Residence Hall Handbook

PRIVACY AND BEHAVIOR

 

Noise

Quiet Study Hours

Each student must maintain a reasonably quiet environment on the floors during these times. Quiet hours for study are as follows:

  • Sunday through Thursday, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m.;
  • Friday and Saturday, midnight to 8 a.m.

 All other hours are courtesy hours. Students who are making a considerable amount of noise must refrain from continuing to disrupt community members when a request is made for a reasonably quiet environment.

Musical Instruments/Audio Speakers

To ensure that both courtesy and quiet hours are honored, deliberate loud noise produced by musical instruments or audio speakers is prohibited.

Outdoor Facilities Use

The same policies and procedures that govern behavior in the residence halls apply to conduct outside and adjacent to the residence halls, including quiet hours.  In addition, Exchange Street Residence Hall, Spicer Residence Hall, and South Residence Hall enjoy the use of volleyball courts, a gazebo, and/or grilling equipment adjacent to their halls.  These facilities are considered part of the hall, and are reserved for residence hall student use. 

Courtyard and Outside Facilities Hours

  • Sunday – Thursday 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
  • Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. – midnight

Outside these hours, a reasonably quiet environment is to be maintained in these areas.  During finals week the courtyard is restricted to quiet activity 24 hours a day.

 

Alcoholic Beverages

Maturity must be exercised with the use of alcohol to avoid damage and to maintain order and an appropriate environment for study.  Regulations regarding alcoholic beverages are always subject to immediate change in federal/state law or University Rules and policy. The possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages is permissible in student rooms, provided that:

  • The Ohio Revised Code regarding the possession and consumption of various alcoholic beverages is strictly followed. In accordance with Ohio law and University Rules, no student under the age of 21 may possess or consume beverages containing alcohol.
  • The consumption of alcoholic beverages takes place inside a resident’s room; not in public areas, including but not limited to hallways, lounges, balconies, or outside buildings on University property.
  • No alcoholic beverages or containers of any type are allowed to be consumed by residents who are not of legal age (21). Students under the legal age may not be present where alcohol is being consumed.
  • Beer kegs or beer balls are not permitted in the residence halls.
  • “Monuments” to alcohol consumption, in public view, are not permitted. Monuments would include but not limited to: empty alcohol containers such as plastic or glass bottles, kegs, pouches, cardboard boxes that held alcohol cans or bottles, and bottle tops from glass alcohol bottles.
  • Incidents involving excessive quantities (beer bongs, beer pong, and other drinking games, etc.) of alcohol or continued alcohol violations are prohibited.

 
Drugs

The possession, use, manufacture or sale of illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia by students and/or their guests is not permitted in the residence halls. Students believed to have violated this policy will be referred to the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards for adjudication as outlined by the Code of Student Conduct. 
 

Smoke and Tobacco Free Campus

What’s out: The use of product that contains tobacco or nicotine, that is intended for human consumption, or is likely to be consumed, whether smoked, vaped, heated, chewed, absorbed, dissolved or ingested by any means including electronic devices. Exceptions are in place for controlled research or for educational, clinical or smoking-cessation programs.

  • The Ohio Revised Code regarding the possession and consumption of various tobacco or vaping product is strictly followed. In accordance with Ohio law and University Rules, no student under the age of 21 may possess or consume tobacco or vaping products
  • Tobacco and vaping products include, but are not limited to: cigarettes, electronic smoking devices, cigars, pipe tobacco, chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, dissolvable nicotine products, filters, rolling papers, pipes, blunt, or hemp raps

Who’s affected: All on campus, including (but not limited to) faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, consultants, contractors or volunteers.

Locations affected: The use of tobacco products is prohibited on all University grounds, whether leased or owned and in vehicles parked on university grounds, and at all university sponsored events, regardless of the venue. To remain good neighbors with our community, students and employees of the University are requested to refrain from tobacco use on sidewalks and other areas adjacent to university property.

ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Is vaping prohibited?

Yes. All forms of smoking are prohibited on all university grounds.

Is smoking in my car in a University parking lot prohibited?

Yes. Smoking is prohibited on university grounds in vehicles.

Smoke and Vapor Free Residence Halls

All University residence halls are smoke/vapor-free environments. Residents and their guests are not permitted to burn any substance that will put smoke into the private or public spaces of their residence halls or balconies. Residents and their guests are not permitted to use any device that will put vapor into the private or public spaces of the residence halls. Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests. Examples of items that are not acceptable include, but are not limited to, cigarettes, e-cig, vapes, vape pens, hookahs, e-hookahs, cigars, incense, cigarillos, bongs, or smoke machines.

