University Housing - Policies, Rules, and Regulations

Policies, Rules, and Regulations

All residents are expected to be familiar with and abide by the University of Iowa Policies and Regulations Affecting Students, the Standards of Student Behavior in the Residence Halls, this Residence Hall Guidebook, and the terms and conditions of the residence halls contract. Violations of these rules are handled through the disciplinary procedures of the residence halls and/or through the University.

University Housing policies may be amended at any time by the authority of the director of the department. Amendments are effective upon approval by the vice president for student services and dean of students and once the University Housing has made a reasonable attempt to notify residents of the change.

Individuals who pose a clear and present danger to other residents are not eligible to live in University housing. Registered Sex Offenders represent a clear and present danger and are not eligible for University housing.

All residence hall room assignments and room transfers are made without regard to a student's race, religion, sexual orientation, or nationality. Students of the opposite gender may not occupy the same room.

Violence, Harassment, and Human Rights

The conduct regulations in the Residence Hall Guidebook specifically prohibit harassment, verbal abuse, physical abuse, and threats of physical abuse in the Residence Halls. When such cases arise, the University Housing will enforce the University's Policy on Violence. In addition, the University's Policy on Sexual Harassment and Consensual Relationships and the University Policy on Human Rights may be applicable. These policies, which specifically define the prohibited conduct and delineate the procedures to be followed, are found online in the Policies and Regulations Affecting Students, 2008-09 at http://student-services.uiowa.edu/students/policies/index.php.

The University's Policy on Violence prohibits physical assault, sexual assault, threats with a weapon, and verbal threats, conduct which may lead to suspension or expulsion from the University. The Violence Policy also sets forth sanctions in cases where a person's property has been damaged for purposes of demeaning the owner on account of race, gender, sexual orientation, etc.

Under the mandatory reporting system set forth in the Violence Policy, residence hall staff members are mandatory reporters. Whenever a resident assistant or hall coordinator receives information about conduct in violation of the Violence Policy, this staff member will forward the information to the area coordinator who in turn will forward it to the Office of the Vice President for Student Services. Only a brief description of the incident need be included in the mandatory report. The names of persons involved will not be included in the report unless the apparent victim consents to the disclosure.

Residents with questions about the Policy on Violence are encouraged to contact residence hall staff member or the Office of the Vice President for Student Services. Information regarding discrimination is available in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Diversity, which administers the Policy on Sexual Harassment and Consensual Relationships. For information about the Committee on Human Rights, contact the Committee Chairperson or the Office of the Vice President for Student Services.

Standards of Student Behavior in the Halls

Living in residence halls is a community living experience where all members have certain rights and responsibilities.

Any resident who commits, incites, or aids others in committing any acts of misconduct shall be subject to disciplinary action by University Housing and/or the University. This applies to any resident regarding his/her own actions as well as student or non-student guests. Non-resident students may be charged by the Vice President for Student Services under the judicial procedure for alleged violations of the code of student life. Non-student guests found violating resident hall policies may be banned from the residence halls or from campus.

Unauthorized occupation or use of, or unauthorized entry into, any residence hall facility or student room.
Interference with the right of access to residence hall facilities or with any contractual right of any person in residence halls.
Individual or group activities within any area of the residence halls that causes a disturbance, including hallway sports, inappropriate behavior, or behavior that threatens the rights and safety of other persons and/or University property.
Harassment, verbal or physical abuse, or the threat of physical abuse against any person, including yourself, in the residence halls or at any University Housing authorized function or event, or other conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any such person.
Failure to respond to a summons (verbal and/or written) from a residence hall staff member or other University official and/or failure to comply with the direction of a University Housing staff member acting in the performance of his or her duties.
Obstruction or disruption of disciplinary procedures, University Housing administrative procedures, or any other University Housing authorized function or event.
Tampering with or the misuse of fire alarms (including sounding a false fire alarm), fire extinguishers, fire hoses, or any fire equipment or limiting egress from buildings by tampering with exit signs and doors.
Unlawful manufacture, distribution, sale, use, or possession of illegal, addictive, dangerous, or controlled substances (including alcohol) on residence hall property. Empty alcohol containers and illegal drug paraphernalia are prohibited.
Theft, vandalism, misuse, or misappropriation of University property or private property, or possession of stolen goods, including the misuse of surveillance cameras
Possession or use of an item prohibited by the guns and weapons policy on page 23.
Possession or use of an item prohibited by the explosive and combustible policy on page 17.
Misrepresentation of identity or misuse of any identification card in the residence halls or failure to show appropriate identification upon request by a residence halls or University staff member.
Misuse of room or building keys/proximity cards.
Failure to follow emergency procedures (fire, tornado, etc.).
Violation of quiet hours and/or courtesy hours as determined by residence hall units/floors as approved by University Housing.
Setting of a fire or the possession or use of candles or any type of open-flame (including incense) or open-filament device.
Violations of the terms and conditions in the residence hall contract or policies and procedures prescribed in the Residence Hall Guidebook.
Conviction of any federal, state, or local crime committed on campus.
Violation of the Policy on Sexual Harassment and Consensual Relationships, the Policy on Violence, the University Policy on Human Rights, or a Department of University Housing roommate contract.
Violation of the Resnet policy as described on page 47-48 and 53-57.
Engaging in self-destructive behavior as described on page 48.

