The University policies, procedures, and standards apply to all students. In addition to these, the following policies, procedures, and standards apply to students living in University housing facilities.
Introduction
Introduction Living in University housing requires all individuals to be responsible and respectful of the policies, procedures, and standards that have been established to protect each student, to ensure personal and University property is well-maintained and protected, and to maintain a reasonable sense of order and structure. The items identified assist us in providing a safe, clean, academic environment. Additional information for students living in University housing is provided in the University Housing Contract.
By choosing to live on campus, students agree to:
- Develop, embrace, and hold others accountable for the Community Standard Agreement for the community
- Accept responsibility for their actions and for the actions of those they bring into the community
- Use the Roommate Agreement form to aid in creating a respectful and comfortable living situation
- Respect and cooperate with custodial staff, maintenance staff, and University personnel who work within the community
Two-Year Residency Requirement: In support of the residential nature of Santa Clara, and the University’s commitment to integrated education, all unmarried, full-time undergraduate students are required to live on campus during their first and second year. Exemptions from this requirement and release from the University Housing Contract are granted under limited circumstances, only after a thorough review process and approval by the Housing Services Director or their designee. Class year is based on total academic years in college. On-campus residency is required until a student is in their third year of college.
Failure to submit a housing application may result in being charged a full academic year amount for the standard double room and a Basic resident dining plan, as well as a registration hold and/or disciplinary action.
Housing Contract Cancellations are most times extended through the academic year. If a contract is canceled for a first year student the contract would be canceled for the remainder of that year with the expectation that they return to live on campus for the required sophomore year.
If a student has their housing contract canceled, the student shall be subject to prorated room charge plus a cancellation fee of $700 charged to their student account. The amount left on the student’s resident dining account will be refunded based on the amount available at time of official check-out. Questions related to billing after contract cancellation can be directed to the Housing Office.
Should a student be found responsible for violating university and/or Housing and Residence Life policies, their Housing Contract can be canceled.
The following section outlines many of the policies and procedures necessary for building a respectful community and providing for efficient residence hall operations. These policies are established for the health, safety, security, and well-being of on-campus residents. Penalties for violating any of the following policies range from a warning up to a maximum fine of $500 per person, per violation, depending upon the severity of the incident, and/or referral to the University Student Conduct System. This section applies to policies specific to University Student Housing. For university policy information, see the “Student Conduct Code” and “Student Conduct System” for additional information.
ACCESS key cards or Mobile Credentials must be in your personal possession at all times. Do not loan out your residence hall or apartment ACCESS card or Mobile Credential to anyone. Students should immediately report lost or stolen ACCESS Cards or Mobile Credentials to the Housing Office, or Campus Safety after hours or on weekends. Residents will be charged $20 for replacement of an ACCESS key card. If you drop your ACCESS card down the elevator shaft or a sink, you will be held responsible for any resulting maintenance expenses.
Alcohol and controlled substances within university housing: In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment, students are expected to either discourage misconduct, including the use of alcohol, cannabis, and other drugs, or report such violations. Students are responsible for removing themselves from all situations where alcohol, cannabis, or other drug policy violations are present. If a student chooses to not take such action and simply remains in the presence of the alcohol, cannabis, or other drug use, then they may also be in violation.
Any person under the age of 21 who is in possession of alcohol or is in a room where alcohol is knowingly or unknowingly present will be assumed to have been consuming alcohol, as it is difficult to determine who was drinking and who was not.
Students of legal drinking age (21 years or older) may consume and possess alcoholic beverages in the privacy of their own rooms in the University student housing, provided the space is not shared with an underage roommate. Regardless of age, excessive and inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited, whether or not consumption occurred on or off campus.
Students may not be in the presence of, possess, distribute, or use cannabis (for medicinal or recreational purposes) in any property owned or controlled by the University. See "Cannabis Policy” for additional information.
Animals in student housing: Resident students are not allowed to have pets, except for fish in a five-gallon tank or smaller. Students and guests are not to bring any unapproved animals inside University-operated student housing at any time. At times, university-sponsored programming may occur within University student housing where animals are present, including animals that have been approved to reside in student housing. University staff will provide advanced notice, use reasonable discretion when allowing animals in common areas, and provide a means of requesting accommodation, as needed.
