Community Living Standards

Community Expectations and Mutual Respect

Living in a residential community at Tulane means being part of an environment where we strive for mutual respect, kindness, and accountability. Our policies are designed to support a safe and welcoming space where all students can thrive personally and academically. Following expectations helps protect everyone's well-being and ensures fairness. Treating others with dignity and consideration creates a stronger, more supportive community. We’re all responsible for contributing to a positive experience where everyone can live, learn, and grow. Your choices play a key role in that shared success.

Definition of Terms

For the purposes of this document, the following definitions apply to all uses of the following terms:

1. Staff: includes Housing and Residence Life professional and student staff, university employees, security personnel, and individuals or organizations authorized by the university to perform work in or around residential communities.
2. Guest: any person present in a residential community but is not assigned to live in that specific room, suite, apartment, or residential community.
3. Residential communities: residence halls, townhomes, apartments, common areas, and other spaces managed or designated by Housing and Residence Life.

Community Environment

As a member of the residential community, you are responsible for contributing to an environment that promotes the missions of Tulane University and Housing and Residence Life. The following are policies that support that process:

1. Quiet Hours: Living in a shared community means being mindful of how your actions affect others, especially when it comes to noise. Quiet Hours are in place to help everyone rest, study, and relax without disruption.
   1. Quiet Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 9:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. During these times, noise should be kept very low in all areas of the residence hall, including rooms, hallways, bathrooms, lounges, and outdoor spaces near the building.
   2. Courtesy Hours are in effect at all other times, which means you should still be respectful and avoid making noise that might bother those around you. You’re expected to cooperate if a student or staff member asks you to lower your volume. Being considerate of your neighbors helps everyone enjoy their home on campus. Please note that Courtesy and Quiet Hours will be extended during certain times of the year including prior to and during Finals Week.
2. Guests and Visitation: Students may host guests in their room, residence hall, or apartment; however, the rights of the roommate and community should also be considered, including the right to privacy, sleep, and study in their room. Students must obtain permission from those living in their shared living space prior to their guest’s arrival to campus.
   1. Guests must always be accompanied by their host and may not be left alone in rooms or given room keys or Tulane IDs. Students are required to “tap in” themselves and their guests at hall entrances equipped with an access tapper.
   2. Students are responsible for the actions and behavior of their guests and may be held accountable for any policy violations or damage caused by their guests. This includes conduct action and/or losing guest privileges.
   3. Guests must follow all university policies, Community Living Standards, and applicable local, state, and federal laws. Guests who violate policies may be required to leave immediately and may be restricted from returning to residential communities.
   4. All guests must carry a valid photo ID and present it if asked by a university official.
   5. Overnight guests are any guests visiting between the hours of 12:00 am – 6:00 am.
      1. Non-Tulane student overnight guests must register in advance using the Overnight Guest Registration Form.
      2. Guests under 18 require an approved Parental Consent form; those under 16 must be the host’s sibling. Consent forms must be submitted five business days before arrival.
      3. Guests are not allowed to sleep in lounges or other common spaces.
      4. Cohabitation is not allowed. Guests may stay up to three consecutive nights and no more than nine nights in a 30-day period. No more than two guests may stay overnight at one time.
   6. Mardi Gras guests: Please see the HRL Mardi Gras website in early spring for more details regarding these policies and guest registration. Please note Tulane University has restricted access to the residential communities beyond our normal guest registration process during the Mardi Gras Season.
