Apr 27, 2024  
2023-2024 Student Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Student Handbook

Campus Housing


Important Dates 2023-2024

Fall Move In:- August 18-19, 8 am - 5pm
Winter Break Move Out: December 19-20 8 am - 5 pm; December 21 8am - 12 pm
Spring 2024 Check In: January 10-12, 8 am - 5 pm
Spring 2024 Check Out: May 6-10,  8 am - 5 pm; May 11 8 am - 12 pm
Summer 2024 Check In: May 26-28, by scheduled appointment
Summer 2024 Check Out: August 1-3, by scheduled appointment
   

Winter Break Move Out - Students returning for the Spring semester can keep their items in their rooms. Keys must be turned into campus housing or students will incur a charge of $250. Students who wish to live in their dorm room during winter break may do so with advance payment of a $250 flat fee.


1. Campus Housing Regulations

1.1 REFUNDS

The $20 application fee is non-refundable. Information regarding housing deposits ($250.00) may be found in the Occupancy & Dining Agreement. Full refund of the deposit is ONLY given when the agreement has expired, the resident checks out properly with Campus Housing staff. Replacement keys, the cost of labor and parts to repair damages, as well as excess cleaning charges, will be deducted from the housing deposit. Before a refund is issued, the resident’s deposit will be applied to any outstanding balance with the College. Please refer to the Occupancy & Dining Agreement for more specific details.


1.2 ELIGIBILITY, TERMINATION OF OCCUPANCY AGREEMENT

  1. To be eligible to live in the Housing Suites, the resident shall, during the term of this agreement, be enrolled and attending Western Iowa Tech Community College and be a student in good standing. Returning residents living on campus during the summer may be registered for summer or fall credit courses. A first-time resident living on campus during the summer tem must take a summer credit course.
  2. Loss of student status at any time during the agreement period will result in termination of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement and eviction from Housing within 72 hours of that loss of status. Loss of student status can occur due to, but is not limited to, the following circumstances:

1. Failure to pay the balance on your student account.

2. Failure to register or remain registered for classes.

3. Reductions in financial aid caused by withdrawing from classes or failing to earn grades required by financial aid conditions.

If the resident fails to fully comply in all respects with or breaches any of the terms and conditions of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement, the College may immediately terminate this agreement. Prior to termination of this agreement, the College will serve a written Notice of Termination of Occupancy upon the resident. The Notice will contain a brief explanation of the reason(s) for termination. Within twenty-four (24) hours after receipt of the Notice, the resident may appeal the termination to the Dean of Students, or designee. The appeal must be made in writing. The Dean of Students, or designee, will make a decision regarding termination within twenty-four (24) hours following receipt of the resident’s appeal. If the decision of the Dean of Students, or designee, is to terminate the occupancy of the resident, the resident shall immediately remove themselves and all of their personal belongings from the unit.

Charges and refunds following a termination of the Occupancy Agreement follow the guidelines found in provision 6 of the agreement. If the resident fails to immediately remove themselves and all of their personal belongings from the unit, the College will immediately remove the resident and their belongings by whatever means deemed appropriate. WITCC will store the resident’s belongings for 30 days after termination of the Occupancy Agreement, then dispose of them. In addition to termination of occupancy, the College may pursue any other remedies available to it under law, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief and money damages.

1.3 OCCUPANCY

  1. The College Administration reserves the right to make all decisions on room assignments, the right to refuse assignments, or to terminate the occupancy of any resident as outlined in these regulations and permitted by Iowa law. The Campus Housing facilities are co-educational, while suites and apartments are single gender units.
  2. Room changes of residents will only be made under specific circumstances with the approval of the Department of Campus Housing . If an occupant vacates a unit or changes rooms, the Department of Campus Housing has the authority to fill the vacant room, within the semester, and will give a courtesy 48-hour notice before the new occupant moves in. 
  3. Units or rooms within the unit may not be sublet at any time; this will result in the termination of the resident’s Occupancy & Dining Agreement.