Resident students are allowed to have a service or emotional support animal that would enable the resident to have an equal opportunity to access on-campus living, based on a documented medical need. Signage will be placed outside of all assigned spaces where an animal is present, with the exception of fish. Roommates of students with a service animal or emotional support animal may require relocation to a comparable space based on allergies, impactful fears, or other medical conditions. All animals in student housing must be conducive to a communal living environment. Residents must be responsive to complaints by residents or University personnel when animals constitute a nuisance to others. Residents must register all animals in Student Housing with the Housing Office and agree to provide proof of a clean bill of health, meet behavioral expectations, and meet handler responsibilities. Residents are responsible for the general care of the animal and must remove them from Student Housing during any prolonged absence.
Emotional Support Animals
Emotional Support Animals, as defined by the Fair Housing Act, are approved on an individualized, case-by-case basis and require relevant documentation that supports said need. All requests for an ESA must go through the Office of Accessible Education registration process. An emotional support animal (ESA) is defined as a typical domesticated household pet that provides emotional support to alleviate or lessen the effects of a disability within Student Housing. ESAs must be recommended by a licensed healthcare professional with whom the student has an established therapeutic relationship. ESAs are not an academic accommodation and must be kept within the assigned Housing space at all times, and caged or kenneled when the student is not present. ESAs are not permitted in common areas of Student Housing or other rooms not assigned to the student, except to enter and exit the building.
Service Animals
Service Animals, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, are welcome in the residence hall, but must be registered with the Housing Office prior to occupancy. A service animal is defined as a dog that is required because of a disability and has been trained to perform specific work or tasks. These animals accompany the resident at all times and are permitted in any area that the student accesses. Service animals must be under the control of their handler at all times while outside of the assigned space. Service animals must be harnessed, leashed, or tethered, unless the resident’s disability prevents using these devices or these devices interfere with the service animals safe, effective performance of tasks. The owner must use signals to effectively instruct the service animal. Service Animals in training are not included in ADA guidance and are therefore not permitted in Student Housing for this purpose.
Bicycles, electric-propelled, and coasting devices (self-propelled, non-pedaled devices) such as skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, and scooters, may not be operated within University housing facilities and must be hand carried from the entrance to the student’s assigned space. Bicycles may be parked only in those areas which have been specifically designated for this purpose. A bicycle parking area is indicated by the presence of bicycle racks. All bicycles must be parked in bicycle racks. Bicycles may not be parked in a way that would block or impede the access to a building entrance or exit, or attached to stairways or exit areas. Coasting devices may be stored in a student’s room or apartment, but may not be stored in hallways or other common areas within the halls.
Check-in/check-out procedures are important processes for all residents to follow. Upon arrival, you will receive access to the online Room Inspection Inventory (RII) in which you will be able to comment on the condition of your room and common spaces within suites and apartments. The electronic RII will protect you from being held responsible for damages that existed in your space prior to your occupancy.
All residents must follow certain check-out procedures as outlined by the Offices of Housing and Residence Life when moving out of your assigned space.
Undergraduate residents will check out utilizing the Check-Out process. Although charges incurred during the Check Out process are not able to be appealed through the University appeal process, as detailed in this handbook, information/clarification regarding charges incurred can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the charge has been posted to your SCU student account.
Graduate residents must follow check-out procedures as outlined by your building staff and will require the Check-Out process. Although charges incurred during the Check-Out Agreement Form process are not able to be appealed through the University appeal process as detailed in this handbook, information/clarification regarding charges incurred can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the charge has been posted to your SCU student account.
If you are moving out before the end of the academic year, you must contact the Housing Office to request a cancellation and, if approved, a decision about a possible refund will be determined. Remember, the University Housing Contract is in effect for the entire duration of a full academic year. Cancellation requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. You are expected to check out no later than 24 hours after your last final exam.
The Check Out is a process that is required of all undergraduate residents as well as graduate residents. You must follow instructions provided to you by the Offices of Housing and Residence Life. The final assessment/walk-through of your space will be conducted by staff members of the Offices of Housing and Residence Life after you have moved out of your space. This assessment/walk-through will be conducted before any other person takes occupancy of your vacated space. Although charges incurred during the Check-Out process cannot be appealed through the University appeal process, as detailed in this handbook, information/clarification regarding charges incurred can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the charge has been posted to your SCU student account.
