Facility Policies & Procedures

Accessible Residence Halls for Students with Disabilities
Abandoned Property
Air Conditioning (AC) and Heating
Bicycle and Motorized Vehicle Storage
Cleaning Services and Housekeeping
Community Space Reservations
Electrical Outlets
Kitchens
Laundry
Internet and Computing Policy
Internet, Media, and Television Streaming Services
Mail Services 
Maintenance Requests
No Furniture or Personal Property Storage
Pest Control Service
Residence Hall Room Entry
Room & Access Keys 

Accessible Residence Halls for Students with Disabilities 

VCU is committed to providing campus-wide accessibility. If current or incoming residents are seeking housing-related accommodations, please contact the Office of Student Accessibility and Educational Opportunity (SAEO) (for students on the Monroe Park Campus) or The Division for Academic Success (for students on the MCV Campus). 

Abandoned Property 

If university staff can reasonably determine which student appears to be the owner of tangible personal property lost or abandoned in residence halls after the end of the contract period, Residential Life and Housing staff will send notification to the student’s university email address. Instructions for claiming lost or abandoned property will be included in the notification email. Students may be charged for the removal, transport, and storage of any lost or abandoned items reasonably determined to belong to them:

• Charge per box under 25 pounds: $50 (minimum charge)
• Charge per box over 25 pounds: $75
• Large, bulky items (mirrors, hampers, rugs, etc.): $50 
• Charge per refrigerator, microwave, or TV: $100 

The university will hold such property for 120 days. If the student does not claim the property within 120 days, items may be sold through Surplus Property, donated to charitable organizations, or disposed of in the trash. The university assumes no liability for damage or loss of any lost or abandoned property on its premises. 

Air Conditioning (AC) and Heating 

All halls are equipped with air conditioning and heating. When the AC or heating is on, keep windows closed so that equipment can operate efficiently. If the room temperature is outside of the set thermostat range in all residence halls except Gladding Residence Center, please submit a work order at fss.vcu.edu. Gladding Residence Center air conditioning and heating requests can be completed online at connect.studenthousing.com. 

Rhoads is on two pipe centralized AC/Heat. This means that only AC or heat will be provided to the building. RLH will notify residents of the switch over from AC to heat in the Fall, and heat to AC in the Spring. Brandt and The Honors College are on centralized AC/heat systems, which require annual servicing; the AC in these buildings is typically turned off in December/January for this servicing. 

The suites in Gladding Residence Center III and the apartments in Ackell, Broad & Belvidere, Cary & Belvidere, Grace & Broad, West Grace North and West Grace South each have individual heat pumps that are controlled in each apartment. The AC will not work if the temperature outside is lower than 60 degrees. The unit should never be set below 65 degrees F, as that may cause freezing of the unit and flooding as the unit thaws. Some buildings also have thermostats that are programmed at a certain temperature and will not go above or below this set point. 

Bicycle and Motorized Vehicle Storage 

Bikes are permitted to be stored in residence hall personal spaces (bedrooms, suites, apartments), only if all residents of that space agree to storage and bikes do not impede egress from the space. Bikes may not be stored in common areas within the residence halls (as defined below), except on designated bike racks. Bikes, skateboards, or scooters may not be ridden in the residence halls. 

Residents who have lost their bike lock key and wish to receive help in retrieving their bike should place a work order at fss.vcu.edu. Gladding Residence Center residents who have lost their bike lock key and wish to receive help in retrieving their bike should request this be completed online at connect.studenthousing.com. Residents should expect to provide documentation to prove the bike belongs to them prior to the lock being cut. Residents should register their bikes with VCU Police upon arriving to campus in order to expedite this process and help protect their property.

Motorized vehicles are prohibited in courtyard areas or inside the residence halls, and are not to be parked/chained anywhere in the residence halls, courtyard, lobbies or sidewalks. Non-motorized vehicles may be parked/chained in designated areas only. 

Any vehicle, including bikes, chained to a window, gate, light/sign post, pole or in any non-designated areas will be impounded and disposed of per the university’s policy regarding Bicycle Parking and Removal. The university is not responsible for damage to locks or vehicles that are impounded.

Cleaning Services and Housekeeping 

The housekeeping staff are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the common areas of the residence halls, including community laundry rooms, recreation areas, study areas and common bathrooms. Resident access to these areas may be restricted during daily cleaning or periods of maintenance. 

Residents are responsible for maintaining a clean room and may be charged individually or as a group for excessive housekeeping. Excessive housekeeping is defined as any situation requiring cleaning that is not part of the custodian’s normal, daily routine. This includes, but is not limited to, cleaning items in common areas, rooms, or apartments such as: fire extinguisher powder, clumps of mud, food, bodily fluids or trash that has not been disposed of in the designated receptacles (e.g., dumpsters, trash rooms). Excessive housekeeping charges are imposed on residents of rooms, floors and buildings on an escalating basis. 