In addition, persons living in the residence halls are not exempt from prosecution in civil or criminal court in cases where such action is deemed necessary.

Violations Warranting Eviction

The following violations are considered significant violations of community standards and would normally result in a students' permanent suspension from the residence halls, regardless of previous disciplinary history.

Possession/consumption of drugs or paraphernalia.
Possession of a large amount of alcohol.
Physical assault (including sexual assault).
Possession of firearms.
Intentionally setting a fire, falsely pulling a fire alarm or causing a fire alarm to occur.

Alcohol Policy

The University of Iowa Residence Halls are considered substance-free environments (page 39). All students and guests, regardless of age, are not permitted to consume or possess alcoholic beverages in residence halls. Any alcohol found will be destroyed and disciplinary sanctions, including fines ranging from $200 - $500, imposed. Persons found in a room where alcohol is present and/or being consumed are subject to disciplinary action whether or not they were drinking.

The presence of full or empty alcoholic beverage containers including alcohol "suitcases" is prohibited. This includes containers used as decoration. Severe sanctions, including the possibility of immediate suspension from the residence halls, are imposed upon residents who host alcohol for others in their rooms or possess large quantities of alcoholic beverages, even if there are no prior sanctions on record. In addition, these alcohol violations may be referred to the Dean of Student's Office for disciplinary action, including possible suspension from the University.

Students who violate University Housing policies and procedures while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs will be subject to disciplinary action on the basis of their offenses. Students who are intoxicated in the residence halls may be subject to arrest. Residents who violate the alcohol policy will be subject to a monetary fine.

Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests and persons in the company of their guests. If their guests violated the alcohol policy, residents will be sanctioned for the conduct of their guests and persons in the company of their guests.

Drug Policy

(Marijuana and/or Controlled Substances)
Illegal, addictive, dangerous, or controlled substances are not allowed on residence hall property. Possession of drugs or drug paraphernalia, use, manufacture, distribution, or sale of illegal drugs is prohibited. Furthermore, any use of illegal drugs is considered by the University to be self-destructive behavior. Persons found in a room where drugs are being used or present are subject to disciplinary action whether or not they were engaging in the behavior.

In most cases, University of Iowa Police officers will be called to the scene if there is a suspicion of drug use in the residence halls. All residents assigned to a particular room are subject to sanctions for violating the drug policy if illegal drugs are found in the room. If your roommate is involved in illegal activity, you are advised to call the University of Iowa Police and contact your area/hall coordinator.

A resident found guilty of violating the drug policy will ordinarily be suspended from the halls and will be required to complete a substance abuse program at Health Iowa.

Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests and persons in the company of their guests. If their guests violate policy, residents will be sanctioned for the conduct of their guests.

Students who violate University Housing policies and procedures while under the influence of drugs will be subject to disciplinary action on the basis of their offenses.

A comprehensive list of applicable state and federal drug laws, legal sanctions, and health risks of illegal drugs and alcohol are contained in the Policy Regarding the Use of Illegal Drugs and Alcohol in Policies and Regulations Affecting Students which is distributed to all University of Iowa students each fall semester.

Gambling Policy

Residence hall student government associations and floor government boards may not organize games of skill or chance where money changes hands. Hall government associations or floor government boards organizing pools, drawings, or raffles can only do so when money is not involved. All fundraisers must be approved by the Office of Residence Life programs staff.