1.4 DAMAGE TO THE UNIT

  1. For safety reasons, residents must immediately report to Campus Housing Staff any loss of, damage to, or malfunction of furniture, appliances, or equipment in the unit, building, or premises to avoid events such as fire, flood, physical injuries, etc. The resident who fails to communicate with the Campus Housing Staff, about any of the issues stated above, will be held accountable and subject to fines.
  2. The residents agree not to maliciously damage or depreciate in value by any intentional act or acts of negligence while living in Housing. All residents in a unit shall be equally responsible if the person who caused damage to the unit, premises, or furnishings in the unit is not identified.
  3. Furniture is not to be taken out of the housing unit or removed from common areas at any time. Kitchen appliances (i.e., stove and refrigerator) and the laundry machines in the buildings shall not be moved or removed from its location at any time. Proper disciplinary action and/or fines will be assessed against the residents who are responsible for the removal, loss, or damage to furniture, appliances, and/or equipment in the unit or building. Any WITCC property taken out of the college limits is considered theft. If the person responsible is not identified, the occupants of the unit or residents of the building will be assessed.
  4. The College is not responsible for lost, stolen, or otherwise damaged personal property. Residents are encouraged to keep all doors locked at all times. It is recommended that residents purchase renter’s insurance prior to moving on campus.
  5. Students are responsible for completing a Room Condition Report within one business day of moving into Campus Housing. The Room Condition Report allows for students to document any damages already present in their bedroom and throughout their housing unit when they move in. Students who check out of campus housing will be responsible for any damages found in their assigned housing unit or assigned common areas that are not documented on the Room Condition Report.

1.5 MAINTENANCE AND KEYS

  1. Residents are responsible for notifying the Department of Campus Housing immediately if there is a problem or concern with regard to maintenance in their unit. Work order requests can be emailed to housing@witcc.edu. Please be sure to include a detailed description of the request, your name, and your contact information in case there are any questions regarding your request.
  2. No alterations of any type shall be made by the resident to the unit, housing premises, furniture, appliances, or equipment. Disciplinary action will occur if college property is found to be altered in any way.
  3. Window screens shall be removed by maintenance personnel only. There will be a $25 charge for each screen removed or damaged and may result in further disciplinary action to the resident(s) involved.
  4. Locks are not to be changed by the resident at any time; furthermore keys are not to be duplicated by the resident for any reason. If a key is lost by the resident, a lock change will be ordered by the Department of Campus Housing and the resident responsible will be assessed a fee for the new lock, keys, and installation by maintenance personnel. The same procedure applies to the loss of mailbox keys.
  5. Students will be provided with a keypad code to enter their housing unit in Bur Oak and Prairie Place. This code should not be shared with anyone under any circumstance. Sharing this code with anyone who does not reside in the housing unit is a code of conduct violation and may result in fine ($100), mandated room change, and/or possible eviction from Campus Housing. If a student believes that one of their roommates has shared the code with someone else, the student should inform a member of Campus Housing Staff so that the code can be changed.
  6. Students will be provided with a bundled set of keys which should remain under the control and possession of the assigned Campus Housing resident at all times. The locked bundle should not be altered or damaged. Lost keys should be reported to Campus Housing Staff so that necessary changes to the locks can be made and/or replacement keys can be provided. Students will be charged $150 for lost or damaged keys and/or key bundles.

1.6 UNIT INSPECTIONS

  1. Each resident is responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their unit.
  2. Each housing unit will be inspected monthly by a representative of Campus Housing, Maintenance and/or Campus Safety for cleanliness and maintenance issues. A pest control technician will treat the area during the inspection. Inspections will occur the first Monday of every month in Bur Oak Suites and Prairie Place. Sun Ridge Court inspections take place every third Monday. Notification of inspection will occur via college email or text.
  3. If a unit is at any time deemed unsanitary, a written notice will be given to the residents and another inspection will be made within 48 hours of the initial inspection. If a unit still does not meet appropriate standards during the second inspection, a charge will be assessed against each resident of the unit with access to the unsanitary area. In addition to the charge assessed students may be charged for, and provided with, cleaning supplies to ensure cleanliness standards can be met. Excessive violations may be grounds for termination of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement.

