I. ORL Community Policies

1. Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Residential Life staff and all residents are expected to show support for community members by addressing concerns that may arise from substance use/abuse.  The Office of Residential Life supports and expects adherence to established College policies and state law regarding use of alcohol and other drugs.

2. Bathrooms.

A number of women’s bathrooms have security locks on the exterior doors. Access codes to these bathrooms will be provided to the women who reside in those buildings.

• Students and their guests must use the bathroom facilities designated for their particular sex.
• Propping bathroom doors that have locking mechanisms or tampering with the lock systems is prohibited.

4. Compliance with Behavior Standards.

Residents and their guests are expected to treat others with respect and consideration and to maintain a comfortable and safe living environment. Residents are required, as a condition of continued residence, to comply with the College's Standards of Conduct. See the  Standards and Penalties Section of the Student Handbook.

5. Compliance with ORL Staff Member Request.

All Dartmouth students are expected to adhere to requests made by any Residential Life staff member performing his/her duties (including custodial staff, student staff, Community Directors, etc.).

6. Damage/Vandalism.

Students are encouraged to report any information regarding specific acts of vandalism to their Community Director or to Residential Operations or Safety & Security.

• Residents who are found responsible for damage will be liable for any damage and/or loss to a residential facility or its furnishings and may face disciplinary action through the Residential Life Judicial Process.
• Whenever possible, repair or replacement costs will be assessed to the individual(s) responsible; when this is not possible, costs will be prorated among the residents of a cluster, building, floor or wing, room, suite or apartment.  Costs prorated among the residents is referred to as "Common Damage."  Common Damage charges are not part of the Residential Life Judicial Process.  Students who wish to appeal Common Damage charges should discuss their concerns with the Community Director or Residential Operations.

7. Damage or Loss of Personal and College Property.

• The College does not assume responsibility or carry insurance for the loss of personal property within any of its residences due to vandalism, theft, fire, wind, flood, accidents, or other catastrophes.
• Residents of College housing are expected to provide adequate insurance coverage for all personal property.
• Residents assume any and all liability for damage or claims that result from their own negligence, as well as any negligence of visitors or guests.
• Residents are liable for any damage and/or loss to a room, its furnishings, or any other part of the residence hall or its environs.

8. Endangering Behavior.

Any student action that may lead to physical harm to oneself or others is considered endangering behavior and may result in removal from College residence halls, disciplinary action, and/or criminal charges. In addition to these outcomes, fines are automatically imposed in the areas noted.  Such acts include but are not limited to:

• Fire Safety: arson, tampering or damaging equipment, blocking egress, improper use of fire escape, failing to evacuate (Fine).
• Building safety: tampering with safety signs or equipment, tampering with wiring, installation of partitions, lofts, removal of screens, etc. (Fine).
• Careless use of appliances or material that may endanger oneself or others.
• Vomiting, urinating, and defecating in student rooms, lounges and public areas – Due to the serious health risks of blood borne pathogens (Fine).
• Unauthorized entry into any student room or other locations where students are not provided access.
• Using or possessing firearms, explosives, an other lethal weapons is prohibited in College residential facilities.
• Any other harmful or endangering act that may harm oneself or others.

In situations when an individual or group poses an immediate threat to the health, safety or property of others or of oneself, the individual or group will be relocated or removed from College Residences prior to a hearing to address the specific behaviors.  The decision to remove or relocate rests with the Dean of Residential Life or the Associate Dean of Residential Life and Director of Residential Education. 

9. Firearms and Weapons.

Using or possessing firearms, explosives, and other highly flammable materials or other lethal weapons is prohibited in College residential facilities. This prohibition includes items that are considered weapons but used for ornamental purposes, such as:  swords, knives and antique firearms.  Violations may result in immediate eviction, the assessment of a fine, and/or possible disciplinary action. Weapons may be registered and stored with Safety & Security.

