Room Policies
Room Assignments
It is the policy of the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é to assign roommates within the units without regard to race, creed, or nationality. It is our expectation that a resident living alone without a roommate will keep the residence clean and expect a roommate at any time. The Assistant Director of Operations will make every effort to notify
Room Changes
Residents may request to change rooms via the room change request on the Resident Portal after talking with their Coordinator after the third week of classes. If the requested move has been approved, the resident will be given a deadline to complete the room change and turn in their keys to their previous room assignment. Failure to turn in keys on the designated date and/or failure to check out of the previous unit and into the new unit may result in improper check out charges and/or lock change fees. Residents are encouraged to make every effort to resolve any roommate conflict before requesting a room change and should involve their RA and/or their Coordinator regarding conflicts if necessary.
Roommates
Every effort is made to pair roommates of similar age and common thoughts on cleanliness, guests, and study habits. The Resident Assistant staff will reach out to residents at the beginning of the year to schedule a time to complete an Apartment Agreement form. The Apartment Agreement is a binding contract between roommates that covers many issues that may be a source of conflict Residents are highly encouraged to be honest and open in their creation of their Apartment Agreement with the Resident Assistant. Regarding conflicts, residents are strongly encouraged to resolve them on their own, as this can be a teachable moment for a college student. Residents are encouraged to involve student staff when they feel they need to do so. Should a conflict occur that cannot be resolved through the assistance of student staff, the Residence Life Coordinator will intervene. Relocation will only be considered if space exists for a room change and the Housing and Residence Life staff feel the next roommate pairing will be a more compatible situation for all involved.
Guests
Guests are permitted to visit the residents of Miner Village/Miner Heights/Miner Canyon with appropriate consideration for safety, security and privacy issues. Failure to comply with the guidelines for guests may result in revocation of the host’s and guest’s privileges, or disciplinary action. Residents are the only people who may host guests. Residents must accompany their guests at all times. Guests should not be in a resident’s apartment without their resident host at any time. Residents should not allow a guest to borrow their key or ID card at any time to obtain access to the resident’s apartment. Residents are responsible for their actions of their guests, including their adherence to both Miner Village/Miner Heights/Miner Canyon guidelines and all Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é policies. Guests who violate Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é and/or Housing and Residence Life policy will be asked to leave and the resident’s ability to entertain their guests and will be reviewed during the judicial process. Residents are responsible for ensuring that their guests are aware of the policies and procedures, especially regarding fire evacuation and safety procedures in the event of an emergency.
Overnight Visitors
Visitation refers to the visiting hours of members of the opposite sex in Miner Village/Miner Heights/Miner Canyon apartments. It is the responsibility of roommates to discuss the visitation policy for their living environment. All decisions must be agreed upon by all residents in the living space. However, no visitor or guest may stay more than three (3) consecutive days and no more than 10 days total in a given academic year. Cohabitation, an overnight guest in a resident room, by a guest of the opposite sex is not permitted in Miner Village/Miner Heights/Miner Canyon. Violation of this policy may result in loss of visitation privilege for the guest and/or review of residential status for the resident. Residents must have the permission of a roommate to have any overnight guests of the same sex.
Quiet Hours
Quiet Hours are: 10:00 P.M.- 8:00 A.M. Sunday-Thursday
12:00 A.M.- 8:00 A.M. Friday and Saturday
During this time, no noise should be heard outside of the unit. The use of electronic equipment such as stereos, radios, and amplifiers in a manner that violates a standard of quiet conducive to study or sleep is not allowed. In support of the academic mission of UTEP, it is important for residents to discuss, understand, and abide by community standards of quiet hours throughout Miner Village/Miner Heights/Miner Canyon. Repeated violation may result in Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é disciplinary action.
Courtesy Hours
Noise is a potential problem in a group living situation. While there are hours designated as “quiet” it is HRL policy that residents observe 24/7 courtesy hours as well. Courtesy hours give all residents the right to study and sleep free from undue interference, unreasonable noise, or any other distractions that inhibit this right.
Decorations
Residents are encouraged to decorate their units to make them feel like home. However, certain considerations must be made with regards to walls and ceilings. Residents may not hang anything from the ceilings of the unit. Pictures, posters and other items of familiarity may be placed on walls in such a way that damage to the wall will be avoided. Tapestries, or large wall hangings, are not permitted. Decorations should not cover smoke detectors or fire sprinklers. Any holes or marks on the walls, not present at the time of check in, will be the responsibility of the resident at the time of check out. Resident Assistants will make an assessment of any damage to unit walls during a room inspection and assign charges accordingly. Curtains are not allowed to be hung in apartments or bedrooms, unless the curtains have a tag that states they are specifically “fire-treated" or “fire resistant.” Any curtains without this designation are not permitted. This will be observed during monthly health and safety checks.
Aquariums
Students can have an aquarium of 20-gallon maximum capacity (with fish only). Only one aquarium is allowed per apartment. Students assume responsibility for the aquarium and its contents at all times.
Pets
No pets are permitted except fish in small (20 gallon or less) aquariums. Residents may not have pets on the property on a temporary basis, such as for pet-sitting. Residents are responsible for their guests’ adherence to all policies. Guests may not bring any pets on the Miner Canyon/Miner Heights/Miner Village properties.
Service Animals and Emotional Support Animals
Service and Assistance animals must be approved by the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é's Center for Accommodations and Support Services (CASS) after review of Student's request and supporting documentation. Student will then meet with the Assistant Director for Operations to discuss the terms of any granted accommodation prior to the service and/or assistance animal arriving at the Ãå±±ÂÖ¼é or the Assigned Housing Unit.
Fire Safety
Each apartment is equipped with a fire safety system that may be activated in the event of a fire or heavy steam or smoke. Fire safety equipment should not be tampered with or covered in a way that inhibits the safety features of the system. Residents who tamper with fire safety equipment may be subject to discipline. Setting off a fire alarm is considered community disturbance, and residents may be held responsible if there are repeated fire alarm activations, whether intentional or accidental.
Students shall immediately report to an appropriate Student Housing staff member the malfunction of any fire safety device, including smoke detectors in Student Housing.
In accordance with the rules set by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety and the designated Fire Marshals, students may not have the following in any Residence Life facility:
- Decorative or functional candles
- Non-fire/non-commercial rated curtains
- Large wall hangings
- Extension cords
- Power strips
- Incense burners
- Decorative lights/holiday lights
- Fridges should not be placed under beds
- Appliances with exposed heating elements
- Large wall hangings and/or tapestries
- Any door decorations or postings not provided directly by Housing and Residence Life
Students may have electric (plug in) fragrance warmers.