Student Conduct & Behavior

Rationales: Law; health; safety and security.

The University and the residence hall system foster an environment where:

• excessive consumption or drunkenness is not condoned;
• intoxication is not an excuse for misconduct or infringing upon the rights of others;
• alcohol use is not the primary focus of individual or group social activity;
• choosing not to use alcohol is as socially acceptable as choosing to use it;
• the moral implications of use are determined by the individual.

Resident Education & Development (RED) will not approve, endorse, authorize, or sponsor any student- based events involving alcohol in residence hall or dining facilities under its authority.

Dry Halls - Alcohol Prohibited
During the Fall and Spring semesters (including break periods before, during, and after) the following residential communities are considered dry: Calhoun Hall, CRC Hall, Dabney Hall, Daniels Hall, Marian Spencer Hall, Morgens Hall, Schneider Hall, Scioto Hall, Siddall Hall, Stratford Heights, Turner Hall, and USquare. In dry halls no alcoholic beverages or alcohol containers are permitted on the premises. This includes cans or bottles used for decoration.  

Wet Halls - Alcohol Permissible
During the Fall and Spring semesters (including break periods before, during, and after) all other communities are considered wet. In these communities, alcohol is permitted as stipulated in the University Alcohol Policy. Persons possessing alcohol must be 21; alcohol is permitted in the room or suite of the approved halls with the door closed. For residents sharing a suite/apartment with someone who is not of legal drinking age, alcohol must be contained in their bedroom and is not permitted in the common areas. During the summer semester, all communities are considered wet. 

Individuals who bring alcoholic beverages into residence hall rooms or apartments must produce a valid driver’s license, state identification card, or similar government-issued identification upon request as proof of eligibility to possess or consume alcohol.  A Bearcat Card is not acceptable for this purpose. Fake IDs may be reported to police.

Those found in violation of this policy must immediately dispose of their alcoholic beverages and/or alcohol containers when requested to do so by RED staff and other university officials.

Rationales: Safety; comfort.

Residents may use some personal appliances within their rooms, suites, or apartments.  All appliances used in residence halls (and their cords) must be approved by the Underwriter’s Laboratory (UL) and be able to operate in a safe working condition.

Residents may use the following appliances in their room, suites, or apartments: clocks, stereos, televisions, fans, personal computers, lamps, University-provided microwaves, and micro-fridges/freezers. The University’s practice is to provide at least one small refrigerator or micro-fridge in each room or suite and to provide a refrigerator/freezer in each apartment. The type and number of appliances provided vary based upon room style and capacity.

• In Calhoun, Dabney, Daniels, and Siddall Halls, additional microwaves, refrigerators, or microfridges are prohibited due to the electrical capacities of these halls and to space limitations.
• In Stratford Heights, each resident is provided a small refrigerator, and an ample number of microwaves are provided throughout the buildings. Additional refrigerators and in-room microwaves are prohibited due to space limitations and care of facilities.
• In Turner, Schneider, and Campus Recreation Center (CRC) Halls, one (1) additional microwave per suite is permitted. The microwave must not exceed 600 watts. Within the suites of these halls, one (1) additional small refrigerator per bedroom is permitted, regardless of how many residents are assigned to that bedroom. Any additional refrigerator may not exceed 4.0 cubic feet.
• In Morgens Hall, additional microwaves are prohibited.  One additional refrigerator per bedroom is permitted, regardless of how many residents are assigned to that bedroom. Any additional refrigerator may not exceed 4.0 cubic feet.
• In all halls, residents are responsible for the cleaning of all microfridges, microwaves, and refrigerators in their rooms or suites throughout the duration of their housing agreement.
• Residents who, for medical circumstances, need to request an exception to this policy should direct their request, in writing, to the Accessibility Resource Office. In the case of approved exceptions, no additional refrigerator may exceed 4.0 cubic feet and no additional microwave may exceed 600 watts.
• Televisions may not be mounted on walls.
• RED Staff may enter rooms to turn off unattended appliances that are disruptive to the community.

