Part 1.3d Facility-Focused Policies

The following policies pertain to issues involving the residential facilities. Please review the Housing Terms and Conditions for more information on air conditioning, refrigerators, appliances, cooking, furniture, keys, pools/hot tubs, porches and stairways, storage of personal belongings, and trash and recyclables.

No air conditioning or other heating or cooling equipment or apparatus shall be added to or utilized in the housing unit. However, students requiring air conditioning for medical reasons may request special permission. Such student may submit, in advance of occupancy, a Health Care Provider Form explaining the nature of the disability. Permission is subject to confirmation of the medical need by the University’s Center for Disability Resources. Refrigerators, less than 5 cubic feet, may be used in student rooms. Space heaters, lava lamps, halogen lamps, and multi-headed lamps are prohibited and subject to immediate confiscation and disposal. The student shall be responsible for paying all costs and making necessary arrangements for the property to be removed from the University’s premises. The use of extension cords is prohibited in all University Housing facilities including the South Campus apartments. The use of a UL- listed grounded power strip with a built-in fuse or circuit breaker is permitted. “Daisy chaining” or plugging two or more power strips into one another is prohibited. Extension cords will be confiscated and not returned.

All electrical appliances must be unplugged at semester break. Refrigerators found closed/in use during semester break closing checks may be opened and unplugged. Prohibited items discovered at that time may result in a conduct referral. University-provided full-size refrigerators in South Campus apartments are not included in this policy.

Construction or installation of partitions, alterations, and/or additions to the housing unit are prohibited. This includes the following:

  • the addition/changing of locks;
  • painting of walls, ceiling, or University-provided furnishings;
  • installation of antennas, wiring, cabling, satellite dishes.

Students are also encouraged to review the Using Devices on the Campus Networks page to learn about supported devices and devices not permitted on the campus network.

For residence halls: Except in locations provided, the student shall not use cooking appliances (ovens, hot-plates, toasters, toaster ovens, crockpots, George Foreman-type grills, and other similar devices) for any purpose. Other high-heat appliances (irons, coffee makers, hot-air popcorn makers, and other similar devices) are permitted provided they are UL-approved and used in the manner intended. Use of a compact microwave oven, up to 1000 watts, is permitted if it is the only appliance in use on the circuit.

For South Campus apartments: Other than devices furnished by the University, no cooking devices (including, but not limited to, charcoal grills; gas, butane, or propane grills or stoves and their fuel; and other similar devices) shall be permitted or fuel stored in or around the housing unit, on any balcony or porch, or in any other place constituting a fire hazard. Electric freezers, washers, clothes dryers, air conditioners, dishwashers, roasting ovens, and other major appliances are also prohibited. A microwave oven is permitted if it is the single appliance in use on the circuit and is rated at 1000 watts or less.

SL recommends that students in all housing locations purchase appliances that have an automatic shut-off feature.

Student Living encourages students to decorate their room and apartment to make it their home away from home. However, for the safety of the community, the following are not permitted:

  • Tapestries, posters, and other decorations may not cover electrical outlets, lights, lamps, and ceilings.
  • All decorations must be at least 2 feet from the ceiling area and at least 10 feet from an exit.
  • Use only one major appliance or electronic device per wall socket and use only UL-approved grounded surge protectors with a built-in circuit breaker for multiple electrical needs. Surge protectors are to be limited to one per socket. Do not “daisy chain” multiple surge protectors together. Extension cords of any length are prohibited.
  • Live decorations, including trees, are not permitted in either student rooms or public areas.
  • The amount of decorative material(s) shall not exceed 50% of the door area on which it is placed.
  • No decorative materials may be placed on hallway walls.
  • Decorative materials may not hang down over doorway openings or protrude from wall/door surfaces.
  • No decorative material(s), including lights or light strands, may be placed and/or attached to any sprinkler piping, sprinkler head, light bulbs or other lighting fixtures, smoke detectors, or curtains.
  • No more than two 50-foot strands of lights shall be connected per room.
  • The power supply for all lighting should come directly from outlets or power strips.
  • All lighting must be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) approved.
  • No lighting may be placed around doorways or exits.
  • No lighting may come from open flames (i.e., candles, oil lamps, etc.).
  • Decorative light strands may not be wrapped around the railings in two-story South Campus apartments.

The University’s Fire and Life Safety Services department reserves the right to remove any decorative material(s) and lighting that they believe jeopardizes the safety of residents or is a violation of New York State Code.

  • All residents must immediately evacuate the premises in response to a fire alarm and follow the directives of University personnel and/or the Syracuse Fire Department. The number of occupants of a room/apartment for purposes of socializing or visitation is not to exceed Occupancy Limits identified in these policies.
  • Arrangement of room furnishings is not to impede expedient egress from living spaces.

