Residence Life

At NMJC, residence halls are not just a place to eat and sleep; they are an integral part of college life. NMJC provides full-time students, carrying 12 or more semester hours, with modern, comfortable and affordable housing. Living in a residence hall provides the opportunity to meet new friends and associate with other students from diverse backgrounds. In the process, students grow and develop as people, capable of taking on the responsibilities of living with others.

NMJC has 4 residential housing facilities, including both traditional dormitories as well as apartments, with a total capacity of housing 373 students. Residence halls are furnished and air-conditioned, providing a comfortable living environment. Each residence hall features Wi-Fi access, computer access, basic cable, vending machines and access to on-site laundry facilities. In addition, multiple spaces are set aside for socializing and studying. All buildings at NMJC, including residence halls, are smoke-free. Residential staff reside in the facility and help students adjust to college life.

NMJC provides trained campus security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The housing complex is a gated community with key card access. In addition, each room is secured with key card locks.

Glen & Rosemary Houston Thunderbird Hall and Harold Runnels Hall

These halls offer traditional residence hall living. Each room consists of 2 beds, 2 desks, closet space for storage, local phone service, wireless Internet service, and cable TV. Living in the residence halls does require that you select either the 15 or 19-meal plan option.

John Watson Apartments or Carroll Leavell Student Apartments

These apartments offer a bit more privacy. Your private, carpeted bedroom, fully equipped with Internet, phone and cable TV access, will be furnished with an extra-long twin bed, a desk, shelving, and closet space. Bathrooms are shared with one other person. The full kitchen and living area will be shared by four people. Students in apartments are not required to purchase a meal plan; however, a 7-meal-per-week plan is available to apartment residents only, as well as the 15 and 19 meal plans if so desired.

Campus Housing Requirement

• All full-time students are expected to live in student housing with the following exceptions:
• The student’s permanent residence is in Lea County;
• The student is married;
• The student is a veteran;
• The student is 21 years of age or older or will turn 21 during that school term;
• Campus housing is at 100% occupancy; or

• The student has permission from the Vice President for Student Services to live off campus.

  On-campus housing for married couples or individuals with children is not provided. Additionally, NMJC has no co-ed housing options.

The NMJC Residence Hall communities strive to incorporate the following:

• Education - To ensure that teaching and learning take place beyond the classroom.
• Openness - So that ideas and thoughts can be discussed freely.
• Respect - To ensure that individuality is honored so diversity can be pursued.
• Caring - To ensure that the individual’s well-being is supported and that service to the community is encouraged.
• Involvement - So that all individuals have a voice in decisions concerning their community.
• Ownership - To ensure that all individuals care for their building facilities and adjacent property.
• Celebration - So that NMJC history and culture are promoted through social and academic endeavors.

Student Responsibilities (while in NMJC Student Housing)

1. Consider the needs of other residents and balance them with your own needs;
2. Promote the care of the physical facilities, equipment, and services;
3. Communicate with other residents and staff members in order to build the type of relationships in which even complaints can be conveyed in a fair and mature way.

Student Rights (while in NMJC Student Housing)

1. To socialize in your room;
2. To sleep and study without disturbance;
3. To live in a supportive and stimulating community and be treated with dignity and respect;
4. To live in a safe, secure, healthy, and clean environment;
5. To enjoy access to a variety of programs, services, and facilities; and
6. To involve yourself and others in promoting an educational, open, respectful, responsible,
   caring, and celebrative community.

Application and Payment

• Residence halls and apartments require a $25 non-refundable application fee prior to assignment.
• Single Rooms are based on availability. Students will be provided a 30-day grace period to make full payment or set a payment plan. After this period, the single room will be forfeited and resident will be moved to a shared room if there is not full payment or a payment plan in place.
• Students who cancel their room before August 1 (Fall Semester) will receive no penalty.
• Students who cancel after the above date will be subject to our cancellation policy.
• Students will not have an apartment or dorm reserved without submission of paperwork required by NMJC Housing and making proper payment arrangements to the NMJC Business Office or through the Nelnet payment plan.

Payment Policy

Payment in full may be made at the NMJC Business Office or Cashier. A payment plan may be set up through NELNET located on the T-Bird web portal.

