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1. Health and Safety Inspections
   1. Inspections are conducted throughout the year by Residential Learning & University Housing staff and the New Jersey State Fire Marshall. Students will be notified in advance of these inspections and provided instructions regarding their responsibilities to prepare for inspections and assure compliance with health and safety policies.
   2. Students found with any prohibited items during any official inspection will have those items confiscated and may be subject to disciplinary action and administrative fines in accordance with this policy.
2. Prohibited Items
   1. Certain items are prohibited in University housing because they may create an overload of a utility service, are dangerous, illegal, or otherwise prohibited by University policy, laws or applicable fire codes. Students may not possess these items in any University residence hall or apartment.
   2. Violations of the Prohibited Items provision of this policy will be subject to the following administrative actions:
      
      1. First violation – Confiscation of the prohibited item when practical, and an administrative fine of $50.
      2. Second and future violation - Confiscation of the prohibited item when practical and an administrative fine of $100.
      3. Third and future violations - Confiscation of the prohibited item when practical and referral to the disciplinary process. Repeated violations may result in loss of housing privileges, as determined by the disciplinary process.
   3. The following items are prohibited in University housing:
      1. String Lights - String lights, including holiday light sets, can produce excessive heat posing a fire danger if they are not properly used. Use of string lights is permitted in University housing subject to the following restrictions. Lights used in any manner that is not consistent with these restrictions will be treated as a violation of the prohibited items policy and will be subject to the fines and penalties of that policy.
      2. Only LED type light bulbs are permitted. Lights with any other type of light bulb are prohibited.
      3. String lights must be UL listed (approved by United Laboratories) with a tag attached to the string bearing the UL mark. This mark indicates the product has been tested and meets stringent safety standards. 
      4. Lights may be battery operated or powered by plugging the string into a wall outlet or power strip. However, lights must never be plugged into an extension cord or into another string light (daisy chained) to extend their length. 
      5. Students must physically examine the lights when setting them up and assure there are no loose bulbs, frayed or exposed wiring sections, or other defects, which could pose a hazard. Defective light sets must not be used. Use of electrical tape or other methods of repair are not permitted.
      6. Lights may not be hung from fire sprinklers.
      7. Lights may not be hung over doorways, across ceilings or in any hallway or corridor areas. These areas must be kept clear as a means of exit in an emergency.
      8. Lights may not be hung in bathrooms or around kitchen sinks or other locations where water is present.
      9. Lights may not be in contact with paper, fabric, tapestries or other combustible materials. 
      10. Lights may only be on during times when people are present in the room. When the room is unoccupied, lights must be turned off.
      11.  Air conditioners of any kind.
      12.  Appliances with an exposed heating element or coil (e.g. coffee makers with hot plates, toasters, panini grills). These appliances are permitted in apartment kitchens only. Coffee/drink makers with an internal heating element are permitted in all housing areas.
      13. Ammunition.
      14. Extension cords or multi-plug adapters that lack a built-in surge protector/breaker. Power strips with built in surge protection are permissible. However, power strips, even with surge protectors, cannot be strung together or plugged into one another.
      15. Halogen lamps, or oil lamps and decorative string lights except in accordance with the string lights policy.
      16. Incense or incense paraphernalia.
      17. Candles or open flames of any kind.
      18. Curtains, wall tapestries, flags or other wall hangings unless they are made from fabrics that are compliant with NFPA 701 flammability standard. Compliance may be established by a label on the fabric item, or by treating the fabric with an approved product. Following treatment of fabrics, students must submit an affidavit attesting to this along with the receipt for purchase of the product and the product label. The N.J. state Fire Marshal may cut and test a piece of these fabrics and students must accept this as a condition of having fabric hangings in University housing.
      19. Flammable or combustible liquids or gases
      20. Engines, engine parts, lubricants and fuels.
      21. Fireworks, explosives, flammable liquids, fuels, paint thinner combustible materials, or engines
      22. Live trees or wreaths from live foliage.
      23. University, municipal or private property not authorized to be in the student’s possession.
      24. Pets or animals including lab specimens (except fish in a tank of 10 gallons or smaller), unless required by applicable law.
