Policies & Procedures

Housing & Residential Life strives to create a welcoming and comfortable home for your time on campus. To respect the community you are living in, we have Policies & Procedures for Dorm Living that you are required to follow, both for your safety and to create a great living environment. Find more information and resources by clicking on one of the buttons below.

Our Housing & Residential Life Student Behavioral Education team’s core values are to:

  • Teach responsibility and accountability
  • Create good citizens to live in a community
  • Maintain safety

Through our Policies & Procedures for Dorm Living and conduct process we want to maintain safe communities while teaching our residents to become responsible citizens.

During the year, periodic inspections will be made for health and safety, semester closing preparation and maintenance. You are expected to comply with residence hall staff and other University officials when an inspection is requested. Whenever possible, room inspections will be conducted in your presence (or that of your roommate) and with previous notice. Staff will enter your room if your alarm clock or stereo is continuously making noise and if there is no answer at the door. Staff will leave a note when exiting the room. The University and Housing & Residential Life reserves the right to enter and inspect rooms by authorized personnel at any time to verify inventory records or occupancy; to perform maintenance; to enforce safety, health and University Student Code of Conduct or housing Policies & Procedures for Dorm Living; or during an emergency without any prior notification. 

The University of Arizona wants you to know your options and resources in the event that you are sexually assaulted. It is reported that one out of every four women and one out of every eight men will be victims of sexual abuse or assault in their lifetime. Although the offender may be a stranger, it is far more common for the offender to be an acquaintance, a date, a friend, or a family member. The terms “date rape” or “acquaintance rape” are commonly used on college campuses to describe sexual assault cases where the victim/survivor and offender are acquainted.

To help support you as a victim/survivor of sexual assault, the following campus and community resources are available and completely confidential:

UA Campus Health CAPS (Counseling and Psych Services)
health.arizona.edu/counseling-and-psych-services
(520) 621-3334
Campus Health, Second Floor
Walk-in services available Monday-Friday 1PM to 4PM
All services are confidential

SACASA (Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault)
sacasa.org
(520) 327-7273
1600 N. Country Club
24 hour crisis line
Advocacy, counseling, medical and legal assistance
All services are confidential

Student Assistance, Dean of Students Office
https://deanofstudents.arizona.edu/student-assistance/students/student-assistance
(520) 621-7057
Nugent 2nd Floor
Appointments available Monday through Friday, 8AM to 5PM

Incidents of religious practices gone awry on campus sometimes do occur. Listed below are several warning signs or red flags:

Type Warning Sign
Religious Stalking Persistent unwanted door knocks, phone calls, or hanging around your living space means people have crossed boundaries. You have a right to say "No, " and that should be respected.
Invasiveness Attempts to gain inappropriate personal, financial, sexual, and/or emotional information about or from you.
Deception People fail to clearly identify themselves. A religious group's identity, affiliation, and advertising should be unambiguous, with beliefs and practices transparent. For example, surveys, contests, and other recruitment methods should identify the organization and the full purpose of the contest or event.
Pressure Pressure to refuse to date or associate with others outside the religious group; to lie to or disengage from your family and/or religious community, or to avoid other campus activities and groups.
Shame Religious groups who say that if you don't join their group, give money, or spend time with them, then you don't really love God.

Please report improper or questionable incidents to:

  • Dean of Students Office at (520) 621-7057
  • Your RA or Community Director
  • If you are in danger, call UAPD at 911

A diversity of religious groups exists on campus. While the goal is not theological conformity, all religious groups should strive for:

  • Respect for students, faculty, and staff
  • The highest standards of honesty in advertising and transparency of intent
  • The greatest amount of civility toward one another

Download the shared living agreements for a shared living space, shared bathroom, or shared space (undergraduate apartment).

A shared living agreement identifies issues that often arise among roommates and outlines specific understandings for living together. The agreement also helps you determine how you plan to resolve these issues. It is a useful tool that will help you get to know your roommate better and to establish mutual expectations. The agreement promotes communication, assertiveness and compromise, all of which are essential to successful roommate relationships. It is important to be very detailed when discussing the roommate agreement topics and document the discussion accurately for all parties involved.