Residents, exercising reasonable caution, may use the following appliances in the rooms, suites, or apartments: rice cookers, pod-style coffee makers, hot air popcorn poppers, irons, blenders, hand/stand mixers, and hair appliances, provided that the following are true:

• If the appliance has a heating element, it must be enclosed; and
• Appliances may only be used on non-combustible surfaces and never on bedding, upholstery, or wood surfaces; and
• Appliances permitted under this section must be attended to while in use and unplugged when not in use.

Residents may not possess or use the following appliances in their rooms or suites: 3D printers, air conditioners, air fryers, broilers, deep fryers, dehumidifiers, electric blankets, electric grills (see also section 9. Health and Safety), electric skillets, electric woks, gas appliances, halogen lamps, hot oil popcorn makers, hot plates (including candle warmers), hot pots, induction cook tops, lasers, lava lamps, microwave ovens, multi-cookers, pressure cookers, slow cookers, space heaters, stand-alone freezers, sun lamps, toasters, toaster ovens, and waffle irons. RED reserves the right to direct students to remove additional appliances not included in this list.

Residents living in the following facilities, and exercising reasonable caution, may use additional appliances only in the kitchen areas of their apartments: 101 E. Corry, Bellevue Gardens, CP Cincy, Morgens, Scioto, The Deacon, The Eden, U Square, University Edge, University Park Apartments, and any additional block-lease locations. The additional appliances that are permitted are toasters, slow cookers, multi-cookers, and air fryers, provided that the following are true:

• If the appliance has a heating element, it must be enclosed; and
• Appliances may only be used on non-combustible surfaces and never on bedding, upholstery, or wood surfaces; and
• Appliances permitted under this section must be attended to while in use and unplugged when not in use.

Overloading circuits is prohibited. After consulting with Public Safety, other appliances may be removed for safety reasons. Extension cord use is limited to one (1) appliance per cord and one (1) cord per appliance. Using multiple cords in sequence is prohibited. Electrical cords, extension cords, and string lights may not be wound around or otherwise unsafely attached to personal or university property. Public Safety and hall staff reserve the right to require that person(s) discontinue the use of certain appliances, cords, or configurations.

Rationales: Cost containment, law, health, safety and security.

Students may not use residence hall units, public spaces, common areas, or University IT systems to conduct any commercial or business activity. Examples of prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Charging ride-share scooters
• Operating a cosmetology service (hair, nails, make-up, etc.)
• Operating a tattoo parlor
• Cryptocurrency mining
• Subletting or renting your residence hall unit
• Operating an apparel business
• Any other business or commercial activity that places an undue burden on University resources

Rationales: Health, comfort, and cost containment.

The following regulations apply:

• By UC policy, smoking in the dining halls is prohibited.
• Students and guests must clear their own tables and return dishes to the appropriate locations, and are expected to report any spills or breakage to a dining hall staff member.
• Throwing of food and tableware or other disruptive conduct in the dining hall is prohibited.
• Food may not be removed from the dining hall unless it is being consumed at that time (e.g., fruit, ice cream).
• Rollerblades, skates, and bicycles are prohibited in dining centers.
• Removal of tableware and other dining center supplies is prohibited and will constitute theft.
• Radios, portable stereos/TVs, or other sources of loud noise may not be brought into the dining centers.

Rationales: Safety, community.

The following regulations have been established:

• No more than ten (10) individuals may occupy any elevator. Lower limits as posted must be observed.
• Misuse of elevators or elevator equipment or tampering with elevators accelerates the deterioration of the elevators and is strictly prohibited. Accessing any part of the elevator shaft or inappropriately opening any portion of the elevator cab itself is prohibited.
• Hallways and lobbies are not to be used for activities that may endanger individuals, equipment, or facilities. Indoor public areas are not to be used for any sports, including but not limited to throwing balls, rollerblading, biking, Frisbee, or running.
• Residents are not permitted in restricted areas. Areas officially closed, areas limited to designated individuals, and any place where safety and welfare of residents would be endangered are included as restricted areas.
• Room vacancies must be maintained in a clean and move-in ready condition for new arrivals.  Residents living in rooms with vacant spaces may not use, move or rearrange furniture, or otherwise occupy vacant spaces.

