33. Residence Hall Rules

(Revised 1994)

33.1 Students residing in or visiting a university residence hall are responsible for knowing and observing the visitation rules, including hours for visitation. The conduct of a guest is the responsibility of the host. The presence of a student in a residence room of the opposite sex is prohibited except during official open visitation periods as delineated in Section 33.3 below or on special occasions approved by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.

33.2 Vendors are not permitted in any residence hall rooms after visitation hours.

33.3 Visitation hours (for guests not affiliated with the university as enrolled students or faculty or staff employees) are from 9am to 12am, Sunday through Thursday and 9am to 2:30am Friday and Saturday. After visitation hours, only guests of the same sex as the room residents may be in the residents' rooms. This applies to both university affiliated as well as non-affiliated guests. Any guest who is not affiliated with the campus as an enrolled student, faculty or staff member must have written permission of the Office of Student Life to remain overnight on campus if in the residence halls after visitation hours. This privilege will be granted only when there is space available and after appropriate guest fees have been paid to the Fiscal Office. Fee receipts must be carried as proof of permission. Non-affiliated guests on campus after visitation hours must be in the company of a TAMUG student or employee except when going directly to or from transportation.

33.4 Residents and guests must wear appropriate clothing at all times while in the hallways or public areas.

33.5 Visitation hours may be reduced if the residents of a floor within the residence hall desire a lesser number of hours and/or days or other stipulated conditions. Changes may be made by calling a referendum of all the residents on the floor. An affirmative vote of at least sixty-six percent of the total number of residents on the floor will be required to either approve or make changes in the Visitation Rule. Any changes or stipulated conditions of the hall rules must be in compliance with the Galveston Campus Visitation Rules and approved by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs.

33.6 A general residence floor referendum will not be required to approve visitation stipulations on the floor each new school year unless changes are requested from residents of that floor. Residents may sign a "change" petition to put the floor Visitation Rules up for review by the residents. A general floor referendum must then be called to approve any new changes. A sixtysix percent majority of floor residents is required for approval of changes to the floor Visitation Rules.

After approval by the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, changes in the floor Visitation Rules will be announced seven days prior to implementation.

33.7 Violations of the Residence Hall Rules will be acted upon by the Community Leaders, and/or the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and may be referred to the Office of Student Life for disciplinary action.

33.8 Quiet Hours

The Resident Advisors are responsible for ensuring that conditions conducive to good study are maintained. Designated "quiet hours" will be maintained in all residence facilities during the period of 9:00p.m. to 8:30 a.m., Sunday through Thursday; and 12 Midnight to 11 a.m., Friday and Saturday. Quiet hours may be expanded but not diminished by a majority vote of sixty-six percent of the residents of a floor. Expanded quiet hours will be observed prior to and during final examination each semester. While the maintenance of the quiet hours is the responsibility of each member of the hall, the Resident Advisor will be alert to infractions and assist where necessary to enforce the rules.

33.9 The university does not assume responsibility at any time for the private property of students and is not liable for the loss or damage of any article of personal property anywhere on the premises.

33.10 The residents, for their own protection, will be asked to inventory their furniture and rooms for existing damage with a designated university representative. This inventory will be completed at the time the student checks into the room. If additional damage to the room or furnishings occurs, repairs or replacement may be charged to the occupants.

33.11 Firearms and other weapons, including BB-guns, wrist rockets, tennis ball cannons, and spear guns may not be kept, assembled or disassembled, or cleaned in campus facilities or in vehicles driven on campus. Exceptions to this rule are made for law enforcement personnel and military personnel in the performance of official duty. Additionally, ceremonial weapons for Silver Taps and Aggie Muster are excepted. Special permission for bringing a weapon on campus may be granted by the Chief of Campus Police or his or her designated representative.

33.12 Substantive changes to or within rooms are not to be made without securing permission from the Office of Residential Services. Under no conditions should students remove any university-owned furnishings from their rooms and students shall not furnish their rooms with university-owned property taken from the public areas of the university.

33.13 Room assignment changes originate with the Office of Student Life which makes the room assignments. Students making room changes must secure clearance for their original rooms from the Office of Residential Services and arrange to check into their new rooms from that office.

33.14 Cooking in the residence facilities is prohibited. All kitchen appliances with the exception of coffee pots, hot pots, popcorn poppers, microwaves, and blenders are prohibited in the residence halls.

33.15 Refrigerators are permitted in designated rooms only when such refrigerators meet the following university specifications:

33.15.1 The refrigerator is "Underwriters Laboratory" approved and has a running current requirement not to exceed 1.6 amps.

33.15.2 The electrical cord plugs directly into the power receptacle.

33.15.3 During extended holidays, between semesters, and in the case of a campus evacuation, the refrigerator is emptied, cleaned and unplugged.

33.15.4 The refrigerator is removed from the room prior to applying for room clearance.

33.16 No student is permitted on the roofs of the residence halls.

33.17 Cadet officers or resident advisors in each residence facility are responsible for the maintenance of order, the preservation of property and the cleanliness of the hall and/or area assigned to their organization.

33.18 A student's room may be entered by a staff member to provide cleaning and/or maintenance, to conduct an inventory of university property, to conduct a health and safety check, to assure compliance with applicable housing codes, when an emergency exists or is believed to exist, or when the staff member has reasonable cause to believe that a violation of civil or criminal laws, University Student Rules, or housing rules has occurred or is occurring. Additional inspection of cadet corps rooms may be made by authorized cadets and cadre in accordance with The Corps Operations Manual. In the event of sudden illness, death, or some other reason for which a student might be absent for a prolonged or indefinite period, university officials are authorized to collect and store for safekeeping and proper disposal the affected student's personal belongings and property which are on university premises.

33.19 Candles (with or without wicks), incense, oil lamps, and other devices which use an open flame (including potpourri pots, hibachis, and barbecue grills) are prohibited in residence halls. Because these items create a significant fire hazard, they are not allowed at any time in the residence halls. Items will be confiscated and residents will be subject to disciplinary action.

33.20 Combustible materials in corridors must be limited to student message boards and university installed community bulletin boards.

33.21 Balconies and hallways are to remain clear of furnishings and other material to maintain clear exit paths in case of fire. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, hammocks, barbecue grills, hibachis, furniture, bicycles and plants.

33.22 Charcoal and charcoal lighter fluid may not be stored in residence hall rooms or on balconies.

33.23 Fire exit doors and doors separating exit stairways from corridors may not be propped open at any time.