You are expected to complete the roommate agreement with your roommate(s) or suitemate(s) within the first few weeks of the semester. The agreement can be renegotiated throughout the year; however, violating the terms of this agreement may result in reassignment to another room or dorm. If you have any questions about the roommate agreement, please see your Resident Assistant.

Each student possesses the following rights as a roommate and each individual should work at honoring these rights. These rights and responsibilities apply not only to roommates, but also to other students living on the floor. It is your right to:

  • Read, study, and sleep in the room with as little disturbance as possible
  • Have personal belongings which are used by no one else
  • Live in a clean and orderly room
  • Enter the room whenever one wants, unless other provisions are agreed upon by both parties
  • Be free of physical or emotional harassment
  • Speak out openly
  • Be treated considerately and thoughtfully
  • Address problems and concerns in a mature manner
  • Expect enforcement of residence hall and University policies

Suggestions for Being a Considerate Roommate

  • When you and your roommate experience problems, talk openly about concerns instead of letting the issues frustrate you
  • Consider what types of personal habits you have which may be irritating to others
  • Ask your roommate to tell you when you have said or done something that caused irritation

Topics to Discuss with your Roommate

  • How to address a conflict
  • Personal property versus communal/shared property
  • Borrowing each others’ items
  • Who shall be financially responsible if items are broken or lost?
  • The water cooler or contract for it
  • Phone calls (how long, how late, what to share re: "roommate is out," messages, etc.)
  • Messages from friends, family, classmates, etc.
  • Cleaning responsibilities
  • Locking the door
  • Trash
  • Temperature
  • Studying or quiet time
  • Sleeping
  • Socializing in your room

Conflict Management

  • Build relationships and be approachable
  • Develop an understanding and appreciation of others’ roles and responsibilities
  • Listen with understanding and value all opinions
  • Understand the facts and challenge preconceived assumptions
  • Identify and understand the issues surrounding the conflict
  • Separate the issue from the person/personality
  • Take risks – be assertive and step out of our comfort zone
  • Communicate one-on-one, face-to-face
  • Speak directly and privately to the parties involved
  • Achieve mutual resolution

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Signs of alcohol poisoning infographic

The Good Samaritan Protocol asks students to help other students in seeking emergency care for alcohol related incidents - to protect the safety and wellness of all students. 

The University of Arizona Good Samaritan (UAGoodSam) Protocol 

Student health and safety are the primary concerns of the University of Arizona. Students are expected to contact the University of Arizona police or a Resident Assistant when they believe that assistance is needed for an intoxicated/impaired student. Students and/or organizations that seek assistance will not be subject to University disciplinary action with respect to the alcohol policy. 

Examples where the good samaritan approach will benefit you and your friends:

  • A student is reluctant to call an ambulance when a friend becomes unconscious following excessive consumption of alcohol because the reporting student is under the age of 21 and was also consuming alcohol.
  • A student is reluctant to report that he/she has been sexually assaulted because he/she had been consuming alcohol and is under the age of 21.
  • A student is reluctant to call an ambulance when another student becomes ill or unconscious following excessive consumption of alcohol at a fraternity/sorority or student organization party because the reporting student is afraid that his/her organization will get in trouble.
  • A residence hall student is reluctant to call the RA on duty in a situation when another resident is dangerously intoxicated because they were also violating the dorm alcohol policy and fear they could face dorm educational interventions.

This policy does not preclude disciplinary action regarding other violations of the code of conduct or the policies and procedures such as causing or threatening physical harm, sexual abuse, damage to property, harassment, hazing, etc. Students should also be aware that this policy does not prevent action by local and state authorities.


How does the Good Samaritan Protocol work? 

In serious or life-threatening situations, particularly where alcohol poisoning is suspected or where other medical treatment is reasonably believed to be appropriate, students are asked to take the following steps:

  1. Call 911
  2. Stay with the person needing assistance until help arrives.
  3. Be prepared to give the emergency medical personnel as much information as possible including the amount and type of alcohol or substances consumed.
  4. University officials will record names of intoxicated students to enable any follow-up that may be deemed necessary to ensure students’ well-being. Other information may also be recorded to enable any other necessary follow-up.

