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MTSU trustees approve revised Residential Life and Housing policy with wording amendment
Summary
The Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees on Nov. 12 approved a revision to Policy 5.41 (Residential Life and Housing), voting to adopt language that adds refund flexibility, limits guest use of residence-floor restrooms to lobby/guest restrooms, permits discretion in some housing disciplinary sanctions and allows a small set of additional appliances in apartment kitchens.
The Middle Tennessee State University Board of Trustees on Nov. 12 approved a revision to Policy 5.41, Residential Life and Housing, after trustees asked staff to clarify language about guest restrooms and discretionary disciplinary procedures.
The revision, presented by Kalia Doss, updates cancellation and refund provisions to allow more flexibility when campus housing is short, restricts nonresident use of residential restrooms so guests must use lobbies/guest restrooms rather than gender-designated restrooms on residence floors, allows greater discretion in sanctions for housing drug offenses by changing some mandatory phrasing from "will" to "may," and expands permitted small kitchen appliances in apartment kitchens to include toaster ovens and coffee pots. The presenter also said the policy was updated to comply with “Tennessee state law” language referenced in the draft regarding possession of tasers and stun guns in residence halls.
Why it matters: The changes affect campus housing operations, student privacy in shared living areas and how housing disciplinary officers may impose sanctions in drug-related incidents. Trustees sought clearer student-facing language and an explicit lobby/guest-restroom approach after some members said the draft wording was confusing.
Discussion and amendment: Trustees asked for clearer wording about the guest-restroom restriction and for examples of where the change from "will" to "may" would matter in disciplinary practice. Kalia Doss explained that changing "will" to "may" preserves the ability for a housing judicial officer to discuss circumstances before imposing automatic sanctions in situations where a student shares a space where contraband is found but may not be personally responsible. After Trustee Boyd suggested specific language clarifying that "guests are not to wander in student residence facilities nor are they permitted in residential bathrooms; opposite-appropriate guest bathrooms are located in the lobby," a motion to amend the approval to incorporate that language was moved and carried. The trustees then voted to approve the revised policy as amended; an exception for item 11a was held for additional review before final inclusion.
Formal action: The board approved the policy revision as amended; trustees recorded no roll-call vote totals in the transcript, but the chair announced that the amendment carried and then the main motion carried.
Next steps and implementation: Trustees asked that staff provide a student-friendly wording revision where needed and that the finalized text be circulated before the next board meeting. Doss said she has authority to make technical clarifications in coordination with the provost’s office and staff and that trustees would receive the revised language prior to the next meeting.
What the record shows: The transcript records discussion and the formal motion and amendment, but does not list individual aye/no votes by name in the board record excerpt provided.
