General Residence Hall Policies
Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
The possession, use, or distribution of illegal substances is prohibited. The distribution of prescribed drugs/medication is prohibited. The College will not interfere with the investigation or legal prosecution of any member of the College community who violates the law. Law enforcement officers, with the proper legal documents, may search any and all buildings on campus without prior notice.
Students may have alcohol in accordance with Bard College regulations and New York State law. A room whose occupants are all under 21 cannot have any alcohol stored or consumed in it. Unregistered kegs will be confiscated (see Events Registration). For more information on the college’s alcohol policy, refer to chapter five (5).
Consumption of alcohol in suite common spaces by individuals over the age of 21 shall be permitted within the following framework:
Consumption of alcohol in suite common spaces should occur only in a responsible, respectful, and restrained manner. Any gathering at which alcohol is being consumed should not exceed 10 individuals. Should a gathering attract negative attention due to excessive volume, an excessive number of people, drinking games, irresponsible consumption, public intoxication, propping of doors, or underage consumption, etc. the students in that suite risk loss of the privilege of consuming alcohol in the common space of their suite. Additionally, such situations may result in additional sanctions including social probation or the potential loss of suite housing privileges.
Students of legal drinking age may possess what College officials determine to be a reasonable quantity of alcohol for personal consumption only. Residents may not have more than a reasonable amount of alcohol per person of legal age. No common-source alcohol (e.g., kegs, beer balls) or grain alcohol (e.g., Everclear) will be permitted in suites.
College officials may consider empty alcohol containers when documenting quantity limit violations if they suspect underage drinking and/or excessive alcohol consumption has occurred.
Guests
Updated Guest Policy (COVID-19)
You may host visitors on campus, including in the residence halls. Please consult with your visitors prior to arrival to ensure that they exhibit no symptoms of COVID-19 and to ascertain whether they are fully vaccinated and up to date.
Anyone—student, faculty, or staff—who wishes to host a visitor inside College facilities is asked to ensure that your visitor is fully vaccinated and boosted. Requesting proof of vaccination status is allowed under federal HIPAA law. If your intended visitor is vaccinated and recently tested positive for COVID, they may only come to campus if all of the following are true: - It has been at least five days since they tested positive
- They are no longer experiencing symptoms
- If it has been more than five days but less than 10 days since their positive test, they must be masked throughout their time inside campus facilities or in any kind of group setting.
Prospective visitors who are unvaccinated may visit campus facilities, providing they test negative for COVID within 24 hours before coming to campus. We strongly recommend that unvaccinated visitors remain masked at all times.
The prohibition on visitors eating in Kline or DTR, as well as the prohibition on overnight visitors in the dormitories, has been lifted.
Pets
Students who wish to have a pet that conforms to the following criteria must apply formally through the Office of Residence Life & Housing and must have the written permission of their roommate and others, if applicable, before bringing the pet to campus. The fine for having an unauthorized pet on campus is $50 per day and potential loss of housing. Additionally, costs associated with treatment for fleas/ticks or other pests and for cleaning or damage repairs will be billed to the student.
Having a small, caged pet in the residence hall is a privilege. Pet owners are responsible for keeping pets safe and healthy at all times. The following caged pets are permitted on campus: small reptiles (except snakes), gerbils, turtles, and small fish requiring a tank of 10 gallons or less. Other caged pets may be considered, but are required to be reviewed and approved by the Office of Residence Life and Housing before being brought to campus.
Please keep the following in mind: - Dogs, cats, birds, poisonous animals, snakes, rabbits and ferrets are not allowed in residence halls*.
- Pets must be in good health to remain in residence halls.
- Pet owners must ensure that their pets are taken care of in a responsible and humane manner.
- Pet owners are permitted only one animal in their room.
- Pets must remain caged or contained in a tank at all times.
- After cleaning cages, all waste products should be sealed in a heavy-duty bag and disposed of directly in a waste receptacle.
- Pets must always be cared for in a manner that does not disturb other residents. This includes noise and odor.
- Failure to maintain a pet in accordance with these rules, will result in a written warning indicating the date by which the situation must be corrected. Failure to comply will result in the loss of pet privileges.
- Depending on the pet, the owner may be required to obtain permission from the floor or building members.
- Residents are responsible for any damages or excessive cleaning needs caused by the pet.
- All liability for any actions of the animal (e.g.; bites, scratches, etc.) is the responsibility of the owner.
*Exceptions may include registered pets identified and approved ESAs (emotional support animals) in consult with the Disability Services Office.
Quiet Hours
Quiet hours are required in all residence halls. Quiet hours are Sunday – Thursday, 10:00pm – 8:00am, and Fridays and Saturdays, 12:00am – 10:00am. Courtesy hours are 24 hours, which means adhering to requests by other residents to lower noise/music or other excessive audible noise/sounds. Each residence hall is unique in how loud each person can be without their neighbors hearing them, so please be aware that this may vary by building. During completion days, all residence halls observe 24-hour quiet hours. During quiet hours no resident or guest should knowingly create any noise that will carry beyond the resident’s room. As such, requests for a reduction in the volume of noise should be politely heeded. Students or guests causing excessive or repeated noise disturbances may be required to move into another hall within 48 hours of the most recent violation.
Musical Instrument Practice
While not strictly prohibited, playing of instruments in residence hall rooms or common spaces, must be done within the quiet hours/courtesy hours guidelines. Practice rooms are available on campus and should be the primary place where musical instruments are played. Electronic music is only permitted with the use of headphones. Subwoofers are prohibited.
Vehicles on Campus
Students are permitted to have a vehicle on campus. Students must register vehicles with the Office of Safety & Security and pay the registration fee. Any student who is misusing or abusing vehicle privileges, inclusive of reckless driving, may lose driving privileges and be asked to forfeit keys to security. Vehicles must be insured, legally registered with a current inspection sticker visible and be road worthy. All vehicles on campus (inclusive of guest vehicles) must have a valid Bard registration or risk removal. For additional policies related to vehicles on campus please refer to Chapter 6.
Weapons
Weapons are not permitted on campus or to be stored in residence halls. Please refer to Chapter 5 for the College’s policy on weapons.
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