Community Standards

Alcohol beverage containers of all types are prohibited in the residence halls. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to shot glasses, empty beer cans, beer and liquor bottles or kegs of any size. This includes containers used for decorative purposes.

Sitting on, sliding down or climbing over balcony railings or banisters is unsafe and is therefore prohibited. Balconies may not be used to store bicycles, trash, paper or other combustible items. Use of charcoal grills or other sources of flame is prohibited on balconies due to the possibility of fire.

Bicycles are prohibited from use or storage in the common and private spaces within the residence halls and should not be in the residence halls for any reason for any duration of time. Public, covered and uncovered, bicycle storage is provided around campus for your convenience. Registering a bicycle is free of charge and should be done through Parking Services.

Residents are required to comply with all reasonable and lawful requests made by UH staff, University staff (e.g. University Police, staff members and faculty members), or other residents. This may include, but is not limited to, providing a T-Card or other identification, completing required paperwork or assigned sanctions based on a violation of the Community Standards. Failure to comply may result in additional judicial action including fines, community service, or removal from the residence halls.

Any noise or distraction that disturbs residents is not conducive to academic success and personal health and, therefore, Courtesy Hours are in affect 24 hours a day and seven days a week. Please reference this Community Standard when requesting that your fellow residents cease any loud or distracting practice.

Damage to the UH facilities or property and that of fellow residents is prohibited and may result in sanctions and/or restitution. Residents are responsible for the room, suite or apartment, and the furnishings within assigned to them by UH. Any damages that must be repaired or untidiness that must be cleaned at the time of check-out or Health and Safety Inspection will incur charges. UH Cleaning charges are billed at the rate of $30 per hour.

It is vital that community members are able to gain appropriate access to their buildings and room or apartments whenever necessary and that they feel safe and secure within the same. Building exterior doors may not be propped at any time. For fire safety and security reasons, it is not advisable that interior doors (room, suite or apartment doors) be propped; such matters may be governed by the Roommate Agreement.

Lobbies, hallways, stairwells and elevators must remain clear and secure at all times. Please report any area that is not accessible to your RA or another UH staff member.

Adding or changing locks, deadbolts, chain locks or other access control hardware to any door is prohibited.

Tampering with or removing any fire safety device such as a smoke detector, sprinkler head or relevant signage is strictly prohibited. Nothing may be attached to or hung from any fire safety device. All permitted electrical appliances must meet UL (Underwriters Laboratory) safety standards. Substandard equipment will be required to be removed. Due to threats of fire, Lava lamps and torchiere/halogen lamps are prohibited in the residence halls. Smoke machines are also prohibited as they interfere with life safety equipment.

Residents may not bring personal furniture into their room, suite or apartment without written authorization of the Facilities Manager. Each apartment and room is fully furnished. Furniture should not be moved, stacked or relocated unless authorized.

All guests must be escorted by a resident at all times in order to be present in the residence halls. This includes the use of community bathroom facilities and during the move-in and move-out process. Non-resident guests will never be issued keys by UH. Residents will only be issued keys specific to their assigned space and residents are prohibited from lending their keys to their guests. A guest is defined as: any person in a room, suite, or apartment to which he/she is not assigned. Hosts are responsible for their non-resident guests at all times.

The Overnight Guest Request form is posted on each floor and is accessible through the RA. Requests must be submitted to obtain formal Housing approval prior to any guest’s anticipated arrival. This is to ensure compliance with the policies & allow all occupants the opportunity to object.

All occupants of the suite will be notified (via email) of the request details once the form is submitted and reviewed by the Housing Office. The roommates have 3 days to reply to the Housing Staff's email to object. A decision for approval or denial will be determined & emailed to all occupants after that 3 day objection allowance passes. **Please note that if an objection is received; the objecting party's name will be included in the denial decision letter; but will not include the reasoning behind the objection.

Residents may not have overnight guests during the first two weeks and last two weeks of the fall and spring semesters. An overnight guest is defined as any person(s) present in a residence hall room, suite, or apartment between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Residents may not entertain overnight guests more than five nights in a month and no guest may stay more than three consecutive nights regardless of roommate permission. This policy applies to private and shared rooms alike.

