility can be determined. Any damage occurring during the year should be reported immediately to the Resident Assistant or the Resident Director so action can be taken to repair the problem.
What if I have special needs and require a handicapped room?
Students requiring special accommodations must contact the Accommodation Services office in order to identify the proper accommodations needed. The Accommodation Services Office is located in the Dean Learning Center Suite 104, and you can reach them by phone at (214) 333-5394.
How do I mitigate mold/mildew in my room?
To find out more about the growth of mold and mildew and how to prevent it in your dwelling unit, please visit DBU's Mold Information webpage.
Where can I find out what is going on in my residence hall?
When mandatory meetings are called in the residence halls, all residents are required to attend. If a student is unable to attend, he/she must inform the Resident Director in advance. Failure to attend without excuse from the Resident Director may result in disciplinary action or a fine. Important notices will also be sent to your DBU email account. In addition, information will be available on your Resident Assistant’s door and on the bulletin boards in the residence halls.
Parking
Information about DBU Parking Decals
Students choosing to park on campus are required to have a valid DBU parking decal. Students can register their vehicles at no cost through the DBU Campus Security Department.
Special Parking for Freshman/Call Security and Ride
During the week, first-year students are expected to park in lots 3 and 16. Campus Shuttle Service operates continuously Monday–Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Sunday from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. No shuttle service is provided on Saturday. On the weekends (Friday at 6:00 p.m. to Sunday at 6:00 p.m.), first-year students may park in lots 7, 8, and 9 by the residence halls. Failure to park in the correct lot will result in a $40 parking citation.
Dorm Checkout
What do I need to do as I leave DBU?
All non–graduating students must be checked out of the residence halls within 24 hours of their last final exam. When vacating a room, you must make an appointment with your Resident Assistant or Resident Director to check out of your room and return your key. Residents are responsible for cleaning the room before they check out. Residents must remove carpet, personal furnishings, wall decor, and any other non-university property. Failure to check out properly will result in a fine and a cleaning/damage charge; if the room key is not turned in, a $75.00 fee will be charged in order to replace the lock for security purposes. DBU assumes no responsibility for any personal belongings lost due to theft or damage. On-campus storage space is not available.