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Title: Student Housing 
Subject: Student Life, Residential Learning and University Housing
Policy No: SL: 2016:19
Applies: University Owned/Operated/Affiliated Student Housing Facilities
Issuing Authorities: Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students
Responsible Officers: Assistant Vice President for Residential Learning and University Housing
Adopted: 08/10/2016
Last Revision: 0810/0924/20212022
Last Reviewed: 07 10/1524/20212022

I.     PURPOSE

This policy establishes rules and procedures for operation of student housing.

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1. In order to receive a housing assignment in University housing, students must submit an application and accept the terms and conditions of the applicable housing contract for the term they are seeking housing.
2. The contract is a binding legal agreement between the University and the student, and, where applicable, with Affiliated housing providers. The terms and conditions of the contract are disclosed during the application process. The terms and conditions of the contract supersede any provision of this policy that may conflict with the contract.
3. Cancellations, Terminations, and Suspensions of the Contract
   1. The contract terms and conditions specify the time period of the contract, typically for an entire academic year, and the grounds permissible for cancellation, termination or suspension of the contract. Students may request cancellation of the contract at any time by submitting a written request through the approved online system and submitting supporting documentation when required. Requests will be reviewed by the University based on the criteria outlined on the department website and in the contract. A cancellation fee may apply.
   2. Moving out or turning in keys without an approved cancellation does not release the student from the contract or any of their obligations under the contract, including the obligation to pay for the assigned space.
4. Application Deadlines and Wait Lists
   1. The application deadlines will be published each academic year and advertised as part of the annual room selection process. Students must apply by published deadlines. Students are notified as soon as possible when an assignment is made. Students who apply late may be placed on a waitlist. Students who are placed on a waitlist will be assigned once space is available.
5. Housing Not Guaranteed – Lottery
   1. On-campus housing is not guaranteed to juniors, seniors, or seniors graduate students because demand for housing may exceed the available space. In the event that demand for student housing exceeds available capacity, the University may determine eligibility for student housing using a lottery. Students not successful during the lottery will be placed on a waiting list and assigned housing as space becomes available.
6. Disability Related Housing Accommodations
   1. Students who need housing accommodations related to any medical condition or disability should contact the Office of Disability ResourcesAccessibility Services.
   2. Students are required to submit appropriate supporting documentation for their request and will be provided reasonable accommodations in accordance with University policy and applicable law.
7. Discrimination
   1. Rowan University does not discriminate in its housing assignments based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, familial status, or national or ethnic origin, or any other legally protected class.
   2. Complaints of discrimination or unequal treatment should be referred to the Vice President of Student Life/Dean of Students or the Office of Student Equity and Compliance.

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HEALTH SAFETY AND FACILITIES POLICIES

1. Protective Health Rules
   In order to promote public health and minimize the risk of students contracting to transmitting the virus that causes COVID-19, students in residential facilities will comply with the following rules:
   1. Whenever students are in the indoor common areas of residential facilities, including hallways, stairwells, elevators, lounges, study rooms, computer labs, laundry facilities, and similar shared spaces, students who have not been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 will wear a mask or face covering over the nose and mouth. Face masks are not required except when showering, brushing teeth, or other washing/bathing activities which make it impractical to do so. Masks and/or face coverings will not be required within the private areas of student bedrooms and within apartments, including the shared living room, kitchen, and bathroom areas of apartments. Exceptions to the mask/face covering requirement may be made for medical or health reasons in accordance with appropriately documented accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Fair Housing Act, and other applicable laws.
   2. Students in apartments or residence halls suites with shared bathrooms will work cooperatively with roommates to properly clean and disinfect their shared spaces regularly using appropriate supplies to minimize the risk of transmission of the virus that causes COVID-19.
   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
   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.
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 warning.
      2. Second and future violation - 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. For safety reasons, the following items are prohibited in University housing:
      1. Air conditioners of any kind.
      2. Except in apartment kitchens where coking cooking appliances are permitted, 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. Bed risers.
      5. Hover boardsHoverboards.
      6. 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.
      7. Furniture that embeds any power outlets which lack an internal surge protector.
      8. Halogen lamps, or oil lamps and , or decorative string lights except in accordance with the string lights policy.
      9. Incense or incense paraphernalia.
      10. Candles or open flames of any kind.
      11. 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 housingcovering more than 50% of the surface are of the wall or door where they are hung.
      12. Flammable or combustible liquids or gases, paint thinner, fireworks, explosives, or similar combustible material.
      13. Engines, engine parts, lubricants, and fuels.
      14. Live trees or wreaths from live foliage.
      15. University, municipal, or private property not authorized to be in the student’s possession.
      16. Pets or animals including lab specimens (except fish in a tank of 10 gallons or smaller), unless approved as a service or comfort animal as required by applicable law.
      17. Swimming pools.
      18. Dart boards.
      19. Weapons of any kind (e.g. firearms, swords, knives other than kitchen knives).  Self-defense sprays of 3/4 oz. or less are permitted consistent with state law (see N.J.S.A. 2C:39-6). 
      20. Paintball guns, air rifflesrifles, bb 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.
      21. Illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia.
3. 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. Lights may not be hung or affixed to the walls, doors, windows, or furniture using any sort of adhesive strip tape which may damage the surface.
      3. Damages caused by the use of any lights are billable to the responsible student.
      4. 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.
      5. 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.
      6. 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.
      7. Lights may not be hung from fire sprinklers.
      8. 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.
      9. Lights may not be hung in bathrooms or around kitchen sinks or other locations where water is present.
      10. Lights may not be in contact with paper, fabric, tapestries or other combustible materials.
      11. Lights may only be on during times when people are present in the room. When the room is unoccupied, lights must be turned off.
4. 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.
5. 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. vii. 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 warning.
      2. Second and future violation - Referral to the disciplinary process. Repeated violations may result in loss of housing privileges, as determined by the disciplinary process.
6. 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.

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1. Soliciting
   1. No soliciting of any type is permitted within or in the areas immediately adjacent to any university housing facility with the following exceptions:
      1. The Student Government Association, Residence Hall Association , and Residential Learning Staff are permitted to engage in door-to-door contacts with students to support student governance functions and to promote their authorized, non-commercial programs and activities within the residence halls.
      2. The Student Government Association or Residence Hall Association may authorize organizations conducting non-partisan voter registration drives to enter student housing for door-to-door contact with residents.
      3. Authorized agents of the United States Census Bureau may conduct entry as needed to contact residents in accordance with laws and regulations governing the federal census.
2. Posting
   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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