Community Living Standards

VII. Community Living Standards

Resident will be in default of this Contract if they, their affiliates, their guests, or their animals are found responsible for violating any policies and regulations listed here in Section VII, in the Teachers College Student Conduct Code, the Teachers College Policy Library, or any local, state, or federal laws while in any of the College’s Residence Halls.

Resident found in default of this Contract is subject to applicable legal proceedings and/or the appropriate College conduct hearings. Outcomes from judicial proceedings can include, but not be limited to, written warnings, fines, loss of privileges, educational sanctions, and/or termination of this Housing Contract.

Access
1. Resident is required to provide access to their Units for the following purposes, including but not limited to: ensuring proper maintenance of health, sanitation and safety standards; inventory; making repairs; enforcement of College policies and Community Living Standards; and emergencies.
Affiliates
1. Children under the age of eighteen (18) must be under adult supervision at all times, including in all community spaces.
Air Conditioners
1. Only vendors approved by the Office of Residential Services, as outlined in the Guide to Campus Living, are authorized to install or remove window air conditioner units.
Alcohol
1. Alcohol, including possession of open containers, may only be consumed in private residential units, residential lounges and residential courtyards. This does not include Russell/Whittier Courtyard.
2. Persons under the age of twenty-one (21) are prohibited from possessing and consuming any alcoholic beverages in any location of any residence hall.
3. Resident is responsible for ensuring any guests, including family members and other students, are over the age of twenty-one (21) before allowing them to possess or consume any alcoholic beverages.
4. Resident who is hosting parties/events is responsible for ensuring that all consuming guests are doing so responsibly and are over the age of twenty-one (21).
5. The sale of alcoholic beverages is prohibited at all times and in all locations within any residence hall.
6. Engaging in activities that encourage or involve rapid, excessive, or forced alcohol consumption, such as drinking games, is prohibited.
7. Kegs, whether empty or containing any alcohol, are prohibited from all suites and individual residential Units.
8. Resident must comply with medical or psychological evaluations when found to be excessively intoxicated in a residence hall.
Computer and Network Usage
1. Resident must comply with Teachers College Acceptable Use of Information Technology policy in the student handbook.
Disorderly Conduct
1. Disorderly Conduct may include but is not limited to: posing a clear threat to another’s well-being or safety; disrupting the orderly functioning of the residential community.
2. Resident is prohibited from the following:
  1. engaging in loud or excessive noise: including music, voice, musical instruments, unattended alarm clocks, etc.;
  2. throwing objects from windows, rooftops, window ledges, fire escapes, or any other protrusions or surfaces;
  3. throwing glass, wire hangers, large objects, improperly sealed garbage pags, or any hazardous materials down trash chutes;
  4. standing, sitting on, or accessing rooftops, window ledges, fire escapes, or any other protrusions or exterior surfaces except for the need to exit the building when other means are not possible;
  5. accessing, inhabiting, or storing items in any of the following locations: an unoccupied Unit or storage not assigned to the Resident, an occupied Unit or storage not assigned to the Resident without permission of the assigned resident, Resident’s assigned Unit or storage prior to Start Date or after Termination Date of this Contract.
3. Resident must comply with any directive(s) from any staff member of Residential Services or Public Safety.
Drugs and Controlled Substances
1. The unlawful manufacture, possession, use or distribution of non-prescription controlled substances on or about the campus or any site of a College-sponsored or sanctioned activity is prohibited.
2. Water pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other drug paraphernalia are not permitted in the Residence Halls.
3. While use of marijuana for recreational or prescribed medical purposes has been authorized in several states including New York, the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act, a Federal law, still classifies marijuana as an illegal substance and requires that schools prohibit it on campus. Therefore, in compliance with Federal law, Teachers College does not permit possession, use, or distribution of marijuana in any form, for any purpose, on campus.
Emergency Contacts
1. Resident is required to provide and update any changes of emergency contact information.
2. The College reserves the right to use emergency contact or missing person contact information in case of an emergency.
Facilities and Furnishings
1. Provided furnishings, appliances, equipment, and technology, as specified in the Unit Condition Form, may not be modified or taken from the Unit or common areas without obtaining written approval from the Office of Residential Services. Approval will be granted solely for medical or family-related reasons.
2. Resident may not paint the Unit or make any alterations or repairs to the Unit.
3. Resident is responsible for maintaining the Unit and its surroundings, removing and disposing of trash and recycling regularly and properly, and maintaining the sanitation and safety standards determined by the College.
4. Resident understands that College staff are permitted to take photos of the Unit and its condition without prior notice.
5. Resident is responsible for notifying the College of any deteriorating condition of their Unit and/or furnishings.
6. Resident shall pay the College for any expenses necessary to repair or replace college-owned property damaged by Resident, their guests, affiliates and/or animals.
7. Resident may bring bed bug-free personal furniture into their Unit, as long as furniture does not block egress and is removed upon check-out.
Filming
