Policies and Procedures

Penn College is a dry campus. Alcohol is prohibited within all College housing regardless of a resident's age. In support of this expectation, residents may not, including but not limited to:

1. Possess empty alcohol containers.
2. Display decorative alcohol containers.
3. Install or maintain bars or drinking game equipment.
4. Be present in rooms where prohibited alcohol or drugs are being used.

1. Propping open secured doors or compromising building security. 
2. Unauthorized duplication, sharing, lending, or misuse of keys, ID cards, or access credentials. 

Residents are responsible for the actions and behavior of their guests.

1. Failure to properly register overnight guests. 
2. Hosting unapproved overnight guests. 
3. Allowing a guest to violate College policy. 
4. Failure to escort guests when required. 
5. Providing building access to unauthorized individuals. 
6. Permitting a guest to reside in housing beyond visitation limits. 

1. Excessive noise or repeated violation of quiet hours.
2. Interference with the sleep, study, or living environment of others.
3. Large gatherings that create safety concerns or disrupt the community.
4. Repeated policy violations impacting the residential environment.

Residence halls are shared living environments where residents are expected to respect the privacy and dignity of others.
The following are prohibited, including but not limited to:

1. Recording, photographing, livestreaming, or otherwise capturing another individual in a location where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy without their knowledge or consent.
2. Installing or using cameras, recording devices, or other surveillance equipment within residential facilities in a manner that infringes upon the privacy of others or violates College policy.
3. Sharing, posting, or distributing photographs, video recordings, audio recordings, or livestreams that violate an individual's privacy, disrupt the residential community, or are otherwise inconsistent with College policy.
4. Recording Residence Life staff or College officials during the performance of their official duties in a manner that interferes with the performance of those duties or violates applicable law or College policy.

Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit lawful recordings or activities protected by applicable law.

1. Failure to maintain a reasonably clean and sanitary living environment. 
2. Accumulation of trash that creates health or safety concerns. 
3. Conditions resulting in pests, mold, odors, or sanitation concerns. 
4. Improper storage of food. 
5. Evidence of rotting food.
6. Actions that negatively impact shared community spaces. 
7. Failure to correct identified health and safety violations. 
8. Unauthorized storage of College furniture or property. 

1. Possession of unauthorized pets or animals.
2. Failure to comply with approved Service Animal or Emotional Support Animal requirements.
3.  Animal behavior that creates health, safety, or community concern.

Residence Life prohibits the possession, storage, charging, use, or installation of items that present a fire, life safety, health, environmental, sanitation, security, or operational concern within College housing.

Residents may not store items that present a fire, safety, health, environmental, sanitation, or operational concern, regardless of whether the item is actively being used.

The following items are prohibited in campus housing, including but not limited to:

1. Fire Safety Hazards
   • Candles
   • Incense
   • Oil lamps
   • Open-flame devices
   •  Space heaters
   • Halogen lamps
   • Fog machines
2. Electrical Hazards
   • Unauthorized extension cords
   • Daisy-chained power strips
   • Modified electrical devices
3. Hazardous Materials
   • Gasoline
   • Propane tanks
   • Lighter fluid
   • Explosives
   • Fireworks
   • Hazardous chemicals
4. Other Prohibited Items
   • Waterbeds
   • Items determined by Residence Life to pose a safety or operational concern
   • Weapons prohibited by College policy
      

Penn College is committed to providing a healthy living and learning environment. Smoking and tobacco-related products may only be used in designated areas consistent with College policy.

The following are prohibited within residence halls, apartments, suites, individual rooms, common areas, stairwells, entrances, and other residential facilities:

1. Smoking cigarettes, cigars, pipes, or similar products
2. Use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes)
3. Vaping or use of electronic nicotine delivery systems
4. Use of hookahs or similar devices
5. Burning tobacco, cannabis, or any smoking substance
6. Improper disposal of smoking materials

Due to the fire and life safety risks associated with rechargeable battery systems, the possession, storage, charging, or use of battery-powered mobility devices and high-capacity rechargeable batteries is prohibited within residence halls, apartments, suites, and other residential facilities, except as approved through Disability and Access Resources or otherwise authorized by the College.