2. CAMPUS HOUSING CODE OF CONDUCT

Western Iowa Tech Community College strongly emphasizes the responsibility that each resident must assume for their housing unit. Each resident is responsible for any activity or violation that occurs in the unit. In addition, any resident visiting another unit where a policy violation occurs will share responsibility for the infraction.

In addition to this section, students should also consult the Student’s Rights and Responsibilities  

One role of the Campus Housing Staff is to promote and encourage individual and group responsibility through positive community development and self-discipline. At times, this requires Campus Housing Staff and Campus Safety to confront individuals and/or groups regarding inappropriate behavior. Individuals found in violation of College policy will be confronted and the situation will be documented. It is in the resident’s best interest to cooperate with College Personnel during and following disciplinary documentations. It is important to note that residents may be documented and sanctioned for violations that occur in their unit even if they are not present during the initial confrontation.

2.1 ALCOHOL

  1. The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989 regulates drug and alcohol use on college campuses that receive federal funds. These regulations require the college to develop policies and procedures applicable to all staff and students. The policies of Western Iowa Tech Community College prohibit the possession, distribution, or use of mood-altering substances on the college premises. Mood-altering substances are referred to in these policies as defined by Federal and Iowa statutes; including alcoholic liquor and beer. Housing is part of the college premises; therefore, alcohol will not be allowed in the units or on the premises at any time.
  2. The possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages are prohibited in Housing by residents or guests. The possession of intoxicants is prohibited in all areas, including parking lots and anywhere on Western Iowa Tech Community College grounds. Possession of alcoholic beverage containers (including cans, bottles, kegs, boxes, etc.) is not permitted for any purpose.
  3. Residents shall obey the laws of the State of Iowa and the regulations set forth by the College concerning the use or possession of intoxicants. Any person found in the presence of alcoholic beverages in their unit, on Campus Housing premises, or on Western Iowa Tech Community College grounds will be subject to disciplinary action. College Code of Conduct measures include imposing fines, involuntary room assignment changes, mandatory education, chemical dependency evaluation, counseling, and include sanctions up to termination of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement.
  4. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) permits colleges and universities to inform parents of drug and alcohol policy violations committed by students. Western Iowa Tech Community College understands that parents and/or guardians are partners in responding to issues of substance abuse. Thus, a resident’s parent or guardian may be contacted if the violation warrants such action.

2.2 CHEWING TOBACCO

Chewing tobacco is NOT PERMITTED in Housing. Violating this policy may result in disciplinary action and termination of the resident’s Occupancy & Dining Agreement.

2.3 DRUGS & DRUG PARAPHERNALIA

Possession, distribution, use and/or trafficking of illegal drugs (according to Federal and Iowa State Laws) are not allowed on campus. Furthermore, any other controlled substance or agent having the potential for abuse or possessing paraphernalia for drug use is also prohibited. Violating this policy may result in disciplinary action and termination of the resident’s Occupancy & Dining Agreement. Violators of this policy will be required to meet with a college counselor and undergo a chemical dependency evaluation at their own expense with an agency of WITCC’s choosing.

2.4 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS & SMOKE DETECTORS

Any person tampering with or misusing fire extinguishers or smoke alarms is subject to disciplinary action and/or prosecution under the appropriate Iowa Statutes. Disconnecting the smoke alarm in the unit is not allowed under any circumstance.

2.5 FIREARMS & WEAPONS

Firearms, fireworks, explosives and/or other items capable of inflicting injury and/or harm to others and/or self are not allowed. These include, but are not limited to: pellet guns, BB guns, air guns, paintball guns, bows and arrows, swords, and other types of potentially dangerous weapons and/or equipment. If one of these items is found, it will be confiscated by Campus Safety and disciplinary action will be taken.

