Stetson University has one guest house, the Ruggles House, available for use by visiting University dignitaries. Priority for use is given to faculty candidates, visiting faculty and peer visitors. In descending order, priority is given to Artists and Lecturers; visiting speakers (e.g. commencement or other academic related programs); other campus guests, speakers and friends (e.g. TAAC Conference guests, ICUF business officers, student life colleagues, Honorary Doctorates); and other guests that are considered as dignitaries or special guests. The guest house may not be used for parties, banquets, group events, student friends or families attending University functions (e.g. Commencement, Family Weekend), or merely as a convenience for anyone who wants a free place to stay.

The guest house is the responsibility of the Office of Academic Affairs, and reservations may be made through Judy Ward (jward@stetson.edu or 822- 7010). A contact person who is either a member of the Stetson faculty, administration or staff must be responsible for each guest and serve as the host by providing the guest with information pertinent to their visit and checking out and promptly returning guest house keys. All keys should be checked out from and promptly returned to Public Safety.

The guest house is completely furnished, contains all necessary linens, and has fully equipped kitchen facilities as well as a washer and dryer. Daily housekeeping, however, is not provided nor are foods or toiletries.

General information about the guest house follows.

The Ruggles House : 626 N. Amelia Avenue, phone: (386) 822-8889

The Ruggles House, located on the corner of Amelia and Florence avenues, is a multi-use guest house. A circular drive leads off Amelia Avenue and runs behind the house to exit on Florence Avenue. Parking areas provide room for four cars without blocking the driveway.

DOWNSTAIRS

The house is comprised of two bedrooms (one with a twin bed, the other with a double bed) at ground level, accessed through a separate entrance, with a bathroom (shower only) at the end of a short hallway. Both rooms have small cable connected televisions.

THE MAIN HOUSE

Four steps up the hallway from this “downstairs” area is the main kitchen, which is also accessed by a separate outside door. This eat- kitchen is fully equipped with stove, refrigerator, microwave, coffeemaker, toaster oven, double sink, dishes, pots and pans and silverware, and includes a table with four chairs as well as a small desk area next to a wall phone. Leading off the kitchen is a dining room with table and eight chairs. Continuing along the front of the house is the living room with decorative fireplace (no fires, please), sofa and two chairs, and entertainment center with cable connected television. Just off the living room is a delightful sun room furnished in wicker.

The master bedroom, which features a queen sized bed, large closets and a bathroom (shower only) is just down the hall from the kitchen and living room, and also has a door leading directly into the sun room. Across the hall from the master bedroom is a closet with the washer and dryer.

MOTHER-IN-LAW PORTION

Continuing down the hallway from the master bedroom is the mother-in-law section of the house, which can be completely locked off from the rest of the house. This portion features a beautiful hard-wood floored bedroom with twin beds; a bathroom across the hall (tub and shower); a bright eat-in-kitchen equipped with stove, refrigerator, microwave and coffee-maker; and a cozy carpeted living area with a sofa, two chairs and cable connected television. This living area also has an exterior door that is used by those staying in the mother-in-law portion of the house.

Since all the bedrooms lock individually, up to four parties may use the facility at one time. Guests will be provided with a key to their bedroom as well as a key to the nearest exterior door. The doors and keys are marked with coordinated numbers. Visitors at the Ruggles House are encouraged to share the common areas such as the kitchen, living room, dining room, and sun room, but should the situation arise, the two ground level bedrooms can be locked off from the rest of the house, as can the mother-in-law portion. Phones are located in both kitchens as well as in the two ground level bedrooms. All phones are on the same line.

Although a room preference may be requested when making reservations for the Ruggles House, the Office of Academic Affairs reserves the right to assign rooms to meet the priority levels and for the most efficient use of the facility.

Guest Information for the Ruggles House

(this information is posted inside the house, but hosts may want to point it out to the guests and translate, if necessary)

Welcome to StetsonUniversity’s guest house. To help make your stay more enjoyable, please read the following information:

CLEANING:

StetsonUniversity cleans and readies the house prior to each guest’s arrival, but does not provide daily cleaning services to occupants. A dishwasher, washer and dryer are available for you use. Stetson personnel may come to clean a portion of the house in preparation for another guest’s arrival during your stay. You will find them to be courteous and efficient. Please allow them to do their work.

GARBAGE and TRASH SERVICE:

If you are staying for more than a few days, you will want to take out your household garbage. Garbage is collected on Thursdays. Please place all household garbage in a plastic bag and secure it tightly, then put the bag in the outside trash can and place at the curb by 6:00 a.m. of the scheduled pickup day.

KEYS:

You will receive two keys for use during your stay. One key is for an exterior door and one key is for your bedroom door. For your convenience, the keys are numbered to correspond with the numbers on the doors. Please do not use a bedroom that is not assigned to you. Please return keys to Public Safety immediately upon departure.

KITCHEN:

The kitchen is fully equipped if you wish to prepare meals or simply brew a pot of coffee. Please do not remove dishes or cookware from the house or move them from one kitchen to the other.

MAINTENANCE:

Every effort is made to keep the house in good repair. If you notice anything that is broken, please report it to your host or call Judy Ward in the Office of Academic Affairs at 822-7010. For emergency maintenance after 4:30 p.m. or on weekends, or to report a power outage, please call Public Safety at 822-7300.

OTHER GUESTS:

The Ruggles House is designed to accommodate different guests at one time. We hope you will enjoy meeting and visiting with guests from another group that may be occupying the Ruggles House during your stay. So that every guest may have access to clean linen, please use the bedroom and linens prepared for you.

PHONE SERVICE:

The phone number for the Ruggles House is: (386) 822-8889. This number will ring to all phones in the house. Should you answer a call that isn’t for you, please inquire of other guests that may be staying in the house.

Only local calls may be made from this phone. You will need to dial “5” for an outside line before dialing the phone number.

In case of EMERGENCY, please dial “5” for an outside line and then call 911.

SECURITY:

We are concerned about your safety. Please call Public Safety at 822-7300 if you notice any suspicious activity. For your protection, please lock your room and the house when leaving and lock the house while in residence. The Ruggles House is equipped with a fire alarm system and guests are to vacate the house if the siren is activated. If the alarm makes a persistent “beeping” sound (as happens if there is loss of power), please call Public Safety to reset the alarm.

SMOKING:

University policy prohibits smoking inside. If you choose to smoke outside, please don’t litter. StetsonUniversity prohibits the possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs.

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