If a student is so intoxicated s/he is unable to be awakened, letting that person “sleep it off” is not a reasonable alternative to getting help!


What happens after medical help is provided?

  1. The situation is first evaluated by the Dean of Students Office to determine if the Good Samaritan Policy applies.
  2. If the situation qualifies, students involved are required to meet with a staff member.
  3. The staff member, after evaluating the situation, may also refer the student to a substance abuse specialist for assessment, counseling, and/or possible referral for treatment.
  4. Students who are referred but fail to meet and complete the recommendations in their entirety may be subject to additional requirements after an opportunity to meet with a staff member from the Dean of Students Office.

Protocol Rationale

The health and safety of students is of primary concern at the University of Arizona; therefore, in cases of intoxication and/or alcohol poisoning, the institution encourages and expects students to seek medical attention for themselves or others. Recognizing that the potential for legal and University disciplinary actions is a factor that may deter students from making responsible decisions, the University has instituted the University of Arizona Good Samaritan Protocol (UAGoodSam).


Jurisdiction and Scope

The University of Arizona Good Samaritan (UAGoodSam) Protcol applies to all students and recognized student organizations at the University of Arizona, and is applicable to:

  • An under-age student in need of medical attention and/or being cared for by another person.
  • An under-age student seeking medical help for or providing assistance for an under-age individual.

UAGoodSam pertains to incidents that occur on the University of Arizona campus, on the premises of a recognized student organization, or at a function sponsored by a recognized student organization.

In circumstances involving a recognized student organization, the willingness of the members involved in seeking medical assistance for a member or guest will be viewed as a mitigating factor in the review process for any potential violations of the ABOR Student Code of Conduct or criminal action(s}. 


Statement of Protocol

In an effort to ensure medical treatment or care is sought for students experiencing and/or supporting a peer in serious and immediate risk of harm due to intoxication and/or potential alcohol poisoning, the University has adopted this protocol.

The involved students may be exempt from an ABOR Student Code of Conduct disciplinary educational intervention and criminal action related to the alcohol offense; however, the intoxicated student (and possibly the reporting student} will be required to meet with a designee of the Dean of Students Office, who may issue an educational requirement such as an alcohol education intervention program (i.e., Campus Health Service's SHADE Program), with the student incurring the associated costs. 


This protocol shall not apply to: 

  • An individual or group in situations resulting in serious physical injury or death.
  • An individual who is operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs and attempting to seek medical treatment or care for an individual.
  • Criminal use of illegal drugs
  • An individual or organization that has knowingly provided or facilitated the consumption of alcohol by under-age individuals.
  • An individual who has committed other criminal offenses in association with the alcohol-related incident.
  • An individual who is contacted by a law enforcement agency other than UAPD, unless that agency is working for the University of Arizona.

Documentation of Incident

When a UAGoodSam incident occurs, and either the University of Arizona Police Department or Department of Housing & Residential Life is notified, the names of the individuals are documented in the respective departments' reports with a short synopsis of the incident. The reports are forwarded to the Dean of Students Office for follow-up with the involved students related to an educational requirement. 


Exemptions

The University reserves the option to extend multiple exemptions under special circumstances. 


Failure to Comply

A student who fails to comply with the educational requirement is subject to educational interventions from the Dean of Students Office, under the ABOR Student Code of Conduct. 


Definitions

"University" means the University of Arizona Police Department, the Dean of Students Office, and the Department of Housing & Residential Life. 

"Under age" means an individual under 21 years of age at the time of the incident. 

"ABOR" means the Arizona Board of Regents, the governing board for the state's public universities: Arizona State University (ASU), Northern Arizona University (NAU) and the University of Arizona (UA). 

"SHADE Program" means Student Health Alcohol Drug Education Program 

"Illegal Drugs" includes, but is not limited to, marijuana, opioids, stimulants, club drugs, dissociative drugs, hallucinogens, anabolic steroids, inhalants, etc. 


