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Table of Contents
Introduction Fire Safety A1 1 B19 2 B38 3
Potential Bodily Harm A4, B20 4 A6 5 A7, A8, B23 6 B44 7
Drugs and Alcohol A9 8 A10 9 B21 10 B24 11
Residence Hall Spaces A12, B26 12 B33 13
Identification A16 14 B35 15 Guests A18, B27 16
Sales and Solicitation B37 17
Sports B40 18
General Information
Department of Resident Life
Annapolis Hall University of Maryland College Park, MD 20742
(301) 314-2100
Office of Rights and Responsibilities
4318 Knox Road, Rm. 3020 South Campus Commons, Bldg. 3
College Park, MD 20740 (301) 314-7598
www.resnet.umd.edu
Introduction: To many, Residence Hall policies have always seemed a bit
curious. The reasons behind many of the rules are not
entirely clear, and their implementation seems a bit broad.
This handbook will attempt to clear these questions up.
While not intended to be the definitive explanation of
Resident Life policies, this volume will try to provide
background information, discuss the thought process that
led to the rule, and, in some cases, explain why a rule is
tailored either broadly or narrowly. The pages are laid out
with a general subject heading at the top, followed by the
rule number, the text of the rule, and finally information
detailing the reasoning behind the rule.
Prior to 1980, the University of Maryland did not have a set
of rules specific to the residence halls. University
administrators recognized the problem with this, though in
the mid-1970s. While the university rules addressed a large
number of issues from both an academic and a legalistic
perspective, these rules could not account for behaviors that
negatively impacted students and student safety, but were
not illegal. Thus, starting in 1977 and working through
1978, the Department of Resident Life developed a set of
rules specific to living and working in the residence halls.
Since their original creation, the list of rules has grown to
44, and been split into two separate levels, A and B.
However, the core of the rules remains the same – they
serve first and foremost to ensure the safety of students
living in and visiting the residence halls.
Department of Resident Life 1
Fire Safety: A1, B19, B38
Prohibition: “Setting or fueling a fire of any size”
This rule bans all types of open flames in the residence
halls. Fire is the biggest danger to large, highly
concentrated populations, such as students living in
residence halls. In fact, the population density of the
average residence hall exceeds that of many urban areas
classified as ghettos. As such, this prohibition must be
absolute, regardless of whether a fire is intentionally or
accidentally set. Controlled flames, such as candles or
burning incense, while they may seem harmless, have equal
potential as a lighter or flaming beverage to be spilled,
igniting the carpeting, walls, or any other flammable
objects.
Department of Resident Life 2
Fire Safety: A1, B19, B38
Prohibition: “Possession of highly flammable materials
including: gasoline, gas tank (whether containing fuel or
empty), gas-powered vehicles, kerosene, fireworks.”
This rule serves as an extension of rule A1, prohibiting the
possession of any materials which would facilitate the easy
ignition of a fire. Regardless of whether or not these items
are intended to be used maliciously, they pose a significant
potential danger to the residents of a residence hall. Indeed,
under the wrong circumstances, such items could either
inadvertently trigger a fire, or enable an already existing
fire to spread with greater intensity.
Department of Resident Life 3
Fire Safety: A1, B19, B38
Prohibition: “Cooking (except in designated areas) and use
or possession of an open-flame or open element appliance,
including toaster, skillets, hot plates and microwaves.”
While such appliances are typically designed to be safe, in
an environment where they are not intended to be used,
these sorts of appliance present a substantial fire hazard. A
residence hall room is designed to be a place for students to
sleep, study and socialize, not to cook in. Due to space
constraints, it is highly possible that a flammable object
could come in contact with a hot surface, igniting a fire.
Furthermore, the circuitry in older buildings on campus is
not designed for use with appliances drawing a high current
load. Both of these issues lead to such appliances being fire
hazards, and as such, unacceptable for use in a residence
hall space.
