Health and Safety Inspections

The University takes student safety and health seriously and has established programs for students living in campus residence halls. The University's policies are based on the fact that most loss occurrences and unhealthly conditions are preventable and it’s the responsibility of all members of the University community to support loss prevention and maintain a healthy living environment.

The Office of Risk Management performs residence hall Health and Safety (H&S) Inspections periodically throughout the year. Campus-wide H&S inspections are performed each fall and spring semester, and well as during the summer term. The H&S inspections are primarily designed to find and eliminate violations related to student behavior. As such, they are unannounced and may occur at any time during the school year.

Students are required to read and comply with the Residential Community Conduct Guidelines (RCCGs), which include the H&S inspections and all other rules and regulations for residential buildings. Ultimate responsibility for complying with the reasonable health and safety requirements rests with each resident; H&S inspections are not intended to be a substitute for that responsibility.

The H&S inspections will include, but not be limited to, a visual examination of electrical plugs, sprinkler heads, smoke detectors and other life safety systems. In addition, each unit will be examined for the presence of prohibited items (candles, halogen lamps, cooking appliances in non-kitchen areas, etc.) or prohibited activity (smoking in the room, tampering with life safety equipment, possession of pets, etc.). This inspection will also include a general assessment of food and waste storage and cleanliness of the room.

Prohibited items will be immediately confiscated and disposed of without reimbursement. Confiscated items will not be returned unless it is determined that the item is not prohibited and was confiscated in error. The University Police Department (UPD) will be contacted for items that pose a substantial threat to person or property (drugs, weapons, explosives, etc.) and a thorough administrative search will then be conducted.

Prohibited Items*

·                          Candles

·                          Halogen Lamps (including all Halogen desk and floor lamps)

·                          Incense

·                          Lanterns/Oil lamps

·                          Flammable liquids

·                          Burners and other objects with an open flam in non-kitchen areas

·                          Hot plates, rice cookers, crock pots, waffle irons and popcorn poppers in non-kitchen areas

·                          Toasters/Toaster ovens in non-kitchen areas

·                          George Forman grills and sandwhich makers in non-kitchen areas

·                          Microwaves or refrigerators that are not provided by the University

·                          Space Heaters

·                          Live holiday decorations (trees, garland, etc.)

·                          Fireworks

·                          Weapons (including pocket knives, spears, swords, or souvenir weapons)

·                          Firearms (including pellet, BB, air, or paintball guns)

·                          Ammunition

·                          Explosives

·                          Chemical mace

·                          Tazers

·                          Illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia

·                          Alcohol (if underage)

It is prohibited to tamper with life-safety equipment (e.g., smoke detectors, sprinklers, etc.)

*These items will be confiscated and discarded if found. This list is not exhaustive. For more information, visit the Residential Community Conduct Guidelines.