Community Space Reservations 

RLH maintains a variety of community and green spaces at our residence halls. The RLH community building and programming efforts take priority for residential usage of these spaces. However, these spaces can also be reserved for university events or meetings. All reservations for residence hall spaces must also follow the VCU Reservation and Use of Space Policy. 

There are also classrooms located within some residence halls. VCU uses these classrooms primarily for-credit academic courses, but these spaces may be reserved for other acceptable uses when available. Priority will be given to activities sponsored by RLH. All classroom reservations are scheduled through Virtual EMS or by emailing conferences@vcu.edu. 

Requesters must be a current VCU resident, faculty, or staff in order to utilize and reserve spaces or classrooms. Reservations may only be a one-time request as RLH is unable to accommodate recurring meetings. Reservations must be coordinated through RLH Conference Services via email at conferences.vcu.edu. The Conference Services area housing offices are open Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  If booking an event outside of these hours, there may not be staff available to help with logistics. RLH requires all Departments, Organizations and individuals to abide by the RLH Community Space guidelines when using an RLH space. 

Electrical Outlets 

If the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) outlet near a sink is not working, it has likely surged and needs to be reset. Residents can reset the outlet by pressing the “Reset” button at the center of the outlet. Note: If the cause of the surge has not been corrected, the outlet will stop working again. Residents should unplug the appliance(s) or remove the water causing the surge before continuing. If the reset is unsuccessful, all residents, except those in Gladding Residence Center, must place a work order for maintenance to check the outlet and correct the issue at fss.vcu.edu. Gladding Residence Center residents must request this be completed online at connect.studenthousing.com. 

Kitchens 

All residence hall apartments have kitchens, which are each equipped with sinks, dishwashers, refrigerators and stoves with ovens. Kitchens in Ackell and Broad & Belvidere are also equipped with above-stove microwaves. Kitchens in Broad & Belvidere are also equipped with garbage disposals. Gladding Residence Center and Gladding Residence Center III have common kitchens on certain floors for all residents to use. 

To avoid charges for excessive housekeeping or unusual wear and tear on university property, residents must practice the following good housekeeping strategies:

• Keep kitchens clean by removing trash, routinely cleaning out the refrigerator and freezer and wiping up spills in the microwave or stove/oven.
• Use garbage disposals only for soft foods while running water through the disposal to avoid mechanical failure and damage to the equipment.
• Use dishwashers only with full loads, in order to save water.
• Use only dishwasher detergent in dishwashers (liquid dish soap will cause the machine to overflow).
• Agree on a cleaning schedule with roommates.
• Clean kitchens and common areas within apartments in preparation for new roommates.

Community kitchens located in residence halls must be cleaned by the resident after each use. Residents may be charged for excessive housekeeping or damage to any kitchen or common area to which they have private or communal access. Failure to follow these housekeeping strategies may result in the community kitchen being closed for a period of time. 

Laundry

All residence hall apartments are equipped with laundry machines, which are free to use for the residents within that apartment. All traditional and suite-style residence halls are equipped with community laundry machines, which are free to use for the residents within that building. It is recommended that all residents use High Efficiency (HE) laundry detergent. 

Laundry facilities must be cared for properly. This includes removing lint after each dryer cycle and removing clothes and lint that fall behind dryers to reduce fire hazards. Dryer ducts are cleaned on a regular basis by a professional contractor; residents living in apartments are expected to allow contractors access to ducts, located in ceilings, for cleaning purposes. 

Internet and Computing Policy 

Residents are expected to comply with university policy as well as federal and state law governing the use of computer and networking resources, including applicable copyright laws. In addition, personal wireless routers are prohibited in the residence halls. In order to not interfere with the university wireless signal, residents with wireless printers on campus must turn off the wireless signal on the printer. Failure to comply with policy or law may result in disconnection of internet service and/ or university disciplinary action. 

Connect wireless devices like smart TVs, Amazon Echos, gaming systems and more without using your eID with VCU Splash.

How to login in:

1. While on the VCU network, visit splash.vcu.edu 
2. Read the “VCU Computer and Network Resource Use Policy,” check the agreement checkbox if you agree, and press continue.
3. Login with your VCU eID and password if prompted.
4. Enter your device’s wireless MAC address, name and a description. Then click Add Device. If you are unsure where to find your device’s MAC address, please refer to the device manual or search the Internet for a guide on how to locate this.
5. Once your device has been added it will appear in the “Manage Devices” section. Please wait for the device to have an “Active” status in the “Manage Devices” section. This may take a few minutes. 
6. You should now be able to connect your device to the Splash Network.
7. Contact VCU ResNet if you experience issues with registration or the network, 8:00 a.m. — 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, at (804) 828-8943.

