Appendix A

Excerpts from University Housing and Dining Hall Regulations

II.D. University Housing and Dining Halls Regulations.
II.D.1a Security Regulations
Maintaining safe and secure residence hall environments is the responsibility of each resident. Students are responsible for adhering to the stated policies regarding residence hall security, guests, entrance/exit doors, and maximum room capacity.

Access to Residence Halls: Residence Halls are private dwellings for students assigned to live in them; they are not public buildings. Access to each residence hall is specifically restricted to students assigned to that residence hall and to their authorized guests. Access is also authorized for students registered for and attending classes held in a given residence hall, as well as students, staff and faculty assigned to work in that residence hall. Access can be revoked for failure to abide by Residence Hall policies and community standards. .

II.D.1b Guest in Violation of University Policy
Hosts are responsible for their guest(s) and must accompany them at all times. Hosts may be held responsible for any guest who violates regulations as noted in the Code of Student Conduct or the Guest Policy (found in this publication under Residence Hall Policies and Guidelines). If a guest who violates regulations is a UMass Amherst student, the guest may be charged for the policy violation. The host may be charged with violation of the guest policy.

II.D.1c Solicitation and Posting Policy
This policy is established to promote sharing of important information and at the same time enhance the safety, security and privacy of students living on campus. Residential Life, Code of Student Conduct, and University policies must be adhered to at all times.
Solicitation is defined for purposes of this policy as going door-to-door or using common areas of University residence halls or apartments to request financial or property contributions, offer items/services for sale, campaign for election, gather information (e.g., surveys or polling), or distribute information. Commercial solicitation is prohibited in or around University residences.

Examples of Solicitation include, but are not limited to:

1. Requesting contributions, or sales, or demonstrations that result in sales
2. Distributing advertising or other material
3. Collecting donations for charity or organizations
4. Compiling data for surveys, programs or other purposes
5. Recruitment of members for an organization
6. Requesting support for an organization or cause
7. Door-to-door campaigning for elections

Door-to-door soliciting is NOT allowed in University residence halls or apartment complexes.

Door-to-door distribution of materials and/or information in residence halls or apartments is permitted ONLY with the pre-approval of the Residence Hall Director, Apartments Manager, or designee. Exception: Items distributed by the respective House Council, Area Government, Residence Hall Association, or members of the Residential Life staff within the parameters of their roles and responsibilities.

Solicitation of funds for or sponsorship of charities must be pre-approved by the Director of Residence Education. If approved, residence hall arrangements must be made with the applicable Residence Director, or designee. Such approved activities can only be conducted in Residence Hall lobbies. Cash or other forms of financial contribution may not be handled by Residential Life staff.

Businesses are permitted to leave advertisements ONLY in the information rack located in the residence hall lobby. Literature of businesses may not be distributed door-to-door.

Tabling in Residence Halls
“Tabling” is defined as information tables staffed by student members of RHA, House Councils, and recognized student organizations (RSO), and by UMass Amherst departments. Guidelines are as follows:

1. Requestor must be a University office or a Registered Student Organization at UMass Amherst.
2. Requests must be made in writing to the Residence Director or House Council President of the applicable residence hall at least one week prior to the date requested.
3. The requesting office or organization will provide the following information:
   • Name of office or organization
   • Advisor of organization or office contact
   • Date(s) requested
   • Building(s) requested
   • Name, phone number, and email address of contact in case of problems
   • Sample of materials being distributed

Clothing and Food Drives
At times, normally close to the winter holidays and end of the academic year, service organizations on campus may request authorization to sponsor clothing or food drives in residence halls. Guidelines are as follows:

1. Requestors must be a Registered Student Organization at UMass Amherst.
2. Requests must be made in writing to the Director of Residence Education at least one week prior to the drive. Office location: 208 Berkshire House.
3. If the request is approved, the Director of Residence Education, or designee, will notify the applicable residence hall(s) and coordinate placement of collection boxes by Facilities Operations staff.
4. Only one food drive and one clothing drive may happen in each cluster simultaneously. The first complete request will be the first considered for approval.
5. The service organization will include the following information in each request:
   • Name of organization
   • Advisor of organization
   • Dates of collection – drop off and pick up dates and times
   • Residential Cluster(s) requested
   • Name and phone number of contact in case of problems
   • Sample of flyer to be placed on boxes – flyers for food drives must state “non-perishables only” and include any other restrictions or conditions
6. The maximum duration of drives is 2 weeks.
7. Items not collected by the approved date and time will be considered the property of the University and will be disposed of at the sole discretion of the University. In the case of container overflow, items not collected by the service organization within 24 hours of notification of overflow will be subject to the same conditions.

