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Residence Hall Policies (RH) and Room Regulations (RR)
The following Residence Hall Policies (RH) and Room Regulations (RR) apply to all residential areas, resident students, and their guests for the purpose of protecting people, the College, and personal property. Alleged violations of these policies and regulations fall under of the Student Code of Conduct #15: Violation of Other Rules and Policies and will be addressed through the conduct process. If you wish to better understand the rationale for any policy, please contact the Residential Life Office or any staff member.
RH1 Gatherings
Socialization in campus housing is encouraged as it fosters the development of the residence hall community. However, it is the residents responsibility to pay attention to how gatherings in their campus housing impacts the community in relation to noise and guest behaviors. In addition, residents are expected to note and control the number of persons in their spaces at any one time. Local Fire Code, which addresses safety issues, governs the number of persons permitted in campus housing.
The maximum number of persons permitted in a residence hall room or residence hall apartment (including those assigned to the space) is noted below:
In College Apartments/Commons (including porches and balconies) the following number of persons may be present at any one time (including those assigned to the space):
RH2 Guests
Guests are a student or non-student visitors to a campus residence while sharing an activity or study time with a resident.
RH3 Hall Sports
Playing with sports equipment, playing organized games, and/or using equipment better suited for outdoor use is prohibited from the residence halls. This is to protect the rights of residents to sleep, study, and have access to their rooms as well as to prevent damage to College and personal property.
RH4 Noise Policy
Residence halls must provide healthy environments conducive to scholarly pursuits and excessive noise is inconsistent with this goal. The College takes very seriously its obligation to provide an atmosphere where students can study and exchange ideas. All students must understand that the right of students to study and sleep takes precedence over the right to make noise that disturbs others. Students are expected to pay attention to noise they or their guests may cause and to take proactive steps to prevent violations of this policy.
Courtesy Hours Defined - Courtesy hours, which are in effect at all times, mean that all residents are expected to accommodate requests for quiet made by others regardless of the hour. As a general guideline, common courtesy and respect for the community are expected concerning noise levels 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Residents should conduct their activities so they do not interfere with the quiet of others regardless of the time of day.
Quiet Hours Defined - Quiet hours are in effect weekdays from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. On Friday and Saturday quiet hours are observed from 1:00 a.m. through 9:00 a.m. All residence halls operate on 24-hour quiet hours beginning 24 hours prior to the start of finals week.
Please note - Failure to observe quiet hours during Exam week(s) will result in a minimum $50 fine.
Noise heard outside of a closed student room door or within student rooms from the corridors will be considered excessive and in violation of the noise policy. Requests to lower the volume of an existing noise source are to be acted on immediately and with courtesy at all times regardless of who makes the request.
In the College Apartments/The Commons - College Apartment/Commons residents face additional and slightly different issues regarding noise, as they may disrupt residents of the local neighborhood who may be less flexible and more likely to contact the Williamsport Police Department. Apartment/Commons residents are cautioned to think carefully about the impact of noise originating from or around their unit.
Policy Enforcement - The responsibility for a quiet environment is a shared one, with each resident being responsible for his or her own reasonable conduct and letting others know when they are infringing on rights to a quiet living environment. Each resident has the right and responsibility to ask another resident or visitor to lower their noise/volume level. Staff members may disband groups and temporarily suspend visitation privileges if visitors are involved or if visitation will continue to aggravate the situation. Residents may be required to remove speakers, televisions, musical instrument, or any electronic device that causes disruptive noise as determined by the residence hall staff.
Based on experience, the following examples constitute clear violations of the noise policy:
- Noises, music, or voices that are clearly distinguishable in the corridor during quiet hours.
- Heavy percussion or bass sounds that vibrate through any walls, doors, ceilings, or floors.
- Leaving alarms on or music playing in an empty room.
- Pounding on or kicking doors.
- Bouncing recereation equipment, trash cans, or other items on the walls or floor of a room or corridor.
- Failure to respect courtesy hours.
RH5 Room Responsibilities
Whether present or not, occupants of a room are held accountable through the standards process for any and all unacceptable behavior or conditions until responsibility is determined otherwise. Occupants are also responsible for any object thrown or dropped from the window of the room, or for any inappropriate/unacceptable verbal comments coming from the room. It is therefore your responsibility to maintain a secure room, prevent unauthorized use, and to be in your room when visitors/guests are present.
