New York University is committed to the overall educational and personal development of its students and views the unique experience of living in a residence hall as contributing significantly to such development. It is important to maintain an appropriate residence hall environment. To facilitate this process, every member of the residence hall community is expected to uphold certain responsibilities to ensure the growth and development of the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services’ mission. These responsibilities include:
A detailed description of University policies governing student conduct policies and process is available on the Residence Hall Policies page. Behavioral guidelines specifically applicable to University housing are described below and in your housing license agreement. To achieve these goals, the University reserves the right to review all alleged violations of Office of Residential Life and Housing Services Policies, and to initiate disciplinary action and impose sanctions when appropriate. If you have questions about this information, contact your Residence Hall Director (RHD) or the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services (ORLHS) at 212-998-4600.
Residents are expected to familiarize themselves with the ORLHS policies, the University Policies and Procedures in the New York University Students Guide, and to also comply with applicable city, state, and federal law.
Please be advised that information concerning student conduct is made available to the NYU Office of Global Programs, which may affect a student's eligibility to participate in a Study Away program. Please consult the Study Away Admissions Policies online for more specific information.
Campus safety tips can be found on the NYU Public Safety page. Campus Safety statistics are available on the U.S. Department of Education's site, on Public Safety's Crime Reports & Statistics page, or by contacting the NYU Department of Public Safety.
Residents are required to abide by all New York State and New York University regulations regarding the use of alcohol. These rules specify that persons under 21 years of age are prohibited from possessing or consuming any alcoholic beverage. Additionally, in residence halls, persons under the age of 21 may not be in the presence of alcohol or alcoholic beverage containers.
Students (including residents and non-residential students), and guests who are of legal drinking age (21 years of age or older) may possess and consume alcoholic beverages (referred herein “alcohol”) within NYU residence halls in accordance with the following:
Alcohol may be consumed only within assigned rooms or suites. Open containers of alcohol are prohibited in common spaces such as hallways and lounges, in public areas such as lobbies, or in outdoor areas adjacent to residence halls.
Alcohol or alcoholic beverage containers may not be possessed, stored, or consumed in any room or shared common space within a suite whose residents are under the age of 21.
Should students of legal drinking age reside in the same suite as students who are under the legal drinking age, alcohol may only be possessed, stored, or consumed within bedrooms where all students assigned to that room are of legal drinking age.
Students of legal drinking age who bring alcohol into a residence hall or possess alcohol in a residence hall are responsible for its legal use. This includes taking reasonable precautions to prevent the possession of alcohol by underage students and guests.
Kegs or devices that permit storage and distribution of alcohol in bulk quantities, or that allow unregulated access to alcohol by any means, are prohibited. Devices or mechanisms that facilitate rapid consumption (funnel bongs, etc.) are also prohibited.
Participation in activities that facilitate or promote the rapid, dangerous, and/or forced consumption of alcohol (i.e. drinking games) is prohibited.
Alcohol may not be sold or distributed in the residence halls. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to: cash bars; events to which admission tickets are sold or fees are charged (e.g. entertainment charge or annual dues); fees for access to an open bar; and parties at which alcoholic beverages are served and for which contribution or donations to offset the costs of the party are sought.
University funds allocated for hall government or programming activities may not be used for the purchase of alcohol.
Residents are responsible for the behavior of their guests, including any violation of policy by their guest(s).
Students found to be excessively intoxicated in a residence hall may be subject to mandatory medical or psychological evaluation as well as appropriate student conduct action.
Marijuana (in all forms) is a prohibited substance in the residence halls. Any student who is found to be in possession of, in the presence of or using marijuana will face disciplinary action and possible criminal charges. Water pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other paraphernalia commonly associated with drug use also are prohibited in the residence halls.
The possession or use of narcotics and/or other controlled substances without a valid prescription, or misuse of prescribed medication and/or other legal substances, is prohibited in the residence halls. Students are expected to obey Federal and New York State Laws regarding the use, possession, sale and distribution of controlled substances.
For further information, the University’s policy on Substance Abuse and Alcoholic Beverages can be accessed on the Office of Community Standards website.
Residents will receive residence hall specific information about fire safety and evacuation procedures at the beginning of each term from their Resident Assistant (RA) or RHD. It is extremely important that residents familiarize themselves and their guests with all applicable fire safety procedures in their assigned building. Residents who fail to comply fully with applicable fire safety procedures, such as those who fail to abide by building emergency evacuation procedures or who otherwise violate rules and regulations related to fire safety, will be subject to student conduct action. All NYU owned or leased buildings are equipped with fire alarms that are tested regularly.
