Community Standards

Information about posting flyers and posters in our residence halls and apartments is located on our advertising in communities page. All use of posters, exterior painting and chalking and temporary outdoor signage must follow the University Regulation.

The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in the common areas of University Housing facilities, including, but not limited to, hallways, stairwells, elevators, balconies, lounges and courtyards.

Collection or display of alcohol containers (including but not limited to bottles, empty kegs, and cans) will not be permitted in resident rooms, suites or apartments.

For those 21 years or older, the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages is permitted in one’s own room or the room of another person who is of legal drinking age with the consent of the other person. Possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages by those 21 and older is prohibited in the rooms/apartments and shared living spaces of persons under the age of 21. Residents of legal drinking age who choose to consume alcohol must dispose of their empty alcohol containers in a way that does not impede the cleanliness of the space.

Please reference the University alcohol policy for University regulations.

Pets are not permitted in any residential buildings with the exception of fish. Fish must be in properly maintained, clean aquariums; aquariums are not to exceed ten gallons total capacity per person per room. If a pet is found in a residential facility, the animal must be removed and the resident is responsible for all damages the animal may have caused.

University Housing permits assistance animals that receive prior approval.

Space outside the interior of one’s assigned room is considered common space and is maintained by University Housing.

• Signs, decorations, or other materials are not permitted on common space walls, the exterior of windows, or common access doors, such as suite doors. Residents may post signs or decorations on their own room doors using non-damaging adhesive.
• Furniture and appliances in common space are provided for the comfort and convenience of all residents and must remain in the common space.
• Personal items cannot be left, kept or stored in a common space, including lounges, community kitchens, suite lounges, laundry rooms, bathrooms, etc.
• Because of safety concerns, all common areas must be kept free from clutter and objects (bicycles, trash cans, boxes, etc.) that could interfere with a passage from the building during an emergency.
• Common spaces are provided to support the residential community experience and should be utilized in the manner intended. These spaces are not intended for sleeping locations.

Residents who are alleged to have caused damage within the residential communities, including but not limited to residential furnishings, bulletin boards, exposed pipes, structures or equipment, will be referred through the conduct process for vandalism of state property. Residents found responsible will be charged the appropriate labor and material for the expenses incurred. Charges for loss or damages, which cannot be assessed to a particular individual, will be charged to the responsible residential unit (floor, suite or apartment).

Out of consideration for others and because of the potential damage to people and property, the following behaviors are prohibited:

• Throwing or dropping any objects from a balcony, breezeway, window, or roof;
• Engaging in sports or sports-related activities within the residence halls (football, frisbee throwing, golf, skateboarding, biking, soccer etc.).
• Interfering/tampering with residence hall security equipment.
• This also includes any damages, or vandalism done to or within residential elevators.

Possession in a residential space of street signs or any university-owned signs (yard signs, parking signs, etc.), traffic/construction directive signs, and/or barricades from University property and city, county or state property constitutes theft. University Housing staff who see these items in your space will either ask the resident to take the items to NC State Transportation and/or will notify Campus Police of the possession of these items. Failure to return the signs will result in a disciplinary referral.

Residential buildings are equipped with building and fire code compliant smoke detection and fire suppression systems that report to a UL listed alarm monitoring station at the University Police Department. Life Safety systems are tested and maintained according to NC Fire Code and NFPA standards at the required intervals.
Emergency evacuation drills are conducted twice each semester to give residents practice in responding to an alarm and to meet US Dept. of Education requirements.

Residents involved in any of the following behaviors are subject to disciplinary action:

• Setting a fire
• Covering a smoke detector or sprinkler
• Possessing or using flammable or highly combustible materials
• Tampering with or misusing (whether accidental or intentional) any fire or safety equipment
• Failure to vacate the building when a fire alarm sounds

Residents are asked to report all problems concerning fire and safety equipment to a University Housing staff member immediately. Because of the danger to the safety of the residential community, residents who falsely report a fire, bomb threat, or serious injury or activate a fire alarm when no fire is evident are subject to disciplinary action.
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University Housing conducts health and safety inspections of all residential spaces each semester. The inspections will include a check of potential fire hazards, prohibited items, and cleanliness of spaces. Violations should be corrected within a 24-hour period and follow-up inspections will be conducted to determine if corrective action has been taken.

Accredited 3rd Party certified per product packaging coffee makers, popcorn poppers, induction cooking surfaces, Instapots, microwave ovens, toaster ovens and air fryers may be used in resident rooms or apartments. Residents are permitted kitchen knives for the purpose of cooking and food preparation only.

