University housing furnishes all resident rooms with beds, dressers, and desks. Some students may wish to supplement or complement these furnishings by constructing a loft in their room. Such additions are allowed at South Carolina within certain guidelines.
Students are not permitted to disturb the surface coating of the ceiling in any residence hall.
The University does not endorse or encourage the construction or use of lofts. The University does not inspect, nor in any way certify the stability or construction of student installed lofts regardless of where the student obtains the loft or loft material. The University assumes no responsibility for the safety of the room when placing any loft, as placement may interfere with the proper function of sprinkler systems. The loft cannot shield combustible materials such as computers, work desks, TVs, and furniture, etc. from the spray pattern of the sprinkler head.
Lofts are not recommended in apartments, especially those with private bedrooms. Lofts may be installed by students in all student rooms except Bates West, Campus Village, Capstone, DeSaussure, Harper-Elliott, the Honors Residence, McClintock, Patterson Hall, Pinckney/Legare Rutledge, Sims, Wade Hampton and 820 Henderson.
Because of the possibility of damage to the facilities, lofts must be free standing and must not be attached to any walls, ceilings, or floors. Lofts may not be stacked on other pieces of furniture (desk, dresser, and bookcases) or on cinder blocks, etc. These arrangements are inherently unstable and damage University furniture/facilities.
The lofts must be made of non-combustible or fire-treated materials.
Lofts must have at least 30 inches of clearance between the top of the mattress and the lowest point in the ceiling, including sprinkler heads and light fixtures.
Lofts are not to block the entrance or exit from the room. Doors and windows should not be obstructed in any way.
All University-provided furnishings must remain in the room, including the bed and bedspring. The housing department does not have storage space available for student furnishings. Any damages to the furnishings not reported at the time of move-in will be charged to the student’s account following their moving out. After the loft is removed, the student is responsible for placing the University-provided furniture back in the same condition and placement as it was when the student originally checked-in to the room. Any damages to the room, furnishings, or finishes beyond normal wear and tear will be billed to the student.
The student assumes all dangers and risks associated with using a loft, including possible injury due to falling from the lofted bed. The student waives and releases the University from any claims, demands, actions, or causes of action for costs, expenses, or damages to personal property, or personal injury, or illness, paralysis, or death, arising from or related to using a loft, and student agrees to hold harmless and indemnify the University for any loss or damage arising from or related to student’s use of a loft.