Prohibited in the Halls

Fire, Health, and Safety Regulations

Manhattan University makes a concerted effort to comply with state fire, health, and safety regulations to maintain a safe living environment for students residing in residence life housing. Residence Life reserves the right to enter student rooms during scheduled Fire, Health, and Safety inspections. Notices will be posted in the residence halls at least 24 hours prior to the start of inspections. Residence Life staff will knock and announce themselves before entering each room and may enter rooms even if residents are not present in order to complete required inspections.

Students are responsible for upholding the following regulations:

• Keeping rooms clean and free of clutter.
• Maintaining clear exits and not blocking doors or walkways.
• Using only UL or ETL-approved electrical devices.
• Decorating rooms safely without damaging university property.
• No decorations or signs shall be displayed on fire doors, in stairwells, or on exits. Decorative materials may not hang down over doorway openings, or cover/obstruct any life safety device.
  • This includes “EXIT” signs, emergency lights, smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual pull stations, sprinklers, fire extinguishers, AEDs, electrical panels, radiators, etc.
• Keeping decorations at least 2 feet below the ceiling and within approved size limits. Flags and tapestries may not exceed 36 inches in any direction or be hung over beds.
  • The number of decorative material(s) shall not exceed 20% of the total area of the wall.
  • No decorations shall be hung on the outside of the suite or apartment door(s) besides residence life door tags made by the resident advisors.
• Fans are permitted but must not be placed in the window or up against window screens. Damage to screens or window tracks will result in window/screen replacement and associated charges.
• Screens and window stoppers are to remain in place at all times. Students may not remove screens or window stoppers for any reason other than in an emergency situation such as a fire, where the window is the only means of egress.
• Nothing may be hung on the inside of the student's window or on the blinds. Students will be responsible for any damage caused to the blinds from hanging clothes, decor, etc.
• Nothing may be hung outside the student’s window or placed on the outer windowsill to prevent hurting someone standing or walking below.

Please see chart below for prohibited items and their approved alternatives.

Other Prohibited Items in the Residence Halls

Alcohol/Drug Paraphernalia

Water pipes, bongs, one-hitters, hypodermic syringes/needles not prescribed by a licensed physician, any scale or smoking apparatus determined to be drug-use related, funnels for drinking, kegs, decorative alcohol containers, including empty wine/beer bottles used for craft projects are strictly prohibited.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Marijuana Policy

Manhattan University remains bound by its federal requirements under the Drug Free Schools and Communities Act and the Drug Free Workplace Act. At Manhattan University marijuana/cannabis is not permitted in any form, anywhere on the university campus. This includes marijuana/cannabis and its derivatives, including tinctures, topicals, edibles, etc. Medical marijuana is also prohibited. If you are found with marijuana while at orientation, please be aware that you will be required to surrender it and will face campus judicial consequences.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action.

Smoking

Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, vaporizers, hookahs or any other smoking apparatus, is strictly prohibited anywhere on Manhattan University campus. Any smoking apparatus determined to be drug use related is prohibited.

Violations of this policy will result in disciplinary action and/or liability for any damages or injuries caused.

Weapons and Recreational Equipment

• Weapons are prohibited in the Residence Halls, including but not limited to: firearms, electronic dart or stun guns, gravity knife, switchblade knife, pilum ballistic knife, metal knuckle knife, cane sword, billy, blackjack, bludgeon, plastic knuckles, metal knuckles, chuka stick, sand bag, sandclub, wrist-brace type, slingshot or slungshot, shuriken or “Kung Fu Star”.
• In addition, we prohibit any knives, box cutters, BB, paint or air guns, archery equipment, metal tipped darts and hoverboards.
• All permitted items with a sharp edge must be safely stored when not in use.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in the residence halls. It is important that everyone respect the idea that while some may enjoy being around pets, others do not and/or are allergic. Only fish are permitted. Fish tanks must not exceed 5 gallons.

Any student looking to bring their Emotional Support Animal (ESA) to campus must submit the proper paperwork and obtain approval from the Specialized Resource Center prior to bringing the ESA into the residence hall. Any animal found unregistered in the residence hall will need to be removed immediately, and its owner will be subject to disciplinary action.

The State of New York will occasionally instruct campuses to add items, especially new products, to the list of prohibited items if it is determined that they pose a health or fire hazard. Residence Life will inform students if this happens. At that point, any student in possession of such an item will need to remove it from the premises immediately.

Additionally, Manhattan University reserves the right to have students remove from campus any item which is not listed but deemed to be a fire or health and safety hazard by the Department of Residence Life, Public Safety and/or the NYS Fire Marshall.

What if a prohibited appliance or item is found?

• Residents are officially requested to remove the item from the residence hall. Should the student fail to comply with the Official Request, the item will be confiscated, and the student will be subject to disciplinary action. Students will also be subject to disciplinary action for repeat offenses.

Prohibited items that do not pose a safety risk when not in use that have been confiscated by or returned to Residence Life Staff will be stored for no more than 72 hours. Stored items that are not claimed and removed from campus will be discarded. Manhattan University shall bear no financial responsibility for discarded items.

Prohibited Activities in Residence Hall Interiors

For the safety and well-being of all residents, playing sports or engaging in any athletic activity is strictly prohibited within residence hall rooms, suites, apartments, and all common areas including hallways. This includes, but is not limited to, activities involving balls, frisbees, or other sporting equipment. Additionally, the use of skateboards, bicycles, scooters, hoverboards, rollerblades, and motorized or non-motorized vehicles or devices is not permitted indoors under any circumstances.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action and/or liability for any damages or injuries caused.

Posting Flyers in Residence Halls

Students are not permitted to hang flyers, posters, or other promotional materials in residence hall common areas or hallways without prior approval from the Office of Residence Life or the Office of Student Engagement. Unauthorized postings will be removed. Repeat violations will result in disciplinary action in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct. Please contact either office for guidelines or approval procedures.

Use of Cameras and Recording Devices

To promote a respectful and private living environment, the continuous or unauthorized use of cameras, video recording devices, or other surveillance equipment within residence hall rooms, suites, apartments, or hallways is strictly prohibited. This includes live streaming or the use of smart home devices with recording capabilities.

Occasional, limited use of cameras for virtual meetings, academic purposes, or personal communication, such as video calls, is permitted, provided it does not infringe on the privacy or consent of others. Residents are expected to communicate with roommates, suitemates, or neighbors when recording may occur and obtain consent when necessary.

Unauthorized surveillance or recordings may result in conduct sanctions and may also be subject to applicable state or federal privacy laws.