Posting of Information
Posting of information in residence halls and apartments is permitted ONLY for University information and sponsored events.

Registered Student Organizations and campus offices wishing to post information in residence halls must provide the written materials to the Residential Life office in 208 Berkshire House a minimum of one week prior to the requested posting date.

UMass Amherst takes the safety, security and privacy of its student residents seriously. Ignorance of this policy is not an excuse for violations of this policy. Violators will be subject to University action, including recovery of any and all costs related to violations.

II.D.2 Noise Policy
Residents and guests must abide by the courtesy and quiet hours as determined by Residential Life. Residents must comply with requests to reduce excessive noise that interferes with a student’s right to study or sleep in their room. At no time should any amplified sound be directed out of residents’ windows.

II.D.3 Health and Safety Standards
Any activity deemed to be a threat to the health and safety of students is strictly prohibited. Adherence to basic health standards for sanitary conditions, hygiene, and appropriate use of bathrooms and common areas is expected of all residents and all guests. Students are expected to keep kitchen areas, bathrooms, hallways, and their rooms clean. This includes, but is not limited to refrigerating perishable foods, closing containers to avoid attracting pests, washing dishes after use, cleaning sinks after washing dishes, etc.

II.D.4 Furniture Policy
Each residence hall room is furnished with University furnishings which must remain in the students rooms at all times. Furnishings need to meet safety standards and be assembled properly. Waterbeds are not allowed in the residence halls. The University does not offer public storage for students. In addition, lounge furnishings must remain in public areas at all times. Residents may be held financially responsible for costs associated with replacing missing furniture and/or removing unauthorized furniture from their rooms.

II.D.5 Window Screen Policy
Window screens must remain properly secured on windows at all times.

II.D.6 Candle Policy
Candles, lit or unlit, are not permitted in residence halls. Candles required for religious purposes may be approved; use must be registered in advance as outlined in the Lighting Religious Candles in the Residence Halls agreement.

II.D.7 Pet Policy
The University prohibits pets in the residence halls (except fish in tanks no larger than 10 gallons). Exceptions may be granted for animals required by students with documented disabilities registered with the University.

II.D.8 Bathroom Policy
Students and their guests must use bathroom facilities designated for their gender identity.

II.D.9 Smoking Policy
Smoking, of any kind, is prohibited in residence halls. Smoking outside residence halls must be at least 20 feet away from residence hall windows or entrances.

II.D.10 Alcohol Policy for Residence Halls and University-approved Housing

1. No person under 21 years of age may possess, use or be under the influence of alcohol.
2. Providing alcoholic beverages to a person under age 21, whether gratuitously or for sale is prohibited.
3. Intoxication, defined as being under the influence of alcohol or any other psychoactive drug to any extent that requires the attention of University staff, causes a disturbance, or is a danger to persons (self and others) or property, is prohibited.
4. A resident of legal age living in a University residence hall or floor where alcohol is permitted may possess or store a maximum of twelve (12 oz.) bottles/cans of beer, or two (750 ml) bottles of wine, or one (750 ml) bottle of hard liquor.
5. Quantity-dispensing containers, including but not limited to kegs, punch bowls and beer balls, are prohibited.
6. Drinking funnels, taps, ice luges or similar devices are prohibited.
7. Drinking games or other activities involving rapid and/or excessive consumption are prohibited. Creating, offering, and playing drinking games such as beer pong are considered endangering behaviors and are prohibited.
8. A group of more than 10 people in a residence hall room or suite in which alcohol is present is prohibited. In the North Apartments, this applies when there are more than 14 people in an apartment.
9. Open alcoholic beverage containers (including cups containing alcohol) are prohibited in any common space, including common corridors, stairwells, bathrooms, kitchens, balconies and lounges.
10. Alcohol is not allowed in alcohol-free halls or floors, regardless of one’s age. Residential Life will determine areas designated as alcohol-free.
11. Possession of alcohol containers, whether empty or full, is prohibited for persons under age 21.

II.D.11 Incense Policy
Incense is prohibited in all areas of the residence halls.

II.D.12 Community Living Standards
All residents and their guests are expected to be respectful and responsible members of UMass Amherst residential communities. In doing so, they will cooperate with University officials acting in performance of their duties, and will neither participate in nor condone actions that interfere with a roommate’s right to occupy the room, violate the rights of others, or prevent others from having a safe and respectful community living experience.

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