Residence Hall Guidelines

Students are expected to take responsibility for any damage, even accidental damage, which they or their guests cause to University property or the property of another resident or guest. This could include damages resulting from a cooking fire, playing hall sports, or setting off the sprinkler system by accident. The student who caused the damage will be expected to cover the cost of repair or replacement for the University or other residents. Students who refuse to take responsibility for damages they cause accidentally will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct to determine responsibility. Those who cannot afford the costs will be allowed to enter into a payment plan.

Click here to view fines and sanctions for common alcohol/drug offenses

1. 1. Alcohol cannot be possessed or consumed in rooms, suites, or apartments where all residents are under the age of 21.
   2. Alcohol may not be possessed or consumed in a public area of the residences. All areas in a residence hall, except for private rooms, are considered public areas. When the door of a private room is open, the room is considered a public area. Only those of legal drinking age may transport closed containers of alcohol.
   3. Individuals under the age of 21 may not consume alcohol. Only those of legal drinking age may be served alcohol.
   4. Individuals may not provide alcohol to anyone under the legal drinking age. Those who do are subject to penalties under University regulations and under New Jersey state law.
   5. To avoid disagreements regarding violations of the alcohol policy, the display of empty alcoholic beverage containers not limited to bottles, cans, and cases are prohibited in public areas and student rooms, which includes containers used as decoration. This applies to all residents regardless of age.
   6. Drinking games (whether or not alcohol is involved) or other behaviors designed for the purpose of rapid and/or excessive consumption of alcohol are prohibited.
   7. At no time should activities which encourage excessive drinking and/or lead to the endangerment of the individual served take place in the residence halls.

1. Any student, regardless of age, found to be acutely intoxicated, will be evaluated by Emergency Services for possible hospital treatment. Any student, regardless of age, requiring hospital treatment, will be subsequently evaluated by the Alcohol and Other Drug Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program for Students.
2. All Residents will be held responsible for the behavior of their guest, which includes Rutgers students.

No animals are allowed in residence halls or apartments except service dogs, other service animals in training, and pre-approved support animals.

Any form of bullying is strictly prohibited on campus and in Rutgers University residence halls. As outlined in the Rutgers University Code of Student Conduct, Rutgers policy 10.2.11, the following behaviors are considered bullying:  

• Making, or causing to be made any communication (including electronic or through social media) to another person in any manner likely to cause alarm.
• Subjecting another person or threatening to subject another person to striking, kicking, shoving, or offensive touching.
• Threatening to reveal personal information or media about a person electronically or through other means of communication.
• Engaging in any other course of alarming conduct or repeatedly committing acts with the purpose of seriously alarming another person.
• A person's behavior should be sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent as to substantially disrupt or interfere with the orderly operation of the institution or the rights of a student to participate in or benefit from the educational program.
• Defamation: Creating a false statement about a University community member and communicating that false statement to a third party, which then exposes that community member to hatred, contempt, ridicule, loss of good will, or loss of reputation as a result of the false statement.

ADDITIONALLY, INVASION OF PRIVACY IS DEFINED IN THE RUTGERS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT, RUTGERS POLICY 10.2.11, AS:  

• Making, attempting to make, transmitting, or attempting to transmit audio, video, or images of any person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an explicit expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings.
• Viewing or spying on a person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an explicit expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants.

UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE IN CASES OF VIOLATIONS OF LAW Rutgers University students may be held accountable through the University judicial conduct process as well as the local New Brunswick/Piscataway criminal justice system. The University judicial process may be carried out before, simultaneously with, or following any related civil or criminal proceedings. If civil or criminal charges are dropped, or if the student is found not guilty via the criminal justice process, University discipline decisions and/or sanctions will not be subject to alteration or amendment.

Click here to view fines and sanctions for alcohol/drug offenses Any suspicion of illegal drug use in residence halls, apartments or suites will be immediately reported to Rutgers University Police. Use or possession of illegal drugs may result in arrest, immediate relocation, loss of housing without refund, and mandatory assignment to substance counseling. Distribution of drugs will result in arrest and can result in permanent expulsion from the University. In addition to the violations listed in the Rutgers University Policy 10.2.11-Student Code of Conduct, the following are considered violations of the Drug Policy within the residence halls:

• Selling, transferring, or exchanging something in return for narcotics, prescription medications, or illegal substances on University property or between members of the University community.
• Possessing or using medical marijuana on Rutgers University campus.
• Sharing medical marijuana with individuals who do not have a medical marijuana prescription.
• Unlawfully possessing or using drugs, narcotics, controlled substances, counterfeit controlled substances, or paraphernalia.
• Misusing or misappropriating any prescription, over-the-counter medication, or legal substance.
• Possessing or intending to use drug paraphernalia to plant, propagate, cultivate, grow, harvest, manufacture, compound, convert, produce, process, prepare, test, analyze, pack, repack, store, contain, conceal, ingest, inhale, or otherwise introduce into the human body a controlled dangerous substance.
• Possession with intent to use a hypodermic syringe, hypodermic needle or any other instrument adapted for the use of a controlled dangerous substance. Additionally, to sell, furnish or give to any person such syringe, needle or instrument.

