The Billing Process Each student is responsible for an equal share of the cost of damages incurred in the individual room/apartment (split among roomates). Following the closing of the residence halls, Facilities Management Services (FMS) inspects all residence hall areas and generates a list of damages and cost estimates. Each proposed charge is compared to the RCR completed during check-in, which noted any pre-existing damage. Items not noted on the RCR will be charged to the student.

How to Avoid Unnecessary Billing To assist residents in avoiding unnecessary charges, below are some suggestions and strategies to avoid common pitfalls related to residence hall damages:

• Confront community members and guests about inappropriate behavior to decrease the occurence of senseless vandalism.
• Speak up! When an act of vandalism is observed, the information should be brought immediately to the attention of the Office of Safety and Security. In virtually all incidents of vandalism, there are individuals who have observed the actual incident or know others who did. Community members should not tolerate others who choose to allow the group to suffer for thei actions.
• The Office of Residence Life should be consulted during the year to check the status of house damages. Residents should assist the Resident Assistant and House President in strategizing about ways to address such issues.
• All pre-existing conditions and damages to the room should be documented in specific terms on the RCR during check-in.
• Nails should not be hammered into the walls (use only removable items, such as Fun Tack).
• All residue should be carefully removed from walls and doors prior to departure.
• All problems in the room or apartment should be reported to the RA at move in, so that a work order can be filed with Facilities Management Services.
• Rooms, apartments, and public areas of the house should be left in the condition that they were found.