• Arson—setting a fire of any size—is a serious criminal offense as well as a violation of University rules. 
• The possession and/or use of candles, candle warmers, incense (including herbs such as sage), or any object used with an open flame are prohibited. Candle warmers are prohibited due to the danger of the open heat source.  Residents may request an exemption to this policy on religious grounds and must speak with their Community Coordinator in advance. 
• The possession and/or use of outdoor grills and fire pits, and their fuel, is prohibited. This includes all varieties of outdoor grills (e.g. electric, gas, charcoal, pellet, etc.). 
• The storage of gasoline or other flammable materials is prohibited. 
• Inappropriate or unauthorized use of firefighting equipment, safety devices, or other emergency/safety equipment is prohibited. This includes the following:
  • Removing, damaging, or tampering; and deliberate or negligent activation of a smoke detector, sprinkler head, or carbon monoxide monitor; 
  • Deliberate discharging of a fire extinguisher without proper cause; 
  • Deliberate pulling of a fire alarm or utilizing a fire exit without proper cause; 
  • Deliberate activation of a pull-station cover without proper cause; 
  • Removing, damaging, tampering, or interfering with the alarm system; and
  • Removing, damaging, or interfering with fire extinguishers or exit signs. 
• Students must evacuate a building when the alarm sounds or when instructed to do so by authorized persons such as residence hall staff, University officials, police, fire marshals, or any other safety official. Students should identify multiple evacuation routes in advance. 
• Whether intentional or through negligence, interference with a building evacuation is prohibited.
• Whether intentional or through negligence, interference with emergency personnel—police, fire fighters, safety officials, ambulance attendants, or others—is prohibited. 
• Items may not be hung from ceilings. Items may not cover more than 50% of wall space. Students are responsible for monitoring wall covering amounts and random fire inspections may occur. Resident Education & Development and Public Safety reserve the right to require removal of items for safety purposes.
• All floor coverings—carpets, rugs—and furniture must be made of flame-retardant materials. 
• The collection and in-room storage of paper or other flammable materials for recycling is prohibited. Residents should use the recycling containers provided in designated locations. 
• The use, possession, or storage of any brand, model, or type of electric scooter or hoverboard is prohibited. Please note that this does not apply to wheelchairs and other assistive devices that are used for mobility assistance. 

Rationales: Comfort; consideration for others; cost management.

The following regulations have been established:

• Residents may arrange their furniture within their rooms in a reasonable manner so long as the arrangements do not violate safety or fire regulations or impede testing/service of safety-related equipment.
• All furnishings in the room at check-in must remain in the room. Changing the settings of multi-position beds, where applicable, must be performed only by designated facility staff.
• Residents must comply with procedure requiring the re-setting of multi-position beds. In Stratford, resetting is prohibited. In other halls, re-setting may be performed only by the physical facilities staff with the approval of University Housing.
• All personal furnishings and items must be removed from the halls at the end of the contract period.
• Water-inflated beds, chairs, or other water-inflated items are not permitted.
• Weights or weight-lifting equipment exceeding twenty (20) pounds are prohibited in the residence halls.
• Furniture may not be transferred from one room to another or exchanged between rooms or suites. Extra furniture resulting from a vacancy may not be removed.
• Furniture, decorations, artwork, and/or other University property may not be moved from public or semipublic areas (e.g., lobbies, lounges). This may be considered theft.
• The University reserves the right to limit the number of times that bed configuration changes can be accommodated. Students must not manipulate multi-position beds without appropriate staff approval and assistance.

Rationales: Law.

Any form of gambling is prohibited in the residence halls in accordance with State of Ohio laws. Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, the following: card games involving money, football parlays, lotteries, betting, bookmaking, games of chance, schemes of chance, and raffles in which a ticket must be purchased.

