The Catholic University of America

University Policies

For Summer Guests: Licensee agrees to the following. Violations may result in disciplinary action, fines and contract termination

I. Terms of Use

  1. License The University grants to Licensee a license to use the facilities under the terms and conditions of the agreement. The parties mutually agree that nothing herein shall create a tenancy, that the license does not constitute a lease, that Landlord-Tenant laws will not apply, and that it does not create or transfer interest or a lien on real estate. Licensee waives any right to remain in the assigned space beyond the end of the license period or after termination due to Licensee's breach of terms.
  2. Room usage Residents are prohibited from using the room for anything other than residential purposes and may not allow other persons to occupy said room or conduct any commercial activity without the prior written consent of the University.
  3. Compliance with staff Residents are required to follow all reasonable requests issued by authorized representatives of Conferences and Event Planning (CEP) (to include appointments with any staff) or other University officials. Non-compliance may result in termination of this agreement.
  4. Changing condition of room/door Any change or alteration of the room, furniture, window or door (interior and exterior) will be repaired and charged to the individual resident.
  5. Furniture removal Residents may not remove furniture from their rooms. A $25 fine will be billed to any resident who moves furniture from his or her room or moves lounge or study room furniture into his or her room. Residents will be billed the replacement value for pieces of furniture not present at checkout.
  6. Bicycles must be stored only in outside bicycle racks or resident rooms. Motorbikes and motor scooters are not permitted in or next to residence halls.
  7. Cooking is permitted only in kitchens. Cooking is not permitted in residence hall rooms that do not include a kitchen. Preparation of hot beverages or popcorn by use of appliances with enclosed heating elements and automatic shut off will be permitted in resident rooms. Microwaves and toaster ovens are not permitted in resident rooms. Microwaves are available in some halls. All cooking and eating utensils found unattended in public spaces will be discarded.
  8. Electrical appliances The following electrical appliances are authorized for use in student rooms providing they have the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., approval (U/L label) on the appliance and cord, and both are in good working order: radio, tape recorder/player, television, VCR/DVD player, desk lamp, record/CD players and stereo equipment that draw less than 15 watts per channel, coffee maker with enclosed heating element and automatic shut off, clock, fan, heating pad, hair setter, hair dryer (portable), refrigerator (4.0 cu. ft. maximum), corn popper with enclosed heating element and automatic shut off, electric blanket with thermostat.
  9. Facility usage If a group would like to reserve a public area within the residence halls for a private function, he/she or a representative of the group must contact CEP. Applications for reservations must be received 10 business days in advance of the event.
  10. Keys and locks Residents are issued a key and building access card that permit them access to their assigned building and room and are not transferable. Residents must lock their room whenever they leave, as they are responsible for their personal security and University property. Residents who lose keys or cards must immediately report the loss to CEP (x5200) and be prepared to pay for a lock change ($50). If a resident borrows a spare key, he or she must return it within 24 hours or be billed for a lock change.
  11. Posting and decorating When hanging pictures, posters, etc., only adhesive picture hangers should be used. Nails, tacks, plastic tape or adhesive that will damage walls, wardrobes, woodwork, doors, furniture or fixtures are strictly prohibited. Public display of offensive materials is not permitted.
  12. Quiet hours and noise Quiet hours are 7:00 pm to 7:00 am Sunday through Thursday and 1:00 am to 8:00 am Friday and Saturday. No noise should be audible outside the closed door of a resident's room. If you bring a stereo, you must bring and use headphones.
  13. Reporting maintenance Residents are responsible for reporting items that need repair to the CEP (x5200 or report to area RHO). This includes items in resident's room, common areas and bathrooms. If residents do not report broken items in the room when they occur, they may be billed for those items at checkout.
  14. Room entry Representatives of the University (including University contractors) are permitted to enter rooms upon knocking on the door
  15. Tolerance of others Resident's behavior must be respectful of the individual differences present among those who are the CUA campus. Residents who believe themselves to be the subject of harassment should bring this to the attention of CEP. Judicial action may be brought against those residents who harass others.
  16. Violent behavior Residents who commit acts of a violent nature (fighting, physical and verbal threats, assault, sexual assault and vandalism) may be immediately removed from housing and the CUA campus.
  17. Visitation Residents are responsible for adherence to the following guidelines:

a) The right of a resident to live in reasonable privacy takes precedence over the right of his or her roommate to entertain a guest in the room.