Rates

Cancellation Policy

The student may cancel the agreement without penalty on or before August 1 (Fall term). Students who cancel their agreement after the above date will be charged according to the schedule below. For cancellation after the applicable deadline but before the beginning of the semester, the student may be charged a $250 fee for breach of the agreement. Room cancellations made after the beginning of the semester will receive a refund based on the following schedule:

• 80% during the first and second week of term
• 70% during the third fourth week of term
• 60% during the fifth and sixth week of term
• 50% during the seventh and eighth week of term
• 0% during & after the eighth week of term

Students with extenuating circumstances that may justify canceling the lease must submit a written request for a waiver to the Student Life Office. Such requests may or may not result in waiver of the fee for breach of the agreement, at the discretion of the College.

If a student is removed from campus housing due to violation(s) of the Housing Handbook/Student Code of Conduct, the student will not receive a refund for room cancellation. Students will not receive a refund for amount of room if the student is removed for violations of the NMJC Drug and Alcohol Policy pursuant to public law 101-226, SECTION 22, The Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.

Forms to be completed prior to check-in:

NMJC Room & Board Application
NMJC Vehicle Registration
Orientation Video

Background Checks

New Mexico Junior College (NMJC) performs criminal background checks on all individuals who apply to live in on-campus student housing (Glen & Rosemary Houston Thunderbird Hall, Harold Runnels Hall, John Watson Apartments or Carroll Leavell Student Apartments).

NMJC Background Check Procedure

Schedule of Housing Opening/Closing Dates & Residence Fees

Refer to the Official Calendar for housing opening and closing dates. Housing dates schedule and rates can be found on the NMJC website:

Residential Life Rates & Dates

Students unable to check-in within this period must call to make an appointment. Housing move-in/move-out days are set for the academic year.

Check-In

Student Housing will open (the Wednesday before classes begin) Wednesday - Friday 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Upon arrival at NMJC, you will need to check-in at the Residence Life Office located at the Carroll Leavell Apartments to receive a key card for your room and have the opportunity to speak with staff regarding your assignment.

Check-Out Process

Housing reserves the right to charge or fine the student per day if not vacated within the time allowed.
The check-out process is as follows:

• Pack your belongings and move them out.
• Clean your room and bathroom. Please vacuum, dust, rearrange furniture and make sure all drawers and closets are empty.
• Close blinds; close and lock all windows.
• Have a housing supervisor inspect the room.
• Sign any paperwork and turn in key to supervisor.
• Improper check out results in a fine.
• Student belongings left behind will be discarded or donated to a local charity.

General Policies

Signing and returning the “Room and Board” agreement or submitting the “Room and Board” agreement online constitutes acceptance of the agreement by the student. Submission of application will not be valid or processed without a $25 housing application fee paid by check, money order or credit card. Payments should be made to:

New Mexico Junior College
Attn: Student Housing
3 Thunderbird Circle
Hobbs, NM 88240

As a general rule, only full-time (minimum 12 credit hours/semester) students are allowed to live in the dorms. Should a student drop below the 12-credit minimum enrollment during the course of a semester, he/she may continue to live in the residence halls only with the approval of the Dean of Students or designee.

Part-time living arrangements may be made only with the approval of the Dean of Students or designee. The student may move from campus housing at the end of a semester or upon withdrawal from college. Release, however, from the “Room and Board” agreement is not automatic. Established check-out procedures must be followed.

The Housing Office makes room assignments. Efforts will be made to assign roommates having designated mutual requests. Please note that the date of receipt of the “Room and Board” contract and the availability of space will also be considered in making room assignments. NMJC reserves the right to make, change, or cancel room assignments in the interest of health, safety, or other reasons deemed valid by the College.

For information on Assistance/Service Animals in Campus Housing, please refer to Section VIII, Service and Assistance Animals on Campus of this handbook.

Students may request room changes and single dorm rooms, which will be granted on a space-available basis. Students must retain their original room and roommate assignment during the first two (2) weeks of each term. At the end of the two (2) weeks, room change requests should be submitted to the Director of Residence Life. Changing rooms without permission will result in a fine and can lead to eviction.

