Page 96 - Smith College Student Handbook 16-17

If a Smith student is pregnant during the academic year, she may continue to reside in her college house. Once the child is born, the student
must make alternate arrangements for housing, as the college does not permit children to live in traditional college houses, except for Conway
House.

The college reserves the right to enter any room at any time deemed necessary, whether or not the student residing in the room is available.
The purposes for entry include inspection for compliance with college policies including health and fire regulations, inspection and inventory
of college property, maintenance of security and necessary building maintenance. Every reasonable effort will be made to respect the privacy
of the occupant(s). Persons other than designated college officials should under no circumstances enter a student’s room without permission.
Roommates and Room Changes
As part of the residential experience at Smith College, most students will reside with a roommate. The transition into this new living situation
can be both rewarding and challenging, but always requires work on the part of both roommates. The college believes that communication is
fundamental to a successful roommate relationship and has taken steps to formally encourage dialogue on a variety of levels. The roommate
contract and discussion guide, facilitated by the residence life staff, promotes discussion of common roommate concerns and fosters
communication regarding roommate issues for the year. The residence life staff encourages a continuing dialogue and, when necessary, is
available to facilitate conflict mediation and resolution to assist students with their concerns.

When attempts to resolve a roommate conflict have been exhausted, the option to change rooms may be made available. During the room
change period, a room change form can be obtained from the residence life staff or online at https://www.smith.edu/sao/reslife/. It must be
signed by the resident’s roommate and their head resident and area coordinator. The assistant director of residence life makes all final
decisions regarding student placement.

If a student resides in an “open double,” a double occupancy room with one occupant, they should expect to receive a roommate at any point
during the semester. The college reserves the right to request students in an “open double” to consolidate with other students in the same
situation in order to create space for students needing housing. It is imperative that ample space remain available for the new roommate. This
includes but is not limited to their own desk, dresser, bed, closet space and wall space. Intentionally discouraging a potential roommate
through any means is a violation of a respectful community environment and will not be tolerated. Students engaging in such behavior should
expect to meet with their area coordinator.

Physical violence and/or behavior that could harm or threatens to harm someone is not tolerated within the Smith community. The
Department of Residence Life reserves the right to reassign the housing location of any student involved in such situations. The reassignment
may be temporary or permanent depending on the outcome of the college conduct process.

House Governance and Rules
Each student has both the right and the responsibility to participate in the governance of both their house and the college as set out in the
house constitution and the constitution of the Student Government Association. House constitutions are made available in each house by the
house president. For further information on the SGA constitution and bylaws, see the Student Government Association section of this
handbook.

Each resident is responsible for appropriate use of the living rooms, study areas and recreational rooms in the house. Viewing of, or
participation in the production of, pornographic materials, or in hosting a stripper, in public areas of the house is strictly forbidden. Common
area spaces may not be used for personal storage or overnight guest lodging. Twenty-four-hour courtesy hours are always in effect in all
houses. Quiet hours in each house will be voted upon by the house at the beginning of each semester and strictly enforced. Violators will be
subject to disciplinary action.

Posters, notes, signs, table tents and other flyers posted in houses are to be signed by the individual person or organizational group posting
them. These items will be removed if unsigned. House meetings are mandatory for all students.

Itemized house budgets must be posted one week prior to the vote for house approval. The house budget must be passed by two-thirds of
the quorum at a house meeting.

House dues cover such things as study breaks, programming events, gifts, and miscellaneous items in which the entire house decides to
participate. Each house shall decide which items are to be covered by the dues. Dues will be collected either by the beginning of autumn
recess for the first semester and by the beginning of spring recess for the second semester or through a payment plan.

Members of a house must abide by college regulations and house regulations established in accordance with the house constitution and
college policy. The house council is responsible for leading by example and adhering to these regulations. The College Conduct Board is
charged with adjudicating cases of noncompliance with nonacademic regulations.

In any group living situation, there may be times when individuals infringe on the rights of others. (Excessive noise and innapropriate guests
are examples of this.) It is expected that each resident will assume the initial responsibility for communicating any concerns directly to the

96