The health and safety of our students is our top priority. Find important information regarding our vaccination requirements and health and safety inspections below.
Immunization Information
All students residing in any on-campus residential facility must comply with the current immunization practices as recommended by the American College Health Association and the Center for Disease Control. Students must submit vaccination information through our online form before they are allowed to move into a residential facility.
Required Vaccinations and Screenings
Documentation of two MMR's (measles, mumps, rubella) or a serum screening titer verifying immunity to Rubella.
- Meningitis vaccination or waiver: There is a meningococcal education/vaccination requirement for the state of Missouri which is mandatory for all students residing on campus. It is highly recommended that all college students under the age of 25 be vaccinated for prevention against bacterial meningitis. College students, particularly freshmen living in residence halls, have a six-fold increased risk for meningitis. If not treated early, meningitis can lead to permanent disabilities or death. All incoming residents are required to provide the date they received the meningitis vaccination or sign a waiver of the vaccination.
- Tuberculosis screening: Students entering Rockhurst must be screened for Tuberculosis (TB). This screening is a five question questionnaire. If a student answers no to all questions, the student is considered effectively screened and no further action is needed. If a student answers yes to any question, Rockhurst University requires a TB risk assessment by a health care provider prior to the student's enrollment.
Recommended Vaccinations
- COVID vaccinations
- Tetanus booster within 10 years of admission (strongly recommended for all adults)
- Varicella vaccination (if there is not childhood history of chickenpox)
- Hepatits B vaccination (all incoming college students)
The university reserves the right to change or modify its vaccination requirements. Failure to comply with vaccination requirements may result in immediate eviction from University housing.
Health and Safety Inspections
Officials of Rockhurst University reserve the right to conduct health and safety inspections of student rooms in all University-owned housing. Advance notice to residents will ordinarily be given prior to such inspections. Residents are encouraged to be present while the inspections are made, but rooms and units will be inspected on the designated date regardless of the resident's presence. Residence Life staff members will inspect all rooms or apartments at the end of each semester and prior to breaks. Residents are to have their room or unit clean upon inspection. If, upon entry, a violation is visible (i.e. lounge furniture, alcohol, etc.) it will be handled through the Code of Conduct disciplinary process. Prohibited items may be confiscated to promote safety and compliance with campus policy. Anything in plain view that is considered a violation of state or federal law may be referred to the Rockhurst University Department of Safety and Security for investigation. Rooms should be kept in a clean, orderly manner at all times. The custodial personnel in each building can assist in providing cleaning supplies.
Typically, Residence Life staff will complete inspections in October at Thanksgiving Break, Christmas Break and during Spring Break closing. Staff will enter student rooms in pairs to inspect the following:
- 75% of window area clear
- windows are working
- no excessive cords/extension cords
- working smoke detector
- room is clean
- door knob is working
- no pets (fish in a 10 gallon or less tanks are acceptable)
- there are restricted appliances
- there are no policy violations
If residents have health and safety violations, they will receive a letter stating what the violation is and when staff will return to do a re-inspection. If violations are not fixed, residents will be billed according to our policies in the Student Handbook.
Health and Safety Fines
- Excessive Dirtiness $50
- Cleaning Fee $100
- Candles (each) $75
- Extension cords $25(each) (appropriate surge protected extension cords can be purchased in the Campus Bookstore)
- Biohazard $350 (or determined by Physical Plant)
- Tampered Smoke Detectors $200
- Improper Checkout $100
- Unapproved Room Change (Room change fine and lock change) $150
Room Entry
It is the University’s intention to ensure privacy in students’ premises. The University reserves the right to enter student premises for the purposes of inspecting the premises when an authorized agent of the University has reasonable belief, including but not limited to the following:
- an occupant of the room may be physically harmed or endangered
- the University’s property is damaged
- a University policy is being violated
- maintenance and/or repair is necessary
- otherwise as may be necessary for the health, safety, or general welfare of the student residential community
If practical, the University will not enter a student’s room unless accompanied by the student or a second authorized representative of the University.