Dormitory and Annex Regulations

Description

Air Conditioners

Air conditioners are not permitted unless approved as part of an official housing accommodation by the Office of Disability Services.

If an unauthorized air conditioner is discovered, you will be notified and and instructed to remove it by a given re-inspection date. Upon re-inspection, if the air conditioner has not been removed, refer to Fine Schedule for penalty upon discovery.

Medical authorities have determined that air conditioners do not reduce allergens and do not significantly alleviate discomfort from them to merit their installation.  However, HEPA air filters are generally permitted as long as the device is compliant with the University's fire safety policies

Antennae and Satellite Dishes

Antennae and satellite dishes may not be affixed to or placed on or near the outside of any building.

Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty upon discovery.

Fine Schedules

Bunk Beds

If you have University bunk beds in your room or suite, a bed rail and ladder should have been provided. If not, you may request these items for the top bunk. Contact the Facilities Customer Service Center at (609) 258-8000 or submit a request at their website.

Facilities Customer Service Center

Carpet

The following guidelines for installing carpet or rugs must be observed:

  • Carpets must not interfere with the free and full opening of any regular door or second-egress door.
  • No door may be cut or shaved to allow movement over a carpet.
  • Carpets must not be attached to floors.
  • Use of nails, tacks, or glues, or any other method is prohibited.

Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty upon discovery of any of the prohibited conditions indicated.

Fine Schedules

Doors and Screens

Doors and screens may not be removed from their frames. If removed, you will be charged for their reinstallation, replacement or repair.

As the primary means of egress, your room entry door must be recognizable as such at all times; therefore, nothing may be attached to either side of the door.

Your room entry door is fire-rated as required by the NJ State Building Code.

Your room entry door must close and automatically latch, so it does not stay in a partially open position. Propping or wedging the door or disabling the latching mechanism is prohibited. You will receive a warning on the first offense and a $200 fine on any subsequent citation. Tampering with any component of the lock, latch and/or door will result in a restoration charge.

Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty upon discovery of any of the prohibited conditions indicated.

Fine Schedules

Evacuation Placards and Other Safety Signs

An evacuation route placard is attached to the interior side of each room entry door and must be visible at all times. If the placard is altered, destroyed or removed, you will be charged the cost to replace it.

Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty upon discovery of any of the prohibited conditions indicated.

Fine Schedules

Furniture

You may not accept furniture from another dormitory room, and no furniture may be removed from a dormitory room. You are responsible for the loss of or damage to University property provided for your use, including the furniture in your accommodations.

In spaces without a built in closet, a wardrobe is provided and must remain secured to the wall.  Wardrobes are not able to be re-located in the room.

You may request that Facilities remove the mattress, but the bed frame and other pieces must remain in the room. To make this request, please call Facilities at 609.258.8000, or via email at [email protected].

Lofts

Inspections are conducted to ensure compliance with University loft regulations; however, unsafe conditions may not be discovered by an inspection. The University is not responsible for undisclosed violations or for any future violations.

The following loft regulations must be met:

  • Lofts must be freestanding and not attached to the walls, floor, or ceiling.
  • Lofts may not exceed the floor area of the beds they replace (maximum size 4 ft. x 8 ft.). A minimum of one third of the room area air space must be kept clear.
  • You must be able to get out of the loft quickly.
  • Lofts may not obstruct the functioning of windows and must be placed to allow for rapid egress from the room.
  • Wiring may not be attached to a loft.
  • Lofts may not interfere with the functioning of smoke detectors and sprinklers. There must be at least 24 inches of clear space between the device and the loft.
  • Flammable materials such as paneling, tapestries, curtains, posters and fishnet may not be attached to or enclose the loft.
  • Lofts may not be placed near any heat-producing source.
  • Protruding objects such as coat hooks and nails are hazardous and prohibited.
  • When constructing a loft, you should use caution and discretion. You are liable for all damages to the room resulting from the loft.
  • There must be a minimum of two feet between parallel lofts.

Lofts that are in violation of these regulations must be brought into compliance within seven days. The loft is then re-evaluated and if again found to be unacceptable, it is removed at your expense.

Any alterations after the initial inspection must be discussed with the Housing Inspection Office before any revisions are made.