 
Hall Sports

Sporting activities, except in designated outdoor facilities, and/or horseplay are prohibited inside and outside of the residence halls and walkways where such activities could create a safety concern.

 
Guests, Visitation, and Safe Entry

Residents are fully responsible for the behavior of their guests. Any violation of the residence hall guest policy will result in disciplinary action. Residence hall staff reserves the right to require guests to vacate the residence hall if the behavior of guests or hosts is disruptive. As visitation to the halls is considered a privilege, rather than a right, the Department of Residence Life and Housing reserves the right to restrict visitation privileges to serve the best interests of the residential and University community.

By majority vote, residents may limit the hours guests are permitted in their hall. The residence hall staff in that community coordinates this voting process. Roommates will be encouraged to discuss and set expectations with each other regarding guests and visitation privileges within their residence hall space.

Guest and Visitation Protocol

Residents may have two guests at any time with the permission of all roommates.  For the safety and security of residents and guests, the following procedures apply.

  • Residents must register their guests at the service desk
  • Guests must have a valid state or military issued identification card or a passport in order to register as a guest
  • Hosts must escort their guests at all times
  • Keys or Zip Cards to residence hall facilities should never be given to guests
  • Guests must abide by the bathroom facilities policy established by the residents of each building
  • Guests are permitted to stay overnight in The University of Akron residence halls for no more than three consecutive nights in one facility or any combination of facilities. Guests may not stay more than 12 nights per semester
  • Residents are fully responsible for the behavior of their guests

Any violation of the residence hall guest policy will result in disciplinary action.  Residence hall staff reserve the right to require guests to vacate the residence hall if the behavior of the guests or hosts is disruptive.  As visitation to the halls is considered a privilege, rather than a right, the Department of Residence Life and Housing reserves the right to restrict visitation privileges to serve the best interests of the residential and University community.

Children

The University of Akron does not provide housing accommodations for married student couples or student families, and does not allow infants, children, or other dependents of students to reside on campus. 

In order to protect the safety of the young children, childcare/babysitting by students is prohibited in all residence halls and apartments. Children under the age of 13 may not be signed in as a guest to the residence halls unless prior approval has been established in writing by the Department of Residence Life and Housing. Otherwise, children under the age of 13 may only visit students briefly in the lobby or lounge areas. Teenagers (age 13-18) may register as a guest provided they meet all the other guest criteria outlined in the Guest and Visitation Protocol, including possessing a state or military issued identification card or passport and abide by all other regulations regarding guests. Teenagers without a proper identification must obtain approval by the Department of Residence Life and Housing and must have the person they are planning to visit fill out the Underage Guest Visitation Form on the My Housing portal a minimum of 48 hours in advance of their arrival or may be turned away. Teenagers may be signed in as a guest without submitting an Underage Guest Visitation Form if the teenager is always accompanied by their parent or legal guardian and does not stay in a residence hall overnight. The host resident is solely responsible for any person under the age of 18 whom they register as a guest. The University is not responsible and/or liable for the safety/welfare or care of visiting minors in the residence halls.

Safe Entry

For the safety of every member of the residence hall community, residents and their guests must identify themselves individually as they enter any residence hall.  Students are not permitted to follow another resident or guest into a residence hall without identifying themselves.  Students are not permitted to prop residence hall entry doors.  Students or their guests are not permitted to use any doors designated as emergency exit only unless the fire alarm is sounding or the student is otherwise instructed to do so by university or emergency personnel.

 

Vandalism

The destruction of University or fellow residence hall student property is prohibited. Students are expected to clean any messes they make in their residence hall and must remove all trash or liter to designated areas.

Weapons

Possession or storage of a weapon or destructive device is prohibited in any University of Akron Residence Hall. Prohibited weapons include but are not limited to:

  • Guns and firearms, whether loaded or unloaded
  • Pellet, flare, tranquilizer, air, stun, spear, paintball, and dart guns
  • Hand instruments designed to cut or stab another by being thrown
  • Striking instruments including clubs, truncheons, and metal knuckles
  • Martial arts weapons including nunchakus, tonfas, staffs, and throwing stars
  • Bow and arrow combinations, or sling shots
  • Destructive devices including explosive, incendiary, and poison gas bombs, and stink bombs

Any article appearing to be weapons or brandished to induce fear are prohibited in residence halls as well.

 
Sexual Assault

The University of Akron is a community dependent upon trust and respect for its constituent members:  students, faculty, and staff.  Sexual violence and sexual harassment are violations of that trust and respect.  Sexual violence and sexual harassment will not be tolerated. 