Furniture supplied by the University shall be maintained in its proper location. The student may rearrange the furniture within the housing unit but may not disassemble it, exchange it with other students, or move it to other locations. Furnishings shall not block windows, doors, or heating units. Furniture shall not be placed on top of other furniture. Furniture shall only be used for its intended purposes. No furniture shall be taken from lounges or other common areas and placed in a student’s private area of residence or moved to any other location. University furnishings are not to be used outside the housing unit.

Residence hall and apartment keys are issued by the University to the assigned student upon checking into the residence facility. Issued keys are for the express use by the assigned student and may not be given or loaned to another individual. In the event that a student loses or misplaces a residence hall or apartment key, that student shall be responsible for the reasonable and actual cost of both parts and labor associated with replacement of the locking cylinder and new keys for the unit. Replacement keys shall be obtained only from the University. Keys may not be duplicated by the student. The student may be charged a reasonable fee when the University is required to unlock a door for a student who has lost or misplaced a key or is otherwise locked out of his or her room. Keys must be surrendered at check out.  Keys received after check out will not be accepted.

How to Request a Spare Key

  • Instructions for how to request a spare key will be at the residence hall main desk and on the SL webpage. Depending on the hour of the day, students will either request assistance from their main desk or the Residence Advisor on-call.
  • Students must be prepared to show identification.
  • There is no charge for a spare key.
  • Spare keys not returned within 24 hours will result in a lock core change and the student’s Bursar account billed accordingly.
  • If a student needs a lockout key longer than 24 hours due to extenuating circumstances, they are to contact the Residence Director and/or Residence Hall Operations Coordinator in their building.

  • Students must go to the Goldstein Student Center, Suite 210, for assistance with keys. The Housing, Meal Plan, and ID Card Services staff will assist residents in acquiring a spare key. Students will need to show identification. During the academic year, the office is open Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Summer hours may vary. If the Housing Office in the Goldstein Student Center is closed, follow the instructions for after 5 p.m./weekends below.
  • After 5 p.m., Monday – Friday, all day Saturday and Sunday (during the academic year) and whenever the Housing Office in the Goldstein Student Center is closed, students must contact the Department of Public Safety to obtain entrance into their apartment.
  • Students must be prepared to show identification.

Open flames inside and around campus residential facilities is prohibited.

Use or possession of candles or incense is prohibited. For religious observations, candles and/or incense may be used in public areas designated by staff with constant vigilance by the student user (please connect with your RD for additional detail). All candles discovered in plain view in a student’s room/apartment will be confiscated and discarded. Students who possess candles to be used for religious observance are to store them out of sight to avoid confiscation.

As part of a pilot program, smudging is permitted within the Indigenous Living Learning Community under the following conditions to comply with requirements from New York State Fire Prevention and Control:

  • Smudging may only occur during August move-in, one day prior to final exams, and January move-in.
  • A Fire and Life Safety Services (FLSS) Officer must be present on the floor during smudging for fire safety purposes.

The Residence Director for the Indigenous Living Learning Community will schedule the smudging day and time in coordination with students and FLSS.

Parking and Transportation Services specifically prohibits parking on lawns, sidewalks, landscaped areas, and in front of driveways, doorways, steps, and emergency zones. Vehicles may not block traffic or prohibit the passage of vehicles or pedestrians. For South Campus apartments: vehicles may not be driven or parked on the lawns, whether in front of or behind apartments or on recreational areas, or in front of or on walkways.

Pools and/or hot tubs are prohibited within the housing unit, parking lot, sidewalk, or lawn surrounding University facilities.

Porches and stairways must be kept free of any obstruction to normal approach to the housing units. The use and/or storage of personal belongings, upholstered furniture, or University supplied furnishings on porches, stairways, and under stairways is prohibited, except for approved outdoor furniture which may be used on front porches as weather permits. Improperly stored items may be removed without prior notice and disposed of following the University’s abandoned property procedures.

Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs) and University departments may request that flyers/posters be placed in the residence halls to promote an initiative, program, or event. SL strives to foster an educational environment in and around our residential communities and wants to support these initiatives. The guidelines are specific for reasons of safety and security and the need to maintain an environment conducive to the pursuit of learning:

