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The Policies and Expectations in this section apply to all residents and guests of buildings operated by the Office of Housing and Residence Life. These policies and expectations are designed and intended to promote safe, inclusive, respectful and academically supportive residential living communities. To that end, living on campus helps students learn to live alongside one another and contribute positively to their community and develop life skills for the community outside of the residence halls.
Members of the Gonzaga community share responsibility for maintaining these standards and holding one another accountable. Violations of these policies can impact members of the campus community and affect their ability to live and learn comfortably in the residence halls. Failure to uphold these policies may result in a referral to Housing and Residence Life staff, the Resolution Center for Student Conduct and Conflict, Campus Security and Public Safety or other offices as appropriate.
A. Absences: When residents have prolonged and unannounced absences from their rooms, it may be investigated by residence hall staff or Campus Security and Public Safety officers to ensure that residents are safe. This may involve room entry, contacting emergency contacts, roommates, or reporting the situation to the local police department.
B. Animals in Residential Facilities: Non-approved animals are not permitted in residence halls, except for harmless, non-aggressive, and non-poisonous fish in an aquarium, not to exceed five-gallon capacity per room. This includes off-campus apartments and houses rented from Gonzaga. Students are encouraged to notify the University’s Disabilities Access prior to bringing a Service Animal into University Housing so appropriate residential arrangements may be considered. Emotional Support Animals (“ESA”) (also called assistance animals) are not allowed in the residence hall until approved as an accommodation through Disability Access office. ESA’s are not permitted to be brought to campus until such approval occurs.
The presence of animals within University Housing can pose serious health, safety and maintenance concerns. In addition to direct damage caused by animals, many students suffer from allergies to various animals. Students owning or hosting unauthorized animals will be subjected to a $500.00 fine and the matter may be referred to the Resolution Center for Conduct and Conflict for review and adjudication.
C. Balconies: Balconies are available in select University residential buildings. The university has the right to restrict or suspend access to any balcony at its sole discretion for safety, maintenance, remodeling, construction, or student conduct purposes. Any activity that compromises the safety of individuals or the structural integrity of the building is strictly prohibited.
Accepted Uses for Balconies - the following items may be utilized on balconies:
- Freestanding chairs, tables, and similar furniture items that can easily sit on the floor of a balcony.
- String lights, light holiday signage, and other generic decorations that are compliant with applicable fire codes.
Prohibited Uses for Balconies - the following items and behaviors are prohibited:
- Smoking or Vaping
- Hanging or attaching items to balcony railing, ceiling, walls or floors
- Hammocks, swings, recreational hanging furniture, and heavy hanging planters
- Banners, flags, posters, and similar displays hung or displayed on balconies
- Throwing items from balconies
- Disorderly conduct including climbing, hanging from railings or jumping on balconies; and
- Any activity that compromises personal safety or the structural integrity of the building.
D. Cameras: University owned cameras are installed throughout common areas of residential facilities. Tampering with, damaging or destroying University owned cameras or surveillance devices, including, but not limited to Ring Cameras, Amazon Blink Cameras, Google Nest Cameras, or similar cameras are not permitted inside or outside of residential rooms unless specifically approved by Housing and Residence Life. Exceptions may be made for Gonzaga owned off-campus property residents by sending a written request to Housing and Residence Life.
E. Disruptive Behavior: Behavior or other conduct that disrupts the residential community or threatens the safety or emotional well-being of others in the residential community is prohibited. Examples included but are not limited to:
- Loud or boisterous conduct that interferes with the living or learning environment,
- Intentional damage to university or personal property,
- Running through hallways or common areas in a manner that creates excessive noise or impacts the safety of those around,
- Leaving trash, spills, or bodily fluids in common areas or hallways. This includes anything from discarded food containers and overflowing waste bins to spilled drinks or vomit,
- Offensive personal hygiene odors that are persistent and noticeable, that negatively impact the shared environment. This refers to an extreme lack of personal care that goes beyond typical body odors.