FAQs

Does this apply to drugs as well? 

NO. This applies only to alcohol 

Does this mean if an individual or group purchases or serves alcohol to underage individuals they can't get in trouble? 

NO, all clubs/organizations are responsible for following the laws of the State of Arizona. Illegal activity, such as knowingly providing or purchasing alcohol and serving it to minors are subject to administrative and criminal educational interventions. 

Is UAPD the only law enforcement agency eligible to use this protocol? 

YES, however, other agencies working for the UAPD on UA property may use the protocol. 

Can Housing & Residential Life use this protocol? 

YES 

What about cases where the person calling for the medical assistance provided the alcohol and the victim suffers serious physical injury or death? Is the individual exempt? 

NO 

Who determines if someone is intoxicated or "impaired?" 

UAPD personnel are trained to identify impairment, as well as emergency medical personnel. 

How many exemptions does an individual get from this protocol? 

This is determined on a case by case basis. 

Does this take away discretion from Housing & Residential Life and UAPD? 

NO. This protocol is intended to help ensure individuals are never afraid to call for assistance for police, fire or medical assistance. Depending on the circumstances, the officer or Housing & Residential Life member has discretion. 


Questions?

Please contact the University of Arizona Police Department or (520) 621-UAPD or Renee Skau at renees1@arizona.edu or (520) 626-4868.

Housing & Residential Life grants residents the privilege of hosting guests in the student residences. A “guest” is defined as any individual who is not currently assigned to the room or living space where they are present. A foundation of the Guest & Visitation policy is that guests are only permitted with the consent of a resident’s roommate or suitemates. Residents are expected to communicate with each other to work out arrangements for guests within a shared space. Members of the Housing & Residential Life staff are available to assist residents who may require support or guidance in working with a roommate or suitemates about the presence of guests in their shared accommodations, and especially in cases where a roommate or suitemate displays a lack of consideration for others or abuses the privilege of hosting guests.

Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guest(s), and therefore can be held accountable for their guest’s actions. It is the responsibility of residents to escort their guests at all times, including -- but not limited to – within common areas, hallways, restrooms, and courtyards. Residents may not leave their guest alone at any time. Residents must inform their guests of the Policies & Procedures for Dorm Living, and guests are expected to comply. If you reside on campus, but you are visiting a room, apartment, or residence hall that is not assigned to you, you are considered a guest of that room, apartment, or residence hall. As such, you must be accompanied by the host whom you are visiting at all times and abide by all policies and procedures.

You must comply with the guest registration process of your assigned residence hall. In some residence halls, you must check in your guest at an access desk when it is in operation. Policies & Procedures for Dorm Living; guests are expected to abide by them. 


Hosting a Minor: 

All non-enrolled minors under the age of 18 and as defined by the University’s Interactions with Non-Enrolled Minors Policy must register 48 hours before visiting the residence hall. Only minors related to the host are allowed as guests unless the minor is a matriculated University student. The minor’s parent/guardian must complete a Minor Guest Registration Form which will need to be provided to the Community Director of the residence hall at least 48 hours prior to the minor’s visit. The form can be found here.

During operational desk hours, minor guests should be registered at the front desk. Outside of desk hours residents need to call the Resident Assistant on duty to register their guest. It is the responsibility of residents hosting a minor to ensure that their guest(s) are registered and escorted at all times.


Overnight Guests: 

You are permitted to have guests in your assigned room or living space overnight only with the permission of your roommate(s) or suitemate(s). “Overnight” is defined as between the hours of 3am - 7am. Guests may stay in a room or living space no more than three nights in a 14-day period, and no more than a maximum of 12 days per semester. Overnight guests are not allowed during the first two weeks or last two weeks of each semester. The overnight guest policy applies even if you are assigned a single room or are currently not assigned any roommates.

Always advise a Resident Assistant when there is a concern about an overnight guest. Residents who violate this policy may lose guest privileges, be transferred to another room or residence hall, or be removed from Housing.