In general, residents are expected to maintain adequate standards of cleanliness to avoid fire hazards, and must not obstruct sidewalks, entrances, passages, heating/air conditioning vents, fire escapes, elevators, lobbies, stairways, corridors or halls with personal property. The following items are prohibited in the residence halls and will be confiscated:
Students found in possession of prohibited items will be subject to student conduct action and sanctioned accordingly. If you have any questions or concerns regarding fire safety, please contact your Residence Hall Director.
* If an air mattress is needed for medical reasons, please contact the Moses Center to apply for an accommodation.
NYU Residential Life & Housing Services maintains a strict outside furniture policy to ensure fire safety and protect the cleanliness of the rooms. Additionally, outside furniture can contribute to pest problems. All rooms are furnished appropriately for its occupants with a desk, dresser, and bed.
Outside furniture is prohibited in the residence halls except for the following items:
Please keep in mind the following:
An individual’s right to privacy is important in a residence hall community setting. The University expects students and their guests to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the community.
Students and their guests are not permitted to make or attempt to make an audio or video recording of private, nonpublic conversations, informal gatherings, and/or meetings without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. This includes, but is not limited to, making, attempting to make, transmitting, or attempting to transmit audio or video of any person(s) in bathrooms, showers, bedrooms, common areas within suites, or other premises where there is an explicit expectation of privacy.
Furthermore, filming/recording in or into any area of a residence hall without prior permission from the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services is prohibited. The uses of undisclosed or hidden recording devices is also prohibited, as is the transmission and/or distribution of any such recordings.
Permission to film/record in or into a residence hall may be granted in certain circumstances and in certain locations. Please see a professional staff member in your residence hall for more information and/or to apply for permission.
Any form of smoking, including the use of cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookahs, or devices such as an electronic cigarette or a vaporizer to do so, is prohibited in all areas of all University residence halls. Furthermore, smoking may not occur within close proximity to or cause the obstruction of any building entrance, covered walkway or ventilation system. Pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other such smoking devices are not permitted in the residence halls.
Residents are expected to keep sound to reasonable levels and to comply with requests to reduce sound levels that are intrusive. Use of amplifiers or P.A. systems in the residence halls is prohibited. Pianos are not permitted in residence hall rooms. Musical instruments may be played only in designated practice areas. Such space may not be available in all residence halls. Contact the residence hall staff if you have any questions about these guidelines. Residents are responsible for complying with New York City ordinances that include additional restrictions on noise after 11 PM on weeknights and 1 AM on weekends. Residents must observe 24-hour quiet hours during University designated examination periods. The residence hall government with the approval of the Residence Hall Director may specify other quiet hour periods.
Most residence halls have turnstiles located at the entry of the building near the Public Safety station. These turnstiles allow students that currently reside in NYU Housing to visit another residence hall by swiping their University ID upon entry and exit. While the turnstile provides a convenient means for allowing access, visitors are still expected to respect the time and frequency limitations as established below for all guests. Furthermore, should a resident's presence in another residence hall create a disturbance or disruption to the community of that residence hall, that individual may be asked to leave by a staff member. Failure to comply with this request/policy can lead to student conduct action.
The privilege to have guests in a residence hall, room, or suite is based upon the precept of mutual respect and balance; one resident’s right to have guests does not supersede another’s right to reasonable privacy. In particular, it is expected that students who share a living unit will be courteous to one another, communicate, show willingness to make compromises, and act in good faith in the matter of guests. The presence of a guest in a residence hall, a room, or a suite must not compromise the personal or academic well-being of room/suitemates or other building residents.
Same Hall Student Guest: Guests who are New York University students and reside in the same residence hall as the person they are visiting may proceed directly to the room/suite of the resident host provided their visit to that rooms/suite is in accordance with the conditions set forth in this policy statement.
Other Hall Student Guest: Guests who are New York University students who reside in another University residence hall may be eligible to enter the residence hall of the person they are visiting by swiping/tapping in with their NYU ID card and proceeding directly to the room of that student provided their visit to that rooms/suite is in accordance with the conditions set forth in this policy statement.
Non-Hall Student Guest: Guests who are New York University students but who do not reside in a University residence hall (e.g. commuters) must present their University ID card in order to be signed in to a residence hall. The resident host must come to the lobby to sign-in their guest. At the end of a visit, the visitor may sign out themselves.
