Frequently Asked Questions

What do RAs do?
The main roles of RAs are to build community by ensuring safety and acting as a resource. Also, RAs assist in creating environments in which students may complement their academic development with personal and intellectual growth.

If I have a problem, who should I go to?
The best place to start if you have a problem is your RA! All RAs go through an intensive training period that helps prepare them for all kinds of issues that may arise in the residential halls. Additionally, your RA knows you personally.

If you’ve talked with your RA and you feel as though you have more questions, please see your Head RA.

If you have worked with your Head RA and you still feel as though you have questions, please see your residential learning coordinator.

If you have worked with your residential learning coordinator and you still feel as though you need more assistance, please contact the Director of Housing & Residence Life/Assistant Dean of Students.

What is an area?
University residence halls, houses and apartments are divided into 2 areas.

• Area 1 encompasses all of Tinker and Randolph.
• Area 2 includes the Apartments, Main, East, West, and Hill Houses.
  

Where is the RA office
The RA office is located on the first floor of West in room 108. The RA office is open 7 days a week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The office number is xt. 6133. There is also an RA on duty every night carrying the floater phone. The floater RA can be reached 7 days a week from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 a.m. The number of the floater phone is 540-556-5747.

Why do RAs do rounds?
Rounds are done for the safety of every resident. While on rounds, RAs look for safety hazards such as propped doors and unescorted guests.

Who do I call if I am locked out and can’t find my RA?
Lockout procedures can be found on page 73 of the student handbook and is as follows:

• Residential students are expected to carry their room and building keys with them at all times. For the purpose of safety and security, students must not loan their keys to any person for any reason. Students are expected to follow these procedures to gain entry if they get locked out of their building and/or room:

1. Call a roommate for access to the residence hall and/or room.
2. During normal business hours (Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.), contact the Department of Housing and Residence Life.
3. After 6:30 p.m., contact the RA on duty if a roommate is not available. The RA on duty can be contacted through the RA Office (West 108, x6133) or through the RA duty cell phone (540-556-5747)
4. If unable to reach a Housing and Residence Life staff member, contact Campus Safety if a roommate is not available.

• Students are allowed three “free” lock-outs each academic year. Every lock out after the third will have a $20 charge, billed to the student’s account. Continued abuse of the system may result in referral to Student Conduct Council for failure to comply with university policies.
  
  

How do I get in touch with my RA is I am off campus?
If you are off campus and need to get in touch with an RA, please call the operator at 540-362-6000. The operator will be able to director your call to your RA.

What do I do if I lose my keys, ID, and/or P.O. Box key?
To replace room and building keys, please go to the office of the residential learning coordinators between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to get new ones. The replacement cost for each key is $75. If a front entrance key is lost the fine could be as large as $500. Please see page 70 of the handbook for more information.

Lost IDs can be replaced through Campus Safety for a charge of $20.

If you lose your P.O. Box key, you will need to work with the post mistress to get it replaced.

What do I do if I want a room change?
On the whole room changes will not be granted during the first two weeks of a semester, or in the month of May. Changes may be implemented after both roommates participate in the roommate mediation process with their RA and/or Residential Learning Coordinator, which may result in a renegotiation of the roommate contract.

If the mediation process is not successful, any student who still desires to change rooms will need to obtain a Room Change Request Form from their Residential Learning Coordinator or the Assistant Dean of Students/Director of Housing and Residence Life. Before a student is able to physically change rooms she is required to fully complete the Room Change Request Form. An unauthorized room change will result in a $100 charge to the student’s account, and she may face possible judicial sanctions.

How does room consolidation work?
In cases where one of the occupants moves from the assigned space the student(s) who remain will have the following options:

1. Move to another room with a resident who is also without a roommate.
2. Invite another resident without a roommate to move in.
3. Move to a single room, if available ($200.00 additional per semester).
4. If available, pay to keep the room as a deluxe single ($1365.00 additional per semester).
5. Choose to have the space remain open, but at any time and at the discretion of the Office of Housing and Residence Life, a student may be placed in the open space.  If, at the time a student is placed in the open space the resident of the room informs the new resident that she does not want a roommate, the original resident of the room will automatically be billed the deluxe single rate.

For individuals who want to consolidate and find a roommate, the consolidation process will occur in October and March of each academic year.  The apartments are reserved for junior and senior students only.  At any time the Office of Housing and Residence Life will be happy to assist students in trying to find a roommate.

How do I submit a maintenance request?
To submit a maintenance log in to my.hollins.edu. Under “Campus Services” in the “Quick Links” Section of the homepage is a link for maintenance request forms. Fill out this form as thoroughly as possible in order to have the problem fixed. Building and maintenance calls in residence halls are conducted only between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

How do I turn off the heat in my room?

