Housing Handbook

Highland Community College Campus Engagement

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Housing Requirements

Students receiving academic scholarships from HCC must also reside in HCC Residential Life Buildings, regardless of class standing and/or years at HCC. First year students attending the main campus in Highland are expected to reside in campus housing unless they meet the criteria outlined in the Housing Exemptions section. Sophomores may choose to reside in campus housing.

All students living on-campus are required to be enrolled as a full-time student. Full-time status is any student enrolled in a minimum of twelve (12) hours of course work in a semester. If a student living on campus falls below the 12-hour minimum at any time during a semester, they may be dismissed from student housing.

A student who is ineligible for student housing due to academic ineligibility (e.g., insufficient enrolled credit hours or violations of SAP, Satisfactory Academic Progress policy) may re-apply for housing once they have achieved satisfactory academic standing/enrolment. However, that student is not guaranteed the same housing assignment they had prior to the removal.

HOUSING REQUIREMENTS EXEMPTIONS CRITERIA

• If a student resides with a parent/guardian (i.e., those who claim the student as a dependent for tax purposes), if the parents reside in Atchison, Brown, or Doniphan counties.
• If the student has dependents/children.
• If the student is married.
• If the student is over the age of 21.
• If the student has received a written exemption from the Dean of Students.

 

Student code of Conduct

By entering a contract with the HCC to live in an HCC Residential Life Building, you agree to follow the standards set by the College and to follow basic principles for living in a group setting. The following are breaches of the agreement:

• Violation of College/HCCRL policy
• Violation of federal, state, or local law
• Any behavior which physically endangers any person
• Conduct which violates the rights of others to an educational atmosphere (educational environment)
• Conduct which denies the human and/or Constitutional rights of others (including that which is motivated by racism, sexism, or other forms of discrimination)
• Vandalism or willful destruction of property
• Insubordination to College authorities (including failure to identity oneself to College officials or produce and/or surrender College ID to College officials upon request)
• Possession or use of a college key without prior authorization from a College official
• College keys are not to be duplicated under any circumstance
• Misuse of College property or use of College property without prior authorization from a College official
• Failure to report violations which occur within one's own assigned housing unit, by other campus housing residents or non-campus housing residents, to proper College authorities
• Failure to comply with the terms and conditions listed on the HCCRL Housing Contract

More Information in the HCC Student Handbook

Emergency Procedures & HCCRL Policies

Employees and students should be prepared to cope with the hazards and disasters that threaten the day-to-day functions of the College. Instructions are available on our Campus Security page to help prepare employees and students know what to do if there is an emergency.

Additionally, policies relating to HCC Residential Life buildings and individuals living on campus is available on the Campus Security page. These policies are applicable on HCC campus, including in HCC Residential Life Buildings. All allegations of HCCRL policies are adjudicated through the HCC Student Conduct process. 

Emergency Procedures & HCCRL Policies

Campus Reporting

Incident reports can be written and submitted by any HCC student, faculty, or staff member. Incident reports are used to document occurrences on campus such as crime, student injury, loss of property, damage to property, vandalism, fire alarm, and behaviors that could or do violate HCC policies and/or values. Incident reports should be filed and submitted to the Director of Campus Engagement or Campus Security via Online Incident Reporting Forms. Incidents reports are private and may be shared with the Vice President of Student Affairs and/or other appropriate staff members if the incident violates the rights of the person(s) making the report or other residents. If disciplinary proceedings take place, the person who submitted the incident report may be asked for additional information by the Student Conduct Officer.

Additionally, an incident report can be submitted if someone has a concern about the behavior of a member of the HCC community and wants a member of the Campus Assessment Recommendation and Evaluation Team (CARE Team) to make contact. The team addresses behaviors that may not violate policy but are concerning.

Silent Witness (Anonymous Crime Report) Anyone concerned about criminal activity on the HCC campus can report it anonymously to Campus Security by completing and submitting the Silent Witness Reporting Form. However, call 911 for immediate concerns.

SAFETY AND SECURITY

Residents should report theft to the Director of Campus Engagement or Campus Security as soon as possible so a theft report can be completed. Residents should lock their apartment and bedrooms when leaving the space, even if only for a few minutes. They should also be sure that windows are secure. All residents are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and call Campus Security or HCC Residential Life staff if something looks suspicious. Residents should be aware of anyone their roommates invite into their apartment. Roommates should talk to each other about where and when it is okay for guests to be in the apartment. Guests should always be accompanied by a resident who is responsible for their guests’ behavior.

