Policies

Because the majority of on campus students are under 21 years old, it is important that all students understand the rules and policies of the University and New Jersey state law regarding alcoholic beverages and the way in which residence hall staff and Public Safety will enforce these rules and policies. Violation of the below policies will result in a referral to the Residence Life Office.

A. Possession

1. Persons who are 21 years of age or older may possess and consume alcoholic beverages, but only in the individual rooms of students 21 years of age or older.
2. Consumption or distribution of alcoholic beverages is not permitted in any location other than in the individual room of students 21 years of age or older.
3. The possession of containers that previously contained alcohol is not permitted by individuals less than 21 years of age. 
4. The collection of monies prior to or during any function in campus housing where alcoholic beverages are served is not permitted.
5. Any student observed bringing alcohol into a campus residence will be confronted by a staff member to determine if the student is of legal age to possess alcohol.
   1. If the student is 21 years of age or older, they are reminded that distribution of alcoholic beverages to minors and intoxicated persons is a policy violation.
   2. If the student is under 21 years of age, the alcoholic beverages will be poured out by the student.

B. Underage:

1. If a student under 21 years of age is found in possession of alcoholic beverages whether the container is opened/unsealed or closed/sealed, the student will pour out the remaining alcoholic beverages.
2. If students under 21 years of age are in a room where open/unsealed containers of alcohol are present, the minors will be considered to have been provided with, and in possession of alcohol, and appropriate charges will be filed for everyone involved. In a room or apartment where no one else is present and where one student is under 21 and the other is 21 or older the presence of alcohol is permitted.
3. Presumption of consumption if alcohol is present and student is under 21.

C. Common Areas:

1. Students are not permitted to be intoxicated in public areas. The symptoms of alcohol intoxication include but, are not limited to, being disruptive, slurring words, stumbling, vomiting or being unconscious.
2. If a student is 21 years of age or older, he/she may transport alcoholic beverages to their room through common areas as long as it is in the original closed container.
3. No alcohol may be stored in the foyer areas.

D. General Guidelines:

1. Residents will be held responsible for activities that occur in their rooms, and will be referred to the Residence Life Office, if guests are in violation of alcohol policies.
2. In enforcing alcohol policies, residence life staff is required to check student’s ages. It is the student’s obligation, when asked, to provide proof that they are of legal age to possess alcoholic beverages.
3. A student may transport alcoholic beverages to their room through common areas as long as it is in its original, closed container. It will be presumed that any container other than the original, closed container connotes the individual has been or will be consuming the beverage in other than an individual room. It is permitted for persons who are 21 years of age or older to possess and consume alcoholic beverages, but only in the individual residents rooms of students 21 years of age or older.
4. Kegs containing alcoholic beverages and beer balls are not permitted in or around campus residences.
5. Parents/guardians will be notified by mail if a student is under the age of 18 and is not emancipated when found responsible for a violation of the alcohol policy. When a student violates an alcohol policy he/she may be referred for educational sessions and/or an alcohol assessment.
6. Any party or gathering at which the rules and policies regarding alcoholic beverages have been violated will be terminated and all alcohol will be poured out or confiscated. Those students in violation will be referred to the Residence Life Office.
7. It is the responsibility of the students living on campus to maintain the spirit and letter of the above policies. It is the responsibility of the residence life staff to assist students in this regard and to deal with alleged violations when they occur.
8. Failure to comply with the direction of or to present identification to University officials acting in the performance of their duties is a violation of the Professional Code of Conduct.
9. Supplying false information, such as name, age, etc., to University officials who are acting in the performance of their duties is a violation of the Professional Code of Conduct.
10. The Office of Public Safety may be involved for arrest, transportation to a hospital, for support, etc. in any of the above situations

Residence Life, Health Services and Facilities Services work together to identify, treat and control the spread of bed bugs in accordance with specific procedures. The University contracts the services of a professional certified pest control company to handle any required treatments and follow-up treatments.

Bribing university staff for residence life privileges is forbidden.