RH6 Smoking Policy
In accordance with College policy, smoking is prohibited from all areas in campus housing. See Campus Smoking Policy for more information.
RH7 Solicitation
The College does not allow commercial solicitation of products or services in campus housing. This policy applies to off-campus groups or individuals. Printed advertisements may be posted on information bulletin boards in the residence halls. Non-profit campus groups may request to conduct fund raising activities in specific halls. You must secure approval of the plans and projects from the Office of the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students (or designee).
RH8 Visitation Program
The College visitation program is designed to provide students with an opportunity to have guests in their living areas during specified hours each day. Each residence has visitation hours 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with the condition that the privilege not be abused. Cohabitation is not permitted. At the beginning of each semester a discussion is conducted on each floor to explore visitation issues such as, escorts, College guest registration guidelines, use of bathrooms, and appropriate enforcement procedures for same sex and opposite sex visitors. Visitation hours may be reduced or eliminated if it is determined that students are abusing the privilege and are interfering with the rights of community members to sleep or study.
RH9 Grill Policy
A. Regulations about Grills
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- Only gas (propane tanks) grills are permitted. Charcoal grills (including lighter fluids, briquettes, etc.) are not permitted.
- Residents in Asbury, Skeath, Forrest, Rich, Williams and Crever Halls and the Commons (second floor) are not permitted to possess grills.
- Residents of College apartments and the Commons (first floor) are permitted to possess grills. The following guidelines must be followed:
- All grills must be registered with the Residential Life Office.
- Only one grill is permitted per each apartment or official organization.
- All grills will then be inspected by Public Safety, or designee.
- Grills should not be stored inside a campus residence.
- No grill should have more than one tank attached to it.
- At no time should a tank (full or empty) be stored inside a campus residence.
- All tanks must meet current safety requirements (meaning that it has the proper safety valve, etc.).
- Tanks must be turned off when the grill is not in use.
- Tanks must be attached to the grill at all times.
- Grills are NOT allowed on porches and should never be used under a structure.
- Residents must be mindful of the safety of persons and property at all times.
B. Registration of Grills
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- Register your grill online at: Grill Registration
- You may also register your grill by contacting the Residential Life Office at (570) 321-4046.
C. Organizations with Official Housing
(Note: this does not include organizations that have received permission to form a cluster)
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- Follow all regulations about grills (see A above).
- Follow the process for registering your grill (see B above).
- During the academic year, grills must be stored on the archways of East Hall.
- At the conclusion of the academic year, the grill must be stored in the organization's lounge if they are leaving it on campus during the summer. The tank, however, must be removed from campus (neither in the lounge nor outside).
RH10 Alcohol Paraphernalia (First-Year Halls)
Asbury and Skeath Halls are alcohol-free buildings. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in these halls. In the spirit of supporting this alcohol-free environment, no alcohol paraphernalia is permitted in Asbury and Skeath Halls, even if used solely as room or hallway decorations. This includes but is not limited to bottles (empty or filled with sand or highlighter fluids), cans, other containers, caps, and empty cardboard cases. In years when first-year students also live in Wesley Hall, this policy also applies to those rooms and the students who occupy them.
RH11 Disruptive Behavior
This includes but is not limited to conduct that disrupts the life of or interferes with the activities of persons in the residential community.
RR1 Candles and Incense
Storage and use of flammable substances and items that use an open flame (i.e., candles, incense, oil lamps, potpourri warmers, "s-mores" makers, etc.) are a potential fire hazard and are prohibited from all campus residences. Use or possession of such items in campus housing are considered a violation of community standard #6. Violations of Fire and Safety Regulations, section (b), and will result in a fine of $50 to the student’s account.
RR2 Electrical Cords and Appliances
Residents may possess or use electrical appliances in their campus residences with certain restrictions. Students may not keep or use any electrical appliance that could endanger the health or safety of campus residents. The College reserves the right to determine if a specific item is a hazard and will confiscate problematic items. Residents are expected to use caution and common sense when selecting electrical appliances. The typical maximum number and type of permissible electrical appliances for a standard double room are: one television; one small refrigerator; one microwave; two hair dryers/curling irons (of fewer than 1600 watts); two computers; one fan; and two lamps.