10. Food Preparation.

All students residing in College Residences are required to participate in the College dining program.  Kitchens located in residential facilities are intended for the use of residents for casual dining purposes.  These facilities are offered to enhance the community living experience and are designed for floor events, occasional meals for an individual or group, baking cookies, special events and the occasional snack. These kitchen areas are not intended for a student to use on a daily basis to meet their nutritional requirements.

For reasons of health, sanitation and fire safety, food may be cooked only in the kitchens of College owned or operated residential facilities.

• Students who use cooking facilities must clean up after themselves.
• All food must be kept in closed containers, and garbage must be disposed of immediately.
• Students who violate health and sanitation standards may be liable for any resulting cleaning or pest control costs and may be subject to fines and/or disciplinary action.

11. Hall Sports.

Sports and recreational activities that may cause damage to property as well as disruption or injury to others are not permitted.

12. Motorized Vehicles.

Any student who plans to bring a motorized vehicle to campus must register the vehicle with the College Parking Office and is subject to the regulations promulgated by that office.  New Hampshire law does not allow the operation of a motorized vehicle on sidewalks.  As a result, automobiles, motorcycles and mopeds may not be operated on sidewalks.  Due to insurance regulations, mopeds and motorcycles may not be parked or stored adjacent to or within any College Residence.  Should you desire to operate a moped or motorcycle on campus, please consult with the Parking Office as to where you may safely park or store such a vehicle.  Mopeds or motorcycles parked or stored adjacent to any College Residence in areas not designated are subject to being removed and impounded at the owner's expense.

13. Noise.

Courtesy Hours serve as a reminder to all residents of the primary rights to sleep and study in the residential communities. Students are expected to exercise courtesy when playing music or participating in other activity that may disturb other residents and/or interfere with the attempts of others to study.

• All residential communities will adhere to 24 Hour Courtesy hours.
• Residents, guests, and others when outside should maintain reasonable noise levels when in close proximity to College residences.
• Noise complaints may lead to disciplinary action.
• Repeated noise complaints against an individual demonstrate an inability to respect the rights of others and will likely result in the offending student being removed from housing.

14. Personal Property.

Misuse, abuse, theft or damage to personal property by one resident or group of residents to another is not permitted.

15. Privacy.

Living together with many fellow students in a College residence is a wonderful experience that can truly enhance your academic career.  At the same time issues surrounding personal privacy can be challenging at times.  All residents are encouraged to communicate clearly their needs regarding privacy matters with roommates, suitemates and floormates.  All residents should expect to maintain personal privacy within their student rooms and community bathroom facilities.  Students who violate an individual's privacy by entering their room without permission or invade their privacy within bathroom facilities will face disciplinary action that will likely result in their immediate removal from College residences.  

16. Pets.

While pets can add to and enhance the lives of many of us, they can be a health or emotional risk for others. For example, animal dander can stay in a room for months after the pet has vacated the room, endangering members of our residential community who have severe allergies.

• Students may not at any time be in possession of animals, even for short term visits, in College owned or operated residential facilities, except for fish.
• Fish may be kept in a 10-gallon or smaller tank. The occupants of the room will assume all charges for damages related to the use or malfunction of the aquarium.
• Privately owned CFS and Society houses develop their own policies regarding pets.
• Violations of the pet policy carry the following potential sanctions:
  • Students keeping animals in or outside these buildings will be fined $50 for each offense and will be responsible for any related maintenance charges.
  • Resident(s) will have 48 hours after first being contacted by a College official to permanently relocate the animal to an off campus location.
  • Repeat offenses can result in the immediate and permanent loss of housing privileges in College residential facilities and the forfeiture of any potential rent refund due under the normal rent refund policy.

17. Smoking.

Smoking is not permitted in any college-owned residential facility. Students found smoking in residence halls will face disciplinary action, which may include removal from the residence halls.  Students will be charged for any related maintenance or cleaning as the result of smoking in a residential facility.  Smoking outside of a College Residence is permitted so long as the smoke does not affect residents inside the building.  As a result, if you choose to smoke outside please smoke away from building entrances and windows.  Privately-owned CFS and Society Houses establish their own policies regarding smoking.

Next: Individual Room Policies