Handbook - Section B - Facilities & Your Room
Part A - Public Areas and their Use
5.1 Junior Common Room - This is the main community area of the College. The JCR houses a large screen TV, Pay TV, DVD player and a stereo. Magazines newspapers are also provided in this area. Residents should note that meals must not be taken in this area and that it’s their responsibility to keep the area tidy.
5.2 Fitness Facilities (Gym) - The Indoor Fitness Centre enables College residents to enjoy using fitness equipment within the confines of the College. Equipment is provided for use by residents only. It is important that residents take care to properly use and handle the equipment and understand that they use these facilties and equipment at their own risk. Users must be accredited by Sport UNE.
College owned (outdoor) equipment is also provided for residents. The College encourages interested residents to join the Duval Drummond and Smith Kayaking group. College owned Kayaks and leased boats enable participation in the annual Hawkesbury Canoe Classic. The College takes all due care in keeping the equipment in first class condition but all participation in any of these events will be at the discretion and risk of the individual.
5.3 Music Facilities - The College has a piano, an electronic keyboard and a drum set, as well as other equipment, such as music stands. The facility has been well looked after by previous students, so please be careful around the piano, especially with drinks which will stain the woodwork. For more serious music students, the music room is adjacent to the Drummond & Smith Dining Hall.
5.4 Tanderra (‘a quiet place’) and the Games Room - Tanderra and the Games Room were completed in June 1986 and offer pleasant and comfortable surroundings for those who wish to use them. Tanderra provides ‘a quiet place’ with clusters of lounge seats, which allow for relaxed gatherings. The room is not soundproof, so please keep the volume at a level which will not disturb your fellow residents. The Games Room has a pool table, games table, and television. Please note that no food or drink is permitted near the pool table. Common sense should prevail at all times ensuring respect for the facility and its equipment. Any regulations relating to these areas will be clearly displayed in the area and may be reviewed from time to time by the Junior Common Room Committee in consultation with the Principal. Tanderra is also an alcohol free area.
5.5 Tutorial Room - This room provides an additional study area to college rooms. Before entering this area, check the notice board next to the door for the times of organised academic sessions. During these times the area is unavailable for general use. Please note that you should remove all personal belongings as you leave the room.
5.6 Thesis Room - This room is set aside for thesis students only. No other students will be permited to use the room. The Senior Resident Fellow will authorise designated users. The College Principal or Deputy Principal are the only college officers authorised to change conditions and regulations.
5.7 Main Computer Centre - Senior computer facilities are provided for 3rd year students in the western section of the Computer Centre. This facility is available for use by residents of the College only. Users may not undertake work of any kind for non-residents. The College provides compatible computers linked to the University Mainframe computer. If you wish to use the computers, then please abide by the rules, which are posted in the room. Please see the Office to clarify details.
The following rules should be observed: No games are to be played on any computer at any time. In consideration of all users, please do not use radios or CD players except with earphones. Please note that no food or drink will be permitted in any of the Computer Rooms. All books and personal belongings should be removed from the rooms when you leave. Therefore, computers cannot be reserved in this manner for long periods of continuous use. Any breach of the above rules may result in your rights to the use of these facilities being withdrawn. Students should view the notice board in the main Computer Centre for any revision of procedures. No accessing of materials other than for Academic need will be permitted. Please make yourselves aware of the IT regulations and charges from the IT Website.
5.8 Computer Centre for students 3rd year and above - This facility is provided for students in 3rd Year and above. It is the room on the right after entering the Main computer Room. It has the same Conditions of Use as the Main Computer Centre.
5.9 Laundries - These facilities are not available for the use of non-resident members, residents of other Colleges or students residing outside Duval. Laundries may be used at any time except between the hours of 10:00 pm and 8:00 am (Between these hours, the noise from the laundries disturbs residents in the adjacent staircases). Please make an effort to help to keep the laundries clean and tidy. Irons are provided and maintained by the JCR and may be found in each laundry. The College has installed coin-operated Gas Dryers. Owing to the location of the gas line, it has only been possible to place these dryers in the 2nd Courtyard Laundry. The outdoor drying area is adjacent to the H Staircase.
5.10 Boxrooms - Boxrooms (where you can leave personal belongings packed away during term time and during holidays) are located between A and B Staircases, and in the bottom of K Staircase. Boxes are to be sealed and clearly labeled. Any ‘abandoned’ items in the box room will be given to charity.
5.11 Library - The Library is a small study area located near the G Staircase. It has a small but useful reference section catering for a wide range of subjects. The Honorary Librarian will advise the hours of opening. Fines will be imposed for loss or damage to books/periodicals.
