Table of Contents:

• Introduction to Policies
• The Social Contract
• Five Ways to be dismissed from Residence Halls
• A Word about fire safety
• Alcohol use
• Firearms possession and storage
• Quiet hours/Noise violations
• Visitation (other than overnight guests)
• Fireworks
• Illegal drugs
• Pets

Underlying Northwestern's residence hall policies and procedures are three basic assumptions:

1. Certain understandings and rules are necessary to guarantee each student the opportunity to take full advantage of the academic and co-curricular programs of Northwestern.

2. Most residents are mature rational adults, and will use common sense and consideration in their dealings with others.

3. Rules are necessary to ensure the physical and psychological security and safety of all residents.

As a result, our residence halls have very few rules and regulations and rely heavily on your judgment and your willingness to cooperate with the hall staff and fellow residents. However, the rules we do have are important, necessary, and will be enforced. Therefore, it is essential that you understand and abide by the regulations which follow. Failure to do so can jeopardize your housing privilege.

When you sign your housing contract and pay your room fee, you receive the privilege of living in University housing. Along with that privilege come responsibilities and obligations. Read carefully the Residence Hall Rules and Regulations that accompany your contract, as they detail your relationship with the University with respect to housing. But understand that you are also agreeing to a "social contract" when you choose to reside in University housing. The social contract contains the following expectations: that you will not interfere with the rights of your fellow residents -- rights such as quiet, privacy, personal property and security; that you will cooperate fully and in a reasonable manner, with your Community Assistant (CA), Residence Hall Coordinator (RHC), or any other University official; that you agree to exercise "responsible freedom:" you agree to be responsible for your behavior and to respect the rights of others, while enjoying the freedom to adopt the lifestyle (within Illinois law and University policy) you wish.

You may be dismissed on the first offense for:

1. Tampering with fire safety equipment (alarms, extinguishers, etc.);

2. Shooting off fireworks, firecrackers, firearms or starting fires;

3. Tampering with the security system (denying exit or entry from a student room, taping locks, propping open doors);

4. Selling narcotics or dangerous drugs;

5. Acts of physical violence toward hall staff or other residents.

This list is not intended to be all inclusive, and other serious infractions of rules and regulations may also result in immediate dismissal from housing. Dismissal may also result from chronic or repeated problems, such as excessive noise, vandalism, or lack of cooperation with hall staff.

Fire alarms and fire equipment are in the halls for emergency use only. Any tampering with this equipment endangers the lives of all residents, is against the law, and will be dealt with seriously.

Consistent with the philosophy expressed earlier, students are expected to make responsible decisions concerning the use of alcohol. The university recognizes and abides by all state laws, and will cooperate with civil law officers whenever the law requires. Students who violate the alcohol policy, or who interfere with the educational environment of the hall, may face removal from housing and/or University disciplinary action.

Refer to the Northwestern University Student Handbook (PDF)

• Consumption and possession of alcohol is prohibited by anyone under the age of 21 years.
• Students who are 21 years of age or older may consume alcohol in the privacy of their rooms with others over the age of 21 years as long as the event does not become public and the number of people in the room does not exceed double the occupancy (e.g., four people in a double room).
• Students living in healthy living units are not permitted to consume alcohol in their rooms regardless of age.
• No alcohol is permitted in any residence hall or fraternity/sorority houses during New Student Week.
• Kegs are prohibited from all residence halls and fraternity/sorority houses.
• Students under the age of 21 may not consume, possess, or be in the presence of alcohol in undergraduate residence halls and/or fraternity/sorority houses.

The possession or use of firearms, ammunition, BB guns, air rifles, firecrackers, explosives, slingshots, knives, or other weapons of any description, for any purpose, is prohibited.

Refer to the Northwestern University Student Handbook (PDF)

The most common and potentially aggravating problem with hall life is excessive noise. Stereos, radios, T.V.'s and the human voice can all interfere with one's need for sleep, study, or quiet. It is expected that excessive noise will be avoided at all times, and that particular care is taken during your floor's designated Quiet Hours. Stereo owners are urged to bring head phones for private listening. Musical instruments may not be played in student rooms. Continual violation of quiet policy may result in removal from housing or disciplinary action.

While residents have the right to host visitors (non-residents), they must do so without violating the rights of roommates and fellow residents. For security reasons, all guests must be escorted from the lobby to and from the host's room. It is suggested that roommates establish guidelines for their own rooms in terms of guests, activities, privacy and study atmosphere. Study, rest, and privacy take precedence over visitation, guests, and recreation.

Fireworks are more of an aggravation for those who cannot avoid them than it is a celebration for those who choose to light them. The use of explosives is a direct violation of civil law and endangers everyone's safety. Therefore, explosives are never allowed in the residence halls.

It is the policy of Northwestern University that the campus is not a sanctuary which protects students from laws to which other citizens are subject. This applies to criminal laws regarding the sale, use and possession of drugs as well as to all other laws.

The University is also interested in providing continuing education and counseling on the legal, medical, and social aspects of drug abuse. Counseling for all students is provided by the Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

Sorry, no pets.

Please read carefully your Residence and Board Contract and the accompanying Residence Halls Rules and Regulations for other housing policy information. In addition, the Northwestern University Student Handbook (PDF) is the best source of University information and policy. You are responsible for knowing and abiding by all of the policies outlined in these publications. Ignorance is not an excuse.