NJIT residents are responsible for cleaning their rooms (including bathrooms and foyers in Cypress, Laurel, Honors and Oak Halls and the Greek Village).  Several times each semester and at semester breaks, residence life staff and/or the State Fire Marshal may conduct a health and safety inspection of each room to look for cleanliness, safety issues and prohibited items. The residence life staff makes note of any damages and confiscates any prohibited items. If a resident’s room fails inspection, the room is re-inspected within seven days. If the room fails a second time, it may result in fines, residence life judicial referral, sanctions or dismissal from the residence hall.

The use of university facilities and/or property for commercial sales activities by individuals or non-University organizations is prohibited. University organizations, within the limits established by this policy and other University regulations, and with appropriate approval, may sell materials to support the purpose of their organization. Solicitation by residents or guests is forbidden in the residence halls. Door-to-door advertising by outside vendors is not permitted.

Any student who anticipates or observes a violation is expected to immediately remove themselves from the environment and report it to NJIT staff. Withholding information is a policy violation. Your presence during any violation of an on campus Community Standards and/or policies ultimately condones, supports and/or encourages the violation(s) and you will be held responsible.

Common Areas - Damage to residence common areas that occur through vandalism may be charged back to the individuals involved, the floor or hall.  If you have information concerning damage in public areas, please share it with Residence Life Staff.  Please note that command strips are not permitted in Maple Hall.  

Any NJIT student who illegally possesses, uses, manufactures, prepares, buys, sells, gives away or otherwise dispenses any controlled dangerous substances may be suspended or dismissed from on campus housing and/or NJIT. The Residence Life Office and the Dean of Students Office will take further action. The possession of paraphernalia for illegal drugs is strictly prohibited. Parents/guardians will be notified by mail if a student is underage and is not emancipated when found responsible for a violation of a drug policy. When a student violates a drug policy they may be referred for educational sessions and/or a drug assessment.

All Student Lounges – Lounge furnishings are placed in public areas for the use of students and visitors. The furniture in these lounges cannot be removed. Students who are found in possession of lounge furniture will be fined $50 per item and have a residence life judicial meeting.

Student Rooms – University furniture or furnishings may not be removed from your room. Mattresses are to be used only on bed frames and not to be placed on the floor.  If you would like to request that your beds be bunked, submit a maintenance request.  Residents may not use their own supplies to bunk their own beds.  All beds must be free standing on the floor, supported by legs attached to the bed frame. Personal items cannot be stored and must be removed from the residence halls at the time of checkout. A charge will be assessed for removing items left behind. Damaged or missing furniture will be billed to the residents of the room. Because of excessive weight and potential for damage, liquid-filled beds and other liquid-filled furniture are not permitted. Lofts are forbidden, as they violate fire codes.

The state fire marshal will complete an inspection of the buildings and student rooms. This will occur at least once during the academic year. Residents will be notified if violations are found and are responsible for remediating violations immediately. Any fines issued by the State Fire Marshall are the students’ responsibility and will be placed on their accounts.

