Community Living Standards - A Guide to Residence Hall Regulations

Residence Halls Community Living Standards

Section Contents

A series of specific guides to good social standards in the Residence Halls are included below. Obviously, it is neither possible nor desirable to outline specifically all of the expectations and etiquette of residence hall living. Rather, it is expected that individuals recognize their responsibility towards themselves, their fellow students and the total college community.

Certain actions of an individual, which might be perfectly desirable in private living arrangements, are impossible in a residence hall situation where so many people live closely together. (An example of this would be the restriction on pets, certain types of furniture in rooms, etc.)

Legal and ethical standards are not different in the College community than anywhere else. Racism, sexual harassment, harassment and discrimination will not be tolerated. 

Students must not justify anti-social/offensive actions as “college pranks,” even though in other circumstances, they would be recognized as more serious. We expect our Residence Hall students to be good neighbors and respect the personal and property rights of fellow students, the College and the community. The College will not ask civil/criminal authorities to give any special consideration to students.

The College/MVCC Dormitory Corporation reserves the right to enter/inspect rooms without notice for health, safety and maintenance reasons.  This includes the right to enter a student’s room and/or suite, or any other area in the residence halls, for safety and maintenance purposes, to protect the general health or welfare of the residence, to enforce safety and fire rules and regulations, to maintain an educational environment in accordance with College policies, Residence Hall Rules and Regulations or whenever College/MVCC Dormitory Corporation personnel have reason to believe that such action is warranted in connection with suspected violations of applicable law or College policies or Residence Hall Rules and Regulations.   

The College reserves the right to reassign a resident to a different room when their conduct has jeopardized others' right to a safe or quality living and learning environment.

Failure to comply with Residence Hall Regulations or the Code of Conduct will result in disciplinary action as outlined in the Code of Conduct.

Alcohol

In compliance with New York State law and because most of our residents are under the legal drinking age of 21, alcohol is strictly prohibited in all Residence Halls and on Dormitory Corporation property, regardless of age.

  • Prohibited Items: Alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beer containing any alcohol content, empty alcohol containers, and alcohol-related paraphernalia (e.g., funnels) are not allowed—this includes items kept for decorative or sentimental purposes. Confiscated items may lead to disciplinary action.
  • Presence Equals Participation: Students found in an area where alcohol is present will be considered in violation of policy, regardless of whether they were consuming. In group situations all present may be held accountable.
  • Behavioral Expectations: Any disruptive or inappropriate behavior resulting from alcohol use may result in disciplinary sanctions, educational interventions, or both.
  • Please see the Residence Hall Rules and Regulations section for specific sanctioning information.

Candles/Incense

The use or possession of incense and candles is prohibited. These are fire hazards. Any student found in possession of or burning a candle is subject to judicial proceedings.

Courtesy Hours

When quiet hours are not in effect, courtesy hours apply. Residents are expected to keep noise at a reasonable level so it does not disturb others. If noise becomes disruptive, an affected resident may ask the individual responsible to lower the volume. Resident Assistants and other staff will respond to complaints and intervene when, in their sole judgment, the noise is not reasonable for community living. Repeated violations may result in judicial action.

Drugs

New York colleges and universities, including Mohawk Valley Community College, receive federal funding through Title IV in the form of student financial aid. As a condition of accepting these funds, the College is required to certify that it complies with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA). The federal government regulates drugs through the Controlled Substances Act. Thus, to comply with the DFSCA and avoid losing federal funding, the College prohibits all marijuana use and students may be subject to conduct action for its use anywhere on campus or in the Residence Halls, regardless of New York state laws permitting such use for adults.

Note: Incidents involving quantities greater than 3 ounces or 24 ounces of concentrated cannabis will result in increased sanctions, including, but not limited to Residence Hall dismissal.  Possible Legal Action. 

The use or possession of illegal drugs (this includes cannabis), including pharmaceutical drugs without a medical prescription, misuse of personal pharmaceutical-OTC (Over-the-Counter) drugs, or drug paraphernalia is prohibited. Paraphernalia includes any item specifically manufactured or routinely used for drug use or other items that are commonly known to be used as part of drug use, at the staff’s discretion.

Students’ involvement with drugs in the Residence Halls will not be tolerated. Individuals involved in using, possessing, or selling drugs on Residence Hall property are subject to judicial procedures, including, but not limited to dismissal from the Residence Halls, and will be subject to the standard Room, Board and Fee Refund Policy. Students who are found in an area where drugs are present are considered to be involved in usage by implication. The student may be subjected to criminal charges.  Please see the Residence Hall Rules and Regulations section for specific sanctioning information.