Rationales: Consideration for others; health; safety; security. 

The following limitations and expectations apply: 

1. Public Health and Sanitation
   1. Residents are expected to maintain a sanitary environment within their room.  Rooms or items accruing trash, mold, insects, or rust should be disposed of and/or properly cleaned.
   2. Students who use injected medications (such as insulin) or who test their blood, must dispose of sharps (hypodermic syringes, needles, and/or lancets) responsibly. Sharps should be placed in a sharps container or in a thick plastic bottle that can be tightly capped (like a Gatorade bottle). Once full, seal with heavy tape and place in the trash so anyone handling the container knows it contains sharps and should not be recycled. Do not place the container with recycling.
2. Building Safety
   1. Exits (room, suite, building) may not be blocked in any way. Fire doors, stairwell doors, and locked doors may not be blocked or propped open for any reason.
   2. All holiday decorations must be non-combustible. Live greens and branches, combustible cotton, and angel hair are prohibited. Lights may be used in rooms if wiring and lights have UL- or equivalent certification; they are not permitted in hallway locations—doors, bulletin boards, walls—because hallways are part of the exit system. 
   3. Lights or other electrical devices must not be placed in any location or manner that pressures or distorts the cord (e.g., under rugs or between bed frames or mattresses) or are otherwise deemed to be unsafe.  Residence hall and other appropriate university officials may direct the removal of lighting or other decorations as needed. Decorations may not be attached to or interfere with the safe operation of lights, light globes, or safety equipment. 
   4. Extension cords, “octopus plugs,” and adapters are prohibited. Instead, power strips (UL-approved only) with surge protectors are allowed. 
   5. Electrical cords of any type may not be wrapped around/between two (2) surfaces, such as between the mattress and bed frame.
   6. Halogen bulbs and lamps are prohibited.
   7. Making a false report of a fire, bomb, or other emergency is prohibited.

Rationales: Consideration for others; education; safety and security; privacy.

1. Guests
   1. Guests are expected to abide by the policies and procedures of the University of Cincinnati and residence halls. Hosts are responsible for the behavior of their guest(s) and for appraising their guest(s) of applicable policies. Guests who violate University policy may be asked to leave by RED and/or Public Safety staff. In addition, hosts are required to report any violation of University or residence hall rules and regulations by their guests to an appropriate RED or Public Safety staff member.
   2. Guests must be escorted at all times by their host except as follows: Hosts may leave a guest in their room for a five-minute courtesy period (e.g., going to the restroom or doing laundry). However, a host may not leave the guest unattended in the common area of the suite or in any room or suite area for more than five (5) minutes. This policy applies to all room types (including single rooms and to all guests) regardless of where the guest or host lives.
   3. Residents are considered guests when visiting a residence hall in which they do not reside and when visiting another room/suite in their own residence hall.
   4. In buildings with shared community-style bathrooms (Daniels, Dabney, Calhoun, and Siddall), guests are welcome to use the bathroom that best aligns with their gender identity or where they feel most comfortable.
   5. Hosts are expected to inform their roommate(s)/suitemate(s) in advance when hosting overnight guests.  Residents can describe what advance notice means and expectations for guests within their own room through creating a roommate agreement.
   6. An individual may be a guest or visitor of a particular host in the residence hall no more than two (2) nights in any rolling seven-day period. Extensions of this policy may be granted by the CC of the hall, who will discuss the situation with the host and their roommate(s). “Overnight” hours are defined as any time between 12 a.m. and 7 a.m. or any portion thereof.
   7. Residents and guests must carry a valid Bearcat card, driver’s license, state identification card, or similar government-issued identification. Failure to produce a valid ID may result in the removal of a guest. Staff reserves the right to implement ID checks and guest check-in hours in any or all halls without advanced notice if necessary.
   8. Persons under the age of 18, or any person under the age of 21 who are incapable of self-care due to a mental or physical disability; and who are not matriculated or enrolled in a degree seeking program or the equivalent must be under the direct care, physical custody, and control of their parent or legal guardian.
2. Visitation
   1. Visitation is generally permitted at any time. In exceptional circumstances, visitation may be suspended at the discretion of hall staff.
   2. In exceptional circumstances, guest check-in may be required in any hall at any time at the discretion of University Housing and/or RED if such measures are deemed necessary.
3. Room Capacity
   1. A single resident may have a maximum of three (3) guests at one time. (However, it may not be possible for all residents of a room or suite to have the maximum number of individual guests at the same time).
   2. The number of people allowed in a particular room or suite is limited for safety reasons. The maximum capacity of each room or suite (as determined by fire code) is outlined in the table below. When room and suite capacities appear to be contradictory, the lower limit shall be applied.
   3. In exceptional circumstances, staff members may require guests to leave a room or suite even when capacity is not exceeded.

