Community Expectations

University Housing offers a unique community living environment. To preserve this special community, you are expected to exercise responsibility and to abide by the community expectations. Community Expectations are designed to promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to community living. All residents are responsible for knowing and adhering to these expectations. These expectations are a supplement to the Student Code of Conduct and the University Housing Contract. Any violation of the expectations may result in judicial action. Expectations that duplicate Student Code of Conduct violations are noted after the specific expectation by citing the appropriate conduct code violation(s) that apply to that charge. When possible, allegations involving these charges will be charged under the Student Code of Conduct. All other housing violations will be charged citing M4 of the Student Code of Conduct followed by the specific housing expectation(s) not covered by the Student Code of Conduct.

I. Respect for Persons

(a) Resident Relations

1. Students must be cognizant of the rights of others and avoid activities that unnecessarily disturb individuals or groups, or interfere with the normal activities of the University. This includes, but is not limited to intimidating behavior, physical assault, hazing and unsuitable or boisterous conduct. S.C.C. 5 (b); 5 (c) 1, 2, 3, 4; 5 (d); 5 (i) 3

2. University Housing respects and celebrates the diversity of residents housed therein. Acts of intolerance and/or harassment due to race, ethnicity, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation are neither appropriate nor tolerated. S.C.C. 5 (a); 5 (c)

3. Students will refrain from harassment and verbal abuse of other students. S.C.C. 5(c)

(b) Noise Level

1. Quiet hours are in effect from 9 p.m. until 9 a.m., during which time no noise should be heard outside student rooms. Residents may extend these hours by a two-thirds vote of the floor.

2. Moderate noise levels that promote an atmosphere of academic success should be maintained during all hours other than those designated as quiet. Residents should be considerate by observing these hours and responding appropriately to requests to lower noise volume.

3. Whenever possible, the playing of musical instruments should be restricted to music practice rooms. Students playing instruments in their rooms may be asked to stop if their playing disturbs others. Playing drums and amplified instruments are prohibited.

4. Free weights in student rooms pose concerns of safety, damage, and noise and are not permitted.

(c) Residents’ Guests

1. In respect for the privacy of others, visitors are permitted during specified hours only.

2. Hosts should meet their guests at the building entrance and escort their guests at all times while in the building. At no time should any resident provide entrance to the building to someone who is not his or her guest.

3. Hosts are responsible for all actions of their guests.

4. In each hall separate restroom facilities are provided for men and women. At no time should individuals be in a restroom facility designated for the opposite gender.

5. Residents may have overnight guests in the halls in accordance with the visitation guidelines in place for their particular building. Such guests, however, may not stay for more than 3 days in any 30 day period without expressed permission from the Residence Coordinator or Hall Director.

6. Cohabitation is not permitted.


II. Respect for Health, Safety, and Welfare

(a) Students are prohibited from keeping or using firearms, fireworks, explosives, weapons (including knives, pellet, air, spring loaded, or paintball guns), or other dangerous articles or substances in University housing. S.C.C. 5 (e) 1

(b) Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
1. No person under 21 years of age may consume alcoholic beverages in the residence halls. S.C.C. 5(h) 1

2. Students who display intoxicated behaviors (e.g., glazed eyes, slurred speech, etc.) or students who require staff assistance due to their consumption of alcohol or illegal drugs shall be subject to judicial action.

3. Possession of alcoholic beverages and containers is not permitted in the residence halls by individuals under 21 years of age, or in the rooms of students under 21 years of age. S.C.C. 5(h) 1

4. Residents 21 years and over are not permitted to have open containers of alcohol in a common area, e.g. hallways, lounges, kitchens, bathrooms, elevators.

5. Decorative container collections e.g. bottles, cans, bottle caps are not permitted.

6. Possession or use of illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia is prohibited in the residence halls. S.C.C. 5 (g) 1, 3

7. Kegs, beer balls, funnels, bongs, and other devices that promote irresponsible drinking are not permitted in the residence halls.

(c) Fire Safety

1. Activating a false fire alarm is strictly prohibited. S.C.C. 5 (f) 1

2. Students are not to tamper with or remove any fire or safety equipment including smoke detectors and sprinkler systems in the residence halls. Items may not be hung from the sprinklers. S.C.C. 5 (f) 2

3. Cooking food must be attended at all times to prevent fires and unintentional fire alarms.

4. Students must vacate the building whenever the fire alarm system is activated. S.C.C. 5 (f) 3

5. Halogen torch lamps, candles, incense, and other open flame or open element devices are not permitted in the residence halls.

(d) Cooking in Student Rooms

1. Coffee makers, popcorn makers, espresso machines, and microwave ovens of 700 watts or less are permitted for use in student rooms.

2. Any open elements, i.e., toaster ovens, George Foreman grills, toasters, electric frying pans, etc. are not permitted to be used in student rooms.

3. All cooking areas should be cleaned immediately after use.

(e) For personal safety reasons, the propping open of exterior doors is strictly prohibited.

(f) Sales or any type of solicitation is not permitted in the residence halls. All materials to be distributed to the residence halls/students must be approved by the Residence Life Office. S.C.C. 5 (I) 4

(g) Because of the health and sanitation problems they pose, no pets are permitted in the residence halls except for fish in small bowls or aquariums that are limited to a 30-gallon capacity.

(h) Students are never permitted to be out on ledges or roofs.

(i) In consideration of safety and of students with disabilities, hallways, sidewalks and stairwells must be kept free of obstructions at all times.

(j) Smoking is not permitted inside the residence halls, including private rooms, hallways, stairwells and balconies.

(k) Students are responsible for the cleanliness of their room. Residents may be charged judicially and/or financially for special cleaning necessitated by improper care of rooms.


III. Respect for Residence Hall Operations

(a) Residence Hall Staff

1. Students will comply with reasonable requests from

2. Students will identify themselves when asked. S.C.C. 5 ( I ) 1

3. Students will provide true and accurate information when asked. S.C.C.( I )2

4. Students will refrain from harassment and verbal abuse of staff members. S.C.C. 5 (c)(b) The University telephone system does not provide billing to individual telephones; therefore, it is not permissible to accept collect calls, to bill long distance calls or calling card charges to your room.

(c) Computers

1. Downloading or sharing copyrighted material is prohibited. S.C.C. L 2

2. Computers will not be used as servers.

(d) All room changes must be authorized by appropriate personnel and must follow established change procedures.

(e) Students are not allowed to give their FSUCard, room and/or entrance keys to others. S.C.C. 5 (j) 4

(f) Students are expected to abide by all University Housing lockout policy procedures. Falsification of information in an attempt to obtain a back-up key is strictly prohibited. S.C.C. 5 (j) 3


IV. Respect for Property

(a) Students are expected to respect university property as well as the property of other community members. Students shall be financially liable for damages, alterations, or removals that they cause, including damage caused by their guests, to residence hall rooms, buildings and community member’s property. S.C.C. 5 (k) 1

(b) University property may not be removed from student rooms or from public areas. S.C.C. 5 (k) 2

(c) Out of respect for community property, sports and general rough-housing are not permitted in the hallways.

(d) Screens must remain in windows at all times.

(e) Students may not remove, alter, or tamper with door closures, peepholes or locks. Additional locks may not be added to the room or suite bathroom doors.

(f) Throwing or dropping objects from windows, balconies and sundecks is prohibited.

(g) Rollerblading or riding bicycles in the hall is not permitted.