Housing

Housing is available on the Vernon Campus. Vernon College provides co-ed housing for 156 students.

Room preference for fall will be given to students whose reservations are received by June 1. Reservations will be held through the first class day as published in the College calendar. Further information on student housing may be obtained from the Housing Office.

For the convenience of the residents and other Vernon College students, a lighted outdoor recreation area is provided. Included in this area are a sand volleyball court, a basketball court, picnic area, and open areas for horseshoes, cornhole etc.

Housing Security
The Vernon College Police patrol the residence centers routinely. The housing facilities staff are responsible for reporting policy violations and criminal acts to the police officer on duty. All room doors in the residence centers open to the outside. Each of the room doors is equipped with a deadbolt lock. Keys for these deadbolt locks are maintained and controlled by the College.

Housing Regulations
The purpose of regulations for student residents is to protect the safety and rights of all students. If an individual infringes upon the safety and rights of others by violating these regulations, that individual may be subject to disciplinary action. The Student Residence Handbook is available online in the Housing portion of the Vernon College website. The Student Resident Handbook is also available online.
  
Missing Persons Policy and Procedures

A person residing on the Vernon Campus student residence halls is required to list a confidential name on the emergency contact information form to be notified in the event they are reported missing. When a missing person report is made regarding a student residing in Vernon College Housing, the following protocol will be enacted. If the notification is made to a Resident Assistant or other designee of the College, the Director of Housing should be immediately notified to assess the situation.

Assessing the Situation: (Director of Housing)
a. Search room and building for individual. If not located, proceed to step B.
b. What are the circumstances that lead one to report a person missing?
c. What was the emotional state of the missing individual?
d. What are the missing person’s normal habits?
e. How long has the individual been missing?
1. Last time the person was seen?
2. Who were they with at the time?
3. Last known destination?
4. What type of transportation did he/she have?
f. Description of missing individual.
1. Age and build.
2. Clothes they were wearing when last seen.
3. Facial hair, glasses, color and length of hair, etc.
4. Other unusual or identifying characteristics, e.g., braces, scars, etc.

Actions to be Taken: Director of Housing will:
1. Notify the Vice President of Student Services and/or the Dean of Student Services.
2. Notify missing person contact information listed on the housing application.

Housing Contract
The housing contract is a nine-month academic year contract for students entering housing space in the fall. Students entering student housing in the spring or summer will sign a contract that covers the spring or summer only. This contract governs the housing refund regulations.

Students residing in campus housing are urged to carefully read the housing contract and the Residence Handbook.

For purposes of establishing charges and refunds, occupancy is defined as being assigned a room and in possession of a room key.
 
Room Deposit
To reserve a room, a $100 room deposit must be submitted to the housing office.  This amount must be maintained on deposit as long as a student resides in College housing. Refund information is found in the cost section of the Vernon College General Catalog.

Policy on Comfort and Therapy Animals
Vernon College recognizes the rights of Vernon College Housing residents to have Comfort Animals or Therapy Animals. Service Animals registered with Vernon College OSD are allowed access to all areas of Vernon College. Comfort or Therapy Animals are only permitted in Vernon College housing, not in classrooms, administrative buildings, dining halls, housing common areas, or gyms and athletic fields.

Prior to moving into Vernon College Housing, students must have approval for Comfort or Emotional Support Animals from the Office for Students with Disabilites.  Students should allow two weeks for processing and approval of Comfort or Emotional Support Animals.  For current detailed information regarding Comfort and Emotional Support Animals including the application, details of care, and required documentation please contact the Office for Students with Disabilities. 

Residents with approved Comfort or Therapy Animals will not automatically be assigned a private room. Efforts will be made to match students with Comfort or Therapy Animals to potential
roommates to whom contact has been made to prevent possible incompatibilities such as allergies or other concerns. If a private room is requested, and available, approved standard private room rates will apply. A specific exercise location for the Comfort or Therapy Animal is the responsibility of the student. Comfort or Therapy Animals may not be fed food or scraps from on campus dining.

Checkout expectations of students with Comfort or Therapy Animals are:
Checkout must be scheduled by appointment with the Director of Housing
The room must be completely clear of animal hair
The room must be cleaned sufficiently to eliminate any animal odor or waste odor
Residents will be charged upon checkout if any additional cleaning, deodorizing, or disinfecting is required to remove animal hair, dander, waste or odor