Students living in campus housing must supply:

• Personal hygiene items – soap, shampoo, toilet paper, etc.
• Cleaning and laundry supplies.
• Towels, washcloths, and shower curtain (70”x72”).
• Pillow, sheets (extra-long, 36” X 84”), and blankets/comforter.

Students are not permitted to bring or use:

• Hot plates, toaster ovens, space heaters, grills, air conditioning units, mattresses, couches, chairs, etc.
• Candles, incense burners or any open flames are also prohibited.
• Pets.
• Alcohol or illegal drugs.
• Explosives (including fireworks and ammunition).
• Weapons - firearms loaded or unloaded (including air, BB, paintball, facsimile weapons, and pellet guns), arrows, machetes, nun chucks, throwing stars, daggers, brass knuckles, switchblade knives, bowie knives, poniards, butcher knives, dirk knives, swords, sword canes, and any kind of sharp pointed canes, slingshots, slung shots, bludgeons; or any other weapons with which dangerous wounds can be inflicted.
• NMJC utilizes an AI detection software that flags any firearm on campus. This includes any item in resemblance of a firearm, so for this reason airsoft, BB, paintball, splatter ball, nerf, water, or anything similar to a gun is not permitted.

Any in-room cooking violations will result in confiscation of the cooking appliance and a fine per resident per occurrence.

Room keys are the student’s responsibility. If a key is lost or stolen, the student occupant responsible will be charged a $10.00 replacement cost, including any charges necessary to replace locking devices.

The student is responsible for reasonable cleanliness of his/her room. NMJC will assist with general housekeeping in the public areas of the campus housing facilities. When a repair is needed in a room, the student must notify the residence hall supervisor immediately. The residence hall supervisor will notify the maintenance department. Regular maintenance inspections will be made of the housing facilities, including the rooms. Repairs for damage by other than normal wear and tear will be charged to the responsible student’s account as a fine. If a resident is found tampering with equipment or fixtures, they will be assessed fines per occurrence.

Students found propping the gates open will be disciplined through the Dean of Students office or designee in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Keeping the gates locked at all times aids in unwelcome entry into the housing complex.

General Courtesies

The foundation behind successful group living is being generally courteous to those you are around. Activities which prove disturbing to persons desiring study or sleep must be suspended regardless of the hour in which they occur. All residents are expected to observe the following courtesies and considerations to one another:

• Visitor Curfew in all dorm rooms or apartments is 12:00 a.m. Sunday-Thursday nights. Weekend Visitor Curfew in all dorm rooms or apartments is 1:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday nights. Students are allowed in the courtyard until 1:00 a.m. but must be cognizant of other students’ rights and keep the noise level down. Visitor Curfew is mandatory for all guest and residents. Guests should never be left unattended.
• Quiet Hours in all dorm rooms or apartments is 10:00 p.m. Sunday-Thursday nights. Weekend Quiet Hours in all dorm rooms or apartments is 12:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday nights. Courtesy hours are observed 24-hours a day throughout residence halls. When asked by another resident or staff member to reduce noise level, residents are expected to immediately comply as a courtesy to fellow community members.
• Radio, television, or stereo volumes must be kept at a reasonable level. If asked to turn the volume down, a student is expected to comply. Continued disturbance will result in confiscation of the equipment. Stereos may not be played through open windows or in hallways. No apparatus (including air conditioning units) can be hung out of the windows or affixed to the outside of any building.
• Activities such as football, soccer, broom hockey, wrestling, basketball, skate boarding, bicycling, golf, etc., are not to be played or ridden inside residence halls or breezeways. Absolutely no dart boards are allowed. A fine per occurrence, per student will be assessed and the dart board will be confiscated.

Persistent violators of housing rules and regulations are making a statement that they cannot live cooperatively in a group setting. Eviction or relocation may be the best alternative. This decision will be at the discretion of the Dean of Students.

Resident complaints will be reviewed by the appropriate Housing Staff member or Dean of Students for necessary action. Additional restrictions may be imposed with financial sanctions during peak testing periods such as finals week. Generally, noise levels within the room should be audible only within the same room. Complaints regarding noise level should be referred to the on-call phone and/or the Residence Life Staff only after you have spoken to the party involved and attempted to work out the differences.

