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Welcome to Eastern's Family Student Housing

By recommendation of tenant’s and by action of the Residence Life Office, smoking is no longer allowed in any of the Eocene apartments.   Eocene Courts is now consistent with the no smoking policy in all University buildings.   Smoking in units is grounds for terminating the lease.

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Introduction

This web site addresses some of the questions you might have about student family housing at Eastern.   If you have additional questions, please contact the Residence Life Office, Eastern Oregon University, One University Boulevard, La Grande, Or 97850-2899, (541) 962-3553.

Eocene Court is located on 12th Street at the east end of the campus.   A city park and playground are directly north of the apartment complex. Sixteen two-bedroom apartments are situated in four two-story buildings built in the early 60’s.

Family housing is available under the Administrative Rules of the State Board of Higher Education in the spirit of providing equal opportunity to higher education for students with family obligations.   Residents come from a variety of backgrounds with different lifestyles, interests, concerns and beliefs.   There is a sense of individuality, but it is also important for you to think of yourself as being a part of a community.   This requires a certain degree of flexibility, and openness towards communicating, listening, and sometimes compromising.

Behavior

At all times you are responsible for your apartment and the behavior of your family and friends.  Tolerance and consideration for other tenants and children is appreciated.   If problems occur, speak with the tenant in question first, and work out a mutual agreement.   Further problems should be referred to the student manager.   If Residence Life assistance is desired, submit a request in writing to the Director of Residence Life. back to top

Pets

Only one adult, indoor cat will be permitted in each unit.   Kittens (a new litter) are not allowed in the apartments.   With the exception of assistance animals, all dogs are prohibited.

Cats must be litter box trained and remain indoors unless supervised.   Litter boxes must be properly cleaned daily, which includes double bagging of waste and disposal outside in the dumpster.   Waste cannot be flushed down the toilet.   Any outside evidence of pet waste must be collected by the pet’s owner and promptly and properly disposed of.

Pets are not to be left unattended in the unit for extended periods of time (longer than two full days), animals should not be left unattended for more than one day in cases of extreme weather conditions (hot summer days).

A $50 refundable pet deposit and $25 non-refundable cleaning fee will be charged to cover any damage which might occur due to the pet.

All pet related complaints such as noise, odor, allowing animal to run at large outside of unit, having unapproved or unregistered pets, etc. will receive one warning.   If the problem is not immediately remedied, approval for the pet will be terminated, the pet deposit forfeited, and the tenant will have 30 days.   Appeals will be heard by the Eocene Court Manager or the Director of Residence Life.   This is a privilege, not a right, and therefore can be revoked at any time for reasonable cause as determined by the Eocene Court manager or Director of Residence Life.   back to top

Cats will only be allowed under the guidelines listed.   Any tenant wishing to house a pet cat must seek advanced approval.   Applications are available in the Residence Life Office.   Applications can be denied if it is determined by the Director of Residence Life or the Eocene Court manager that issuing a permit is not within the best interests of the Eocene Court community.

Utilities

Rent includes water, sewer, and garbage collection services.   You must have electrical and natural gas services registered in your name within five working days of your move in date.

                  Avista Natural Gas                        1-800-483-5100

                  Oregon Trail Electric Coop           541-963-3155

Rental rates will be periodically reviewed and adjusted according to the procedures as outlined by the Oregon Administrative Procedures Act.

Quiet Hours

Because of the concentration of living units, special quiet hours must be observed between 10pm and 7am; 9am on Saturday and Sunday. back to top

Garbage Disposal

The garbage dumpsters are emptied weekly.

Electrical/Furnishings

Refrigerators, stoves, water heaters, and heating units are supplied and cannot be substituted.   Drapes are provided.  Auxiliary electrical heating devices, washers, dryers, wood stoves, freezers, pianos, and organs are not allowed.   A working smoke detector is provided for each apartment.   It is against the law to tamper with and make unusable the smoke detector.   It is your obligation to routinely check the detector and report any problems or disrepair immediately to the Court’s manager or Residence Life Office.

Personal Belongings

It is your responsibility to carry insurance on your own belongings.   The state does not insure private property such as your furniture and belongings.

Care of apartments

Alterations such as painting, wallpapering, carpeting, etc, may not be made to your apartment without permission from the Director of Residence Life.   Generally, the University inspects units prior to renting for painting and repair needs.

All electrical, plumbing and permanent carpentry work will be done by University employees.

Paint and materials will be supplied by Eastern at its discretion.