Prohibited items include, but are not limited to:

• Electric bicycles (e-bikes)
• Electric scooters (e-scooters)
• Hoverboards
• Electric skateboards
• One-wheel devices
• Electric unicycles
• Battery-powered mopeds or similar personal transportation devices
• Remote-controlled (RC) vehicles utilizing high-capacity rechargeable battery packs
• Spare or replacement rechargeable battery packs designed for the above devices
• Lithium-ion, lithium polymer (LiPo), lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), or other high-capacity rechargeable batteries intended to power transportation, recreational, or hobby devices
• Drones, including their batteries, may not be stored, charged, or operated within residential facilities

Residents may not charge, store, repair, modify, or dispose of these devices or battery systems within College housing.
This prohibition does not apply to batteries contained within or intended for normal consumer electronics such as laptops, cellular phones, tablets, smart watches, cameras, portable gaming systems, or other devices approved by the College for residential use.

Residence Life reserves the right to prohibit any battery-powered device or rechargeable battery system that presents a fire, explosion, electrical, operational, or safety risk to the residential community, regardless of whether it is specifically identified in this policy.

Residence hall spaces are assigned by Residence Life and may only be occupied by authorized residents.
The following are prohibited:

1. Occupying a room or apartment without an official assignment
2. Allowing another person to reside in a room without authorization
3. Room swapping without Residence Life approval
4. Unauthorized use of vacant spaces
5. Providing room access to individuals not assigned to the space
6. Misrepresenting occupancy status or roommate arrangements
7. Exceeding approved guest visitation limits in a manner that constitutes residency

Cooking equipment and appliances may be restricted due to fire safety concerns and facility limitations. Cooking is prohibited in bedrooms, bathrooms, hallways, and any location not specifically designed or approved for food preparation.

The following are prohibited, including but not limited:

• Toaster ovens
• Deep fryers
• Indoor grills
• Appliances utilizing propane, butane, or open flames
• Air fryers
• Hot plates with no automatic shutoff
• Open-coil appliances
• Rice cookers
• Instant Pots, pressure cookers, or similar appliances (if not approved for the facility)
• Any appliance that creates a fire hazard or exceeds electrical capacity limits
• Large indoor appliances not supplied by the College

Windows, roofs, and exterior building features are designed for safety and emergency purposes and must be used appropriately.
The following are prohibited:

1. Entering or exiting buildings through windows except during emergencies
2. Removing or damaging window locking mechanisms and/or screens
3. Throwing, dropping, or projecting items from windows, rooftops, or elevated locations
4. Sitting, standing, climbing, or hanging from windows, ledges, railings, or balconies
5. Accessing roofs or other restricted exterior areas
6. Hanging objects, banners, flags, lights, or decorations from exterior windows without approval

Residents are expected to engage in recreational activities in a manner that does not endanger others or damage facilities.
The following are prohibited within residence halls and residential facilities:

1. Playing sports in hallways, stairwells, lounges, or other interior spaces
2. Throwing balls, frisbees, or projectiles inside buildings
3. Use of skateboards, scooters, roller skates, roller blades, hoverboards, or similar devices inside residential facilities
4. Use of Nerf guns, gel blasters, airsoft devices, slingshots, or projectile devices
5. Horseplay, wrestling, roughhousing, or dangerous physical activity
6. Activities that create excessive noise or disruption
7. Activities resulting in actual or potential property damage

Residents are expected to store and use bicycles and other personal transportation devices in a manner that protects the safety of the residential community and prevents damage to College property.