Internet, Media, and Television Streaming Services

All halls have internet movie services, which are streamed via the movies.vcu.edu website. Movie programming may be viewed on any computer or mobile device with access to the VCU wired or wireless internet. Gladding Residence Center has coax cable television service, augmented by internet streaming capabilities on the Gladding Residence Center wireless network. Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire, Alexa, Google, and gaming systems will all function on the Gladding Residence Center wireless network.

Mail Services 

RLH manages each mail center and communicates with the United States Postal Service (USPS), United Parcel Service (UPS), Federal Express (FedEx), DHL, Lasership, Amazon Fulfillment, and other private carriers of correspondence, both domestic and international. Mail Centers are staffed by student workers and are supervised by the RLH Mail Services Coordinator. 

Mail is typically delivered Monday through Saturday. Upon arrival, all mail is sorted and placed into mailboxes or scanned into the mail and package tracking system by the student workers. Mail and packages are not delivered on Sundays.

All residents receive email notifications for packages once they have been processed by mail staff and are ready to be picked up. Residents served by the Residence Hall Central Mail and Package Center, located at 207 N Laurel Street, also receive email notifications for first-class mail once it has been processed by mail staff and is ready to be picked up. 

Packages and mail will be delivered to the following locations, where students can pick items up once notified of their delivery: 

• Brandt/Rhoads Hall Mail Center: Serving Brandt and Rhoads residents
• Gladding Residence Center Mail Center: Serving Gladding Residence Center and Gladding Residence Center III residents
• Residence Hall Central Mail and Package Center (207 N Laurel Street): Serving Ackell Residence Center, Broad & Belvidere, Cary & Belvidere, Grace & Broad, Honors, West Grace North and West Grace South residents

All same-day delivery services (Amazon Prime Now, InstaCart, etc.) and food delivery services (Blue Apron, DoorDash, GrubHub, HelloFresh, etc.) are typically scheduled for an exact delivery time and location. These services are permitted if specialized delivery arrangements are set directly between the resident and carrier. However, RLH will not assume responsibility for the collection or delivery of these services. 

Packages and mail can be picked up Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–8 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday 12–4 p.m. during the academic year. Pickup hours may be extended during high volume times (i.e. the beginning of each academic semester, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, etc.). During academic breaks, mail center schedules will vary. RLH Mail Services will send emails, update information on the Residential Mail web page, and post signs indicating hours during breaks. During inclement weather, the mail centers will operate on the same schedule as listed on the VCU alert page. 

Mail service for campus residents ends at the close of their housing contract or once they move out, whichever occurs first. Students will not receive mail on campus after they have moved out. Forwarding Service is NOT available. The USPS will not accept forwarding requests or address changes for residential addresses on VCU’s campus. Mail received for a student after they move out will be returned to the sender. Visit the Residential Mail web page for more residential mail information.

Maintenance Requests

Requests for maintenance service for all residence halls except Gladding Residence Center can be completed at fss.vcu.edu. This includes Gladding Residence Center III, which utilizes fss.vcu.edu for maintenance service requests. Gladding Residence Center maintenance requests can be completed online at connect.studenthousing.com. Gladding Residence Center residents will need to create an account the first time they log in. 

Charges for maintenance and repairs determined to be beyond normal wear and tear may be billed to the resident. Except in the case of emergencies, the reported problem will be addressed within 48 business hours or as soon as is reasonably practicable thereafter. Some repairs may be delayed if parts need to be ordered or an external repair service is needed. Residents will receive acknowledgment of receipt of their work order and status updates via email. 

When a repair is needed immediately to protect the safety of students or the facility, call emergency maintenance at (804) 828-9444, in all buildings except Gladding Residence Center. Residents in Gladding Residence Center should notify the Information Desk for emergency maintenance or housekeeping response.

​​No Furniture or Personal Property Storage 

Due to a shortage of storage space, all university provided furniture must remain in the assigned room, including double rooms converted to single occupancy or triple rooms converted to double occupancy. The university does not provide storage for personal property.

Pest Control Service

If a resident notices pests of any kind in their room or anywhere in the residence hall, they should report it immediately by completing an online work order at fss.vcu.edu. Gladding Residence Center residents should complete a work order online at connect.studenthousing.com. 

RLH encourages residents to keep food in sealed containers and empty trash regularly to prevent pests. Failure to maintain a suitable living environment that results in the need for repetitive treatment or pest control will result in charges billed to the resident. 