Campus housing facilities will be secured each evening. For safety reasons, door propping at exits is strictly prohibited at any time. Students are reminded to always keep their doors and windows locked and not to prop doors open for any reason. Residents or guests found propping locked doors open will be assessed a fine.

NMJC assumes no liability concerning legal obligation for injury to person (including death) or loss or damage to personal property, which occurs in its buildings or on its grounds prior to, during, or subsequent to the period of any College contract. Students living in campus housing are encouraged to carry appropriate insurance should any loss occur.

Students living in campus housing will be assigned boxes for the receipt of mail. The mail boxes are located in the office area of the Carroll Leavell Student Apartments. A student’s mailing address will be as follows:

Student Name
Attn: Student Housing
3 Thunderbird Circle
NMJC, Box #
Hobbs, NM 88240

Housing Rules and Regulations

Students living in campus housing do not give up their rights as students as a result of being Housing residents. However, problems that arise in campus housing or violations of Campus Housing regulations are usually taken care of immediately by the residence hall supervisor. Compliance with college housing rules and regulations is a condition of living on campus, as set forth in the Housing Handbook. Violations of the housing rules and regulations may also be violations of the Student Code of Conduct and will be referred to the Dean of Students.

Generally, when a problem exists that adversely affects a student’s life in campus housing, the problem should be discussed/presented to the hall supervisor for resolutions. If the resolution of the problem is not satisfactory or if the magnitude and/or nature of the problem is extraordinary, the student is encouraged to discuss the problem with the Housing Supervisor.

For additional information concerning housing regulations please refer to the following:

NMJC Housing Rules and Regulations

Drugs and Alcohol

The possession, use, sale, manufacture or distribution of marijuana and other drugs and their paraphernalia is not permitted on campus and violates federal law, regardless of age and in compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Colleges Act. This prohibition applies regardless of whether the resident complies with state recreational use laws.

Medical Marijuana

Possession of a Medical Marijuana Registry identification card, regardless of state issued, does not authorize a resident to possess, use or distribute marijuana in any on-campus housing facility or NMJC property. Residents who receive Medical Marijuana Registry identification may submit a petition to be released from their contract to the Dean of Students or designee.

Misuse of Legal Substances

Various substances, even if legal, can have a dangerous or negative impact on an individual and the community in regards to health and academic success. Inhaling or ingesting a substance (including but not limited to nitrous oxide, glue, paint, gasoline, solvent, etc.) or using the substance other than for its intended purpose is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and is prohibited. Use of prescription drugs other than by the person to whom the drug is prescribed and/or not in accordance with the prescription is prohibited

Health and Safety

In order to assure that no potential health, fire, or safety hazards are present, NMJC Housing staff will conduct health/safety checks of each residence hall/apartment, once a month, throughout each semester. Residents are responsible for sharing in the cleanliness and regular upkeep of the common areas such as kitchens, bathrooms, and living areas. It is each resident’s responsibility to maintain his/ her room within reasonable standards of room cleanliness.

Residents are not to adjust, obscure, or tamper with, in any way, alarm systems and/or any security system or device installed within campus housing facilities. During these health/safety checks, any policy violations will be documented and referred for disciplinary action. All housing units have a wet water sprinkler system and fire alarms in each living quarters and bedrooms. NMJC has one fire drill each semester to make sure occupants are aware of the evacuation plans and locations to which they are to assemble when an alarm sounds. Occupants are not permitted to use tobacco, including e-cigarettes, in any campus building including campus housing.

In Case of Illness

Any illness of students living in campus housing should be reported by the student to the hall supervisor. If necessary, arrangements can be made to provide meals to a student confined to his / her room due to illness if he / she is on the meal plan. Students are encouraged to seek medical attention from a doctor.

Interim Housing During Breaks

Residents must complete an online break housing request through their eRezLife portal to reside in on-campus housing over scheduled breaks. Only extenuating circumstances will be considered and accepted to stay on campus over break. These include but not limited to:

• In-season athlete required to stay for practices or games.
• Foreign students and some out of state students may qualify.
• Unsafe home environment.
• Student holds a job in Hobbs, students will be required to submit a schedule of days working with signature of employer.

A student may have to pay a prorated cost per day to stay in on-campus housing ($15.25/day) and obey all rules and regulations of the College and Housing.

eRezLife Portal