Below are policies that residents agreed to uphold and abide by when they became a student at Ball State. These policies are designed to support the mission of the Office of Housing and Residence Life and are expected in our residence hall communities. Students who are reported to be in violation of these policies are subject to the university and/or residence hall disciplinary systems. In addition, Ball State students are expected to abide by the Beneficence Pledge.

Community Contracts
Disciplinary Proceedings
Student Rights and Responsibilities
  • Alcoholic beverage containers, full or empty, are not permitted in any university residence hall. Any student or guest in a room who knows that alcohol is present will be held responsible under the alcohol policy unless they inform a staff member of the violation, or they remove themselves from the room. 
  • The Office of the Dean of Students will notify parents/guardians of students under 21 years of age when a student is found responsible for (1) violations of the drug policy, (2) a second violation of the alcohol policy, and (3) on the first violation of the alcohol policy when one or more of the following occurs: 
  • The student demonstrates a reckless disregard for their personal safety or the safety of others; 
  • Medical attention to any person, including the student, is required as a result of the student's alcohol related behavior; 
  • There is property damage; 
  • The student operates a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol; 
  • The incident involves another serious violation. 
  • The student's alcohol-related behavior negatively impacts the learning environment.

Intoxicated and Incapacitated Students

Any person found intoxicated or incapacitated as a result of alcohol or other controlled substances on campus property or who is abusive, disorderly, destructive, combative, etc., can be arrested by the University Police and charged with appropriate violations. Based on the place of residence, the person may be referred to the Office of Housing and Residence Life or the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action. Any financial costs such as emergency room care, EMT care, damages, etc., associated with the actions of a person as a result of alcohol or drugs will be the responsibility of that person. Students found in violation of this policy may be placed on disciplinary probation.

  • Animals, alive or dead, are not permitted in the residence halls. A resident who houses an unapproved animal in their room will be asked to remove the animal immediately and will be assessed a $200 room cleaning fee. Students who are found responsible for violating the policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

    This includes newts, frogs, salamanders, turtles, birds, laboratory specimens or any life form that can survive outside of water. Fish in aquariums are permitted in the residence halls. An aquatic pet must not be able to leave its bowl or tank on its own. Aquariums or tanks larger than 20 gallons are not permitted in the halls. Guests' pets are also not permitted in the residence halls.
    Again, Students who are found responsible of violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

We have electronic card readers outside of all community restrooms. It’s required for residents belonging to those spaces to use their Ball State University ID to gain access to the bathroom. 
 
Guests and residents of the opposite gender identity are permitted to only use public restrooms or community restrooms designated for their gender identity.  
 
Additionally, only one person is permitted in each shower or bathroom stall at a time. 
 
Failure to comply with the bathroom policy will result in disciplinary action with the office of Housing and Residence Life.
Burning candles, incense (including potpourri pots), wax melts, or creating an open flame in student rooms is prohibited. Candles with burned wicks are not allowed in student rooms. 
 
Starting or attempting to start a fire, or acting in a manner that disregards the fire safety policies which results in a fire is prohibited in or around the residence halls. Negligent behavior such as causing smoke or fire resulting in a fire alarm may be subject to discipline procedures and sanctions.

Any individual using the Ball State University computing network must comply with the Ball State Student Code Information Technology Users Policy. Illegal distribution or downloading of copyrighted materials is expressly forbidden.  
 
In addition, wireless routers and wireless devices are not permitted in the residence halls. Students found to be utilizing programs that take more bandwidth than is customary for typical academic assignments may have their computer port turned off pending review by proper university officials. 
 
*Please note: When a student shares unauthorized copyrighted materials (i.e. movies, music, programs) with other computer users, whether on a personal computer or in a computer lab, it is a violation of the university's policies and your actions may result in legal action by the music and/or film industry.

The Student Code Information Technology Users Policy additionally includes the prevention of unauthorized network devices from being connected to the campus network for any reason. (This includes but is not limited to, wireless routers, wired routers, DHCP servers, media center servers, etc.) When rogue devices are detected or reported to Information Technology Services (ITS) networking then disables the port(s) that are associated with the device. HRL Tech Support will then report the violation to the assistant directors of Housing and Residence Life. Residential Learning Coordinators or Apartment Managers will then contact the residents in the room that was detected as violating the policy. A first-time violator will be required to disconnect and power off the networking device before the port can be re-enabled by ITS networking staff. A second-time violation will result in a port shutdown pending a disciplinary hearing.