*Occasionally, University Housing will grant specific permission in conflict with this portion of the policy for official recruitment or other University events.

UH reserves the right to rescind permission of any guest to remain in a UH facility if the guest’s presence is determined to be a disturbance to the community or threat to the property or safety of any resident(s) or the University. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests and will be held accountable for their behavior through the UH Judicial Education System.

Keys are issued to specific residents and therefore keys cannot be shared or loaned to friends, family members, students, or other residents – even your roommate. Keys may not be duplicated under any circumstance. Adding or changing locks, deadbolts, chain locks or other access control hardware is prohibited.

Pranks are prohibited within the residence halls, especially as it relates to the use of Unauthorized Access in performing the prank or behavior.

Being present in a student room, residence hall or at a University Housing function where a violation of University policy or a community standard is occurring will ordinarily constitute a violation of University Housing policy. If you find that you are present and realize a violation is occurring, you have the responsibility to:

• Confront the behavior you observe;
• Report the violation(s) to a UH staff member immediately; and
• Leave the room and/or area immediately.
• All persons present when UH staff or police confront a violation will be included in the situation assessment.

The Roommate Agreement outlines specific skills and things roommates must consider when living together. It is a useful tool that will help you get to know your roommate(s) better and to establish mutual expectations. It promotes communication, assertiveness, effective listening and compromise, all of which are essential to successful roommate relationships.

Using a window as an entrance or exit is prohibited. Also, removal of any screen or window is prohibited as they exist for your safety and convenience. Windows may not be used to solicit, advertise, or exhibit messages to outside parties.

Smoking is prohibited within the residence halls and up to 25 feet from any building on campus. There are designated smoking areas outside each building and these locations are posted within your community. Smoking in or too close to a residence hall as well as improper disposal of cigarettes or cigarette butts may result in judicial action. Any request by a UH staff member or community member to move farther away from a building or group of residents should be honored. The use of electronic cigarettes does not exempt an individual from this policy. Hookahs and similar smoking devices are prohibited on UH property. Effective December 20, 2019, Federal Law prohibits smoking by anyone under the age of 21.

Door-to-door sales, solicitation, ecclesiastical door-to-door visits, canvassing or inquires by residents, guests, or third parties is not permitted within the residence halls. RAs and members of RHA may go door-to-door with Coordinator permission to advertise programs or inform residents of pertinent residence hall information. SUUSA and other campus groups may be granted an exception during elections and other campus events after they have obtained approval from the Director of University Housing. In such an event, notification will be given to residents. Tupperware®, Mary Kay®, and other similar “parties” are strictly prohibited as they are not conducive to the academic and community building environment. Being a resident or being escorted by a resident does not give one license to go door-to-door for any reason.

To prevent damage to our facilities and any persons residing in our facilities, you may not participate in any activity, sport, horseplay, or physically active game inside the residence halls. This includes, but is not limited to, bouncing balls, skateboarding, rollerblading, bicycling, throwing a Frisbee, tag, wrestling, snow ball or water fights.

Students must adhere to University policies governing conduct as defined in Southern Utah University policy number 11.2 and violations of these policies within the residence halls may result in University or UH judicial action.

From 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 am Friday and Saturday, you must ensure that noise of any kind that can be heard by your fellow residents is discontinued. Please remember that other residents may live above, below, and beside you in either direction.

• 24 Quiet Hours will be in affect from the day before Study Day at 10:00PM through the last day of finals at 10:00PM--after which normal quiet hours will take effect. These hours will be posted and strictly enforced.
• It is important that you make an attempt to confront any resident in a respectable manner that may be creating a disturbance before contacting your RA or Coordinator.
• Excessive noise will never be tolerated no matter the time of day or night and will be subject to documentation without warning.

Upon receiving an Incident report or Internal report submitted by residential housing staff or residents, a University Housing Residence Life staff member shall review the report and make a determination on whether the report as stated constitutes a violation of the Resident Handbook, Student Conduct Code, or other University policies. If it appears that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct or other applicable University policy has occurred, then the report will be submitted to the appropriate office for review. If it is determined that the report, as stated, would be a violation of a Community Standard , then the applicable University Housing Coordinator will act as the Housing Conduct Officer to resolve that violation. During the Initial Review, the Housing Conduct Officer may meet with the Reporter and/or other person(s) reportedly affected by the conduct for clarification purposes and may review available documents or other information as part of the process.

