Table of Contents. General Information

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2 Table of Contents Introduction Fire Safety A1 1 B19 2 B38 3 Potential Bodily Harm A4, B20 4 A6 5 A7, A8, B23 6 B44 7 Drugs and Alcohol A9 8 A10 9 B21 10 B24 11 Residence Hall Spaces A12, B26 12 B33 13 Identification A16 14 B35 15 Guests A18, B27 16 Sales and Solicitation B37 17 Sports B40 18 Department of Resident Life Annapolis Hall University of Maryland College Park, MD (301) General Information Office of Rights and Responsibilities 4318 Knox Road, Rm South Campus Commons, Bldg. 3 College Park, MD (301)

3 Introduction: To many, Residence Hall policies have always seemed a bit curious. The reasons behind many of the rules are not entirely clear, and their implementation seems a bit broad. This handbook will attempt to clear these questions up. While not intended to be the definitive explanation of Resident Life policies, this volume will try to provide background information, discuss the thought process that led to the rule, and, in some cases, explain why a rule is tailored either broadly or narrowly. The pages are laid out with a general subject heading at the top, followed by the rule number, the text of the rule, and finally information detailing the reasoning behind the rule. Prior to 1980, the University of Maryland did not have a set of rules specific to the residence halls. University administrators recognized the problem with this, though in the mid-1970s. While the university rules addressed a large number of issues from both an academic and a legalistic perspective, these rules could not account for behaviors that negatively impacted students and student safety, but were not illegal. Thus, starting in 1977 and working through 1978, the Department of Resident Life developed a set of rules specific to living and working in the residence halls. Since their original creation, the list of rules has grown to 44, and been split into two separate levels, A and B. However, the core of the rules remains the same they serve first and foremost to ensure the safety of students living in and visiting the residence halls.

4 Department of Resident Life 1 Fire Safety: A1, B19, B38 Prohibition: Setting or fueling a fire of any size This rule bans all types of open flames in the residence halls. Fire is the biggest danger to large, highly concentrated populations, such as students living in residence halls. In fact, the population density of the average residence hall exceeds that of many urban areas classified as ghettos. As such, this prohibition must be absolute, regardless of whether a fire is intentionally or accidentally set. Controlled flames, such as candles or burning incense, while they may seem harmless, have equal potential as a lighter or flaming beverage to be spilled, igniting the carpeting, walls, or any other flammable objects.

5 Department of Resident Life 2 Fire Safety: A1, B19, B38 Prohibition: Possession of highly flammable materials including: gasoline, gas tank (whether containing fuel or empty), gas-powered vehicles, kerosene, fireworks. This rule serves as an extension of rule A1, prohibiting the possession of any materials which would facilitate the easy ignition of a fire. Regardless of whether or not these items are intended to be used maliciously, they pose a significant potential danger to the residents of a residence hall. Indeed, under the wrong circumstances, such items could either inadvertently trigger a fire, or enable an already existing fire to spread with greater intensity.

6 Department of Resident Life 3 Fire Safety: A1, B19, B38 Prohibition: Cooking (except in designated areas) and use or possession of an open-flame or open element appliance, including toaster, skillets, hot plates and microwaves. While such appliances are typically designed to be safe, in an environment where they are not intended to be used, these sorts of appliance present a substantial fire hazard. A residence hall room is designed to be a place for students to sleep, study and socialize, not to cook in. Due to space constraints, it is highly possible that a flammable object could come in contact with a hot surface, igniting a fire. Furthermore, the circuitry in older buildings on campus is not designed for use with appliances drawing a high current load. Both of these issues lead to such appliances being fire hazards, and as such, unacceptable for use in a residence hall space.

7 Department of Resident Life 4 Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44 Prohibition A4: Use of any weapon, as defined in the Code of Student Conduct. Prohibition B20: Possession of a weapon, as defined in the Code of Student Conduct. Obviously, it is unacceptable to bring any type of device used specifically for injuring another human being into the residence halls. However, the definition of weapon is left intentionally vague, deferring to the Code of Student Conduct, due to the fact that nearly any type of object can be used as a weapon. Using the definition found in the Code of Student Conduct allows the department to prohibit weapons without the prohibition extending to unintended items, such as kitchen knives, baseball bats or martial arts equipment. This is not to say, though, that these cannot be used, and in turn, punished as weapons. After all, an incident a number of years ago in one of the residence halls found a student with a nail scissor stabbed almost an inch into his chest, a case of a non-prohibited item being used as a weapon.