Rationales: Safety and security; student development.

Keys, Bearcat Cards and access cards are the property of the University and are assigned for the sole use of the designated resident. Residents are responsible for the security of the keys, Bearcat Card and access card issued to them. 

No key, ID card, or access card may be duplicated, sold, passed on to others, or used for any purpose contradicting the Student Code of Conduct, other residence hall policies, or local, state, or federal laws. 

Keys and access cards issued to residents must be surrendered to the Office of Resident Education & Development or University authorities upon request. This includes breaks between semesters or other times when residents’ keys or access cards are collected.

Temporary or “loaner” key services may not be abused. Tampering with or altering a Bearcat Card or access card will be considered a violation of the University Student Code of Conduct. The following limitations, expectations, and procedures apply:

• Temporary keys/lock-outs. Residents are responsible to carry their keys and ID at all times. Each resident is permitted two (2) “free” lock-out accommodations per semester, which will be recorded. Disciplinary referral will begin with the third lock-out or, in the event of a lost key, the second lost key. This limitation applies to “five-minute” keys for immediate term lock- outs, two-day loaner keys, and/or lost keys. Residents are required to attempt to access the room/suite by contacting roommate(s) before requesting staff assistance.
• Lost Bearcat Cards. Residents who lose their Bearcat Card should obtain a new one within two (2) business days. They may obtain a temporary access card for their hall from the hall’s front desk. 

Rationales: Consideration for others; cost containment; health.

Fish are the only pets allowed in the residence halls. Fish may be kept in aquariums no larger than twenty (20) gallons in size per housing unit. More than one aquarium is permitted provided that the total gallons per unit do not exceed 20 gallons. Service animals should be registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources. Assistance animals require approval from the Office of Accessibility Resources before they are permitted in the residence halls.  Residents with a service animal or assistance animal are encouraged to make their Community Coordinator aware. Owners are responsible for the behavior of their animals. An animal’s behavior is considered the owner’s behavior. RED Staff will document unauthorized pets and require residents to remove them within 24 hours. Service animals in training are not permitted in residential communities.

Rationales: Consideration for others; privacy; safety.

The following limitations and expectations apply:

• Unauthorized use of video, photographic, listening device, and recording equipment (including but not limited to Web cameras, camera phones, and tape recorders) in common areas (including but not limited to hallways, lounges, stairwells, and restrooms) of residence halls is prohibited.
• Video, photographic, listening device, and recording equipment may be used within residents’ own rooms and suites only with the verbal consent of all residents and/or visitors of the room or suite. Notification must be made when such devices are in use.
• Photographic and recording equipment in a student room or suite may not be used to view, eavesdrop, broadcast or record any material from another student room or suite or non-public area. Such equipment in a student room or suite also may not be used to view, record, eavesdrop, broadcast or record any material from any residence hall common area without the verbal consent of all students, visitors, and/or employees.
• The University reserves the right to authorize the use of such equipment in residence halls, in a manner permitted by applicable laws, when necessary or advantageous to enhance community responsibility and to maintain safety and security.

Rationale: Consideration for others; education; health.