If upon completion of the initial review, the Housing Conduct Officer determines that a violation of the University Housing Community Standards has been stated, the Housing Conduct Officer will notify the Respondent Student(s) in writing of (1) a summary of the allegations and information gathered, (2) next steps in the process, and (3) an overview of the processes available for resolution.

Upon receiving notice, the Respondent Student will have five (5) business days to respond to the notification by contacting the Housing Conduct Officer or designee, as directed in the notice.

If the Respondent does not respond or fails to show up at a scheduled meeting without good cause and notice to the Housing Conduct Officer or otherwise refuses to participate, the Housing Conduct Officer will proceed with the applicable process with the information available. The student may be referred to the Dean of Students Office under a violation of the Student Conduct Code for non-compliance.

The Housing Conduct Officer conducts the hearing/meeting of the Administrative Resolution Process. It is a meeting with the Respondent. In conducting the Administrative Resolution Meeting, the Housing Conduct Officer is not bound by any formal or legal standards for the rules of evidence, but evidence may be limited by relevancy and redundancy.

The Respondent may choose to be accompanied by an Advisor to any related meeting or proceeding. The Advisor may not disrupt the meetings or other proceedings or speak on behalf of the Respondent. Generally, the Advisor is limited to listening and quietly conferring with the Respondent. If an Advisor is disruptive even after a warning, the Advisor may be excluded from the meeting or proceeding.

Where there are allegations against more than one Respondent arising out of the same set of facts, the Housing Conduct Officer may review the allegations and information as one consolidated matter. A Respondent may request a separate review. However, such a request will be at the discretion of the Housing Conduct Officer, who will consider the interests of fairness and procedural expediency in deciding whether to grant the request.

• Step 1: The Housing Conduct Officer conducts the meeting in person or electronic means, as determined by the Housing Conduct Officer.
• Step 2: At the meeting, the Housing Conduct Officer goes through the allegations and information gathered during the Initial Review, along with the sections of the Resident Handbook potentially violated. 
• Step 3: Respondent has an opportunity to provide the Housing Conduct Officer with copies of any documents, witnesses, or other information they wish to present in responding to the information presented. The Respondent also may ask questions about processes or other relevant matters.
• Step 4: The Housing Conduct Officer may interview witnesses who the Housing Conduct Officer has reason to believe have information relevant to the determination. 
• Step 5: The Housing Conduct Officer tells the Respondent a summary of next steps.

After the steps above, the Housing Conduct Officer then determines based on a Preponderance of the Evidence whether the Respondent violated the Community Standards, and if so, imposes disciplinary sanctions appropriate for the violation.

The Housing Conduct Officer will communicate the decision within a reasonable time, generally aiming for within five (5) business days following the conclusion of the meeting if no additional witnesses will be interviewed or documents need to be reviewed.

Upon reaching a determination of responsibility, the Housing Conduct Officer determines the appropriate sanctions.

Any sanctions should be appropriate to end and/or prevent further violation of the Community Standards. The Housing Conduct Officer has discretion to determine sanctions which include but are not limited to, any one or a combination of the following sanctions:

• Warning letter/letter of censure;
• Education experiences or performing certain reasonable and relevant educational or related service activities;
• Fines;
• Restitution;
• Formal and/or Public Apology;
• Restrictions on housing registration, selection, access, and participation; Disciplinary probation or removal from University Housing.

Students found responsible for a violation of the Resident Handbook and Community Standards may request an appeal of the Housing Conduct Officer’s decision. The Respondent shall send the Appeal request to the Director of University Housing (Appeal Officer) unless otherwise communicated to the Respondent. Appeals are not re-hearings, and appeals are not granted on the basis of disagreement with the written decision. The Respondent may request to Appeal a decision based only on one or more of the following:

• There was a denial of adequate and fair due process that resulted in a material error that impacted the outcome of the Conduct Review Process; or
• There is new evidence or information that was not reasonably available at the time of the meeting which is likely to affect the outcome of the Conduct Review Process.