University Housekeeping, a department within NC State Facilities Divison, is responsible for the ongoing cleaning and appearance of all residence hall and apartment public areas, such as lounges, halls, suite and corridor bathrooms, and stairwells.

Community Bathrooms: Residents who live in buildings with hall or suite bathrooms must store the following items in their room to assist with the cleaning schedule of our housekeepers: soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, and other personal items.

Deep Cleaning: Residents who live in Wolf Village, Wolf Ridge, and University Towers will receive deep cleaning annually for the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms in each apartment. Residents will receive prior notification of when deep cleaning will occur and how to prepare their spaces.

Cleanliness of assigned living space: It is the responsibility of residents to keep their living space clean and free from waste. Trash, food containers, and unsanitary situations can attract pests as well as create unpleasant living situations for the community; such items should not be stored in excess within the room/apartment. Residents are also responsible for placing their trash in the nearest dumpster and recycling items in the nearest outdoor recycle bin. Storing trash along breezeways or hallways is not permitted. Dishes should be cleaned and stored in your assigned room or apartment to avoid unwanted pests. Residents should dispose of their property at their community’s designated dumpster area. Trash should not be thrown away in the following areas: bathroom, left in the trash chute room, etc.).

During times of high volume traffic or renovations, the trash disposal locations may change. Please reference University Housing communication on proper trash disposal locations.

• Lock your door whenever you leave your room or apartment, and carry your keys at all times.
• Do not prop open exterior doors. If you discover that an exterior door is propped open, shut it or seek assistance from a staff member if the door is not closing appropriately.
• Do not allow individuals into residence halls or apartments unless they are your guest.
• Do not give your key(s) and/or access devices (e.g. ID cards, building fobs, etc.) to anyone else.
• Duplicating, borrowing or the lending of room or building keys or access devices are prohibited.
• Do not prop open any exterior doors and doors with card readers including, but not limited to, stairwells, lounges, and points of egress. Residents must not tamper with the locking devices on any door whether room, suite, or exterior.
• Do not allow individuals into residence halls or apartments unless they are your guest.

Residents of University Housing give NC State permission to record their participation and appearance on videotape, audiotape, film photograph or any other medium; use the resident’s name, likeness, voice and biographical material in connection with such recordings; exhibit or distribute such recordings in whole or in part without restrictions or limitation for any legal purpose, including educational or promotional purposes, which NC State deems appropriate. NC State can copyright images and recordings in its own name to publish, to market, and to assign without consideration, compensation or report to the resident.

• Appliances
  • Heaters
  • Air conditioners
  • Refrigerator/freezers
  • Washing machines/dryers
  • Dishwashers
  • Bidets
• Cooking Related
  • Burners or hot plates
  • Toasters (allowed in apartments only)
• Lighting and Electrical
  • Extension cords
  • Lava lamps
  • Ceiling fans/lights
  • Halogen lamps (any model or style)
• Room Decorating
  • Collection or display of alcohol containers
  • Deceased animals and/or animal parts, including taxidermied animals
  • Dartboards
  • Container that holds 10 gallons or more of water, including waterbeds, inflatable pools, inflatable hot tubs, etc
  • Candles, gas/oil lanterns, or any device producing open flames (such as incense and Sterno)
• Transportation Devices
  • Hoverboards, electric scooters, electric skateboards, electric bikes, or similar devices-including charging these in your on-campus space

Quiet Hours and Courtesy Hours recognize the rights of all residents to have an environment which supports academic success and provides parameters for appropriate noise levels during sleeping hours. At all times with Courtesy Hours, speakers, TVs, musical instruments, and conversations must be kept to reasonable levels that will not interfere with the study or sleep of other residents.

Quiet Hours

• Sunday through Thursday: 8 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Friday through Saturday: 12 a.m. – 10 a.m.
• Courtesy Hours: 24 hours a day
• Final Exam Period: 24 hours a day beginning at 8 p.m. on the last day of classes for the semester

Any amplified sound or other noise reaching beyond the limits of an individual room is considered an infringement on others’ personal space and may be addressed through the disciplinary process. If you encounter a noise concern, bring it to the attention of the other person. If the concern persists, contact your Resident Advisor or the Resident Advisor on-call. Periodically, University-sanctioned activities (indoor or outdoor) may receive an exception from the quiet hours guidelines with prior approval from University Housing staff members.