      25. Swimming pools.
      26. Dart boards.
      27. Weapons of any kind (e.g. firearms, swords, knives other than kitchen knives).
      28. Paintball guns, air riffles, bb guns, sling shots, arrows and any other sporting equipment, toy or device which may cause injury or which a reasonable person may believe is a weapon.
      29. 1.  Air conditioners of any kind.
          2.  Appliances with an exposed heating element or coil (e.g. coffee makers with hot plates, toasters, panini grills). These appliances are permitted in apartment kitchens only. Coffee/drink makers with an internal heating element are permitted in all housing areas.
          3. Ammunition.
          4. Extension cords or multi-plug adapters that lack a built-in surge protector/breaker. Power strips with built in surge protection are permissible. However, power strips, even with surge protectors, cannot be strung together or plugged into one another.
          5. Halogen lamps, or oil lamps and decorative string lights except in accordance with the string lights policy.
          6. Incense or incense paraphernalia.
          7. Candles or open flames of any kind.
          8. Curtains, wall tapestries, flags or other wall hangings unless they are made from fabrics that are compliant with NFPA 701 flammability standard. Compliance may be established by a label on the fabric item, or by treating the fabric with an approved product. Following treatment of fabrics, students must submit an affidavit attesting to this along with the receipt for purchase of the product and the product label. The N.J. state Fire Marshal may cut and test a piece of these fabrics and students must accept this as a condition of having fabric hangings in University housing.
          9. Flammable or combustible liquids or gases
          10. Engines, engine parts, lubricants and fuels.
          11. Fireworks, explosives, flammable liquids, fuels, paint thinner combustible materials, or engines
          12. Live trees or wreaths from live foliage.
          13. University, municipal or private property not authorized to be in the student’s possession.
          14. Pets or animals including lab specimens (except fish in a tank of 10 gallons or smaller), unless required by applicable law.
          15. Swimming pools.
          16. Dart boards.
          17. Weapons of any kind (e.g. firearms, swords, knives other than kitchen knives).
          18. Paintball guns, air riffles, bb guns, sling shots, arrows and any other sporting equipment, toy or device which may cause injury or which a reasonable person may believe is a weapon.
          19. Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
   4. String Lights 
      1. String lights, including holiday light sets, can produce excessive heat posing a fire danger if they are not properly used. Use of string lights is permitted in University housing subject to the following restrictions. Lights used in any manner that is not consistent with these restrictions will be treated as a violation of the prohibited items policy and will be subject to the fines and penalties of that policy.
         1. Only LED type light bulbs are permitted. Lights with any other type of light bulb are prohibited.
         2. String lights must be UL listed (approved by United Laboratories) with a tag attached to the string bearing the UL mark. This mark indicates the product has been tested and meets stringent safety standards. 
         3. Lights may be battery operated or powered by plugging the string into a wall outlet or power strip. However, lights must never be plugged into an extension cord or into another string light (daisy chained) to extend their length. 
         4. Students must physically examine the lights when setting them up and assure there are no loose bulbs, frayed or exposed wiring sections, or other defects, which could pose a hazard. Defective light sets must not be used. Use of electrical tape or other methods of repair are not permitted.
         5. Lights may not be hung from fire sprinklers.
         6. Lights may not be hung over doorways, across ceilings or in any hallway or corridor areas. These areas must be kept clear as a means of exit in an emergency.
         7. Lights may not be hung in bathrooms or around kitchen sinks or other locations where water is present.
         8. Lights may not be in contact with paper, fabric, tapestries or other combustible materials. Lights may only be on during times when people are present in the room. When the room is unoccupied, lights must be turned off.
         Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia
   5. Fire Safety Regulations
      1. In order to protect the life and safety of residents and property, the following regulations and guidelines apply in all University housing facilities:
         1. Fire code regulations restrict the placement of any items, including furniture, within 18 inches of any sprinkler head. Sprinkler heads should never be used for hanging items (i.e. clothes hangers, streamers, etc.).
         2. Doors provide protection from the spread of fire and smoke and must not be propped open when no person is present in the room or when people are sleeping. When leaving a room during a fire alarm, residents are expected to close doors if it is safe to do so.