Students are usually given the opportunity to correct electrical problems within 24 hours. Most prohibited appliances are immediately confiscated. Failure to correct noted hazards endangers residents and property and typically results in a fine and any related costs for correction. The following requirements apply:
- Appliances with exposed heating elements (such as pop-up toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates, tart warmers, etc.) are prohibited as they generate high temperatures and pose a fire and burn hazard. Toasters/toaster ovens are permitted in the kitchens of College apartments/The Commons. For any unit that is equipped with a kitchen, 1 air fryer would be allowed ( i.e. East lounges, Wesley, Apartments/Commons). Coffee makers are permitted only if they have an indicator light that is illuminated while the coffee maker is plugged in and turned on.
- Items that consume significant amounts of electricity (such as refrigerators or microwaves) are permitted only if plugged directly into an electrical outlet.
- One (1) compact refrigerator is permitted per student room and bedrooms in the apartments/Commons. The approved refrigerator size is no greater than 200 watts or 1.1 amps. Generally any "cube" (approximately 20"x20"' square) refrigerator will meet the acceptable criteria. Since brands and models vary greatly, if you are looking at a unit that is larger than a "cube" you will need to check the manufacturers specifications. Information regarding specifications can usually be found in any of several areas - the packaging, enclosed literature, or on a tag attached to the back of the appliance. Refrigerators need to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet.
- One (1) microwave is permitted per student room; The approved size is no greater than 1.0 cubic feet or less than 1050 watts. Microwaves should be located to insure proper ventilation and air circulation around the unit. A minimum of 4" from walls/furniture is recommended. Microwaves need to be plugged directly into an electrical outlet.
- Hair dryers are limited to 1600 watts (or 12.5 amps) and only one hair dryer should be used at a time to prevent tripping of circuit breakers.
- Extension cords are PROHIBITED in all campus residences.
- Multi-plug adapters (allows multiple items to be plugged in) are only permitted if they have a lighted surge protection button/switch and must be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
- Power strips with surge protection reset button/switch may also be used for multiple plugs. Power strips must be plugged directly into a wall outlet and may not be plugged into another power strip.
- Due to Building Codes and wiring capacity, air conditioners are only permitted for medical reasons with prior written approval from the Residential Life Office. Students must submit the required Special Housing Accommodations Request Form and include appropriate medical documentation. If approved, the student will provide the unit, and the College will install and later remove the air conditioner, which may be no larger than 5,200 BTU. There is a nominal monthly fee for use of electricity and the student is responsible for all maintenance of the unit. Some campus residences are not properly constructed for use of air conditioners and students may be required to move to another residence if an air conditioner is medically necessary.
- Space heaters are permitted only when provided by College staff after it has been determined that this equipment is necessary.
- Temporary electrical lights, including Holiday lights, as well as halogen lights pose a severe fire safety hazard and are prohibited from inside and outside of all campus residences.
- Tampering with light fixtures is prohibited in campus residences.
- Electrical cords, all wires, cable TV wires and telephone wires must be in good/safe condition and may not be covered with carpet, rug or other floor covering, nor may they span across door openings at any height. They are permitted above doorways and around the perimeter of the room.
RR3 Furniture and Equipment
All lounge, hall, and public area furniture and College owned equipment is for the use of all residents and must remain in its designated area. If public area items are found in a student room, a $25 fine per item will be assessed to the room occupants for each day the furniture is missing from the public area.
RR4 Health and Safety
The health and safety of all residents is of paramount concern to all members of the College community. Residents are not permitted to keep or use any item that could jeopardize the health and/or safety of campus residents. The College reserves the right to determine whether a specific object or behavior poses a health or safety problem.
- Residents are expected to maintain basic sanitation standards in their campus residence (including rooms, bathrooms, and public areas.) Trash must be disposed of properly and food items stored appropriately.
- Cooking or preparing meals other than through use of a microwave is not permitted in student rooms. Preparing food in your room provides opportunities for insects and other health concerns to develop. Kitchenettes are available in most halls and all apartments/Commons units, and you are encouraged to use these facilities.