Closing and opening: All residence halls/housing facilities will close at specified times as announced by the Offices of Housing and Residence Life, though you are expected to check out no later than 24 hours after your last final exam.
All residence halls/housing facilities, except for Neighborhood Units, University Villas, and Graduate facilities, close at the end of the fall quarter and re-open for the winter quarter at 9:00 a.m. the day prior to the first day of classes. You are expected to vacate your room and building at the scheduled times and to properly follow all check-out procedures. Failure to vacate in the specified timeframe will result in the immediate removal of access to University housing, possible accrual of additional fees (packing, moving, storing of personal items, etc.), and possible University disciplinary action.
Commercial/business use of facilities is prohibited. Students may not use their apartments, or any University housing facility for commercial/business purposes. This includes use of data and cable TV connections/lines, as well as University-furnished mailbox numbers. Solicitation and/ or the distribution of published materials and fundraising may be conducted only in accordance with University policy. Establishment and use of private wireless gaming, data, or communication networks is subject to review of Housing and Residence Life and/or designated SCU staff.
Common-area space (lounges, hallways, and restrooms) is for the use and enjoyment of all residents. Common-area spaces are frequently used for individual studying, group study sessions, and occasionally for classes. Located in various lounges are pool tables, televisions, microwave ovens, pianos, ping-pong tables, kitchenettes, and study areas. Residents are responsible for the day-to-day upkeep of these areas. Lounge furniture, cushions, or any University property must not be removed from common-area spaces. Students and guests are prohibited from sleeping in common areas.
Community damage is damage done to public areas that would not be considered individual room damage. The public-area losses or damages that are preventable (such as broken windows, stolen furniture, light fixtures, and elevator vandalism) and are not assignable to individuals will be billed in equal amounts to the floor or building community, or as determined by building staff. It is the responsibility of all residents to be aware of their environment and to hold students who vandalize property accountable.
Consolidation is necessary when numerous students are living in rooms or apartments without roommates. Requests to consolidate will happen no later than the fifth week of the spring quarter. To make the best use of available space, students who want to pay the double room rate need to consolidate with other students. When possible, students living alone in double rooms will be offered the opportunity to rent their double room as a single, at an increased cost.
Contracts for University-provided undergraduate and graduate student housing are legally binding documents and should be read carefully and retained for future reference. Copies of all contracts can be found on the On-Campus Living website. Policies for suspending or terminating a contract can be found in the documents.
Furniture that is designed for indoor use shall not be placed in any outdoor gathering spaces, such as porches, balconies, patios, or yards.Only furniture that is rated/designed to be outside can be used or placed on patio or porch areas.All University-issued furniture must remain in a designated room or apartment and is not to be taken outside. Upon checking out, students are required to return furniture to its original configuration. Beds in the University Villas community can only be bunked and unbunked by Housing staff and only in spaces designated for bunked beds. Neighborhood Unit residents may use their own purchased lofts so long as the loft furniture was designed as a bunk or lofted bed. Residents are not permitted to build their own lofts. Lofts may not be attached to any physical structures within the Neighborhood Unit.
Guests of residents are welcome in University residence halls, Neighborhood Units, apartments, lounges/study rooms, and public spaces at any time provided they are accompanied by an SCU student. Guests are defined as any person who is not contracted to live in the residence hall, Neighborhood Units, or apartment where they are present. This definition includes other SCU students who live in other residence halls or who live off campus.
Given the values of Santa Clara University, cohabitation is not permitted in University residence halls or apartments. Residents must obtain approval from their roommate(s)/suitemate(s) before accommodating a guest for an extended visit. If the presence of a guest, regardless of whether the guest is, or is not another student, denies the roommate/suitemate the right to a reasonable amount of privacy, the roommate/suitemate is encouraged to discuss this first with their fellow resident. If the students are unable to reach agreement on this matter, the students are encouraged to seek the assistance of the residence hall staff by speaking to their Community Facilitator (CF) or Neighborhood Representative (NR).
Residents may host their guests for limited-duration visits, pending roommate approval. The host of any guest who intends to visit for more than 3 consecutive days, or for more than a total of 7 days during the academic year must obtain prior written permission from Residence Life staff.