- Physical violence or conduct that creates a risk of physical or emotional harm; and,
- Indoor sports or games involving running, kicking throwing, propelling or striking objects.
F. Entry, Search, and Confiscation: The provisions of this section apply to all University apply to residents and guests.
1. Entry, University Official - University Officials may enter residential spaces for a number of reasons, including but not limited to:
- To ensure that health and/or safety standards are being met, this includes safety inspections during break periods;
- For purposes of maintenance, repair, construction, or inventory;
- When there exists reasonable suspicion that a violation of University policy or law is being committed, or has been committed; and/or that a delay in such entry would endanger the health and safety of the resident, residential community or property, or result in the probable destruction of material relating to the violation;
- Concern for the immediate physical and/or emotional health and well-being of a resident or guest.
Whenever practical, notice of intent to enter a room or property will be given to the resident in advance. Advance notice may not be possible during emergencies or other exigent circumstances.
2. Entry and Search - University officials may enter a room or property and conduct a subsequent search of that room when reasonable suspicion exist that a violation of University policy has occurred or is occurring, and a delay would jeopardize safety, property or the preservation of relevant evidence of the resident, residential community, and/or result in the probable destruction of material relating to the violation.
3. Confiscation of Items - University officials may remove or confiscate prohibited, dangerous, illegal or items that violate University policy located within residential facilities. The University may confiscate, retain, and dispose (at any time) of any and all illegal, dangerous, or prohibited items, at its discretion regardless of value or ownership. Return of confiscated property is not guaranteed and may occur only with approval from Housing and Residence Life Staff. Request for the return of confiscated property must be submitted in writing to Housing and Residence Life.
G. Fire Escapes: Students are prohibited from loitering upon, or conducting any activity on or from, a fire escape or fire escape platform.
H. Fire/Smoke Detection Equipment: All University residences are equipped with fire and/or smoke detectors, many of which operate using batteries as a primary or back-up source of power. Students must maintain their fire/smoke detectors in working order and must promptly report any malfunctioning fire or smoke detector, including failing batteries, to Plant Services (509-313-5656). Tampering with, disabling, obstructing or otherwise interfering with fire safety equipment is prohibited and may result in a referral to the Resolution Center for Student Conduct and Conflict.
I. Guests and Overnight Visitors: Guests may include Gonzaga students, personal friends, family, ‘friends of friends’, acquaintances, or other individuals invited by a resident.
1. All occupants of a room, suite, apartment, or house must consent to the presence of guests in the space. A resident's right to privacy takes precedence over another roommate’s right to host a guest in the room, suite, or apartment.
2. Guests must remain with their host while in University Housing and must be escorted by the resident they are visiting, whether inside the room or in a common area. Guests found to be without an escort may be required to leave the building immediately.
3. Residents are responsible for the conduct of their guests and residents may be held accountable for their guest’s misconduct.
4. Guests are permitted in residential facilities between 9:00 AM and 2:00 AM. Overnight guests are not permitted on campus unless specifically authorized by Housing and Residence Life for University sanctioned programs such as Admission visit days and similar programs.
5. Gonzaga University reserves the right to restrict guest access at any time.
J. Health and Safety Standards Policy: Residents are expected to maintain their living space in clean, sanitary and safe conditions. Litter, trash, garbage and food remnants foster rodent and insect infestation, which in turn can lead to contamination of food products, disease, decay, and disintegration of carpet and property. Housing and Residence Life may require immediate remediation of health and safety concerns.
Failure to maintain health and safety standards may result in the following:
- University Officials may require residents to clean or correct the health and concerns within the premise at any time under this policy, within twelve (12) hours as a condition of their Living Agreement with the University. University Officials are entitled to require immediate cleanup if warranted.
- Any space that has a noxious odor must be cleaned immediately.
- Repeated or significant violations may result in cleaning charges, damage assessment, additional inspections or conduct action.
