RESIDENCE HALL REGULATIONS

The following policies apply to all University residence halls and apartments. Resident Assistants, Desk Assistants, and other members of the University staff have the authority to enforce these regulations and to report individuals suspected of violating these rules and policies in or around the campus housing facilities. These regulations apply to residents, their guests and all other persons who enter a UWA residence hall or apartment. Each resident is responsible for his/her room and/or apartment. Residents are also directly responsible for the behavior of their guests and will be held jointly responsible for any violations of these regulations by their guests. Residents are expected to inform their guests of these regulations; however, failure on the part of the resident to inform their guests does not exempt guests from following these policies.

If you are accused of violating a Housing policy, a Housing staff member will submit a disciplinary citation to the Housing Office.  You will be notified by e-mail of the citation and be summoned to a disciplinary hearing to discuss the charges.  If you are found in violation of a Housing regulation, you will be penalized.  Minor violations will result in community service, a fine, educational sanction, and/or University service.  Major violations or repeated minor violations will result in a ban from campus Housing facilities.  If you disagree with a disciplinary decision, you may appeal your case to the Student Life Committee.  To do so, you must submit a written request for an appeal to Luther Gremmels within 48 hours of your Housing disciplinary hearing.

1. Firearms, ammunition, air rifles, pistols, knives, and other weapons are prohibited in and around all University Housing residence facilities.

2. The use of or possession of alcoholic beverages, drugs or any other controlled substances is not permitted in the residence halls or on other University property. Alcoholic beverage containers (bottles, cans, etc.) are also not allowed in the apartments and residence halls, or in parking lots adjacent to the residence halls. Anyone present in a room or apartment when an unauthorized beverage or substance is found will be in violation of this policy.  Public intoxication is also prohibited.

3. The use or possession of fireworks is not permitted in the residence halls or on other University property.

4. Quiet hours which are conducive to study and sleep will be observed from 8:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m., except during finals week when quiet hours are observed 24 hours a day. At Patterson Apartments, quiet hours are observed 24 hours a day year-around. During "quiet hours", noise should not be heard from outside your room. Courtesy hours will be observed at all other times. Quiet hours will also be enforced outside the residence halls from 8 p.m. - 8 a.m. Stereos or speakers may not be placed in windows to direct music outside of the residence hall except during official Housing functions. Music from car stereos may not exceed a moderate level in parking lots adjacent to residence halls.

5. Furnishings, plants, and other University owned property must not be removed from rooms, lounges, or other areas where such is located. 

6. Food must be kept in covered containers in order that health standards may be maintained. Food may not be stored in rooms/apartments over University breaks.

7. Residents are responsible for damages to their room or apartment. Residents also share in the responsibility for damage and special cleaning to common areas such as lobbies, bathrooms, hallways, stairwells and laundry rooms. If it can be determined who caused damage, the person responsible will be billed for damages/special cleaning. Otherwise, a percentage of common area repair charges will be charged to each resident of the living area (wing, floor, building). Vandalism is prohibited and will be handled as a disciplinary violation.

8. Residents are permitted to have overnight guests of the same gender. Overnight guests (by persons of the same sex) must be registered with the Hall Director of the residence hall 12 hours prior to the visit.  Residents are responsible for the conduct and actions of their guests. Visits may not exceed two nights or more than four total nights during a semester without written approval of the Director of Student Life and Housing. Roommate approval is necessary for all overnight visits. Visits by members of the opposite sex of the resident must conform to the visitation policy and are not allowed overnight.

9. Nails and hooks are limited to the picture moldings around the top of the walls in Hoover and Reed Hall. Nails with a point size of more than 1/16th of an inch are not permitted. Staples and thumbtacks are limited to bulletin boards. Residents are responsible for removing all tacks, staples, nails, hooks, and tape. Residents are responsible for all marks (or removed paint) left by tape or other adhesives. Nail holes, tape marks and grease spots left by "tacky-tape" putty will be billed at a rate of at least $10 per mark.

10. First floor TV rooms within the residence halls are available for use by guests of residents during the hours of 2:30 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. unless otherwise specified. Persons not accompanied by a resident will be required to leave the residence hall.  Due to noise concerns, students may not gather in the outer lobbies at Spieth and Selden.  Sitting on the counter is also prohibited.

11. For sanitary reasons and safety, no pets or animals (except fish in up to a twenty gallon tank) are permitted in the residence halls. A separate pet policy exists for Patterson Apartments. Interested residents should contact the Director of Student Life and Housing.

12. Due to potential fire risk, halogen lamps are not permitted in the residence halls and apartment.

13. Improper activation of the fire alarm system is a FEDERAL OFFENSE which will result in immediate suspension from campus housing. Failure to participate in emergency evacuations (fire, tornadoes) and drills is prohibited.

14. Incense and candles are not permitted in any residence hall or apartment. All residents are expected to have a flashlight in their room in case the power goes off in their building.