All lofts must be removed at the end of each academic year. Those lofts not removed are considered abandoned and are removed at your expense.

Lofting Guidelines

Makerspace Equipment

Equipment commonly found in makerspaces is prohibited in any residential units. This includes, but is not limited to 3D printers, laser cutters, milling machines, chemical baths, soldering and water jetting devices or any other type of machine shop equipment listed in section II of the University Policy on Undergraduates in Machine Shops.  Additionally, equipment or processes that produce or involve smoke, heat, vapors, particles, fumes or any other hazardous materials are prohibited.

Microfridges

  • If you choose to have a microfridge in your dorm or suite, you are required to rent one through the Princeton Student Agencies Dorm Furnishings Agency. If your microfridge was not rented through the Princeton Student Agencies, you will be asked to remove it by a given date. If the microfridge is not removed, the unauthorized appliance will be confiscated. Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty.
  • Only one microfridge per room or suite is allowed. If more than one is found, you will be asked to remove it by a given date. If the microfridge is not removed, the appliance will be confiscated. Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty.  In addition to one microfridge per suite, each resident is permitted either one refrigerator or one freezer.
  • The microfridge must be plugged directly into a wall electrical outlet. If the microfridge is not plugged directly into a wall electrical outlet,  refer to Fine Schedule for penalty.
  • A room or suite that has a microfridge may not have authorized tea kettles and/or authorized popcorn makers as a precaution against creating an electrical overload. If either is discovered the appliance will be confiscated. Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty. 
  • If an electrical circuit is tripped repeatedly due to a microfridge, the microfridge must be removed. You may exchange the microfridge for a standard refrigerator rental; the pro-rated difference in the rental cost will be refunded.
  • If the negligent use of a microfridge results in repeated nuisance fire alarms,  refer to Fine Schedule for penalty. On the fifth offense, you are subject to disciplinary action which could include confiscation of the microfridge and/or loss of housing. If confiscated, the microfridge may be exchanged for a standard refrigerator rental. The pro-rated difference in the rental cost will be refunded.
  • Remember to practice good housekeeping to limit infestation. Keep all food in sealed containers and immediately clean up after food preparation. Any room that requires extermination attributed to poor housekeeping will be charged for this service.

Princeton Student Agencies Dorm Furnishings Agency

Fine Schedules

Paint

  • Painting and spackling dormitory rooms are not permitted. If you paint your own room, you will be fined and charged the cost for University painters to repaint it. You will not be allowed to or contract with anyone to restore your room to its original paint color.
  • Immediately upon discovery that any portion of a wall has been painted, a $500 fine will be issued to each student account. If one resident accepts sole responsibility for the fine, that resident will be fined $500, not a multiple of $500.
  • The charge to paint the room will be divided among the residents and each student account will be charged. If one student accepts sole responsibility, his/her account will be charged the full amount.
  • Affected areas will be restored after all residents have vacated.

If your room was not painted in the normal painting cycle, you may request that it be painted by contacting the Facilities Customer Service Center at (609) 258-8000 or submitting a service request at their website. Your room will be inspected, and if painting is necessary, a date for the painting will be determined.

Facilities Customer Service Center

Pets

Fish, in tanks that do not exceed ten gallons, may be kept in dormitories and annexes. Other pets are not allowed.

If an unauthorized pet is discovered, refer to Fine Schedule for penalty, and the pet must be removed immediately. The room or suite will be re-inspected within seven days of the citation date. If the pet or evidence of the pet (food, cage, toys, etc.) is discovered, the penalty still applies along with the possibility of the termination of housing.

