Mansfield Residence Hall Policies

The University strives to accommodate students with disabilities in accordance with applicable laws and policies. Specially-equipped rooms are available for students with disabilities in all of our residence halls. To request housing accommodations, students must contact University Disability Services.

Students must remove all personal property when they withdraw from the university or otherwise vacate their residence hall space. Items left in the residence halls 48 hours the student has left will be removed and disposed of by Housing and Residence Life, with associated costs charged to the student. Items left in common areas of the residence hall will be placed in the lost and found, then treated as abandoned property at the end of the semester.

Students 21 years of age and older residing in Spruce Hall only may possess/consume alcohol, following these guidelines and in accordance with the alcoholic beverage policy, which they must agree to and sign at the time of move-in:

• Alcohol is only allowed in alcohol-approved private suites, not public areas (lounges, kitchens).
• Alcoholic containers must remain sealed during transportation, and only individuals over 21 years of age may transport them.
• No alcohol is permitted in any suite with any occupants under 21.
• Drinking games and excessive consumption devices (funnels, kegs, etc.) and brewing/distilling are prohibited.
• Possession of large quantities of alcohol is prohibited.
• Misconduct resulting from alcohol consumption is prohibited.
• Providing alcohol to individuals under 21 is a violation of campus police and the law.

Violations of the alcohol policy are referred to the Office of Student Conduct and can result in educational assignments, probation, loss of privileges, or removal from housing.

Empty alcohol containers in Oak Hall, Sycamore Hall, or in Spruce Hall suites where occupants are under 21 are also prohibited, and the possession of them may result in disciplinary action.

• Prohibited Items
  • Flammable liquids/chemicals (e.g. gasoline)
  • Pressurized tanks and pressurized cooking appliances (instant pot, pressure cookers, etc.)
  • Open-coil appliances (e.g. toasters, toaster ovens), hot plates, grills, and high-heat devices (e.g. space heaters)
  • Large appliances (e.g. full-size refrigerators, unless provided in the suite)
  • Wireless routers, antennas, and printers with wireless functions enabled
  • Waterbeds, hot tubs, and pools

Prohibited appliances will be confiscated. Students must retrieve confiscated items at the end of each semester to remove from campus, or they will be discarded or donated. This list is not all-inclusive, and any item found to be a threat to residence hall safety may be removed by the AD at any time.

• Approved Items
  • UL-listed appliances for cooking including hot air popcorn poppers, coffee makers (with automatic shut-off), blenders, air fryers, rice cookers, and crockpots are permitted.

Conducting businesses (e.g. hairdressing, babysitting) from residence halls is prohibited.

Overnight stays for individuals under 18 years of age are prohibited unless they are attending a sanctioned University event/program (e.g. admissions overnight stay). During daytime visits, minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Babysitting in the residence halls is not allowed. For more information, view the Protection of Minors Policy.

Residents must comply with lawful directions from university officials. Noncompliance or abusive behavior will result in disciplinary action.

Residents are responsible for damages to University property and may be charged for repairs or replacements. Tampering with equipment, including doors and fire alarms, is prohibited.

Residents may decorate their rooms using approved methods only (command strips or tacks). Decorations cannot obstruct safety equipment, hallways, or doors/doorways. Nothing may be attached to the ceiling, smoke detectors, or sprinkler heads. All decorations must be flame resistant. Live trees are not permitted.

When rearranging furniture, students should not block access to windows, air vents, air conditioning or heating units. Students must return furniture to its original location prior to vacating the room.

Under no circumstances should residents remove any University property from their room. Students will be billed for any missing furniture at the time of their check-out from their residence hall room. All furniture brought into the residence hall room is required to be free standing (no lofts or hammocks).

Disorderly or disruptive behavior is not permitted and will be addressed through the office of Student Conduct or Campus Police.

Residents and their guests are required to comply with state and local statutes, as well as University and residence hall rules concerning possession and use of prescription and illegal drugs. The University prohibits the manufacturing, possessing, selling, transmitting, using or being a party to any illegal drug, controlled substance, or drug paraphernalia (hookah, bowl, etc.) on University premises, including the residence halls, or at University- sponsored activities. Any violation may result in disciplinary action as well as being subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The use, possession, storage, or cultivation of cannabis for medical purposes is prohibited for all individuals on all Commonwealth University - Mansfield properties and instructional locations, including, but not limited to the facilities at Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Medical marijuana (cannabis) use is also prohibited at all Commonwealth University - Mansfield sponsored, conducted, or authorized events and activities held off campus. The federal government regulates drugs through numerous laws, including the Controlled Substance Act, the Drug Free Workplace Act, and the Drug Free Schools & Communities Act as codified under the Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Regulations [EDGAR Part 86]. These laws do not recognize the difference between medicinal and other uses of marijuana (cannabis), which is classified as a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. Commonwealth University - Mansfield must abide by and certify it is in compliance with all federal laws and regulations in order to be eligible to receive federal funding through Title IV in the form of student financial aid (grants, loans, and work-study program), as well as other forms of federal funding, such as research or program grants like TRiO. Students and employees who violate this policy may be subject to campus sanctions and federal penalties. 

