Residential Life Policies and Expectations

The below are some general Residential Life policies and rules which apply across all undergraduate

residential areas. The list is not exhaustive and is meant as a guideline to help you. You should also

review your area handbook for any area specific policies, and the Student Code of Conduct (Location:

https://www.rochester.edu/college/cscm/assets/pdf/standards_studentconduct.pdf) for the

universities policies.

Failure to follow the policies below could result in discipline action or even removal from housing. Please

Pets (Fish Only):

The only pets allowed will be fish in a small aquarium (no larger than a 5 gallon tank). Dogs, cats, rabbits,

ferrets, insects, spiders, snakes, etc. are strictly prohibited in student housing

Smoking Policy [See University Smoking Policy in the Student Code of Conduct]

All undergraduate housing is smoke-free, this includes the use of electronic smoking devices and

chewing tobacco. Please note that select floors and residence halls have been designated as smoke

free, meaning the residents have pledged to not smoke anywhere at any time (including off campus).

Hookahs must be approved by the Office of the Dean of Students before use. You can reach the office

can have 7 people total. Singles can have a total of 3 people. Residents must entertain additional

visitors in the public lounge areas.

Overnight Guests

You must seek permission from your roommate or suitemate for any visitor staying overnight.

Students are not allowed to host guests for more than four nights in any calendar month. You are

responsible for all the actions of your guests (overnight or not). It is important to note that you will be

held accountable if your guest violates any Standard of Student Code of Conduct or ResLife Policy and

Procedures, regardless if your guests are UR or Non-UR Students.

to the community.

Bar-be-cues

Charcoal grills, camp stoves, gas grills, etc. are permitted to be used on campus grounds but may not be

stored in the residence halls. All items MUST be used 30 ft. away from any building. Any grills, camp

stoves, flammable materials, charcoal, etc may not be stored in residence halls. For more information,

please review our Environmental Health and Safety guidelines: www.safety.rochester.edu

Fire Safety

safety. This includes failure to evacuate the building during an alarm.

Do not cover the smoke detector, hang things from it, or in any way hinder the unit from working.

Please note that while microwaves and are allowed in the room, no other cooking device or cooking in

the room is allowed. Please also make sure that no furniture is blocking egress (access to the exit), and

that all cords and cables are securely fastened.

You are also responsible for knowing the rules and regulations found in the below link:

http://www.safety.rochester.edu/fire/pdf/ParentStudentResourcePage.pdf

Quiet hours are in effect Sun – Thurs, 12am to 8am. Fri and Sat quiet hours are 2am to 10am. Courtesy

hours are 24 hrs a day. Please note: A resident’s right to study or sleep takes precedence over

another’s right to make noise.

Alcohol and Drug Policy:

Below are Residential Life’s alcohol and drug expectations. In addition to the below, you are responsible

for following all alcohol policies outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (located here:

https://www.rochester.edu/college/cscm/assets/pdf/standards_studentconduct.pdf)

Areas is prohibited.

(including marijuana).

their room, suite, or house with other of age peers.

under any circumstances in any residence hall.

under-age will be treated as a violation of Residential Life’s alcohol expectations.

Student Furnishing

Do not remove furniture from your room and/or living areas. University issued Furniture must remain

indoors and not on balconies or porches. Do not take furniture out of the lounges or other public

spaces. Non-University mattresses are not permitted unless approved by University Health Services

(UHS). You may not build/bring your own lofts or bars or alter the university furniture in anyway. This

includes constructing your own furniture/lofts or bars. You may bring additional furniture, however no

university issued furniture can be removed from your space. Refer to your area handbook for specifics.

Public Area Damages

keys to another student or guest at any time. Remember to always take your key when leaving your

room. Residential Life expects that students have their keys on them at all times and are responsible for

them and their use. Repeated lock outs may result in a conduct referral.