Non-NYU Guest: Guests who are not affiliated with New York University must present a valid acceptable form of photo ID in order to be signed in to a residence hall. Acceptable forms of photo ID are: a U.S. State-issued driver license, a U.S. State-issued non-driver identification, a student ID from a high school or another college or university, a passport, or another government ID; including foreign governments’ IDs. If a foreign government’s ID in another language is presented, a corresponding passport must be displayed for verification. Forms of identification that are not acceptable include: bank cards, telephone and credit cards. The photo ID will be held at the Public Safety Desk for the duration of the visit. (Students are expected to inform their guests in advanced that a valid photo ID will be required to enter the building.) The resident host must come to the lobby, sign-in their guest, and is urged to escort their guest at all times. Access to the hall or room/suite must be in accordance with the conditions set forth in this policy statement. At the end of a visit, that same host must accompany their guests to the lobby to sign them out in the guest register. Proof of identification will be returned at this time.
Guests Under the age of 12: Guests who are under the age of 12 may not be in a residence hall during “Late Hours” [i.e. between the hours of 11:00 pm and 9:00 am on weeknights (Sunday-Thursday) and 1:00 am to 9:00 am on weekends (Friday and Saturday)] and are subject to the same sign-in requirements as Non-NYU Guests.
Guest Passes: In order to make it easier for visitors to enter and leave the residence halls, especially during longer-term stays, resident hosts should obtain guest passes which are available from the hall’s Resource Center. A guest pass combined with an appropriate form of ID allows a visitor to enter and exit the hall without being accompanied by their resident host. Guest Passes must be dropped off to the hall’s Resource Center two business days in advance of anticipated use to allow for hall staff to process the request. The Resident Host must meet their guest in the lobby upon their initial arrival to the residence hall. Upon entering the building, guests with passes must present both the pass and appropriate ID, but need not sign-in or leave any identification with the building Public Safety Officer. No more than three guest passes will be issued at one time to a resident. A guest pass will be issued for no more than four (4) consecutive days. The issuance of Guest Passes may be suspended at certain times, such as final examination periods, winter break, spring break, or other periods as deemed necessary. Please check with your building’s professional staff for specific details.
Regular Hours Guests:
Late Hours / Overnight Guests:
All guests in a University residence hall are expected to abide by all University and Office of Residential Life and Housing Services policies, procedures and regulations.
Room/Suitemate Interference:
There may be certain times of the year, such as semester breaks or exam periods, when these guest policies may be restricted or modified. Students will be notified in advance when any such changes occur. Any modifications or exceptions to these guest policies must be approved by the Residence Hall Director and/or the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services.
The following behavior is prohibited in all NYU residence halls:
1. Tampering with fire safety or other safety equipment, this includes, but is not limited to, tampering with or covering smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors, tampering with or hanging items from sprinkler systems.
2. Possessing flammable decorations, appliances, or other property that may be deemed a fire hazard, as described in the Fire Safety Policy.
3. Causing a fire or false alarm in or about a residence hall.
4. Failing to respond and evacuate appropriately, if required, at the sounding of the fire alarm system.
5. Possessing or storing a gas engine vehicle or any form of combustible fuel in the residence halls.
6. Possessing actual or realistic simulated versions of weapons, including, but not limited to knives, mace, explosives, fireworks, firearms, or ammunition in and/or around a University residence hall facility. [The only exceptions to this policy are instances in which (1) the bearer is in possession of written permission from a dean, associate dean, assistant dean, or department head and (2) such possession or use of a simulated firearm/weapon is directly connected to a University- or school-related event (e.g., play, film production). For further information please refer to the Policy on Theatrical Use of Simulated Firearms and other Weapons.
7. Throwing and/or causing objects, laser pointers, or any substance to be directed from, into, or onto residence hall windows, doors, terraces, ledges, roofs or other areas. Suspension from University Housing will be the likely outcome for such a violation.
8. Possessing or using an alcoholic beverage in violation of residence hall alcohol policies.
8a. Being in the presence of alochol in violation of residence hall alcohol policies.
8b. Possession of alcoholic beverage containers in violation of residence hall alcohol policies.
8c. Distributing alcoholic beverage(s) in violation of residence hall alcohol policies.
9. Possessing or using an illegal or controlled substance in violation of residence hall substance policies.
9a. Being in the presence of a violation of the residence hall substance policies.