2.6 GUEST POLICY AND GUEST REGISTRATION

Overnight non-resident guests are only permitted on weekends, Friday night to Saturday morning and Saturday night to Sunday morning. Guests present on College property between 11:00 PM and 8:00 AM are considered “overnight guests” for the purpose of this policy. 

Overnight guests (and their vehicle) must be registered with the Department of Campus Housing. The resident must, prior to having an overnight guest on campus, let their roommate(s) know who is staying over, and complete the guest parking pass if the overnight guest has a vehicle.  There will be a $10 charge for failure to return the Temporary Parking Permit for the designated time period. 

The resident is responsible for their guest(s) at all times and shall be responsible for any damages to the premises or policy violations caused by that resident’s guest(s). All guests must be escorted by the resident they are visiting at all times. Guests are not to be left in suites, apartments or bedrooms unaccompanied.

Overnight non-resident guests found violating policies will be removed from college property and may be issued a warning not to trespass. Individuals found in violation of trespassing will be subjected to sanctions determined at the discretion of local police authorities. 

Residents may have other guests stay overnight, provided all roommates agree. Roommate permission regarding the presence of an overnight guest may be revoked at any time by a roommate.

2.7 INCENSE

Burning incense in Housing and/or premises is a fire hazard and is not allowed at any time. Furthermore, disciplinary action and/or fines may be assessed if there is damage to the unit (i.e. burn marks, holes, etc.).

2.8 LOCK OUTS

Residents will be let into their room free of charge three times. After that, the resident will be charged $5.00 to unlock their door each time they are locked out. During business hours, residents must call or visit the housing office. Residents must call the on-duty RA cell phone for Housing assistance on evenings and weekends. Security should only be called in the event that other staff members are unavailable and/or during college break periods. 

Residents are encouraged to keep shared doors to their apartments/suites locked at all times. Residents must keep their keys in good condition and should not use keys for anything other than the intended purpose.

Students will be provided with a key bundle containing all of the keys needed to access their housing unit. Students in Bur Oak Suites and Prairie Place will be provided with a fob to access the front door of the building. Fob access will be deactivated for any student who is not registered for class or who is not in good financial standing with the college. The replacement cost for the key bundle is $150.

2.9 PARKING & VEHICLE REGISTRATION

  1. All residents who will be parking their vehicle in the Campus Housing parking lots are required to register their vehicle and appropriately display the parking permit given to them. The first parking permits are provided free of charge by Campus Housing. If lost or damaged, the replacement will be charged $25. Only one vehicle per resident is permitted to be registered at any one time. Temporary Parking Permits are available through the Campus Housing free of charge. 
  2. Parking is permitted in designated areas only. Parking is not permitted in the walkway in front of Bur Oak Suites or Prairie Place. Parking is not permitted on sidewalks, on grass, or in driveway areas. All vehicles not following this policy will be issued a ticket from Campus Safety. The citation will be documented on the resident’s parking record with the College.
  3. All WITCC campus traffic regulations will be enforced on the Housing premises. The speed limit in the driveway and parking lots is 10 mph.
  4. All vehicles parked in the Campus Housing parking lots must be licensed and operational. Residents must speak with Campus Safety if their vehicle is inoperable. Inoperable vehicles, with no communication, will be considered abandoned and towed at the owner’s expense. 
  5. All visitors’ vehicles must be temporarily registered with Campus Housing. There will be a $10 charge for failure to return the Temporary Parking Permit for the designated time period.
  6. Snow Removal Procedure: During and after a snow storm, the WITCC Grounds Department and Snow Crew will be removing snow from the parking lots and sidewalks. Clearing the driveway through the Campus Housing parking lots will be first priority. Residents are expected to move their vehicles to the back of the parking lot as soon as possible in Bur Oak Suites and Prairie Place.  Residents are responsible for clearing snow next to their vehicles. Shovels will be provided at each Housing Complex entrance and the Community Room in Sun Ridge Court. Details on vehicle moves will be issued by Campus Housing via email and texting. Failure to move vehicles may result in a parking citation from Campus Safety.