• Candles, incense, potpourri or other flame-emitting articles are prohibited in residence halls.
• Electric scent warmers are prohibited.
• Outside furniture is not permitted in the residence halls.
• Small personal appliances that are approved by the Underwriter’s Lab (UL label) may be used in the residence halls unless otherwise stated. Electrical equipment such as hot plates, hot pots, halogen, or other high-intensity lamps, immersion heaters, grills, space heaters, crock pots, air conditioners, electrical blankets, rice cooker, toaster ovens, etc. are not permitted. Soldering irons may be stored in residential rooms, but cannot be used in the halls. One microwave, up to 1000 watts/9.5 amps, is permitted in each room. One toaster/toaster oven, one rice cooker, one air fryer and one crock-pot, in Oak Hall and the Greek Village only, are permitted in each apartment/room to be used in the designated kitchen area of that apartment/room. Appropriate university personnel will confiscate/abate any of the above items found in the residence halls. Confiscated items must be signed out from your residence hall office and taken home before Thanksgiving and Memorial Day. After Memorial Day any confiscated items that remain will be discarded.
• Extension cords or multi-plug outlets are not permitted. Power strips with surge protectors must be used. A power strip may not be plugged into another power strip.
• Students may rent (through NJIT’s approved vendor) one MicroFridge (a 2.1 cubic foot refrigerator with a 0.7 cubic-foot freezer and 0.6 cubic-foot microwave). Students may bring two 1.7 cubic-foot refrigerators or one 4.5 or less cubic-foot refrigerator per bedroom. Information regarding rentals may be obtained from the Residence Life Office.  Residents living in Maple Hall will have a full size refrigerator and microwave, therefore residents are not permitted to bring an additional refrigerator or microwave for their room.  
• The use of or installation of wood, paneling and/or tiles is prohibited.
• Flammable liquids are strictly prohibited.
• To comply with state fire regulations, fire drills are conducted in all buildings twice a semester. Everyone present in the building during any alarm must vacate the building according to instructions. Rooms may be checked during fire alarms to ensure compliance. Failure to vacate the building will result in disciplinary action.
• Fire alarms and fire extinguishers are located on every floor in each building. Smoke/heat/CO2 detectors are found in student rooms and hallways. Tampering with fire equipment will result in disciplinary action.  
• Each room is equipped with a smoke detector that communicates directly with your building’s fire alarm system and Public Safety. The detector is for your safety, and the safety of others in your community. If you experience a problem, contact your RA or the building office immediately and submit a maintenance request.  
• Flags, jerseys, clothing, tapestries or other cloth items are prohibited on the walls and windows.
• Nothing is to be strung across the room for the purpose of decorations. This includes holiday lights and sheets and any other materials attached to the ceiling.
• In general no more than 20% of walls may be covered.
• Setting or fueling a fire, no matter how large or small, is strictly prohibited
• No smoking of any type is allowed in the residence halls.

The possession, carrying, or use of firearms (e.g. pistols, rifles, shotguns, dart guns, paint guns, blow guns or ammunition), bows and arrows, dirk knives, razors, switchblades, other dangerous knives, fireworks, firecrackers, explosives or other dangerous weapons including martial arts equipment is prohibited in university residence halls.

Gambling of any kind is not permitted.

Guests are permitted in NJIT residence halls, but unlawful occupancy by a person not paying to live in the halls may result in judicial action. A guest is defined as a person visiting a resident of the residence hall at the resident’s invitation. Guest and visitation policy violations may result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension of all guest privileges, as well as sanctions for violations for the behavior of the guest(s). NJIT students who are guests in the residence halls may be held account via the judicial process should they violate policies or procedures..

• All guests must sign in and out of the building with their host present. Hosts must accompany their guests at all times while they are in the building.
• Students are permitted to have guests in their rooms only if there is no objection from their roommate(s).
• Any student who brings guests into the residence hall is responsible for making relevant NJIT regulations known to the guest and must accept responsibility for their guest’s conduct.
• Guests age 15 and under must be accompanied, at all times, by an adult. Guests age 15 and under are not permitted to an overnight stay in the halls without prior permission from Residence Life via an approved Overnight Guest Registration Form.  The form must be emailed to reslife@njit.edu no later than 12 noon on the business day (Monday-Friday) prior to the date of the visit.  In addition to the completed form, the host must send an email to Residence Life, copying all roommates/suitemates, noting their approval prior to the guest’s arrival. The host is asked to present the approved-signed form to the Desk Attendant upon arrival to the host building as proof of approval.
• Guests must have their guest passes with them at all times when in the residence halls.
• All guests must provide a valid government issued ID, Military ID, passport, or a valid driver’s license. IDs and passports are kept at the desk for the duration of the visit. 
• Guests must check out of a building each time they leave (i.e. going to the Tech Café) and take their ID. Unclaimed ID’s are not the responsibility of the Residence Life Office.
• As a resident, you may not use your NJIT ID to sign in your guest(s). Guests must present their own identification.
• Each resident may have up to three guests (signed-in or not). A total of eight people may be in a room/suite/apartment at one time (including residents). This means, there may be no more than eight people total in a Redwood room, no more than eight people total in both rooms of a Cypress/Honors Residence/Laurel/Greek Village suite or no more than eight people in an Oak apartment (except for Oak 105, x08, and x09 rooms where there may be 10 people total.)
• Guests are not permitted to stay more than two nights per week. Guests may not move from one host’s room to another in order to extend their stay in the residence halls. The Residence Life Office reserves the right to deny entry to any and all guests without prior warning.
• Greek Village students may access all residence halls; residence hall students may access the Greek Village only as a guest of a Greek Village resident.