9b. Possession of smoking devices, including but not limited to, water pipes, bongs, vaporizers, and hookahs, in violation of residence hall substance or smoking policies.
9c. Distributing or possessing quantity of substance and/or materials or paraphernalia related to potential distribution of illegal or controlled substance in violation of substance policies.
10. Possessing unauthorized furniture.
11. Tampering with or vandalism of devices and furnishings, such as window screens, cranks, stops, locks, door closing devices or furnishings in a residence hall.
12. Installing an unauthorized lock on a bedroom, bathroom, closet, or suite door.
13. Inadequately securing one's residence hall room and/or failure to lock room doors.
14. Failure to present a valid ID card or properly identify oneself when entering a residence hall or when requested to do so by any authorized university staff member.
15. Unauthorized access or use of restricted areas in or about a residence hall, including but not limited to roofs, ledges, terraces, basements, storage areas, mail rooms, or emergency exits.
16. Unauthorized entry into any part of a university residence hall, or contributing to such unauthorized entry of another individual. This includes fraudulent attempts (misrepresentation, using false identification, etc.) to enter or to allow another individual to enter any part of a university residence hall.
1. Violation of the Residential Guest Policy.
1. Moving to another bedroom, suite, or residence hall without authorization.
2. Occupying residence hall space or furnishings assigned to another resident.
3. Subletting a residence hall room, suite, or apartment or allowing an individual to reside in a residence hall without authorization.
4. Failing to abide by or fulfill terms of a sanction issued by the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services. Students failing to abide by the terms of a Mandatory Health Referral sanction may be subject to suspension from University Housing.
5. Failing to properly complete the check-in/out procedure.
6. Unauthorized possession or use of a key to property or premises owned or operated by the University.
7. Unauthorized painting, construction, or other modification in a residence hall room or common area.
8. Violating any stipulation of the student housing license during the license period.
9. Failing to comply with the authorized request of any administrative representative of the University, including but not limited to, staff members of the ORLHS, Department of Public Safety, Facilities and Construction Management, or Dining Services.
1. Disorderly, disruptive, or antagonizing behavior that interferes with the general comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of the residence hall community, and/or the regular operation of the University.
2. Aggressive or abusive behavior toward another by any means for any reason.
3. Physical violence, actual or threatened, against any individual or group of persons.
4. Engaging in, or threatening to engage in, any other behavior that endangers the health or safety of another person or oneself.
5. Vandalism or damage to personal or university property.
6. Theft or unauthorized use or possession of personal or university property or services.
7. Excessive noise as defined by New York City community ordinances or the residence hall sound policy.
8. Failure to maintain acceptable standards of personal hygiene or room cleanliness to the extent that such failure interferes with the general comfort, safety, security, health or welfare of a member or members of the residence hall community.
9. Keeping or caring for pets or animals in any residence hall. Exception: A student may keep fish in a tank no larger than ten gallons.
10. Unauthorized solicitation, recruitment for membership, subscription, polling, posting, canvassing or commercial sale of products, services, or tickets in the residence hall.
11. Smoking in the residence halls in violation of the Smoking Policy.
12. Conducting any business for profit from any residence hall.
13. Exhibiting or affixing any unauthorized sign, advertisement, notice or other lettering, flags or banners, that are inscribed, painted or affixed to any part of the outside of a building or the inside of the building which may be viewed outside of one's room.
14. Attaching or hanging any projections (radio or television antennas, dishes, awnings, etc.) to the outside walls or windows of a residence hall.
15. Filming/recording in or into any area of a residence hall in violation of the Policy on Filming/Recording Devices in Residence Halls.
16. Gambling in the residence hall.
The University should not use its powers to interfere with the rights of a student outside the university campus. At university sponsored events that may be held off campus, students are expected to adhere to all university policies. In general, a student's off-campus activities should be subject only to sanctions of the public authorities. If a student is charged with a violation of law off-campus, s/he should not be subject to university discipline for the same offense unless the conduct seriously affects her/his position as a member of the academic community. Where a student's conduct on campus constitutes violations of both university rules and public law, s/he may be subject to both university conduct process and public sanctions.
Residential Life and Housing Services staff members who choose to participate in non-University online communities do not use the forum as a formal mechanism for monitoring inappropriate student behavior, illegal activity, or issues of student safety.