b) The residence halls are open to visitors from 9:00 am to 2:00 am. Guests must respect quiet hours.

c) The University reserves the right to remove a visitor from the residence hall at any time and in its sole judgment when it deems that the guest's or his/her host's behavior is contrary to its goals and objectives.

d) Residents are responsible at all times for the actions and damages incurred by their guests. Residents and guests are not permitted unauthorized entry into university facilities or events.

e) Overnight guests are not permitted.

II. Alcohol and Drug Policy

  1. Residents who are under the legal drinking age of 21 may not drink, possess alcohol, or possess used alcohol containers in the residence halls.
  2. Residents may not consume or be under the influence of alcoholic beverages in campus public areas. Please see the policies website at http://policies.cua.edu for more details.
  3. Residents 21 years and older who provide alcohol
    1. to underage persons or who become inebriated are subject to disciplinary actions/arrest by University and/or District of Columbia officials.
    1. CEP, Public Safety, and other University representatives authorized by CEP can take action against residents and guests violating the alcohol policy. The primary enforcement agent for the alcohol policy will be the Department of Public Safety.
    2. Alcohol may not be stored or consumed in any room in which underage residents or guests are in attendance.
    3. Any resident attending an unauthorized party where alcohol is served will be in violation of the alcohol policy.
    4. Illegal drug. The use, possession or sale of illegal drugs or controlled substances is not permitted. Violation of this regulation may result in contract termination and other disciplinary action, and referral to the District of Columbia Metropolitan Police.

III. Prohibited Activities/Items

  1. Candles/Incense, Halogen Lamps, and open flame or heat articles are prohibited.
  2. Destruction of property Damage to a residence hall room or to common areas may result in termination of the housing agreement. Residents are responsible for common damages as assessed by CEP.
  3. False identifications Residents are prohibited from altering or forging official documents, including CUA ID cards. Individuals found with false identification will have it confiscated and will be reported to the appropriate state or local agency. Individuals found to be manufacturing or providing fake ID's for individuals will face removal from the residence halls along with civil and criminal penalties.
  4. Fire Tampering with fire equipment including fire extinguishers, exit signs, smoke detectors, fire alarms, and fire doors is a serious violation of District of Columbia law and University regulations. Those who tamper with fire equipment will have their housing agreements terminated. Further disciplinary action may be taken as the specific situation warrants. Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm or emergency will result in a $25 fine and disciplinary action.
  5. Fireworks firecrackers, cherry bombs, smoke bombs, and other similar devices are strictly prohibited.
  6. Forcing open/propping doors Any resident found to be forcing open and/or propping open an entrance door will be subject to a $50 fine. Continued disregard of this policy may result in the termination of this agreement.
  7. Gambling is not permitted on the campus.
  8. Lofts or bunk beds may not be constructed.
  9. Musical instruments are only allowed after approval by CEP.
  10. Videotapes of a pornographic or X-rated nature are not permitted.
  11. Parties Room parties with alcohol are not permitted. Attending or hosting a room party is a violation of residence hall policy. Residents of legal drinking age and underage students found in violation of this policy may be subject to termination of agreement.
  12. Pets Animals and lab specimens are not permitted in residence halls, except those assisting residents with a visual impairment.
  13. Roofs Residents are not permitted to use the roofs or enter restricted areas for any reason. Residents may not rappel, climb, or scale walls of residence halls.
  14. Window Screens may not be removed for any reason.
  15. Smoking is prohibited in all university buildings.
  16. Sports Playing any type of sports in the residence halls is not permitted. Residents are responsible for any damage caused by these activities.
  17. Waterbeds are not permitted.
  18. Weapons of any kind, or instruments used in a dangerous fashion, are not permitted on University property.
  19. Weightlifting equipment and barbells are not permitted in the residence halls.
  20. Windows Residents may not sit on windowsills, place items in precarious positions on windowsills, project items from windows or tamper with window restrictions.