For safety reasons, construction site access is limited to construction workers and other authorized personnel. Students and guests are expected to abide by all construction site information and zoning.
Students whose course loads fall below 10 credit hours need the permission of their building’s Residential Learning Coordinator to remain living in the residence hall.  
 
Permission to remain in the hall is at the discretion of the appropriate housing staff. Documented and undocumented behavior may be used in considering whether permission is granted. Students who fall below 10 credit hours and are found responsible for violating a residence hall policy may be subject to immediate termination of their Housing and Dining contract. 
Quiet hours for all buildings are 11:00 p.m. to 9 a.m. on Sunday through Thursday and 1 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. During finals week of each semester, all halls will abide by a 24-hour quiet hour policy. 
 
Any activity such as playing stereos, watching television, playing a musical instrument, yelling, tap dancing, slamming doors, horseplay, running or any activity that creates a disturbance is prohibited in the residence halls and areas surrounding residence halls, including (but not limited to) designated smoking areas, recreational spaces, and green spaces. Stereo speakers should not be faced out the windows. At all times, general courtesy should be exercised. Students are expected to demonstrate respect and comply with a request to reduce noise if asked by other students to do so.

Damage, destruction, or theft of public property, including bulletin boards and posted information, or private property and furnishings is prohibited. Hall staff response to vandalism on a floor or hall is determined through the community contract process established by students generally occurring in the fall semester. 
 
Students are required to complete room inventory forms when first moving into any room. Students are held accountable for any damage that occurs within that room, including those from bed unit construction, decorations, adhesives, and bike storage. Failure to complete a room inventory form indicates that no damage was present upon move-in. 
 
When individual responsibility cannot be determined for damage in common areas, the amount may be prorated among all members of the community. Students will be given the opportunity to provide information in a timely manner prior to final billing. When an accused student is found to be responsible for damage, they will be charged for the necessary repairs, replacements, or custodial services. The student may also face disciplinary action under the vandalism policy. Hall staff response to vandalism on a floor or hall is determined through the community contract process established by students.

Appeals

At the end of each academic year, Housing and Residence Life Staff revisits each room, assessing its condition. Upon inspection if damage is found students will be sent via their Ball State email address a copy of their room inventory form showing the damage that was recorded. 
 
The student belonging to the room and charged with the damages are responsible for payment of these charges. Payment of these charges may be made in person at Bursar’s Office or through mail.  Charges will appear on the appropriate billing statement from the University through the e-bill system on Self-Service Banner and are due according to the deadline indicated there.   
 
Students charged with room damage have the option to appeal these charges in writing by filling out the following form.

Appeals

  • Using, abusing, possessing, selling, distributing, manufacturing, or transferring narcotics, illegal drugs, or any controlled substance, (including marijuana, inhalants, and abuse of over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs), except as expressly permitted by law is a violation of the drug policy. Possession of drug paraphernalia, which can be demonstrated to be linked to illegal drug activity, is also a violation of this policy. Students and their guests are not permitted to possess paraphernalia such as bongs, rolling papers, deseeding trays, roach clips, scales, or any item used to inhale/ingest illegal substances, or any item used to disguise the use of drugs. Also not permitted is misusing legal substances to obtain an unnatural reaction such as aerosol cans or salvia.

    Federal and state laws forbid the sale and use of drugs that are not prescribed by a physician for personal use or are not available on the legal open market. Any person known to be possessing, using, or distributing such drugs is subject to university disciplinary action and possible arrest, imprisonment, or fine according to the state drug law.

    Violation of the drug policy will probably result in the termination of the housing contract and further disciplinary action with the Office of Student Conduct.

Cameras and Video Recordings 

  • The use of cellular devices, and other technological devices with photographic and or video capabilities cannot be used in a manner that creates a hostile environment in the residence halls. A hostile environment is one that interferes significantly with a person's employment, education, and/or living condition. Residents and guests are expected to comply with a person's reasonable expectation of privacy in residence hall rooms, bathrooms, and common areas.

Safety Equipment and Security Cameras 

  • For the safety and security of residents and guests, safety equipment such as security cameras may be placed in the common areas of the residence halls. People's behaviors may be recorded using these devices. It is a violation of residence hall policy to tamper with safety equipment, including security cameras.

Illegal Downloading

  • Music and video downloading has become an integral part of the Internet, especially for college students. Peer to peer (P2P) networks allow users to link up with one another and share files, providing a nearly unlimited supply of music, movies, and videos. However, downloading copyright protected materials without the consent of the copyright holder is illegal. Those that are found to have illegally downloaded copyrighted music and/or movies are subject to Criminal Penalties and/or Civil Penalties ranging from $750 per work infringed to as high as $30,000. 
     
