Standards of Residence

Advertisements, Posters

Posters and notices pertaining to specific residence hall and apartment activities may be posted on the bulletin boards provided within the halls and apartments by the approval of a professional University Housing official. 

Commercial posters approved by University Housing that advertise non-residence hall, non- apartment, or non-campus related functions may be posted on designated areas provided there is space available. All notices and posters must have approval from the University Housing Office and/or the Resident Director.

Air Conditioners for Apartments Only

With prior approval from a Building Manager, a window air conditioner or self-contained swamp cooler, not connected to a water source, is permitted in apartments only. A housing staff member must perform all installation and removal. Inform your Building Manager before purchasing. Unauthorized air conditioner will be fined $50 per month. Dimensions for Air conditioners should not exceed 24" wide by 24" depth by 16" height, BTU Max is 12,000 BTU and Voltage max is 120.

Alcohol Policy 

Please visit the Student Code of Conduct for policies and procedures related to alcohol use. 

In addition to those items listed in the Student Code of Conduct the following is prohibited in University Housing:

1. Possession of any container used to serve a large amount of alcohol at once, i.e. party balls, punch bowls, kegs, etc.
2. Empty alcohol containers in a residence hall or general area where alcohol is prohibited. 
3. Empty alcohol containers in an apartment where the licensee(s) are minors. 

Barbeque Grills

Individual use of barbeque grills is strictly prohibited in residence halls. Barbequing is allowed outside apartment complexes and in cases of University Housing sponsored programs. Barbeque grills must be placed at least four feet away from any structure. Due to safety reasons gas grills, or tanks cannot be stored in any housing units. 

Bicycles/Human/Motorized Powered Vehicles (including one-wheel, electric scooters, etc)

Are not allowed to be used inside any housing unit. They may be stored in authorized areas only. The Licensee is responsible for damages caused by the vehicle. University Housing is not responsible for any items stored outside, or inside your apartment or residence hall. We encourage you to register your items with ISU Public Safety.

Candles/Incense

Candles, incense, and other such items that have an open flame or smolder, present a concern for fire safety. Some candles and incense create allergy problems for other residents. Therefore, the burning of candles, incense, and other open flame items are not allowed in any University Housing units. In addition, any odors that are offensive to the residence hall or apartment community are not permitted.

Carpet Stains

If you spill something onto the carpet, please generate a maintenance request so the spill can be cleaned before it sets in and becomes permanent. In cases of emergency clean up, work may need to be done immediately in order to minimize damage; therefore entry into rooms or apartments may be authorized for university housing staff in order to complete the emergency clean up. 

Ceiling Fans

Installing or use of ceiling fans is prohibited.

Children

The Licensee is responsible for the actions of children who occupy their licensed premises. Children are to be properly supervised at all times. Neglect of parental responsibility may result in disciplinary action. The Licensee shall be financially responsible for the actions of the children. The university is not liable for accidents that may occur to children. Please keep children away from trash dumpsters for their own safety as well as safety of others.

Community Disturbance

A Licensee may face disciplinary action for unreasonable or unsatisfactory personal conduct, including threatening/harassing behavior to an individual or community within University Housing.

Community Group Billing

Charges incurred through acts of vandalism, theft, destruction of property, etc, in common areas, such as lobbies, lounges, bathrooms, elevators, hallways, laundry room, etc. The intent of this policy is to involve the licensee(s) in the care and upkeep of their living residential community. It is important that all licensee(s) understand that a person(s), or group identified in an incident will be solely responsible for all damages and expenses. When no one is found responsible expenses may be divided among all licensee(s) of the area.

Cooking

No cooking is allowed in housing units where there are no kitchens. Appliances with open heating elements are a fire hazard and therefore not allowed (i.e. toasters, toaster ovens, hot cup coil warmers, electric stand-alone burners, and electric skillets, etc.). Small microwaves (up to 1200 watts) and 3.6 cubic ft. refrigerators are allowed.

Corridors/Porches/Stairwells

Due to the need for noise control and personal safety, corridors, porches and stairwells are not to be used for temporarily storing garbage or other items, or as play areas for children, jogging, skateboarding, rollerblading, bicycling, or other activities. These areas should be kept neat and clean. Radios, speakers, smoking, etc. are not permitted in these areas. Noise travels very easily, so please be considerate of others.

Drugs 

Please visit the Student Code of Conduct for policies and procedures related to illegal use. 

Emergency On-Call Staff

There is a university housing staff member On Call for emergencies 24 hours a day. The emergency phone number is 282-5770.

Emergency/Welfare/Approved Entry

The university makes every effort to respect a Licensee's right to privacy. However, university staff may enter your unit without notice under the following conditions:

• For emergency situations (i.e. personal safety and well-being, )
• To provide maintenance, service, repairs, improvements, to make inspections, or for any other legitimate purpose.
• When there is a violation of housing or university policy, state or federal

Fire Safety Violations

Please visit the Student Code of Conduct for policies and procedures related to fire safety violations, illegal and dangerous weapons, and materials.   In addition to those items listed in the Student Code of Conduct, the information listed below is prohibited in housing units. 