Residence Hall Posting and Collection Bin Guidelines

RLH maintains posting and collection areas within the residence halls where RLH staff promote programs, activities or resources for residents. RLH also makes certain posting or collection areas available to registered student organizations at VCU and VCU departments for this purpose and for a limited period of time. VCU departments and registered student organizations must submit a request with a copy of the intended posting and description of the promoted program, activity or resource at least 10 business days in advance. This allows time for RLH to determine if space is available, and if the request is consistent with the purpose of promoting programs, activities or resources for residents. To make a request, an individual authorized to act on behalf of the department or student organization must submit an email to vcuhousing@vcu.edu with either “Request to post in residence halls” or “Request to collect items in residence halls” in the subject line. 

After a request is received and approved, the department and/or student organization will receive written instructions for posting in the residence halls and must abide by these guidelines:

• Ads must be either 8.5”x11” or 11”x17.”
• Ads may only be posted at designated locations.
• Only one ad is allowed per posting area. Any additional ads will be removed and discarded.
• Ads will be removed and discarded once the event date has passed or at the next regularly scheduled clearing of the posting area.
• Ads posted outside of designated areas will be removed and discarded regardless of event date.

After a request is received and approved, the department and/or student organization will receive written instructions for collection bins in the residence halls and must abide by these guidelines:

• Collection bins must be placed in the appropriate places in each residence hall as deemed by the Hall Director (or designee).
• Collection bins are required to be provided by the registered student organization or VCU department.
• Collection bins must meet the RLH requirements for size, condition and protection against fire hazards.
• A collection bin drive may not exceed 2 weeks and must be picked up by the date designated in the approval confirmation.
• Registered student organizations and VCU departments are responsible for emptying bins of collected items at least every three days to ensure collection bins do not overflow.

Residence Hall Room Entry

RLH respects the privacy of residents, and reserves the right to enter student rooms, suites, or apartments without prior notice to the resident(s), as needed in order to protect the safety and security of all residents and facilities. 

Room & Access Keys

Residence hall keys are the sole property of VCU and may not be duplicated under any circumstance. A resident may not lend or give a residence hall key to any other individual at any time. Violators of this rule will be held responsible for any damage or misconduct resulting from possession of a key by another. 

Residents who lose keys should report this loss immediately to their area office and may be charged a fee of $75 for a lost bedroom key and $10 for a lost mailbox key. Residents who are locked out of their rooms may be assisted by staff to gain entry. Students should contact the area office during the business day at the Information Desk or the RA on duty after hours for assistance. In addition, students who fail to take appropriate care of keys may be subject to charges under the Student Code of Conduct.

Residence Hall Standards for Student Conduct

RLH is designed to facilitate effective community living. This concept requires that all members of the community take ownership of their role in the community and understand how their behaviors impact others with whom they live in close proximity. RLH is committed to educational and personal growth for residents and RLH policies set forth a set of standards for members of the residential community. We encourage residents to hold each other accountable to these standards of the residence hall community. 

Conduct in the residence halls is subject to federal, state and local laws and university policies, including the university bulletins, VCU Student Code of Conduct, this Guide and the terms and conditions of the housing contract. Contract cancellation and removal from the residence halls and/or university may result from the violation of policy or law. Violations that endanger the safety and welfare of others or cause disruption of the residence community may result in removal from the residence halls, charges via the Student Code of Conduct, and, in situations where a student poses a threat to any member of the university community, interim suspension from the university. 

Additionally, several university-wide policies have direct application to the residence hall community. Examples include the VCU’s Interim Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, Interim Sex-Based Misconduct Policy, VCU Alcohol and Drug Policy, Computer and Network Resources Use Policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Students are advised to be familiar with these and other VCU policies such as the VCU Honor System and Standards of Academic Conduct and Grade-Review Procedure.

According to the Student Code of Conduct, it applies to all conduct by students on University property, at VCU-sponsored activities, and off campus. The Director of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity or designee shall decide at their sole discretion on a case-by-case basis whether the Student Code of Conduct shall be applied to conduct occurring off campus. 

Other university policies can be found in the Policy Library.

Alcohol
Animals
Bathrooms
Common Area (or Common Space)
Cooking and Electrical Appliances
Decorations
Furniture Misappropriation
Guests
Hall Sports and Activities
Quiet Hours
Smoking
Solicitation
Student Room Responsibility
Vandalism

Alcohol

Students must comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and University policies and rules regarding the use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages. 

As it relates specifically to residence halls, residents, or their guests, who are of legal drinking age (21+) are not permitted to possess or consume alcohol in any common area of the residence halls (as defined below), including, but not limited to bathrooms, lobbies, etc. Residents who are of legal drinking age (21+) may possess and consume alcohol within their assigned room, suite, or apartment, in the presence of roommates (regardless of age) or guests of legal drinking age. Guests who are of legal drinking age (21+) may not possess or consume alcohol in the residence hall if their host is not of legal drinking age. Guests under legal drinking age are not permitted to be in the presence of anyone consuming alcohol in the residence hall. 