- Motorized vehicles (i.e., motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, etc.) are not permitted in the residence halls or inside apartments.
- Safety standards prohibit bicycles from hallways, stairwells, in any entrances or exits, restrooms, lounges or other public areas. Bicycles may be secured in your room or in the bicycle racks outside . You must provide your own locking mechanism and storage is at your own risk. The College does not guarantee the safety of any personal belongings.
RR5 Pets
No pets except (non-carnivorous) fish are permitted in campus residences. One fish tank (less than 10 gallons in size) per student room is allowed. If a resident(s) is (are) found to be in violation of this policy, the resident(s) will be responsible for immediately removing prohibited animals from campus. (The Residential Life Office will provide information on local animal shelters where the resident can take the animal and pay to have it housed until s/he can take it home). The College will not provide care or feeding services for any animal. Items indicating past or current presence of an animal will be confiscated. A $50 fine will be assessed on the initial day that the resident(s) is (are) found to be in possession of an unauthorized animal. An additional $25 fine will be assessed for every day thereafter that the resident(s) remains in possession of the animal in campus housing.
RR6 Room/Area Personalization
The Residential Life Office recognizes that students may wish to decorate their campus residence/residence hall. When decorating any public area, students must consult with their Residential Life Coordinator or the Director of Residential Life to insure proper precautions have been taken. Residents must remove all Holiday decorations one week after the Holiday or before each campus residence closing, whichever comes first.
Personalization should be done with consideration toward the safety of all residents and no item may hinder proper egress from the residence in case of fire or other emergency. Residents are encouraged to decorate and furnish their campus residence to their own tastes and preferences, within the following guidelines:
- Setting-up residence hall rooms up as "Combined Living Quarters" (i.e., setting one room up as a living room and another as a bedroom) is prohibited in campus housing.
- Some types of beds provided by the College can be bunked or lofted with minimal hardware. Bunk pegs are available through the Office of Residential Life. Note that there is no campus storage. If furniture is removed you must store it at an off campus location (i.e., parents, rented storage unit). All furniture that the College provides must be intact and in the residence when a student checks out. If a chair or bed frame is removed or disassembled to accommodate personal furniture at the beginning of a semester/year, it must be reassembled and replaced when the resident leaves campus.
- Items (i.e., flags, signs, banners, etc.) may not be attached to the exterior of the building, outside a residence, or in hallways. An exception is made for Greek organizations to hang flags from their housing area.
- Freestanding furniture within a residence may be moved. Built in furniture may not be removed or disassembled at any time or for any reason. We recognize that residents frequently wish to remove freestanding furniture from rooms to accommodate lofts or other personal belongings. Residents are responsible for any and all damaged or missing furniture, regardless of circumstances and will be charged for damage, missing parts, or fully missing furniture as assessed at the time of check out. If College furniture is found unattended in a public area or outside of a campus residence, the furniture will be removed for safety reasons. The occupant(s) of that room will be charged the cost of replacing the furniture.
- Personally constructed lofts are permitted within very specific guidelines. See Loft Guidelines for these standards. Lofts are not permitted in College Apartments.
- Decorations must be nondestructive to walls, floors, ceilings, and furniture. Residents will be assessed repair costs for any permanent damage to the residence. Unfortunately we cannot recommend any adhesive/hanging products be used. Products such as double side tape, duct tape, and Command ® hooks can cause damage to surfaces and we discourage their use.
- To prevent fire and/or emergency egress issues nothing may be hung over, around or placed on bed/sleeping areas (eg. curtains, "bed tents".) Likewise nothing may be hung across doorways, walkways, over lights, or from the ceiling. Items found in violation will be confiscated.
- Painting of windows, walls, doors, floors, ceilings, and furniture is not permitted.
- Rugs and carpeting are permitted but should not be taped to the floor to prevent adhesive build-up and damage to floor surfaces.
- Temporary electrical lights including holiday lights are prohibited inside and outside of all campus residences (RR2-11).
- Natural Holiday trees are not permitted in campus residences. Artificial trees are permitted but only without electric lights.
RR7 Window Screens
Window screens are not to be moved or removed.