Drug/Alcohol Overdose Policy

If deemed necessary, Residence Hall staff or DPS may contact emergency medical services for assessment of any student displaying signs indicative of alcohol or other drug overdose. In cases where it is necessary to implement this procedure, the student will be responsible for all related costs. Note: For more information, see the Amnesty and Good Samaritan policies located in the Code of Conduct.

Residence Hall Guest and Visitor Policy

The primary purpose of the Residence Halls is to support academic success, personal responsibility, and respectful community living.

Guests and Visitors, defined below, will be allowed in accordance with the below policy.

Residents are responsible for ensuring that their guests and visitors understand and follow all Residence Hall and College policies. Hosting a guest or visitor is a privilege and may be limited or revoked when policy expectations are not followed.

Visitor: A visitor is any person who does not reside in any of the MVCC Residence Halls and is visiting a Residence Hall resident between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m.

  • A visitor pass is not required.
  • A visitor must be hosted by a resident at all times.
  • Visitors must depart from the Residence Halls no later than 10 p.m. Failure to depart by 10 p.m. as required will subject the visitor to loss of visiting privileges. 
  • All non-MVCC student visitors must be at least 17 years old unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Guest: A guest is any person who does not reside in any of the MVCC Residence Halls and is visiting a Residence Hall resident after 10 p.m.

  • A guest must obtain a Guest Pass from the Bellamy Hall Office. Guest Passes are available Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Guest Guidelines:

  • All Guests must be a minimum of 18 years of age OR a minimum of 17 years of age IF they are currently a Residence Hall student at another college (Verification Required).
  • A Legal (Federal, State or Military issued) Photo ID, which verifies age, name and address, is required from the guest.
  • Each resident may host up to two guests at a time.
  • The guest must carry their Guest Pass and their Photo ID at all times.
  • Guests must remain with their host at all times or be in the host’s room.
  • Guest passes are valid for up to 72 hours.
  • A new guest pass cannot be issued until five days have passed from the end date of the most recent guest pass used by the resident or guest.

For example, if your last guest pass ended on a Sunday, you would be eligible to request a new pass starting on the following Friday.

Any student who is inconvenienced by a guest or visitor, or who is aware of an ongoing violation, is encouraged to discuss the concern with the other resident or residents involved and may submit a written complaint.

Any guest or visitor involved in policy violations, or who fails to cooperate with Residence Hall or College staff, may be required to leave immediately. Guests who cannot produce a valid Guest Pass will be removed from the premises. The resident is responsible for the actions of their guest or visitor.

A resident may not allow any person to remain in their room unattended without their roommate’s permission.

Current Residence Hall Students: The MVCC Residence Halls are a community. A resident who lives in one MVCC Residence Hall may visit another Residence Hall in accordance with the guidelines below.

  • A Residence Hall student who is inconvenienced by another Residence Hall student staying overnight in their room for more than three consecutive nights may file a complaint. For purposes of this policy, overnight is defined as 1 a.m. or later.
  • A Residence Hall student who enters a Residence Hall where they do not reside after 10 p.m. must sign in with the Night Security Assistant at the building entrance.

Squatter Policy: A squatter is a non-residence hall student who remains in a Residence Hall room, or in multiple Residence Hall rooms, for more than one week. Any resident who allows a non-residence hall student to remain as a squatter may be fined an amount equivalent to the daily room rate, as appropriate. Other sanctions may also apply.

Lewd Acts

Acts of lewd or indecent behavior are not acceptable in the Residence Halls and will be considered grounds for disciplinary action. Such behavior violates the standards of respect, safety, and shared responsibility that are essential to maintaining a positive and inclusive living environment. Lewd acts may include, but are not limited to, public nudity, sexual activity in shared or public spaces, indecent exposure, or behavior that is sexually explicit, offensive, or disruptive to others. These actions can cause discomfort, emotional distress, or a sense of unsafety for those who witness or are subjected to them, and they undermine the wellbeing of the entire community.

Maximum Occupancy

For safety reasons, no more than the following number of people, including room occupants, can be in a room at one time.  Students may request to exceed this limit by contacting a professional staff member in Bellamy Hall Office.

  • Any double occupancy room: 8
  • Any single occupancy room: 6
  • Total number in a Bellamy Hall Suite: 21

Motorcycles

All motorcycles, motorbikes, and other motorized vehicles or equipment must be parked only in the student parking area designated for Residence Hall students. Parking or storing any motorized vehicle or equipment next to a building is strictly prohibited. Violators may be ticketed and towed. Motorized vehicles or equipment may not be brought inside any building, as they present a serious fire hazard and are not permitted under any circumstances. Please see eBike, etc. policy in this section for important guidance on lithium-ion batteries and parking of eBikes.