2 .10 PETS

Fish are the only pets allowed in Housing. The tank capacity may not exceed five (5) gallons and must be maintained by the resident. For reasons of health and sanitation, pets and/or animals of any kind, except fish, are not permitted in the units at any time. Pets or animals found in the unit may be cause for disciplinary action. Please refer to the Accommodation Services for information concerning emotional support animals or assistance animals.

2 .11 PHYSICAL VIOLENCE

Disciplinary action will result from any physical violence and/or threat of physical violence to fellow residents, Campus Housing Staff, Campus Safety, or any College Personnel.

2 .12 QUIET HOURS

  1. Courtesy Hours are in effect twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week. Residents are to recognize that their behavior and actions do affect other residents living in the Campus Housing community. Excessive noise and disturbance in Housing is a matter of significant importance as it interferes with the rights of others. It shall be the responsibility of the Campus Housing Staff and Campus Safety to determine what constitutes excessive noise and disturbance. However, if another resident is disturbed by the actions of a fellow resident and asks them to quiet down, it is expected for the resident to comply with this request. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action.
  2. Mandatory Quiet Hours are in effect every day of the week, from 10:00 p.m.-8:00 a.m. Noise should be kept to a minimum during these times. Failure to comply may result in disciplinary action, including changes to room assignments.

2 .13 ROOM DECORATION

The resident may hang pictures, posters, and other reasonable decorations (in moderation) with thumb tacks or small nails. Screws, large nails, bolts, or Command strips are not allowed and will be charged $15 each if found in the room. Painting or repair of any significant damage(s) will be assessed to the resident(s) of the unit and may result in the loss of their housing deposit. Roommates will agree upon common area decorations and furnishings. Furniture brought into a suite/apartment must have appropriate padding along the back and base to prevent scratches to the walls and floor. All furniture must be carefully inspected by the resident before bringing it into the dorms to make sure there are no bugs/mold/etc. 

2 .14 SMOKE-FREE AND TOBACCO-FREE ENVIRONMENT

Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in all College facilities and on all College property, including buildings, grounds, and parking lots and in any private or College vehicle located on College property and grounds. Smoking and the use of tobacco products is prohibited in vehicles which are owned, leased, or provided by the College. This restriction applies at all times and to all employees, students, customers, clients, vendors, and visitors.

The use of electronic e-cigarettes is also prohibited. Smoking is defined as the burning or inhaling of tobacco or other matter that can be smoked or inhaled, or the inhaling of smoke or vapor from an electronic smoking device.

Persons failing to abide by this policy shall be required to extinguish and/or dispose of their used tobacco product or leave the restricted College premises immediately and shall be subject to sanctions and penalties as outlined in the Iowa Smoke-Free Air Act.

2 .15 SOLICITATION

No one, at any time, may solicit on the Housing premises (i.e. passing out any type of flyers, promotional ads, etc.). The Campus Housing Staff requests that residents contact them or Campus Safety if an individual or group comes to their door selling or soliciting anything. Furthermore, the resident(s) shall use the unit(s) for residence purposes only; holding sales parties is not allowed.

2 .16 THEFT & DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY

Western Iowa Tech Community College is not responsible for personal property which has been lost, stolen, or damaged. If a theft occurs, residents are encouraged to report it to Campus Housing and Campus Safety.

Anyone found attempting, or actually in the act of thievery, breaking and entering, possession of stolen property, or vandalism will be subject to disciplinary action. This may include termination of the resident’s Occupancy & Dining Agreement. 

Willful destruction on or in any Housing suites/apartment rooms, public area, or premises is not allowed at any time and will be subject to disciplinary action and fees associated with the damage done.

