Community Standards and College Policies
The Office of Residence Life and Housing at Otis College of Art and Design is committed to the personal and academic success of resident students and residence life staff. Our objective is to create an environment in which students can grow toward and develop in the respective stage in the human development cycle. To that end, we strive to cultivate and maintSee the Otis College Office of Residence Life and Housing policies that contribute to the personal and academic success of our resident students.ain the physical, intellectual, social, interpersonal, and academic environments in housing that support development and success.
In order to achieve these objectives, residents agree to comply with all rules and policies of the College. These policies are contained in two important documents:
- The Hallway Handbook 2023-24 (Residence Life and Housing specific policies)
- The Hoot (Otis College policies)
- 2023 - 2024 Housing Agreement (academic year contract)
Policies may be revised or updated year to year based on the needs of the community.
Housing Procedures and Resources
You are responsible and accountable for your behavior and the choices you make as a member of the community. You should not engage in behaviors that are illegal, against college policy, or could endanger yourself or others in the community, including self-harming behaviors.
Residents who are present where a policy is being violated will be included on any written reports of the incident and may be held responsible for the policy violation. It is the responsibility of all residents to know these policies and to remove themselves from any situation in which a violation is taking place. If you are present where a policy violation is occurring, please contact the RA on Duty or Campus Safety and Security.
The conduct program that is under the supervision of the Office of Student Affairs is committed to an educational and developmental process that balances the interests of individual students with the interests of the entire residential community. For more information regarding the full conduct process review The Hoot.
Resident Assistants are trained on the policies and procedures of Residence Life and Housing. The Resident Assistant’s role in conduct is to observe, confront, and report alleged policy violations. Resident Assistants are not responsible for Conduct Hearings that are only completed by Housing’s Professional Staff. The student’s role is to cooperate with the Resident Assistant if approached. Students are required, upon the request of any Resident Assistant, housing staff, administrator, or security guard, to comply when asked to show their ID Card.
To report a violation of a Housing Policy:
- Contact your Resident Assistant via email or call the Duty Phone (Monday - Friday 5:00pm - 8:00am and weekends)
- Contact the Residence Life and Housing Office (Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm)
One of the goals of Residence Life and Housing is to assist students with the resolution of issues and concerns with their roommates/suitemates. Living with a new person for the first time is not always easy, and disagreements are bound to happen. Some conflicts can be resolved with a simple conversation, while others may need help from an RA. Resolving a roommate conflict is a process, and Residence Life is here to help and support you through it. To report roommate conflicts complete the Roommate Conflict Report.