Residents are encouraged to make their residence hall or apartment rooms a home away from home. Add your personal design touches to create a place to study and live comfortably. To help keep you and your belongings safe, follow these guidelines:

• Wood paneling, particle board, room partitions, and decorations (such as parachutes, fishnets, and an excessive number of posters) are not allowed.
• No furniture or decorations should inhibit entry or exit in any manner.
• All furniture provided by NC State must remain in the room or apartment for the duration of residency. Residents may not remove, store or trade furnishings from their assigned room or apartment.
• Room furnishings may only be used in ways appropriate to their construction. Decorations should not cover more than 75% of the wall space in any residential space.
• Spray paint or aerosol may not be used inside campus residences.
• Decorations may not attach to or hang from room ceilings, lights, or pipes.
• Artificial holiday trees are permitted in the room but live holiday trees are not permitted.

String lights: The NC State Insurance and Risk Management Director allows string type lights to be used in residents rooms when the rooms are occupied for the semester schedule as long as all lights are LED bulbs and accredited 3rd party certified. Items may not be hung from the light strands, and they should be unplugged when not in use.

Per North Carolina State Law, all residential facilities are smoke-free spaces including balconies and breezeways. Smoking and vaping, including e-cigarette devices, is prohibited within 25-feet of any residence hall/apartment building.

Residents in on-campus housing facilities are not permitted to use their rooms for commercial solicitation, to have product demonstrations or parties, to raise funds, to advertise their on-campus assignment for sales purposes or to regularly conduct a business from their room.

University units, student groups and students may engage in commercial solicitation, distribution of non-commercial written information and fundraising consistent with the stated purpose of the group, subject to the following conditions:

1. Groups must reserve space for these activities by contacting University Housing or the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life at least two (2) University business days in advance of the activity.  Residents do not have to reserve space for distribution of non-commercial written information for the University Housing facility in which they reside unless there is a desire to use an identified reservable space.
2. Residents may engage in distribution of non-commercial written information in the University Housing facility in which they reside, consistent with normal community interactions.  Otherwise, the distribution of non-commercial written information by non-residents may only occur within the reservable spaces identified by University Housing.
3. No door-to-door commercial solicitation or fundraising is permitted.  These activities may occur only within the reservable spaces identified by University Housing, but never in individual residents’ living quarters, and the activity will not be allowed to disrupt the residential environment.
4. Groups must agree to be responsible for any damages to the university property or facilities as a result of activities and to remove any and all refuse or waste that resulted directly or indirectly from the activities.
5. Bulletin boards in on-campus housing facilities are for use by University staff only.  Electronic billboard slides and flyers must comply with University information on the University Housing Advertising page.

Non-University Groups or individuals may not conduct activities in on-campus housing facilities unless sponsored by a University unit, student group or student.  

Residents are accountable for their guests’ compliance with the Community Standards, including but not limited to this Solicitation Standard.

A “visitor” is defined as a guest present in a particular residence hall, apartment, or residence hall room with the consent of a hosting resident of that hall, apartment, or room. A visitor must be escorted by the resident host at all times. Residents are responsible for ensuring that visitors comply with all residence hall and apartment policies and will be held accountable for the behavior of their visitors. Visitors are expected to conduct themselves in a considerate manner with regard to the rights and needs of roommates and other residents.

All residential and apartment communities have 24-hour visitation. A resident should consult with and gain approval from their roommate or apartmentmate(s) before inviting a visitor to their space. No visitors may be an overnight guest for more than three (3) consecutive nights or for more than ten (10) nights total during fall, spring, and summer sessions.

Prior to hosting a guest, residents should complete a roommate agreement and discuss visitation. Residents may choose to be more restrictive than 24-hour visitation for their individual spaces through Roommate Agreements. Roommate Agreements may be amended as needed with the agreement of all residents. If there are problems, it is the responsibility of the roommate who is concerned with the situation to enlist the aid of University Housing staff to assist.

Residents may not, for any reason, bring into the residence halls or apartments any weapon for use, possession, or storage. For purposes of this community standard, “weapon” includes all items listed in the definition of “weapon” in the Student Discipline Procedures, REG 11.35.02, all items characterized as weapons in NC Gen. Stat. § 14-269.2, as well as all blades longer than 4” and/or that may be opened by a throwing or spring action, projectile devices such as bows and arrows, fireworks, and ammunition (such as bullets and shells).

For clarity, residents may not have in any residence hall or apartment any of the following:

• Firearms of any kind (including, but not limited to, handguns, rifles, pellet guns, BB guns, airsoft guns)
• Tasers or stun guns 
• Any knife/blade longer than 4 inches 
• Fireworks, sparklers, combustible/explosive materials, flammable liquids (such as charcoal, gasoline, kerosene, propane, or lighter fluid)
• Ammunition (such as bullets or shells).

Kitchen knives used solely for preparation and consumption of food are allowed as well as pepper spray when used solely in a defensive manner.