Animals 

Pets are not permitted in residence halls, with the exception of fish in one 10-gallon tank per bedroom. 

Consistent with university policy governing Animals on University Property and state and federal law, residents requiring emotional support or service animals in the residence halls may request a reasonable accommodation from SAEO. To bring an emotional support animal into the residence hall, a housing accommodation request must be submitted. In addition, VCU welcomes the presence of trained service animals on its campus in areas open to the public consistent with the provisions of university policy and applicable law. A service animal is generally permitted to be on university property in any place where the animal’s handler is permitted to be. 

Any animal must be kept clean, groomed and within the control of its handler at all times. The handler will be responsible for appropriate care for the animal and facility, must use appropriate spaces for animal toileting and will be charged for any damage to property or facilities caused by the presence of the animal. 

For any animal permitted to reside in a residence hall, a resident must submit proof of required vaccinations and must meet with a RLH staff member to review and sign an Acknowledgment of Policies and Procedures on Emotional Support/Service Animals.

Bathrooms 

RLH has a gender-affirming bathroom policy. Shared bathroom facilities within the residence halls are designated as either single gender (mens or womens bathrooms) or for everyone. RLH is committed to providing clean and safe bathrooms for use by any student. All students are welcome to use a shared bathroom that corresponds to their sex or gender identity, or a single-person bathroom. 

In Rhoads Hall, community bathroom facilities are designated for men or women with a shared community sink area and multiple individual-use, private stalls for showers and toilets for use by one person at a time. These facilities are cleaned by housekeeping on a daily basis. 

In Gladding Residence Center, gender-affirming community-style bathroom facilities have a community sink area for shared use by individuals of any gender and multiple individual-use, private, lockable rooms with shower and toilet for use by one person at a time. These facilities are cleaned by housekeeping on a daily basis. 

Bathrooms in suite-style rooms (Brandt, Gladding Residence Center, Gladding Residence Center III) and apartments (Ackell, Broad & Belvidere, Grace & Broad Residence Center, West Grace North, and West Grace South) have a shared community sink area and a private, lockable room with a shower and toilet for individual use. The Gladding Residence Center III suite-style efficiency spaces have a shared community sink area, individual-use private stalls for showers, and a private, lockable toilet room for individual use.

To encourage safety and comfort in shared bathroom facilities, the following policies must be followed in all residence halls:

• Residents and guests may use bathroom stalls or lockable rooms for private toileting or bathing use only. Any use of a shower or toilet stall/ room by more than one person at a time or for other purposes is not permitted.
• Residents and guests must exercise courteous cell phone use in all bathroom areas; the Student Code of Conduct prohibits recording a video or taking a photo in violation of an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
• Residents and guests must treat common bathroom spaces with respect and clean up after themselves and report any maintenance or housekeeping issues.

Common Area (or Common Space) 

The residence halls have common use spaces designated for residential student use. These common spaces are designed for the primary purpose of community building, which includes both independent social and recreational/ educational activities of residents/guests and structured programming. For the purpose of this policy, a common area is defined as any space and/or area outside a student’s individual room, suite or apartment. They include, but are not limited to, stairways, hallways, bathrooms, lounges, courtyards, lobbies, kitchens, elevators, entrance ways and study rooms. 

To maintain a comfortable shared living space for all residents, the following behaviors are prohibited in common areas:

• Removal of furniture
• Sleeping
• Nudity
• Sexual contact
• Violation of any applicable university policy, including this guide, Student Code of Conduct or the policies prohibiting sex-based misconduct

RLH will provide housekeeping services for the basic upkeep of the building. Although housekeeping will regularly clean common areas in the residence halls, it is the responsibility of all residents and guests to properly dispose of their trash or recycling, and to keep common areas clean and in order. The residents of the hall are responsible for keeping the building in an acceptable condition. The residents may be billed for housekeeping/grounds services beyond those needed for basic upkeep. 

If residents witness damage to common areas, they must discourage the behavior and identify the responsible individuals to a RLH staff member. Damage charges resulting from the misuse or abuse of common areas may be assessed to all residents of the area. If the individuals responsible for the damage are identified, then only responsible persons are charged.

Examples of resident responsibilities within common areas include:

• Dispose of all trash properly. Place all trash into exterior dumpsters and/or trash rooms.
• Sweep and mop spilled liquids and excessive dirt on floors.
• Clear and clean stickers, writing and other marks on walls.
• Clean kitchens - including washing used dishes, wiping up spills and putting dishes away.
• Limit laundry room use to only residents of the hall.
• Do not leave personal items in common areas. Items left out for an extended period of time may be removed and discarded by RLH staff.
• Keep hallways and stairways unobstructed; do not leave items in hallways and stairways to ensure a clear path for exit in the event of emergencies.
• Bikes are not permitted to be placed or stored within hallways, lounges, or stairways.