    Ball State University's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities require users of BSU computer-related resources to comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, those related to copyright and trademark. 
     
    The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade group which represents most of the major record labels. The RIAA routinely monitors popular file sharing Web sites so as to identify users' IP addresses. An organization called the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) performs a similar function for the film industry. An IP address does not identify an individual; therefore, RIAA's attorneys will contact the internet provider to obtain the names of file-sharers. While many internet providers (including many universities) will not willingly turn over their customer's information, the RIAA has been successful in obtaining subpoenas to obtain identifying information. Since July 1, 2008, over 20,000 lawsuits have been filed by the RIAA and countless "pre-litigation settlement letters" have been sent to students from various universalities nationwide offering to settle claims of copyright infringement (usually in the range of $3,000 to $5,000) with the student prior to filing suit. If the student fails to settle with the RIAA it can be assumed that the student will be sued.
Elevators caused to be out of service due to misuse by students, will result in responsible students being identified and charged for the service call of the elevator company employees.  
 
Defacing or vandalizing elevators is also prohibited and will result in charges to the individual or individuals found responsible.
A student is expected to comply with the reasonable request of a university staff member.  
 
Examples of failure to comply would include but are not limited to refusal to open a room door, refusal to produce identification, giving false or misleading information, or failing to complete a disciplinary sanction.
Any student who sets or causes a false alarm or initiates a bomb threat will be referred to the University Review Board for suspension or expulsion proceedings and will be subject to termination of the housing contract.

Starting or attempting to start a fire, or acting in a manner that disregards the fire safety policies which results in a fire is prohibited in or around the residence halls. Negligent behavior such as not monitoring cooking and causing smoke or fire resulting in a fire alarm may be subject to discipline procedures and sanctions. Any student who discovers a fire, no matter how insignificant he/she thinks it is, should sound the alarm by pulling the nearest pull station and notify the front desk staff, a resident assistant (RA), or Residential Learning Coordinator (RLC) immediately. The building must be evacuated before attempting to contain the fire.

Students and guests must leave the buildings and go to their designated locations when a fire alarm sounds. Staff may enter rooms to do an evacuation room check if there is reason to believe that anyone could not or did not evacuate. Fire evacuation routes are posted on the back of student room doors.

Tampering with fire and safety equipment (i.e., alarms, doors, pull stations, extinguishers, security cameras) is prohibited. Students who violate this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation and may be subject to termination of the Housing and Dining contract.

Fireworks and other explosives are not permitted in the residence halls or surrounding areas. Starting or attempting to start a fire, or acting in a manner that disregards the fire safety policies which results in a fire is prohibited in or around the residence halls. Negligent behavior resulting in a fire alarm may be subject to discipline procedures and sanctions.

Gambling is not permitted. Activities involving the awarding of prizes in exchange for an admission charge are not permitted.

Residents are allowed to have visitors (any gender) with the approval of their roommate. 
 
Guests (non-residents of a particular hall) are expected to follow all policies of the University and instructions of University employees. Residents are responsible for their guests and all actions of the guests while in the halls. Guests found in violation of residence hall or University policy will be asked to leave University property immediately. Guests must be escorted at all times in any area other than the main lounge. Keys will not be issued to guests. A maximum of one (1) guest per room resident may sleep in a room for a total room maximum of four (4) nights ONLY with the permission of the roommate. 
 
Guests from the ages of 13 and under the age of 18 must have parental/guardian permission to stay as a guest of a student living in a residence hall. The student host is responsible for ensuring their guests have the appropriate permission and are registered. Parental/Guardian permission forms are available online and at the residence hall front desks. Guests age 12 and under may not stay overnight in the residence halls (unless the guest is a legal dependent of the resident) and must leave the building no later than midnight. 
 
Guests are not permitted to permanently live in the residence halls. If a guest is found to violate the spirit of the policy by living in the halls, they will be trespassed from the hall and the resident may face disciplinary charges.

Conduct or behavior that threatens or endangers the health and safety of another person, or reasonably could endanger the health and safety of another person. This would include but is not limited to physical assault, restricting someone's freedom of movement, or threats made in person, written, or via a third party.
In accordance with the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, students and/or guests are expected to provide appropriate identifications (university identification card (ID) or driver's license) when requested by a university representative or employee. Those who cannot show appropriate identification may be asked to leave the residence halls immediately. Misuse of the university ID card by allowing others to gain hall access is prohibited. Students and/or guests may be required to show their ID when entering the residence halls. 
Music and video downloading has become an integral part of the Internet, especially for college students. Peer to peer (P2P) networks allow users to link up with one another and share files, providing a nearly unlimited supply of music, movies, and videos. However, downloading copyright protected materials without the consent of the copyright holder is illegal. Those that are found to have illegally downloaded copyrighted music and/or movies are subject to Criminal Penalties and/or Civil Penalties ranging from $750 per work infringed to as high as $30,000. 
 