• • A person is authorized to possess and use a hypodermic needle or hypodermic syringe if the person obtains the hypodermic syringe or hypodermic needle by a valid prescription issued by a licensed physician, dentist or veterinarian and uses it for its authorized purpose.
  • All hypodermic needles and/or syringes must be destroyed appropriately.
    • A hypodermic needle is destroyed if the needle is broken from the hub or mangled.
    • A syringe is destroyed if the nipple of the barrel is broken from the barrel, or the plunger and barrel are melted.
    • Alternatively, a hypodermic needle or syringe is destroyed if it is discarded as a single unit, without recapping, into a rigid container and the container is destroyed by grinding or crushing in a compactor, or by burning in an incinerator approved by the Department of Environmental Protection, or by another method approved by the Department of Health.

UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE IN CASES OF VIOLATION OF LAW Rutgers University students may be held accountable through the University judicial conduct process as well as the local New Brunswick/Piscataway criminal justice system. The University judicial process may be carried out before, simultaneously with, or following any related civil or criminal proceedings. If civil or criminal charges are dropped, or if the student is found not guilty via the criminal justice process, University discipline decisions and/or sanctions will not be subject to alteration or amendment.

In compliance with New Jersey state law, gambling of any kind is prohibited in the residence halls. Wagering activities including, but not limited to betting on poker, card games, sports pools, or any wagering where money or something of value is risked upon the uncertain outcome of a contest or future contingent event, may not be held or advertised within any public space in the residence halls or any residence hall room. Gambling can also be a crime/disorderly conduct offense.

For the safety of other students and the integrity of our facilities, residents may not engage in any sporting activities within the residence hall rooms, lobbies, lounges, hallways or other public areas. Sporting related activities include but are not limited to the following: rollerblading, Frisbee, hockey, golf, bowling, as well as the use of skateboards, scooters, bicycles, hover boards and other motorized vehicles, or water guns of any kind. Students found in violation of this policy will be responsible for any damage caused by their conduct. In accordance with the Residence Life Accidental Damage Policy, students will be held accountable for any damages to the facility as a result of any in-hall sporting activities.   Violations of this policy will be adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct.

Intimidation, harassment, and assault in all forms are strictly prohibited on the Rutgers University campus and in all residence halls.   Intimidation and harassment: a person acts with the purpose to intimidate and harass another by:

• Making, or causing to be made, a communication or communications (including the use of electronic and/or social media) anonymously or at extremely inconvenient hours, or in offensively coarse language, or any other manner likely to cause annoyance or alarm to another student.
• Subjecting another to striking, kicking, shoving, or other offensive touching, or threatening to do so.
• Engaging in any other course of alarming conduct or of repeatedly committed acts with purpose to alarm or seriously annoy another person, such that the behavior substantially disrupts or interferes with the orderly operation of the institution or the rights of other students to participate in or benefit from the educational program.
• Use of force against the person or property of any member of the university community or against the person or property of anyone on university premises, or the threat of such physical abuse. (Verbal assault may be prosecuted as a "threat of physical abuse.")

ASSAULT CAN BE IN THE FORM OF SIMPLE ASSAULT OR AGGRAVATED ASSAULT:   According to New Jersey State Law N.J.S.A. 2C:12-1, simple assault is defined as when a person attempts to cause or purposely, knowingly or recklessly causes bodily injury to another; or negligently causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or attempts by physical menace to put another in fear of imminent serious bodily injury. Aggravated assault is defined as when a person attempts to cause serious bodily injury to another, or causes such injury purposely or knowingly or under circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life recklessly causes such injury; or attempts to cause or purposely or knowingly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon; or recklessly causes bodily injury to another with a deadly weapon.   Defamation, which is judicially defined to mean, and here means, the unprivileged oral, written, or electronic publication of a false statement of fact that exposes the person about whom it is made to hatred, contempt, or ridicule, or subjects that person to loss of the good will and confidence of others, or so harms that person's reputation as to deter others from associating with her or him. Defamation is considered a separation offense under the University Code of Student Conduct as a "heinous act."   ADDITIONALLY, INVASION OF PRIVACY IS DEFINED IN THE RUTGERS CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT, RUTGERS POLICY 10.2.11, AS:

• Making, attempting to make, transmitting, or attempting to transmit audio, video, or images of any person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an explicit expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings.
• Viewing or spying on a person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an explicit expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants.