K. Joint Responsibility for Shared Spaces: Residents who share common spaces in apartments and suites including bathrooms, living rooms, hallways, kitchens and jointly-held storage space, will be held jointly accountable for violations, excessive cleaning charges, damage or prohibited items found in those areas.
L. Laundry Facilities: Laundry facilities are provided for residents are located throughout residence halls. Residents may use laundry facilities at their own risk. Residents are expected to actively attend to their laundry while using laundry facilities and must promptly remove items in a time manner after cycles are completed. Residents are encouraged to submit service requests for broken or damaged machines via posted instructions on or near laundry machines. If issues persist after initiating a service request, contact Housing and Residence Life for further assistance.
The University is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged items. Residents should report any suspected theft to Campus Security and Public Safety. Residents are encouraged to file any lost, stolen or damaged items on their personal renters' insurance.
M. Personal Items and Prohibited Property: A primary concern of the University is student safety. Residents may not possess or use items that present a safety, fire, maintenance or community risk. While it is impossible to create a complete list of prohibited items, the following items are prohibited from campus:
- Gas and Charcoal Grills (The University may provide barbeques at individual residence halls and apartment facilities. Electric BBQs/grills are permitted so long as they do not generate an open flame.)
- Candles, incense, potpourri burners, sterno cans, or other open flame devices that produce, contain, or conduct a continuous open flame.
- Fire pits and campfires without pre-approval by Housing and Residence Life.
- Fireworks
- Gasoline, propane, butane, charcoal, and similar flammable materials
- Gas-operated camping equipment
- Torches or open coil heating devices
- Space heaters
- Halogen lamps
- Personal Electric Vehicles: E-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards, hover boards, and similar electric vehicles are not permitted to be stored or charged inside of residential facilities. Personal electronic vehicles and batteries can be stored outside of buildings on bike racks or in bike lockers located throughout campus. Individuals that use personal electronic vehicles for mobility needs such as motorized wheelchairs are encouraged to notify the Office of Disability Access so appropriate arrangements can be made.
- Refrigerators: If a student chooses to furnish their own refrigerator, personally owned refrigerators must
1. Draw no electricity in excess of 0.5 amp.
2. Be located in an open ventilated space. They may not be located in a closet.
3. Be plugged directly into a wall outlet. They may not be plugged into extension cords.
4. Be emptied during the semester break of perishable items to prevent spoilage over the extended break.
- Cooking appliances/hardware: In traditional-style and suite-style housing, cooking appliances such as air fryers, instant pots, rice cookers, crockpots, toaster ovens, hot plates, and similar devices are prohibited. If students have a question about a specific device, please contact Housing and Residence Life.
Students wishing to cook meals should utilize community kitchens, where there will be access to ovens and microwaves.
- Decorations: Residents may not
1. Attach items to any walls in a way that will cause any permanent damage;
2. Install items on the exterior of their assigned space, including but not limited to wires, signs, video doorbells, or string lights;
3. Display posters, banners, or signs on any outward facing window; or
4. Posses a live Christmas tree.
- Air Conditioning Units: Individual air conditioning units, including freestanding and portable windo-mounted air conditions units, are prohibited unless approved by Disability Access. Should accommodation be approved, Housing and Residence Life will work with appropriate campus partners to provide and install an appropriate AC unit or device on a case-by-case basis. Box fans are permitted to be placed on windowsills as long as window screens remain installed
Traditional-Style Housing - Permitted Items
- Small Appliances, including popcorn makers, microwaves, hair dryers, and irons.
- Small personal potted plants not to exceed more than a 6-inch diameter pot.
All rules for traditional- and suite-style housing apply to apartment-style housing, except for the following:
- Students living in apartment-style housing may use cooking appliances normally associated with kitchen use, including air fryers, instant pots, rice cookers, crockpots, toaster ovens, hot plates, and others.
- Knives used for food preparation whose blades exceed 3 inches are allowed in apartment-style housing but must be kept and stored in the kitchen area.
