Rules, Policies, & Regulations

Rules, Policies, & Regulations


IX. RULES, POLICIES, AND REGULATIONS

Residents will be in default of this Contract if they, their affiliates, their guests or their pets violate any policies and regulations listed in section IX, in the Teachers College Student Conduct Code, or any local, state, or federal laws in any of the College’s Residence Halls.

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

  1. Access
    1. Residents are required to provide access to their units for the purpose of insuring proper maintenance of health, sanitation and safety standards; inventory; making repairs; enforcement of College and/or Residence Hall Rules, Policies and Regulations; and emergencies.
  2. Affiliates
    1. Residents are responsible for the actions of their affiliates.
    2. Children under the age of 18 must be under adult supervision at all times, including in all community spaces.
  3. Air Conditioners
    1. Residents residing in units where air conditioners are not provided may provide their own.
    2. Air conditioners must be installed and removed by Teachers College Office of Facilities staff.
  4. 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 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 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 21.
    5. Selling any alcoholic beverage at any time in any location in any residence hall is strictly prohibited.
    6. Participating in activities that facilitate or promote the rapid, dangerous, and/or forced consumption of alcohol (i.e. 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 evaluation when found to be excessively intoxicated in a residence hall.
  5. Computer / Network Usage
    1. Resident must comply with Teachers College  Acceptable use of Information Technology policy in the student handbook.
    2. Resident must meet the directives of the personnel of Teachers College Information Technology.
  6. Disorderly Conduct
    1. Resident is legally and contractually responsible for their actions regardless of cause or circumstances. Disorderly Conduct may include but is not limited to: a clear threat to another’s well-being or disrupting the orderly functioning of the residential community.
    2. Resident is strictly 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, roof tops, window ledges, fire escapes, or any other protrusions or surfaces;
      3. throwing glass, wire hangers, large objects or any hazardous materials down trash chutes;
      4. standing, sitting on, or accessing roof tops, 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;
    3. Resident must comply with any directive(s) from an official agent/staff member of the College.
  7. Drugs / 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 strictly prohibited and will not be tolerated.
    2. Water pipes, bongs, hookahs and other drug paraphernalia are not permitted in the Residence Halls. 
  8. Emergency Contacts
    1. Resident is required to provide emergency contact information which may be used by College officials in the event of an emergency.
    2. Resident is required to elect whether to provide or not to provide contact information for an individual that can be contacted no later than 24 hours after said Resident is determined to be missing. The contact will be made in compliance with the College's Missing Student procedures.
    3. Resident agrees and understands that it is their responsibility to update, in writing, any changes in emergency contact information to the Office of Residential Services as changes occur.
  9. Facilities and Furnishings
    1. Furnishings, appliances, equipment, & technology provided by the College, as indicated on the Unit Condition Form may not be altered or removed from the unit or common areas, without written approval by the Office of Residential Services. Approval will only be given for medical or family 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 refuse materials regularly and properly, and maintaining sanitation and safety standards determined by the College.  Resident may be charged and agrees to pay a cleaning fee for failure to comply.
    4. Resident is responsible for notifying the College of deteriorating condition of his/her unit and/or furnishing.  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.
    5. 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.
  10. 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. Resident must ensure all personal heating and cooking appliances are turned off and unplugged after use.
    6. Resident must refrain from opening suite doors or common kitchen doors to eliminate smoke, and instead should open windows and ensure exhaust fan is on and operating while cooking.
    7. Overloading circuits or running extension cords under carpets/rugs is prohibited.
    8. The following items are prohibited in the residence halls (common spaces or private residences) and will be confiscated: flammable decorations, non-artificial trees, hot plate burners, candles, 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 fire bells sound, 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. Resident understands that violation of any fire safety policy may result in, but not limited to, removal of stoves, loss of cooking privileges, fines, fire safety educational sanctions, confiscation of prohibited items, and/or removal from Teachers College housing.
  11. Guest Policy
    1. Residents will be held accountable for the actions of their guests.
    2. 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.
    3. Guests are not permitted to stay in Unit overnight without Resident being present.
    4. Residents who live in apartment shares or suites must notify their suitemates of all overnight guests in advance.
    5. 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.
    6. Residents and affiliates must be 18 years of age or older to sign in a guest or request a Guest Pass.
    7. Guest Passes:
      1. Residential Services Guest Passes allow guests to visit the building without having to sign in at the residential front desk.
      2. Residential Services Guest Passes are available for 2 or more days with a maximum of 7 consecutive days. Resident and guest must be present to obtain a Residential Services Guest Pass. Any request to renew a 7-day Guest Pass requires a 48-hour wait period. 
      3. 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.
      4. Failure to return guest pass by the designated date will result in an automatic $20 replacement charge.
      5. Guest passes are issued by the Office of Residential Services, in its sole discretion and may be revoked at any time.
      6. Guest passes will not be issued during Thanksgiving break, winter break, spring break, or other periods as deemed necessary.