Quiet hours are from 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from midnight to 10:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday. During final exam week of each semester, 24-hour quiet hours begin at midnight the Saturday morning before exam week. Quiet means that virtually no noise that residents can control (e.g., voices, TVs, music) may be heard in the hallway, from rooms, or in a lounge or other area of the floor/house.

All hours not designated quiet hours are designated courtesy hours, which means that you are always expected to be considerate of others’ needs to sleep and study. If another resident asks you to be quiet during courtesy hours, you are required to comply.

The floor members, with the help of the RA, monitor quiet and courtesy hours. If you encounter a noise problem, ask the other resident(s) to be quiet. If noise persists, contact the RA or the staff member on duty for assistance.

Some courtesy guidelines are outlined below:

• Play music at a level that will not disturb others. Use headphones whenever possible.
• Keep the door closed to your room and lounge areas closed when you are entertaining guests, watching TV, or playing music that might disturb others.
• Refrain from disruptive noise such as yelling or loud conversation when walking in the halls.

Resident Education & Development is committed to the academic development of students. Priority is given to students’ academic needs—maintaining a quiet study and sleeping environment—over the wishes to socialize or participate in other recreation. 

Rationales: Comfort, consideration, respect, privacy, safety.

No person (regardless of gender) may use any portion of a restroom facility that is currently being serviced by maintenance or housekeeping staff or is posted as closed. Additional regulations regarding restroom designation and use are included in the section of this document addressing guest and visitation policies. In suite-style housing where suite bathroom cleaning is provided, students are responsible for complying with the schedule and preparation standards and may not interfere with or refuse routine service. In suite-style housing where suite bathroom cleaning is not provided, students are responsible for maintaining reasonable cleanliness throughout the semester.

Rationales: Health; safety.

Smoking and tobacco use are prohibited at all times in all facilities and grounds owned or leased by the University of Cincinnati. Tobacco is defined as all tobacco-derived or tobacco-containing products including, but not limited to, cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vaporizing devices, cigars and cigarillos, hookah smoked products, pipes, oral tobacco (e.g., spit and spitless, smokeless, chew or snuff) and nasal tobacco (e.g., snus). It also includes any product intended to mimic tobacco products, contain tobacco flavoring or the smoking of any other substance which delivers nicotine. Additionally, using hookahs to smoke non-tobacco products is also prohibited. 

Rationales: Cost containment; respect; safety.

Water fights and water games are prohibited anywhere within any residence hall and on the grounds surrounding each hall. Students may not access University water sources for recreational activities except as authorized through scheduled and pre-approved events.

Rationales: Safety; law.

Possession and/or use of firearms, stun guns, ammunition, knives, martial arts implements, or any dangerous items that could be used as a weapon or appear to be weapons are prohibited. Possession or use of toy “weapons” is prohibited. Use of any permitted item (e.g., baseball bat) as a weapon is prohibited. Possession and/or use of fireworks, bombs, or any explosive is prohibited and is also a violation of city and state law.

Rationales: Safety.

The following limitations and expectations apply:

• Nothing may hang from the window; windows must remain clear from obstruction and university window coverings need to be visible from the outside. Posting, hanging, or otherwise displaying signage, lighting, or other materials in or around the residence hall windows or on university window coverings is not permitted.
• Window screens, stops, and seals may not be tampered with or removed. If a screen is removed by weather, report it immediately to an RA for documentation.
• Throwing, dropping, discharging, or in any manner ejecting anything (liquid or solid) in or out of windows, roofs, or any elevated surface is prohibited. Suspending any item, including but not limited to clothing, flags, banners or plants from windows, ledges, porches, or railings (regardless of height) is prohibited.
• Advertisements of any commercial agency through written or oral communication through windows, doors or sunroofs are not allowed.
• Directing stereo speakers, yelling, and other disruptions from buildings are prohibited.
• Entering or exiting via windows and emergency egresses, except in a life/safety emergency, is prohibited. Climbing on ledges or railings is also prohibited.
• Decks, patios, and porches may be subject to load limits.
• Doors may not be propped open or otherwise misused.