What is the GPO?
The General Provisions for Student Occupancy, or GPO, are the rules and guidelines that all students must follow when living in University Housing, including Fraternity and Sorority Housing. It is an addendum to your Housing Contract - when you sign the contract each year, you affirm that you have read and will abide by all of the standards in the GPO as well. This document highlights policies and practices that Housing Services will follow, as well as responsibilities that fall on the student during their time in housing on campus. It includes topics like the Guest Policy and Contract Termination Policy, as well as Conditions of Occupancy and Safety and Security regulations.
What are Common Area and Room Inspections?
In an effort to ensure that Lehigh’s residential facilities are safe and secure during your stay at Lehigh, University staff and Housing Inspectors from the City of Bethlehem conduct room inspections of all fraternity and sorority houses, including bedrooms each semester. A representative from either the Office of Housing Services or the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Affairs accompany the inspectors from the city. In preparation for these inspections, all students should ensure that bedrooms and common areas abide by the guidelines listed in the GPO at all times.
During room inspections, if a violation is found, you may receive a lease violation. If a prohibited item is found, University staff may confiscate this item and hold it until the end of the semester. Some items, including alcohol, will be disposed of. If we are not able to correct a violation on site, you will be required to correct the issue within 24 hours of the initial inspection, and a re-inspection may occur. Different lease violations carry different charges and consequences - a list of common charges and associated fines can be found above.
Issues identified by the Inspectors from the City of Bethlehem may incur greater charges and fines based on severity. Students and House Leadership should be sure to report maintenance problems as they arise to prevent larger issues from occurring.
Students are expected to be aware of prohibited items and decor and to follow those guidelines in order to pass inspection. Note that certain items, especially kitchen appliances, may be allowed in apartments but not in traditional residence halls - check the GPO for specifics.