Residence Halls
Housing Policies
1. Soliciting.
For the residents' protection against fraudulent sales and annoyance, soliciting is not permitted in the halls. The floor resident assistant or the main desk should be notified should a solicitor be seen in the building. Permission for any soliciting must be obtained through the Dean of Students.
2. Windows and Screens.
Window screens must not be unfastened or removed. In air-conditioned halls, windows are not to be opened when A/C is operating.
- Nothing may be placed between windows and screens or outside of windows at any time.
- Students may not verbally communicate from their windows.
- Displays in windows which are deemed inappropriate by the hall head staff and not removed by the resident(s) will be removed by the Housekeeping staff and the resident(s) billed for this service.
- Under no circumstances will the throwing of objects from any windows in the residence halls be tolerated. Such conduct poses danger to the health and safety of other residents. Residents assigned to a room from which an object is thrown will be subject to administrative eviction from the University Residence Halls in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Housing/Food Service Contract.
3. Business from Residents' Rooms.
Residents are not permitted to carry on any organized business for remunerative purposes from their apartments or rooms; inscribe or affix any sign, object, advertisement, or notice on any part of the inside or outside of the building premises; or use their room phone numbers for business purposes.
4. Open House and Visitation.
At no time may a member of the opposite sex be in a non-public area (i.e., corridor of a living unit, resident's room, etc. Resident Assistants are able to define these specifically for the hall) unless the guest is in compliance with the open house or visitation policies of that unit.
5. Guests.
Residents may have overnight guests of the same sex only, if prior arrangements have been made with roommate(s). The maximum length of any visit is three days and three nights. All guests are governed by University and residence hall regulations, and it is the host's responsibility to make guests aware of this. In cases where the guest is in violation of University regulations, disciplinary action may be brought against the host.
6. Pets.
For health reasons, pets are not permitted in the halls or on the premises. The only exceptions to this policy are fish and guide dogs accompanying sight impaired persons.
7. Attachments.
Residents should not install or attach any of the following in their rooms: a) locks, b) decals or transfer pictures, c)outside antenna, d) additional electrical wiring, e) shades, blinds, awnings or window guards, f) air-conditioning or heating units.
8. Noise Level.
Excessive noise is prohibited in and around residence halls:
- Quiet hours are to be from 9 PM to 9 AM each day to ensure a proper study and sleep environment. Sounds should not be heard outside rooms during these hours. Quiet hours will be extended by hall staff before examination periods.
- Musical instruments may be played only in areas provided for this purpose.
9. Furniture and Fixtures.
All University property is inventoried according to location and is not to be moved or dismantled, except with written permission of the Hall Director. Removal of furniture or fixtures from assigned locations, except with permission, is grounds for disciplinary action. Residents will also be charged for any furniture or fixtures assigned to their rooms and found missing at the time of checkout.
10. Water Furniture.
Water furniture, including beds and chairs, are not permitted in residents' rooms.
11. Bicycles.
Racks are provided for bikes in front of each hall. Off-street parking is provided for motorized bikes in designated areas. Motorized bikes are not allowed inside Residence Halls. Although non-motorized bikes may be kept in resident's rooms, they are not to be left unattended, ridden or chained in common areas of the hall such as hallways, stairwells, lobbies, study rooms, etc. Bikes found in such areas will be removed at the owner's expense, stored for a short time and then disposed of.
12. Stairwells.
Under no circumstances will the dropping of objects or fireworks down stairwells be tolerated. Persons involved in such actions will be subject to eviction from University Residence Halls in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Housing Contract.
13. Bunk Beds and Lofts.
Unapproved bunk beds and lofts are prohibited. The construction of bunk beds and lofts must be authorized in advance by the Hall Director who will also inspect and approve or reject the completed units. More bunk bed and loft information can be found Here.
14. Computer Use.
Personal computer equipment is permitted in the residence halls. Telephone modems for computers are also permitted.
15. Inappropriate Displays.
Signs, banners, and other displays attached to University structures are prohibited unless approved in advance by a Hall Director. Bulletin board items must also be approved in advance.