         3. Students who are responsible for any violation resulting in a citation by the Fire Marshal will also be held responsible for any costs resulting from that citation, including the cost of the fine itself, as well as the cost of any actions or efforts necessary to correct the violation and restore full code compliance by the University.
         4. Residents are required to evacuate the building immediately each time the fire alarm system sounds, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Disciplinary action will be taken if a student does not evacuate the building during an alarm. Each residential complex has a scheduled fire drill each semester supervised by University staff.
         5. The misuse of fire alarms, fire detection devices or fire extinguishers constitutes a serious offense. Any resident who misuses such equipment or devices will be subject to disciplinary action. These violations are also reported to law enforcement for investigation and possible criminal prosecution. Residents are responsible for any damage to the system they cause and will be held financially accountable.
         6. The use of restricted fire doors for non-emergency entry or exit is a violation and will result in disciplinary action.
   6. Careless Cooking
   1. Students are expected to exercise reasonable care when cooking in any University residence. The following guidelines apply to all cooking activities in University housing:
   1. In residence halls with no kitchens cooking is prohibited except for use of approved microwaves and drink makers with internal heating elements.
   2. Students must follow directions for safe use of any cooking appliances.
   3. Read directions on packaged foods that will be placed in ovens or microwaves. Follow directions regarding temperatures and cooking times.  
   4. Remove all packaging from food products prior to placing the items in an oven or microwave.
   5. Cooking must be monitored at all times. Students must remain present in the kitchen area or the same room as the appliance at all times during cooking.
   6. Keep cooking appliances such as ovens and toasters clean and free of debris that could cause fire or smoke.
   7. Cook foods at appropriate temperatures for food safety and to avoid burning items and causing smoke.
   2. Students who are negligent in the process of cooking and trigger false fire alarms may be subject to disciplinary action. Violations of the Careless Cooking provision of this policy will be subject to the following administrative actions:
   1. First violation – An administrative fine of $50.
   2. Second and future violation - An administrative fine of $100 and referral to the disciplinary process. Repeated violations may result in loss of housing privileges, as determined by the disciplinary process.
   7. Smoking
   1. All University residential facilities are smoke free. Smoking, including the use of any e-cigarette or vaporizing device is strictly prohibited in all residential facilities.
   8. Locks and Keys
   1. Residents will be issued a key to their room or apartment upon arrival. It is the responsibility of the student to be in possession of their room key at all times and to keep their room/apt secured. If a room or apartment key is lost, misplaced, or stolen, locks will be changed at the student's expense.
   2. Lock change request forms are located at the Office of Residential Learning & University Housing. Lock change requests submitted after 9 a.m. will typically not take place until the next business day.
   3. Keys are the property of the University and may not be duplicated without authorization.
   4. By accepting keys at the time of issue, residents agree not to alter the apartment or residence hall locks, to create additional keys, transfer or lend keys to any other person, and/or to install additional locks.
   9. Room Decorations
   1. Students may decorate the interior spaces of their assigned rooms and shared spaces in living rooms in consultation and with the mutual agreement of roommates.
   2. The University does not endorse or approve any means of hanging or posting posters or other items on walls. Nails, screws and double-sided tape are specifically prohibited due to the damage caused by their use. Due to the potential for damage to paint and drywall, students who post or hang posters or other items on walls do so at their own risk. Students will be billed for the cost to repair any damage done as a result of items posted or hung on walls.
   3. No posters, signs or ornamentations of any kind may be displayed through windows. No items may be hung from or otherwise affixed to any of the building structures or equipment such as blinds, pipes, wiring, light fixtures, ledges, stairways, ceilings, sprinkler systems, etc.
   10. Posting in Housing Facilities
   1. University housing facilities are not public areas of the campus. Postings are limited to those approved and posted by staff. Only postings directly related to University programs or services, or postings sponsored by officially affiliated organizations are permitted.
   2. Organizations wishing to have flyers or materials posted in housing facilities must submit an original copy to Residential Learning & University Housing in Savitz hall to be approved and stamped. Copies of the stamped item may then be made and returned for posting by staff. All postings must include the name of the sponsoring organization or office and the date of the program, or removal date for the poster/flyer. Items may be removed form bulletin boards or other locations after the indicated program or removal.

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