All students residing in Lehigh University housing are expected to abide by the General Provisions for Student Occupancy.
Alcohol policy: Alcohol is only permitted in a bedroom where one or more of the Occupants are at least 21 years of age. If any Occupant is under the legal drinking age of 21, the Occupants of legal drinking age are permitted to possess alcohol but cannot provide it to anyone under the age of 21. If a suite has residents who are of legal drinking age (21) and not of legal drinking age (under 21), alcohol is only permitted in the bedroom of the resident(s) who are at least 21 years of age. Rooms and suites occupied by residents who are all under the legal drinking age are considered “dry rooms” and no alcohol is permitted regardless of the age of guests. In addition, Occupants are prohibited from displaying alcohol containers of any kind (empty or full) if the Occupants are not at least 21 years of age. Drinking games and all drinking paraphernalia, as addressed in the University’s Social Policy, are prohibited in all areas of Residence Halls, including rooms, apartments, and common areas.
Decorations: Decorations must be of a non-combustible and non-permanent nature that will not damage paint or finished surfaces in the room. Painter’s tape and removable mounting tape are the only adhesives permitted for hanging decorations. Regardless of the adhesive used, the Occupant will be responsible for any damage caused to the room. As stated in fire code regulations, no material or posters may be affixed from the ceiling, pipes, light fixtures, or overhead at any time. The hanging of cloth material or tapestries may not cover more than 50% of each wall nor can they be hung on a wall above a bed. Curtains which enclose a bed are not permitted. In buildings with sprinkler systems, decorations may be further limited by fire safety regulations.
Door Hangers: Items that hang over the top of the door are prohibited. These items impair the ability of the door to close and latch properly, thus creating a security concern.
Extension Cords: All extension cords used must be heavy duty (16 amps), UL approved, and plugged directly into an outlet
Flammable Materials: Flammable items including candles, candle and wax warmers, wax melts, self-start charcoal, chemicals, combustible engines (regardless of their state of dismantlement), gasoline, incense, lighter fluid, non-electric lanterns and live trees are prohibited.
Pets: No animals, with the exception of non-predatory fish in properly maintained aquariums of 10 gallons or less (aquariums must have noise-free compressors for the filters) will be allowed in Residence Halls.
Prohibited Items: Only certain appliances are permitted (e.g., electric shavers, toothbrushes, hair dryers, clocks, fans, stereos, irons with automatic shutoff, hot air popcorn poppers, Keurig machines, curling irons and blenders). All other appliances, including but not limited to the following are specifically prohibited in Residence Halls except in areas designated and/or approved by the University: air conditioners (unless approved and installed by the University), exterior antennas, boats, broilers, coffee makers, deep fryers, electric blankets, electric fry pans, grills/griddles, halogen lamps, hot plates, hot pots, hoverboards, laundry dryers, microwave ovens, outdoor clotheslines, outdoor fences, portable heating units, power tools, refrigerators exceeding 4.6 cu. ft., satellite dishes, smoke machines, sun lamps, toasters, toaster ovens, trailers, and washing machines. The "MicroFridge”™ is the only microwave unit acceptable. Firearms, fireworks, ammunition, air guns, paint ball guns, spring type weapons, slingshots, martial arts weaponry, explosives, and switchblade or hunting knives are also among those items prohibited.
The University reserves the right to confiscate the items described in this section and to fine policy violators. The University also reserves the right to determine the potential danger of electrical appliances and other prohibited items described in this section and to confiscate any such items. The possession or use of any potentially dangerous item or material is strictly forbidden.
Quiet Hours: Loud music and disruptive noise infringes upon the rights of others to study, to sleep or to carry on necessary duties and functions at the University. For these reasons, quiet hours are observed in all residence halls. Quiet hours are from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. Sunday night through Friday morning and from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Congregating in the hallways is not permitted during quiet hours. During final exam periods, quiet hours will be in effect 24 hours a day beginning at 1:00 a.m. following the last day of class each semester. Outside of the designated quiet hours, Occupant is expected to respond to reasonable requests from other residents to reduce noise if it is infringing upon others. Stereo speakers and/or amplification devices shall not be placed in windows with sound directed outside. At any and all times, musical instruments are not permitted to be played in a manner that infringes upon another Occupant’s ability to study or sleep.
Room Changes: Occupant is not permitted to exchange rooms or substitute one Occupant for another without approval from Housing Services. Occupants must consult the Office of Residence Life for the procedures applicable to changing Residence Hall rooms or apartments.
Smoking: Occupants must comply and cooperate with the University Smoking Policy in its entirety. Lehigh University shall be entirely tobacco and smoke free effective August 2, 2021. This Policy applies to all Lehigh University facilities and property, owned or leased, regardless of location. Smoking and the use of any tobacco products shall not be permitted in any enclosed place, including residential and common area spaces within University housing.
Trash & Recycling: There are trash rooms located each floor. Please take all trash and recycling to these rooms.
- General Provisions for Student Occupancy
- General Provisions for Student Occupancy Fines
- GPO Quickguide