Dean of Students

For many students, preparing to move off campus is an exciting time, as it marks the beginning of life in a new environment and becoming part of a different neighborhood community outside the physical campus boundaries.

But with this new experience come new responsibilities and expectations of you as an adult citizen in the surrounding neighborhoods. Some of those new responsibilities are obvious when preparing to move off campus while other responsibilities appear along the way as you make different choices and confront new situations. Planning in advance and thinking through the decisions that you face as a citizen of the community can help make your off campus experience fulfilling, enlightening, and fun.

Community Standards

As a student, you have the right to enjoy all aspects of life at CUA, including life in the surrounding neighborhoods, and to take advantage of the many opportunities available to you. At the same time, you accept certain responsibilities as a member of the CUA community, including the successful pursuit of your academic endeavors and conducting yourself in a civil manner towards other community members.

Loud music, large parties, trash in the yard, or not maintaining an off-campus property properly might seem trivial to you. However, what might seem inconsequential to you might be very disruptive to your neighbors. It is incumbent upon you to respect the standards of the community you are joining.

You can take advantage of all the positive and rewarding aspects of CUA while simultaneously practicing responsible citizenship and conducting yourself in a manner that is compatible with the expectations of you as an adult citizen and member of the CUA community.

Who are your neighbors?

Please remember that most of your neighbors are not students. They are professionals, retirees, families with young children, and long-term residents of the community. You may be a transitory figure in the community, but your neighbors are not. Each year the residents of your neighborhood must adjust to a new group of students living among them; the negative actions of just one group of students can have a lasting impact on the community as a whole.

As a member of the CUA community who lives outside the physical boundaries of the university, you represent the university to people who form an impression of CUA students based on your behavior. Understanding who your neighbors are might help you recognize how your behavior may be perceived and the positive (or negative) impact you can have on community members’ impression of CUA students.

Your Responsibilities

Expectations of you as a CUA student do not change once you leave the campus residential environment. It is your responsibility to recognize how your behavior impacts you, your roommates, your neighbors, and your community. The university reserves the right to take appropriate action to protect the health and well being of an individual and/or the university community, including pursuing disciplinary action for any violation of university policy or district or federal law off university premises by a student that affects the university’s interests and/or is inconsistent with university’s expectations of students.

Be advised that you are still a CUA student, even when living off campus, and you can be held accountable for your actions – the Code of Student Conduct still applies to you, even as an off campus resident.

In addition, when living off campus, you are a member of the District of Columbia community and you will be held to certain standards, just like other community members. The Metropolitan Police Department has jurisdiction to respond to your off-campus residence if they receive complaints from neighbors and other community members about your behavior. The university, after learning of such complaints, may take action as necessary.

Helpful Hints

Introduce yourself to your neighbors when you move in.
Let your neighbors know who to contact and how to contact that person, should they have concerns about your house or apartment.
Talk with your landlord and ask for information about the neighborhood community before moving in. Usually a landlord can offer helpful hints about your new neighbors, as he/she is often familiar with the surrounding area.
Keep your apartment or house in good shape and show you care about it – make it your home!

Campus Resources

The following offices and resources are available to assist you and to provide you with general information regarding campus life:

Campus Ministry 319-5575
Office of the Dean of Students 319-5619
Department of Public Safety 319-5111
Housing Services 319-5615
DC Citywide Call Center (202) 727-1000

In addition, you should contact the Metropolitan Police Department (311 nonemergency; 911 emergency) regarding concerns in the neighborhood or to report any crimes that you witness or of which you are aware.

Things to think about

When moving in to a new residence, ask yourself the following questions to ensure that you know your responsibilities as a citizen of the community:

Who is your landlord? Where does he/she live? How accessible is he/she if there is a problem? How should you contact him/her?
When is your rent due? What happens if it is late?
When is trash pickup?
If there is a facilities problem in your house or apartment, whom should you contact?
Where can you park your car? Do you need to register your car in order to park on the street?
During vacations, who is going to watch your property? How will you secure any valuable items you own?

Planning for the Future

Be advised that your future employers and/or graduate/professional schools or affiliations may want to contact your landlord to determine your residential history; your actions in the community may be reflected in the information the landlord reports to your employer and others who inquire. Also, your credit history is starting to build now; late rent payments, late bill payments, and similar financial lapses can have a lasting effect beyond your college years.

Staying Connected to CUA

Just because you moved off campus does not mean that you are no longer a member of the university community. You are still a part of CUA and should continue to take advantage of all that CUA has to offer. Stop by the Pryz, attend Mass, continue your academic pursuits, stay active in student organizations – the campus is still yours to enjoy!

Last Revised 23-Apr-07 01:15 PM.