1. Tampering with fire equipment.
2. Tampering with or removal of batteries from smoke detectors.  A chirping noise coming from your smoke detector indicates your battery is low.  Contact ISU maintenance for a replacement immediately. 
3. Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm. 
4. Parking in fire lanes. 
5. Use and storage of fireworks in and around all university housing units. 
6. Intentionally igniting a fire or any actions that result in fire or smoke from prohibited activities may result in immediate removal from university housing.

Furniture

All furniture in housing units are the property of University Housing and may not be moved or removed from their designated areas, unless permission has been granted by a Residence Director, or professional University Housing employee.  Possible disciplinary action or fine(s) could be implemented.

Guests

A guest is a non-resident of the building, visiting at anytime day or night. All guests must abide by university and housing policies. Any violation of the policies outlined in the agreement by a guest will be held against the Licensee.  All guests must be escorted at all times between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. Licensees of the building may be held accountable for their guests' actions. The following rules regarding overnight guests apply:

• All overnight guests are required to have written permission from the Residence Director or professional University Housing employee. All approvals must be requested 24 hours in advance.
• Roommate approval must be documented if applicable. 
• The maximum number of guests in a housing unit may not exceed more than two guests, per night.
• Residence hall overnight guest may not stay more than three consecutive nights, or six nights total for the semester without prior approval of the Residence Director.
• Apartment overnight guest may not stay more than three consecutive nights, or a total of one week for the semester, without prior approval from the Building Manager.

Any abuse of these privileges may result in immediate removal of the guest and possible ban from University Housing. 

Halogen Lamps

Due to fire hazard, halogen lamps are not allowed in university housing units.

Heaters

No Licensee owned heating units and appliances with open coils are allowed.

Holiday Decorations

Live Christmas trees are not allowed in the university housing units. All electrical decorations must be UL approved. When decorating entrance doors to a university housing unit, paper wrapping must not exceed beyond the doorframe. Decorating in public areas must be pre-approved by the Residence Director, or Building Manager. Spray snow is only allowed on windows. Any damage resulting from the use of nails or the removal of adhesives when removing decorations, will be the responsibility of the Licensee.

Motor Vehicle Repairs

Limit vehicle maintenance to simple and general upkeep. No major maintenance (i.e. oil change) is allowed on ISU property. City ordinance prohibits draining oil onto parking lot surfaces and into storm sewers. Violators may be prosecuted under city ordinance, or other established state and federal laws. Licensee(s) are responsible for cleaning drips, leaks, materials, etc.

Offensive Odors

Licensee(s) are responsible to maintain a pleasant smelling apartment or residence hall room. When odors are offensive, Housing staff may have to address the issue with individual residents (i.e. garbage, dirty clothes, etc.)

Pets

No pets are allowed, except for fish and special ADA certified care animals. Aquariums that are balanced and are 20-gallons or less in size are permitted. Pets of guests who are visiting are also not allowed. Violation of the Pet Policy may result in a fine to the Licensee. A Licensee may not provide food or shelter for any animal, including strays. Any excessive messes created by care animals may involve additional charges for cleaning and sterilization.

Quiet Hours/Courtesy Hours

Quiet hours are between 11 am and 8:00 am daily.  Residence halls and apartments have 24-hour courtesy hours. Violations may result in disciplinary action.

Sales and Solicitations

In the process of promoting "a greater living environment" and of maintaining the best interests of ISU Housing Licensee(s), solicitation of any nature in the ISU housing units must follow the guidelines as outlined below.

1. Business, Sales, and Non-Commercial
   1. Door-to-door solicitation for sales, business, or non-commercial organizations is prohibited in all housing units.  Agents may visit or conduct business with licensee(s) in the privacy of an licensed premises upon invitation of the Licensee.
   2. A business, sales, or non-commercial organization, at the discretion of the Director of University Housing, may rent space in a public area in a housing unit. 
2. Political Campaigning
   1. Door-to-door campaigning for ASISU, local, state and national office is allowed in the residence halls and apartment complexes. The hours for door-to-door campaigning are from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Thursday. 
   2. Licensee(s) are allowed to post campaign posters on their doors and windows as long as they are not permanently affixed and do no damage to such facilities. Candidates cannot post campaign materials on a licensee's door or window without the licensee's permission.
   3. Candidates may campaign in the Towers Dining Commons during dining hours. To reserve an information table contact the Towers Dining Commons Manager at food@isu.edu
3. Campaign posters, fliers, or other literature may be posted on designated bulletin boards in housing units.
4. Public areas may be reserved for informational tables and individual candidate forums through the Director of University Residence hall floor lounges and TV lounges may not be used for these purposes.
5. Harassment of licensee's, trespassing, or violation of any law, ordinance, or other university regulation is prohibited.
6. Student Organization Recruitment
   1. Recognized ISU student organizations are allowed to recruit members in the housing units with written permission from the Director of University Housing, 48 hours in advance.
   2. Student organizations, at the discretion of the Director of University Housing, may reserve space in a public area in the housing units. 

Service, Therapy, and Companion Animals

The University enforces a no-pets policy in its housing units subject to any exception required under applicable law to accept any service animal. At its sole discretion on a case-by-case basis such as for therapy or companion purposes, the University also may permit any animal for which state or federal civil rights law does not create an exception. 