Notwithstanding the above, it is possible that a staff member may unintentionally encounter inappropriate student conduct, or such conduct may be brought to the staff member’s attention by another. In general, a student’s conduct in non-University affiliated online communities should not be subject to disciplinary action unless the information relates to documented incidents which occurred within University property or the conduct seriously affects the student’s position as a member of the academic community.
Students who violate Residence Hall or University policies will be subject to student conduct action. The residential student conduct process typically occurs as follows:
Residence hall student and professional staff document things that they observe, hear, smell or are otherwise brought to their attention through an incident reporting process. Any person may file a report or discuss a complaint with hall staff. Reports may also be made in writing and may be submitted either to the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services on the 7th floor of 726 Broadway or to any Residence Hall Director.
Professional staff of the ORLHS and/or the Office of Community Standards review the report. After the review, staff will either close the case with no conduct action deemed necessary or conclude that a potential violation may have occurred and if a student conduct meeting is necessary.
If a student conduct meeting is necessary, any one of the following may occur:
The student will receive notice via email through their NYU account. Notice includes information about who will hear the case, the alleged violations, and the date, time, and location for the student conduct meeting. In addition, it is explained in the notice to meet that if a student chooses not to attend the meeting, all available information will be reviewed in the student's absence and a response will be determined. Should the student be found in violation, the possible consequences may affect the status of the student's housing license. Therefore, student attendance is important. If the student has an academic conflict that interferes with their meeting attendance, the student may reschedule the appointment. This meeting will serve as an opportunity for the student to share their perspective of the incident and engage in a conversation about community living at New York University.
During the student conduct meeting an explanation of the student conduct process will be provided. Prior to a student conduct meeting, a resident who has been charged may choose to meet with a staff member to discuss the student conduct process and/or any related issues. Appointments can be arranged by calling the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services at (212) 998-4600. Further information about the student conduct process and preparing for a hearing is also available on the Residence Hall Policies page.
During the student conduct meeting, the accused resident may present supporting evidence and/or witnesses and may be accompanied by an advisor of his/her choice. The advisor must be a currently enrolled NYU student. The advisor's role is only to provide support and advice for the accused student. The advisor may not speak on behalf of the accused student. During final exam periods, students will be offered the opportunity to respond to allegations in writing as an alternative to attending a student conduct meeting. After the student conduct meeting is complete, the accused student will be notified in writing of the outcome, including any sanctions imposed.
Sanctions that may be issued at the residence hall level by a Residence Hall Director or her/his designee include, but are not limited to:
IMPORTANT: Students failing to abide by the terms of a Mandatory Health Referral sanction may be subject to suspension from University Housing.
Sanctions that may be issued by the Assistant Director of Community Standards and ORLHS Central Staff or his/her designee include, but are not limited to, all of the above sanctions as well as the following:
*The suspension or dismissal from University Housing applies to all NYU locations, including study abroad and global sites and includes a Persona Non Grata at all such locations.
In an effort to provide support or assistance to students, the University (in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act - FERPA) may notify the parents or legal guardians of students who have violated university policies or federal, state, or local laws pertaining to alcohol or other drugs or in situations in which there is a health and safety emergency. The decision to notify parents or legal guardians will be made according to the professional judgment of the appropriate staff. Whenever possible, students will be consulted in the notification process. The primary goal of notifying parents or legal guardians is to promote the health and wellness of the student and others in the community.
A student may appeal the outcome of a student conduct decision if there is evidence of, or reason to believe, that one or more of the following conditions exist:
Please note: Failing to attend a student conduct meeting of which you have been notified, or failing to contact a staff member in advance of the student conduct meeting in an attempt to reschedule, are not sufficient groups for appeal.
Students wishing to appeal the outcome of a student conduct decision are encouraged to speak first with the staff member that issued the decision. If the student wishes to have the matter reviewed by another administrator in the student conduct process, she/he must utilize the web link provided in the conduct summary letter to submit a request to the Office of Community Standards within 3 calendar days of the date of the letter in which the student was notified of the results of the student conduct process.
The Assistant Director of Community Standards, or his/her designee, may review any student conduct actions taken by any ORLHS staff. A senior staff member of the NYU Division of Student Affairs, or his/her designee, will review actions taken by the Assistant Director of Community Standards. Any sanction which involves a suspension from Housing, may be reviewed by the senior staff of ORLHS, the Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, or his/her designee.
The review may result in one of the following:
Only one review of a student conduct decision or sanction may occur. Students are not afforded multiple reviews.