Campus Security

Fire Safety, Lock Downs, Safe Zones

 

Weather

Tornadoes/Severe Weather

Tornadoes pose a substantial threat to HCC’s community and facilities. Tornadoes are most likely to occur between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm and move from the southwest to the northeast. However, they can occur at any time and move in any direction provided the conditions are right. When a tornado is confirmed to be in or near Doniphan County, Law enforcement or Emergency Preparedness will activate the city’s storm warning sirens. The city alarms are located off campus but can easily be heard from outside any building. The college will also activate the campus emergency alert system (Visiplex). A message will broadcast throughout the campus speaker system and emails and text messages will be sent to those signed up to receive RAVE alerts.

Once the alert has sounded, everyone on campus should immediately move to a designated shelter area. Specific locations of shelter areas are printed on bright blue signs located in each building. HCC recommends going to the lowest level or the center point of a building away from windows if unable to make it to a designated location.

Designated Tornado Shelter locations on the Highland campus:

• Administration Building: Lower level
• Allen Field House: Lower-level locker rooms
• Ellis Hall: First floor
• Heritage Hall: First floor
• Library Student Union: Lower level
• Rubeti Hall: First floor
• Yost Hall: Lower level
• Wellness Center
• Any of the campus apartments: First floor
• HCCRL Residents: If students living on campus are unable to move to a shelter area, they should move away from windows, preferably into a bathroom. Covering with blankets, or if possible, a mattress, will provide the best protection from objects tossed during the storm. Residents are instructed to avoid going outside to “see” the tornado. They are also asked to avoid using the phone except to report medical or fire emergencies, safety hazards, or criminal activity.

Emergency Protocol For Weather

PARKING & Parking Permits

Residents, staff, and faculty are required to register their vehicles and display parking permits when parked in campus parking lots. Responsibility for locating a legal parking space rests with the vehicle operator.

Resident Parking Lots

Residents living in campus housing will be assigned parking according to their housing assignment as per below and may not park in any other area on campus.

• Ellis Hall- “E” Lot
• Kansas/Kiltie- “K” Lot
• Duplexes/North Apts- “D” Lot
• Piper/Prairie- “P” Lot
• Scottie Place/Sunflower- “S” Lot
• Huntington/Highlander/Hearthford/Holly Oak/Hampton/Colony Point/Crestview/Cornerstone/ Claymont/Degginger- “G” Lot
• Heritage/Rubeti- “H” Lot
• Other Available Lots
  • Commuter students can park in lots labeled “C”
  • Walters Wellness Center: Open to staff, commuters, and community members
    • Not open parking for students until after 5:00 pm on Monday through Friday
  • Jack D. Nutt Math-Science Bldg (MS/CT) West: “C” and Staff Only
  • Library and Student Union (LSU)/Cafeteria: Staff Only
  • Main Street (South of Allen Field House, Irvin Hall, Administration, Library, and Math/Science): Open Parking
  • David Reist Administration Bldg/Irvin Hall (North): Reserved for Staff and College Vehicles
  • East of Ellis Hall/Church Parking Lot: “C,” “E,” and Staff Only

 

With certain exceptions, the parking areas are active 24 hours a day, Monday through Friday. Access may change due to special events as designated by Highland Community College. Parking areas are active in all weather conditions. The parking areas are highlighted on parking maps distributed at the time permits are received.

Parking Exceptions

After 5:00 PM and before 6:00 AM (Monday through Friday) and throughout the weekends, parking is open to everyone in the following parking areas:

• Behind the library (north side)
• Walters Wellness Center
• CT Building West

Students are not allowed to park on the street around Allen Field House or Kessinger Field for athletic practices or games/events in these areas.

Disabled/Accessible Parking

Designated disabled parking spaces are appropriately marked in accordance with state regulations. These spaces are always reserved for students, staff, and visitors with valid disabled parking placards/plates/decals.

Injured Student Parking

An individual who needs to temporarily park closer to their classes and/or the cafeteria may submit a request to the Dean of Students. If approved, a special permit is issued to that individual to be displayed in the front window of their vehicle when parked on campus. Failure to display a valid permit may result in the assessment of fines.

Parking Violations

Individuals who do not comply with campus parking rules and regulations will be issued a parking violation and charged a fine in accordance with the fee structure listed below. All fines levied against violators have been approved by the Highland Community College Board of Trustees. All fines must be paid in the Business Office, Administration Building, during normal work hours, or by mail to:

HCC Business Office
606 W Main Street
Highland, KS 66035

For more information on parking at HCC, please visit the Parking Registration webpage.

BREAKS (i.e. Spring/Winter Break) & Holidays

Highland Community College has several breaks throughout the academic year. Residential Life units are open during Thanksgiving Break, Spring Break or Easter Break, but will be closed during Winter Break. Before departing for Winter Break, each student must have their apartments checked for cleanliness, sign the checkout sheet and turn in keys to Residential Life staff.