  • All posted materials must specify the date, time, place, name of the sponsoring organization of the event or program, and organization contact name, email or webpage where questions or concerns regarding the program, event, or initiative as well as accommodation requests can be directed. Materials that do not contain this information will not be accepted.
  • Events at which alcoholic beverages will be served will not be publicized.
  • All materials must conform to the policies and procedures of Syracuse University and Student Living.
  • Materials may not exceed 11” x 18” in size.
  • Materials for RSOs must first be approved by Student Engagement RSO staff as part of the program planning process. Upon the organization consultant’s approval, the flyer or poster will be stamped with the Recognized Student Organization (RSO) stamp. Flyers/posters can then be duplicated. (University departments do not need to have their materials reviewed by Student Engagement prior to delivery to SL.)
  • Flyers/posters are to be delivered as detailed below to Student Living offices at least ten (10) business days prior to the event. Materials received after that date may not be posted in time to afford students sufficient notice of the event.
  • A total of 144 flyers/posters can be provided for the north campus residence halls. They are to be counted out, divided by hall with the name of the hall written on the top of each group, and delivered to Student Living, 111 Waverly Ave., Ste. 200. The counts accepted per residence hall are as follows:
  • LocationCountLocationCount
    Boland/Brewster/Brockway/ Marley Center22Kimmel/Marion6
    Booth8Lawrinson18
    Day9Sadler10
    DellPlain9Shaw/Lyons10
    Ernie Davis10Skyhalls^10
    Flint9Watson/Sheraton14
    Haven/Washington Arms/Walnut/206 Walnut Place20Waverly Office1
  • ^ Skyhalls: a total of 10 flyers/posters can be provided to South Campus and the Skyhalls. They are to be delivered to Student Living, Goldstein Student Center, Ste. 206.
  • Posted materials (flyers, posters, etc.) hung in the residence halls without prior permission of Student Living will be removed and disposed of.

    RSOs and University departments may request to place lawn signs outside of residence halls to promote a program or event. Approved requests should be submitted using the form on the Student Living website. Approved requests must adhere to the following to ensure safety and attractive appearance of our facilities and entranceways:

    • RSOs and University departments must provide their own signs for placement into the ground;
    • Signs should be placed on the lawn as close to the sidewalk as possible near the residence hall;
    • Signs may not overhang sidewalks as they may not impede traffic;
    • Signs are not permitted on any flower beds, bushes, or mulched areas;
    • RSOs and University departments may not remove any other lawn signs in place;
    • RSOs and University department representatives must be respectful of the residential living environment when placing signs;
    • All lawn signs must specify the date, time, place, name of sponsoring organization of the event or program, and an organization contact name, email, or webpage where questions or concerns regarding the program/event as well as accommodation requests can be directed;
    • RSOs and departments may have no more than one (1) sign placed per residence hall;

    All signs must be removed by the date identified in the approval letter, typically within 2 days of the program/event.

    The hand distribution of advertisements (handbills) in the residence halls and South Campus apartments is prohibited. Placing materials on or under residence hall room doors is strictly prohibited.

    RSOs and University departments are prohibited from hanging banners in or outside of the residence halls and South Campus apartments.

    Student Living does not permit tabling in the residence halls by RSO’s, University departments, or outside organizations. Tabling in the dining centers (a less labor-intensive and much more efficient means of reaching students) can be arranged by contacting Food Services at 315.443.3608.

    Recognized Student Organizations can request the opportunity to conduct collection drives in the residence halls by completing this form. It is recommended that the RSO contact Student Living at least two to three weeks in advance of their planned collection dates. RSOs will be required to submit all publicity that will be used to publicize the drive to Student Living for approval. Drives are restricted to a maximum length of two weeks. Only one drive may occur at a time when intended collected items conflict.

    • Students are not permitted on residence hall or apartment roofs or window ledges at any time.
    • Window screens may not be removed for any reason.
    • Items may not be thrown, dropped, hung, poured, or propelled from windows.
    • Climbing or repelling on any residential facility is prohibited.
    • University-provided furnishings are to remain in the student’s living space at all times.
    • University-provided lounge/common space furniture should remain in their designated locations.
    • Non-emergency use of emergency exits, including ground-/first-floor windows in student rooms, is prohibited and will result in referral to the University’s student conduct system.
    • External doors and stairway doors may not be propped open.

    No personal belongings are to be stored in the parking lots or premises surrounding student housing or in any of the common areas of such housing. All personal belongings are to be stored in the student’s housing unit or such other place as may be designated by the University from time to time. No flammable substances, including and motors, shall be stored or used on the premises. Storage of personal belongings in student housing other than during the occupancy term is not permitted. Flammable substances and fuel includes engines/motors, motorcycles, gasoline, butane, propane, charcoal, and fireworks.

    Use of filming equipment can be disruptive to the residential community. High-heat lighting equipment can adversely impact fire safety equipment. Therefore, any filming/video production for coursework must be pre-approved by SL. Students must complete a Theatrical/Filming Productions in Residential Facilities Request and include a copy of the syllabus and instructions from faculty for the assignment. Use of weapons or props with appearance of weapons in the residence halls for theatrical/filming productions must also receive permission from the Department of Public Safety in addition to Student Living. Requests should be submitted a minimum of ten (10) business days prior to the date of requested filming.

    Rooms, corridors, and common areas are to be kept free of trash, debris, and recyclables with such items disposed of in the facilities provided. For South Campus apartments, all trash, rubbish, and recyclables are to be disposed of in the facilities provided by, and the manner prescribed by, the University. No other garbage cans or other disposal facilities may be utilized. The student shall not prevent or hinder access of University personnel and vehicles to the trash disposal facilities. Any trash, rubbish, and recyclables not disposed of properly may result in a disposal fee.