The University requires most first and second year students who reside 30 miles or more away from Mansfield to reside on campus. Students with valid medical marijuana (cannabis) prescriptions may petition to University Disability Services (UDS) to be waived out of their campus housing requirements.

All exterior residence hall doors are locked 24 hours a day. Propping of exterior doors and/or tampering with locks is a serious security violation. Window screens must remain in place. Throwing or hanging items from windows is prohibited. Using windows to enter or exit the building is also prohibited.

Candles, incense, and open-flame devices are prohibited. Wax warmers are permitted. Tampering with emergency equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers, alarms, etc.) is prohibited and will result in disciplinary action and legal consequences. This regulation includes, but is not limited to, fire extinguishers, heat and smoke detectors, exit signs, fire alarm pull stations, automatic door closures, emergency doors, and locked exterior doors.

When additional electrical outlets are needed, residents must use UL-approved electrical power strips with built-in circuit breakers. Multiple-plug adapters and extension cords are not permitted. A power strip should never be plugged into another power strip. Power strips should never be placed underneath carpet, or be stapled or pinched in any way. Running power strips underneath mattresses is also prohibited.

Possession or use of fireworks, explosives, or hazardous materials is prohibited. Violations will be referred to Campus Police.

Gambling of any form is not permitted in the residence halls. The dealing, playing, conducting, betting on, and providing facilities for games involving cards, dice, and other devices for money, checks, credit or representations of value is prohibited. This includes unlawful games of chance for money or anything of value and the sale, barter, or other disposition of a ticket, order, or any interest in a scheme of chance.

Bouncing of sports balls, skateboarding, use of paintball guns, Frisbee throwing, throwing darts, roller blades, golf, use of archery equipment, playing catch, or any other similar activities or games inside or in close proximity to the halls and their respective parking lots are prohibited because of the possibility of damage and the resulting noise. Other games posing a threat to the safety of residents or damage to facilities are also prohibited.

A guest is defined as any person who does not live in a specific residence hall room. This includes other students/residents, friends, parents, siblings, or other relatives of the residents of that room. Residence hall students are allowed to host up to two (2) guests in their residence hall rooms according to the policies outlined below and as long as all guidelines are followed.

Violating a roommate’s right of entry into the room or hindering a roommate’s ability to study and/or sleep within their room (because of a guest’s presence) is considered a violation of guest privileges.

• Host Responsibility
  Hosts are responsible for the behavior of their guest(s) at all times and are obligated to inform the guest(s) of all University and residence hall rules and regulations. Violation of any rule or regulation by a guest may result in disciplinary action being taken against both the host and guest.
• Escorting Guests
  Guests must be escorted at all times by a resident of the residence hall (host), including as they enter and exit the building. Guests left unattended or found to be unescorted may be documented and escorted out of the building. In addition to this, their hosts may be documented for leaving guests unattended. Residents should never agree to escort a person they do not know personally. This includes opening the door to allow unknown visitors to enter a residence hall. Guests who reside in the same residence hall are not required to be escorted.
• Overnight Guests
  Residents may have overnight guests, only with the permission of the roommate and only if they do not create a disturbance or violate any rules or regulations. Roommates may request that the overnight guest leave the room or suite at any time. A guest’s visitation privileges, regardless of the host, extend to no more than three (3) nights in a seven (7) day period (the seven-day period begins on day one of the stay). Overnight guests may only sleep in the room of the host who is sponsoring the visitation. Sleeping in other rooms or public/community spaces within the halls is strictly prohibited. In addition, guests may not stay in unoccupied beds in a room without the consent of the resident whose bed is to be used.
• Cohabitation
  Cohabitation is not allowed in the residence halls. Cohabitation is defined as a person using a residence hall room as if that person were living in the room but is not actually assigned as a resident of that room/suite. Examples of this may include, but are not limited to, keeping clothing and other personal belongings in another room/suite different than the one assigned, and sleeping overnight in the room/suite on a regular basis as if they lived in that room/suite.