Musical Instruments and Amplifiers

The use of musical instruments and amplifiers in the Residence Halls is permitted on a limited basis and will be addressed on a case-by-case basis due to the wide variation in volume and potential disruption to the community. Residents are expected to be respectful of quiet hours and shared spaces. Traditional drum sets are not permitted under any circumstances. Excessive noise or repeated disruptions may result in restrictions on use or disciplinary action.  

Pets

Pets are not permitted in the Residence Halls, with the limited exception of fish. Residents may keep fish only in a small tank of 2.5 gallons or less. Tanks may not require heaters, filters, special lighting, or other equipment. No other pets, animals, or aquatic species are allowed. Residents are responsible for keeping the tank clean and ensuring it does not create odors, damage, or health concerns. Failure to follow this policy may result in removal of the tank and disciplinary action.

Emotional Support Animals and Service Animals are not pets.  Policies and procedures regarding ESA’s are available by contacting the Residence Life Office.

Quality of Life - Cannabis

Residence Halls are shared living environments where students have the right to sleep, study, and live comfortably. Cannabis odor can negatively affect others, including residents who may experience headaches, asthma, allergies, or other health or nuisance concerns. Even when cannabis use occurs off campus, residents are responsible for ensuring that cannabis odor does not enter or remain in the Residence Halls. Students who return to campus after smoking cannabis are expected to take reasonable steps to reduce or eliminate odor from their clothing, belongings, and person before entering the building. Excessive cannabis odor in the Residence Halls may be considered a violation of the Code of Conduct Quality of Life policy and may result in judicial action.

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are established to help maintain a residence hall environment where students can study, sleep, and live comfortably. All residents are responsible for keeping noise at a reasonable level and being considerate of others. Residence Life staff may not hear every noise concern, so residents are encouraged to respectfully address concerns when appropriate and may contact Residence Life staff for assistance.

During quiet hours, noise must be kept to a minimum. This includes loud talking, music, televisions, gaming, door slamming, and other disruptive sounds. Noise from a room should not be clearly heard outside a closed door. Residents are encouraged to use headphones or earbuds when listening to music, watching videos, or gaming.

Quiet hours are:

  • Sunday through Thursday: 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.
  • Weekends: Saturday 12 a.m. to 12 p.m. and Sunday 12 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Quiet hours also apply to areas outside the Residence Halls. Excessive noise near the buildings during quiet hours is prohibited because it can disturb residents inside.

Residents who experience ongoing noise concerns may contact Residence Life Professional Staff to file a formal complaint. Violations of quiet hours may result in judicial action.

24-Hour Quiet Hours: “Extended Quiet Hours”

At the discretion of the Residence Hall Staff, quiet hours will be extended during the end of the semester during final testing and projects. During 24-hour quiet hours, violators will be subject to judicial action.

Room Changes

All room changes must be approved in advance by a Resident Director (RD). If you are interested in a room change, please visit the Bellamy Hall Office to meet with an RD and begin the approval process. Unauthorized room changes are not allowed and may result in disciplinary action.

Scooters, E-Bikes, Hoverboards, E-Skateboards, Etc.

No e-Bike, e-Scooter or similar item with a lithium-ion battery is inside the Residence Halls nor in any non-designated exterior location.  No exceptions. Violation of this fire code will result in the loss of housing privileges.

Designated Location: These items may be placed in the exterior bike rack at your own risk. 

This directive is issued by the State of New York Office of Fire Prevention and Control.

Smoke, Vaping and Tobacco Free Policy

Smoking and all tobacco and tobacco-related products are prohibited in and outside of the Residence Halls.  MVCC is a Tobacco-Free Campus.  All tobacco-derived or containing products including but not limited to cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, vape pens, cigars, cigarillos, hookah smoking products, pipes, clove cigarettes (kreteks), bidis, smokeless tobacco, and oral tobacco (smokeless, chew, snus, and snuff) are prohibited. This policy does not extend to tobacco cessation products. Violations will be treated as violations of Student Conduct Regulations.   

A typical initial sanction for violation of this policy in a Residence Hall room is $10.  Additional violation would result in increased sanctions. In the event that other policies are violated, such as covering a smoke detector, while violating this policy, the person would also be subject to judicial procedures for those policies.  Any person who activates the fire alarm due to use of any above product will be responsible for any fine the College receives from the City of Utica and will be subject to judicial action.

Solicitation, Commercial Activity and Body Art

Residents may not use their room, or allow their room to be used, for any commercial purpose without prior approval from the Dean of Student Life. Solicitation in the Residence Halls is strictly limited to protect the privacy, safety, and comfort of residents. Any outside solicitor must have written permission from the Dean of Student Life before approaching students in the Residence Halls. Residents should not engage with anyone who cannot provide proof of permission and should report the person immediately to Residence Hall staff or Public Safety.