    8. Resident and/or guest found in violation of this policy will minimally have guest privileges revoked for the semester of violation.
  12. Harassment
    1. Teachers College does not tolerate harassment in any form.  Please refer to the College’s policy found in the Student Handbook. 
  13. Health and Safety
    1. All residents are prohibited from creating a health or safety hazard within the academic and residential TC communities.
    2. Residential students are required to 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. This guidance may evolve as a situation evolves and may include, but is not limited to, social distancing, limitations on mass gatherings, wearing a face covering, diagnostic and surveillance testing (including before or upon arrival to campus), contact tracing, disinfection protocols, limitations on guests into residence halls, vaccine requirements, and quarantine / isolation requirements (including before or upon arrival to campus).
    3. Adherence to health and safety requirements applies to all residents, staff and visitors and extends to all aspects of residential life, including bedrooms, bathrooms, community kitchens, lounges, computer rooms, courtyards and other common spaces. 
    4. All units will be inspected for health and safety violations at least once per contract period.
  14. ID Cards
    1. Resident is prohibited from giving their TC or CU ID Card to friends, family members, or any other individuals.
    2. Resident is required to have their TC or CU ID card in their possession each time they enters a TC residence hall.
    3. Resident understands that College reserves the right to immediately terminate this Contract if Resident is found in violation of this policy.
  15. 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. Resident keys will not be made available to anyone other than the assigned resident and unit occupants listed in section III-A.
    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.
  16. Noise
    1. Courtesy Hours are in effect at all times. Resident must comply with any reasonable request to reduce the noise level.
    2. Quiet Hours are designated times that residents need 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.
  17. Pets & Animals
    1. All pets are prohibited in New Residence Hall, Whittier Hall, and Bancroft Hall. Service and Emotional Support Animals are permitted in TC residence halls provided they are preapproved by the Office of Access and Services for Individuals with Disabilities, and must comply with the Teachers College Policy on Animals on Campus.
    2. Pets (dogs, cats, fish, turtles and birds only) are only permitted in units in Grant Hall and Sarasota Hall. Resident must comply with:
      1. registering any animals (type and description) that will reside in said unit during this contract period,
      2. updating above animal registration within 30 days of any additions or removals
      3. caring for animals properly, including vaccinating as required by law, cleaning up excrement, noise control, and avoiding interfering or disrupting the lives of other residents,
      4. preventing animals from releasing excrement on any Teachers College property, which includes sidewalks and courtyards,
      5. keeping animals on a leash, no longer than six feet, when taken outside of apartment,
      6. not permitting taking animals into any lounges, study rooms, meeting rooms or laundry rooms.
    3. Residents will be held accountable for the actions of their animals.
    4. The Office of Residential Services may revoke pet privileges at any time without notice and without cause.
  18. Postings
    1. Residents may not affix any signage, handbill, sticker, advertisement, decoration, or other covering on any common walls, 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.
    2. A clip is affixed to every room/apartment door for Office of Residential Services staff and/or resident usage.
  19. 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 nor 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 50 feet of a residential building.
    4. Resident may not possess, use nor store other prohibited items as outlined in other sections of this Housing Contract.
  20. Recycling
    1. Resident is responsible for knowing and following recycling guidelines as indicated in the Guide to Campus Living which follows NYC guidelines.
  21. Renters Insurance
    1. Resident should obtain Renters Insurance as the College is not responsible for any damages to Resident's personal property.
  22. Security
    1. All residents, affiliates, and guests are required to present their College Identification upon every entry into New Residence Hall, Bancroft, Grant, Sarasota, and Whittier Halls and upon request by an agent or employee of Teachers College.
    2. Permitting entry to individuals that do not reside in or are not registered guests in Teachers College Housing is prohibited.
  23. 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 50 feet of all Teachers College buildings.
  24. 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.
  25. 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 room/apartment and any College-provided storage after a resident has vacated the contracted Unit. 
  26. 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, 2024. This fee cannot be waived.
    2. All students in Teachers College housing are automatically enrolled in the Columbia Student Health Insurance and coverage is valid until August 14, 2024. 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 provided for herein.
  27. Subleasing
    1. Resident may not sublet assigned Unit.
    2. Resident may not allow a guest to utilize their Unit for overnight accommodations while resident is not staying in said unit.
  28. Theft
    1. Violations of this policy include the theft of services or theft of property owned by either an individual or the College as well as the transportation of College property from its authorized location.
    2. The College is not responsible for the personal belongings of residents.
  29. 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 that are included in this category, but not limited to, are firearms, stun guns, pellet guns, pepper spray, pepper gel, chukka sticks, explosives, dangerous chemicals, ammunition, bows & arrows, knives, slingshots, swords, etc.
  30. Window Guards
    1. New York City law requires that window guards are installed in all non-fire escape windows in units where a child age 10 years or younger is present.
    2. Window guards may only be removed by Facilities personnel when approved by the Office of Residential Services.
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