Students are expected to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the University community. Accordingly, students are not permitted to make or attempt to make an audio or video recording of private, nonpublic conversations and/or meetings on University premises, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. In such circumstances the uses of undisclosed hidden recording devices is prohibited, as is the transmission and/or distribution of any such recordings. This provision does not extend to the recording of public events or discussions, or to recordings made for law enforcement purposes.   Students who believe they are victims of verbal assault, intimidation, bullying, harassment or defamation should also report such incidents to the Dean of Students. In addition, the following individuals have been identified to handle complaints:   Director of Student Conduct 115 College Avenue, Rm 104 New Brunswick, NJ 08901 (p) (732) 932-9414   Director of Compliance for Student Affairs 83 Somerset Street, Rm 101 New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1281 (p) (848) 932-2406   Individuals who wish to discuss any matter with the police or if they feel they are in need of immediate police attention may contact the Rutgers University Police Department at (732) 932 -7111. Some complaints can be and should be resolved by informal methods, while others will require the implementation of formal procedures. All complaints are treated confidentially; complainants are encouraged to report incidents even if they do not wish to pursue the matter beyond the reporting stage.

Living in a residential community requires students to take independent responsibility for their own self-care and the impact of their behavior on others. Student self-care includes, but is not limited to the following: getting enough rest, eating well, maintaining personal hygiene, managing illnesses, and seeking the appropriate care wherever necessary.   Students are encouraged to use the many resources on campus prepared to assist them in this goal of independent living. Students who are unable to care for themselves or whose behavior disrupts the community may be asked to adhere to an action plan and/or leave the residence halls if such behavior continues to disrupt the residential community.   Violations of this policy will be adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct.

Lounges and recreational areas located within residence halls are for the exclusive use of Residence Life Staff including Hall Government officers and section leaders. Those staff members who hold concurrent positions with other student clubs or organizations may not utilize these spaces in their roles within these extracurricular activities.

All social programs must be sponsored by Residence Life Staff, Hall Government, and/orSpecial Interest Section Leaders. Social events must meet the following guidelines:

• Events cannot be advertised outside the building.
• Admissions fees may not be charged at the door.
• Audience size may not exceed fire regulations.
• If more than 100 people are expected to attend, the event must be approved by the Residence Life Coordinator and Rutgers Police.
• The sponsoring staff and Graduate Supervisor must determine together who will be responsible to monitor the event.
• The event must be in compliance with all Rutgers University and Rutgers Residence Life
• regulations including (but not limited to) maximum occupancy, fire regulations, security
• requirements, and alcohol restrictions.

 Outside organizations may co-sponsor educational programs with Residence Life Staff and other in-hall leadership positions in accordance with the following criteria:

• Submission and approval of a proposal for co-sponsorship to the Residence Life Coordinator responsible for that area.
• All advertising must include the co-sponsorship of the Residence Life Staff and must be approved by the Residence Life Coordinator.
• The event must be open to all building residents and may not be limited to members of the co-sponsoring organization.
• The event must be in compliance with all Rutgers University and Rutgers Residence Life regulations including (but not limited to) maximum occupancy, fire regulations, security requirements, and alcohol restrictions.

Students who wish to paint murals in the halls in which they reside must submit a written proposal to the Campus Director for Residence Life on their campus. Students must indicate in the proposal that they understand that they are accepting complete responsibility for the proper completion of the mural without damage to that hall. The residents of each hall may be allowed to paint one mural in the public area of their hall. This mural may only be painted in the space designated by the Campus Director of Residence Life and the Manager of Housing, to be the appropriate place for the mural. This space will then be covered by the Division of Housing with greenboard. The image painted on the wall must receive prior approval by the Residence Life and the Division of Housing. An image will not be judged solely by its artistic value. The most important criteria in judging an image will be its appropriateness for a diverse residential setting. Once students have begun the painting of the approved mural, they have one month in which to complete the mural. If the mural remains unfinished at the end of that time, the mural wall will be painted over and the cost of the repainting will be billed to the students who were approved to paint the mural. Purchasing of paints and supplies must be approved by Residence Life. Painting must be supervised by building Residence Staff. It is the responsibility of the student painters to obtain the support from the Residence Staff to provide that supervision. Any damages caused by the student painters will be billed to the students who received approval to complete the mural. Each mural must remain on the wall for at least three years from the time it is painted. No mural proposals will be accepted prior to the end of that period of time.  