N. Possession of Common Area Property: The University procures and provides property for the shared use of all students within common areas and such property must remain in its designated location. Common area property may include, but is not limited to: furniture, fixtures, games and recreation equipment, signage, and vacuums.
Prohibited conduct regarding common-area property includes:
- Removing common-area furniture, fixtures or equipment out of the common area and into a room, suite, apartment or undesignated area;
- Possessing university-owned recreation equipment without authorization;
- Possessing property belonging to another individual without permission; and
- Using or removing university property for personal use.
Theft of another person's property, campus property, or community property is prohibited. Using or taking another person's property without permission will be considered theft and will be referred to the student conduct process.
O. Sales and Solicitation: Sale, solicitation and commercial activity is prohibited within University Housing unless approved by the Office of Housing & Residence Life. Solicitation is defined as any activity that seeks to contact residents to collect information, sell items or provide a personal service, or gain support. Solicitation activities include, but are not limited to:
- Advertising
- Selling goods or services
- Petitioning
- Campaigning
- Distributing Fliers
- Product Promotions
- Organizational recruitment- Providing personal services (i.e. cutting hair or nails, tattooing)
- Surveying residents by telephone, mail, email, or in-person
P. Unauthorized Entry or Use of Space: Students may not enter, access or use any space without authorization. This includes another person’s room or an unoccupied space without even if unlocked.
Prohibited conduct includes:
- Entering another person's room or assigned space without permission;
- Accessing restricted university areas, offices, construction sites, roofs, or other secured spaces
- Accessing, loitering in, or using fire escapes for situations not deemed an emergency
- Accessing or using vacant or unassigned residential spaces;
- Climbing university buildings or structures;- Tampering with locks;- Possessing, duplicating, or using university keys or access credentials without authorization; and
- Unauthorized use of university-owned furniture or property.
Q. Quiet and Courtesy Hours: Courtesy hours are in effect for all University residential facilities. Residents are expected to maintain noise levels that do not interfere with others’ ability to study, sleep or enjoy their living environment. All students are required to immediately stop making noise if requested to do so by any other individual, at any time of the day or night.
Quiet Hours are in effect:
- Weekly during the semester, Sunday through Saturday, from 11:00PM to 9:00AM
- Daily during Finals Periods, from 7:00PM to 11:00AM and 1:00PM to 5:00PM. Finals periods are defined as the reading day and the weekend prior to finals through residence hall closing. Students are expected to take this time seriously and focus on academics. In consideration of fellow students, we expect quiet hours to be strictly adhered to.
During quiet hours, it is expected that:
- Noise must remain within an individual's living space.
- Doors should be closed if television, music, or other amplified sound is present.
- Noise should not be audible in neighboring rooms that share common walls, ceilings, and floors.
- Common area noise must be kept at a level that will not disturb others.
Residents must comply with reasonable requests to reduce noise. Housing and Residence Life and Campus Security and Public Safety may address excessive noise in residential facilities prior to a complaint being received.
Quiet and courtesy hour violations may be referred to the Resolution Center for Student Conduct and Conflict for review.
P. Windows/Window Screens: Window screens may not be loosened, removed or altered for any reason. If your screen comes loose by itself or is damaged, you must submit a work order with Plant Services to have it repaired. Residents may not:
- Throw objects from windows
- Sit on exterior window ledges
- Enter or exit through windows except during emergencies
- Display banners, flags, posters, or other items outside of windows or facing outward.
Residents may be charged for damaged or missing screens and may be referred to the Resolution Center for Conflict and Conduct for review of safety related violations.
S. Vacancies and Room Assignments
Initial room assignments for incoming 1st year students, returning 2nd year students, and upper division students take place during their respective housing selection windows. The University reserves the right to assign or reassign residents to available spaces at any time.
Residents occupying rooms with vacant beds must keep the space and associated furnishings free to be available for immediate occupancy.
Residents may not discourage or interfere with another student’s assignment to or occupancy of a vacant space. When possible, Housing and Residence Life will notify residents before a new roommate is assigned.