5.12 Dark Room - The Dark Room is to be found next to the Games Room between G and H Staircases. This is available to all those residents who are skilled in the art of photography. Please see the Office if you wish to make use of this facility. Students provide their own chemicals and equipment.
5.13 Senior Common Room - The Senior Common Room is set aside for use by 3rd year and above residents of the college. This room is not available for use by anyone other than those specified above with the exception of a private invitation issued by a senior student member. Members are permitted only 1 guest by invitation at any one time. The senior student who issues the invitation must be present with their guest at all times.
5.14 Dining Hall - The College operates a Flexi-meal catering facility, and does also have a limited retail section also. The food court facility for hot meals is available at specified times. This is a user pays system, which allows for greater flexibility in food variety and timing. It is a health regulation that shoes must be worn in the Dining Hall for all meals. The College also endorses a ‘dress code’ within the Dining Hall. Please note that nightwear - pyjamas, boxers, dressing gowns - are not acceptable attire in the dining hall at any time. Visitors are very welcome to eat in the Dining Hall. Crockery and cutlery need to be left in the Dining Hall or promptly returned if alternative arrangements have been made with kitchen staff. Fines will be issued for the retention of crockery or cutlery outside of the dining hall.
Given that the servery will not only provide for the more traditional meal service but also will hold a given stock for your convenience and purchase (retail section), it must be noted that removal of any items within this area, without either using your meal card or by direct payment, will mean you will be asked to leave College and may be charged with theft. Such behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
Traditional celebratory dinners will be held, such as commencement dinners, guest speaker dinners, awards dinners and valedictory dinners. You will not be required to use your meal card on these occasions.
5.15 Meal Cards - Remember that your meal card is comparative to a credit card and should be closely guarded. It can be financially increased by going online to the Fleximeals website at any time. Try to keep it topped up to avoid disappointment in the Dining Hall. The minimum top up amount is $20. Make sure that you have at least $10 on your card when you top it up as the system isn’t always automatic and it may take a few hours for the transaction to go through. Cash purchases are possible for guests or if you have forgotten your meal card. Your transaction history can be viewed online at the Fleximeals website.
For lost meal cards, the replacement cost is $5.
5.16 Procedures for use of public areas of the College for private functions
Any resident wishing to hold a private function in the College may do so if permission has been given by the Principal. Any function at which any alcohol is to be served must be by permission of the Principal or, in her absence, the Deputy Principal. Permission granted must be in writing on the UNE Residential System Event Registration Form.
Please see the College Office with any queries. Severe penalties will result from failure to adhere to any of the above procedures. For other than full JCR organised functions, a deposit of $55.00 (GST incl) must accompany each application. The Duval Conference Centre rooms may also be booked for special occasions upon request to the College Office. Please ensure that the College public areas and surroundings are kept in a clean and tidy condition. No food dye or other missiles are to be thrown on College property including water bombs.
Part B - Your Room
5.17 Noise Levels - Noise levels are important. Please remember that your neighbour may be trying to sleep or study. The reasonable time period for normal daily activities is 8.00am to 11.00pm. Between the hours of 11.00pm and 8.00am it is expected that the Colleges will be quiet areas unless there is a formal College function authorised by either the Principal or Deputy Principal.
5.18 Right to enter rooms within the College - The College, through the Principal or her nominee, reserves the right to enter any flat or study/bedroom during reasonable hours for the purpose of inspection, improvement, inventory, pest control, cleaning, repairs, or emergencies, or for the enforcement of state and local health and fire regulations, and other such duties of care, provided always that such entry or inspections shall have due regard for the rights of privacy of the regular occupant. The Principal will be accountable for such entry and will advise the occupant accordingly.
5.19 Use of adhesives, pins etc - Please do not use sticking tapes or other marking utensils to hang posters etc. on your walls or ceilings. You may decorate your room in any non-permanent fashion. Stickers are not to be attached to any College surface. The use of blu tac is permitted providing all trace is removed when the posters are removed. A charge will be levied if additional cleaning is necessary or repainting of walls or ceilings is required. Be sure NOT to use pins of any kind on either your door or cupboard doors. Past experience has left some unfortunate marks which leave rooms unattractive for future residents, and especially for promotion of Conference facilities.
5.20 Fire Detector - Each room is fitted with a very sensitive fire detector. It will be activated by smoke but also by the use of aerosol sprays (eg. hair spray, deodorant spray) powders and dust particles. Residents should be aware that tampering with this equipment in any way is a serious offence and may attract a minimum penalty of $5500 (GST incl) imposed by State Legislation as it has the potential of endangering lives and property. A fire sprinkler system has been installed in the College as part of the new fire updates.
