Residence Hall Lounges and Common Areas

Students are encouraged to use residence hall lounges as social and study areas. Lounges can be reserved for specific dates and times by contacting Residence Life. Residence hall lounges and common areas should not be used for overnight sleeping or hosting non-Ursinus students. Additionally, lounge furniture must remain in the appropriate lounge space; it may not be appropriated to residence hall rooms. Students who remove furniture from the lounges and common spaces are subject to disciplinary action.

Noise Policies

Courtesy and consideration for the reasonable expectations of others are essential to maintain a harmonious atmosphere in a residential setting. While Resident Advisors, Assistant Directors, and Campus Safety officers will act to stop unreasonable noise, the primary responsibility for keeping noise at a reasonable level rests with each individual student. Appropriate college authorities should be notified if noise concerns persist. College policies regarding noise levels vary by hour and location. Violations of these policies may result in disciplinary action.

• Courtesy Hours: During these hours, noise should not be audible at a level that bothers others outside the hall, house, or suite, and students are expected to respond positively to neighbor’s requests to decrease noise. Speakers, musical instruments, and televisions should be played at reasonable times and at a volume that will not negatively impact others. Courtesy hours are in effect in a residence hall, house, or suite at all times when approved social events are not in effect.
• Quiet Hours: During these hours, noise should not be audible outside the individual room. Quiet hours are in effect in every residence area from 12:00AM to 8:00AM Monday through Friday and from 2:00AM to 8:00AM on Saturday and Sunday. Common rooms, common spaces, and lounges are recommended for larger group activities. All residence halls have 24-hour designated quiet hours during reading days and the final exam period.

Guest Policy

Guests who are on campus during Residence Hall Quiet Hours (12:00AM to 8:00AM Monday through Friday and from 2:00AM to 8:00AM on Saturday and Sunday) must be registered (via the online form) by an enrolled Ursinus student resident. Residents may not register more than 2 visitors to campus at any one time without the express written consent of an Assistant Director of Residence Life, the Director of Residence Life, or the Executive Director of Campus Safety and Emergency Preparedness.

Guest visiting overnight may only stay if all roommates are in agreement. Guests may not remain overnight for more than two nights consecutively and no more than 2 total nights per week. Cohabitation is not permitted and is defined at the discretion of the Director of Residence Life.

Residents must be present with their guests at all times during guest stays and are responsible for guest actions in accordance with the Ursinus Student Handbook. By registering a guest, the resident is affirming that the guest has not been removed or banned from Ursinus College for any reason.

Ursinus reserves the right to override any approvals granted or remove a guest from campus at any time.

Guests who are bringing a vehicle to campus must pick up their temporary parking permit in the Campus Safety Office.

Items and Behaviors Not Permitted In Residence Halls

Students must follow all municipal, state, and federal fire safety procedures and laws including not tampering with or using safety or fire equipment such as alarm systems or fire extinguishers except in an actual emergency.

The following items are prohibited from the residence halls:

• The use or possession of any flammable substances, flame emitting articles, open coiled/flamed items, or candles.  This includes, but is not limited to, the use of air fryers, hot plates, rice cookers, crockpots, and incense.  Toasters and toaster ovens are permitted to be used only in common area kitchens.  These items must be stored in the kitchen and are not permitted in students’ rooms.  The College shall not be directly or indirectly liable for any damage, loss, or theft of these items. Any loss or theft should be reported to Campus Safety. 
• Halogen and multi-head lamps
• Hoverboards, single wheel boards, Swagways, e-bikes or any similar device that is battery powered are prohibited on campus including the residence halls
• The use of heat-generating electrical equipment such as electric heaters
• Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, incendiary or toxic chemicals, explosives, and weapons
• Public signs, college signs, dining hall property, and laboratory equipment
• Waterbeds and swimming pools of any kind
• Animals, except fish. Violations involving animals will include disciplinary action and mandatory fines for clean-up costs, currently set to the cost of labor
• Alcohol is strictly prohibited in all first-year centers. All students should review the social event and alcohol and drug policy section of the handbook for more information.
• Binge drinking paraphernalia is strictly prohibited in all residence halls, and could result in disciplinary action or a monetary fine
• Solicitors and/or photographers without authorization from Student Affairs
• Formal and/or informal athletic activities that should be confined to the proper playing fields or gym
• Students are not permitted on the roof tops of any residence halls or academic buildings at any time
• All buildings, including all residence halls, are strictly smoke-free/vape-free

Room Decorating Guidelines & Policies

• Decorations in a room must not damage ceilings, walls or woodwork. Students may not paste, glue, or nail materials to the walls, ceiling or furniture. Students should be careful about potential damage when decorating walls.
• Live holiday decorations such as trees, branches, or wreaths are not permitted in residence halls.
• Pipes and sprinkler heads must remain clear at all times. Items found hanging from and around pipes in rooms and common areas may result in disciplinary action and a $250 fine.
• Materials, including but not limited to, sand, rocks, bricks, and stones, may not be placed on the floor of any residence hall, and my not be placed around any entrances or exits to residence halls.
• Students shall not place decorations or other objects on the floor that may impede walking or egress from any residential area or would block entrance into residence hall rooms.
• Students shall not (a) remove any furniture, equipment or property belonging to the College from the room, (b) remove furniture from lounges for room use, (c) alter or tamper with the installed heating or electrical systems, or (d) alter the floor, walls, ceiling or doors of the room.
• Students may not paint their rooms or common areas. Reimert suite doors and common rooms may be painted with permission through the Reimert Suite Painting Program.
• Repairs needed in the residence halls should be reported to Facilities Services.
• The resident is responsible for all furnishings supplied for the residence halls by the college at the time of occupancy. Charges will be made for loss or damage to the room or to its furnishings.

Residence Halls Exteriors and Porches

• No items (including hammocks, flags, banners, posters, sand) may be hung from or placed on residence hall exteriors and/or porches without approval from the college. Approval will only be given for college-sanctioned events.

Windows, Screens, and Doors

• Residence hall screens are not to be unhooked or removed from windows. Residents will be charged for the total cost of reinstalling, repairing, or replacing damaged or destroyed screens. Windows are not to be used for entrances or exits. Residence hall windows should remain closed during periods of below freezing weather. No items (including flags, banners, posters, signs, or speakers) may be placed in, hung from, attached to, or hung out of windows or doors.

Facilities in the Residence Halls

• All residence hall rooms are provided with a cable TV connection. Services to the buildings on the Main Campus and to the houses between 5th and 9th Avenues are provided through the ECHOSTAR/Dish Satellite Network. Other houses receive Comcast Cable Services. There is no additional charge for Cable/Satellite TV Services. No premium channels/services are provided. Information on channel line-ups may be found on the Ursinus College web site. For more information contact Information Technology.
• Washing machines and dryers located in residence halls are provided as a convenience for resident students. Service calls regarding inoperative equipment should be directed to Facilities Services. Residents will be held responsible for damage to laundry equipment.