Every student living within a residence hall at Rutgers University has the right to privacy in their own room. Just as a student has the right to reasonable protection against unwarranted physical intrusion, residents also have the right to reasonable protection against the uninvited intrusion of noise. Each student should expect to be able to sleep, study, converse, listen to the music of their choice, etc. within the privacy of their own room, reasonably free from disruption resulting from the activities of others.  

A uniform noise policy has been adopted by Residence Life and is summarized here:

• Noise, particularly sustained, must not be readily audible within the private living quarters of other students.
• Instruments or amplification devices producing excessive volume, including, but not limited to subwoofers, are prohibited in the residence halls outside of designated practice rooms.
• Sustained, loud noise originating outdoors but audible within residence halls or other University buildings will not be allowed.
• Noise emanating from within one hall must not be audible within any other hall or University building.
• No amplified sound is permitted at outside events without the prior permission of the Assistant Director of Residence Life.
• The general noise level within the hall must be such that it does not interfere with the above-mentioned rights.

 

As for specific hours and times:

• Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Quiet Hours are in effect, Sunday through Thursday from 11pm to 10am.
• Quiet Hours are in effect on Friday and Saturday from midnight to 10am.
• 24-hour Quiet Hours are in effect during reading days and exam periods.

Note: In apartment settings, there may be an extended quiet hour period for registered parties. Students living in those areas will be notified beforehand.

In accordance with the Code of Student Conduct, the following behavior is prohibited and may result in removal from the university: Section 10 (u): Making, attempting to make, transmitting, or attempting to transmit audio or video of any person(s) on University premises in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, or other premises where there is an explicit expectation of privacy with respect to nudity and/or sexual activity, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. Similarly, the following conduct is also prohibited: Section 10 (aa): Undisclosed and unauthorized recording of other individuals within the University community* *Students are expected to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the University community. Accordingly, students are not permitted to make or attempt to make an audio or video recording of private, nonpublic conversations and/or meetings on University premises, without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. In such circumstances the uses of undisclosed hidden recording devices is prohibited, as is the transmission and/or distribution of any such recordings. This provision does not extend to the recording of public events or discussions, or to recordings made for law enforcement purposes.

Smoking is prohibited in all Residence Halls, Suites, Apartments or any Residential facility where students sleep. Smoking includes, but is not limited to the burning of any type of lighted pipe, hookahs, cigar, cigarette, electronic devices or any other smoking equipment/devices whether filled with tobacco or any other type of substance. Smoking devices such as hookahs and smoking pipes are not permitted in the residence halls. In accordance with Rutgers University Policy 10.2.14-Alcohol and Other Drugs Policy for Students: "Smoking of tobacco products and the use of electronic smoking devices is prohibited in any portion of a building that is owned and operated by Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (N.J.S.A. 26:3D-17). This includes classrooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, residence halls, gymnasiums, playing fields, and other recreational areas. Smoking is also prohibited in all university-owned or leased vehicles. In addition, smoking and the placement of ash urn receptacles is prohibited in areas deemed to be main entrances to buildings owned and operated by the university. (Section 60.1.10, Smoking Policy)." Smoking is only permitted outside of the building, and must happen at least 30 feet from the entrance. Any resident that is found to be smoking inside the apartment will be documented and required to meet with the Office of Student Conduct. Violations of this policy will be adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct.

No door-to-door soliciting or canvassing is allowed in residence halls or apartments at any time. University recognized student groups may request permission to have a table for solicitation in the main lobby of each hall by contacting the Campus Director of Residence Life on their respective campus. Public area solicitation is prohibited without explicit permission and instructions from the Campus Director. Resident students are responsible for reporting violations of this Solicitation Policy to the appropriate Residence Life staff member. Violations of this policy will be adjudicated by the Office of Student Conduct.

Any one of the following will be considered theft, and is therefore a violation of law and the Student Code of Conduct:

• Taking or attempting to take university property or private property with the consent of the owner or person legally responsible for that property.
• Obtaining University services through fraudulent or devious means.
• Knowingly possession private or University property that was stolen.

UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE IN CASES OF VIOLATION OF LAW Rutgers University students may be held accountable through the University judicial conduct process as well as the local New Brunswick/Piscataway criminal justice system. The University judicial process may be carried out before, simultaneously with, or following any related civil or criminal proceedings. If civil or criminal charges are dropped, or if the student is found not guilty via the criminal justice process, University discipline decisions and/or sanctions will not be subject to alteration or amendment.

