4. What is the policy regarding room decorations?
The following items are prohibited: nails, thumbtacks, pins, crepe paper, acetate, and adhesives such as gum labels, decals, contact stickers, contact paper, scotch tape, or rubber cement. Blue painter's tape may be used with care. Live trees are not permitted in rooms or on the floors. Room decorations must be kept on the interior of your room and may not extend into the hallway. No more than 50% of a student’s room may be covered and nothing can be hung or draped from the ceiling.
Residents will be charged for all necessary room repairs when they move out of the residence hall.
5. Do I have to move out of the residence hall if I drop below full-time student status?
According to your Housing Agreement, all residents must be currently enrolled, full-time students. If you are considering dropping below full-time status, please see the Assistant Director of Student Life for Housing and Residential Life for assistance.
6. Can I have overnight guests?
Yes. However, overnight guests must be approved by all roommates and suitemates, and may not stay longer than 3 nights per semester. Residents will be held accountable for the conduct of their guests and must accompany their guests at all times.
7. Are pets allowed in the residence hall?
Residents may keep a single one gallon tank with fish in their rooms. We will also accommodate licensed service animals for residents with documented disabilities.
8. Is there a noise policy?
Respect and courtesy for others are an essential part of living in a community. Residents should respect each other’s rights to an atmosphere conducive to studying, living, and sleeping. Residents must decrease the volume of any noise disturbing other residents when asked by either residents or staff. The use of amplified equipment in or around the residence hall, with the exception of stereos, or any disruptive level of noise is prohibited at all times. Quiet Hours (noise should be low enough to be conducive to serious study) are in effect from 11:00 pm to 9:00 am Sunday through Thursday, and from 12:00 midnight to 9:00 am Fridays, Saturdays, and nights preceding holidays. During Quiet Hours, noise must be kept to a minimum. Courtesy Hours are in effect 24 hours a day. During Courtesy Hours, residents should still maintain noise levels that are considerate of the needs of others and must decrease their volume if asked.
9. Is alcohol permitted in the residence hall?
The use of alcoholic beverages must be in compliance with California State Law and is strictly limited to those persons 21 years of age or older. The possession, transportation, and/or consumption of alcohol by individuals less than 21 years of age are strictly prohibited. Alcoholic beverages may not be consumed in public spaces or common areas. Beer kegs and other common source containers are categorically prohibited from all residential and common areas, public or private. Residents under the age of 21 are not permitted to host in their living unit guests and residents of any age who are in possession of alcohol. Residents 21 years of age and older may not serve, provide, or purchase alcohol for residents or guests who are under the age of 21. Providing alcohol to minors is grounds for legal action and disciplinary sanctions including eviction and suspension.
10. Is smoking allowed in the residence hall?
Smoking is strictly prohibited in the residence hall. Residents who wish to smoke must do so outside of the building at least 20 feet away from the front door.
11. What if I lose my keys?
Email housing@sfai.edu as soon as you realize that you lost your building entrance or room card. While you are waiting for your card(s) to be replaced, the Front Desk Assistants will let you into your room. Residents are responsible for all costs incurred related to replacing missing keys, including lock changes and new key costs. Under no circumstances are residents permitted to duplicate Sutter Hall keys.
12. How do I appeal a housing charge?
Written appeals and supporting documentation must be submitted to the Associate Dean of Students in the Student Affairs Office at 800 Chestnut Street, San Francisco, CA 94133.
1. What fire safety precautions exist in the residence hall?
All rooms, hallways, and public areas are equipped with a sprinkler system and smoke detectors. Smoking anywhere in the hall is strictly prohibited. Toasters, toaster ovens, halogen lamps, candles, and incense are considered fire hazards and are also prohibited. Fire extinguishers are located on every floor of the residence hall, as well as at the Front Desk and in the kitchen.
2. What security measures are in place?
The front door to the residence hall is locked 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and can only be accessed with a Sutter Hall building entrance card issued to current residents and staff members. The Front Desk is staffed by professional security guards every day from midnight to 8:00am and by student staff members from 8:00 am to midnight. Students are strongly encouraged to lock their bedrooms doors whenever they leave their rooms.
Sutter Hall is staffed by three Resident Advisors who have duty responsibilities seven nights a week from 7:00pm until 7:30am. The Duty RA conducts health and safety rounds in the building, responds to resident concerns, and carries an emergency cell phone. Residents are given the phone number to the RA Duty phone during the first hall meeting of the year and are strongly encouraged to program the number into their cell phones. In the event of an after-hours emergency in the residence hall, Resident Advisors contact the on-call member of the Student Affairs Professional Staff who coordinates emergency response.
Fore more information about health and safety precautions in Sutter Hall, please contact the Assistant Director of Student Life for Housing and Residential Life at housing@sfai.edu or at 415 351 3556.