Q: Which students will be eligible to live at the Vinings?

A: For next year, any student who is approved to live off campus may choose to live at the Vinings.  This would include rising seniors who get permission to live off campus through the off-campus lottery as well as thought who are granted exemptions by the Director of Housing & Residence Life.  All students requesting to live off campus must submit their request through the Web site at http://www.furman.edu/housing/lotteryindex.htm#exemptions

Q: Will students be forced to live in the Vinings?

A:  Furman is pursuing the purchase of the Vinings as an additional option for students.  It is anticipated that the Vinings will be highly desirable.  Students will not be forced to live at the Vinings, but will rather participate in a lottery process if they desire to live at the property.  Housing & Residence Life will continue to work with student input to establish the most appropriate lottery processes.  The four-year residency requirement will remain in effect.

Q: Will the off-campus exemptions for fraternities continue to exist?

A: The purchase of the Vinings will not impact the off-campus exemptions granted to the existing fraternities.  The current exemptions are in place based on student input when Furman instituted the four-year residency program.

A: The following policy for alcohol at the Vinings is being considered:

1.  The possession and/or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all campus locations except as listed below:

Consumption of alcoholic beverages by students 21 and over will be permitted for University approved catered or special group events at the following facilities:

• Cherrydale Alumni House
• Timmons Arena
• Furman University Golf Course
• Younts Conference Center
• The Vinings (see additional policies below)

2.  Alcohol containers may be deemed as evidence of consumption and are prohibited.  This includes, but is not limited to, alcohol bottles, alcohol cans, beer bongs and funnels. 

3.  All local, state and federal laws will be enforced and could result in an arrest as well as on campus disciplinary action.

Alcohol at the Vinings

1. Consistent with state and local laws, the responsible consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages by students 21 years old or older is only allowed within the Vinings apartment units. 
2. Vinings residents will be held responsible for any consumption or possession of alcohol by underage persons in their apartments, which is prohibited.
3. Furman University students are responsible for the behavior of their guests.
4. The use of common containers of alcoholic beverages such as kegs, pony kegs, party pigs, punch bowls, or party balls, the use of pure grain alcohol, the use of any devices (i.e. funnels and beer bongs) designed for the rapid consumption of alcohol, and drinking games are prohibited.
5. All Vinings residents and their guests are subject to additional regulations and policies in their contract. 
6. All local, state and federal laws will be enforced and could result in an arrest as well as on campus disciplinary action.

Disciplinary Sanctions

1. The University will impose disciplinary sanctions on students who violate the above standards of conduct.  The minimum sanction for violations of the policy on alcoholic beverages shall be a $100 assessment and alcohol education.  A letter will be sent home to parents or guardians of students under the age of 21.
2. Sanctions for violations of the policy on alcoholic beverages at the Vinings may also include the loss of the privilege to live in the Vinings and the reassignment to housing on the main campus.  A reassignment to North Village is not guaranteed.

Q: Will less students be allowed to enter the off campus lottery?

A: Nothing will impact the number of students allowed to participate in the off campus lottery.  However, the number of students granted permission to live off campus fluctuates each year.  The number of students approved to live off campus is recalculated each year based on a complex formula which takes into account class size, retention rates, number of rooms available for assignments, students paying to reserve their room while on study away programs and many other variables.  Once the Vinings is included in the lottery process, then students may choose to apply to live at the Vinings.  The number of students granted permission to live off campus will be adjusted based on the same formula.

Q: Will RAs be placed in the Vinings?

A:  RAs will not be hired and placed in the Vinings.  However, students with the title of Community Assistants will be hired and placed.  The Community Assistants will be trained to work in the Vinings Office to answer questions, give tours, plan programs and activities for the residents, and assist the management staff with operational needs.

Q: Will students pay an increased fee?

A:  The purchase of the Vinings will not cause an increase in housing costs for students or non-student residents.  However, each year, a market study will be conducted as is currently the practice.  This study will be used to propose to the Trustees the housing prices for the following year.  The Trustees then approve the housing cost for the following year.

Q: Will current Vinings residents (who are not Furman students) be allowed to stay?

A: For next year, there are no anticipated changes for Furman or non-Furman residents.  Everyone may apply to have their lease renewed and decisions will be made based on the history of the tenant, availability and the market. 

Q: How will the purchase of the Vinings affect student life at Furman?

A: For the first time (once the residence hall renovations commense), Furman will be able to guarantee apartment style housing for all rising juniors and seniors who desire such housing.  The Vinings add an additional element to Furman's repertoire of housing options for students.  It will include amenities such as a pool, available storage, dishwashers, car wash area, family housing and others that are not currently available to students.  Students will be vitally involved in the decision making process regarding the process of identifying students to live at the Vinings, as well as the amenity packages that will be available to students.  Furman will retain its ability to house students once extensive renovations begin to the residence halls.  As buildings are taken off line for renovation, the number of rooms lost during renovation can be compensated by increasing the number of students living at the Vinings. Furman will retain the residential nature of its campus and students will have increased choice of housing styles.  As one perspective student indicated when informed of the possibility of living at the Vinings, he was astonished at the quality and character of housing at the Vinings.