• Only Rutgers University–New Brunswick students with a valid RU ID may purchase tickets.
• No refunds, no exchanges. All ticket sale purchases are final. Refunds will only be issued if the show/event is cancelled. Refund information for cancelled events will be emailed to ticket holders.
• Tickets are offered on a first come, first served basis until sold out. All attendees (guests included) must be 18 years of age or older and comply with all Rutgers University and Residence Life policies.
• Students, faculty & staff members of the University must present a valid RUID at check in. Rutgers affiliated guests, when allowed, must also present valid RUID at check in. Failure to do so will result in denied entry or participation to the program.
• No smoking, drugs, or alcohol are permitted at Residence Life events.
• If using personal transportation to get to event/bus pick up location, event attendees must adhere to all Rutgers University parking regulations and policies. For information on parking and policies visit the Parking and Transportation website.
• If you are unsure of a ticket policy please email: oncampus@rutgers.edu

Vandalism is defined as any intentional behavior which causes damage, when that behavior violates policy, or is reckless or negligent, in that a reasonable person would know that engaging in that behavior could cause damage. Students are expected to refrain from behavior which can damage their residence or the belongings of others, including Rutgers University property. In addition, students should choose their guests carefully, as they are responsible for the behavior of their guests in their residence. Students will be billed for the costs of any vandalism which they cause, or may be caused by their guests. In addition, students responsible for vandalism are subject to residence hall discipline which can include mandatory service to their community. Behavior coupled with substance use will also include mandatory substance counseling. Large scale, bias-motivated, or dangerous vandalism is antithetical to community and will result in eviction and referral to the University Conduct office. FACILITY VANDALISM

• If similar damage occurs a second time in the same building, floor meetings will be held to discuss the issue with residents in an attempt to get the behavior to stop and/or find out who is responsible.
• If damage occurs a third time in the same building, the Campus Director and Student Conduct Assistant Director will work with the appropriate Residence Life Coordinator to develop a plan of action for the community.

VENDING MACHINE VANDALISM Damage to vending machines in residence affects all residents. Students found responsible for vandalizing a vending machine will be held financially responsible and referred to Student Conduct for discipline. Continued vending vandalism will also be responded to by Dining Services, who manages RU vending. Second time damage to the same machine and/or another machine in the same building, the following will occur:

• The machine will not be refilled for two weeks from the date of the vandalism. A poster explaining why the machine has not been refilled will be posted on the machine to inform the community.
• Floor meetings will be held to discuss the issue with residents in an attempt to get the behavior to stop and/or fin d out who is responsible.
• If damage occurs a third time to the same machine and/or another machine in the same building, the machines will be removed/ emptied for the remainder of the semester.

UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE IN CASES OF VIOLATION OF LAW Rutgers University students may be held accountable through the University judicial conduct process as well as the local New Brunswick/Piscataway criminal justice system. The University judicial process may be carried out before, simultaneously with, or following any related civil or criminal proceedings. If civil or criminal charges are dropped, or if the student is found not guilty via the criminal justice process, University discipline decisions and/or sanctions will not be subject to alteration or amendment.

A "weapon" can be defined as any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, cause injury or incapacitate, or create a reasonable fear of harm, including but not limited to, all firearms, including air rifles and pellet guns; bow and arrows; ammunition; knives (other than kitchen knives); martial arts weapons; brass knuckles; explosives; and dangerous chemicals or poisons that are possessed with the intent to injure another or to cause damage to property. All types of guns (including paintball guns, airsoft guns, pellet guns, etc.), bows and arrows, tasers, and all other weapons are prohibited in residence halls. Any device that has the appearance and/or function of a serviceable weapon or is being used in a manner of a real weapon is also prohibited in residence halls. Any student or guest in possession of an illegal weapon in a residence hall or apartment will face possible arrest. All Residence Life staff members are required to notify the Rutgers University Police Department if they become aware of the presence of any weapon inside the residence halls at any time.   UNIVERSITY DISCIPLINE IN CASES OF VIOLATION OF LAW Rutgers University students may be held accountable through the University judicial conduct process as well as the local New Brunswick/Piscataway criminal justice system. The University judicial process may be carried out before, simultaneously with, or following any related civil or criminal proceedings. If civil or criminal charges are dropped, or if the student is found not guilty via the criminal justice process, University discipline decisions and/or sanctions will not be subject to alteration or amendment.