Page 23 - Penn State Altoona 2020-2021 Student Planner

Residence Hall Behavior Expectations All residents are expected to abide by Penn State’s Policies and Procedures, Student Code of Conduct, and the current Housing Terms, Conditions, and Regulations. Upon confirming their acceptance to Penn State, students agree to adhere to all applicable expectations outlined in the documents above. In the residence halls, all occupants agree to abide by the current Housing Terms, Conditions, and Regulations when they sign their housing contract. The Housing and Food Service Contract is a legally binding contract, obligating the student to on-campus living once it is accepted. This includes assuming financial responsibility and meeting financial obligations for the entire contract period through the end of spring semester. The current TCRs can be found at altoonacampusliving.psu.edu/terms-and-conditions. These policies relate directly to the health and safety of the residents as well as the security and condition of the residence halls. It is expected that all residents will read and become aware of these policies as they are written, as violations of any of these policies can result in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct. Residents are also responsible for the behavior of any guests and are expected to comply with any requests made by resident assistants or University staff, including University Police. Residence Hall Association The Residence Hall Association (RHA) enables students living at Penn State Altoona to have a voice in the live-on community. RHA provides programs and community building opportunities to address needs and concerns of residents in each hall. RHA’s overall goal is to improve the quality of the on-campus living experience at Penn State Altoona. The Blue and White Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary The Blue and White Chapter of the National Residence Hall Honorary (NRHH) recognizes Penn State Altoona’s top 1% of leaders living in the residence halls. Leaders are identified and recognized for going above and beyond for their neighbors and community. The Office of Residence Life accepts nominations and applications for NRHH and plans a welcome ceremony for new members each semester. See your RA for more information. Need Help? All residence halls have an RA on duty from 8 a.m. – 7 a.m. the following morning including weekends, finals weeks, and fall and spring breaks. Professional staff are on call each evening to provide additional support for the RAs as needed and will coordinate with University Police as necessary. Professional staff and RAs are available to assist residents with conflict mediation, roommate agreements, lockouts, and general behavior and safety concerns. Contact information for the RA on duty is listed in each residence hall lobby and provided to each resident prior to the first day of class each semester. Residence life coordinator contact information is also provided prior to the first day of class. How to become a Resident Assistant The Office of Residence Life accepts applications for the Resident Assistant Leadership Program each semester; attaining a position is typically a two-semester process. All students who meet specific qualifications are invited to apply. After a staff review, select applicants are invited to interview for a seat in the following semester’s HIED 302 course. Upon successful completion of the class and a positive recommendation from the instructor, students are eligible to be placed as an RA. 21