Ohio Admin. Code 3341-2-15
The office of residence life values and recognizes our responsibility to foster an inclusive, safe, and respectful community so our students succeed in a diverse, global society. We are committed to building an awareness of diverse thoughts, ideas, and experiences on our campus in which our community members are empowered to use their voices and be heard.
All students living in university residences sign the on-campus housing and dining agreement for the full academic year. This agreement establishes the terms and conditions of occupancy in the university residences between the room occupant and Bowling Green state university. All residents are expected to review and understand the obligations outlined in this agreement.
Inquiries for accessibility-related housing accommodations should be made to the office of accessibility services. Current students are expected to renew their status with the office of accessibility services on an annual basis prior to the beginning of the housing sign-up process. Upon review of the student's documentation, the office of accessibility services will make a recommendation to the office of student housing regarding the student's approved accommodations. Students with disabilities who require emergency evacuation assistance may meet with the office of accessibility services to complete a personal emergency evacuation plan. The office of accessibility services will share the emergency evacuation plan with the office of student housing, BGSU police, and other emergency response agencies. This plan must be updated annually with the office of accessibility services. Students with a disability may request a meeting, at move-in, with the hall director to discuss all approved accommodations including emergency notification, personal care attendants, emergency evacuation plans, sheltering locations, and evacuation options. The office of accessibility services is located at 38 College Park office building and can be reached via phone at 419-372-8495.
Under the terms of the on-campus housing and dining agreement, Bowling Green state university reserves the right to permanently move and re-assign students should it be deemed appropriate to do so. Students may be moved or reassigned in response to a bias incident, student conduct, safety and security, roommate conflicts, facility needs, consolidation, and any other reason deemed appropriate by the office of student housing.
Each student is assigned one desk, bed, dresser, chair, and closet/wardrobe. Residents must confine their personal belongings to their assigned furniture/space. Should a roommate move out, the remaining resident may not appropriate additional furniture or space not allocated to them as a new roommate may be assigned at any time.
Students assigned to a residence hall room have entered into a license agreement (on-campus housing and dining agreement) with the office of student housing. As such, residence hall rooms are for the use of an assigned occupant (licensee) only. An assigned occupant/licensee may not, under any circumstance, sublease or charge rent or other fees to any third party for use of the space assigned to them under terms of the license agreement. The use of airbnb or similar services is expressly prohibited.
Please note that providing false information to the university is a violation of the code of student conduct.
Dual-enrolled students are students who are earning college credit while attending high school. Dual-enrolled students are not eligible for university housing.
When making room assignments, reassigments, or moves, the office of student housing will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or other protected class. Students may be moved or reassigned in response to a bias incident, student conduct, safety and security, roommate conflicts, facility needs, consolidation, title IX compliance, and any other reason deemed appropriate by the office of student housing.
Room/suite/apartment changes, including moves made within suites or apartments, must be approved by the supervisor of the residence prior to moving. Room changes between university residences must be initiated with the supervisor of a residence before a new room assignment will be offered. A room freeze (i.e., no room changes occurring, unless it is for health and safety) is established for the first fifteen days of each semester. Requests for room assignment changes based upon discriminatory reasons will not be granted.
Candles of any kind, incense-burning candles or sticks, candle or wax warmers, lanterns, and any open flame devices (whether lit or unlit) are not permitted in any residential building (residence hall or small group living units), including but not limited to student rooms and all common area space, at any time, for any purpose whatsoever.
The office of student housing, "Capstone Management," and Bowling Green state university are not responsible for stolen, lost or damaged personal property. All residents are encouraged to properly insure such items of value via homeowner's or renter's insurance policies.
Fire drills are scheduled periodically in university residences in compliance with state regulations. Every time the fire alarm sounds it must be treated as a real fire and you must evacuate immediately. All persons must vacate the residence any time the fire alarm is sounded or if an emergency situation arises that requires the evacuation of the building. All individuals in the building must follow the directions of the staff and other emergency personnel and may not re-enter the building until the supervisor of the residence gives permission. University, state, or city officials may enter rooms to verify evacuation of residents.
Fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers, and fire alarm systems are there for the protection of residents and should be treated with the well-being of all residents in mind. All fire safety equipment (e.g., pull stations, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, sprinklers) must be used for emergency purposes only. Smoke detectors and sprinklers throughout the residence hall are not to be disconnected or covered under any circumstances, nor should anything be hung from them. Tampering with fire safety equipment is a crime and will result in university conduct action, possible criminal action, fines, and fees.
The university reserves the right to eliminate all potential fire hazards in any residence if deemed necessary or appropriate by a university official or by other authorities that have jurisdiction.
