Behavioral Standards

The University Community Standards of this handbook governs the facets of student behavior that are applicable to all students. The behavioral standards outlined under that section also contain the Student Code of Conduct, which supersede any of the behavioral standards listed in the Residence Life section or any other University publication.

Saint Peter's University, through the Office of Residence Life, expects resident students to also abide by those standards that are unique to a communal, residential environment. The offenses listed below are in direct violation of those standards. Any of these violations, or the aiding, abetting, inciting, encouraging, or supporting of any of these violations, or any other conduct that disrupts the communal residential environment of the residence facilities, constitutes an offense for which students may be subject to judicial sanctions set forth by the Office of Residence Life and/or the Dean of Students. 

Residence Life Community Standards

Saint Peter's University, through the Office of Residence Life, expects resident students to abide by Community Standards that are unique to living in a communal, residential environment.  We rely on Community Standards as a guide to help define acceptable behavior on issues related to University and residential property or resident behavior.  Residents who violate Community Standards or other policies may be held accountable for their behavior, through the Student Code of Conduct and/or these Community Standards.  Community Standards for prohibited conduct have been established relative to Fire Safety, Health and Safety, Building Security, Noise, Guests, Respect for Others, and Other Standards.  The violations include, but are not limited to:

Fire Safety

1. Misuse or tampering – misuse or tampering with fire safety equipment including: fire hoses, fire extinguishers, heat detectors, smoke detectors, fire alarm bells, pull boxes, exit lights, emergency lights, fire escapes, sprinkler heads, etc.
2. Failure to evacuate – failure to evacuate residence facilities or adhere to the instructions of University officials while a fire alarm is sounding.
3. Overcapacity – failure to adhere to fire code maximum number of guests per apartment/room.
4. Causing a fire - initiating a fire in or about a residence hall.
5. Unauthorized furniture - possessing unauthorized furniture.
6. Inhibited egress - arranging furniture or other items that prevents or inhibits egress.
7. Extension cords - Only UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified three-prong grounded extension cords that are 14 gauge or heavier are permitted to be possessed and/or used inside the residence halls. Only one extension cord may be used per double outlet. Only UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified multi-plug adapters with circuit breakers are permitted to be possessed and/or used inside the residence halls.
8. Multi-plugs - multi-plug outlets or multi-plug adapters.
9. Candles, Incense, or Open flames - Possession of candles, incense, or other open flame device.

Health and Safety

1. Sanitary standards - Students are required to comply with University health standards and local health codes.  Residents are expected to maintain their rooms in an orderly and sanitary condition. Unhealthy living conditions include but are not limited to: rotting food, unclean bathroom facilities, odors, excessive garbage or clutter that has not been removed. Any accumulation or placement of trash, dirt, mold, mildew, etc is prohibited.
2. Personal hygiene - Failure to maintain acceptable standards of personal hygiene or room cleanliness to the extent that such failure interferes with the general comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of a member or members of the residence hall community.
3. Dangerous materials - materials and chemicals such as gunpowder, fertilizer, Drano, laboratory chemicals, ammonia, ether, acid, fireworks, gasoline, lighter fluid, oil, kerosene, propane, charcoal, turpentine and other combustibles are not permitted.  Motorcycles and other fuel-driven engines may not be placed or operated anywhere inside residence halls or on porches.
4. Elevators - Persons are not permitted to ride any elevator designated as freight.  Misuse, tampering, or defacing of the elevators or entering the elevator shaft is prohibited.  Actions such as tugging on the doors or jumping up and down in the car are also prohibited. If an elevator door is closing, do not force it back open.  Inappropriate use of the emergency call button or phone is not permitted.
5. Place trash in appropriate receptacles outside your residence hall - not in bathroom, hallway, or entryway receptacles. You must remove trash and garbage from your room on a regular basis. Minimum $25 fine per bag for violations.

Building Security

1. Unauthorized key or access card possession - Possession or use of a key or non-University duplicated key to any residence room or apartment other than the one to which the student is currently assigned or the loaning of a University key to anyone.
2. Screen removal – removal of and/or tampering with window screens.
3. Defenestration - throwing objects from a window.
4. Unauthorized use of Intercom System – using the intercom system for non-emergency purposes.
5. Tampering or vandalism - tampering with, vandalism of,  locks, security mechanisms, furnishings, such as window screens, cranks, stops, locks, door closing devices.
6. Unauthorized locks- Installing an unauthorized lock on a bedroom, bathroom, closet, or suite door.
7. Unauthorized Access / Use or Trespassing  – Trespassing or access to restricted areas or gaining access to the residence halls by any means other than card access doors.  This includes but not limited to roofs, ledges, terraces, basements, storage areas, mail rooms, emergency exits, or other prohibited areas.
8. Door propping - Propping doors to or within the residence halls is prohibited.
9. Sharps disposal - The disposal of hypodermic needles, syringes or other ‘sharps’ anywhere except specifically approved “sharps” containers.
10. Unauthorized room changes - Moving to a residence hall room without approval from a Residence Life administrator.
11. Unauthorized restroom use - Use of community bathrooms by members of the opposite sex. 