Department of Resident Life 4
Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44
Prohibition A4: “Use of any weapon, as defined in the
Code of Student Conduct.”
Prohibition B20: “Possession of a weapon, as defined in the
Code of Student Conduct.”
Obviously, it is unacceptable to bring any type of device
used specifically for injuring another human being into the
residence halls. However, the definition of weapon is left
intentionally vague, deferring to the Code of Student
Conduct, due to the fact that nearly any type of object can
be used as a weapon. Using the definition found in the
Code of Student Conduct allows the department to prohibit
weapons without the prohibition extending to unintended
items, such as kitchen knives, baseball bats or martial arts
equipment. This is not to say, though, that these cannot be
used, and in turn, punished as weapons. After all, an
incident a number of years ago in one of the residence halls
found a student with a nail scissor stabbed almost an inch
into his chest, a case of a non-prohibited item being used as
a weapon.
Department of Resident Life 5
Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44
Prohibition: “Participating in throwing, dropping or causing
to fall from a residence hall any object which could cause
physical harm.”
Like a number of the other rules described in this
handbook, this rule is structured around preventing
undesirable consequences, in addition to undesirable
behaviors. As such, both the intentional and unintentional
jettisoning of an object from a residence hall window are
treated the same. Both have equal potential to harm
someone standing below, regardless of whether or not this
was an intended consequence. This rule dates back to the
1980s, when students, while reveling over the weekend,
would regularly toss bottles, chairs, and sometimes even
larger objects, out of the highrises. And, yes, this rule also
applies to the throwing of keys and IDs out of the windows.
It may seem inconvenient to walk downstairs and let
someone into the building, but it is infinitely safer.
Department of Resident Life 6
Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44
Prohibition A7: “Intentionally or recklessly causing
physical harm, or immediate expectation of physical harm,
to any person, including assault/battery, intentionally or
recklessly provoking and/or engaging in physical fights.”
Prohibition A8: “Harassing any person in such a way as to
seriously or repeatedly interfere with that person’s
academic pursuits, sleep and/or other personal pursuits.
This includes malicious pranks and issuing threats.”
Prohibition B23: “Physical confrontation, threats, and/or
harassment less serious than those covered by Rules #7 and
#8 respectively.
All three of these rules deal with preventing the disruption
of a student’s primary purpose at the University of
Maryland, which is to learn. While a person’s intent must
be taken into consideration when looking at these rules, the
actions that were taken must be judged in the context of
their impact. As such, any actions that are malicious in
nature, causing physical or emotional harm to the student,
fall under the purview of these three rules.
Department of Resident Life 7
Potential Bodily Harm: A4, A6, A7, A8, B20, B23, B44
Prohibition: “Smoking in any form within any residence
hall space. Smoke which enters any residence hall space
from outside is also not permitted.”
While students can choose to smoke if they wish, they must
do so in a manner which prevents harm from coming to
other students. This potential harm manifests itself it two
separate ways. The first is through the fire hazard presented
by smoking inside the residence hall. Like all of the
previously mentioned prohibited items, a lit cigarette is a
potential igniter for a fire, and as such, poses a danger to all
who live in the residence hall. Furthermore, residence halls
are not equipped with the proper cigarette disposal
facilities. As such, an improperly extinguished cigarette,
disposed of in a wastepaper basket is a fire waiting to
happen.
The second potential harm to other students is in the form
of secondhand smoke. The residence halls are not set up for
the proper ventilation of cigarette smoke. As such, the
smoke trapped in the building can be inhaled by other
students, posing a known health hazard, and increasing the
risk of those students developing smoking related illnesses
later in life.
Department of Resident Life 8
Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24
Prohibition: “Possession, use, sale, distribution or provision
of inhalants, marijuana or any controlled substance or
illegal drug.”