Cooking and Electrical Appliances 

The use of cooking appliances (other than microwaves) in student bedrooms is prohibited. Items that require an open flame to operate are prohibited. Possession of any prohibited cooking or electrical appliance in the residence halls is in violation of the Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code. Prohibited or illegal items may be confiscated at the discretion of the department. A list of prohibited items can be found at the end of this document. 

Residential Life and Housing equips specific rooms or units with appliances for use by residents assigned to the space. Residents are prohibited from bringing an additional appliance unless the SAEO office has authorized an additional appliance as an accommodation. 

• In Brandt Hall, Rhoads Hall, The Honors College, and Gladding Residence Center, each room is equipped with a micro-fridge (a 2-in-1 unit that includes a microwave and a mini fridge).
• In Cary and Belvidere, Grace and Broad, West Grace South, and West Grace North, each unit is equipped with a refrigerator. Only 1 microwave is permitted per unit and the microwave must be displayed and operated in the kitchen area only.
• In Ackell, Broad and Belvidere, and GRC 3, each unit is equipped with a refrigerator, and each room is equipped with a microwave.

Residents requesting an additional refrigerator as an accommodation should submit a request to SAEO. Refrigerators may not be stored in closets or other areas not providing adequate ventilation. The power cord must be grounded and not exceed a length of six feet. Microwaves and refrigerators must be plugged directly into the wall outlet, because these appliances can commonly overload a surge protector. 

Crockpots, instapots and pressure cookers; rice cookers; toasters or toaster ovens, and air fryers are prohibited from use within residence hall bedrooms in any hall. These items may be used within an apartment kitchen space, or in a community kitchen. Cooking appliances approved for use in community kitchens may be stored in residence hall rooms, but must be unplugged and clearly NOT in use within the room. Please refer to the Prohibited Items List at the end of this document for additional information concerning which cooking and electrical devices are not allowed in the residence halls.

Decorations 

Residents may not post or hang materials in violation of applicable university policies, or state or federal law. Instances of this may be adjudicated through the Student Conduct process. 

Please refer to the Prohibited Items List on this webpage to ensure residence hall policies are not violated when furnishing a residence hall room. Affixing any item to a residence hall surface, such as a wall, ceiling, floor, furniture or door cannot be done using double-stick tape or any adhesive that may remove the finish. 

Excessive decorations on room walls can be hazardous. In accordance with State Fire Marshall restrictions, RLH prohibits covering more than 50% of a residence hall room wall. Decorative items may not be used in, on or within 18 inches of the ceiling, lighting, sprinkler heads, conduit lines, pipes or electrical fixtures. Wall hangings, tapestries, blankets, banners, and other decorative materials suspended from walls or other vertical surfaces must be flame resistant or noncombustible. RLH prohibits hanging or posting any item in a window except for curtains or drapes with a manufacturer’s tag stating that they are made of flame resistant materials. Painting of University Property is prohibited. 

The hallway side of the room or suite door may not be decorated. Only a small message/memo board, not exceeding 200 square inches, may be placed on this side of the door. Both the room number and the nametag created by the RA must remain visible. 

VCU is committed to creating and supporting a safe and welcoming campus community for all students, faculty and staff. We work continuously to create an open environment with meaningful opportunities to learn and engage. At VCU it is the responsibility of every member of the community to foster an environment of respect, openness, and understanding. VCU is dedicated to creating and promoting an environment free from racism, sexism, ageism, heterosexism, homophobia, ableism, and xenophobia. 

The University encourages residents to consider the impact that any messages or items posted or displayed in residence hall space communicate directly with neighboring residents, hall mates and staff who pass. To support a safe and welcoming residential community, RLH staff, in consultation with the university Bias Response Team, will provide support for members of the community that have been impacted by bias-related messages in the residence halls, including through voluntary opportunities for educational programs or mediation, as appropriate. 

Furniture Misappropriation

Students may not remove university equipment or furniture from its assigned room, suite, lounge or other area within a residence hall. Unauthorized removal of furniture within a building or from one building to another will be considered misappropriation and sanctions/charges may be incurred. 

Guests 

For the purposes of this policy, a “guest” is defined as (1) a residential student with an active contract who has guest access to the residence hall they are visiting on their VCUCard or (2) a resident living in the same hall who is visiting bedrooms/suites/apartments to which they are not assigned.