Piercing, tattooing, or similar health department regulated body art activity is not permitted in the Residence Halls.

Sports & Athletic Activity

Interior: All sports are strictly prohibited within the Residence Halls (i.e., lounges, rooms, suites, stairwells, etc.). Any activity of this nature may be destructive to property and a nuisance to your fellow residents.

Exterior: Rollerblades, roller-skates, manual scooters, skateboards and similar items must be used in a responsible manner and only on campus sidewalks and in such areas the college may designate. Anyone using these items on MVCC property must at all times give right of way to pedestrians and shall travel at a reasonable, safe and prudent speed. No one is allowed to be on any stairway, bench, table or any other Residence Hall property with the above items.  Please see eBike, etc. policy in this section for important guidance on lithium-ion batteries.

These items are not to be used or worn in the Residence Halls. Students are responsible for cost of any damage caused by violating this policy. Football (except Flag) and any type of boxing is prohibited on Dormitory Corporation property.

Any activity, which in the opinion of the Residence Hall staff has the potential of injury or damage, is prohibited. 

Theft

Residents are responsible for securing and caring for their personal belongings. MVCC is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged property unless legal negligence by another party is clearly established. Students are encouraged to keep valuable items secure and maintain appropriate insurance coverage for personal property.

Residence Hall students are automatically enrolled in a personal property insurance policy. Information about coverage and instructions for filing a claim are available on the MVCC Residence Life & Housing website.

All thefts or suspected thefts must be reported immediately to MVCC Public Safety in Academic Building Room AB 106. Students also have the right to contact external law enforcement; however, they should notify Public Safety first.

Students can help reduce the risk of theft or property loss by following these precautions:

  • Keep your room door locked at all times, including when leaving for a short period.
  • Record serial numbers for valuable items and keep the list in a secure location.
  • Do not lend your room key or student ID to anyone.
  • Do not leave expensive items in plain view from windows or open doors.
  • Report suspicious activity in the Residence Halls to Public Safety immediately.

Being attentive, securing belongings, and reporting concerns promptly can help protect personal property and support a safer residence hall community.

Weapons, Flammables, Chemicals and Explosives

Use, storage, fabrication, or possession of firearms, explosives, fireworks, flammables, and noxious chemicals1 or other items that could be considered or simulate a weapon, except where authorized by the College, is prohibited. In addition to above, this regulation includes, but is not limited to, Taser guns, BB/pellet guns, laser guns, bows and arrows, throwing stars, brass knuckles, unauthorized knives2, straight edge razors, or ammunition.

1 Possession of a self-defense spray is authorized as allowed under New Your State Penal Law Section 265.20(a)(14) and must follow New York State Codes, Rules and Regulations Section 54.3 Requirements. Any person who possesses such self-defense spray in the Residence Halls must disclose it to the Residence Life Office, in writing, within 12 hours. Failure to do so will be considered a violation of Code of Conduct CR 17.

2 The only acceptable knives are small manual pocketknives or small kitchen knives. No blade may exceed 3”.  Knives utilized as part of a Culinary Arts class are only allowed in that class and in transit directly to and from that class. In the event they cannot be safely secured in a private vehicle when not in class, please consult with instructor for proper on-site storage. Residence Hall students may also contact Public Safety for assistance with safe storage. 

  • No one shall possess or use any spring loaded or air-powered “weapon”/item which is capable of producing a projectile that can or may cause injury or damage.
  • Paintball guns and paintballs are strictly prohibited.

Any item used for educational purposes that can be considered a weapon must be registered with Public Safety and checked there.

Windows, Screens, Balconies, Doors and Exterior Access Safety

For the safety of all residents and guests, students must use residence hall windows, doors, balconies, roofs, screens, locks, access points, and safety mechanisms only as intended. Residents may not tamper with, disable, alter, damage, or remove any window, window screen, door, lock, or safety device. This includes disengaging or altering any installed safety mechanism, including window stops in Daugherty and Huntington Halls that prevent windows on the second and third floors from opening more than four inches.

Unsafe conduct involving windows, balconies, roofs, or exterior access points is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, jumping from or leaning out of a window; sitting on a windowsill; throwing, dropping, or passing objects through a window or over a balcony; climbing onto a roof; or entering or exiting a building or room through a window.

Window screens must remain in place and may not be raised, removed, damaged, or altered, except for the small access mini screen in Bellamy Hall windows where applicable. For safety and visibility, window glass may not be covered or obstructed.