Policies
Below are the policies for Day Only Events and Housing set forth by Boston University. Group organizers and chaperones, if required, are responsible for educating their attendees on these policies. Anyone that fails to follow these policies will be subject to disciplinary action including, but not limited to, removal from University property including the University residential system. Please speak with your Events & Conferences contact person if you have any questions about these policies.
Day Only Event Policies
Conduct
Attendees are prohibited from engaging in conduct, anywhere on campus, which poses a threat to the health or safety of persons or property or interferes with the rights or well-being of other people. Attendees are expected to be good citizens and respect the rights of others. Individuals who engage in unacceptable, irresponsible, or unsafe behavior will be asked to leave our campus.
Respecting the Privacy of Others
Videotaping or photographing other people without their permission is prohibited. In addition, unauthorized or inappropriate use of such photographs or videotapes of other people is prohibited.
Physical Violence and Harassment
Physical violence, verbal abuse, and obscene or harassing telephone calls are strictly forbidden. Attendees engaging in such will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings. Additionally, any device such as hookah pipes, shisha pipes, bongs, roach clips, e-cigarettes or any type of water pipe, or any object filled with water through which smoke is drawn is also prohibited.
Damages
Your program will be charged for any damage to or loss of University property in facilities assigned to your group.
Elevators
Tampering with the elevators can pose serious safety problems. If an elevator is not functioning correctly, you should report it immediately your Events & Conferences contact.
If you are in an elevator and the doors do not open or the car comes to a stop between floors, do not try to force open the doors or climb through the elevator shaft. Use the emergency stop button to stabilize the elevator and ring the alarm bell until assistance arrives. Even with the stop button in place, do not try to exit the elevator; wait for assistance to ensure your safety. When the assistance arrives, let only one person in the elevator communicate with him or her in order to avoid confusion. Above all, remain calm.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is taken very seriously at Boston University, and everyone is expected to cooperate in keeping the buildings as safe as possible. For this reason, the following activities are forbidden, and those engaging in them should expect serious consequences:
- setting fires of any kind for any reason;
- tampering with any fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes, smoke detectors, and sprinkler heads;
- malicious activation of a fire alarm;
- propping open fire doors for any purpose other than emergency evacuation;
- use of roofs and fire escapes for any purpose other than for escape from afire or threat of a fire;
- accidental activation of a smoke detector or fire alarm resulting from hall sports, water fights, and so on;
- lighting open flames, and the possession of candles or incense in the residences;
- using space heaters or other types of heating coils; and
- careless use of approved items/appliances that creates a fire hazard.
Housing Policies
Attendees are expected to be good citizens and respect the rights of others. Individuals who engage in unacceptable, irresponsible, or unsafe behavior will be asked to leave campus.
Resident Conduct
Residents are prohibited from engaging in conduct, anywhere on campus including the residence halls, which poses a threat to the health or safety of persons or property or interferes with the rights or well-being of other people. Residents must not go to any floor in the residence hall not assigned to their group at any time.
Security
Most residence halls have a uniformed residential security assistant on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to ensure that only authorized residents enter the building. A resident is expected to swipe and show his or her conference ID upon entering the building, without exception. Security assistants are there for the benefit of the residents, who are expected to cooperate fully with the staff by following security procedures. For those residence halls that are not staffed, please see ‘Doors’ section on Page 2.
Noise
Residence hall quiet hours are from 10pm to 8am, seven days a week. Please be respectful of your neighbors.
Respecting the Privacy of Others
Videotaping or photographing residents in the residence halls without their permission is prohibited. In addition, unauthorized or inappropriate use of such photographs or videotapes of other residents is prohibited.
Physical Violence and Harassment
Physical violence, verbal abuse, and obscene or harassing telephone calls are strictly forbidden. Residents engaging in such will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Smoking
Smoking is prohibited in all University residence halls. Additionally, any device such as hookah pipes, shisha pipes, bongs, roach clips, e-cigarettes or any type of water pipe, or any object filled with water through which smoke is drawn is also prohibited.
Smoking Implements
The use of non-tobacco and aromatic smoking products is prohibited in University residence halls; this includes but is not limited to fruit-like tobacco materials, bidis, etc.
Bongs, water pipes, hookahs, shisha pipes, “hubble-bubbles,” electronic vaporizers, or any object filled with water through which tobacco, non-tobacco, or aromatic smoke is drawn are prohibited in the residence halls. Such items have caused fires in residences and will be impounded if found. Anyone found possessing such equipment will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Drug Paraphernalia
In the residence halls, possession of drug paraphernalia or items that may be utilized for illegal drug use (i.e., hookah pipes and shisha pipes) is prohibited. Drug paraphernalia includes but is not limited to items such as roach clips, bongs, any type of water pipe, or any object filled with water through which smoke is drawn. Anyone found possessing such equipment will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Damages
Your program will be charged for any damage to or loss of University property on your assigned floors or guest rooms.