15. Non-residents are not permitted beyond the lobby area of the 1st floor in a residence hall except during designated visitation times and "open house."

16. All residents are required to keep their rooms clean and to check out properly with their RA at the end of the school year. Cleaning or damage charges will be billed to the student.

17. Waterbeds are not allowed in any University apartment or residence hall.

18. Dartboards and darts are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments.

19. Residents of Stickney Hall, Patterson Apartments, Reed Hall, and the Hoover Apartments are required to dispose of their trash at the outside garbage dumpsters. Trash may not be left outside of apartments or rooms. Trash cans in laundry rooms are for laundry-related trash only. Residents of Spieth, Selden, and Sisk Hall may dispose of trash in hallway garbage cans; however, food items and large pieces of trash that will not fit in the garbage can must be taken directly to the dumpster by the resident. 

20. Contact paper, stickers and wallpaper may not be applied to walls, cabinets, closets, or furniture in any residence hall or apartment.

21. Radios, video game consoles, computers, stereos, CD players, and televisions should be played at a volume so as not to be heard or felt from outside the residence hall room or apartment. Volume must also be kept at a moderate level outside of the residence halls and apartments. Commercial sound systems are discouraged and may be banned by individual hall directors.

22. Personal electric heaters are prohibited in residence halls and campus apartments.

23. Students assigned to a residence hall without a kitchen may only cook with a microwave oven (800 watts or less). Cooking with grease is not permitted on campus, even in campus apartments. Refrigerators are permitted as long as they do not exceed 4.0 cubic feet with a maximum power requirement of 350 kilowatt hours per year (KWH/year)..

24. Bunk beds at Stickney Hall must be re-bunked before leaving each semester if they were bunked when checking in. Beds may not be un-bunked at any time at Sisk, Spieth, or Selden Hall. Beds at Reed Hall and Hoover Apartments may be bunked by residents but must be un-bunked prior to leaving each semester.  Beds may not be dismantled in any residence hall or apartment, even if the bed is not being used. 

25. Fire alarms and smoke detectors are for residence hall safety. Covering, disconnecting, or tampering with these devices will result in disciplinary action.

26. Hair-cutting may not be done in lobbies, hallways, or bathrooms.

27. Commercial activity (candy sales, hair-cutting, baby-sitting, etc.) and sales parties are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments.

28. Curtains, mini-blinds, or other standard window coverings must be provided by residents in Spieth and Selden Halls. Window coverings may only be hung through the use of tension rods. Under no circumstances may curtain rods be attached to the walls. No window coverings may be placed directly over the window. Aluminum foil, cardboard, tape, newspaper, computer paper, garbage bags, contact paper, posters, etc., may not be used to cover windows. In facilities in which the University provides window coverings, residents are prohibited from installing any blinds or curtains which are visible from the outside of the room or apartment.

29. Mattresses, drawers, and other furniture may not be switched with other residents, or moved from other rooms unless approved in writing by the Director of Student Life and Housing. Under no circumstance may university furniture be removed from the assigned residence hall or apartment.  Also, no University furniture may be placed on patios and decks at Hoover Apartments, nor may University chairs be used outside of rooms at Reed or Stickney Hall.

30. Children under the age of 10 must be escorted by a parent at all times. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted beyond the first floor lobby of the residence halls except on "move-in day" and "open house."

31. Lost keys should be reported to the Housing Office. If a key needs to be replaced, there will be a $40 charge (except at Hoover, where the charge is $80). If an access card needs to be replaced, the resident will be charged $20.  Keys may be not be loaned to members of the opposite sex of the resident.

32. Air intake vents and air-conditioner/heater vents may not be blocked, covered, or removed. Air conditioners may not be set colder than 65° at Hoover apartments. Heaters should not be set warmer than 75°.

33. Residents are responsible for replacing light bulbs in Patterson and Hoover apartments. All light bulbs must be working at the time of check-out in order to pass inspection. The University will replace fluorescent lights when they go out if you complete a maintenance report form through your RA or apartment manager.

34. Bricks and concrete blocks are not allowed to be used as shelves, and may not be placed on counters or furniture.

35. Students may not bring barbecue grills or similar cooking devices onto the premises of Spieth, Selden, Brock, Stickney, Sisk, Reed, Hoover or Patterson.

36. Residents are required to keep laundry rooms locked after leaving the facilities. Laundry rooms are for use by residents of the particular building only. Unlocking a laundry room for anyone but yourself is a violation of policy, subject to disciplinary action.

37. The patio door at Hoover Apartments is not to be used as a primary entrance to the apartment. Excessive use, evidenced by a path or dead grass, will result in a damage charge to be shared by the apartment's residents.

38. Bikes, chairs, and other personal items may not be left in stairwells or outside hallways. These items should be stored in the resident's room/apartment.  Patios and decks at Hoover must be kept neat.