Residents may host guests who have access to their residence hall, if all residents and guests meet the following expectations:

• All residents and guests must abide by all policies while in the residence hall, including the Student Code of Conduct, Guide to Residential Living, posted occupancy limits, and applicable health and safety protocols.
• Residents are permitted to host no more than three guests at any given time, and guests may be hosted in the VCU residence halls for no more than three consecutive nights and no more than six nights total in any 30-day period.
• Residents must have their roommate’s consent to invite a guest into a shared suite or apartment.
• If an invited guest violates residence hall or university policy, they must vacate the residence hall immediately. Guests documented for violations of policy will be referred to Student Conduct and may lose their guest access pending investigation.

To promote the health and safety of the residential community, guest access may be restricted or expanded based on available public health data and guidance. Any changes to access for nonresidential students and non-affiliated guests will be communicated to all impacted residents via email.

Guests: Residential Access

Any resident of a VCU residence hall may enter any other open VCU residence hall as a guest by swiping their VCUCard at the entrance to the hall they are visiting, which logs their guest visit. While a resident may visit another residence hall without signing in or meeting their host at the entrance, a resident of the hall must host the visit according to the general requirements for all guests. Access to all buildings will be deactivated when a resident checks out of their residence hall.

Guests: Off-Campus Access 

Any guest who does not live in a VCU on-campus residence hall, including a VCU student who lives off campus, must sign in. To expedite the guest registration process, residents must provide their guest’s information to Residential Life and Housing in advance by creating a “Visitor Reservation” in the Housing Portal. Log in to the Housing Portal and select the “Visitors” tab at the top of the screen. “Register a New Visitor” and provide as much information as possible. You and your guest will still be required to provide identification and sign in at the information desk as described below. 

Resident hosts must complete the following steps to sign in a guest:

• Residents must register the guest before arrival at the desk. 
• Resident host must meet the guest at the front desk and show their valid VCUCard to the Desk Assistant. 
• The resident host must sign the guest in. 
• The guest will be required to present a current and valid photo ID* at the front desk for the purposes of registration. 
• The resident host must escort their guests at all times. Resident hosts assume responsibility for their guests and must ensure their guests comply with all VCU policies. 

*Acceptable forms of identification include but are not limited to, a current and valid VCU student or VCU employee Card (with a photo), a driver’s license or other state issued ID, a passport. Credit cards, ATM cards, other university or college IDs, or expired photo identification documents will not be accepted. A guest presenting an invalid ID will be denied entry to any VCU residence halls.

Guests: Restrictions for All Guests 

Residents are permitted to have no more than three guests at any given time, and guests may be hosted in the VCU residence halls for no more than three consecutive nights and no more than six nights total in any 30-day period.

Residents must have their roommate(s)’ consent to invite a guest(s) into the room or other shared-living space. A guest visit must not pose an unreasonable burden or unreasonable infringement on the privacy and privileges of the roommate(s). If roommates do not agree about hosting guest(s) within the room or assigned shared living area, the resident wanting to host may visit with their guest(s) in a common area of the residence hall. 

Provided there is no unreasonable interference with the living environment of a roommate(s), a resident may have short-term guest(s) (those who stay for a few hours, but not overnight) at any time as long as it is within the limits noted above. If an invited guest violates residence hall or other university policy they may be required to exit the residence hall immediately, may not be signed back in until meeting with a Residential Life and Housing staff member and the resident host, and may indefinitely lose the privilege of entering any VCU residence hall. Residential Life and Housing will notify the individual of the loss of guest access privilege in writing via VCU email address to the VCU resident host. Any individual who attempts to enter a residence hall without guest access privileges may be subject to arrest for trespassing, and Residential Life and Housing will notify VCU Police. Guest access privileges may be restored only by the Associate Director of Residential Life or designee. Because residents share responsibility for their own residential community, the resident responsible for guest conduct (resident host) is not only the individual who signed in the guest but may also include other residents whom the guest visits or residents accompanying the guest at the time of misconduct.

Guest visiting periods may be altered at certain times of the year, such as breaks, final exams or other scheduled disruptions. 

Guests: Minors Policy 

Protection of Minors

This policy establishes guidelines for the guest policy as it pertains to individuals under 18 years of age. This policy is in line with the University’s commitment to promoting the safety and well-being of minors through its policy on the Safety and Protection of Minors on Campus. 

This policy does not apply to enrolled undergraduate VCU students under the age of 18. The University reserves the right to remove a guest from campus who has violated University regulations. 