Students are responsible for the actions of their guests (both SCU and non-affiliate) and will be held accountable for any violations of University standards, policies, or procedures by a guest. Students must physically accompany their guests at all times while they are present in residential facilities, including when entering and exiting the facility. Residents should not allow guests to wander the residence halls unescorted. Responsibility for any violation(s) lies with the resident who is the host for the guest, in addition to the guest should a problem arise. Failure to abide by the Guest Policy, may result in student disciplinary action.
The University reserves the right to limit the guest privileges of a student. The University also reserves the right to remove guests from campus who are found in violation of policy.
Lockouts are managed by the Housing Office and Campus Safety Services. Should you be locked out of your room between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, you may check out a temporary key card in the Housing Office in Benson Center, Room 212. This includes Neighborhood Units residents. After 5 p.m. on weekdays and over the weekend, you must contact Campus Safety Services.
The Offices of Housing and Residence Life recognize that students will occasionally lock themselves out of their room. Residents who check out temporary key cards, or call Campus Safety Services for assistance more than three times in the academic year will be subject to fines. The first three (3) lockouts during the academic year will not result in a fine. However, after the third lockout, there will be an incremental fee structure beginning at $50 for the fourth lockout, $75 for the fifth, and $100 for any lockout thereafter. Students should take great care in securing their ACCESS key card or Mobile Credential when leaving campus for break periods. Due to the high volume of lockouts during the first 24 hours after a break period, the Housing Office reserves the right to increase the fine up to $100 for lockouts performed during this period.
Noise/Quiet Hours pose a common problem when large groups of people live under one roof. Because of this, residents are expected to be considerate of other residents at all times, including respecting others’ rights to sleep, to study, and generally, not to be disturbed. Yelling out windows or into buildings is not permitted. Quiet hours (sound level confined to one’s room) are in effect from 11 p.m. to 10 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. Friday and Saturday. All other times are considered courtesy hours, which means students must comply with any request to be quieter. During final exam periods, quiet hours are in effect 24 hours a day.
Personal property insurance: The University assumes no responsibility for damage to personal property due to fire, theft, water leaks, interruption of utility service, doors left unlocked, or other causes. Residents are strongly encouraged to consider purchasing personal property insurance to cover loss or damage to personal property or facilities.
Repairs and custodial services are provided by Facilities. If your room needs a repair, you may submit a work order online via the Housing Portal. Reporting common-area maintenance problems to your building staff will keep your lounges, bathrooms, and hallways in top condition. If an emergency repair is needed (such as an overflowing toilet), report it to the first person you can reach, in the following order: your building staff; your service desk; the Community Facilitator on duty from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., and all day throughout weekends; the Housing Office, open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 408-554-4900. If none of these options are available, call Campus Safety Services at 408-554-4441. Residents are responsible for damages beyond normal wear and tear, either caused intentionally or due to willful negligence, regardless of submitting a work order for repair.
Painting is completed by Facilities personnel or painting contractors. Because a great deal of effort is expended in repainting student rooms, residents are not permitted to paint their rooms or apartments. Students will be held responsible for any and all damage done to walls, windows, doors, or furniture.
Restrooms are provided for men and women within many residence hall entrance lobbies. In some residence halls, single-use, gender-neutral restrooms, are available to residents and their guests and can be secured by a locking mechanism controlled by the user. Separate community-style restroom facilities are provided for men and women within the wings/floors of the residential space and are restricted to residents of the building. Restrooms are closed during the custodial cleaning time. Times for cleaning will be posted on restroom doors. No one is allowed to enter the restroom for any reason while the custodian is inside cleaning the restroom.
Room and building security: Propped open exterior doors seriously jeopardize the security of the residents and property within the building. NEVER PROP OPEN ANY EXTERIOR DOOR. The University reserves the right to fine communities where propped doors are repeatedly found. Entrance into residence halls is by ACCESS keycard or Mobile Credentials only. Residents should always escort guests into the buildings and should not allow guests to wander the facilities unescorted. Students are responsible for locking their resident room doors and securing their room windows when they are not present, or while sleeping. The University is not responsible for personal property. See “Personal Property Insurance” on page 88.
