| Student Residences - Rules And Regulations |
Please read the following Rules of the Residence, which give you details about your housing. You will be asked to review this document upon your arrival in London and then to sign and return the Safe, Security and Damage Notice at your orientation meeting. If this is not possible, please submit the Safe, Security and Damage Notice to the International Enrichment (I.E.) London office within 48 hours of check-in. If you fail to do so, we will assume that you have read, understood and agreed to the conditions set forth in the Rules of the Residence, Safe, Security and Damage Notice, and related documents.
FACILITIES
Accommodations are located in the South Kensington area of Central London. Each flat is different, some older, some newer, some smaller, some larger, none are like home, but each is typical of London. THIS IS
NOT A UNIVERSITY CAMPUS. These are regular flats or apartments in a quiet residential neighborhood. Neighbors expect to be treated with respect at all times. Quiet hours are from 11pm to 7am, but out of respect for your neighbors, we expect you to keep the noise levels to a minimum at all times. Disruptive behavior and/or non-compliance with the rules set forth in this document will not be tolerated and will be subject to disciplinary actions ranging from fines and penalties, to a note on your permanent record, to dismissal from the residence and/or program. In addition, the rules of your home institution equally apply during your stay here.
The facilities of the London program are your home whilst you are here, therefore, due pride and care will make the living environment more pleasant for all. Occasionally, we have unexpected officials or family visitors who appreciate the opportunity to view the facility – it is nice if they can see us in the best light possible. We would appreciate your continuing efforts in maintaining standards of cleanliness and security.
The following are general rules, which are relevant both to the residence and in the wider community. Any fines or damage to facilities incurred during the program will be deducted from your Student Activity Deposit. Additional charges or damage may be deducted from your Damage Deposit if necessary.
RESIDENCE LIFE
GENERAL BEHAVIOR
Program participants are expected to behave in a manner which is considerate of others in the residence and those living in the neighborhood.
DRUGS
The use or possession of drugs in any form is illegal. Students will be subject to instant dismissal if found using or in possession of them. Furthermore, in the case of overseas students, the British Home Office (the Immigration Authorities) can impose the penalty of immediate deportation and the loss of further right of entry to the U.K. Criminal charges may be faced.
ALCOHOL
The policy of the sponsoring institution must be followed regarding use of alcohol on this London Program. The consumption of alcohol in the residence is not allowed. Anyone caught drinking alcohol in the building will be asked to leave or pour out his/her drink. The legal drinking age in the U.K. is 18.
NOISE - QUIET HOURS
PLEASE KEEP NOISE TO A MINIMUM, ESPECIALLY BETWEEN 11 P.M. AND 7 A.M.
Noise or the playing of music above socially acceptable levels causes not only a disturbance to other residents, but is considered an infringement on the rights of citizens living nearby and, in the eyes of the Law, may constitute a "Breach of the Peace" which is an offense. Undo, excessive noise emanating from our residence between the above mentioned hours will not be tolerated. As such, do not congregate on the front porch after 11 P.M.
GUEST POLICY
Guests are welcome to visit you in the residence up to 11:00 P.M. However, guests are not welcome during quiet hours from 11:00 P.M. to 7:00 A.M. Overnight guests are not allowed in the residences during the term. You will be held responsible for the conduct and actions of any guest you invite into the residence.
Under no circumstances should you allow strangers into the building.
SMOKING
Smoking is not permitted in any of our residences. Care has also been taken in rooming assignments to separate smokers from non-smokers, if possible. Take special care if smoking outside the residence or classrooms to extinguish your cigarettes in the proper manner. A charge of £20.00 will be levied on whomever is caught smoking in the building. Any cigarette burns found in furniture, furnishings or carpeting will incur a damage deposit penalty, which will be taken from the residents' deposit collectively. If smoking in front of the building, please remove litter and cigarette butts from the steps and porch area.
COMPUTERS AND INTERNET
Use of the computing facilities and internet in the International Enrichment residences is a privilege available to faculty, staff and students of the London Program for academic use. Recreational use of the Internet connection (such as game playing, downloading audio/video file, etc.) is discouraged and may be restricted when it interferes with the internet connection. Please review the I.E. Computing Policy for general rules of use, policies for support of student computers, and additional information on the computers in the flats and bringing a laptop.