8 Department of Resident Life 5 Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44 Prohibition: Participating in throwing, dropping or causing to fall from a residence hall any object which could cause physical harm. Like a number of the other rules described in this handbook, this rule is structured around preventing undesirable consequences, in addition to undesirable behaviors. As such, both the intentional and unintentional jettisoning of an object from a residence hall window are treated the same. Both have equal potential to harm someone standing below, regardless of whether or not this was an intended consequence. This rule dates back to the 1980s, when students, while reveling over the weekend, would regularly toss bottles, chairs, and sometimes even larger objects, out of the highrises. And, yes, this rule also applies to the throwing of keys and IDs out of the windows. It may seem inconvenient to walk downstairs and let someone into the building, but it is infinitely safer.

9 Department of Resident Life 6 Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44 Prohibition A7: Intentionally or recklessly causing physical harm, or immediate expectation of physical harm, to any person, including assault/battery, intentionally or recklessly provoking and/or engaging in physical fights. Prohibition A8: Harassing any person in such a way as to seriously or repeatedly interfere with that person s academic pursuits, sleep and/or other personal pursuits. This includes malicious pranks and issuing threats. Prohibition B23: Physical confrontation, threats, and/or harassment less serious than those covered by Rules #7 and #8 respectively. All three of these rules deal with preventing the disruption of a student s primary purpose at the University of Maryland, which is to learn. While a person s intent must be taken into consideration when looking at these rules, the actions that were taken must be judged in the context of their impact. As such, any actions that are malicious in nature, causing physical or emotional harm to the student, fall under the purview of these three rules.

10 Department of Resident Life 7 Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44 Prohibition: Smoking in any form within any residence hall space. Smoke which enters any residence hall space from outside is also not permitted. While students can choose to smoke if they wish, they must do so in a manner which prevents harm from coming to other students. This potential harm manifests itself it two separate ways. The first is through the fire hazard presented by smoking inside the residence hall. Like all of the previously mentioned prohibited items, a lit cigarette is a potential igniter for a fire, and as such, poses a danger to all who live in the residence hall. Furthermore, residence halls are not equipped with the proper cigarette disposal facilities. As such, an improperly extinguished cigarette, disposed of in a wastepaper basket is a fire waiting to happen. The second potential harm to other students is in the form of secondhand smoke. The residence halls are not set up for the proper ventilation of cigarette smoke. As such, the smoke trapped in the building can be inhaled by other students, posing a known health hazard, and increasing the risk of those students developing smoking related illnesses later in life.

11 Department of Resident Life 8 Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24 Prohibition: Possession, use, sale, distribution or provision of inhalants, marijuana or any controlled substance or illegal drug. The possession, use and distribution of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is not allowed in the residence halls due to their known deleterious effects, as well as their being unlawful to possess under federal law. Even if this policy were not in place, as some student groups advocate with marijuana, the transport, possession and distribution of these drugs would be illegal, and would still be punished by the university and local police forces. As such, residence hall policy aligns with the law, in order to mitigate the negative effects of such substances on an academic environment Until 1987, marijuana possession and use were considered B-level violations. However, after the conclusion of that year s basketball season, Maryland star Len Bias was drafted second overall in the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics. In celebration of this, Bias went back to his residence hall space, used cocaine, and was found dead the next day. In recognition of the threat that drugs posed both to student health as well as academic health, the university changed the rule mid-year, issuing an insert for the Rights and Responsibilities booklet.

12 Department of Resident Life 9 Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24 Prohibition: Distribution, sale or provision of alcoholic beverages to a minor. The university has a vested interest in protecting the health and well-being of its students. As such, enabling an individual to drink, who otherwise would not be allowed to under the law, is against resident life policy. However, until 1984, when the federal government made highway funding contingent on the drinking age being set at 21, the legal drinking age in Maryland was 18. The university grandfathered in the change, allowing the students who had come into the university while the drinking age was 18 to consume alcohol. In 1987, that group turned 21, standardizing the drinking age across campus. This, happening concurrently with the change in drug policy, was quite an adjustment for the university community, and helped set the tone for the policies of today.

13 Department of Resident Life 10 Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24 Prohibition: Possession or use of alcoholic beverages by a minor. Kegs, or containers of alcoholic beverages defined as kegs by Resident Life, and open containers of alcoholic beverages in public areas are prohibited for everyone (see also alcohol policy). In order to maintain the academic mission of the university, as well as to avoid the promotion of excessive consumption of alcohol, kegs and open containers in public spaces are prohibited. This is in accordance with both local laws, prohibiting open containers in public spaces, as well as with keeping the residences halls a clean and friendly environment in which students can interact and study. Unlike providing alcohol to minors, serving as an enabler, possession and use of alcohol by a minor is a B-level violation. This is in acknowledgement of the fact that, while the Department of Resident Life strongly discourages this behavior, it will inevitably happen. As such, the Department would rather use the situation to educate the student as to the dangers of alcohol, as opposed to more serious consequences, which would not help educate the student.