Posters, Fliers, and Banners
Residents may not put up posters, banners, fliers, brochures, or other material in the residence halls without permission from Events & Conferences.
Hall Sports/Sports and Recreational Equipment
The use of sports and recreational equipment (such as Frisbees, balls, Rollerblades, skateboards, hockey sticks, and the like) is not permitted in University residence halls.
Throwing Objects
Throwing objects from windows or roofs and at University buildings is extremely dangerous and violates both University regulations and an ordinance of the City of Boston. Residents throwing objects from windows or at University buildings will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Doors
For safety and security reasons, the external and vestibule doors of residence halls may not be propped open at any time. Residents should lock their unit/bedroom doors overnight and whenever leaving the unit/bedroom. Residents should not allow anyone to gain access to their building. Any University personnel that is allowed access to a building will be enter the building on their own.
Windows, Window Screens, and Locks
Window screens and locks are provided on windows for protection, safety, and convenience. They are not to be removed. Window screens and locks may not be raised or moved. Residents removing screens or locks from windows will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Elevators
Tampering with the elevators can pose serious safety problems for all residents. If an elevator is not functioning correctly, you should report it immediately to the Front Desk or your Events & Conferences contact.
If you are in an elevator and the doors do not open or the car comes to a stop between floors, do not try to force open the doors or climb through the elevator shaft. Use the emergency stop button to stabilize the elevator and ring the alarm bell until assistance arrives. Even with the stop button in place, do not try to exit the elevator; wait for assistance to ensure your safety. When the assistance arrives, let only one person in the elevator communicate with him or her in order to avoid confusion. Above all, remain calm.
Anyone who damages or defaces the residence hall elevators will be removed from campus housing immediately.
Roofs and Fire Escapes
Roofs and fire escapes are not to be used for any purpose other than for escape from fire or threat of fire. Residents are also not permitted on ledges, balconies, or any other exterior means of egress.
Sprinkler System
Please do not hang anything from the sprinkler heads. It may activate the sprinkler and cause severe water damage to your belongings.
Electrical Appliances
Because of safety and health concerns, use of following electrical appliances is prohibited.
- Microwave ovens
- Coffee pots
- Hot plates and hot pots
- Blenders
- Any appliance used for the preparation of food
- Torchère-style halogen lamps
- Electric blankets
- Air conditioners
- Sunlamps
- Any appliance which has a source of heat or flame
Candles and Incense
Due to potential fire hazards, open flames, candles, and incense (including unlit candles and incense) are not permitted in any residence. The use of non-electrical items/appliances is also not permitted in the residences.
Weapons
Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited in residence halls. Included in this category are studded wrist bands, nunchakus, all firearms, mace, pepper spray, replica weapons, paintball guns, and blades. Also included is any object which normally would not be considered a weapon, but by alteration, modification, or redesign would be readily recognized or considered as such by any reasonable and prudent person. Residents will face severe disciplinary consequences for violations of this policy. Firearms, fireworks, explosives, chemicals, and dangerous weapons are not permitted in University residences.
Fire Safety
Fire safety is taken very seriously at Boston University, and all residents are expected to cooperate in keeping the residences as safe as possible. For this reason, the following activities are forbidden, and those engaging in them should expect serious consequences:
- setting fires of any kind for any reason;
- tampering with any fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes, smoke detectors, and sprinkler heads;
- malicious activation of a fire alarm;
- propping open fire doors for any purpose other than emergency evacuation;
- use of roofs and fire escapes for any purpose other than for escape from afire or threat of a fire;
- accidental activation of a smoke detector or fire alarm resulting from hall sports, water fights, and so on;
- lighting open flames, and the possession of candles or incense in the residences;
- using space heaters or other types of heating coils; and
- careless use of approved items/appliances that creates a fire hazard.
Other notes regarding fire safety:
- Fire doors should not, under any circumstances, be propped open for any purpose other than emergency evacuation.
- Open flames, candles, and incense are not permitted in any residence.
- City of Boston fire regulations prohibit Christmas trees and similar decorations in rooms or apartments because they present fire hazards.
- Fabric of any kind may not be attached to a ceiling or ceiling fixture.
- Roofs and fire escapes are not to be used for any purpose other than for escape from fire or threat of fire. You should not use roofs and fire escapes on residences for sunbathing.
- In recent years the use of electrical appliances such as stereos, televisions, and computers has greatly increased in the residences, often requiring more outlets than are available in a standard dormitory-style room. This situation may result in the excessive use of extension cords and multiple socket outlets, which can overload the electrical capacity of the room and create a fire hazard.
Activating a fire alarm system without proper cause endangers the safety of all residents, as well as the security of the greater community and the fire department. A false alarm is not a prank; it is a criminal offense that endangers the safety of others. A resident who, without reasonable cause, activates a fire alarm system or tampers with fire safety equipment will be removed from campus housing immediately. Criminal prosecution may result. Residents are also subject to being charged for all costs incurred as a result of tampering with any life safety equipment, including charges for the services of fire departments.