TRAVEL OUT OF LONDON
As a courtesy, and for your safety and security, students are expected to sign out of the residence whenever they plan to be absent or to travel out of London overnight (citing their departure date, destination and estimated return schedule). Send an email to the RA with your travel itinerary (ra@ie2uk.com).
CLEANING/LINEN/RUBBISH
GENERAL CLEANING
Students are responsible for keeping their flats clean and tidy. You are responsible for cleaning your own dishes/utensils, cleaning up the kitchen and bathroom after yourself, and all other cleaning duties. This is not the responsibility of housekeeping. The housekeeping staff will clean the common areas, hallway, and stairways. They will hoover (vacuum) flats weekly only if there is someone present and if the rooms are tidy. Please cooperate with the domestic staff in their tasks.
Again, you are responsible for all other cleaning.
LINENS/TOWELS
Blanket or duvet, sheets, pillow and pillowcases are provided for each bed. Two sets of bed linens (sheets and pillowcases) are issued to each resident upon arrival. You might also consider bringing a single bed mattress cover.
Students should bring their own towels and washcloths plus a few dish towels. Former students suggest bringing old towels that can be discarded at the end of the term or used to pack breakable items in your luggage.
You are responsible for laundering of your own linens and towels. Please do not hang laundry out of the windows.
RUBBISH
You must empty your own rubbish bins in sealed plastic garbage bags and deposit them in the collection area. Do NOT leave your rubbish bags outside your room or in the hallway. Never throw rubbish out of windows. This is dangerous and could potentially lead to a criminal conviction.
SAFETY & SECURITY
It will be the responsibility of the resident to inform the I.E. staff of any defects in the property with regard to security issues.
DOORS
Please make sure you keep your flat/room doors closed and that you double lock your flat door when you are out as well as when you are in the building. Your bedroom window should be locked when you are not in your room (even if you are still in the building). To prevent strangers from entering the residence, please ensure that the front door remains firmly closed at all times.
No resident is permitted access to balconies/outside ledges/roofs. If a student is found on these restricted areas, a fine of £100 will be incurred.
KEYS
Each resident will be issued with a front door key and room key(s). These are security keys, which are difficult and expensive to replace. Should keys be lost, a duplicate set will not be issued until the replacement cost of £50.00 has been paid.
Do not carry your flat/room key with your London address attached or in the same purse/clothing item. If you lose your bag and your key is attached to your London address, we will have to change the locks and you will bear the cost.
LOCK OUTS
Each resident will receive one FREE lock out per term providing that it falls within regular hours (7 A.M. to 11 P.M.). After the FREE pass, lock outs during regular hours are a £5.00 fine. All lock outs during quiet hours (11 P.M. to 7 A.M.) are double, or a fine of £10.00.
FIRE
- Please acquaint yourself with the fire exits and assembly points. On hearing the fire bell:
- Please close your windows and leave in a calm and orderly manner,
- Close your door behind you,
- Do not stop to collect possessions, and
- Vacate the building by the nearest fire exit and assemble as directed.
Do not interfere with fire extinguishers or smoke/fire alarms – you could be putting your life at risk and you will be fined for any extinguisher or smoke/fire alarm that has been tampered with in any way (minimum £100 each).
NOTE: Practice fire drills will be held during the program to familiarize you with procedures.
CATASTROPHES OR ACTS OF TERRORISM
In the unlikely event that a catastrophe or act of terrorism occurs while you are in London we will want to meet with all students and faculty to discuss issues. The I.E. Office in the Imperial College Union or the residence will be the meeting point for all participants. Please check-in with the office staff or RA to review details. Plans and procedures will be reviewed during the orientation meeting when you first arrive in London.
MAINTENANCE & DAMAGE
MAINTENANCE REPORTING
Any problems, breakage, or maintenance requirements should be reported promptly in writing to the Resident Assistant or the residence authorities. Electrical problems or plumbing leaks that could potentially cause fires or damage must be reported immediately so emergency repairs can be ordered. General repairs or replacement often take several weeks and constant reminders before results are forthcoming. Please be patient but persistent.