Students who fail to turn in their keys to Residential Life staff and/or sign the checkout sheet before leaving for Winter Break will be charged an improper checkout fine. All students must vacate housing by 10:00 pm of the last day of finals. Only students required to remain on campus (for an athletic event or performance) will be allowed to stay in student housing during Winter Break. Students are encouraged to secure their apartments and belongings before
leaving campus for any college break.

CONTACTING RESIDENTS & Mail

To contact residents via email, HCC Residential Life will only use official HCC email accounts (lastname.firstname@highlandcc.edu) provided by the College to contact students. All students should establish their HCC email addresses and check with their advisors if unsure of how to do so.

Each apartment on campus has an individual mailbox located outside the Campus Engagement Office in the Lower LSU (Library and Student Union) and each resident is provided a mailbox key through the Residential Life Office.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Residential Life personnel are unable to get mail for residents.

If a resident receives a delivery that is too large for a mailbox, the Bookstore staff will contact them via email. Anything sent via US Postal Services, FedEx, or UPS will go to the Bookstore. Mail will be brought to campus once per weekday. Students may also send mail and purchase postage through the Bookstore. Any mail sent to students should be addressed as follows for accuracy in mailing:
Your Name
606 W. Main
Highland, KS 66035

FEES, Health & Wellness Inspections, and Heating & Air

HCCRL may assess fees to help offset the expense of materials and/or labor to address negligent damage or misuse of HCC Residential Life Buildings and/or property. When possible, individuals may be able to remove or reduce these fees through working on projects assigned by the Director of Campus Engagement.

The following lists fees that may be assessed when objective evidence indicates a resident is responsible for an action that causes damage or is in violation of HCCRL policies. When an action that causes damage or is in violation of HCCRL policies has occurred within an apartment or around an apartment and no one will take responsibility, fees may be assessed to all residents within that apartment or apartment building.

 

MAINTENANCE

Highland Community College has a full-time Maintenance staff that works throughout the year to establish and maintain the most comfortable living environment possible. Residents are encouraged to report all maintenance issues promptly to the Director of Campus Engagement or Residential Life Office personnel between 8:00am and 3:00pm. Please report problems outside of those hours to a Resident Assistant or Campus Security Officer to be addressed the following day.

A request for maintenance permits Maintenance staff to enter apartments when residents are not present. However, a resident may contact the Director of Campus Engagement to request Maintenance not enter their apartment without a resident present. It should be noted this may slow down a maintenance response. Additionally, if there are emergencies it may not be possible to wait for a resident to be present. Should this occur, HCCRL will attempt to notify the resident and explain the situation.

When Maintenance staff are addressing maintenance concerns in a student living space the possibility exists for them to recognize and address items that may be HCCRL, HCC Student Code, and/or criminal violations. These incidents will be documented following appropriate protocol and will be adjudicated through the HCC Student Conduct process and the criminal justice system (if necessary). If a resident believes they were documented or treated unfairly, or a search did not follow protocol they should report the concern in writing to the Vice President of Student Affairs or by visiting the office located in the
Administration Building on the Highland Campus.

Room Change

Students may make requests to move to a new assignment on campus no sooner than September 1 for the Fall semester and February 1 for the Spring semester. Students must authorize an apartment/room change by completing a Room Change Request Form. Students who move to another apartment or room without permission of the Director of Campus Engagement may be assessed a charge for an unauthorized room change.

Roommate Agreement Contract

The Roommate Agreement is a tool available in the Residential Life Office used to help residents identify key issues of concern in an apartment, particularly during a dispute and provide a basis for discussion about how to work out any problems between roommates. These Roommate Agreements help students to address the unique dynamics of their apartments and will be used when problems cannot be resolved by students without assistance from the Department of Residential Life.

Housing Check-Out Process

When a resident graduates or withdraws from the college they must coordinate a time to check out of their assigned living space. As outlined in the Housing Contract, the lease expires at 10:00 pm on the day an individual completes their last examination or withdraws from the College. All residents must be out of their apartments by 10:00 pm on the last day of final exams for each semester. Also see “Breaks”.

Proper/Improper Checkout

Each student must checkout of housing with an HCCRL staff member. During checkout, an HCCRL staff member will assess the apartment and complete the Apartment Condition and Inventory Report form. The resident and the HCCRL staff member will both sign the form. Residents who do not check out may be assessed an improper checkout fee as well as fees for damages. All residents must return their keys to an HCCRL staff member. Residents who fail to return their keys may be assessed a fee.

Preparing Apartments for Checkout

Residents must clean their apartments and remove all writing, putty, nails, decals, and tape from walls, doors and ceilings without damaging the paint. Additionally, they must empty all closets, drawers, cabinets, and remove all personal belongings and trash from their apartment. Failure to clean and/or remove items or trash, from inside and outside an assigned living space, may result in the assessment of cleaning and/or trash removal charges. The following checklist should be followed to make certain a space is cleaned.  