Assaulting, abusing, threatening, harassing, stalking, intimidating, coercing or endangering the welfare of any person is prohibited whether it be physical, verbal, written or digital. Students may contact a Residence Life staff member, Dean of Students or Public Safety to report any of the above violations.

Hoverboards, also known as self-balancing scooters and hands-free Segways are not  permitted to be operated or stored on campus or in any NJIT building. Due to safety concerns associated with "Hoverboards" that have been raised by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the potential impact to the safety of our university community, New Jersey Institute of Technology has imposed a ban on use of these devices.  Electric Scooters, e-bikes that use a lithium-ion battery are prohibited.  

Students must carry their own valid NJIT ID card at all times when entering or exiting an on campus residence. To enter the building, students must use the ID card to “swipe in.” Residents must first swipe their ID through a card reader outside of the building. The ID card must then be given to the Desk Attendant/security staff so they can verify the identification and they will swipe the student into the lobby area. Any guests with the resident must be signed in at this time and keep their guest pass with them at all times; please refer to the guest visitation policies for more details. Misuse of the NJIT ID, noncompliance with a Desk Attendant/security and/or failure to carry the NJIT ID will result in disciplinary action and/or fine. Failure to comply with the directives of University officials acting in the performance of their duties and/or failure to identify oneself to these persons when requested to do so is prohibited. Students may not use false identification/information or impersonate another student to gain access to a hall/room or sign in a guest.

Residence hall keys (room or mailbox) may not be duplicated. Room combinations may not be shared with non-residents of a room. A fine and/or disciplinary action will result from possession of illegal duplicates or unauthorized possession of any NJIT keys or combinations. If a key is lost or not returned at checkout, the cost of a lock change is $50. Mailbox lock changes are $25. When residents move from a room, the combination to that room will be changed. Only authorized NJIT personnel may change the combination to a room/suite.

If a student has been identified as missing, NJIT will notify within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, the students contact person(s). The contact person(s) information is considered confidential and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials, and it may not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing persons investigation.

• If a student is under 18 years of age and not emancipated, NJIT must notify a custodial parent or guardian within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, in addition to notifying any additional contact person designated by the student.
• In both instances, NJIT will also notify the Newark Police Department within 24 hours of determination that the student is missing.

• All floors are under 24-hour courtesy hours. Specific quiet hours for these floors will be discussed at community standards meetings. Courtesy hours require residents to lower the volume to an acceptable level when it may affect other students. It is important to remember that everyone has a different schedule for studying, working, sleeping, classes, and quiet personal time. Be considerate of these varying schedules.
• All floors are under 24-hour quiet hours during final exam periods beginning at 10 pm the night before Reading Day. During quiet hours, no noise should be heard outside of a resident’s room. Music, TVs, gaming, conversations, etc., should be kept at a minimum volume level.

In addition to courtesy/quiet hours:

• Stereo speakers may not be placed in windows or aimed toward the outdoors.
• Students may not shout or otherwise make noise from the windows or doors of a residence hall that is of sufficient volume to be heard from another building.

Animals are not permitted on campus for reasons of sanitation and safety. One ten-gallon (or less) tank for fish is permit-ted.

Emotional Support Animals 
An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is prescribed or otherwise documented by a healthcare practitioner as part of treatment or recovery for an individual with a disability.  Students who desire to bring an ESA to live with them in one of the residence halls must contact the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services (OARS), oars@njit.edu, and provide required documentation from the healthcare practitioner and veterinarian.  All applications for ESA's to reside in the residence halls will be reviewed on a case by case basis by Office of Accessibility Resources & Services in consultation with the Residence Life Office.

College personnel shall not be required to provide care or food for any emotional support animal including, but not limited to, removing the animal during an emergency evacuation. Emergency personnel will determine whether to remove the animal and may not be held responsible for care, damage to, or loss of the animal.

The following items are not allowed on campus. The list is intended to be a guide as to the types of items that are prohibited. If any of these items are found in your room, they will be confiscated and it will constitute a violation of Residence Hall Policies and may result in referral for disciplinary action. Confiscated items can be picked up in your building office for residents to take home (off-campus). Any Items that remain will be discarded or donated.  