Beware: Any person who intentionally or unintentionally causes a fire alarm to be triggered, regardless of whether Security staff or Fire Department staff are required to attend a call out, may receive a monetary penalty. Generally residents are charged $800 for setting off a fire alarm. The details and amounts will be at the discretion of the College Principal or College Deputy Principal.
5.21 Smoking, use of candles etc - Neither smoking, nor the use of candles or lanterns is permitted in your room because of fire regulations.
5.22 Cleaning - Rooms are cleaned weekly. You are asked to assist by leaving your room in a tidy state to assist the House Staff. Please do not leave items under the desk or the bed on cleaning days. You may leave your suitcases etc. in the box rooms during term time but any items left in the box rooms must have a name tag attached. Thursday is linen change day. Your Resident Fellow will advise you of the procedures. The House Staff start at 8:00 am on weekdays with the exception of Wednesdays. The House staff provides a weekly report of College rooms to the College Office. Should you have any problems, please advise the College Office immediately.
Please do not leave bottles and food in your room wate bin. If you need to you can use the large bins withing the College to empty your own waste bin.
5.23 Faulty Equipment - If you need a replacement light globe or fluorescent tube, or if something needs repair, (ie. washing machines) please inform Gary Daley or the College Office.
5.24 Electrical Goods - Permission is granted for residents to have electrical goods in their rooms if the following procedures are followed:
1. These items are in good, safe, working condition.
2. Refrigerators must be bar sized and have an approved drip tray placed under them. Cleaners can provide this at a hire charge of $20 for 2 trimesters. If you have a bar fridge in your room then it is your responsibility to ensure that it is kept defrosted and is cleaned out at the end of each trimester.
3. Electric goods (eg. Jugs) must have an automatic cut-out. Additional heaters are not permitted.
4. Residents wishing to use their own electrical equipment in University-owned residences will be required to have the items ‘safety-tagged’ before use by an authorised electrician.
5. Double adaptors are illegal within the College but you may use safety tagged power boards.
5.25 Cooking - No cooking is permitted in College rooms. Any cooking appliances must be used in the kitchenette but may be stored in your room.
5.26 Computers in rooms - Most students have their own computer. In order to connect to the internet, you must set up your computer as per the instructions on the IT Website. Ensure that you keep your room locked to secure any expensive equipment. Remember that you will be responsible for all charges associated with the usage of the connection within your own room.
5.27 Use of the Internet - A non refundable communications charge of $150 is applicable to have the internet and telephone connected to rooms. This is paid once, at the beginning of the academic year.
5.28 Telephone System and Voice Mail - The communications levy will enable you to receive calls and make calls within the College. The emergency number is 81 or for a life threatening emergency; 82. To activate outgoing calls you will be required to place a $30 credit in advance, payable online with fees but you must immediately email Rec Central indicating the ammount you would like transferred to your phone account. You may also pay in person at the UNE cashier. Thereafter, a minimum of $20 will be accepted. Please note that the phone system is through a PABX (similar to a hotel) and as such calls will be charged at a slightly higher rate than normal household rates. Students can view outgoing call records at the College Office.
NOTE: Abuse of phones and pin numbers will incur a $55 (GST incl) fine plus any further costs as are appropriate to the incident and/or may be referred to Telstra or the Police. Reverse Charge calls. Accepting a reverse charge call is not permitted on this system. Any phone on which a reverse charge call is accepted will automatically incur an administrative charge of $55 (GST incl) plus double the cost of the phone call.
5.29 Kitchenettes - must be kept clean and tidy at all times and residents must ensure they do not leave washing up for the cleaners. Please do not leave food scraps, containers or bottles in the bins in any kitchenette.
5.30 Brew Kits - Home Brew Kits are prohibited.
5.31 Bathrooms - To enable this very important area to be kept immaculate, please do not leave your personal toiletries on shelves or ledges in the bathroom; please keep them with you in your room. The house staff will remove any toiletries found on shelves. Please discuss this with your cleaner.
5.32 Vacations - External Students and Conference participants may use your room during University vacation periods. You will be required to pack up your room but you may leave suitable posters etc. at your own risk. During vacations you may leave luggage packed in your top cupboard or in the box room at your own risk. Should you wish to retain your room during all or part of any vacation you must make prior arrangements with the College Office. This must be done at least 3 weeks in advance of any vacation period. You will not be charge for the vacation period unless you are in residence.
5.33 Guests - You are permitted to have guests stay in your room for a short-term stay of three (3) days per term. For a longer-term stay you will need to book through the Office. Charges apply.