The Respondent may request an appeal in writing to the Appeal Officer. To request the appeal, a Respondent must include a statement explaining in detail why the Respondent is contesting the findings or the action(s) based on one or more of the above reasons, any relevant reasoning and facts that support the appeal, and include copies of any documents that will substantiate or clarify the appeal request and appeal.

A Respondent may appeal within five (5) business days after receipt of the written notification of a disciplinary decision. Failure to appeal within the five (5) business days period waives the right to appeal.

The decision of the Appeal Officer is final and not subject to additional appeal.

Since candles, incense, and the like constitute an extreme fire hazard, they are not permitted within the Residence Halls. This includes, but is not limited to candles or similar devices (e.g. Scentsy candles, plug-in air fresheners, candle warmers or other wax melting devices, etc.) that have not been lit previously, have had the wick removed or trimmed, or have been given as gifts, and are being used for decorative purposes only.

Cinder blocks, bricks, blocks of wood and any other materials which may damage flooring in the residence halls are not permitted to lift beds or for any other use. Several local and national retail chains carry plastic risers (they look like small square traffic cones); these may be used to lift beds. Beds may not be lifted more than 12 inches.

Based on fire safety and the additional load on residence hall electrical systems, electric heaters and personal air conditioners are not permitted in the residence halls. Each residence hall has a fully operational heating and cooling system. If you find that the system is not operating as you expect, please submit an online maintenance request and consult your RA if the problem continues.

Except as expressly permitted by law, UH strictly prohibits the use, possession and storage of explosives (including fireworks, firecrackers and other incendiaries), firearms, and other weapons on campus.

Any combustible fuel or material (e.g. propane or kerosene) or hazardous chemical is strictly prohibited and subject to confiscation.

Any combustible fuel or material (e.g. propane or kerosene) or hazardous chemical is strictly prohibited and subject to confiscation.

The use, possession, or storage of Hoverboards, Swagways, IO Hawks, Skywalkers, and similar devices is prohibited on campus until safety standards for them can be developed and implemented and the prohibition lifted.

Microwave ovens are provided in each community; some are in specific rooms and others in common areas. Additional personal microwaves are not permitted under any circumstance.

Any appliance or device typically used at home or in an office environment that has an open heating element and does not have an automatic shut-off feature is prohibited. Common items in this category are: hot plates; toaster ovens and electric woks.

You may bring small countertop appliances (i.e. coffeemakers, toasters, crock pots, rice cookers, tea boilers, etc.) that do not disrupt the academic environment, have an automatic shut-off feature engaged at all times, and meet the approval of your RA and/or Coordinator. These kitchen-type appliances may only be used in units with kitchens, and are prohibited from use in bedrooms.

Live Christmas trees are not permitted in buildings owned by the State of Utah and are prohibited. Pumpkins and jack-o-lanterns are likewise prohibited from the residence halls. Gel stickers/window clings are prohibited as they stain and damage most surfaces

No pets are permitted in residence hall rooms or apartments with the exception of fish contained in a single 10 gallon or smaller tank (per room or apartment). A fish is defined as legless, cold-blooded, aquatic vertebrate animal with fins, gills and scales. Service animals and therapy animals for documented disabilities are permitted by law. University Housing reserves the right to revoke permission granted for the campus presence of therapy animals whose owner fails to follow the requirements set forth. University Housing also reserves the right to ban service or therapy animals who do not behave appropriately.

Personal refrigerators are prohibited in all communities where refrigerators are provided. Refrigerators are provided in Eccles, Founders Hall and Ponderosa Terrace. Residents in Cedar Hall are permitted to furnish one refrigerator per room so long as it does not exceed 2.0 cubic feet and is approved by Underwriters Laboratories.

Should you require special accommodation for a documented health related reason, please contact the Director of University Housing.

Given the quality and convenience of the provided internet connection throughout the residence halls, no student shall bring or setup an additional wireless router or internet switch in their room or apartment. It is likely that a private network setup through the connection provided by UH will disrupt network connectivity for others and may be a violation of the University’s acceptable use policy.