2 .17 UNIT ENTRY & SEARCH

The right of a resident to the privacy of their unit is recognized and protected by the College. However, entry and/or search of a unit is permissible without advance notice, in the following circumstances:

 

  1. Maintenance is being performed at the request of a resident(s), College personnel, and/or maintenance performed upon institutional initiative.
  2. Routine inspections of the unit for cleanliness and maintenance issues in the unit for general upkeep purposes.
  3. There is perceived imminent risk to the safety and health of resident(s).
  4. Reasonable suspicion that a College and/or Campus Housing policy is being violated.
  5. Turning off an alarm, loud stereo or television when residents are not present or do not answer the door.
  6. There is a warrant being carried out by a member of law enforcement.
  7. There is sufficient reason to believe that serious breach of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement is occurring or has occurred.

It is a reasonable and lawful request for Campus Housing Staff and Campus Safety to ask residents to open or close apartment doors and to enter or exit their unit in situations which warrant it, such as emergencies, safety issues, severe weather, etc. Failure to comply with the request from College personnel is a policy violation and may be subject to disciplinary action.

2 .18 HARM TO SELF AND OTHERS

Any student who commits, attempts to commit, or incites/assists others in committing conduct which threatens or endangers the health/safety of any person on the campus or at any college authorized function will be subject to disciplinary procedures by the College. These acts include those which result in harm to self or others. The student may be asked to temporarily vacate their housing unit until it is deemed appropriate and healthy for the student to return. These behaviors include, but are not limited to, physical abuse, the threat of physical abuse, the threat of suicide, sexual assault, and assault.

3. POLICY VIOLATION FINES & SANCTIONS

Below is an itemized list of fines and sanctions for specific violations of the Campus Housing Policies.It is important to note that College Administration reserves the right to sanction the student(s) involved in an incident on a case by case basis depending on the severity of the infraction. This includes termination of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement on a first offense, additional charges being assessed to cover damage, repairs, and cleaning, and/or increasing the fine amount according to the number of offenses the resident has. Furthermore, new items may be added at the discretion of the Department of Campus Housing and/or College Administration.

 

ALCOHOL

Possession of Alcohol or Alcohol Container in Unit and/or Premises
1st Offense: Up to $100 and/or Termination of Occupancy & Dining Agreement
2nd Offense: Up to $200 and/or Termination of Occupancy & Dining Agreement

SMOKING

Up to $100 first offense
Up to $200 second offense
(Additional expenses will be charged to remove smoke odor from walls and carpet, including repainting costs.)

DRUGS

Possession of Illegal Drugs: $100 and up to Termination of Occupancy & Dining Agreement
Possession of Illegal Drug Paraphernalia: $100 and up to Termination of Occupancy & Dining Agreement

MISCELLANEOUS

Burning Candles and/or Incense: $20
Closet Doors Removed: $20
Dirty Unit: $20 per resident
Disorderly Conduct: $75
Excessive Cleaning: $25/hour
Failure to Report Inappropriate Conduct: $75
Holes in Doors, Walls, or Ceilings (minimum): $15 and repair cost
Improper Check-out: $25/day, up to five (5) days, then deposit is retained
Lock Change for Unit: $50 per lock
Lock Change for Mailbox: $10
Lost or Damaged Key Bundle: $150
Possession of Fireworks: Up to $100 and/or Termination of Housing Contract
Possession of Weapon(s): Up to $100 and/or Termination of Housing Contract
Storage of Excessive Amounts of Empty Beverage Containers: $10 per resident
Unauthorized Animals Kept: Up to $100 and cleaning cost
Unauthorized Guest: $50, non-resident issued a trespass notice from housing.
Unauthorized Sharing or Use of an Access Code: $100
Unauthorized Unit Alterations: Up to $100 per person and repair cost