• Air conditioners/Heaters
• Alcohol Paraphernalia (This includes, but is not limited to, beer pong tables, beer funnels, beer/party balls, kegs and beer bongs (both empty or full)
• Candles, fireworks and explosives, oil lamps, incense or other open flame or ember devices
• Dart boards
• Electrical wiring that is homemade or otherwise modified or transformed
• Empty alcohol containers (unless the resident is over 21 years of age)
• Extension cords or multi-plug outlets (power strips are permitted with a surge protector)
• Items hanging outside of the windows (ex: antennas, etc.)
• Firearms and other weapons
• Gasoline, benzene, flammable liquids, chemicals, charcoal, etc.
• Electric scent warmers
• Halogen lamps or other high-intensity lamps
• Appliances that do not have an automatic shut off or open heating element.  Heating and cooking appliances such as hot plates and pots, electrical blankets, heating coils, soldering irons, immersion sun lamps, air fryers, toasters, toaster ovens, rice cookers, crock-pots, grills and space heaters. Note for Oak/Maple & the Greek Village: one toaster/toaster oven, rice cooker and crock-pot is allowed in each Oak/Maple or Greek Village apartment/room in the designated kitchen area. 
• Illegal drugs and/or drug paraphernalia
• Kerosene lamps
• Lighted cigarettes, cigars, specialty cigarettes, electronic smoking apparatus, hookahs
• Liquid-filled furniture
• Live Christmas trees and flammable decorations (3ft tabletop artificial Christmas trees are permitted)
• Lofts of any type
• Microwaves over 1000 watts or 9.5 amps
• Mattresses (unless for medical reasons approved by Residence Life and Environmental Health & Safety)
• Televisions exceeding 42 inches
• Strings of lights (i.e. Christmas lights), battery powered LED lights that are cool to the touch are permitted.
• Animals (fish in a 10 gallon tank are permitted)
• Refrigerator capacity exceeding 4.5 cubic feet in size (only one per bedroom) or two 1.7 cubic feet
• Stickers placed on walls, windows and/or furniture
• Weightlifting apparatus (barbells)
• Outside furniture (a desk chair is permitted, however the resident must keep the current chair in their room)
• 3D Printers
• Flags, jerseys, clothing, tapestries or other cloth items are prohibited on the walls and windows
• Surveillance or Recording Devices
• Command Strips (Maple Hall ONLY)

Playing of sports, including but not limited to: hockey, cycling, in-line skating, scooters, football, skateboarding, baseball, lacrosse, Frisbee throwing, tennis, bowling, etc. are prohibited in the residence halls. The use of water guns and/or water balloons is restricted to outside the residence halls.

NJIT strives to create and sustain a campus environment that supports and values all members of our community. One aspect of creating a supportive environment is providing safe, accessible, and convenient bathroom facilities. Members of the NJIT community and their guests may use bathroom facilities that are consistent with their gender identity. For suites in Cypress, Honors, Laurel, Greek Village, Maple and Oak, please be considerate of your roommate/suitemates and discuss bathroom usage to prevent issues from developing later.

Smoking (including cigarettes, marijuana, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vapes, etc.) is prohibited in all University buildings; this includes medical marijuana.  This includes all offices, hallways, restrooms, elevators, meeting rooms, lounges and individual rooms. Residents found violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, and will be responsible for paying for additional room cleaning charges.  Smoking outside of the residence facilities or any campus building is not allowed within 25 feet of any part of the buildings.

To protect draperies, sills and to help conserve energy, windows should be closed when you are not in your room. Screens/window treatments may not be removed from windows nor may any items be placed/thrown out the window. Screen/ window treatment removals are subject to disciplinary action and a fine. Damaged screens/window treatments will result in a fine. Throwing items out the window will result in probation and/or suspension from the residence halls. No antennas or satellite dishes are to be strung/mounted out of the windows. For fire safety reasons, nothing can be hung on a window or hang in front of the window. The window treatments provided in each room are fire resistant.  Do not place items outside, on the window sill.