Safety concerns restrict access by students to roofs, ledges and sundecks of university residences. Access to roofs, ledges and sundecks is prohibited outside of their use as fire evacuation routes. In addition, radio and television antennae, satellite dishes or similar devices are not permitted on the roofs, ledges or any building exterior without university approval.
Bowling Green city fire department regulations prohibit haunted houses and similar amusement or educational events in which building occupants or the general public are conducted through a fixed or restricted course. This also applies to creating or building these types of structures on residence hall floors or in common areas.
Residents are expected to treat all residence hall common spaces and individual rooms/suites/apartments with respect and care and may be held accountable for damages, other than normal wear and tear, found in the room/suite/apartments. In order to protect the health and safety of all residents, it is expected that all rooms/suites/apartments be kept at an acceptable level of cleanliness. Rooms must be maintained in good sanitary condition and free of any noxious odors. A noxious odor is any aroma of such intensity that becomes offensive.
Homemade or rented lofts of any kind are not permitted in any residence hall or small-group living unit, as the furniture provided is already loftable. Placing beds in the bunked/lofted position is entirely optional on the part of the resident. Should a resident wish to bunk/loft a bed, assistance may be requested from the staff at the front desk of the residence hall or the house staff of a small-group living unit. If beds are lofted, bed frames must be securely supported on both sides by university bed ends. A guardrail is provided with every university bed which should be utilized when the bed is in the bunked/lofted position. Should residents utilize their bunked/lofted bed without using the guardrail, they do so at their own risk.
All university furniture must remain in the room in which it is originally located. The office of student housing does not provide storage facilities for furniture. All furnishings must be returned to the original position in the room before the student checks out of the room. You may be asked to deloft your bed at the end of the academic year regardless of the position of the furnishings at move-in.
University officials, including office of student housing, office of residence life and "Capstone Management" staff members, are authorized to enter, search and/or inspect student rooms, suites, apartments and public rooms in the residence halls and small group living units. There are three occasions when room entry may be necessary:
Students are responsible for returning their room key upon checkout. When checking out of a room/suite/apartment at the end of the semester or at any time during the semester, the resident will follow the check-out procedures available at the residence hall front desk or from the supervisor of the residence. The resident is responsible for properly completing the checkout procedures and leaving the room/suite/apartment clean, including vacuuming and dusting. A student who fails to check out of their residence by the deadline/closing date and time may be subject to a late checkout charge. Belongings left at checkout will be considered abandoned property after thirty days and will be treated as such.
All furnishings provided by the university, including bed ends and bed springs, must remain in the room/suite/apartment or common areas unless specifically authorized by the supervisor of the residence.
Water beds are not permitted in university residences because of weight restrictions in the halls and possible water damage to the buildings.
It may be necessary to bill students for damages, misuse or loss of items.
Concerns regarding maintenance or custodial conditions in your residence and maintenance reports for your room should be submitted online by going to the forms and resources section of the student housing web site. Should you experience problems with this reporting procedure, or to report damages in common area space, contact the front desk in the residence halls or the Conklin front desk for the Greek village. If a requested repair is not completed within seven days, please contact the supervisor of the residence to follow up on the status of your request.
The university regularly treats the residence halls for pests (ants, bats, cockroaches, bed bugs, rodents, etc.). If residents become aware of pests in their room or in common areas, the resident must submit a work order and notify residence hall staff to have the room/area inspected/treated for pests. Residence life staff will provide the occupants with instructions for preparing the room for treatment. Failure to abide by the treatment instructions may result in a referral to student conduct and/or financial responsibly for the treatment. If a pest problem continues, the resident must inform hall staff. Residents are prohibited from using personal pesticides or any chemical product that could be considered poisonous in their room.
The university supports and encourages students to participate in the recycling of glass, aluminum cans, plastic bottles, office paper and newspapers. Every room has a recycling container which can be used to take the items to designated recycling areas located on each floor and in lobby areas. Trash, and other items unsuitable for recycling (including used pizza boxes), must not be placed in recycling containers.
In university residences, with the exception of Falcon Heights and Centennial halls, trash must be removed by the student from the building and placed in the dumpsters provided. Trash may not be taken to or left in the lounges, outside building doors, restrooms, laundry rooms, recycling areas, containers or hallways. Failure to remove trash properly may result in disciplinary action or improper checkout charges when moving out of the room. Students who live in Falcon Heights and Centennial halls should dispose of room trash by utilizing the trash chutes found on each floor.