The possession, use and distribution of illegal drugs,
including marijuana, is not allowed in the residence halls
due to their known deleterious effects, as well as their
being unlawful to possess under federal law. Even if this
policy were not in place, as some student groups advocate
with marijuana, the transport, possession and distribution of
these drugs would be illegal, and would still be punished by
the university and local police forces. As such, residence
hall policy aligns with the law, in order to mitigate the
negative effects of such substances on an academic
environment
Until 1987, marijuana possession and use were considered
B-level violations. However, after the conclusion of that
year’s basketball season, Maryland star Len Bias was
drafted second overall in the NBA draft by the Boston
Celtics. In celebration of this, Bias went back to his
residence hall space, used cocaine, and was found dead the
next day. In recognition of the threat that drugs posed both
to student health as well as academic health, the university
changed the rule mid-year, issuing an insert for the Rights
and Responsibilities booklet.
Department of Resident Life 9
Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24
Prohibition: “Distribution, sale or provision of alcoholic
beverages to a minor.”
The university has a vested interest in protecting the health
and well-being of its students. As such, enabling an
individual to drink, who otherwise would not be allowed to
under the law, is against resident life policy. However, until
1984, when the federal government made highway funding
contingent on the drinking age being set at 21, the legal
drinking age in Maryland was 18. The university
grandfathered in the change, allowing the students who had
come into the university while the drinking age was 18 to
consume alcohol. In 1987, that group turned 21,
standardizing the drinking age across campus. This,
happening concurrently with the change in drug policy, was
quite an adjustment for the university community, and
helped set the tone for the policies of today.
Department of Resident Life 10
Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24
Prohibition: “Possession or use of alcoholic beverages by a
minor. Kegs, or containers of alcoholic beverages defined
as kegs by Resident Life, and open containers of alcoholic
beverages in public areas are prohibited for everyone (see
also alcohol policy).”
In order to maintain the academic mission of the university,
as well as to avoid the promotion of excessive consumption
of alcohol, kegs and open containers in public spaces are
prohibited. This is in accordance with both local laws,
prohibiting open containers in public spaces, as well as
with keeping the residences halls a clean and friendly
environment in which students can interact and study.
Unlike providing alcohol to minors, serving as an enabler,
possession and use of alcohol by a minor is a B-level
violation. This is in acknowledgement of the fact that,
while the Department of Resident Life strongly discourages
this behavior, it will inevitably happen. As such, the
Department would rather use the situation to educate the
student as to the dangers of alcohol, as opposed to more
serious consequences, which would not help educate the
student.
Department of Resident Life 11
Drugs and Alcohol: A9, A10, B21, B24
Prohibition: “Use/possession of drug paraphernalia.”
Drug paraphernalia serves as both a means of breaking the
law, as well as acting as a temptation to do so.
Additionally, the possession of drug paraphernalia is illegal
under Maryland state law, and as such, is prohibited. This
is in line with the academic mission of the university, as
well as the Department of Resident Life stated policies on
drugs.
Department of Resident Life 12
Residence Hall Spaces: A12, B26, B33
Prohibition A12: “Renting/subleasing of residence hall
space.”
Prohibition B26: “Loan of residence hall space. This
includes allowing guests to stay in your
room/apartment/suite in your absence for an extended
period of time. Additionally, individuals who have not
signed a Residence Halls/Dining Services Agreement are
not permitted to reside in the residence halls.”
When a student moves into a residence hall space, they sign
a contract, making them responsible for that space for the
duration of the schoolyear. The university expects, then, if
they have entered into a contractual agreement to live in
that space, that they will do so. As an academic institution,
university spaces are not supposed to be used as a means to
generate profit through subleasing. Furthermore, allowing
someone to sublease a space presents a number of safety
hazards. First of all, the university cannot account for this
individual in case of an emergency, as they are not listed as
a resident. Second, in order for this individual to gain
access to the space, they will have to utilize someone else’s
ID and key, necessarily diluting building security. Third, as
the university does not have the opportunity to vet this
individual, they could theoretically pose a threat to others
residing in the hall, a situation that the Department of
Resident Life wishes to avoid. Lastly, these situations have
the potential for negative effects on any roommates that
reside within the space. In order to protect their interests,
the university prohibits these behaviors.