Room assignments are made with special attention to the learning community preference and the compatibility of the students. The University reserves the right to assign student rooms and apartments to make the most effective use of available space, to reassign students at any time, and to use unallocated space in any residence hall or apartment. This agreement does not guarantee specific assignments or roommates.
Room changes and swaps are allowed according to established guidelines. Residents are encouraged to work out any difficulties they have with their roommates directly and proactively. If, however, a situation arises where irreconcilable conflicts exist, a room change might be possible during the established room-change period. Residents with roommate problems should contact their Community Facilitator or Neighborhood Representative first and then submit the proper form prior to the move. Room changes are not allowed during the first week of the Fall quarter so that staff may complete accurate rosters and so that roommates will not request changes based on initial impressions. Room Changes are not available in the spring quarter.
Room swaps are allowed only when the proper online form is completed and approved by the respective Housing and Residence Life professional staff. Please refer to the Housing website at
www.scu.edu/living to learn more about how to submit an online room swap form and review applicable due dates. Room swaps apply only to Casa Italiana, Neighborhood Units, Sobrato, and University Villas.
Room damage charge information: Room damage charges will be posted to your SCU student account within two weeks of your move out. Although charges incurred during the Check-Out Agreement process are not able to be appealed through the University appeal process as detailed in this handbook, information/clarification regarding charges incurred can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the charge has been posted to your student account.
Room damage charges will be assessed once you have moved out of your space. The final assessment/walk-through of your space to determine room damage charges will be conducted by staff members of the Offices of Housing and Residence Life after you have moved out of your space. This assessment/walk-through will be conducted before any other entity/person takes occupancy of your vacated space. Although charges incurred during Check-Out are not able to be appealed through the University appeal process as detailed in this handbook, information/clarification regarding charges incurred can be obtained by contacting the Housing Office no later than twenty-one (21) calendar days after the charge has been posted to your student account.
Each resident is responsible for damages beyond normal wear and tear in your own space as well as any charges assessed through the community damage charge process. This includes but is not limited to, damage to painted walls caused by the use/removal of adhesive products. You will be billed for any cleaning needs that result from inadequate cleaning or excess trash being left behind after moving out of your space.
To prevent damage to the painted walls in your space, we encourage the use of push pins to post items. For buildings with concrete walls, we encourage the use of removable mounting putty. The use of any other adhesive or hanging hardware, including screws, large nails or pins, 3M command strips, blue tape, or double stick tape is not recommended and often will result in wall damage charges.
Room entry and safety inspections will occur periodically. The University balances the right to privacy of the resident students with the responsibility to maintain a safe environment for all students and staff in the residence halls and apartments. The University will take all reasonable steps to ensure the residents of a room, Neighborhood Unit, or apartment receive adequate notice prior to entry by University personnel for the purposes of verifying occupancy, repair, inventory, construction, and/or inspection. The University also reserves the right to enter a residence room, Neighborhood Unit, or apartment without notice, to respond to real or reasonably perceived health and safety emergencies, and/or to ensure evacuation during fire alarms and/or during vacation periods. University personnel also have the right at any time to respond to situations where there is a reasonable suspicion that a violation of the law or University policies is occurring or has occurred inside a particular room. Under such circumstances, it is not necessary that the room’s resident(s) be present; nor will a resident’s refusal, either verbal or physical, prevent an entry or inspection. By entering into the University Housing Contract, the student consents to room entry and inspection under those circumstances indicated.
Room searches will occur with the collaboration of Campus Safety Services.
Smoke-free and tobacco-free policy: Smoking and other tobacco products are prohibited from use at all times in University facilities. This includes offices, work areas, classrooms, or residential facilities. Please refer to the Smoke-Free and Tobacco-Free Policy on page 28.
Solicitation: In order to protect students’ right to privacy, and to maintain and promote efficient operations, the University has established rules applicable to all students, faculty, and staff that govern solicitation, distribution of written material, and entry into premises and work areas (staff members are directed to Staff Policy 308: Solicitation and Distribution).
Solicitation that is prohibited includes, but is not limited to, selling products or services, door-to-door collections or campaigning, flier delivery, or posting of materials in facilities owned, operated, or controlled by SCU, including kiosks, light poles, and in parking lots. Solicitors or tradespeople, including those who may be Santa Clara University students, faculty, or staff, are prohibited from entering the residence halls or apartments for the purpose of transacting business and/or campaigning and should be reported immediately to the appropriate building staff members or Campus Safety Services.