39. Residents are expected to keep their rooms/apartments in good condition. Regular cleaning is expected. If a refrigerator is provided by the University, the freezer must be defrosted on a regular basis.  Utensils and tools may not be used to remove ice since this may cause damage.  Hoover and Reed Hall residents may check out vacuum cleaners through the resident assistant in their building. Failure to return vacuum cleaners on time will result in a five-dollar fine.  Residents who fail to keep their rooms or apartments clean after an official warning may be required to move off campus.  Residents of Stickney, Reed and Hoover who fail to keep their rooms clean after an official warning will be reassigned to a traditional residence hall.

40. After 11:00 p.m., all guests must be escorted by a resident host (see visitation policy).

41. Washers and dryers are not allowed in any student apartment or room on campus.

42. Water fountains may not be used for the washing of dishes or brushing of teeth.

43. Climbing on roofs and ledges of buildings is prohibited. Hanging out of windows in hallways, stairwells, rooms and apartments is also prohibited.  Windows may not be used as an entrance or exit.

44. Scavenger hunts are prohibited unless approved in writing by the Director of Student Life and Housing at least 48 hours prior to the activity.

45. Orange parking spaces are reserved for the hall directors and full-time Student Life staff. "15 minute parking spaces" are for the loading and unloading of your vehicle. You must move your vehicle to another space before the fifteen minute time limit has expired.  Parking spaces in the Patterson area are reserved for Patterson residents.  Parking on the grass, in fire zones, on sidewalks and in handicapped designated spaces (unless authorized) is also prohibited.

46. All students living on campus must have a UWA mail box.  Mail boxes must be checked at least every four days.  Each resident must also check his/her UWA e-mail at least every other day (except Saturday and Sunday).

47. Residents of Spieth and Selden may not plug hair-dryers or other high wattage appliances in the outlet over the dresser. This outlet is only for TV's, DVD players and video game consoles.

48. All signs and information posted in and around the residence halls and apartments must be approved by the hall director or the Director of Student Life and Housing. Unapproved signs and posters will be thrown away. Posters and flyers promoting events taking place at bars and similar establishments are prohibited.

49. Residents may not change room assignments without official written authorization from the Director of Student Life and Housing.

50. Exterior and hallway doors may not be propped open nor may residents allow people who are not their guests onto their floors, wings, or into their rooms or apartments.

51. In order to conserve energy, windows must be closed when air conditioners and heaters are being run.

52. For security reasons, Spieth, Selden, and Sisk residents and their guests may only enter and exit the building through the designated front door of each residence hall (near the RA Office). Back stairwells at Spieth and Selden are for emergency evacuation and staff use only.

53. Smoking or the burning of any type of pipe, cigar, cigarette, or similar product is prohibited in all residence halls and campus apartments, both in common areas and individual rooms.  Although receptacles have been placed near entrances to each residence hall to dispose of smoking materials, smoking is prohibited within 50 feet of the residence halls and campus apartments.  Smokeless tobacco, such as chewing tobacco and smokeless pouches, is also prohibited. 

54. Sitting on the steps and blocking the entrance is prohibited at all UWA Housing facilities due to safety hazards. 

55. Due to the associated noise, fraternity and sorority cheers, dance performances, and "stepping" are prohibited in and around the residence halls and University apartments unless approved, in writing, by the Director of Student Life and Housing at least 48 hours prior to the activity.

56. Decorative lights, such as Christmas lights, may not be visible from outside the residence hall or apartment unless they are part of an official University display (approved by the Director of Student Life and Housing).

57. Exterior door decorations are prohibited at Reed and Hoover. Only University provided message boards may be used in these areas.  Unauthorized message boards and decorations may be removed by University staff members and thrown away.

58. Due to environmental, aesthetic and safety factors, vehicle maintenance is prohibited on the UWA campus.  Although no maintenance and repair work is permitted on campus, the changing of oil is specifically prohibited in residence hall parking lots and will result in a fine of fifty dollars.

59. Students are required to give accurate name and student number information, when requested, to members of the Housing Staff.  Students must also show their student I.D., if requested by a member of the Housing staff or other University employee.  Students are required to carry their student ID whenever they are in a residence hall or on the grounds and/or parking lots adjacent to a residence hall or campus apartment.

60. A resident may not create a hostile environment to encourage a roommate to move or to discourage a new roommate from moving into the room.  Any resident that creates a hostile environment for his/her roommate is subject to disciplinary action and may be removed from campus housing.

61. All residents and their guests should have respect for others and respect their views and ideas. Each person should conduct himself or herself in such a manner as to maintain a learning environment in and around the residence halls. In an effort to maintain an educational environment, students are asked to respect the rights of others to carry on conversation. Loud or abusive language is not conducive to a positive environment and will not be tolerated.

62. Residents and guests must comply with the instructions of Housing staff members acting in the performance of their duty.

Next Section: Sexual Discrimination & Sexual Harassment
Previous Section: Written English Proficiency Referral Program
Return to Table of Contents