Residents must move HCC furniture back to its original configuration. For example, bedroom furniture needs to be moved back to the bedroom, living room furniture needs to be moved back to the living room. One week after the end of the contract, the College reserves the right to dispose of personal
property remaining in Residential Life units without liability to itself or its personnel.

Housing Cancellation

The HCC Housing Contract is a lease agreement between the resident and Highland Community College for the Fallsemester and Spring semester. To cancel the contract residents must complete a housing cancellation form in the HCCRL Office in the laundry facility. For a print form, contact the Housing Office at housing@highlandcc.edu or, complete the digital form below: 

Housing Cancellation Form

The Housing Contract may be altered under the following conditions:

1. A resident completes the Housing Cancellation Form by June 1 for Fall semester and/or December 1 for Spring semester. The individual’s deposit, minus any charges for damages and/or outstanding debt to the college, will be refunded within 45 days and they will be released from their contract.
2. A resident completes the Housing Cancellation Form after December 1 for the Spring semester and/or June 1 for Fall semester, but before registration day. The individual’s deposit will be forfeited, but they will be released from their contract.
3. After registration day, HCC will not release individuals from their housing contract, and they are expected to pay for housing the entire academic year.
4. Students who leave in the middle of a semester will be charged the cost of housing for the full semester.

IT Help Desk, Wifi & Technology

Wi-Fi is available throughout student housing. There is one wireless access point in each apartment complex. Tampering with the wireless router and or removing the wireless router from the apartment complex is a violation of policy and could result in a damage fee. Network policy information is available in the HCC Student Handbook.

• WIRELESS NETWORK NAME: HCCStudents
  • Password: @Scotties2023 
  • Notes: Highland students connect for improved performance.
• WIRELESS NETWORK NAME: HCCGuest
  • Password: *No Password Required
  • Notes: Not used for internal or student use.

Questions concerning Internet connections should be directed to the IT Help Desk at (785) 442-6060 or helpdesk@highlandcc.edu 

Submit Ticket to IT Help Desk

LAUNDRY ROOMS

There are two laundry rooms on campus available for student use. The main laundry room is located between Rubeti Hall and Degingger Hall and is open from 7:30 am to 12:00 am Monday through Friday. It is open from 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm on Saturday and Sunday. The second laundry room in Ellis Hall never closes.

LIBRARY

The campus library is a wonderful resource for both academic and entertaining materials of various types. In addition to maintaining an extensive collection of educational text, the library has Internet access, magazines, newspapers, and DVDs. Copies can also be made at the library.

Access the Library Website

LOST AND FOUND

Lost and Found is located at the Bookstore in lower Irvin Hall. Items found on campus, including in Residential Life, will go to the Lost and Found in the Bookstore, except for keys or property of the College, which will be held in the Residential Life Office

Cafeteria and MEAL PLAN

A housing contract entitles the student to eighteen meals per week in the HCC cafeteria. Meals may be purchased individually in the Business Office. Meals will not carry over to the following week. Residents cannot share their meal plan with other Residents. A valid HCC student ID card is required to enter the cafeteria.

Cafeteria Hours

Meal Plan Options

Walters Wellness Center

The Wellness Center features a six-lane indoor track, four full basketball/volleyball/tennis courts and drop-down batting cages. The Wellness Center also has state-of-the-art cardiovascular equipment including treadmills, elliptical machines, and weight stations. In addition, there are televisions, radio hookups, and a conference/classroom area.

Learn More

MENINGITIS VACCINATION

Meningitis, also known as Meningococcal Meningitis, is a severe bacterial infection of the bloodstream and meninges (a thin lining covering the brain and spinal cord). The spread of this disease is quick and can cause organ failure, brain damage, amputation of limbs or death within hours of the first symptoms. College Residents living on college campuses have a higher risk of contracting this disease. All residents living in HCC Residential Life Buildings are required to do one of the following:

• receive the meningitis vaccination
• provide written documentation from a medical doctor of immunization
• sign a meningitis waiver

For more information about Meningococcal meningitis, visit the National Meningitis Association website.

RESIDENT ASSISTANTS

Resident Assistants or RAs are student HCCRL staff members who live with residents in HCCRL buildings. RAs serve several purposes:

• Help address residents’ concerns or issues and connect residents to campus or community resources.
• Inform students of activities, intramural events, or anything which may be of interest to residents.
• Assist with conflict resolution.
• Help HCC maintain an educational environment.
• Respond to emergency situations.
• Answer questions about Residential Life policies and/or procedures.
• Conduct regular room inspections.

Failure to comply with an RA’s reasonable requests made during the course of their official responsibilities may result in an allegation of Failure to Comply and will be addressed through the conduct process.