Students seeking to have an assistance animal because of a documented disability may make a request for Special Needs Housing to the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (Graduate School for grad students) and the Office of Disability Services. Students will be required to provide documentation of the qualifying disability, information about how the animal serves as an accommodation for the disability, and information about how the animal relates to the students ability to use University housing. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Fine Schedules

Refrigerators and Freezers

  • Either one refrigerator or one freezer is allowed per occupant.
  • Refrigerators/freezers must not exceed 5.2 cu. ft.
  • Refrigerators/freezers may not impede the flow of traffic to exits.
  • Damaged or spliced cords and any form of improper wiring are unacceptable. All refrigerator/freezer cords must be of adequate size and capacity. They must be plugged directly into a wall outlet only.
  • Refrigerators/freezers must be maintained in a safe, clean and sanitary condition.
  • Refrigerators/freezers must be located where free air circulation is not restricted. They may not be placed in closets.
  • The condenser should be reasonably clean to allow heat dissipation, and the unit must have an underwriter’s label.
  • Refrigerators/freezers must have functional gaskets and closing mechanisms.
  • Refrigerators/freezers must be capable of maintaining safe temperatures (32˚F to 45˚F for refrigeration and -10˚F to 0˚F for freezing).
  • Refrigerators/freezers for room or suite use may not be placed in public areas such as corridors, lounges and kitchens.
  • All refrigerators/freezers are inspected throughout the academic year. For any violations found refer to Fine Schedule for penalty.
  • Microfridges may only be rented through the Princeton Student Agencies.
  • Kegerators  and beer tenders are prohibited.

NOTE: If you decide to discard your refrigerator or freezer, you must remove the door.

Fine Schedules

Princeton Student Agencies

Room Decorations

Wall hangings

Pictures, calendars, posters, wall hangings and other decorations may be placed on walls if they are hung vertically and are at least 18 inches from any heat source. Nothing may be hung from or attached to the ceiling. Tapestries, posters, fabric items, or light strings may not be draped from walls but must be fastened to them.

All posters must be mounted firmly; however, tape and two-sided adhesives may not be used. Only approved poster mounts may be used. The use of any adhesive that is not fully removed results in a charge for its removal and the painting of the entire wall affected.

You should contact the Housing Inspection Office before attempting to hang a heavy object. If a wall is damaged, the cost of repair and repainting will be divided among the residents and each student account will be charged.

Flammable items

Alcohol lamps, oil lamps, fireworks, flammable or combustible materials such as gasoline, kerosene, propane, lighter fluid, charcoal products, or similar substances are not permitted in any student housing unit.

Candles and incense are not permitted in any undergraduate or graduate dormitory or annex. If discovered, these items will be confiscated and disposed of immediately. Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty.

If a candle cannot be easily removed from its holder, container or receptacle, all parts will be confiscated and disposed of.

If unattended lit items are discovered, these items will be extinguished, confiscated, and disposed of immediately. Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty.

Furniture placement

Furniture should not be placed near any heat source or light fixture.

Fine Schedules

Room Personalization

The physical configuration of dormitories may not be altered. Many room modifications are prohibited because of fire safety regulations. You should read the following guidelines before personalizing your room:

  • Cork panels, mirror tiles, and two-sided stickums are specifically prohibited.
  • Dartboards must be mounted and backed properly so that errant darts do not damage walls. Dartboards may not be hung on doors.
  • Waterbeds are not permitted.
  • Ceiling fans, ceiling light fixtures, track lighting, dimmer switches, and modified wall receptacles are not permitted.
  • Hot tubs and portable swimming or soaking pools are not permitted.
  • Break-glass enclosures on second-egress doors provide security for adjoining rooms. They may be removed by University carpenters only, and the mutual consent of the occupants of any adjoining rooms is required. The maintenance labor charge for removal and reinstallation is $50.00. Call the Housing Inspection Office at (609) 258-3435 for authorization.
  • Walls may not be paneled or wallpapered.
  • Nothing may be affixed to either side of egress doors (room entry door).
  • Chin-up bars may not be installed in any room or closet doorway.

Smoke Machines

Smoke Machines or similar devices are not permitted in dormitories and/or annexes.  If discovered, the item will be confiscated. Please refer to Fine Schedule for penalty. 

Fine Schedules

White Boards and Bulletin Boards

White boards

In most dormitories, white boards have been hung next to each room entry door, and in such cases no other white, message or bulletin board may be installed.

If your room does not have a white board, you may install one that measures 10 in. x 12 in. or less. White or message boards with cork, foam or rubber surrounds are not permitted.

Bulletin boards

Bulletin boards substantially increase fire loads and are prohibited except where installed by the University. Where possible, the University has installed a bulletin board next to every permanent Residential College Advisor and Dormitory Assistant room and at each dormitory entry.