It is your responsibility to insure that your apartment is cared for properly during your absence (for example, the heat should be left on during winter to at least 40 degrees to prevent frozen pipes).   If, through negligence, for example, the plumbing becomes plugged, you may be charged for repair costs.                             back to top

You are responsible for all appliances supplied by the University.   Any damages, other than “normal wear and tear” will be charged to you. No court property may be removed from the apartment, once you have signed the inventory and moved in, without permission from the Residence Life Office.

Please note that draperies must be dry cleaned.

The University reserves the right to enter apartments for maintenance and safety reasons.   You are required to sign a maintenance request and release form before University employees will enter the unit.   In emergency situations related to maintenance and safety if you are not immediately available, Eastern employees may enter the unit only when a minimum of two people can be present and only for specific repairs for emergency maintenance and safety.

The University’s ground crew does the lawn mowing at the Court.   You are responsible for keeping outside areas around your apartment clean of debris and litter.  

Parents are expected to keep children’s toys picked up so as not to create a safety hazard.    back to top

Date and request that the tenant schedule a specific time so Residence Life staff can be present for the checkout.   Whenever possible, the Eocene Court manager and a Residence Life maintenance staff member will be present for the move out inspection.

Tenants are expected to leave the unit in a clean and presentable condition.   This includes cleaning all kitchen appliances; cleaning cupboards, sink, and counter; cleaning all bathroom fixtures, washing marks off of walls and ceilings, sweeping and mopping floors, removing all personal belongings, and removing trash from the unit.   The unit will be deep cleaned by a member of the maintenance staff. Any hours spent cleaning beyond 8 will be billed to the vacating tenant. Being delinquent in rent payments for 30 days or more is grounds for eviction.

Tenants receive a key to the laundry room at check in.   Laundry machines are not coin operated and a laundry service fee is added to the rent and collected monthly.   Laundry services are for tenant’s use only.   Non-tenants are not allowed to use the facilities.   Tenants can only use the facilities for their immediate families’ laundry.   Violation of this may result in loss of laundry room privileges.

Tenants must do their part to keep the laundry room clean.   This includes cleaning dryer vent screens after each use and placing lint and litter in the waste can.   The resident staff cleans the laundry room weekly .

One off-street parking space is available for each apartment.   Special parking areas are set-aside for visitors, motorbikes and bicycles.   Off-street parking for tenants with more than one vehicle is on a space available basis only.

Parking for trucks (other than pickups), work vehicles, trailers, and snowmobiles is generally not available in Eocene Court off-street parking.   Vehicle storage may be available near Eastern’s Plant Services.   Permission for vehicle storage must be approved by the Director of Residence Life and Dean of Administration.

Keys and Security

Responsibility for basic security for apartments rest with the tenant.   Keys to door locks are issued at check in.   Should a tenant lose or fail to return an apartment key, it should be reported to the manager or Director of Residence Life.   The door lock will be rekeyed at the tenant’s expense (approximately $25) and new keys issued.  Keys to the laundry room are issued at check in.   A $25 security fine will be charged for any lost or unreturned keys. The laundry room is periodically rekeyed and new keys are issued to all tenants.

Smoking Policy

Institutional policy prohibits smoking in all buildings on campus and in institutionally owned off-campus facilities.   In residence facilities, smoking can only be in private areas if it is not entirely prohibited.   Based on recommendations from tenants and by action of the University Student Affairs Committee, smoking is prohibited in apartments, the laundry room, and within ten feet of any doors or windows at Eocene Courts.   back to top

Eligibility

Any person who is a full-time student at Eastern Oregon University (12 credits undergraduate/9 credits graduate) and has a spouse* and/or dependent ** children living with him/her is eligible to apply for an apartment.   Less than full-time students with families may reside at the court, if given special consideration by the Director of Residence Life.

*Spouses are defined as a legally married couple under Oregon law.

** Dependent is defined as any offspring of the student or any dependency stipulated by court order.

Only persons listed on your application may reside in the apartment.   Guests may not stay more than two weeks without written permission from the Director of Residence Life.   It is the University’s intent to rent only to you, your spouse, and dependent children.   All persons listed on the application must be physically present and residing in the unit.

Roommates, other than spouses and/or dependents, are not allowed without expressed written consent of the Director of Residence Life.   One adult who lives with an unmarried, single, qualified candidate may be listed as a family member.

Subleasing is not permitted.

No more than two adults and two children, or one adult and three children may reside in an apartment.   An infant under 12 months at the time the unit is offered will not be counted towards the maximum occupancy allowed.

The University may require proof of eligibility such as custody papers, birth certificates, marriage licenses, and letter of admission to Eastern.   The University also reserves the right, with 24 hours notice, to inspect the apartment in the presence of the tenant to verify those living in the unit.