• Tinker Residents: There is a thermostat in each room so you can monitor the temperature of your room. To adjust the heat, lift the door on the heater and find the switch that can be adjusted from off, slow, medium, or fast. Adjust this switch to the level of heat desired.
• Randolph Residents: There should be a black knob on the heating unit in your room. Turn this knob to adjust the amount given off by the heater.
• Buildings with Radiators: At the base of the radiator there should be a knob with a plastic covering. Turn this knob to adjust the amount of heat entering your room.
• Apartment Residents: Follow the directions posted near your thermostat.
• If you continue to have trouble adjusting the heat in your room, please submit a maintenance request.
  
  

What items are not allowed in my residential room?
Not allowed in rooms

• Personal Irons
• Halogen Lamps
• Candles w/ Burnt Wicks
• Incense

Only Allowed in Kitchen

• Popcorn poppers
• Toaster Ovens
• Electric Frying Pans
• Hot Pots
• Microwaves
• Teapots
• Coffeepots

Students under 21 years of age are not permitted to have alcohol in their residential space. Any animal that cannot live and breathe completely submersed underwater is not permitted.

Why can’t I hang things from my ceiling?
Objects hung from the ceiling are huge fire hazards. We ask that you do not hang things from your ceiling in order to maintain the safety of the residential buildings.

 Why can’t I prop the door to my building?
Propped doors are a safety hazard. They allow unescorted and unwelcome guests into the building. Propped doors also allows wildlife such as raccoons, snakes, bugs, possums and skunks into the buildings. 

Why do I have to escort my guest?
You are responsible for your guest and his or her actions. If you are not with your guest then you are not taking responsibility for them and can be held liable for any damages or policy violations they carry out. If your guest is found unescorted they will be taken to the Moody center. If there is a time when you can not be with your guest, please escort them to Moody and have them wait there until you are able to escort them. 

What is the visitation policy?

• Guest policies can be found on pages 76-78 in the student handbook.
• First year residents may have overnight guests up to three weekends (Friday noon to Monday 8 a.m.) during the fall term and follow upper-class visitation policy during the spring term
• Upper-class students may have overnight guests visit at any time of the week, not exceeding three consecutive nights per week. After three consecutive nights, there is to be a 7-day period without overnight guests.
  
  

What breaks can I stay for?
The schedule for breaks is available on page 65 of the student handbook. Residential students are expected to make travel plans according to that schedule and leave by the designated closing days and times. Permission to stay on campus during Thanksgiving and Spring Breaks can only be given by by the Director of Housing & Residence Life/Assistant Dean of Students. All requests to stay for either break are to be submitted in writing to Dr. Schueler. The Thanksgiving break due date for written requests is November 2, 2008 (noon) and for Spring Break it is February 28, 2009 (noon). Students requesting housing over breaks will be assessed a $25 per day charge. No meals are served during these breaks. No one is permitted to stay over Winter break.

How do I get to the hospital?

• To get to Carilion Clinic Urgent Care, take I-581 south to the Elm Ave exit. Once you exit, take a right. The Hospital will be on your left.
• To get to Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, take I-581 south to the Elm Ave exit. Take a right at the top of the exit. Move into the left lane and take a left onto Jefferson Ave. Follow Jefferson Ave. The hospital will be on your left and there will be directions to take a series of left turns to the parking deck.
• To get to the Lewis Gale Medical Center, take I-581 south to Tanglewood Mall exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right. You are on Electric Ave. Follow Electric Ave for a ways. The hospital will be on your right.
• If you have an emergency and need an ambulance, please call X6911.
  
  

What are the different specialty houses?

There are 7 different specialty houses on campus.

• The Spanish House is located in Middle East. Advisor, Elda Stanco can be reached at estanco@hollins.edu
• The HOP (Hollins Outdoor Program) hall is located on the first floor of West. Advisor, Jon Guy Owens can be reached at jowens@hollins.edu
• NEFA (Near East Fine Arts) is located in Near East.
• Otaku, a Japanese and anime enthusiast hall is located on Tinker B1. Advisor, Jim Downey can reached at jdowney@hollins.edu
• French House is a hill house. Advisor, Annette Sampon-Nicolas can be reached at asampon-nicolas@hollins.edu
• The Sandusky Service House is a hill house. Advisor, Jeri Suarez can be reached at jsuarez@hollins.edu
• Carvin, the International House. Advisor, Jeri Suarez can be reached at jsuarez@hollins.edu
  
  

Who can apply to specialty houses?
All upper-class students are welcome to apply to specialty housing. First years may apply to specialty housing after their first semester.

How do you apply to specialty houses?
To apply to live in one of the specialty houses, please contact either the house president or the advisor. Nickie Smith is the HRL Professional Staff member who supervises all specialty houses.

Can 1^st years apply to be RAs in their 2^nd semester?
You must be classified as a sophomore academically to be considered for an RA position. For other questions about applying to be an RA, please contact your RA or Nickie Smith (ext. 6265, csmith3@hollins.edu).

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