4. MISSING PERSON PROTOCOL

As part of the Higher Education Act of 2008, Western Iowa Tech Community College is required to advise students living on-campus of its missing person policy and protocol. All students living on-campus will be provided with the opportunity to identify an individual to be contacted in the event that the student is determined to be missing. This information is optional for students who have attained the age of majority. Juvenile students who are not emancipated and are living on-campus will be required to provide the contact information for their parent or legal guardian. The Department of Campus Housing will ask for this information upon acceptance of the Occupancy & Dining Agreement. Students who have reached the age of majority, who decide not to provide third party contact information will be asked to note their choice on the missing person protocol form. This form will be placed in the student’s housing file. If the student does provide contact information, it will be the student’s responsibility to ensure that the information remains current. All contact information will be considered confidential.

Any missing person report will be immediately
forwarded to Campus Safety and Campus Housing for investigation. Upon determining that the student is missing, Campus Safety will be responsible for notifying the individual identified as the student’s contact. In addition, Campus Safety will notify the Sioux City Police Department and the Dean of Students of the missing student. These notifications will take place no later than 24 hours after the time that the student has been determined to be missing and has not returned to campus.

5. FIRE SAFETY PROTOCOL AND FIRE INCIDENT LOG

As part of the Higher Education Act of 2008, Western Iowa Tech Community College is required to advise the college community of annual fire safety reports for Campus Housing. At Western Iowa Tech Community College, there are three housing complexes, Bur Oak Suites, Prairie Place and Sun Ridge Court. Bur Oak Suites and Prairie Place are suite-style housing units. They are equipped with a sprinkler system, internal fire alarm system including CO2 monitor and smoke detectors in the common areas. In addition, there is a standalone smoke detector in each suite. Fire extinguishers are placed throughout the common areas of these buildings. The alarm system is also connected to the main college alarm system. Fire drills are conducted four times a year on the main campus. These drills would also include Bur Oak Suites and Prairie Place.

Sun Ridge Court is apartment-style living that consists of 10 buildings. Each apartment has standalone smoke detectors and fire extinguishers located in the kitchen pantries. Due to the apartment style living and separate buildings in Sun Ridge Court, there is no fire alarm system in the complex and fire drills are not conducted.

APPLIANCES

The capacity of the electrical system in each Campus Housing unit is limited. Overloading these systems can cause fire and safety hazards. Therefore, certain appliances are not permitted in Housing such as, but not limited to:

  • Gas or Charcoal Grills
  • Hotplates
  • Hoverboards
  • Mini-Dishwashers
  • Mini-Laundry Machines
  • Space heaters
  • Toaster Ovens
  • Mini-refrigerators not exceeding 4 feet are permitted, unless the unit is equipped with a college-provided refrigerator.
  • Chest freezers or mini-deep freezers are not permitted.
  • Deep fryers

There are several appliances that are permitted in Housing; they are as follows, but not limited to:

  • Electric Grills/Griddles
  • Toasters
  • Microwave Ovens
  • Coffee Pots
  • Air Fryer
  • Pizzazz
  • Insta Pot

Other appliances not listed must have prior approval by the Department of Campus Housing in order to avoid disciplinary action.

CANDLES, SMOKING, AND FIRE SAFETY

Candles, when burned, are a fire hazard and are not allowed in Housing. However, they are allowed as decoration and can be used with a candle warmer.

Western Iowa Tech Community College is a smoke free/tobacco free campus. Smoking is not permitted on the college grounds or in vehicles on the campus.

At the beginning of each semester, Campus Housing Staff will cover the procedures for evacuation with their residents. Posters with directions for fire evacuation are posted on the inside of each apartment or suite door.

Western Iowa Tech Community College has created a training video, which is college specific, on procedures to follow in the event of a fire alarm. This video is posted on the my.witcc.edu homepage and is accessible to all students, staff, and faculty. Fire extinguisher training is provided to employees of the College periodically. In addition, fire alarm procedures are listed in the College Emergency Action Plan which is available to staff and faculty through the my.witcc.edu website.