Department of Resident Life 13
Residence Hall Spaces: A12, B26, B33
Prohibition: “Misuse or unauthorized possession of room or
building entry keys or access cards. This includes
duplication, lending/borrowing or repeated loss (see also
Safety and Security Prohibitions).”
This rule is designed to acknowledge the commitment of
students in maintaining the security of campus buildings.
By loaning or duplicating residence hall keys, or throwing
IDs and keys out the window, students dilute the security of
the buildings, by enabling people who should not be able to
enter on their own to do so. Originally, this rule was put in
place when access to the entire building was done via key.
As such, it has become slightly less relevant over the years,
but the intended effect is still the same. Students must be
responsible for their own safety and security, just as the
university is, and in order to do so, need to maintain the
security systems that have been put in place.
Department of Resident Life 14
Identification: A16, B35
Prohibition: “Participating in the provision, distribution,
sale or manufacture of any form of false identification.”
False IDs enable students who legally should not be able to
obtain alcohol, or to gain entry into a business that
primarily serves alcohol, to do so. Therefore, a producer of
false identification is equally culpable for enabling
someone to obtain alcohol as someone who actually
provides it. Furthermore, producing fraudulent documents
is a violation of the law, and just as all other major
violations of the law are punished by the university, so too
is this one.
Department of Resident Life 15
Identification: A16, B35
Prohibition: “Misuse of identification cards. This includes
possession and/or presentation of false identification.”
The university uses the identification carried by a student in
order to determine whether or not they have a legitimate
purpose for being in the residence halls. Carrying incorrect
identification serves only to deceive those needing to know
whether or not one has a legitimate purpose for being
where they are. In order to discourage this behavior, as well
as to enable the proper enforcement of university and
Resident Life policy, false identification is prohibited.
Department of Resident Life 16
Guests: A18, B27
Prohibition A18: “Knowingly allowing guests to violate
any “A” level rule.”
Prohibition B27: “Failure to monitor guests’ behavior and
assuring adherence to rules. Residents will be held
financially responsible for damage caused by their guests.”
When bringing guests into the residence halls, students
assume the risk that their guest may violate policy. Being
that guests are not able to be sanctioned under the rules,
placing the responsibility on their host makes it more likely
that the host will warn their guest as to the rules, as well as
keep them from breaking them, and thus harming the
friendly academic and social environment in the halls.
Department of Resident Life 17
Sales and Solicitation: B37
Prohibition: “Unauthorized sales/solicitation activity; use
of residence hall space to conduct a private business
enterprise, whether legal or illegal.”
As the residence halls are an academic environment, selling
items in the residence halls is prohibited. Not only is such
activity disruptive to other students residing there, but the
fact that such business is being conducted in the halls
places added pressure to purchase on the student, as well as
lending the seller an air of credibility, via a perceived
association with the university.
Department of Resident Life 18
Sports: B40
Prohibition: “Use of any sports/recreational equipment
except in designated areas. Prohibited equipment use
includes but is not limited to: football, basketball, lacrosse,
field hockey, baseball, nerf ball and Frisbee.”
Playing sports in the residence hall has the potential to both
damage the facilities, as well as possibly injure residents.
When throwing any sort of object in the hallway, there is a
risk that it may strike and break a light fixture or window,
strike and set off a fire alarm, or hit a sprinkler, triggering a
flood. None of these potential consequences are wanted, or
contribute to a positive residence hall atmosphere.
Furthermore, other students may be caught unawares by the
by ball being used, and may be injured by it. All of these
are undesirable outcomes, and therefore, their potential
source, regardless of whether or not the outcome was
intended, is banned.