Storage for all personal belongings, including, but not limited to, skateboards, bikes, sports equipment, shower caddies, laundry, luggage, etc. is limited to the student’s room and/or the interior common areas of the apartment or suite and should not be left in hallways or common area spaces. Items left in hallways or common areas may be disposed of. The Housing Office will dispose of all items not properly claimed at move out and assumes no responsibility for belongings left in the residence halls or apartments. The Housing Office reserves the right to remove and store possessions left after the term of the residency ends, at the resident’s expense, if warranted.
Thefts should be reported to Campus Safety Services immediately. The building staff should also be notified. The University is not responsible for an individual student’s belongings. Each student should insure her or his own property and keep their room doors locked.
Trash, composting, and recycling must be removed from your room daily to assist with cleanliness and pest control issues. These items must be taken outside and placed in the proper containers. Individual trash cannot be dumped in bathroom or lounge trash containers.
Vandalism refers to misuse of or damage to University property and is strictly prohibited. Vandalism detracts from the physical appearance of student living areas and may also create safety problems. Vandals will be held responsible for their actions and/or the costs of repair/replacement. Students who observe vandalism should make a report to Housing and/or Residence Life staff or Campus Safety Services.
Windows: Hanging items such as banners or posters outside windows and balconies is also prohibited, as is removing windows, unless permission from Housing and Residence Life staff is obtained in advance. Any items that face outward and are visible to the general public may not include any mention, either implied or explicit, of alcohol or drugs and must be in “good taste” (at the discretion of Housing and Residence Life staff). Items that contain material and or language that is deemed to be offensive (nudity, foul language, etc.) or degrading to others, either implicitly or explicitly, based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, or social class must be taken down.
The following policies are established for the health and safety of all occupants and guests within University student housing. Penalties for violating any of the following policies range from a warning up to a maximum fine of $500 per person, per violation, depending upon the severity of the incident, and/or referral to the University Student Conduct System. Violation of many of these standards is also punishable by local and state law.
This section applies to policies specific to University student Housing. For university policy information, see the “Student Conduct Code” and “Student Conduct System” for additional information.
Cooking: When cooking in the residence halls, always turn on the stove exhaust fan if available. Never leave cooking food unattended. Turn pot handles inward so they cannot be bumped. Never place metal products in the microwave.
In the event of a stove-top fire, if safe, turn off the burner and smother the flames with baking soda. Never pour water on a grease fire. Never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire. If the fire is not contained, exit the area, close the door, and pull the fire alarm to notify others in the building. Call Campus Safety Services immediately.
Decorations consisting of sheets, nets, curtains, or large pieces of material hung or draped from the ceiling and walls are not permitted due to the combustion hazard they present. Paper decorations should not exceed 80 percent of Resident room doors. Pieces of any material covering more than 50% of the total wall or ceiling area or fabric above the bed in any residential space is prohibited. Room decorations should not be hung from the ceiling T-bar metal framing that supports the ceiling titles. Walls and/or ceilings in common areas should not be more than 10% covered by combustible material like paper or fabric.
Dropping objects out of buildings or throwing objects at buildings (windows, balconies, etc.) is strictly forbidden. Due to the obvious danger, as well as potential for broken windows, the throwing of anything at or dropping of anything from University residences is not tolerated. Costs associated with any damage incurred will be charged to responsible parties.
Elevators are located in various halls for the convenience of the residents and their guests. It is expected that the elevators will be used properly. Overloading (too many occupants), jumping or swaying in elevators, or the misuse of elevator equipment is a serious safety risk and is strictly prohibited. Costs associated with misuse will be charged to the community or the individual(s), if known.
Evacuation Drills: Building evacuation drills are conducted regularly in all residence halls. Emergency evacuation maps are posted on the exterior door of each residence hall room, suite, or apartment. Be familiar with emergency evacuation routes. Students must report to the emergency assembly point for roll call prior to leaving the area every time an alarm is sounded. Students must follow all instructions University staff and emergency responders and are not able to reenter the building until instructed.