14 Department of Resident Life 11 Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24 Prohibition: Use/possession of drug paraphernalia. Drug paraphernalia serves as both a means of breaking the law, as well as acting as a temptation to do so. Additionally, the possession of drug paraphernalia is illegal under Maryland state law, and as such, is prohibited. This is in line with the academic mission of the university, as well as the Department of Resident Life stated policies on drugs.

15 Department of Resident Life 12 Residence Hall Spaces: A12, B26, B33 Prohibition A12: Renting/subleasing of residence hall space. Prohibition B26: Loan of residence hall space. This includes allowing guests to stay in your room/apartment/suite in your absence for an extended period of time. Additionally, individuals who have not signed a Residence Halls/Dining Services Agreement are not permitted to reside in the residence halls. When a student moves into a residence hall space, they sign a contract, making them responsible for that space for the duration of the schoolyear. The university expects, then, if they have entered into a contractual agreement to live in that space, that they will do so. As an academic institution, university spaces are not supposed to be used as a means to generate profit through subleasing. Furthermore, allowing someone to sublease a space presents a number of safety hazards. First of all, the university cannot account for this individual in case of an emergency, as they are not listed as a resident. Second, in order for this individual to gain access to the space, they will have to utilize someone else s ID and key, necessarily diluting building security. Third, as the university does not have the opportunity to vet this individual, they could theoretically pose a threat to others residing in the hall, a situation that the Department of Resident Life wishes to avoid. Lastly, these situations have the potential for negative effects on any roommates that reside within the space. In order to protect their interests, the university prohibits these behaviors.

16 Department of Resident Life 13 Residence Hall Spaces: A12, B26, B33 Prohibition: Misuse or unauthorized possession of room or building entry keys or access cards. This includes duplication, lending/borrowing or repeated loss (see also Safety and Security Prohibitions). This rule is designed to acknowledge the commitment of students in maintaining the security of campus buildings. By loaning or duplicating residence hall keys, or throwing IDs and keys out the window, students dilute the security of the buildings, by enabling people who should not be able to enter on their own to do so. Originally, this rule was put in place when access to the entire building was done via key. As such, it has become slightly less relevant over the years, but the intended effect is still the same. Students must be responsible for their own safety and security, just as the university is, and in order to do so, need to maintain the security systems that have been put in place.

17 Department of Resident Life 14 Identification: A16, B35 Prohibition: Participating in the provision, distribution, sale or manufacture of any form of false identification. False IDs enable students who legally should not be able to obtain alcohol, or to gain entry into a business that primarily serves alcohol, to do so. Therefore, a producer of false identification is equally culpable for enabling someone to obtain alcohol as someone who actually provides it. Furthermore, producing fraudulent documents is a violation of the law, and just as all other major violations of the law are punished by the university, so too is this one.

18 Department of Resident Life 15 Identification: A16, B35 Prohibition: Misuse of identification cards. This includes possession and/or presentation of false identification. The university uses the identification carried by a student in order to determine whether or not they have a legitimate purpose for being in the residence halls. Carrying incorrect identification serves only to deceive those needing to know whether or not one has a legitimate purpose for being where they are. In order to discourage this behavior, as well as to enable the proper enforcement of university and Resident Life policy, false identification is prohibited.

19 Department of Resident Life 16 Guests: A18, B27 Prohibition A18: Knowingly allowing guests to violate any A level rule. Prohibition B27: Failure to monitor guests behavior and assuring adherence to rules. Residents will be held financially responsible for damage caused by their guests. When bringing guests into the residence halls, students assume the risk that their guest may violate policy. Being that guests are not able to be sanctioned under the rules, placing the responsibility on their host makes it more likely that the host will warn their guest as to the rules, as well as keep them from breaking them, and thus harming the friendly academic and social environment in the halls.

20 Department of Resident Life 17 Sales and Solicitation: B37 Prohibition: Unauthorized sales/solicitation activity; use of residence hall space to conduct a private business enterprise, whether legal or illegal. As the residence halls are an academic environment, selling items in the residence halls is prohibited. Not only is such activity disruptive to other students residing there, but the fact that such business is being conducted in the halls places added pressure to purchase on the student, as well as lending the seller an air of credibility, via a perceived association with the university.

21 Department of Resident Life 18 Sports: B40 Prohibition: Use of any sports/recreational equipment except in designated areas. Prohibited equipment use includes but is not limited to: football, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, baseball, nerf ball and Frisbee. Playing sports in the residence hall has the potential to both damage the facilities, as well as possibly injure residents. When throwing any sort of object in the hallway, there is a risk that it may strike and break a light fixture or window, strike and set off a fire alarm, or hit a sprinkler, triggering a flood. None of these potential consequences are wanted, or contribute to a positive residence hall atmosphere. Furthermore, other students may be caught unawares by the by ball being used, and may be injured by it. All of these are undesirable outcomes, and therefore, their potential source, regardless of whether or not the outcome was intended, is banned.