3. Disorderly/Disruptive Behavior: Actions that negatively impact the community or residential environment are considered disorderly or disruptive behavior. Examples include, but are not limited to, excessive noise, unsafe behavior, pranks or practical jokes that disrupt the community, misuse of community or student property, altercations, or behavior that interferes with another person’s reasonable use of residential spaces. Staff reserve the right to inform students that a gathering is disruptive and to end it at their discretion by requiring visitors to depart.
4. Roommate/Suitemate Agreements: Students living in shared spaces are asked to complete roommate and suitemate agreements at the beginning of the fall semester and after any room changes. Students are encouraged to utilize the agreement as a tool to create an environment where students will be able to live cooperatively. For more information concerning the roommate/suitemate agreement, please visit the Housing and Residence Life website.
5. Animals: Animals may not live on campus before Housing and Residence Life confirms approval by the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility. Students with unapproved animals may be charged as stated in the Pets policy.
   1. Pets: Possession of a pet is prohibited, except for freshwater fish (not to exceed 10 gallons). Students with unauthorized pets are required to remove the unauthorized pet and will be charged a $300 facility recovery charge. In addition, the student will be referred to the conduct process.
   2. Emotional Support Animals (ESA): Upon approval by the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility, students must meet with their Resident Director regarding expectations and policies for having an emotional support animal in the residential community. If you have additional questions, please contact your Resident Director or the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility. Students are responsible for ensuring their animal remains in approved areas.
   3. Service Animals: Service Animals are encouraged but not required to be registered through the Goldman Center. If you have additional questions, please contact the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility.
6. Hall Sports: The playing of sports/games is prohibited in hallways, balconies, or other areas of egress. Examples include but are not limited to basketball, riding devices, Frisbee, skateboarding, football throwing, running, Nerf activities, squirt gun/water fights, etc.
7. Weapons: Possession of any weapon is prohibited in the residential community and adjacent areas. For more information, please review the Tulane Weapons Policy.
8. Student-Run Business or Commercial Activity: Students are prohibited from using residential facilities or resources to engage in commercial activities to sell merchandise or distribute goods/services. This includes but is not limited to residential spaces, front desk/on-call telephones, and on-campus addresses. Promotion or advertising of commercial activities is also not permitted in residential areas.
9. Soliciting: Solicitation, advertising, canvassing, and promotion are prohibited within the residential communities and adjacent areas.
10. Tabling: The distribution of materials is not permitted in residential spaces. Anyone interested in tabling should refer to the Lavin-Bernick Center tabling policy.
11. Posting: All posting materials require approval by Housing and Residence Life. Materials must be submitted at the Housing and Residence Life Office. In the case of Community Government Elections, materials must be submitted to and approved by the Resident Director. Please refer to the Tulane University’s Posting and Advertising Policy website for more information concerning campus and residential posting policies.
12. Trespassing: Access to residential spaces is limited to authorized community members, staff, faculty, and approved guests. Access to residential spaces will vary throughout the year. Attempting to gain unauthorized access in residential communities is prohibited.
13. Compliance with Staff: All staff must be able to perform their assigned duties free from harassment, intimidation, or obstruction. Behavior that prevents or inhibits staff from completing role-related responsibilities is prohibited. Examples include, but are not limited to providing false or misleading information and/or failing to comply with a request.