DAMAGE DEPOSIT
The purpose of this deposit is to pay for any damage incurred either in your room or elsewhere in the residence. It may also be used collectively to compensate for any damage done to the program facilities or building through negligence, misuse or mistreatment. Should the person(s) responsible not be found or accept the damage costs, residents will pay a uniform portion of the amount due divided by all participants or occupants of each residence. The deposit, less the cost of any breakage, loss, damage (not sustained through general wear and tear) will be refunded to you from the I.E. office in the U.S.A. as soon as possible after the end of your stay in London (generally 45 days after departure).
DAMAGE ASSESSMENT
Every student will sign a room inventory form, which will include an assessment of the condition of each room at the time of your arrival.
PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING POINTS CAREFULLY:
1.
WALL DECORATION
Pinboards or bulletin boards
ONLY may be used (with care) to secure wall posters and decorations.
NEVER post anything that will result in damage to the wallpaper or paint work. The resident will incur a substantial fine up to £300 if the wall requires a re-plaster or painting when the posted item is removed.
2.
FIXTURES AND FITTINGS
Residents are not permitted to make any alterations to the gas, electricity, or water supplies, nor are they permitted to allow anyone not authorized by the Program authorities to do so. No alterations may be made to fixtures or fittings (furniture, lighting, furnishings) without permission. Residents must exercise reasonable care to avoid blockages and overflows in the water supply. Please report any blockages immediately.
3.
ELECTRICAL
The voltage in use in the U.K. is 240 volts. It will, therefore, be necessary to use transformers (converters, adapters) with appliances designed to operate at lower voltages (110V) and to use an appropriate adapter plug to fit in the socket. Failure to use the necessary converter, or misuse of the electrical circuitry by "over-loading" (plugging in more than 2 appliances at one time) may result in damage to both your own appliance and to the electrical circuitry in the building.
Turn off electrics when you go out, such as lights, TVs, cookers, transformers and irons. This reduces fire risk, saves electricity and natural resources.
4.
KITCHENS
Kitchen facilities are provided for the preparation of meals and snacks. You are responsible for keeping them tidy, and for cleaning up after use, i.e. washing utensils and equipment so that others can make use of them. Keep in mind that use of the kitchen is a privilege, and may be used provided the established rules of cleanliness, safety or common courtesy are followed.
5.
KITCHEN INVENTORY
An inspection must be made in each kitchen to assess the working order and condition of all appliances and utensils. An inventory of all pots, pans and dishes, cutlery, utensils, glasses, etc. must be made upon arrival. Any broken or damaged items should be replaced. Any broken, damaged or missing items at the end of the program may be assessed against all users of that kitchen and deducted from the damage deposit.
6.
DEPARTURE
Upon departure you must ensure that the flat is in the same condition in which you found it. Please see the document entitled, “Departure Procedure from the Residence.”
LONDON PROGRAM
DEPARTURE PROCEDURE FROM THE RESIDENCE
When the London program comes to a successful close we hope you will help us vacate the residence in a clean and orderly manner. We expect you to leave your flat in no worse condition than when you arrived. Please use the following as a checklist:
- Clean and defrost the refrigerator
- Throw out all perishable food items
- Rubbish should be placed in sealed plastic bags and taken down to the rubbish storage area
- Poster/pictures, etc., should be carefully removed from bulletin boards
- All dishes, glasses, pots & pans, cutlery, etc. are to be thoroughly washed, dried and put away
- Bathrooms and kitchen areas cleaned
- Dirty sheets and duvet covers should be put inside dirty pillowcase
- Clean sheets, duvet covers and pillow case should be folded and placed on the bed
- Clean clothes items can be donated to Oxfams
- Hair dryers, curling irons, radios, etc. can be donated to the program for use by the next students
- Personal mobile phones and chargers can be donated or possibly sold to the I.E. office
- Clean computers of all personal files
- Write a maintenance report on all items in your room that need repair or replacement
- Review the room inventory sheet you signed upon arrival.
- Keys must be marked with your name and room number and turned into the Residence Assistant before you leave. You will lose your damage deposit ($100.00) for missing or lost keys.
- Costs for damage, fines, misuse or other expenses not attributed to individual resident(s) will be charged to all residents in that flat or building.
- Extra cleaning, over and above normal, will be charged at $25.00 per hour.
Damage deposits will be refunded in the U.S. approximately 45 days after you leave London.
We appreciate you giving your time and attention to leaving your London home in a clean and orderly condition.
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