The University is dedicated to preventing sexual violence by:

  • providing an education and prevention program informing the community about the risks and myths that contribute to sexual violence;
  • providing assistance and support including procedures sensitive to a person who has experienced sexual violence;
  • and, by providing a process for investigation and adjudication that includes appropriate disciplinary sanctions for those who commit sexual violence.

All forms of sexual violence including:  sexual assault, rape, sodomy, fondling, stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, non-forcible sexual assault, and sexual assault with an object are prohibited and will not be tolerated.  Sexual violence, whether on or off campus, is prohibited. This applies to academic, educational, co-curricular, athletic, study abroad, residential and off-campus conduct, and other University programs.

The University of Akron urges people who have been the victim of sexual violence to pursue criminal charges against the person or persons they believe to have committed the crime. A person who has been the victim of sexual violence involving a member of the campus community is also urged to make a disciplinary complaint to the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards. A criminal charge and a disciplinary complaint may be pursued at the same time.

Retaliation against a person, who reports a crime, brings a complaint, pursues legal action, or who participates in an investigation or is a witness in any proceeding is prohibited and will not be tolerated.

Finding Help

Help is available and RLCs and RAs are powerful resources for persons who have been affected by sexual violence. As responsible university employees they are also required to report instances of sexual violence to the University of Akron.  Confidential support is also available at The University of Akron Counseling and Testing Center, Health Services and the Rape Crisis Center of Summit and Medina Counties.  See more information about finding a confidential resource or seeking help for a friend in need.

Reporting Protocols

The University of Akron outlines the complete sexual assault protocols at https://www.uakron.edu/title-ix/. The Sexual Assault Protocol describes how the University investigates and responds to reports of sexual violence. It also provides guidance for students who have been the victim of sexual violence; outlines the University's disciplinary response to alleged incidents of sexual violence; and identifies the relevant organizations within the University responsible for managing the Protocol and programs associated with it.

 
Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment will not be tolerated at The University of Akron. Responding appropriately to concerns of sexual harassment is necessary for students, faculty and university staff. Harassment inhibits all members of the University community from reaching our collective potential. Additional and more specific information about responding to sexual harassment and other forms of sexual misconduct can be found at http://www.uakron.edu/title-IX/. For additional assistance students are directed to Dean of Students and Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Michael Strong, mstrong@uakron.edu 330-972-6048.  Students who are affected by sexual harassment or misconduct should know that retaliation against a person who reports sexual harassment or other discriminatory practices will not be tolerated. Students who retaliate will face University discipline.

What is Sexual Harassment?

Sexual Harassment is unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, sexually motivated physical conduct, or other verbal or physical conduct or communication of a sexual nature when:

  • It is made an explicit or implicit term or condition of employment (hire/fire, benefits);
  • It is used as a factor in employment decisions and opportunities;
  • It substantially or unreasonably interferes with an individual’s employment or creates a hostile environment.

What laws, rules and policies prohibit sexual harassment?

How to make it to stop?

  • Say something
  • Report something that you see or know is wrong
  • Stand up for someone you know needs your assistance

What happens when reports are received?

  • Someone will talk to you or the person affected and offer the care and support of the University community
  • Access is provided to medical, mental health treatment, tutoring or additional academic support
  • Assistance is provided reporting the offense to law enforcement and reporting offenses to the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards or the Equal Employment Opportunity Affirmative Action Office for investigation
  • Action will be taken to ensure that the behavior stops and that it does not continue
  • The University works to prevent it from happening in the future
  • A thorough investigation may be completed to address violations of University policy (an investigation will generally not begin without the consent of the affected student unless the Title-IX Coordinator determines circumstances warrant investigation).

What can be done in the residence halls to help?

  • Alternate assignments can be arranged
  • The harasser may be able to be moved
  • Students may be issued no contact directives
  • Access and guest privileges can be restricted

The University of Akron Residence Life and Housing staff (RAs, RLCs and other staff) are required by Ohio law to report sex based offenses to law enforcement agencies. To speak to a professional counselor who confidentiality is protected by law contact the University of Akron Counseling and Testing Center at 330-972-7082 or http://www.uakron.edu/counseling.

Additional information about confidential sources is available at http://www.uakron.edu/title-iX/confidentiality/.
 

Health Directives and Pandemic Response

All residence hall students are required to comply with all health requirements and directives, as established and published by the State of Ohio, Summit County Public Health, and the University. Such directives could include but are not limited to mandatory facial coverings, social distancing,

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