Expectations and standards for behavior in university residence communities are outlined in these community living standards. When resident behavior does not meet these standards, residence staff will address the behavior with the resident. When appropriate, staff will provide notice to residents on misuse of equipment or property and residents will be given the opportunity to rectify the situation prior to fees being assessed. Charges for items vary depending on the scope of the loss, damage or mess. The amount to be charged to the resident is determined by the supervisor of the residence in conjunction with custodial and maintenance personnel.
The residential computer labs are provided as work environments for students and members of the residential community. The primary use of these resources is for academic-related work. All other uses are considered secondary.
Mercury thermometers are prohibited in all residential buildings as they pose a serious health and safety hazard if broken.
If a key is misplaced, residents are responsible for reporting the misplaced key to the front desk or supervisor of the residence. A lock-out key may be obtained for an extended forty-eight-hour period to allow time to locate the misplaced key. If the misplaced key is not found and/or the lock-out key is not returned within the forty-eight-hour period, the misplaced key will be considered lost and a lock change will be ordered and charged to the party responsible.
All students residing in university housing shall be given the opportunity to provide a confidential contact person to notify should they be missing for twenty-four hours or more. In instances where the missing student is under eighteen years of age, parent(s) or legal guardians will be contacted in addition to the confidential contact person. Individuals should report anyone believed to be a missing person to a member of the residence life staff and/or BGSU police. If a student is believed to be missing, hall staff will contact university police to begin an investigation.
In order for safety measures to be effective, students must make proper use of these features. Residents are encouraged to lock their doors when leaving the room/suite/apartment for any reason and while sleeping. Residents are also reminded that propping open exterior doors for any reason is also a safety hazard since it may allow unwanted visitors access to the building and is a policy violation subjecting the resident to disciplinary action. Residents must not allow others to enter the residence via any locked door other than the main entrance.
It is an expectation that all community members take an active role in ensuring the safety of the residential living spaces on campus. Misuse of keys, personal entry devices (PEDs), or BG1 card must be reported to an office of residence life staff member immediately.
A tornado warning indicates that a tornado has been sighted in the area. Should residents hear the county tornado warning sirens or otherwise be advised that there is a tornado warning in effect for the region, residents are to seek shelter immediately and follow the directions of office of residence life staff regarding emergency evacuation and remain in the shelter areas until the all-clear is given by the appropriate staff member or official. Note: Wood county conducts a test of tornado sirens on the first Saturday of every month at ten a.m.
In addition to the code of student conduct and the community living standards, additional policies apply to those students living in university apartment(s) or Greek units. Additional policies and procedures for apartment(s) and Greek units may be found on the office of student housing's website on the "Forms and Resources" section.
The office of residence life, in consultation with the office of accessibility services, may exclude or remove an approved animal if:
Campus regulations regarding the parking and storing of bicycles, scooters, and other personal conveyance vehicles must be observed. Motorized vehicles (including electric scooters and hoverboards) are not permitted inside a university residence. If a resident brings a non-motorized personal conveyance vehicle into the residence, it may not be parked or stored in corridors, restrooms, lounges, entryways, trunk rooms or in any area of the building other than the owner's room/suite/apartment. The owner is responsible for any damages or soiled carpet caused by bringing a personal conveyance vehicle into a residence. Riding bicycles and other personal conveyance vehicles inside a building is prohibited. Bicycles and mopeds must be registered with the Bowling Green city police, 175 W. Wooster st. For more information please call 419-352-2571. Bicycles and other personal conveyance vehicles may only be locked to bike racks and not to ramps, stairwells or other stationary objects. See the parking rules and regulations regarding designated parking areas.
Approved combination microwave/refrigerator units for food preparation are permitted in all university residences. Individual microwave units of no more than nine hundred watts are permitted in student rooms. Refrigerators no larger than five cubic feet, thirty-six inches in height and 1.5 amps are also allowed. For fire safety considerations, however, hot plates, toasters, toaster ovens, George Foreman grills, waffle irons/makers, air fryers, crock pots, and similar devices are not permitted in student rooms/suites.
Dining room property, which includes trays, plates, glasses and silverware and other equipment/furnishings, must not be taken from kitchens or any dining facility to any area, including student rooms/suites/apartments and lounges. Violation of this policy is considered theft and may result in university conduct action, or possible criminal action. University dining services refrigerators and freezers are not available for storage of personal food supplies or beverages.