Minor Guests Provisions 

Guests under the age of 14 are not permitted in the residence halls at any time unless they are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Guests who are 14-17 years of age are permitted to enter VCU residence halls with a complete and satisfactory Minor Guest Permission Form from a legal parent or guardian. All signed forms must be submitted to the office no later than noon of the business day prior to the date of visitation. Minor guests may not stay for more than three consecutive nights on campus. VCU does not provide childcare services and is not responsible for any monitoring or oversight of a resident’s guest(s) of any age other than standard enforcement of applicable university policies. Minors staying for University-approved visits will have pre-approved Minor Guest Passes as requested by the sponsoring department. Minor guests who arrive to campus without a signed permission form will not be allowed to be checked into the residence halls. No Minor Guest Pass will be issued until a signed Minor Guest Permission Form is received. 

Host of Minor(s) Responsibilities 

For purposes of this policy, a host is defined as any student residing in VCU residence halls. The resident host is responsible for the behaviors of any individual(s) they allow access to their residence hall room. 

The resident host is subject to disciplinary action if a guest violates University regulations because the student host:

• Failed to monitor a guest’s behaviors 
• Knowingly allowed a guest to commit a Student Code of Conduct violation 

The resident host is responsible for ensuring that: 

• The guest’s parents (or legal guardian) have submitted a Minor Guest Permission Form. 
• The resident host has received an emailed copy of the Minor Guest Pass, which will serve as confirmation the permission form was received and approved 
• The minor guest is escorted by the resident host at all times 
• The minor guest properly presents the Minor Guest Pass (printed or email) to the staff at the information desk when checking into the residence hall

Hall Sports and Activities

Sports and activities are prohibited in and around residence halls including small courtyard areas. Activities are permissible in larger courtyard areas, while maintaining a distance of 25 feet from any structure (building, equipment, or landscaping). Any athletic activity that may cause injury, bodily harm, or damage to the residence hall is strictly prohibited. This includes excessive running or jumping indoors. Any activity that propels any object(s), including but not limited to footballs, softballs, baseballs, frisbees, snowballs, in and around residence halls and courtyards is prohibited. Additionally, throwing objects such as food or water balloons at cars, pedestrians, or stationary objects is a violation of residence hall policy and state law. Other forms of activities that are prohibited in the residence hall include skateboarding, bicycling, roller skating and rollerblading.

Quiet Hours 

In an effort to provide a conducive learning environment, quiet hours are in place from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 p.m. – 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Sounds are not to be heard outside rooms during these hours. At all times, “courtesy hours” are in effect so as not to disturb other community members, and residents are encouraged to comply with requests from other residents and/or staff members to lower their volume. Quiet hours may be extended by hall staff before and during examination periods and/or as necessary. Musical instruments and amplifiers are not to be played in the residence halls, including in individual rooms.

Smoking 

Smoking, vaping, and the use of all tobacco products is prohibited on VCU property, including inside and around residence halls and inside individual resident rooms. According to the university’s Smoke and Tobacco-Free Campus policy, “Smoking” means inhaling, exhaling, burning, or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, cigarette, pipe or any other lighted or heated tobacco or plant product intended for inhalation, including marijuana, whether natural or synthetic, in any manner or in any form. “Smoking” also includes the use of an electronic nicotine delivery system which creates an aerosol, in any manner or in any form, or the use of any oral smoking device for the purpose of circumventing the prohibition of smoking. For more information about the university’s smoking policy, visit tobaccofree.vcu.edu.

Solicitation

RLH encourages residents to engage in civil discourse within the residence halls as such discourse can strengthen and engage the residential community. However, because RLH prioritizes staff communications to residents and the potential need for emergency response within access-restricted and private areas of the residence halls, RLH will not permit any non-staff member to conduct door-to-door campaigns within the residence halls, no matter the subject or opinion of those campaigns. RLH reserves this method of communication for the essential messages of its own staff. While it is necessary to restrict the time, place, and manner of discourse within access-restricted and private areas of the residential community in this way, RLH does not restrict speech based on the content or viewpoint of that speech. 

Student Room Responsibility 

To preserve the health and safety of members of the residential community, residents are responsible for maintaining reasonable standards of cleanliness and safety in their rooms and common areas, including proper garbage/trash disposal and securing of cable, telephone and electrical wiring. RLH may inspect rooms to ensure that residents comply with policies protecting health and safety. 

Residents are encouraged to store prescription medications properly (in their original container, with their prescription on the label), and to ensure that prescription medication is secure at all times. 

As noted in the Housing Contract, use of a residential facility (including a student’s assigned room) for any activity related to business or financial gain is prohibited. 

Vandalism

Residential Life and Housing prohibits vandalism. This includes graffiti, destruction of university or residence hall property, or the destruction of personal property of others (i.e. tearing down exit signs, breaking common space furniture, etc). Residents found in violation of this policy may be sanctioned. These sanctions may range from restitution to contract cancellation from the residence halls. Residents may be billed either individually or as a group for excessive damage to living and/or common spaces.