Residence Hall Handbook - Beirut Campus

Dear Students,

Welcome to the LAU Student Residence Halls. Whether you are a new or returning student, this handbook is designed to serve you as a comprehensive reference for living in LAU Dorms. Its goal is also to advise you of the policies and regulations that are required for communal living in LAU’s student residences.

Your decision to live in the dorms comes with a responsibility to abide by the university’s rules and regulations. By signing your housing application, you have agreed to follow LAU’s Residence Rules and Regulations. These policies are designed to ensure a pleasant, safe, secure, and fair standard of living in your residential community for everyone. This goal can only be met with your cooperation.

Please remember that all of the residential publications should be read carefully and retained by you for reference throughout the year. Should you have any questions please feel free to ask your Residence Hall staff, and do not hesitate to inform us how our programs, services, and facilities can best serve you.

We wish you all a happy and productive year.

Key Contacts 

The Residence Hall has a Supervisor responsible for the efficient operation of the halls. He/she supervises the Floor Assistants, coordinate halls functions, provide advice and discipline when necessary and perform administrative duties.

Floor Assistants are student employees responsible for facilitating and enhancing the well-being of the residents of the floor(s) to which they are assigned.

Key Residence Hall Staff Contacts:

• ​Mr. Ara Parseghian
  Residence Hall Supervisor
  01 - 78 64 64
  Ext. 3200
   
• Raed Mohsen, PhD
  Dean of Students
  01 - 78 64 64
  Ext. 1394 

Contact Details of Key Offices on Campus

Rules & Regulations 

Absence

Residents, with curfew hours, who plan to stay overnight outside of their residence must sign out at the security desk prior to leaving and sign back in when they return to the hall.

Residents are required to notify the hall supervisor before leaving for a holiday.

Curfew Hours

The outer doors of the Residence Hall are open 24/7, all year round.

The following curfew hours are set in the Residence Halls, but whether residents follow them or not depends on their parents’ decision. 

• Sundays to Thursdays: Midnight to 6:30 am
• Fridays and Saturdays: 2 am to 6:30 am

Any resident seeking to amend the set curfew must submit a Curfew Waiver Form. This form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian and submitted to the residence hall supervisor either through email or in person.

All residents who do not have “Complete Freedom of Outstay” permission must observe the following procedure:

• Residents with “Partial Freedom” permission must sign their name at the security desk prior to 12 am (midnight), from Sunday to Thursday, except holidays.
• Residents with “No Outstay” permission must sign their name at the security desk EVERYDAY as follows:
• From Sunday to Thursday prior to 12 am (midnight)
• On Friday and Saturday prior to 2 am

Guests

Overnight guests are not allowed under any circumstances.

Visitors of the same gender ONLY are permitted inside a resident’s room. Visitation hours are from 8 am until 10 pm Guests are permitted to enter after signing in at the front desk, and they must also sign out before departure.

Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests and must assume all consequences for any violation of the hall’s regulations by their guest.

Room Furnishings

Residents will be charged for any missing or damaged furniture at the end of their occupancy period. Removal of furniture, equipment, or fixtures in common areas is forbidden, as they are intended for use by everyone. Putting nails or any other decoration on the walls of a room, including the door to your room, is prohibited.

Noise

Excessive shouting, loud disturbances, or the playing of recorded music, musical instruments, radios, or televisions at a loud volume is prohibited in the residence hall. Annoyances should be discussed with the person(s) causing the disturbance and/or the Residence Hall staff. If after reasonable warning a student persists in creating excessive noise, administrative action may be taken.

Quiet Hours

At all times residents should be respectful of other residents by controlling their noise and should be especially conscious of noise levels after quiet hours have begun. Residents with noise complaints are encouraged to contact the room with the noise violation requesting them to lower their noise. In case of non-cooperation, the resident with the complaint should contact a staff member to report the problem.

Alcohol

Alcoholic beverages may not be stored or consumed on the premises of the Residence Hall at any time under any circumstance.

Smoking

Smoking is not allowed on the premises of the Residence Hall. Violations should be reported to the Residence Hall staff, and violators will be subjected to disciplinary action.

Pets

Pets or any other animals are not permitted in the Residence Hall at any time.

Conflicts

In addition to upholding the residence policies and regulations, co-operative living is essential among residents. This begins with roommates, as they have an immediate impact on a resident’s daily life. Should a resident find himself/ herself in a conflict with a roommate or neighbor, it is recommended to first approach the individual to attempt an amicable compromise while bearing in mind that each resident has their own lifestyle and values. If a resident’s attempt to resolve the conflict fails, he/ she should contact their Residence Hall Supervisor for assistance.

Keys

Keys are issued to residents during the check-in process. Residents should lock their door every time they leave the room. The university is not responsible for any loss or theft from a resident’s room.

Residents should report lost keys to the Residence Hall office immediately. A fee will be assessed to change the lock and make new keys each time a key is lost. It is a violation of university policy to duplicate any university-issued key.

Moving In Procedure

The Residence Hall opens two days before classes begin. Residents must always inform the Residence Hall Supervisor of their exact date of moving in and should check-in and out of the Residence Hall in person. During check-in, residents must complete a room inventory form upon receiving the keys.

Moving Out Procedure

It is important to follow proper move-out procedure:

• Inform the residence hall office for check out
• Accompany the Residence Hall staff during the room inspection. Any damage will be noted on the check-out form and charges will be paid immediately.
• Return the keys

At the end of the academic year, if a student is returning to the Residence Hall as a resident for the upcoming academic year, they can store their belongings in the Residence Hall’s storage area. All stored belongings stored here should be packed and labeled with the student’s name and contact information.