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How to apply

An application is available as a link in this web site or upon request from Eastern’s Residence Life Office.   Complete the form and mail it along with a $30 damage/security deposit to the Residence Life Office.   Once the application and deposit are received, you are placed on a waiting list, if one exists, for an apartment.   As soon as it becomes clear that an apartment will be available, you will be mailed an apartment offer.   You will have 10 working days to notify the Residence Life Office of acceptance or rejection.   The acceptance notice includes a projected move in date and time.   Arrangements may be made, if you wish and we have an apartment available, to look over a typical apartment.   If an applicant cannot take possession of the unit within 45 days of it being offered, Eastern reserves the right to offer the unit to the next applicant on the waiting list, should one exis.  back to top

To check in contact the Eocene Court manager and arrange a time for you to pick up the keys, and sign an Inventory and Apartment Condition Form (IACF).   Please contact them at 541-962-3828.   Their address is 810 12 th St.   After you are settled in come by the Residence Life Office, Hoke Center, Room 111, to sign your lease agreement and to have your rent prorated.

Terminating your lease

An Eocene Court apartment lease agreement can be terminated by the University for several reasons.   In almost any case, a written notice will be sent 30 days in advance.   Some reasons for termination may include:

• Being Delinquent in rental payments
• Abandoning the apartment
• Failure to maintain student status
• Not Complying with Eocene Court policies                

Violations of Eastern’s Student Conduct Policy

Tenants can also terminate their lease.   Oregon law requires 30 days written notice, but the Residence Life Office will accept prior notice of intent to vacate if it is received 10 working days in advance of the checkout date.   Be sure to make an appointment 48 hours in advance with the student manager or Residence Life Office for the day and time the official checkout is to be conducted.   A housing staff member will meet you at the appointed time and go through the apartment and the IACF.   You will be asked after the inspection to turn in keys and sign the IACF. back to top

Checking out

Tenants are required by Oregon law to give 30 days advance notice of moving out.   However, the Residence Life Office will accept 10 working days as adequate notice.   All move out notices must be in writing and directed to the Residence Life Office.

The grounds crew will remove snow from major street sidewalks and parking areas.   You need to shovel sidewalks from your porch to main walkways and to cooperate with grounds crews personnel when cars must be moved to clear parking areas.   The manager will clear sidewalks to the laundry room entrances.

Management Services

Operations of the family apartments come under the Director of Residence Life.   It is very likely that most of your contacts with the Residence Life Office regarding family housing will be handled by office staff.   You will also come in contact with the student manager. Student workers are hired to perform a number of tasks around the apartment complex, including summer maintenance, laundry room custodial services, and live-in manager functions.

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The student manager lives at 810 12 th St.   The manager’s name, address, telephone number and emergency call list is posted in the central laundry room.

You can also pick up an emergency call list from the Residence Life Office.

The manager is responsible for:

Meeting you at your check in time and issuing keys.   The manager will also familiarize you with how the system works.   The manager will also check you out after you terminate your lease.

Maintenance requests may be turned in to the manager or directly to the Residence Life Office. The manager will respond to your request within one working day or have a maintenance repairman from Plant Services respond. More on maintenance later. back to top

The manager will help resolve problems with neighbors, and others if you are unable to resolve them.   You may be asked to submit a complaint in writing to the Residence Life Office for major problems.

The manager keeps an eye out for problems, concerns, and reports the requests of Eocene tenants.   You have an important role as a member of the community to let the manager know of your ideas or any potential problems that you see.

The manager maintains keys, records, and supplies in the storeroom.   The manager is your resource person if you apartment needs something, or you have some questions regarding your living at Eocene Court.

The manager supervises the other student workers at the Court and makes sure services like cleaning the laundry room and cleaning the sidewalks of snow around the laundry room are done.

Please remember that the manager is also a student and lives a student schedule.   He or she may not always be available due to classes, family commitments , and approved time away, especially during holidays.   Even managers need a little quiet time to keep their heads together.   The manager is generally available during the week, but please make late evening calls for emergencies only. back to top

Emergencies & Maintenance

Sometimes you may feel you have an emergency on your hands and the student manager is not available.   An emergency call list is located in the laundry room and is updated as needed.   You may request a list from the Residence Life Office also.   The telephone numbers are in call order.

Despite all the care you shower to your apartment, you may occasionally have some problems that require maintenance assistance.   Maintenance request forms can be obtained from the student manager, from the supply in the laundry room, or from the Residence Life Office.  

The student manager handles minor repairs, but major ones are submitted to the Residence Life Maintenance Shop.   If you have not had anyone respond within one working day, please call the Residence Life Office.   We can follow up from our end.