The practice of illegal gambling among residents has a disruptive effect upon the residence hall environment, and residents are expected to observe state laws governing games of skill or chance are subject to discipline under the residence hall disciplinary policy. The Code of Iowa (Section 99B) regulates games between individuals for cash or credit, betting pools, raffles, and electrical amusement devices, and strictly prohibits bookmaking.

In the event a resident is found to be violating state gambling laws in the residence halls, criminal charges may be filed against the resident by the appropriate law enforcement agency, as well as disciplinary action taken under the residence hall disciplinary procedure or the University of Iowa Code of Student Life. In addition, residents who violate other conduct regulations (theft or assault, for example) as a result of engaging in games of skill or chance will be subject to disciplinary action on the basis of their offenses. Residents of legal gambling age are eligible to participate in games of skill or chance conducted at licensed gaming locations off-campus.

ResNet Acceptable Use Policy

As a student in the Residence Hall Network (ResNet), you will be connected to the campus network and the global Internet. This connection is a privilege, not a right. The University expects ethical and responsible behavior in the use of this network. That is, you are expected to be a good Internet citizen. Don't participate in any illegal or inappropriate activity that will negatively impact the other users of the network.

Your use of all campus information technology resources, including this network, is subject to The University of Iowa Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources ¹, as well as to all other applicable University policies and state and federal laws. In addition, the following standards are in effect. This list is meant to be illustrative, not exhaustive.

Student is responsible for all activity originating from this connection. Student must take reasonable precautions to prevent unauthorized use by others of this connection, and his/her accounts, programs, or data.
Student should not engage in activities that consume excessive amounts of network bandwidth.
Student must not modify or extend residence hall network services and wiring. This applies to all network wiring, hardware, and in-room jacks. The only device you can connect is a personal computer. You may not connect servers of any type, hubs, or network printers.
Residence hall connections are provided for individual use only. Student may not create accounts on his/her computing system that provide campus network access for anyone else.
Residence hall connections are for University-related activities only. Student may not conduct a commercial business via the residence hall connection.
Student may not run sniffers or any other software or hardware designed to intercept packets or to disrupt the security or operation of the campus network.
Student may not participate in illegal activities such as software piracy—either the distribution of copyrighted software or illegal attainment of software or other copyrighted materials—from the residence hall connection.
Student may not host chat lines from computers connected to this network.

At its discretion, the University may use its capability to examine network resources for violations of this policy. Sanctions for violation of this policy may result in disconnection from the campus network, other disciplinary action, or referral to external authorities.

1 The University of Iowa Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources is available in printed form at the Customer Information Desk, 100 Lindquist Center South or on the web at /resnet/acceptable-use-policy.htm.

Self-Destructive Behavior Policy

The University has a clear and distinct interest in maintaining a safe and sound educational environment in the residence halls, where most first-year students experience for the first time life on there own. A residential setting designated to foster student interaction and interdependence can become disrupted by self-destructive behavior. Among the most disruptive forms of misconduct are intentional attempts to injure oneself seriously, threats to do the same, and reckless behavior that puts oneself or others in physical danger. Students who become incapacitated as a result of their own actions and students who deliberately injure themselves are subject to University actions.

In light of the impact of self-destructive behavior upon the residential community, affected individuals are encouraged to utilize counseling resources provided to students free of charge. Residents interested in learning more about referral resources available on campus are welcome to call University Counseling Services (5-7294), which keeps all inquires confidential.

Residents who engage in self-destructive behavior must accept responsibility for their actions and are subject to disciplinary sanctions under residence hall disciplinary policy and the University of Iowa Code of Student Life on the basis of their offense. In the event a resident with a recognized mental disorder engages in self-destructive behavior, the University will take into consideration before determining a response the resident's medical diagnosis, the gravity of the injury, the impact of the behavior upon fellow residents, the appropriateness of reasonable accommodations, and other pertinent factors. When there occurs a severe act of self-destructive behavior or an apparent threat of serious harm, the University reserves the right to notify the resident's parent, guardian, or appropriate relative.

Smoking Policy

Under the Smoke-Free Air Act, smoking is banned on the entire University of Iowa campus beginning July 1, 2008. The use of smoking or smokeless tobacco products is prohibited in residence hall student rooms and in public areas. Public areas include hallways, stairways, elevators, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, etc. Students over 18 years of age may possess and are allowed to store tobacco and legal smoking products but may not use them in the halls or on campus.

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