Noise

1. Shouting or otherwise making noise from windows, doors, or surrounding areas of a residence facility that is of sufficient volume to be heard within any other building or adjoining room(s). Playing musical instruments in the residence hall areas surrounding residences at a level disruptive to classes or individuals within the building. Placement of speakers in windows facing outdoors, amplification of stereos, radios, or other audible devices or speaking at a volume sufficient to be heard within any other building or adjoining room(s).

Visitation of Guests

1. Hosting - Host(s) are responsibility for the behavior of their guests.
2. Extended use or cohabitation - extended use of University residence facilities to any visitor, either student or non-student when such use becomes a source of complaint to roommates, other residents of the floor/building, or University staff.
3. Improper and/or inaccurate signing – improper signing-in or -out of all guests to the facility or the failure to sign a guest in or out.
4. Failure to escort – failure to escort guest(s) at all times while in or on the premises of the facility.

Respect of Others

1. Obstructing – Obstructing or preventing the entry or assignment of a new roommate.
2. Non-compliance – failure to cooperate with a University staff member’s reasonable request.
3. Hazing - Commission of any act, or conspiring to commit any act, that injures, degrades, disgraces or intends to injure, frighten, degrade, disgrace, or infringe upon the rights or freedoms of any person within the University or Residence Hall communities, including all visitors to the University or guests of any member of the aforementioned communities.
4. Heinous act - Any heinous act committed against the University or any member of the University community.
5. Smoking – smoking is prohibited in any public area or in any apartment/room.
6. Disruptive behavior - Behaving in a manner that disrupts the daily routine of other residents.
7. Pets – any pet, owned or visiting.  
8. Communicable / controlled illnesses - Residents will immediately report any infections or contagious diseases occurring within the residence halls to the Health Services Office.
9. Simulated weapons – Simulated weapons of any kind.  

Other

1. Posting - Exhibiting or affixing any unauthorized sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering, flags or banners, that are inscribed, painted or affixed to any part of the outside of a building or the inside of the building which may be viewed outside of one's room.
2. Bicycles - The storage or securing of bicycles in residence hall facilities. 
3. Hanging Items - Use of nails, screws, thumbtacks, pins, glue, duct tape, double sided tape, crepe paper, acetate, gum labels, decals, contact stickers, contact paper, scotch tape, hot glue, rubber cement, or other adhesives.  Sexually explicit decorations are prohibited.  Blue painter’s tape is permitted. 
4. Painting - Painting of university property.
5. Doors - The removal or cutting of doors for any purpose.
6. Window display - Hanging or displaying items such as flags, banners, decals, bottles, or signs out of or obstructing residence hall windows. 
7. Alterations - Dismantling or altering any University property is prohibited.
8. Removal - Removal of University furnishings from within the residence halls, removal of furniture from the public areas, or removal of furniture from residence hall rooms.
9. Lofts – Lofts, bed risers, or any other mechanisms used to elevate mattresses or beds.
10. Private Enterprise - Soliciting, operating or maintaining a business within/from a residence hall.
11. Weight Lifting Equipment and exercise apparatus - Free weights or weight lifting equipment over 20 pounds, exercise apparatuses, exercise machines, and exercise poles. 
12. Recreational Activities - Playing of any sport, including but not limited to: nerf guns, hockey, cycling, in-line skating, scooters, football, skateboarding, baseball, Lacrosse, Frisbee, tennis, bowling, etc. 
13. Subleasing - Residents are not permitted to transfer possession, lease, or sublet the premises nor give accommodations to roomers, boarders, lodgers, or family members except as specified on the contract. All residents living in the apartment must be on the housing contract.
14. Gardening - gardening or possession of natural cut trees, branches, bushes, or greens.