A hate crime in Pennsylvania is called “ethnic intimidation.” When certain crimes against people (like harassment, terroristic threats or assault) or certain crimes against property (like criminal trespass, criminal mischief or arson) are committed AND when these crimes are motivated by hatred toward the victims’ actual or perceived race, age, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity, genetic information, ethnic intimidation can be charged.

Hate crimes are different from other crimes in that they are “message crimes.” The perpetrator of a hate crime sends a message to members of a certain group that they are unwelcome. As such, hate crimes are an affront to a community that values diversity and strives to create an inclusive environment. When one person in the community is the target of a hate crime, the entire community often feels at risk. Hate crimes can divide communities by raising levels of fear and suspicion, which lowers openness and cooperation among its members. While bias incidents may not necessarily constitute crimes, they often have the same effect and impact upon the university community as hate crimes.

The University believes that an effective organization is nurtured in an atmosphere of social and moral responsibility, respect for duly constituted authority, and loyalty to the principles of higher education. While social behavior cannot be legislated, an organization without morally sound precepts and practices is not a constructive influence on university students.

Hazing is defined as prohibited acts committed for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group or organization, or as part of any activity of a recognized student organization or student group. The University defines hazing as any intentional action taken, or situation created, on or off university premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment or ridicule.

Prohibited behavior includes any act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student; the deconstruction or removal of public or private property; and/or assisting, directing, or in any way causing others to participate in degrading behavior and/ or behavior that causes ridicule, humiliation, or embarrassment; and/or engaging in conduct which tends to bring the reputation of the organization, group, or University into disrepute. Hazing is also a violation of the Pennsylvania Anti-Hazing Law.

Lounges are community spaces and are considered public areas. Lounges have been provided so that residents may study, work on class assignments, use TVs, hold events, and visit with friends. Lounges are not intended for such uses as sleeping, unreserved meeting spaces or other such activities that do not allow the lounge to be used for long periods of time (including recurring meetings or events) and prevent use by the greater community, unless they are appropriately reserved.

Lounge reservations can be made by contacting the AD of the residence hall that has the space(s) that you wish to reserve. Reservations are typically made for meetings and events related to the students living in the residence halls. Students are responsible for cleaning up after use.

Lounge furniture must remain in their designated areas. If lounge furniture is missing and attempts to locate it fail, residence hall room searches could occur. Any such searches will be publicized at least 24 hours in advance. Students who are found in possession of lounge furniture will be subject to disciplinary action. Lounge furniture not accounted for will be assessed as a group billing charge.

• Quiet Hours
  Designated quiet hours vary depending on the residence hall. During quiet hours, residents should keep the level of noise at a point that it cannot be heard in another student’s room or hallways.
• Courtesy Hours
  Courtesy hours are in effect at all times. If a student or residence hall staff member asks a student to be quieter, regardless of the time of day, compliance is required.
• 24 Hour Quiet Hours
  During finals week, 24-hour quiet hours are observed to facilitate a studious atmosphere. Students remaining in the halls after their last final exam and alleged to be responsible for causing a disturbance may be required to leave the residence halls immediately.

Commonwealth University - Mansfield is committed to providing a work, educational and residential environment free of unlawful discrimination for its students, employees and campus community members. It is imperative that all employees, students and community members of Commonwealth University - Mansfield comply with both the spirit and intent of federal, state and local laws, government regulations, court orders and Commonwealth University - Mansfield and Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education policies which prohibit discrimination. In addition, all administrators, faculty, staff and students share a continuing responsibility to behave in a manner which ensures a work, educational and living environment that is free of discrimination. It is the purpose of this policy to set clear expectations for a discrimination free environment, define discrimination, assign responsibilities for ensuring an environment free of discrimination, and provide procedures for handling charges of discrimination, including sexual discrimination and misconduct.

For more information, and a detailed explanation, view the Harassment and Discrimination Policy.