Facilities and Furniture

The facilities and furniture present throughout the residential communities are a crucial element in creating a welcoming environment for all students and guests. The following are policies that ensure a safe and healthy living environment for all community members:

1. Furniture: All residence hall rooms contain furniture provided by Housing and Residence Life.
   1. A combination mini refrigerator/microwave is provided in each student room except in Aron Residences. The use of an additional refrigerator must be requested and approved through the Goldman Center for Student Accessibility.
   2. Furniture may not be removed, swapped or left in shared spaces. Students will be charged for the damages, repairs, and replacement costs of any furniture that is not present upon check-out.
   3. Furniture in common areas may not be moved outside of the common area. This includes balconies, lobbies, kitchens, or study spaces.
2. Bathrooms: Furniture may not be placed or stored in any bathrooms. Fixture alterations, including but not limited to bidets and showerheads, are not permitted. Students may not leave or store personal items within communal bathrooms. Staff may remove and dispose of any furniture or personal items left in a bathroom and may charge students for removal.
3. Communal Kitchens: Communal kitchens are to be usable by all community members. After utilizing the kitchen, students must clean up and remove any items from the space. Staff may remove and dispose of any items left in a kitchen and may charge students for removal or cleaning. Housing and Residence Life is not responsible for lost or stolen items left in communal kitchens.
   1. Appliances: Students may not leave food, cookware, or appliances unattended while cooking in residential spaces. Students are responsible for the proper use of kitchen appliances and may be held responsible for damages, cleaning, or fire response caused by unattended or improper cooking.
   2. Communal Refrigerators and Freezers: To ensure these appliances remain in good condition and usable by all in the community, the following expectations must be met:
      1. Alcohol may not be stored in communal refrigerators or freezers.
      2. Items stored in communal refrigerators or freezers must be labeled with the student’s name and date when placed inside, properly stored, and safe for consumption. Items and containers that are expired, spoiled, leaking, moldy, unlabeled, abandoned, or otherwise unsanitary may be discarded.
4. Bulletin Boards and Corkboards: These items are installed within the community for staff use only, unless approved for specified use by the community’s Resident Director.
5. Damages/Vandalism: Students will be charged individually or collectively for any property damages or for excessive cleaning necessary because of individual student or group behavior.
   1. Room/Suite/Apartment: Damage found in a student’s room, suite, or apartment will be charged based on the most recent inspection completed for the space. Damages may be charged to a single identified student or to all residents assigned to the affected space.
   2. Common Area: Students will be charged for damage that occurs in hall common areas including, but not limited to, hallways, lounges, bathrooms, etc. If a responsible party cannot be determined for common area damage, the cost of the repair will be split among the students associated with that area.
6. Trash and Recycling: Trash and recycling materials from students’ room, suite, or apartment must be taken by the student to the designated dumpster and/or recycling areas. Students who leave personal trash in common areas will be charged a fee to remove the trash.
7. Balconies, Ledges and Windows: Students cannot drop, suspend, throw, or shoot anything from a balcony, ledge, or window. Students are not permitted to climb, hang, or swing from any balcony, ledge, or window. Roof access is prohibited in all residential areas. Any of these behaviors may result in immediate removal from Tulane University Housing without a refund.
   1. Hammocks, bicycles, Housing and Residence Life furniture, etc. are not allowed on balconies. Personal furniture may be used but not stored or left on balconies. Students may not place anything (e.g., furniture, satellite dishes, boxes, signs, etc.) on the roofs or ledges of university buildings.
   2. Students may not remove, alter, and/or damage the windows, screens, or window restraining devices in any residential areas. If windows have been sealed, students are not permitted to break the seals to open the window. Students may not post any signs, symbols, flags, banners, or letters in their windows. Students are not permitted to enter or exit their room or any residence hall through a window.
8. Installations: Students may not install permanent equipment or furnishings in student rooms (examples: air conditioners, TV mounts, ceiling fans, wall shelves, or other prohibited items). When hanging items on the walls within the room, students are required to use 3M Command strips or painter’s tape. Nails, screws, duct tape, and other permanent adhesives are prohibited. Command strips or painters’ tape must be removed according to manufacturer’s directions. Residents will be responsible for any damage to paint or walls.
9. Painting: Painting walls or spray painting in residential areas is prohibited. Spray painting should be done outdoors on grass – not sidewalks or in landscaping. Students are responsible for associated damages and cleaning costs due to any type of art or craft project and may go through the conduct process.
10. Abandoned Property:
    1. Rooms: Property left in a room after the student checks out will be considered abandoned property. Students will be charged a minimum of $150 for leaving personal property in their room after checking out. Property not claimed after 10 calendar days will be removed from campus.
    2. Laundry Rooms: Abandoned items will be collected from residential laundry rooms and donated monthly. Removal dates will be posted in each laundry room.
11. Lofting/Bunking Beds: Construction of a loft or use of lofting furniture other than the beds provided by Housing and Residence Life is prohibited. Bed bunking/lofting is only available in expanded capacity rooms in Wall Residential College. If a Wall student would like to loft/deloft or bunk/debunk a bed, they should do so with the help of another person. Wall students are not able to receive extra furniture to loft or bunk beds but can request bunking pins to safely bunk or loft their existing room furniture.
12. Bicycles: Bicycles must be stored on bike racks outside of residential communities. All bicycles must be registered with the University. Students should call the TUPD non-emergency line or go to a physical TUPD location to register a bike. Unregistered bicycles will be removed periodically by TUPD.
    1. Electronic Transportation Devices (ETD): ETDs may include, but are not limited to, eBikes, eScooters, hoverboards, and other electronically charged motorized transportation devices. Students may not store ETDs inside residential spaces, nor may they ride ETDs in residential communities. Students will be responsible for all damage caused by these devices.
13. Restricted Areas: Students are prohibited from entering restricted access areas unless specifically authorized to do so by staff. These areas may include but are not limited to residence hall front desks, roofs, attics, staff offices and apartments, machine/storage rooms, or bathrooms that are being cleaned. Forced or unauthorized entry into any residence hall or student space is prohibited.
14. Elevators: Tampering with or misuse of university elevators is prohibited.