16. Keys.
Residence hall keys are the sole property of the University of Tennessee and may not be duplicated under any circumstances.
17. Sports Activities.
To create a safe environment, athletic events are prohibited in or around residence halls including courtyard areas unless there is a court specified for such play, such as a designated basketball or volleyball court. Propelling objects, including but not limited to footballs, softballs, baseballs, and snowballs in or around residence halls, including courtyard areas, is prohibited.
18. Unauthorized Moving.
Unauthorized room and hall changes are prohibited.
19. Smoking Policy.
All university residence hall buildings have been designated as completely smoke free.
20. THE UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO IMPLEMENT OTHER POLICIES FROM TIME TO TIME DEEMED NECESSARY AND APPROPRIATE FOR THE SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS OF THE PREMISES, AND FOR SECURING THE COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE OF ALL RESIDENTS.
Residence Hall Safety Regulations
1. Flammable Items.
Items which are flammable, such as fuel, etc., may not be stored in residents' rooms. HALOGEN LAMPS ARE PROHIBITED IN UNIVERSITY HOUSING.
2. Open Flames.
Items which require an open flame to operate or which produce heat (i.e., Bunsen burners, lighted candles, alcohol burners) are not allowed in residents' rooms. Candles may be used for decorative purposes.
3. Decorations.
Decorative items, such as fishnets, parachutes, and other such items which are flammable are not permitted in residents' rooms unless they have been fireproofed. Only Underwriters Laboratories approved lights may be used to decorate a room.
4. Cooking.
Hall kitchens and other facilities are provided for residents to use for cooking. Cooking meals is not permitted in student rooms. Snack preparation is limited to the use of appliances listed in #6 below.
5. Irons.
Ironing is permitted in student rooms, however, irons must always be used with ironing boards that have a fire resistant cover. Irons with automatic cutoff mechanisms are encouraged. Irons should never be left plugged into a socket when not in use.
6. Cooking Appliances.
UL approved, closed coil or hot air popcorn poppers, sealed unit coffee makers, and thermostatically controlled hot pots may be kept in student rooms. Other appliances, including slow cookers, electric frying pans, and open coil appliances (including but not limited to toasters, toaster ovens and hot plates) are prohibited except in the Apartment Residence Hall where kitchens are equipped with fire extinguishers.
7. Fire Safety.
Fire evacuation plans are posted in each resident's room. Tampering with, vandalizing, or misuse of fire safety equipment is prohibited and constitutes reason for eviction from the residence hall and possible suspension or expulsion from the University. Fire Safety equipment includes, but is not limited to alarms, extinguishers, smoke detectors, door closures, alarmed doors, and sprinklers. A safety exit drill will be conducted regularly in each residence hall in accordance with state law. Failure to evacuate a building during a safety exit drill will be grounds for disciplinary action.
8. Fire Lanes.
Several halls have nearby emergency lanes which are strictly reserved for use by emergency vehicles only. Unauthorized vehicles parked in these areas will be towed away by the University Police Department at the owner's risk and expense.
9. Elevators.
Tampering with, vandalism to, or other misuse of elevator equipment in the University Residence Halls is prohibited. Such action will constitute reason for disciplinary action, including eviction from the residence halls.
10. Extension Cords and Multiple Plugs.
An extension cord must be UL approved, 16 gauge, and not exceed an unspliced length of six feet with a polarized plug and a single outlet; it may not be placed under floor coverings or furnishings and may not be secured by penetrating the insulation. Multiple outlets are prohibited; however, one UL approved 15 amp multiple outlet strip with a circuit breaker may be used in each room. Extension cords may not be used with MicroFridges.
11. Microfridge Appliance -Each residence hall room is furnished with a microfridge.
This is a combination refrigerator, freezer and microwave appliance. Other refrigerators and microwave ovens are not permitted in student residence hall rooms except that microwave ovens are permitted in kitchen areas of the Apartment Residence Hall.