Ball State University's Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities require users of BSU computer-related resources to comply with all applicable laws including, but not limited to, those related to copyright and trademark. 
 
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade group which represents most of the major record labels. The RIAA routinely monitors popular file sharing Web sites so as to identify users' IP addresses. An organization called the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) performs a similar function for the film industry. An IP address does not identify an individual; therefore, RIAA's attorneys will contact the internet provider to obtain the names of file-sharers. While many internet providers (including many universities) will not willingly turn over their customer's information, the RIAA has been successful in obtaining subpoenas to obtain identifying information. Since July 1, 2008, over 20,000 lawsuits have been filed by the RIAA and countless "pre-litigation settlement letters" have been sent to students from various universalities nationwide offering to settle claims of copyright infringement (usually in the range of $3,000 to $5,000) with the student prior to filing suit. If the student fails to settle with the RIAA it can be assumed that the student will be sued. 
 
Any person found intoxicated or incapacitated as a result of alcohol or other controlled substances on campus property or who is abusive, disorderly, destructive, combative, etc., can be arrested by the University Police and charged with appropriate violations. Based on the place of residence, the person may be referred to the Office of Housing and Residence Life or the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action. Any financial costs such as emergency room care, EMT care, damages, etc., associated with the actions of a person as a result of alcohol or drugs will be the responsibility of that person. Students found in violation of this policy may be placed on disciplinary probation.
Students who lose keys should notify their building’s Residential Learning Coordinator immediately so a recore may be initiated and completed in a timely manner. The cost will be billed to the student. The amount charged for recoring will not be canceled or refunded if keys are found later. In the meantime, a loaner key may be issued to the student. With a second use of a loaner key (and for everyone thereafter) the student will be billed $5. However, if the student requests, a temporary recore will be installed at the expense of the student. If this work is to be done after normal working hours, the student will assume the cost for overtime maintenance. Use of loaner keys should be limited to emergencies. 
 
A room key is given to each occupant of the room for his or her use; however, the key remains the property of Ball State University. The key cannot be given to or used by a third party. The inappropriate use or misuse of a key will result in disciplinary probation. Students must carry their keys at all times.
Student rooms may not be painted. Permanent alterations to student rooms are also prohibited. Rooms found to be painted will be considered damaged. When an accused student is found to be responsible for damage, they will be charged for the necessary repairs, replacements, or custodial services. The student may also face disciplinary action under the vandalism policy. Hall staff response to vandalism on a floor or hall is determined through the community contract process established by students. 

Housing and Residence life provides “Not for Public Posting” bulletin board space inside each residence hall, the University Apartments Office, and in the University Apartments laundry facilities for the posting of approved non-commercial signs, notices, posters, and banners by members of the university community.  Members of the university community may submit an “Advertising” request form to have materials posted. This form allows us to confirm the posting is a university club, organization, or department. For more information refer to Ball State University’s “Non-Commercial Expressive Activity and Assembly on University Property” policy.

All bulletin boards in community areas inside the residence halls, university apartments office and university apartments laundry facilities have been designated “Not for Public Posting” as related to Ball State University’s “Non-Commercial Expressive Activity and Assembly on University Property” policy. 

Posting of material (e.g. flyers, signs, notices, banners, flags, etc…) on Community Area wall space (i.e. spaces external to individual room spaces) is not permitted without written permission from Housing and Residence Life Central Office and may be subject to immediate removal. Use of non-bulletin board advertising (e.g. banner stands, “sandwich boards”, table tents, loose flyers, etc…) in the residence hall are not permitted unless it is HRL related business (arrival, family weekend, housing contract info, etc.).

Building directional and informational signs (i.e. Bathroom signs, hygiene reminders, caution wet floor, elevator out of order, directions to the ice machine, etc…) may be located on Community Area walls with the permission and approval of the office of Housing and Residence Life Central Office. 

For more information regarding postings and advertising in the residence halls please review the office of Housing and Residence Life’s Solicitation Policy, Advertising in the Halls information and Community Areas information.