Environmental Health and Safety

Housing and Residence Life is not responsible for individual student belongings and strongly encourages students to purchase additional personal property or renter’s insurance along with reviewing their guardian’s homeowner’s policies for possible coverage. Grad Guard is a trusted insurance provider that works exclusively with college and university students and is a preferred partner of Tulane University. The following policies help ensure safe living environments:

1. Fire Safety Equipment: Students should use fire alarms, fire extinguishers, fire exits, fire sprinklers, and related equipment only for their intended purposes. Do not obstruct or tamper with fire detection and suppression equipment. Maintain storage at least 18" below the plane of sprinkler head installations and never hang items from sprinkler heads.
   1. If a smoke detector is found covered in a room, both students assigned to the room will go through the conduct process for violation of this policy.
   2. Students found responsible for tampering with or covering pull stations, smoke or heat detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinkler heads, or other life safety equipment will receive a fine of at least $400 and may be removed from on-campus housing without a refund.
2. Fire Alarms: Students should exit a building as soon as a fire alarm sounds and comply with directions provided by Housing and Residence Life, TUPD or other staff responding to the alarm. Students cannot enter the building until an "all clear" signal is issued by TUPD, fire department officials, or another University staff member.
3. Emergency Exits: Emergency exits should only be used when the fire alarm is sounding or in the event of an emergency. Improper use of emergency exits causes a disruption to the community and causes emergency personnel to respond unnecessarily.
4. Fire Drills: Tulane University is required by the city of New Orleans to hold a specific number of unannounced fire drills each semester. Drills are conducted to make sure fire systems are functional in the event of an emergency. Students must treat each drill as if the fire alarm is sounding for a real fire. Failure to exit the residence hall during a fire drill or disorderly behavior could result in additional conduct charges.
5. Prohibited Items: Items that create health, safety, or facility concerns may be removed by staff and discarded or held in accordance with university procedures. The following items are prohibited in residential communities for life safety, health, and facility protection concerns:
   1. Screws, Nails or Any Other Permanent Wall Fasteners and nonremovable adhesives
   2. Heat Lamps
   3. Personal Refrigerators
   4. Personal Microwaves (except in Aron Residences kitchens)
   5. Personal Air Conditioners
   6. Multi-Bulb Lamps (except with LED bulbs)
   7. Ceiling Fans
   8. Fog/Smoke Machines
   9. Natural Cut Trees, Branches, or Greens
   10. Flammable Liquids: i.e. Gasoline, Kerosene, Propane, Motor Oils, etc.
   11. Extension Cords or 3-Way Plugs (Non-Grounded 3-Prong Plugs) without Surge Protection
   12. Fireworks
   13. Any item with an open flame or open coil heating element, including:
       1. Hot plates and open coil burners
       2. Electric grills (i.e., panini press or George Foreman Grill)
       3. Electric space heaters
       4. Toasters and toaster ovens
       5. Pressure Cookers (i.e., Instapot) and air fryers
       6. Outdoor grills
       7. Candles and incense
       8. Electric deep fryers
   14. Permissible exceptions include:
       1. Rice Cookers
       2. Electric tea kettle and coffee maker
       3. Slow cookers
       4. Lava lamps and salt lamps
       5. Wax warmer (candles with wicks are not permitted)
6. Egress: Any item that prevents safe egress, access, or passage is prohibited. Students may not store or leave personal items in corridors, stairwells, foyers, doorways, bathrooms, balconies, or other shared areas where they may obstruct access, create a safety concern, or interfere with cleaning or maintenance. Items left in these areas may be removed and possibly disposed of at the expense of the student or students responsible.
7. Room and Door Decoration: Flammable materials covering more than 20% of the total surface of the residence hall wall or door space are prohibited. Decorations must not hang from or touch any light fixtures, metal furniture, fire safety equipment, or impede egress or fire safety if affixed to a door frame. Only two strands of string lights can be linked together per electrical outlet. Student decorations may only be hung inside student rooms or their doors and not in public spaces.
8. Room Condition and Cleanliness: Students are responsible for maintaining their residential space in a clean and sanitary condition. Conditions caused or worsened by student behavior that create odors, pests, environmental growth concerns, excessive trash, damage, biohazards, or interfere with maintenance, safety inspections, or roommate use of the space are prohibited. Students may be required to clean the space and may be charged for cleaning, pest treatment, or damages.