The following are prohibited, including but not limited to:

1. Storing bicycles, scooters, skateboards, or other personal transportation devices in hallways, stairwells, corridors, entryways, or other common areas where they may obstruct exits or emergency egress
2. Securing bicycles or other transportation devices to handrails, exit signs, fire equipment, trees, light poles, or other College property not designated for bicycle storage
3. Riding bicycles, skateboards, scooters, roller skates, roller blades, or similar devices within residence halls or other residential buildings
4. Repairing, modifying, or maintaining bicycles or other personal transportation devices within residence halls when such activities create noise, odors, grease, debris, safety hazards, or damage to College property
5. Bringing excessively dirty or contaminated bicycles or transportation devices into residential facilities

Residents are encouraged to utilize designated bicycle racks, storage areas, and appropriate outdoor locations for parking, storage, and maintenance.

Residents are encouraged to personalize their living spaces within established guidelines.

The following are prohibited:

1. Altering, damaging, or permanently modifying College property
2. Painting walls, ceilings, floors, furniture, or fixtures
3. Installing unauthorized locks, shelving, lofts, partitions, exercise equipment, or structures
4. Decorating in a manner that blocks exits, pathways, or safety equipment

Residence Life reserves the right to require removal of decorations or modifications that present safety, operational, or community concerns.

Residence halls are intended for residential living and are not designed to serve as laboratories, workshops, repair facilities, or project spaces. Residents may not perform activities or store materials that create health, safety, environmental, fire, odor, or operational concerns.

Prohibited items and activities including but not limited to coursework, personal projects, fabrication include, but are not limited to:

1. Performing maintenance, repair, fabrication, modification, or assembly of motor vehicles, motorcycles, diesel equipment, heavy equipment, trailers, or other machinery within or adjacent to residential facilities
2. Bringing into residence halls vehicle engines, transmissions, differentials, fuel systems, exhaust systems, radiators, batteries, tires, wheels, body panels, axles, brake components, suspension components, drive shafts, or other mechanical parts that are oily, greasy, hazardous, excessively heavy, or create health or safety concerns
3.  Storage or use of automotive, diesel, aviation, power sports, or industrial equipment, components, or machinery not intended for residential use
4. Storage or use of automotive fluids or hazardous materials, including but not limited to gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, antifreeze, solvents, lubricants, paints, adhesives, fuel additives, compressed gases, or similar products
5. Performing activities that generate excessive noise, vibration, dust, fumes, sparks, smoke, odors, or hazardous waste
6. Operation of engines, motors, compressors, generators, welding equipment, cutting equipment, grinders, spray equipment, or similar machinery within or adjacent to residential facilities
7. Storage of materials or equipment that may damage College property or interfere with the health, safety, comfort, or quiet enjoyment of other residents

Residence Life reserves the right to require the immediate removal of any item or discontinue any activity determined to present a health, safety, environmental, operational, or community concern, regardless of whether it is specifically identified in this policy

Students should utilize designated academic laboratories, instructional spaces, and campus shop facilities for coursework, projects, fabrication, maintenance, and repair activities.

Residence halls are intended to support students' residential and academic experience and are not intended to serve as commercial business locations.

The following are prohibited, including but not limited to:

1. Operating or advertising a business from a residence hall room, apartment, or common area in a manner that disrupts the residential community or interferes with College operations
2. Conducting commercial activities that result in excessive visitors, deliveries, noise, odors, traffic, or storage of inventory, equipment, or materials
3. Performing services for compensation within residence halls, including but not limited to automotive repair, welding, fabrication, barbering, hairstyling, tattooing, body piercing, pet grooming, or similar services
4. Manufacturing, assembling, repairing, or storing products or materials associated with commercial operations within residential facilities
5. Using College housing as a shipping, receiving, distribution, or inventory location for commercial purposes.
   Nothing in this policy is intended to prohibit students from participating in lawful online commerce, freelance work, or other entrepreneurial activities that do not create health, safety, operational, or community concerns or otherwise violate College policy