The use and/or possession and/or provision of a place for the use of illegal/controlled drugs is governed by local, state and federal laws. All cases or evidence of use, possession, cultivation or sale of drugs in university residences will be handled by the appropriate law enforcement agencies and reported to the office of residence life. This includes the possession of prescription drugs not prescribed to the student in possession of them. Note, while Ohio has legalized both medical and recreational marijuana, the use, possession, and/or storage of medical or recreational marijuana is strictly prohibited on university premises and at university sponsored events and activities because marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Explosives, firearms (actual, or novelties/toys reasonably resembling actual firearms), fireworks, firecrackers and similar devices, and weapons of any kind create a potential safety hazard and, therefore, the use or possession of these items is prohibited in university residences. Weapons include, but are not limited to, knives with blades over three inches, guns, bb/pellet guns, airsoft guns, paint guns, tasers, bows and arrows, machetes, ninja stars, nunchucks, grenades and swords.
Overnight guests or visitors are allowed to stay in university residences with the prior consent of both the host and the host's roommate(s). However, the needs of roommates/suitemates to sleep, study and otherwise be free from interference and disruption as well as the right to privacy are paramount and supersede the right to host an overnight guest or visitor. With prior consent of the roommate(s), guests/visitors are allowed to stay a maximum of three consecutive nights in a ten-day period. Guests/visitors may not sleep in lounges or on lounge furnishings and may not sleep in any bed without the prior consent of the individual assigned to that bed.
Residents are expected to carry their student identification card with them at all times. Residents may be asked to produce their ID in a number of instances, including but not limited to: entering the building during posted hours, checking out equipment, obtaining lock-out keys, or during documentation of policy violations. Failure to produce university identification upon request of a university official may result in denial of services and referral to student conduct.
Most residence halls are equipped with a small, limited-use kitchen that is intended for use by residential students. These kitchens are typically equipped with a stove, refrigerator, sink, and cabinets. Residents are expected to follow the guidelines for use document posted in each hall.
After use, each kitchen must be thoroughly cleaned (stovetop, countertop, sink, dishes, floor, trash, etc.). Failure to clean the kitchen may result in the facility being locked. Dry goods may not be stored anywhere in the kitchen. Students may store cold/wet items in the refrigerator as long as each item is labeled with a name and date. All items in the refrigerator will be disposed of after one month or when the item is no longer useable. Limited cooking equipment is available for use at each hall front desk and must be returned clean. Students using the kitchen should be familiar with the location and use of the fire extinguisher.
Students using the kitchen do so at their own risk and the university will not be liable for lost, stolen, or disposed-of items including but not limited to food and cooking utensils.
Greek and apartment units have their own kitchens with a modified version of the guidelines for use document. Residents of the Greek and apartment units must adhere to the guidelines for use document posted in their kitchen.
Laundry facilities are provided for each residence. Use of the laundry facilities by residential students is paid for as part of the room fee (exceptions include leased apartment facilities). Use of the laundry facilities by non-residents is prohibited. Violators of this policy will be referred to the student conduct process. Do not leave your laundry unattended. If clothes are left in the laundry room for more than forty-eight hours, they should be taken to the front desk lost and found. Residents should always clean the dryer filter trap after every use.
Each residence hall will maintain a lost and found system at the front desk. Items brought to the lost and found will be kept for one month. If the individual owner can be identified, hall staff will make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner, first by phone and then by e-mail. At the end of the one-month period, unclaimed items will be deemed abandoned and disposed of, destroyed, or donated.
Every residence unit contains a variety of common area spaces. Some are designated study lounges, while others are used for program events and meetings. Residents wishing to reserve space in a building must contact the supervisor of the residence. All lounge furniture and wall hangings should remain in their assigned location for use by all community members. Lounges are not to be used to provide overnight accommodations for residents or guests.
Because different musical instruments can be played at different volumes, some may not be appropriate for use in the residence halls. Acoustic guitars, non-amplified electric guitars and electronic pianos are some examples of instruments that can be played at a reasonable level and are permitted in the residence halls. Many living units have practice rooms that may be reserved for those choosing to bring wind, orchestral, percussion or amplified instruments to the university. To the extent that such instruments violate the courtesy or quiet-hours policies, they are not permitted in the residence halls.
Pets are not permitted in university residences, including student rooms/suites/apartments, except fish in an aquarium no larger than twenty gallons. Electrical aquarium accessories must be unplugged during extended vacation periods. If any unauthorized pet is kept in a resident's room, disciplinary action will be taken, and a cleaning fee may be charged to that resident.
The display of posters and fliers in university residences is governed by the office of residence life. A full copy of the applicable policy, including appropriate numbers of posters, is available in brochure form at this office. Only university departments and recognized student organizations in good standing are eligible to display posters/fliers in university residences, after obtaining the requisite approval from the office of residence life. After obtaining approval, items must be submitted to the front desk of the hall and may only be distributed within the hall by persons employed by the office of residence life. Failure to follow this policy may result in the elimination of the privilege of displaying posters and fliers on the part of the organization or department. The display of table tents in dining facilities is governed by dining services. A full copy of the applicable policy is available at this office.