1. Filming anywhere in a Residence Hall shared or common space is prohibited unless the photographer or filmmaker has received approval from the Office of Residential Services.
Fire Safety
1. Tampering with and/or removal of fire safety equipment is prohibited.
2. Propping suite entrance doors, common kitchen doors and hallway corridor doors is prohibited.
3. Cooking, other than via microwave, is prohibited in small efficiency rooms in New Residence Hall and single and suite bedrooms in Whittier Hall.
4. Resident is required to stay in the kitchen area at all times while cooking.
5. College-provided fire extinguishers must be kept in an easily accessible location near the kitchen area of the Unit.
6. Resident must ensure all personal heating and cooking appliances are turned off and unplugged after use.
7. Overloading circuits or running extension cords under carpets/rugs is prohibited.
8. The following items are prohibited in the residence halls and will be confiscated: flammable decorations, cut natural or live trees, hot plate burners, candles or any other open flame device, incense, outdoor grills or any other open coil device, combustible items (e.g. gas, oily rags, paints, etc.), explosives, fireworks, firearms or ammunition, halogen lamps, space heaters (excluding College-issued temporary heaters), and non-UL rated appliances.
9. Resident, their guests, and family members must evacuate the building via the stairs when a fire alarm happens, utilizing the safest exit.
10. Resident must not distract or impede staff from performing building evacuation procedures.
11. Exiting via any Emergency Exit during a non-emergency situation is prohibited.
12. Egress must not be blocked by Resident's furniture or belongings .
Guest Policy
1. All guests must have a government -issued photo ID to enter residence halls. Public Safety reserves the right to hold the photo ID for the duration of the visit unless the guest has a Residential Services Guest Pass.
2. Guests are not permitted to stay in the Unit overnight without Resident being present.
3. Resident residing in an apartment share or suite must notify their suitemates of all overnight guests in advance.
4. Resident understands that Representatives of the Office of Residential Services or Office of Public Safety may refuse to permit a guest entry to the premises for any reason or no reason.
5. Resident and affiliates must be eighteen (18) years of age or older to sign in a guest or request a Guest Pass.
6. Guest Passes:
  1. Guest Passes allow guests to visit the building without having to sign in at the residential front desk.
  2. Guest Passes are available for 2 or more days with a maximum of 7 consecutive days. Any request to renew a 7-day Guest Pass requires a 48-hour wait period.
  3. Resident and guest must be present to obtain a Guest Pass.
  4. Any guest who has been issued a Guest Pass for a total of 14 days in a given semester will be required to sign in at the desk for any subsequent visits to any resident.
  5. Failure to return a Guest Pass to the designated return box by the designated date on the Guest Pass will result in an automatic $20 replacement charge.
  6. Guest Passes are issued by the Office of Residential Services, in its sole discretion and may be revoked at any time.
  7. Guest Passes will not be issued during Thanksgiving break, winter break, spring break, or other periods as deemed necessary.
Harassment
1. Teachers College does not tolerate harassment in any form. Please refer to the College’s policy found in the Student Handbook.
Health and Safety
1. Resident is prohibited from creating a health or safety hazard within College residence halls, including all interior spaces and exterior spaces surrounding the premises.
2. Resident must comply with health and safety laws, orders, ordinances, regulations, and health and safety guidance adopted by the College or Residential Services as it relates to public health crises or emergencies.
3. All Units will be inspected for health and safety violations at least once during the Term of this Contract.
ID Cards
1. Resident is prohibited from giving their Teachers College or Columbia University ID card to anyone.
Keys and Locks
1. Resident may not add or replace locks on any residential door that is associated with the College.
2. Resident is prohibited from giving their keys to any other non-authorized individual.
3. Resident agrees to pay applicable lock change fee for lost, stolen or broken keys. Mailbox lock changes are $20, apartment/bedroom lock changes are $150, and suite lock change are $175.
4. Resident understands that a $50 fee will be assessed to a Resident's Student Account if a Resident has a double lockout (has locked spare key inside of the Unit) or Resident's Guest is locked out and needs to be escorted to the Unit.
Laundry Rooms
1. Resident and affiliates are expected to remove personal items promptly after the laundry cycle ends.
2. Resident understands and agrees that:
  1. unattended items remaining in the machine after the cycle concludes may be removed;
  2. abandoned or unattended items will be discarded without warning;
  3. Teachers College is not responsible for lost, stolen, discarded, or damaged items.
Noise
1. Courtesy Hours are in effect at all times. Resident must comply with any reasonable request to reduce their noise level.
2. Quiet Hours are designated times that Resident needs to maintain a noise level that is conducive to sleep and study. On weekdays (Sunday night - Thursday night), the designated times are 11:00 pm - 7:00 am. On weekends (Friday night and Saturday night), the designated times are 12:00 am - 8:00 am.
Pets and Animals
1. All pets are prohibited in New Residence Hall, Whittier Hall, and Bancroft Hall. Emotional Support Animals are permitted in College residence halls provided they are preapproved by the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities (OASID), and must comply with the Teachers College Policy on Animals on Campus. Service Animals are permitted in campus housing without registration with OASID, but owners must comply with TC’s Animals on Campus Policy.
2. Pets (dogs, cats, fish, turtles and birds only) are only permitted in Units in Grant Hall and Sarasota Hall.
3. Resident must:
