Living In University Housing

Since the electrical wiring and outlets in student rooms do not allow for extensive use of electrical appliances, there are certain appliances that are not allowed as use poses health, electrical, or fire risk.

Refrigerators, freezers, and microwaves are not permitted since TCU provides one MicroFridge unit per room (except in the campus apartments).

Appliances prohibited in University housing and commons include: hot plate, toaster, crock pot, toaster oven, lava lamps, rice cookers, electric frying pan, deep fryer, automatic coffee makers, kettles, ceiling fan, window fan, air conditioner, space heater and halogen lamps.

General cooking should be done in the kitchen and not in your room. However, with small refrigerators and some approved appliances permitted in student rooms, students should be mindful that the presence of food in a room can contribute to the problem of roaches and ants. Do not leave food out in the open or unpackaged. When you throw something away, you should put it in the large, lined containers in the hallways where it will be removed daily. Food should not be disposed of by placing food in the drains of sinks. This causes the drains to stop up and creates an unnecessary and expensive maintenance charge. Students will be held responsible for these unnecessary charges.

Each student should act responsibly while using elevators. Failing to do so could result in disciplinary action with possible fines.

It is very important that you do your part in helping keep our energy costs down as much as possible. Please make a conscious effort to turn off lights and other electrical equipment when not in use.

Because many university housing fires occur as a result of poor wiring on appliances and overloaded “lamp cord” type extension cords inside individual rooms, only heavy-duty extension cords are allowed. These may be purchased at most hardware stores. Furthermore, extension cords with built-in circuit breakers are strongly recom­mended. Extension cords may not be run under carpets or looped over curtains or bedspreads. Since overloads will cause tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses, both of which interrupt service and could cause a fire, only four approved appliances are allowed per outlet.

Most University housing facilities have individual room controls for heating and air conditioning. Heating and cooling of University housing facilities are controlled from a central location on campus. Use moderation when adjusting your thermostat and be aware that your thermostat may control more than one room. It is important that windows not be opened or vents blocked as this can upset the balance in several rooms. Keeping your blinds and drapes closed will help significantly in keeping your room cool. If your room is too hot or too cold, contact your hall staff. When problems are reported, be specific about the problem.

For safety reasons, motorcycles may not be brought into University housing or student rooms.

With the safety of students in mind, it is prohibited to have any device that has an open flame in a student room (this includes but is not limited to any candles (with or without the wick) or incense).

While we hope your stay at the University is free of any misfortune, you should be aware of the University’s policy on loss, theft or damage of your property. The University is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of your belongings. For your protection, make sure that your parent’s/guardians’ homeowners insurance policy covers your personal items in case of loss, damage, theft, or water or fire damage both while on campus as well as in transit between home and campus. If your parent’s/guardian’s homeowners’ policy does not cover your property, we recommend you purchase property insurance for your room. Remember that the security of your room is your responsibility. You may find it helpful to take the following precautions:

1. Make a list of all your personal property including identifying serial number and the manufacturer.
2. Record the numbers of all credit cards and banking accounts. Also, keep the addresses of these companies and banks so you can notify them if your cards are lost or stolen.
3. Keep money and valuables in a secure place.
4. Do not keep excessive amounts of cash in your room.
5. Consider leaving family heirlooms or other valuable items at home.
6. Keep all windows locked at all times.
7. Keep your room door locked at all times.
8. Keep your valuables and clothes off the floors to avoid water damage, especially between the fall and spring semesters.
9. In the event you are a victim of a theft, notify both a hall staff member and TCU Police immediately by calling 817-257-7777.

TCU prohibits the use of recreational transportation equipment (bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, skates, scooters, etc.) in University housing facilities. Bicycle racks are provided outside each hall. Though space is limited, you may store your bicycle in your room. It must not interfere with entry and exits, and may not block any windows. Bicycle hooks may not be installed in student rooms. Please register your bicycle with TCUPD. Illegally parked bicycles and motorcycles may be impounded. At the end of the school year, the TCU Police will impound abandoned bicycles.

To have the best living environment possible, we recognize that each person may have different levels of tolerance for smells in a room. Wickless type room fresheners are permitted. Please note that these should have approval from all roommates before use. If there is not roommate approval, then they are not permitted for use. Please note that candles and incense are not permitted.

During each semester, hall staff will visit each student room to be sure that no safety violations exist. These safety checks are announced. These staff members will look for such violations as overloaded outlets, improper use of extension cords, and use of prohibited appliances. They will also look for any University policy violations, unsanitary conditions, or extremely dirty rooms. If violations are found, you will be asked to correct the problem within a specific period of time and you may be subjected to disciplinary action. All prohibited items will be immediately confiscated from your room. You will have two weeks to claim any confiscated item and remove it from the residence hall. Your room will also be evaluated for repair and maintenance needs. The purpose of these checks is to guarantee the health, safety, and proper maintenance of the community.

All University housing facilities have hard-wired smoke detectors. A slight “beeping” sound from the unit indicates a weak battery. In such cases, notify your RA, or HD of the problem. Do not try to service these detectors yourself. Under no circumstances are you to remove the battery. Tampering with any piece of fire safety equipment is a violation of TCU Code of Student Conduct.