Please remember that maintenance staff have a regular schedule and want to go home after their shift.   They normally work 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.   If, however, you feel you have an emergency, contact the student manager.   If that does not work, use the emergency call list.   It is our goal to have emergency repairs conducted on the day of the request, essential services repaired within two days, and minor inconveniences within one week.   Maintenance staff, armed with your request form, will knock on your door twice; if no one responds they will stick their heads in or yell “maintenance.”   If no responses come forth they will enter and begin working.   If you are not at home, the maintenance staff will leave a tag stating what they have done and any special instructions for you. back to top

Your Responsibilities

Once you have moved in you probably will want to make your apartment and your stay at the court as comfortable as possible.   We offer the following suggestions for the care and feeding of your apartment:

Kitchen drains (and others) will occasionally clog from soap, hair, grease and food particle build-up.   Grease should not be poured down drains, but placed in an old can and dumped in the garbage.   Fill the sinks with hot water once a week and pull the stopper. This will help keep the drains flushed and running free.

Refrigerators like to be cleaned inside and out occasionally with soap and water.   An open box of baking soda placed on a shelf in the refrigerator will help absorb food odors and help keep foods from acquiring new tastes.

The stove also needs occasional cleaning.   Wash the outside to keep it free from grease build-up.   Oven cleaning with a commercial oven cleaner needs to be done every once in a while.   Before leaving or retiring, be sure the burners and oven are turned off.

Cardboard boxes used for moving should be disposed of.   Insects are readily transported from place to place in the corrugated sides of cardboard boxes.

General apartment cleanliness is important for you and your family.   A clean apartment is a healthier one, and you will have fewer problems with insects.   Cleaning and rinsing bathrooms at least weekly, and preventing grease build-up on stoves, refrigerators, cabinets and counter tops are good preventive measures.

Apartment decoration is fun, makes the unit more comfortable, and is encouraged.   However, it is important that you avoid leaving your mark for all future residents.

La Grande does get cold in the winter and water pipes have been known to freeze.   A few precautions during extremely cold weather will guard against a major plumbing bill.   Do not turn off your heat when you are away for a holiday or break during the winter. Leave cupboard doors open under sinks so heat can circulate.   It may even be necessary as temperatures approach 0 degrees F outside to let your hot and cold water taps run every so slightly.

We discourage the use of deck areas and ground level enclosures for personal storage.   Not only does it make the complex look cluttered, they are also not the safest or driest places for storage.   If you seem to have more stuff than you know where to put, contact the student manager.   Storage space is tight, but we might be able to work out something.   All storage is at the owner’s (your) risk.

There is a section in this web site entitled procedures and policies.   We recommend that you look them over carefully.  back to top

Community Services

Utilities: You must have utilities assigned to you within five working days of your move in date.   The local electric company is Oregon Trail Electric Coop.   107 Elm (corner of Washington & Elm streets), 963-3155.   The local natural gas utility is Avista. For more information call 1-800-483-5100.

TV: Charter Communications has an office at 1912 4 th Street.   Their telephone number is 866-731-5420.   They offer cable and subscription television services.

Campus Security: Eastern has a campus safety/security staff that patrols campus grounds. Each staff member, when on duty, carries a radio for two-way communication with the base station, police and telephone.   Their telephone number is 962-3350 during regular business hours, and 962-3911 at other times.   They carry master keys and can assist you if you’re locked out of your unit and the manager is not available.

Police: La Grande City Police have their station near the west end of the University campus on 6 th street.   Their office number is 963-1017. Their emergency number is 911.

Renter Assistance: Northeast Oregon Housing Authority, 2608 May St. 963-5360, manages a special rental assistance programs.   They have special application procedures and qualifications for those seeking assistance.

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Eocene Court Policies & Procedures Deposit

A $30 cleaning/security deposit will be required in advance to hold a unit for you.   Deposits must accompany applications.

When a vacancy occurs and your name comes up on the list you will be notified in writing of an available apartment.   You will have 10 working days to contact the Residence Life Office with an acceptance or rejection.

Loss of deposit:   You will forfeit the deposit if any of the following occurs:

•  Cancellation notice (by phone or mail) of intent not to move in must be made prior to ten working days before the move in date.

•  A unit will be held for five working days after the move in date, after which it will be offered to another tenant.

•  You will forfeit the deposit if your notice to vacate is not received by the Residence Life Office prior to ten working days before the checkout date.

If for some reason a unit becomes unavailable through the fault of the University, the $30 will be returned.

The deposit, less any charges due the University will be mailed to the forwarding address given by you at the checkout .

Floor Plan

 

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