Insurance and Liability: [See Student Housing Contract]

Students’ personal property brought to the University is not covered for damage or loss by the

University’s insurance. We strongly suggest you review your family’s homeowner’s insurance to

determine what is covered by that policy or can be covered with a rider to that policy. Specifically review

theft of your property because many policies may cover damage but not loss. The University has also

identified additional sources that provide insurance coverage for residence hall students. The University

and must not permanently alter the room in any way. Remember the room must remain in good

condition for future residents. If you damage or alter the room, you will be charged for the cost of the

repair, restoration, or replacement.

You are responsible for following all fire safety regulations when decorating your room. (See Fire Safety

Section)

- You may not paint your room.

- You may put carpet on the floor, but you may not tack it down.

- Cords may not be under carpets or tacked or taped up on the walls or above doors.

- Mounting a mirror to walls or furniture may be billed as damage if it is not removed at the end of

the year.

- Curtains and drapes are prohibited.

- Fridges and Microwaves are permitted in rooms but must be plugged directly into the wall, not

into a surge protector. Fridges can be up to 4.3 cubic feet in size and microwaves 900W or less.

Other appliances or cooking appliances cannot be used in bedrooms and must have an automatic

shutoff.

- Homemade lofts are not permitted however some furniture does loft, check with your Area Office

for details.

- Bed risers are permitted, some areas have some for student use, check with your Area Office for

details.

- Crepe paper, plastic or Mylar decorations are not allowed.

- Air-conditioning is not permitted.

Hanging Items on Walls

Residential Life and Housing Services has a firm and uniform policy prohibiting the use of nails or thumb

tacks to hang item’s on walls in university owned properties (residents of Brooks Crossing and Riverview

Building Security

compromise the security of the hall.

door is secure again.

rooms are left unlocked, even for a few minutes.

Damage billing is used to address all damages within individual student rooms as well as vandalism and

damages in public areas. Lobbies, hallways, social and student lounges, recreation rooms, bathrooms,

cover the cost of repairs. Depending on the building and the physical configuration, as well as the nature

of each incident, our staff will determine whether the incident should be shared by all members of the

building or by members of a floor or suite. We also take natural wear and tear into consideration opting

many times to disregard charges that may have not had resident involvement.

The philosophy behind vandalism and public damage billing is that all residents in University Housing

are part of a larger community on campus. Therefore, residents are not only responsible for their

personal accommodations, but also the community areas they share with fellow residents. One aspect

of this responsibility is that damages occur in common areas. It is our hope that residents will work to

prevent damages and address incidents as they occur (community members look out for their

neighbors). We realize that not everyone is responsible for these damages however like all members of

our community, we benefit from the advantages granted by working elevators, exit signs, and hallway

lights, etc… these items are repaired when broken to ensure that all residents benefit from their

Weapons [See University Weapons Policy in the Student Code of Conduct]

Weapons are strictly prohibited in all undergraduate residential life and housing facilities. A weapon is

any instrument that is used to inflict physical harm, is intended to be used to inflict harm, or could

reasonably cause fear of infliction of harm, including any item that may be deemed a weapon under

applicable law. Examples include, but are not limited to: pistols, revolvers, shotguns, rifles, firearms,

stun guns, BB or pellet guns, Tasers, bows and arrows, and other instruments that launch projectiles,

including electric dart guns and paintball guns, as well as parts or ammunition relating to any of the

above; martial arts tools, brass knuckles, daggers, swords, and knives (including Swiss Army knives);

bombs, grenades, mines, explosives, or incendiary devices (which can include ignition devices and

aerosols). A disarmed weapon still counts as a weapon. The determination of whether an item is

considered a weapon for the purposes of this policy will be made on the totality of the circumstances

surrounding the item’s possession and use. For example, an ordinary kitchen knife used for food

preparation would not be considered a weapon in connection with that use. If there are questions about

whether a given item counts as a weapon, students should contact the Center for Student Conflict

Management for clarification before bringing the item to campus. All ammunition for any weapon is also

prohibited in any of the residence halls. If found, Public Safety will confiscate the items.