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Within the Hall

Within the Hall

When you live on campus, you become an integral part of a closer community beyond your assigned room. This collection of community policies delineates various aspects of communal living, encompassing areas such as bathroom use, furniture use, guests and visitors, kitchens, etc.

By understanding and adhering to these policies, you contribute to a safe, respectful, and enriching environment for all residents at Ohio University.

Bathroom Use

  • Only one person is allowed in a bathroom stall or shower stall at any time. Any incidents of more than one person in a bathroom stall or shower stall will be reported to the Office of University Equity and Civil Rights Compliance and referred to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.
  • Guests and visitors must utilize bathrooms designated for their gender.
  • Flushing anything other than toilet paper is prohibited. This includes flushable wipes and sanitary items.
  • Students should be respectful of bathroom facilities and report any issues to hall staff or RCS.
  • Disposing of personal room trash (i.e., pizza boxes, mail, drink containers, etc.) in bathroom or community trash cans is prohibited. Students should utilize outdoor dumpsters to dispose of recycling or trash.

Bicycles

  • Bicycles should be registered with the Ohio University Police Department. You will need to fill out a description and serial number of the bicycle to register.
  • Bicycles may not be stored in public areas, such as mods, lounges, stairwells, entrances/exits, building handrails, or other undesignated areas. OUPD or hall staff may remove bikes that are in unapproved areas.
  • Bicycles can be stored in your room or on an outdoor bicycle rack. Bicycles should be removed over winter or summer break. 

Common Spaces

  • Storing personal items in common spaces such as hallways, lounges, and lobbies is prohibited. All personal items must be kept within a student’s assigned room.
  • Residents in the Convocation Center, suite-style halls, and within mod-style housing are permitted to leave toiletries and bathroom items within the shared bathroom space for the respective rooms.
  • Removing university-provided furniture from common spaces is considered theft and prohibited. Theft of university-provided furniture may result in a fine, report to Ohio University Police, or referral to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.
  • Possession or consumption of alcohol, regardless of age in a community space (e.g., lounges, mod spaces, hallways, community centers, courtyards, etc.) is prohibited.

Furniture

Furniture is provided in the residence hall common areas for all residents in the building or complex. If you notice missing furnishings or damage, contact hall staff.

  • Removing university-provided furniture from your room or moving it between a suite or quad rooms is prohibited. Removing university-provided furniture from the room may result in a fine, report to Ohio University Police, or referral to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.
  • Disassembling university-provided furniture is prohibited.

Games and Sports

  • Physical recreational activities (i.e., ball playing, bicycle/skateboard/scooter riding, water gun/water balloon fights) in residential buildings and on South Green catwalks are prohibited.
  • Hall sports should not be conducted inside the residence halls due to the increased risk of property damage and personal injuries in confined indoor spaces, as well as the potential for noise disturbances that can disrupt the academic and personal well-being of other residents.
  • Outdoor activities near building entrances/exits, windows, and vehicles are prohibited.
  • Recreational use of green spaces is permitted with concern for those walking through the areas.

Guests & Visitors

Guests are individuals who are not affiliated with Ohio University, such as parents, siblings, etc. Visitors are individuals who are affiliated with Ohio University, such as students, staff, etc.

  • Unescorted guests and visitors are prohibited. Guests and visitors must always be escorted while in the hall, even to the bathroom or to another room.
  • All roommates must grant permission for a guest or visitor to be in the room.
  • Allowing guests and visitors to use resident keys or access devices is prohibited.
  • Failing to provide adequate notification to roommates regarding overnight guests or visitors is prohibited.
  • Guests and visitors may stay overnight no more than 3 nights in a 7-day period with permission from your roommate.
  • Guests and visitors in a room should not have more than two times the standard occupancy for that room.
  • Only the student(s) assigned to a room can live there. You may not sublet your Housing and Residence Life room.
  • Residents are personally and financially responsible for any policy violations caused by their guests.
  • Guests and visitors must utilize bathrooms designated for their gender.
  • Parents and family are considered “guests” and must adhere to the same conditions listed above.
  • All guests and visitors must comply with COVID-19 protocols set forth by Ohio University. Guests or visitors who do not comply will be asked to leave the building.

Kitchens, Food Preparation, Clean-Up

Cooking in residence hall rooms is restricted to only those foods that can be heated using the microwave unit.

There are student kitchens in Bryan Hall, Carr-Sowle Complex, Jefferson Hall, Gamertsfelder Hall, Hoover House, James Hall, Sargent Hall, Tanaka-Luchs Complex, Washington/Read, and Voigt Hall. These kitchens are available to students living in those buildings/complexes and inspected monthly by Environmental Health and Safety. Kitchens are not supplied with cooking utensils. Personal items are not to be stored in the kitchen but should be taken back to your assigned room upon leaving the kitchen. Please contact hall staff to learn more about kitchen access.

To limit the likelihood of insects becoming a problem you should not store perishable food items in open containers in your room or in community kitchens. All food waste should be taken to the dumpster to prevent insects from finding their way into your room or the residence hall. Violations of improper food preparation, storage, or clean-up may result in the kitchen's closure or a fine assessed to the student.

Posting Policy

Promotion of non-residence hall events will be limited to an activity sponsored or co-sponsored by an Ohio University registered student organization and/or Ohio University department. All unauthorized and unapproved signs will be removed. No material may be distributed door to door. Non-compliance with this posting policy may result in the loss of posting privileges.

Trash & Recycling

Proper disposal of trash prevents sanitation, pests, and plumbing issues in our communities. It is your responsibility to keep your room clean and to take your recycling and trash to the appropriate dumpster on a regular basis. Should you run into an issue with trash, please contact RCS or hall staff.

  • Blue bins for mixed-recycling and tan bins for trash are provided in every room. Recycling and landfill (trash) dumpsters are located near every residence hall.
  • Leaving personal trash in hallways, common areas, bathrooms, mods, etc. is prohibited.
  • Leftover foods, food waste, and food containers should be disposed of appropriately and taken to outdoor dumpsters. Disposing of trash in community spaces, lounges, or bathroom trashcans is prohibited.
  • Disposing of trash or food scraps in bathroom sinks, mop sinks, and toilets is prohibited. This waste will create plumbing and sanitation problems.
  • All clean bottles, cans, paper, and cardboard should be placed in blue bins as mixed recycling.

Vandalism and Theft

Vandalism and theft significantly impact the well-being of a community. Students should make every effort to respect their residence hall and report issues of damage to hall staff or Ohio University Police Department.

  • Willful destruction, defacement, or theft of any public or private property is prohibited. Incidents of vandalism may result in a fine, report to Ohio University Police, or referral to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.
  • Incidents of vandalism that negatively impact the goal of inclusive excellence or sense of belonging should be reported to the Campus Climate Concerns Team.
  • Investigations of vandalism may determine individuals or groups responsible for damages. When appropriate, results of the investigation may result in a fine, report to Ohio University Police, or referral to the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility for individuals or groups involved.