  1. register and update information on any animals (type and description) that will reside in their Unit during the Term of this Contract in the Housing Portal within seven (7) days;
  2. care for animals properly, including vaccinating as required by law, cleaning up excrement, controlling noise, and avoiding interfering or disrupting the lives of other residents;
  3. prevent animals from releasing excrement on any Teachers College property, which includes sidewalks, New Residence Hall courtyards, Bancroft Terrace, or other Teachers College outdoor space;
  4. keep animals on a leash, no longer than six (6) feet, at all times when taken outside of the Unit;
  5. refrain from taking animals other than Service Animals into any lounges, study rooms, meeting rooms, or laundry rooms;
  6. install window screens on all windows in the Unit; and
  7. obtain a New York City dog license for any dogs in the Unit, as required by law.
4. The Office of Residential Services may revoke pet privileges at any time without notice and without cause.
Postings
1. Resident may not affix any signage, handbill, sticker, advertisement, decoration, or other covering in any common spaces, on the exterior of the room/apartment door (building corridor side) or on the interior of the room/apartment window(s) with wording or designs facing the outside.
Prohibited Items
1. Resident may not possess or use dishwashers, halogen lamps, non-UL rated appliances, washing machines, clothes dryers, or waterbeds in the assigned Unit.
2. Resident may not ride or store gasoline-powered or electric-powered bikes (mopeds) and motorcycles inside buildings.
3. Lithium Ion Batteries utilized in e-bikes, scooters, and other e-mobility devices may not be stored by Resident inside any residential building nor within fifty (50) feet of a residential building.
4. Resident may not possess, use or store other prohibited items as outlined in other sections of this Housing Contract.
Recycling
1. Resident is responsible for knowing and following recycling guidelines as indicated in posted signage, and the Guide to Campus Living.
Security
1. Resident, their affiliates, and their guests are required to present their Teachers College or Columbia University ID upon every entry into New Residence, Bancroft, Grant, Sarasota, and Whittier Halls and upon request by an agent or employee of Teachers College.
2. Resident is prohibited from allowing entry to individuals who are not residents nor registered guests of Teachers College Housing.
3. Resident is prohibited from providing entry to individuals into Residence Halls through non-authorized entry points.
Smoking
1. Any form of smoking, including use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, or devices such as an electronic cigarette or a vaporizer, is prohibited in all Teachers College residence halls and associated courtyards.
2. Smoking is prohibited within fifty (50) feet of all Teachers College buildings.
Solicitation
1. Solicitors or tradesmen, including those who may be Teachers College residents, affiliates, faculty or staff, are prohibited from entering the residence halls for the purpose of conducting business.
2. Residents and their guests are prohibited from conducting any type of business transactions in the residence halls.
Storage
1. Resident may not store or attach any items in any residential common space including hallways, corridors, stairways, exit/entry ways, bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, laundry rooms, roofs, suites, balconies, window ledges and fire escapes.
2. The College reserves the right to dispose of all items left in any hallways, corridors, stairways, exit/entry ways, bathrooms, kitchens, lounges, laundry rooms, roofs, suites, balconies, window ledges and fire escapes.
3. The College reserves the right to dispose of all items left in the Resident’s Unit, any room/apartment, and any College-provided storage after a resident has vacated the Unit.
Student Health Insurance
1. All students in Teachers College housing are automatically enrolled in the full-time student Columbia Health Fee regardless of enrollment status, and coverage is valid until August 14, 2026. This fee cannot be waived.
2. Domestic students may request to waive the Columbia Student Health Insurance with proof of comparable medical insurance coverage.
3. Information concerning fees and deadlines is available online at www.tc.edu/health.
4. Information concerning the request to waive process for the Health Service Program and the Columbia Student Health Insurance is available online at https://secure.health.columbia.edu.
5. The Columbia Health Fee and the Columbia Student Health Insurance are separate fees listed accordingly on Resident's bill each semester and are in addition to any other fees/deposits required herein.
Subleasing
1. Resident may not sublet assigned Unit or engage in any financial transaction related to the use of the Unit.
2. Resident may not allow a guest to utilize their Unit for overnight accommodations while Resident is not staying in said Unit.
Theft
1. Theft of services or property owned by either an individual or the College, as well as the transportation of College property from its authorized location is prohibited.
2. The College is not responsible for the personal belongings of Resident.
Weapons
1. Any weapon or object that may be considered a weapon by the College in its sole and absolute discretion, or any object that may cause bodily harm to the bearer or another individual is strictly prohibited. In unclear cases of definition, the context in which a particular object is used shall determine whether it is a weapon, such determination to be made by the College in its sole and absolute discretion. Objects in this category include but are not limited to, firearms, stun guns, pellet guns, pepper spray, pepper gel, chukka sticks, explosives, dangerous chemicals, ammunition, bows and arrows, knives, slingshots, swords, etc.
Window Guards
1. New York City law requires that window guards are installed on all non-fire escape windows in Units where a child age ten (10) years or younger is present.
2. Window guards may only be removed by Facilities personnel when approved by the Office of Residential Services.

Community Living Standards

Community Living Standards

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