If a resident is not a returning to the Residence Hall for the upcoming academic year, they must vacate within 24 hours of their last final exam. The Residence Hall is not responsible for any belongings left in rooms or storage areas past a resident’s move-out date. Items not removed on time will be removed and disposed of.

Room Changes

Residents who wish to make a room change should contact the Residence Hall Supervisor. Residents changing rooms must follow standard check-in and check-out procedures. Room changes are subject to availability and can not be guaranteed.

Vehicles and Parking

Parking is not available for students at the Beirut campus.

Services 

Cafeteria

The campus cafeteria offers a diverse menu, and has the following hours of operation:

• Fall & Spring semesters 
  Mondays to Fridays | 8 am - 5 pm
• Summer semester
  Mondays to Fridays | 7:30 am - 3 pm

The cafeteria is closed during holidays.

There is a variety of shops and restaurants located near the campus which cater to the needs of residents.

Cleaning

The rooms are cleaned according to a set schedule several times per week. Linen is changed once per week.

Daily housekeeping service is provided to all common areas (except Sundays and holidays).

Residents are expected to keep their assigned room, corridors, kitchens and common areas reasonably neat and clean at all times.

Rooms

Rooms are nicely furnished with a bed, bed linens and a bed cover, a desk and chair, cupboards, a safe box, a fridge, TV, internet connection, and a telephone. All rooms are air-conditioned throughout the year. Students may bring their own personal belongings such as radios, computers, dishes, and cutlery. All rooms have a private bathroom.

Laundry Facilities

Laundry machines are available. Residents must provide their own laundry detergent.

Maintenance and Repairs

Residents should report any maintenance problems or safety hazards immediately to the reception desk.  Attempting to fix a broken device or furniture is not permitted.

Illness and Injury

Any medical emergency must be directed immediately to any Residence Hall staff member.

Security 

CCTVs

All the common areas, which include Residence Hall hallways, the lounge, common rooms, elevators, and parking are under CCTV surveillance.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are installed on each floor of the Residence Hall. If an extinguisher is maliciously discharged by a resident, a fee for refilling the extinguisher and for any required clean-up will be assessed and may be charged to the resident. Any required disciplinary action will be taken.

Room Entry and Inspection

Authorized personnel may enter the residents’ rooms only upon the resident’s request to perform maintenance, housekeeping or IT functions.

Authorized personnel will not enter a resident’s room without the resident’s consent unless there is a reason to believe that a situation exists which may jeopardize the health, safety, and welfare of the Residence Hall or that may cause damage to a room or its furnishings.

Safety Training

All new students MUST attend the safety training held at the beginning of the Fall semester.

Security

The security staff is available 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week including holidays and semester breaks, in order to provide a secure environment in the hall. Residents are required to keep their doors locked, to secure their valuables under lock, to keep the exit doors secured, and escort their guests at all times. Residents must report any unusual circumstances to the Residence Hall staff immediately.

FAQs

What is the university’s housing policy?

All LAU undergraduate full-time students are entitled to on-campus housing subject to availability. As space is limited, students who wish to live at LAU Dorms must submit an application for housing. See Applying for housing for more information about the application process and Housing fees for the cost of housing.

How are the rooms assigned?

The residence halls administration is responsible for all room assignments. To the extent that it is possible, students’ preferences for roommate and room type are taken into consideration.

Available spaces are allocated to students based on following:

• Priority 1: Returning students
  They have priority in room assignments.
• Priority 2: Transfer students
  After the returning students, transfer students are assigned
• Priority 3: First-year students
  Eligibility for housing is determined on a first-come, first served basis.

Can I choose my roommate?

Yes, usually. If you and a friend wish to room together, you should both indicate this on your housing application. The residence halls administration will try to accommodate your preference. If you don’t have a roommate in mind, let the residence halls administration know about your interests and lifestyle so that they can select a suitable roommate.

What can be done if I don’t like my room assignment?

You should know that while every effort will be made to reassign you to another space, we cannot guarantee re-assignment.

If roommates have differences, can room assignments be changed?

If you have difficulties with your roommate, you should first discuss the problem with him/her and attempt to reach an amicable compromise, keeping in mind that everyone has his/her own lifestyle and values. If the attempt to resolve the problem fails, ask the residence hall supervisor for assistance. If, ultimately, you find that you and your roommate are not compatible, efforts will be made to re-assign rooms.

What meal plan options are available?

There are no meal plans available in the halls.

When do the residence halls open and close for the semester?

The residence halls open two days before classes begin and close two days after finals.

Am I allowed to bring guests to stay overnight?

As a policy, all guests must leave the dorm premises by 10 pm Guests are not allowed to stay overnight.

What are the curfew hours?

The outer doors of the residence halls are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you wish to be exempted from a curfew, you are required to submit a Curfew Waiver Form. This form must be signed by the parent or legal guardian in person and submitted to the residence hall supervisor. If not, residents are expected to abide by the predetermined curfew hours: Mondays to Thursdays at 12 midnight; Fridays and Saturdays at 2 am.

How is security managed in the residence halls?

All the entrances of the residence halls are controlled 24 hours a day by security guards, and the common areas (hallways, lounges, common rooms, elevators, parking) are monitored by closed-circuit television (CCTV). A resident assistant is always on call in the hall, and a night attendant is available in the evenings.

To avoid theft of your personal belongings, you should never leave the door of your room open or unlocked, even if you’re only stepping out briefly and always keep your valuables in a locked and secure place.

How often are rooms cleaned?

The housekeeping ladies will clean your room according to a set schedule several times per week and the public areas on daily basis (except Sundays and holidays). Nevertheless, you are expected to keep your room, corridors, kitchens, and common areas reasonably neat and clean at all times.

Can I make phone calls from my room?

No, only internal calls can be made.

Where can I do my laundry?

 Washers and dryers are available in all residence halls.

What to bring and what not to bring: