Colgate University Policies

Colgate University Policies. Aug. 2024 CL Training RESIDENTIAL LIFE.

[Audio] Alcohol & Illegal Drugs: All Colgate University students are subject to New York State law local statutes and ordinances and Colgate's Policy on Alcohol and Drugs. Kegs of alcohol and drinking games (and associated paraphernalia) are never permitted in University residences. Large quantities of alcohol will be confiscated. Drugs or drug paraphernalia will be confiscated. The possession use sale or distribution of illegal drugs is prohibited. Students who violate state or local laws or University policies will be subject to criminal and/or University disciplinary action and/or the assessment of points in accordance with the alcohol and other drugs policy. Ignorance of the law or of Colgate's policies are not an excuse for any violations..

[Audio] Cleaning Responsibilities: Students are responsible for cleaning the interiors of their rooms/apartments/suites. Although many common spaces within University residences are cleaned regularly by the custodial staff students are responsible for maintaining an environment in their personal and shared living spaces (including common areas) that is healthy and safe and does not require excess cleaning. Students may be charged for excessive cleaning fees and/or leaving their room in a condition that is unsafe or compromises the health of other residents. Students will also be charged cleaning fees if their room requires excessive cleaning upon moving out..

[Audio] Discrimination: Students are responsible for cleaning the interiors of their rooms/apartments/suites. Although many common spaces within University residences are cleaned regularly by the custodial staff students are responsible for maintaining an environment in their personal and shared living spaces (including common areas) that is healthy and safe and does not require excess cleaning. Students may be charged for excessive cleaning fees and/or leaving their room in a condition that is unsafe or compromises the health of other residents. Students will also be charged cleaning fees if their room requires excessive cleaning upon moving out..

[Audio] Doxing: Colgate prohibits the electronic distribution of personally identifying information about a member of the Colgate community for the purpose of subjecting that person or their family or friends to harassment or placing them in reasonable fear for their safety by or from a third party or under circumstances in which a reasonable person would reasonably expect such consequences to ensue. Similar actions that are intended or can reasonably be expected to incite or produce unlawful action through the dissemination of personal private information about another person without their permission are also a violation of this policy and the Colgate Code of Student Conduct..

[Audio] Exterior of Property: Students may not erect or install temporary or permanent structures on University property without prior approval from a University official. Items requiring prior approval include but are not limited to lighting holiday decorations flags or other signage wading pools ice rinks slip-and-slides stages tents and inflatable structures/games. Residents of the Townhouses are required to keep porches and steps of their residences up to the sidewalk clear of snow and ice at all times; shovels and ice melt are provided..

[Audio] Fire Safety Equipment: Tampering with obstructing or the inappropriate use of any fire safety equipment (including but not limited to fire extinguishers smoke detectors or fire sprinklers) is considered a serious offense that will lead to disciplinary action and may include suspension..

[Audio] Hazing: Hazing in any form compromises a student's safety and wellbeing and is counter to Colgate's mission and values. Hazing is prohibited by both Colgate University and New York State. Colgate University defines hazing as any action or situation that recklessly or intentionally endangers mental emotional or physical health or safety of a student in connection with the student's admission into affiliation with or as a condition for initial or continued membership in a group organization or team. Any situation that creates substantial embarrassment harassment or ridicule or involves the forced coerced or implicitly required consumption of food alcohol drugs or other substances in that context also falls under the definition of hazing..

[Audio] Prohibited Items: Appliances with an open heat source such as but not limited to toaster toaster oven hot plates sandwich makers and air fryers unless in designated kitchen areas. Approved appliances (including microwaves and refrigerators) must be plugged directly into the wall outlets. Candles (even for decorative purposes and unlit) potpourri wax or oil burners incense halogen lamps lava lamps and neon signs. Students with questions regarding religious observance practices involving the use of candles or incense should contact the Office of the Chaplains. Flammable liquids (including but not limited to turpentine paint gasoline propane kerosene charcoal lighter fluid ether or butane) equipment that uses combustible fuel (for example motorcycles mopeds fueled torches). Additionally fireworks including sparklers explosives and ammunition are not permitted. Grills may be used ten feet from the residential facility and may be stored on porches at Broad Street houses and the townhouses without propane..

[Audio] Prohibited Items: Extension cords without an installed circuit-breaker or surge protection device. Hoverboards self-propelled skateboards/scooters and similar devices. Natural holiday trees and garland are prohibited in all residential facilities. UL approved lights may be used for decorative purposes; however they may only be hung on the exterior of residence halls with approval and proper connections. Nothing may be placed or located at the bottom of a stairwell in an egress or within 25 feet of an exit. Space heaters and air conditioners; space heaters present a fire safety hazard and are not permitted in University residences; air conditioners are a safety and environmental concern. Students with concerns regarding temperature in their rooms should contact Facilities staff for assistance. Tapestries and other combustible materials (paneling combustible fabrics et cetera) may not be used to decorate rooms. Fiberglass or other fire-resistant hangings are acceptable if hung from picture molding. No items may be affixed to installed in or suspended from the ceiling or exposed pipes in any student rooms..

[Audio] Furniture: Furniture must remain in the room/unit to which it is assigned by the University. No University property may be removed from University residences at any time or placed on porches or yards of University residences. No University furniture or property may be removed from lounges conference rooms or other community areas for use in student rooms or other locations. Students are not permitted to raise lower or loft their University beds without assistance from the Facilities Department. Waterbeds are not permitted in University residences. No indoor furniture may be placed outdoors (including without limitation on porches or decks of apartments houses or townhouses) except in emergency circumstances as necessary to protect health and safety..

[Audio] Guests: Any non-resident of a room or apartment is considered to be a "guest" and must be sponsored by a host who is a resident of the hall house apartment or townhouse. Although occasional overnight guests are permitted the right of one's roommate(s) to sleep and study must be respected at all times. Therefore no overnight guest(s) will be permitted in any room unless and until: Each room occupant gives consent to the arrangements of the guests stay. Duration of a guest's stay in University housing may not exceed three days. It is the responsibility of the host to explain residential life and University rules to guest(s). The host is accountable for the behavior of their guests during their entire stay on campus. Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests including any violation of policy by their guest(s). Guests are only permitted during times in which classes are in session..

[Audio] Keys: Keys and other access control devices (collectively "keys") are issued only to the assigned occupant(s) of a room and with the presentation of a Colgate ID. "Swapping" keys without returning to the Office of Residential Life for approval and signing for the correct key may result in a lock-change charge and/or disciplinary action. Keys are the property of the University and duplication of University keys is expressly forbidden. Students who lose or do not return their keys will be charged to cover labor and/or replacement expenses (for example rekeying or re-coding) that are determined by the University to be necessary. Students are not permitted to install an outside lock on a bedroom bathroom closet or suite door..

[Audio] Pets: Students are not permitted to have pets in University housing other than small aquarium fish (in tanks no larger than 10-gallon capacity) or assistance animals approved as reasonable accommodations by the Director of the Office of Student Disability Services (O-S-D-S-). Students approved to have an assistance animal must comply with the terms of the assistance animal agreement provided by O-D-S--. For general awareness and protection of University Staff and emergency responders students with approved assistance animals are required to display University-issued signage indicating the presence of the animal in a prominent location at the main entrance of their residence. Lab specimens are strictly prohibited in University residences..

[Audio] Quiet Hours: Music loud voices and other loud noises should not be heard outside of University residences. Every student is responsible for respectful treatment of neighbors in the community and in off-campus houses and apartments. In addition to every student being responsible for the maintenance of good order and reasonable quiet in their room students are also responsible for the maintenance of good order and reasonable quiet in the neighborhoods in and around campus. Students shall at all times show proper regard for others. All students must follow 24-hour courtesy hours and respect others' rights to live in an academically supportive environment. Minimum quiet hours in all residences are 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Sunday through Thursday. Quiet hours on Friday and Saturday nights are 12:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. Residents are permitted to extend quiet hours but may not abbreviate quiet hours from those outlined above. The residential life staff will facilitate a process with residents of a designated area if they determine a need to extend these hours. Voices televisions speakers musical instruments and other audio equipment shall be adjusted so as not to disturb neighbors or the community. Please note that throughout the final exam period (from the end of the last class day until the end of the last final exam) 24-hour quiet hours are in effect. Any student residents or guests of houses or apartments with multiple noise complaints and/or citations by the Village of Hamilton will be subject to disciplinary action..

[Audio] Restricted Areas: The presence of individuals objects or decorations on roof balcony or ledge areas is prohibited at all times for safety reasons and for protection of property except in an evacuation emergency. Per the Policy on Restricted Areas found in the Student Handbook students who enter roofs fire escapes or balconies except in an emergency will be subject to disciplinary action..

[Audio] Retaliation: Colgate University strictly prohibits retaliation against any person or organization for seeking supportive measures (including No Contact Orders) good faith reporting of conduct violations or for cooperating with or participating in any investigation adjudication or resolution of potential conduct violations (whether as a reporting party respondent or witness)..

[Audio] Right of Entry: Authorized University staff members including but not limited to campus safety officers residential life staff members and facilities employees may enter and inspect rooms at any time without permission or consent of the student occupant(s) for health and safety purposes to conduct repairs or to address actual or suspected violations of law or University policies procedures rules and regulations in each case subject to any applicable procedural requirements set forth in the Student Handbook. Residents are expected to comply with reasonable requests for entry..

[Audio] Smoking: Smoking and vaping is prohibited in all Colgate facilities. Students who smoke or vape in rooms or common spaces will be charged cleaning and furniture replacement fees associated with related damage in accordance with the damage policy and will be subject to disciplinary action..

[Audio] Trash: It is the residents' responsibility to deposit garbage and recycling into the appropriate location in order to keep their living area clean and sanitary. Students will be charged for any garbage clean-up facilitated by the Facilities Department and will be subject to disciplinary action for excessive or repeated occurrences of failing to dispose of their garbage or recycling..

[Audio] Weapons: Weapons of any kind are not permitted on the Colgate University campus or in any building. It is a violation of University regulations to possess the following on campus or in University housing: rifles shotguns revolvers pistols replica weapons spring-powered pellet (or "B-B---") guns paintball guns chemical/biological weapons knives over six inches in length brass knuckles slingshot devices ammunition or any other substance or device designed to harm or incapacitate. Rifles shotguns paintball guns or ammunition may be stored at Campus Safety for use off-campus and/or permitted use at the Colgate Trap Range provided the requisite licenses in the State of New York are also obtained. This restriction does not apply to law enforcement personnel authorized by law to be in possession of such weapons. The discharging of weapons on the Colgate campus or in the Village or Town of Hamilton is illegal poses an obvious threat to the lives and safety of residents and will result in severe disciplinary and/or legal action against those responsible..

[Audio] Windows & Screens: For reasons of health safety and maintenance if screens are in place they may not be removed from windows. In addition decorations or personal items may not be hung outside a window or be placed on windowsills or ledges. Throwing objects out of windows is strictly prohibited..

[Audio] Student Handbook: These are merely common policies that may be encountered and are not all encompassing of all university policies and procedures. Please refer to Colgate's website and the Student Handbook for all university policies and procedures..