Policy Guidelines (General)

Policy: RA Responsibilities

As a Resident Assistant, part of your job will be to hold students accountable to the policies and regulations of the college. Some regulations are in effect to protect the Residence Hall community (ex. sports in the hall, quiet hours, open house) and other regulations are in effect to protect the entire campus community (ex. policies regarding alcohol, immoral conduct, drugs etc.).

General guidelines for reporting a policy violation:

1. When you see or hear about a policy violation, you have a responsibility to confront it.

   1. Once a situation has been confronted, it is helpful to notify the student that you’ll need to share the policy violation with the RD/AC and that someone will follow-up.

   2. Remember: always treat the student with respect. You will need to continue a relationship with this person following the violation and confrontation.

   3. Never speculate or predict for a student the possible outcome of a discipline case. You can let the student know that your role is to confront students when a violation is happening, and that the RD/AC or Office of Student Conduct will walk closely with the student during the accountability process.

2. Always fill out an Incident Report online

   1. Be as detailed about the incident as possible (include full names of all residents involved, times, places, etc.).

   2. Report facts only (personal observations can be reported directly to your Resident Director).

   3. Complete incident reports IMMEDIATELY following the incident (promptness is essential so that the case may be dealt with and so facts will not be forgotten or confused!).

3. Follow up with the student after a policy violation. Your relationship is the most important thing you have, so as a leader you need to take the first step in showing your resident that a policy violation and confrontation does not change how you view them or the value you place on your relationship. Use wisdom in discerning whether it is best to follow up that day or within a few days.

You will receive more training regarding policies, confrontation, and discipline, but please review details on the following pages on how these infractions are processed.

In order to effectively confront policy violations, you must be knowledgeable about the policies that help foster vibrant community in the residence halls. You can find the most updated list of Residence Life policies in the Reference Guide that is published to the Calvin website each year. The Student Conduct Code is an additional resource you will need to be familiar with.

Access the Student Conduct Code online at: https://calvin.edu/directory/policies/student-conduct-code

Access the Residence Life Reference Guide at: https://calvin.edu/dotAsset/fc0a2d41-d811-48d9-8306-afc933581194.pdf

Policy VIolation Flowchart

This flowchart helps to outline the overall process that a student will most likely experience once confronted about a situation. As an RA, it is your job to confront a policy violation and to NEVER speculate about the outcome. A great response to a resident’s anxious questions is to say something like “someone will follow-up with you about this situation. I know it can be stressful to not know an outcome, but when the RD/AC or someone from Student Conduct contacts you they will walk closely with your through this process.”

How to be Effective in Enforcing Policy

1. You must establish rapport with your residents. Stating and implementing the expected college and hall regulations from the very beginning of the academic year is an integral part of establishing this rapport. Enforce rules right away – you can always ease up later.

2. Never demand anything that you don’t expect to be carried out. Mean what you say!

3. Be consistent. Always require that the same standards be met by all residents.

4. Set a good example at all times. A Resident Assistant involved in discipline problems themselves can hardly be an effective disciplinarian or RA.

5. Avoid playing the role of a “power figure”, being heavy-handed and authoritarian. Stand your ground and be firm, and hold the line, but don’t flaunt your power or grab for more power than is necessary.

6. Don’t lose your temper. You may let a resident know you are angry but be sure you are in control before dealing with the problem.

7. Your attitude toward the resident must always be positive, not negative.

8. Trust a resident until they proves they cannot be trusted.

9. Avoid discipline problems by anticipating them.

10. Plan what you will do in a particular situation before it happens. Know what you will do if your first tactic doesn’t work.

11. Separate the deed from the person.

12. Avoid accusing a resident. Confront them with the “facts” and ask them to explain. Be careful to separate fact from rumor.

13. Whatever you can do in humor and good nature will be to your advantage.

14. There should never be any bodily contact between you and the resident in a discipline situation.

15. When a discipline problem involves differences between two or more residents, bring them together in a conference.

16. Be willing to discuss why a resident is being confronted. If a student is dissatisfied with a rule, explain the rationale for the rule, but do not become involved in an argument over its legitimacy. Rather, indicate to whom the resident can appeal (Becki Simpson, Jay Wise, John Witte)

17. If you make a mistake, admit it. Own up to the fact that you are human; residents will respect you for it.

Always provide an opportunity for reconciliation. The resident’s needs and concerns are still part of your job, in spite of and sometimes because of what has occurred. In order to serve these needs, you must maintain good rapport.

Alcohol Policy

Listed below are the standards of the Calvin College community regarding the use of alcoholic beverages. The context for these community standards is that Calvin College expects all students to comply with the state of Michigan laws about alcoholic beverages. In the state of Michigan, persons under the age of 21 shall not purchase, consume, or possess alcoholic beverages. In addition, it is against Michigan law to sell or furnish alcoholic beverages to persons under 21 years of age.

The goal of the community is that students will make responsible choices about whether or not to use alcoholic beverages. A responsible choice will vary from individual to individual. Because most Calvin students are under the legal drinking age, their choices should be abstinence; for those of legal drinking age, it may be moderation. Some will choose abstinence to honor personal commitments. The laws of the state of Michigan and the community standards ought to guide student decisions about alcoholic beverage use. Students who fail to respect these laws and standards risk the sanctions of this community.

Possession and Consumption

Calvin College prohibits the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus and in extended campus activities. The college also expects students who are underage to comply with state of Michigan laws regarding the possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

Alcoholic Containers

Calvin College prohibits the possession of full or empty alcoholic beverage containers anywhere on campus, including vehicles.

Drunkenness

Calvin College expects students of legal drinking age who choose to drink alcoholic beverages to be moderate in their consumption. Any consumption of alcoholic beverages by any age student that results in impairment or intoxication is a violation of community standards.

Hosting Responsibilities

Calvin College expects students of legal drinking age who choose to serve alcoholic beverages to student guests on off-campus settings to be responsible in their hospitality. It is a violation of both Michigan law and community standards to serve alcoholic beverages to underage guests or to require any guests to pay a cover charge for admission to the host’s residence. It is a violation of community standards to allow student guests 21 years of age or older to drink alcoholic beverages excessively.