Since sharing living accommodations is a new experience for many students, all roommate pairs will be asked to complete a roommate agreement. This agreement encourages honest and open communication between roommates and establishes agreement for standards to be followed in the room. No agreement is permitted to contain clauses that allow for the violation of any university or residence life policy. If assistance is needed in establishing this agreement, you are encouraged to meet with your resident advisor or hall/house staff. Since the needs and routines of roommates change during the year, it is recommended that the roommate agreement be modified as needed. Failure to adhere to the roommate agreement may result in referral to student conduct.
Students living in the residence halls are not permitted to use wireless routers or devices that transmit a wireless signal that creates interference with the university owned wi-fi system. Student wireless devices may disrupt internet services for other students and staff. Residents found in violation of this policy will be asked to disable the wireless device immediately and may be referred to student conduct.
The university recognizes the need to create and maintain an environment that sustains and enhances the general health of its faculty, staff, students and visitors. Therefore, by resolution of the university board of trustees, effective January 1, 2014, and by Ohio state law, smoking is prohibited inside all facilities owned or leased by the university and on the grounds of any property owned or leased by the university. Smoking is defined as inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted cigar, cigarette, pipe, or other lighted smoking device for burning tobacco or any other plant, per section 3794.01 of the Revised Code. This includes all buildings owned or controlled by the university, shelters, indoor and outdoor athletic facilities, indoor and outdoor theatres, walkways, sidewalks, residence halls, and parking lots (unless otherwise designated). Smoking is prohibited on sidewalks that adjoin university property. Smoking is also prohibited in any vehicle or equipment owned, leased or operated by the university. Application of this policy to university-owned detached single-family residences shall be determined by university facilities at the time any such lease is executed. Cigarette butts and ashes must be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles located in designated smoking areas. The use of e-cigarettes (electronic smoking devices, vaping) in residence halls is strictly prohibited.
Soliciting in residences is not permitted. Solicitation is defined as any activity designed to advertise, promote or sell any product or commercial service or encourage support for or membership in any group, association or organization and includes door-to-door canvassing. Soliciting/selling includes conducting a business in a university residence such as baby-sitting, beer distribution or selling such items as cosmetics, food, hair supplies or hair cutting/styling, raffle tickets, magazines, bagels, candy bars, etc. Advertising signs, posters and fliers in connection with such solicitation or selling may not be distributed or posted in university residences. Fundraising events/soliciting are not permitted in residences unless authorized by the director of student housing or their designee.
Indoor sports and roughhousing are prohibited in all areas of the residence halls/houses, as such activity may disrupt the living/learning environment and is considered unsafe relative to persons and property. Prohibited activities include (but are not limited to) tossing, bouncing, or kicking of balls or objects, wrestling, the use of roller blades, "Nerf" guns, and the use of water guns or water balloons.
When a student checks out of their residence hall room but does not remove personal belongings from their room, the items become the property of the university and will be disposed of after thirty days. Students claiming items within the thirty-day time period may be assessed a storage and packing fee. There is no storage of personal items at any time. This includes temporary storage of lofts or personal furniture. Personal items may not be stored in the hall common areas (hallways, study lounges, kitchenettes, trash rooms, bathrooms, custodial closet, etc.)
You may make your room feel more like home by putting posters and pictures on the wall. White adhesive putty is the recommended way to do this. Avoid the use of two-sided tape, colored putty, or nails as these items create residue that must be removed or holes that must be filled. No more than twenty per cent of the surface area may be covered.
Regulation window coverings (blinds/drapes) are installed in every residence hall room. These window coverings must not be removed. Personal drapery may be hung using only a spring tension rod. Personal drapery and decorations must not be visible from outside the hall. Personal drapery and decorations must not interfere with egress. Window screens and/or storm windows must not be removed at any time. Residents assume any associated costs of replacement, repair, and re-installation of window screens.
Students requesting an active phone line for their residence hall room will be billed an additional fee that corresponds to the requested level of service provided.
Equity impact statement: The policy has been assessed for adverse differential impact on members of one or more protected groups.
Ohio Admin. Code 3341-2-15
Promulgated Under: 111.15
Statutory Authority: 3341
Rule Amplifies: 3341
Prior Effective Dates: 03/12/2015, 02/16/2016, 09/15/2016, 12/20/2021, 08/23/2022, 09/07/2023