9. Health and Safety Inspections: The University shall have the right, but not the obligation, to conduct random health and safety inspections in all residential community spaces.
   1. Staff will conduct semesterly health and safety inspections to support a safe, clean, and well-maintained residential environment. Routine inspections will typically be announced in advance; however, staff may enter residential spaces without advance notice when there is a health, safety, maintenance, facility, or policy concern. Students are responsible for maintaining their assigned spaces in accordance with the Community Living Standards, the housing agreement, the Code of Student Conduct, and university policies. If concerns are identified, students may be required to correct the issue and may be charged or referred to the conduct process when appropriate.
10. Safety and Security: Students should always promote safety and security within their community. Students should immediately report any suspicious person(s) or activities to the Tulane Police Department or appropriate staff.
    1. Building Access: Students are prohibited from propping open or otherwise disabling the latching/locking mechanism of any door to the building and should un-prop any door they find propped open or otherwise unsecured. Students are responsible for ensuring the safety of the community by making sure unrecognized individuals are not tailgating or following into the building.
    2. Room Access: Students must keep their room/apartment door closed and locked when not in the room. Keeping the door closed and locked at all times better ensures the personal safety of the students living in that space.
    3. Emergency Planning: All students must complete or update their Personal Evacuation Plan at the beginning of each academic year via the Housing Portal.
    4. Evacuation Procedures: In the event of a mandatory evacuation, all students must evacuate the building immediately. Housing and Residence Life will provide information about emergency procedures in the case of a mandatory evacuation.
11. Keys, Cards and Access: Room keys, access cards, and electronic credentials issued to students at check-in remain the property of Tulane University and may not be duplicated, exchanged, loaned, or given to another person. Students must report lost or stolen keys, access cards, or Splash Cards immediately to their designated Area Desk or HRL office.
    1. Students must use their Splash Card to access residence halls equipped with electronic card readers ("tap in") each time they enter, regardless of whether the entrance is staffed.
    2. Students are responsible for carrying their room key and Splash Card, securing their room when unattended, and ensuring keys are never left in unsecured locations (e.g., in the lock, under a mat, above a door frame, etc.). Students who temporarily misplace their key or access card may obtain a temporary access card or loaner key from their designated Area Desk.
    3. Lockouts: A lockout occurs when a student requires staff assistance to access their assigned room because they do not have their room key or access card.
       1. Students will not be charged lockout fees during the first seven (7) calendar days of their first semester, beginning on the first day of classes as listed in the Tulane Academic Calendar. This grace period does not apply to lost keys or access cards.
    4. If a student returns a key that was not issued to them, as verified by the key code, the student will be charged $100 for a lock change. Students who duplicate a residence hall key will be charged the cost of changing the room lock and may be referred through the student conduct process.

    5. Charges:

       Item	Fee
       1st Lockout	$25
       2nd Lockout	$50
       3rd Lockout	$100
       4th+ Lockout	$100 + RD meeting
       Lost Room Key	$100
       Lost Access Card	$30
       Wrong Key Returned	$100 lock change

12. Room Changes: Students may change rooms only after first receiving official authorization from Housing and Residence Life. Students who make an unauthorized room change, including within their assigned suite, will incur a charge of $300 and may be required to return to their original assignment. Unauthorized room changes may result in administrative charges, or cancellation of their Housing Agreement.
13. Living with a Vacancy: Students with an unassigned bed space in their room, suite, or apartment must keep the vacant space clean, accessible, and free of personal belongings, as the vacancy may be filled by Housing and Residence Life at any time.
    1. Students may not use, occupy, block, or permit guests to use an unassigned bed space. Students may not engage in behavior intended to discourage, prevent, or interfere with another student being assigned to the vacancy.