• Bicycles
  Bicycles are to be parked in established bike racks located outside each residential area. A resident may store bicycles in their room, but first must make certain their roommate agrees to this. Per fire regulations, bicycles may not be attached in any way to any part of a building. This includes trees and other plants within a community. Throughout the year, if a bicycle is left attached to or within a residential building or stairwell, it may be removed and impounded. Please walk or carry bicycles when transporting the bicycle in a residence hall. At the end of the semester, please remember to take all bicycles home.
• Scooters/Motorcycles
  Scooters and motorcycles must follow parking and traffic rules and are not allowed to be driven on any non- roadway area, pathway, sidewalk, etc. Scooters must be stored at the bike racks/motorcycle parking area (with appropriate hangtag) and are not allowed to be stored inside or immediately outside of residence halls. These vehicles may be impounded if they are left in walkways, breezeways, sidewalks, stairwells or hallways. Although bicycles may be stored in residence hall rooms with the consent of the roommate, motorcycles, mopeds, motor scooters, and other internal combustion engines or vehicles should never be brought into the residence halls. Gasoline cans should never be stored inside a residence hall.
• Skateboards/Skates
  Residents who want to use roller skates, in-line skates, or skateboards are asked to do so in an appropriate manner. These activities are not permitted in and/or around residence hall property and communities. These items must be stored within a resident’s room or vehicle.
• Self-Propelled Personal Transportation
  Electronic skateboards, including self-balancing boards/scooters, and any other similar equipment are prohibited from being used, stored and/or charged in any residence hall building/community due to a potential fire hazard.

The only animals allowed in residence halls are fish living in an aquarium (10-gallon maximum – one per resident). Any other animal or pet, including laboratory animals, hamsters, turtles, spiders, aquatic frogs, snakes, etc. are not permitted in residential areas. Your housing may be revoked if you are found to have violated this policy.

Service animals (as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act) and assistance/Emotional Support Animals (as defined by the Fair Housing Act) are only allowed in a student’s room after a request has been submitted to and approved by University Disability Services. University Disability Services will communicate approval directly to Housing & Residence Life. Requests for assistance animals must be approved in writing by University Disability Services before the student brings the animal into the residence hall.

If approved, students are required to comply with the following rules intended to directly relate to the ongoing health, safety and welfare of the campus community:

• Student must comply with state and local laws governing the vaccination, licensing, ownership and maintenance of the animal and agree to provide documentation of compliance to University Disability Services.
• Appropriate veterinarian care must be provided for the animal.
• The animal must be healthy.
• The student must be capable of controlling and must at all times control the animal.
• The animal cannot be left unattended for inappropriate periods of time.
• Animal waste must be disposed of so as not to create odor, damage or health risks.
• The animal must stay in the student’s unit, not in common areas except in the course of transit to or from the student’s unit.
• The animal cannot exhibit behaviors that create a nuisance or undue disruption.
• Policies regarding responsibility for property damage or repairs apply to damages caused by, or repairs necessitated by, an animal.

Where an assistance/emotional support animal is properly removed pursuant to this policy, Commonwealth University - Mansfield will work with the handler to determine reasonable alternative opportunities to participate in Housing & Residence Life Programs without having the animal on the premises. Commonwealth University - Mansfield reserves the right to make an interim accommodation while determining appropriate measures to address the removal of the animal. In addition, Commonwealth University - Mansfield is not required to grant an accommodation if it would pose an undue financial and administrative burden or would fundamentally alter the nature of the University’s operations.

In order to provide an organized and aesthetically pleasing environment for notifying students of campus and community events and services, as well as to work toward keeping public areas of residence halls neat and orderly, the following guidelines have been drafted for the posting and/or distribution of advertising materials in residence halls. All groups and individuals wishing to publicize events, services, or sales in residence halls must follow these established guidelines:

• All signs and posters which you would like posted in residence halls must be left at the front desk for approval. Staff will post all approved materials in appropriate places within 24 hours.
• Groups and individuals may not post anything on public walls, doors, bulletin boards, glass partitions, wood paneling, or other areas of residence halls. Only designated residence hall staff may post materials.
• No posters may be larger than 11″ x 17″ without the express permission of an Assistant Director of Residence Life.
• Staff will put up a limited number of posters for each event in each hall.

Posters not meeting these guidelines will be removed immediately by residence hall staff with possible disciplinary action against the individual and/or organization. The residence life staff will be responsible for taking down signs after the date of the event or after ten (10) days.

University staff members will generally enter a residence hall room within the following parameters:

• Concerns of serious threat to the safety or wellbeing of persons or property
• When behaviors or activities occurring in a room are disruptive to other residents, and occupants of the room are not present or have not responded to requests to open the door.
• To perform routine maintenance, complete repairs, or conduct regular room inspections. Room inspections are intended to assess compliance with fire safety regulations, conduct damage, health, and safety inspections, and address maintenance needs. Health and safety inspections are announced at least 24 hours in advance. Residents do not need to be present during room inspections. Maintenance, when unable to provide advanced notice, will knock prior to entry.
• During building emergencies such as fire alarms, fires, tornadoes, or electrical/plumbing malfunctions.
• When instructed to by an authorized police officer.
• With the permission of an assigned student.
• Upon the issuance of an administrative search warrant.

