With winter break right around the corner, Residence Life is informing students of how to prepare and the correct procedures.
“Residents will need to check out with a Housing and Residence Life staff member by the time the residence halls close [on] Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.,” Residence Life said in an email sent out to students on Nov. 8. “Whether you are staying late or checking out before the halls close, the winter break check-out procedures must be followed closely. Failure to follow instructions could result in fines $50 and up.”
In a document attached to Residence Life’s email, they stated the procedures for checking out. Below is their check-out checklist:
- All rooms and bathrooms must be completely cleaned, swept, mopped, vacuumed, and dusted. All sinks, toilets, and showers must be scrubbed, and all trash must be taken out.
- Beds must be made, and clothes must be hung in closets or placed in dressers. This ensures nothing could be ruined if maintenance needs to do any repairs over the break.
- Refrigerators in Banning or Walker halls must be unplugged and defrosted 48 hours prior to your departure. Fridges must be cleaned, and no food is to be left in them. Doors to the fridges will be left open over the break to allow ventilation.
- Cokesbury and Methodist residents do not need to unplug or defrost their fridges, but all perishable food must be removed.
- All windows and patio doors must be locked, and all blinds must be down and closed.
- All electrical appliances including televisions, radios, clocks, curling irons, hair dryers, air fresheners, plug-ins, coffee pots, lamps, and more must be unplugged.
- Thermostats must be placed to heat, auto, and 70 degrees.
- All lights must be turned off in rooms and bathrooms.
- Access to dormitories after their closure is not allowed. Items needed over break such as medicine, laptops, phones, chargers, keys, wallets, passports, ID’s, gifts, and more must be taken with you at your departure.
Prohibited items such as shot glasses, candles, incense, hot plates, grills, and space heaters will be confiscated. This list, if the student is a non-Cokesbury resident, also includes toaster ovens, toasters, irons, iron boards, and blenders. Residence Life urges students to understand that if any of these items remain in your dormitory following your departure, it will result in a $200 fine.
“If you are moving completely out of the room and/or not returning to OCU in January,” Residence Life said, “the procedures are the same with the following exception: Your room must be completely empty of contents and cleaned before an RA checks you out. Once approved by your RA: Turn in your Inventory Sheets with your key.”
Any student needing to stay past 5 p.m. on Dec. 16 or over the break must submit the form provided by Residence Life by Dec. 9 at 11:59 p.m. Approved forms will come with a charge of $30 a night for each night following the closure of the halls.
“Cokesbury Residents, the gate code will be changed over the break,” Residence Life said. “Those who do not submit the form will not be notified of the new gate code.”
To check out, Banning and Walker students must reach out to their RA’s, scheduling a time for their room to be approved before check-out. Methodist and Cokesbury residents should go by the desk or call the RA on call to be approved to check out.
“Banning and Walker residents do not give your key to your roommate, parent, or friend,” Residence Life said. “It must be given to a Resident Director or RA, or there will be a charge [of $50]. Do not forget and take it home with you.”
Cokesbury and Methodist students will not return their key, but they will still need to fill out and sign the Winter Break Checkout List.
“Early morning and late-night checkouts must be approved by [the] Resident Director,” Residence Life said. “If approved, you will be required to arrange signing the form and/or the key return with your RA.”
Overall, Residence Life urges students to be understanding and respectful of the time of their respective RA’s as they are taking final exams as well.
“We hope you are doing well,” Residence Life said. “We know you can finish strong!”
Any questions about check-out procedures can be emailed to Residence Life and/or your RA.
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