For the safety and security of residents and guests, safety equipment such as security cameras may be placed in the common areas of the residence halls. People's behaviors may be recorded using these devices. It is a violation of residence hall policy to tamper with safety equipment, including security cameras.
Students are expected to practice appropriate personal hygiene and to maintain an environment within their room and community which is sanitary. Perishable food items should be stored in sealed containers and/or refrigerated. Trash and food debris should be disposed of in the designated trash location on the residence hall floor. 
 
Studio apartment bathrooms, suite bathrooms, and semi-private bathrooms will be cleaned weekly by Housing and Residence Life custodians. The schedule indicating your cleaning date each week will be provided to the student the first week of the semester. Personal items must be removed from these areas before the scheduled cleaning time. 

Door-to-door distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, sales, or commercial activity are not permitted within the residence halls. A student may, however, by express invitation invite a distributor, solicitor, fund-raiser, or salesman to the students' room for distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, sales to that student and the students' invited guests in the privacy of his or her own room. In addition, a student may engage in distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, or sales in the privacy of their own room.

Deliveries may be made to the lounge area only if:

  • The commercial activity consists of demonstrations of goods and services not only involving sales and is sponsored by that hall's council. 
  • The commercial activity, including sales, is part of a fund-raising activity of the hall's council and is conducted in accordance with the restrictions of paragraph 4.02 of the Ball State policy concerning distribution, solicitation, fund-raising, sales, and commercial activity on university property.
Sports activities inside the residence halls are not permitted. This includes but is not limited to roller-blading, water fights, bike riding, rough housing, riding a hoverboard or scooter, and playing pranks which may affect the safety and security of community members. Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

Ball State University is a tobacco-free campus. Use of tobacco products, including but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, water pipes (hookah), bidis, kreteks, electronic cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, snuff, chewing tobacco and any non-FDA approved nicotine delivery device, is prohibited in all buildings, parking structures, and outdoor areas (including the residence halls or residence hall complexes). 

 
Students who violate this policy in the residence halls or non-designated areas will be subject to judicial process and a citation. Students who are found responsible of violating the policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

Students must not tamper with the equipment as indicated by local city ordinances. If the battery needs to be replaced or there is a problem with a smoke detector, the student should immediately enter a work order at the “Fix My Home” Web site*. Do not remove batteries from smoke detectors or remove smoke detectors from the ceiling. Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

*Make sure the pop-up window on your Internet browser is enabled to use the maintenance request software.

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

Students must prevent unauthorized individuals from entering the residence halls. Students, guests, and/or residents may not enter another resident's room without their permission. Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will be placed on disciplinary probation.

For safety reasons, any area that has a water feature such as a pond or fountain should not be entered or tampered with during any season. In addition, no items should be placed in the water.
Weapons are not permitted in the residence halls. This includes but is not limited to firearms, ammunition, explosives, tear gas, large knives, pellet guns, wrist rockets, catapults, dart guns, and devices that propel objects through the air. Recreational weapons such as but not limited to sling shots, stun guns, pellet guns, taser guns, air soft guns, etc., are not permitted in the residence halls. Objects that are used in the martial arts, such as nunchakus and bolas, and those used in hunting, such as bows and arrows, are not permitted in the residence halls. Students who use an object in the form of a weapon to injure someone is subject to discipline under this policy. Residence hall staff may search a room if there is reason to believe a weapon is located in the room. Violation of this policy may result in termination of the housing contract. 
 
The only exception to this is legal chemical dispensing devices, such as pepper sprays that are sold commercially for personal protection.
Exterior and interior windows in residence halls should remain clear at all times. Objects, posters, and window signs should not be visible from the outside. 
 
A window or screen is not to be removed unless removed by maintenance personnel. Students who remove the window screen for a non-emergency reason will be charged for replacing the screen and will be placed on disciplinary probation. Exiting out or entry through a window for a non-emergency reason or throwing and/or moving items objects in and out of a window is strictly prohibited. Exterior and interior windows in residence halls should remain clear at all times. Objects, postings, and window signs should not be visible from outside.
Students living in the residence halls and University Apartments are not permitted to use wireless routers or devices that transmit a wireless signal, like a wireless printer, cell phone hot spot, gaming system, or other appliance in the rooms/apartments. When a wireless device is in use, the official Ball State wireless service is cut off to your neighbors, not allowing them to enjoy Internet access. Therefore, routine checks of all buildings are conducted regularly. Residents in violation will be asked to disable the wireless device immediately and will be subject to the Housing and Residence Life discipline process after the second offense. 
 
If you suspect a wireless device in use in your building, contact the Technology Help Desk at 765-285-1517.