Prohibited Items (Residence Life)

Prohibited Items East and West Campus:

• Accelerants - gasoline, benzene, flammable liquids, lighter fluid, chemicals, charcoal, or other flammable liquids.
• Acoustic devices – DJ equipment, sound amplifiers, bass boxes, or other loud acoustic devices. 
• Alcohol or drug related trophy or display items – alcohol containers, kegs, pipes, hookahs, bongs, e-cigarettes, vape or e-liquid vaporizer, or other alcohol or drug related display items. 
• Appliances – any appliance that exceeds 500 watts, has an exposed heating element, does not have an auto shut-off mechanism, or is not UL approved.
• Cooking devices - hot plates, heating coils, coffee makers w/out an auto shut-off mechanism, bread makers, pressure cookers, convection ovens, fryers, charcoal or electric or gas grills, toaster ovens, electric skillets, camping stoves, sandwich makers or Panini presses, waffle makers, hot oil popcorn poppers, roaster, or other cooking devices without auto shut-off protection.
• External signal devices – wired or wireless: radio antennas, satellite dishes, hubs, routers, or any hardware that protrudes from a window or attaches to the exterior of a residence hall.
• High intensity or high output lighting - halogen, liquid filled, octopus or other multi bulb style lamps with plastic domes or other high-intensity lamps.  (Octopus style lamps with metal or glass domes are permitted.)
• Non University installed/issued air conditioners – stand alone, window, portable units, or other cooling systems.  All air conditioners require approval from Health Services with required medical documentation.
• Open flame, ember devices, candles, fireworks, explosives, oil lamps, grills, incense, firewood, potpourri pots, or any open flame or ember devices or device that produces smoke or vapors.  
• Other prohibited items: any extension cord without a ground (less than three prongs),  dartboards, contact paper, glow in the dark paper or designs, paint, gardening equipment, heaters, concrete, retail store shopping carts, laser pointers, electrical blankets, soldering irons, immersion sun lamps, candle warmer, wax warmer, fog or foam machines, immersion coils, kerosene lamps, live-cut trees or any plant larger than three feet tall, live wreaths,  flammable decorations, window treatments, non-University issued mattress, non-University issued furniture, lofts,  waterbeds, bed risers, lofts, televisions exceeding 42 inches, neon signs, neon lights, colored or black lights, strings of lights, traffic or construction signs, holiday lights, sun tanning equipment, power tools, weightlifting equipment, pools, lock picking devices, gas engines, any form of combustible engine, poisonous chemicals, fuels, sternos, automobile batteries, partitions, aerosol sprays, propane tank, dishwashers, satellite dishes, drones or other mobile recording devices, and toxic chemicals.
• Outlet adapters - multi-plug outlets, adapters, or extenders.  Power strips with surge protection are permitted however, may not be used in succession.
• Pets – no pets of any kind unless approved by Director of Residence Life or designee.
• Weapons (actual, theatrical, or simulated weapons) – handguns, shotguns, rifles, pellet guns, paintball guns, martial arts weapons, arrows, ammunition, machine guns, stun guns, tasers, or electronic stun weapons; bombs, grenades, blasting caps, or other containers containing explosive substances; knives (except small personal pocket knives with folding blades that are less than three (3) inches in length), tear gas, mace, chemical substances, brass knuckles, clubs, or chains.
• Hover boards or other self-propelled or self-balancing scooter. 

East Campus Restrictions

• Microwaves – Only University issued devices.  Limit one per resident.
• Refrigerators – University issued or no larger than 2 cubic feet.  Limit one per resident. 

West Campus Restrictions

• Microwaves –Limit one per apartment.
• Refrigerators – Only University issued devices.  Limited one per apartment. 
• Rice cooker - Auto shut-off mechanism required. Limited one per apartment. 
• Crockpot - Auto shut-off mechanism required. Limited one per apartment
• Blender - Auto shut-off mechanism required. Limited one per apartment
• Toaster - Auto shut-off mechanism required. Limited one per apartment
• Possession of any prohibited items.  This includes but is not limited to appliances; furniture; pets; weapons; accelerants; acoustic devices; cooking devices; external signal devices; open flame or ember devices; or device that produces smoke or vapors.
• See Residence life website for additional information regarding prohibited items.

Prohibited Items (Campus Wide)

• Certain items are prohibited  on campus and in the residence halls for safety and security purposes. Prohibited items on campus include but are not limited to: weapons (actual, theatrical, or simulated); hover boards, antennas, satellite dishes, hubs or routers, acoustic devices or amplifiers, accelerants, and non-University installed/issued air conditioners. 

Examples are illustrative rather than exhaustive.  Any item that may be hazardous to the community may be added to the list at anytime. It is your responsibility to be in compliance. Confiscated items become property of the University and will be discarded or, when possible, donated to a local charity. Items will not be returned to residents. A minimum fine of at least $50 will be issued for each item confiscated.