Under its student conduct code and any applicable law, the University reserves a right to enforce any relevant rule that governs use of any service, therapy, or companion animal. The University retains discretion to deny any retroactive request for any service, therapy, or companion animal. 

The Disability Services (DS) department has primary authority at the University to determine whether any Licensee has a privilege to house any service, therapy, or companion animal. If the DS has granted approval with respect to the animal, then the Licensee must ensure that any appropriate paperwork is completed with each of the DS and the University Housing Office. That Licensee also must notify both the Housing office and the DS substantially before any date that the service, therapy or companion animal first arrives to any ISU Housing unit. That Licensee retains a duty either to comply with each local, state, or federal requirement for any service animal, or to comply with this policy with respect to any therapy or companion animal.

Each licensee with any disability who uses any service, therapy, or companion animal at the University remains responsible at all times for that animal. The Licensee must ensure that any use of the animal does not constitute a direct threat to any other person's health or safety. That Licensee must cause the animal to be marked with identification that informs the general public that the animal is a service, therapy, or companion animal.

Other matters for which the Licensee is legally responsible include, without limitation:

• having the animal's health verified as acceptable by a qualified veterinarian or service animal school;
• cleaning up after the animal, including sanitarily disposing of any animal waste;
• restoring any University-related property damage that the animal causes;
• controlling the animal's behavior in any private or public place related to the University; and
• maintaining due care and diligence in the animal's on-campus

Service Animals 

The DS reserves a right to require any Licensee to produce documentation that any service animal that the Licensee houses in any housing unit fulfills any federal or local law's service animal exception criteria. The University considers these exception criteria to mean that the animal must be trained specifically to perform a service tailored to compensate for the licensee's disability.

Therapy and Companion Animals

Helpful Definitions

• A "companion animal" is an animal that the DS determines to be necessary for a Licensee with a disability to participate in University programs.
• A "DSM" diagnosis is a clinical assessment based on any then-current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.
• A "therapy animal" is an animal owned by a therapist who uses the animal as a therapy component for a person with a disability.
• A "licensed practitioner" is any person who the State Idaho or other generally-recognized authority then-currently has certified to make a DSM diagnosis.
• The DS determines a companion animal "necessary" upon confirming that a person with a disability may experience discrimination based solely on disability if the animal does not live with the Licensee in a housing unit. 

State and federal laws do not provide any public accommodation exception to any "no pets" policy with respect to therapy and companion animals. The DS requires the Licensee to provide written clinical support including - without limitation - a DSM diagnosis from a licensed practitioner before determining whether to permit any on-campus use of any therapy or companion animal. The University further assesses any request for any therapy or companion animal in University housing with respect to its reasonable accommodation standards, as currently outlined in the DS's web page.

If the DS determines that a requested animal is not a necessary companion animal, then the University will enforce its "No Pets" policy relative to that animal.

Snow Removal

University staff removes snow from the perimeter sidewalks. Licensee(s) are responsible for snow removal from the front apartment door to the perimeter sidewalk. Please be sure parked cars do not obstruct the sidewalk, as this hinders complete snow removal efforts. Because snow removal may cause large amounts of snow to be piled in various areas, lawn furniture, toys, and other items that may be damaged by snow removal, and snow removal equipment should be kept away from any ISU cleared sidewalk. ISU and University Housing are not responsible for damage to personal items left on lawns, pathways, sidewalks or other snow removal areas.

Vandalism

Destruction or defacing of University Housing property and other personal property is prohibited.

Water Fights

Because of disruption to the community and potential damage to facilities and or injury to participants and by-standers, water fights are prohibited in and around the housing units. This includes the use of water guns, water balloons, or use of buckets for this purpose, etc.

Weapons and Explosives

Please refer to the Student Code of Conduct regarding weapons and Firearms. 

Firearms and weapons are not allowed in and around any on campus housing units. Possession of any weapon or firearm may result in disciplinary action. The following is a list of banned items including, but not limited to: firearms, shot guns, rifles, martial arts weapons, paint guns, air guns, ammunition, petroleum, hunting knives, fireworks, stove fuels, bows and arrows, gunpowder, solvents, laser lights, and any highly combustible substance.

Windows, Roofs, Ledges, and Balconies

For safety reasons, entering or exiting through windows, ledges or balconies (except in case of fire or other extreme emergencies) is prohibited. No sitting or congregating on balconies, or ledges in the housing units is allowed. Do not discard items through a window. Window openings may not be altered. Do not hang items outside your windows or display objectionable decorations. For safety reasons, residents are not allowed on ledges, or roofs of any University Housing facility.

Window Screens

Removal of window screens is not permitted. Removal or any damages to the screen may result in a fine. If you are locked out of your Licensed premises contact your Building Manager, or Resident Assistant.

The university reserves the right to make and enforce future rules and regulations as deemed appropriate or necessary for the safety, care and cleanliness of the premises, and for securing the comfort and convenience of all residents. Future policy changes may be announced by letter, or updates to the Standards of Residence handbook posted on the housing web page.