Upon entering a room according to the aforementioned guidelines, staff members may confiscate and document items that constitute violations of law or University rules, regulations, and policies. These items must be in plain, unobstructed view of the staff member or be in their line of sight while handling a possible violation. Police personnel may also be called when appropriate. Confiscated items (e.g., prohibited cooking appliances, candles, etc.) not in violation of local, state, and federal laws may be returned to the owner when appropriate. University staff members will not routinely admit a third party to another person’s assigned room or apartment without the consent of an occupant. State and federal law governs the protocol for entry into and/or search of campus rooms when enforcing criminal statutes. Such entry is normally the responsibility of police personnel. The issuance of an administrative search warrant is typically based on reasonable cause. Reasonable cause is less than certainty and more than mere suspicion that the search of a particular dwelling will disclose specific evidence. Absent exigent circumstances, administrative searches must have the advance approval of the Associate Vice President of Student Success and Campus Life or their designee. Once approval is received, persons entering a dwelling should announce themselves and their purpose. A lack of response from within the dwelling in a reasonable amount of time may justify the use of a master key to enter the premises. The search for evidence justifies intrusion only into the areas of the dwelling where such items may be found. Violations discovered during this administrative action will be subject to adjudication within the University judicial system.

Housing & Residence Life reserves the right to limit the number of individuals in a room based upon official occupancy limits, at a residence hall event in cases where the safety of occupants may be a concern, or where the noise level in the room violates either the quiet hours or courtesy hours policy. Students are permitted to have up to two (2) guests at any given time. See Guest Policies and Visitation.

Smoking is not permitted in any residential facility, and is only permitted outside of the building, and must happen at least 25 feet from any part of the building, utilize designated receptacles for disposal. Smoking includes but is not limited to the burning of any type of lighted pipe, hookahs, cigar, cigarette, electronic devices (i.e. vapes) or any other smoking equipment/devices whether filled with tobacco or any other type of substance. When charging electronic devices (i.e. vapes) the charger provided by the manufacturer must be used. Smoking devices such as hookahs and smoking pipes are not permitted in the residence halls.

Solicitation is any activity that seeks to contact residents to collect information, sell items, or gain support. Solicitation applies to a wide range of activities that may include: advertising, selling, petitioning, campaigning, distributing flyers, product promotions, organizational recruitment, surveying residents by telephone, mail, e-mail, or in person. To provide students with an environment that is free of unwanted personal solicitation for services or products, Housing & Residence Life strictly prohibits all forms of solicitation in all residence halls.

Theft or unauthorized possession of personal or University property is prohibited. Students who are the victims of theft should immediately report the theft to Campus Police and inform a residence hall staff member. Please be aware that Housing & Residence Life is not liable for replacing stolen personal items.

Vandalism is defined as any intentional behavior which causes damage, when that behavior violates policy, or is reckless or negligent, in that a reasonable person would know that engaging in that behavior could cause damage. Willful destruction or defacement of any personal or University property is prohibited.

When damages occur to common space facilities, an investigation will occur and the responsible individual(s) will be billed; conduct action is also possible depending on the situation.

Signs or traffic control devices which are the property of federal, state, county or city governments are not permitted in the residence halls. Possession of such described signs/devices may result in referral to Campus Police, as well as to Student Conduct. These signs/devices may also be confiscated by Campus Police.

All personal trash should be disposed of in designated trash rooms and dumpsters. Recycling is encouraged—collection centers are available in all halls for paper, plastic, glass, and cans. Containers holding fluids should be emptied down an appropriate drain before disposal into the trash rooms.

The term weapon means any object or substance designed to inflict a wound, intimidate, cause injury, or incapacitate, including, but not limited to the possession or use of items such as any firearm, illegal knives (non- folding with blades over 3" in length), club, or any other weapon (not restricted to legal definitions) that may be hazardous to the health or safety of residents.

This includes, but is not limited to: rifles, pistols, shotguns, pellet guns, airsoft/paintball guns, BB guns, Orbeez gel blasters (and other similar products), taser/stun guns, bows and arrows, sling shots, martial arts weapons such as nun chucks or throwing stars, axes, machetes, swords, spears, bowie knives, daggers or similar knives (non-folding with blades over 3" in length), double-edged blades, or switchblades. These items are not permitted in the residence halls. Nerf-type guns/weapons may be stored in a residence hall room, but may not be used anywhere inside of a residence hall.

Residents found violating any part of this rule may be subject to both University and criminal charges and may be removed from University housing. Campus Police has a 24-hour accessible weapon locker where weapons may be stored. If you have any questions, please call Campus Police at (570) 662-4900.