Alcohol and Other Drugs

Students living in Tulane University Housing and Residence Life are expected to know and understand the Tulane University Alcohol & Other Drug Policy and the Tulane Tobacco and Smoke Free Campus Policy. It is against policy and illegal for any student under the age of 21 to possess or consume alcohol in residential communities.

1. Alcohol:
   1. Common Areas: Open containers of alcohol are not permitted in public areas, regardless of age. This includes, but is not limited to, lobbies, hallways, stairwells, balconies, walkways, patio/picnic areas, lounges, or the areas immediately surrounding the residential communities.
   2. Suite and Apartment Common Areas: Alcohol and alcohol paraphernalia are not permitted in suite or apartment common areas, such as living rooms and bathrooms, unless all students are of legal drinking age.
   3. Underage Students: Students under the age of 21 who are in proximity to where alcohol is present or being consumed may be subject to conduct processes.
   4. Alcohol Paraphernalia: Students under the age of 21 are not allowed to possess or display empty alcohol containers, such as cans, bottles, branded boxes, decorated bottles, etc.
2. Higher Risk Alcohol Use: Items or behaviors that promote high-risk drinking are not allowed in residential communities. This includes, but is not limited to, kegs, common-source containers, bulk alcohol containers, drinking games, or devices used for rapid alcohol consumption (e.g., funnels, shot skis). These are prohibited in all residential spaces, regardless of a student’s age.
3. Drugs: The unauthorized possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances or illegal drugs is unlawful and not allowed within residential communities. This includes, but is not limited to, cannabis and nitrous oxide gas (“whippets”).
   1. Drug Paraphernalia: any material, product, or item used to create, manufacture, distribute, use, or otherwise manipulate any drug is not allowed within residential communities. Examples of drug paraphernalia includes, but is not limited to, pipes, bongs, vapes, and hookahs.
4. Tobacco: Tulane is a tobacco and smoke-free campus. As such, smoking (cigarettes, cigars, etc.), use of tobacco products (chew, dip, spitless, etc.), and electronic cigarettes and vaporizers are prohibited in all university areas, including but not limited to residential communities, quads, parking lots, and sidewalks. For more information, please refer to the Tobacco & Smoke-Free Campus Policy.
5. Disruptive Behavior: Behavior influenced by alcohol or other substances that disrupt the community, creates a safety concern, or requires staff or emergency response may result in conduct action regardless of a student’s age.
   1. It should be noted that contributing to the delinquency of a juvenile is a felony. This includes furnishing alcohol to a minor or taking a minor to an establishment that serves alcohol.

Spiritual Practices

Housing and Residence Life honors and values the spiritual traditions of our community members. We are committed to cultivating on-campus environments that promote a welcoming, safe, and inclusive climate for all students. In support of our community members, Housing and Residence Life regularly reviews our policies and seeks to assist students in identifying solutions to requests made.

1. Shabbat Keys: Students may request a hard key to their building and/or room while observing Shabbat. Please complete the Shabbat Key Request Form to make your request.
2. Additional Accommodation Request: Students who seek housing accommodations for spiritual practice should reach out to the Housing and Residence Life office (Housing@tulane.edu) to discuss their request.

Please visit the Tulane Code of Student Conduct for information about the University's student conduct expectations and policies.

The university designates certain times as “High Priority Period” such as during move-in, severe weather, and campus emergencies. The consequences will be more severe for violations of the Code of Student Conduct, Community Living Standards, and/or High Priority expectations during the designated time. The conduct process may be expedited and may include a charge of failure to comply. During the conduct process, a finding of responsibility will also include being placed on disciplinary probation at a minimum. Disciplinary Probation may preclude students from serving in a leadership position in a student organization, from participating in sorority or fraternity recruitment or from studying abroad. Also, during this time, the residence hall guest policy may be suspended. As always, students are still expected to abide by the Code of Student Conduct even while off campus.