Failure to evacuate for an alarm is a violation of city and state ordinances and will be treated as a serious violation of the Student Conduct Code. Please see the University Building Evacuation and Fire Safety policy for more information.
Exits, doorways, and all hallways must have a minimum of a 48-inch clearance from obstructions such as boxes, bicycles, and mattresses, at all times. Resident room doors cannot be completely covered and must be recognizable as a door to emergency responders. Residence room numbers must be clearly visible and unobstructed at all times on all doors for security and safety reasons.
Door handles/hardware, name tags, room numbers, etc., cannot be covered. Room doors must remain in the closed position at all times unless (1) a person is actively moving through the doorway in order to gain entry or exit the room, (2) the door can be held open using a University-installed magnetic door hold device, and (3) the room door opens onto an outside corridor.
Fire safety equipment has been installed in most buildings to provide maximum protection from fire. This equipment includes pull stations, pull station covers, smoke/heat detectors, ceiling tiles, sprinklers, water hoses, door hold open hardware, fire alarm panels, and fire alarm lights and horns. It is imperative that this equipment be properly respected and maintained. If equipment is not working properly, you must report it immediately to University staff. A student found tampering or fraudulently using this equipment places the community at risk and the disciplinary response will be severe. Disciplinary action may include a maximum disciplinary fine in addition to possible University housing expulsion and possible suspension from the University. The Santa Clara Fire Department may also investigate such activity and may prosecute offenders.
Occupants should follow all safety precautions, including fire safety, and report any violations they observe to their building staff as soon as possible.
Light fixtures and fire equipment (sprinklers and smoke detectors) should never be used to hang things from and must never be tampered with or turned off in any fashion. All room/space fixtures (including but not limited to appliances, electrical outlets and switches, plumbing, and door hardware) are not to be removed or altered in any way.
Neighborhood Unit Large Gatherings: Students should be aware that all means of exit should remain free and clear of all obstructions as it is never known when these may be needed during an emergency. Overcrowding can also hinder access to and use of these same exits. Controlling or regulating the number of students who attend social functions at off-campus housing facilities must be considered.
Neighborhood Unit residents are responsible for making sure gatherings do not cause a safety issue. Residents must be aware that having a large number of guests on the premises may create safety problems when exiting the building or the area outside the property.
Occupancy limits for each residence hall room or living space are based on California State Fire Code. No more than:
- 8 persons may be present in any standard double residence hall room
- 6 persons in any suite or apartment bedroom
- 6 persons in a studio apartment
- 8 persons in a one bedroom apartment (including those in the bedroom)
- 10 persons in a two bedroom suite or apartment (including those in bedrooms)
- 20 persons in a four bedroom suite or apartment (including those in bedrooms)
Prohibited items: SCU Residence Life Staff, Campus Safety and/or Environment Health and Safety reserve the right to confiscate, ban, or remove any item that may pose an immediate health and safety risk to the residence hall community:
Roofs, ledges, and windowsills are not available for use by students or for the placement of a student’s belongings. Due to the obvious danger present, disciplinary action may include the maximum disciplinary fine with possible suspension from the University.
Screens are provided for students’ comfort and safety. Removing or tampering with windows and/or window screens at any time is considered a significant safety risk and is strictly prohibited.
Sports in the hall are prohibited due to the potential danger to individuals and property, including safety equipment.
Residence Life can assist student organizations and University departments maximize exposure by reaching students in the various communities by posting digital publicity on each of the displays in every hall. Digital flyers will be displayed for a maximum of two weeks at a time
- For digital flyer submission guidelines and to upload your image refer to On-Campus Living FAQ Page.
Digital postings will only be approved for campus organizations, departments, or campus-sponsored events.
- Digital postings may not include any mention, either implied or explicit, of alcohol or drugs. Content that is deemed to be offensive (nudity, foul language, etc.) or degrading to others, either implicitly or explicitly, based on race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ability, or social class will not be approved.
- All postings must meet the University’s requirements for content, including the ADA compliance statement, Speakers Policy statement, and/or contact information when appropriate. (See “Content” on page <?> for exact guidelines.)
- Hanging banners, posters, and stickers on the exterior of a residence hall or apartment is prohibited.
- Utilizing student mailboxes in residence halls for advertising is not permitted.
