Residence Life at Penn State Harrisburg enforces the Policies and Procedures as outlined by the university. We encourage you to review your Housing Terms, Conditions and Regulations and the Student Code of Conduct to ensure your understanding of the expectations and guidelines in place. Violations of university policies or the Housing terms, conditions and regulations will be referred to the Office of Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR).

  • The possession or use of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in all University housing, including undergraduate students living in University-owned apartments, for students of any age.
  • It is a violation of Pennsylvania state law, local municipality, and/or University policy for a student under 21 years of age to attempt to purchase, consume, possess, or transport alcoholic beverages. It is unlawful to sell, furnish, or give to any minor, or permit that alcoholic beverages be sold, furnished, or given to any minor.
  • A student will be held responsible for activities that occur in their room and will be referred to Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR), and/or University Police if guests are violating the on-campus alcohol policy in this provision.
  • Failure to comply with the direction given by or the request to present identification, or supplying false information such as name, age, etc., to a University official acting in the performance of their job duties is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct and will result in a referral to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR).

It is a violation of Pennsylvania state law, local municipality, and/or University policy to possess, distribute, manufacture, or sell illegal drugs. Marijuana, including “medical marijuana,” is not permitted to be present, distributed, or used on University property at any time. If a student violates this policy, they will be referred to Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR), and/or University Police.

It is also against University policy for a student to be under the influence of an illegal substance or to be in a residential area (room, common area, common building, building entryway, or quad area within residence area complex) and in the presence of an illegal substance. If a student is caught in the presence of an illegal substance within those areas, the student will be referred to Residence Life, the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR), and/or University Police.

In accordance with University Policy AD32 Smoking and Tobacco Policy, the University is committed to a healthful environment for all members of the community. Smoking and the use of tobacco are prohibited in and on all University owned or leased properties, facilities, and vehicles. The use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, all nicotine delivery devices, and all other tobacco products is prohibited on campus, including University Housing and commons buildings. Marijuana, including “medical marijuana,” is not permitted to be present, distributed, or used on University property at any time.

Candles, incense, and other flame-emitting articles are prohibited in University housing.

The University must comply with Pennsylvania state and local fire regulations; this requires that fire drills be conducted in University housing once per month. Everyone present in a building during the emergency fire drill must participate by vacating the building according to instructions. Rooms may be checked during a fire drill to ensure compliance. If a student fails to evacuate a building, the student may be referred to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR).

  • Fire alarms and fire extinguishers are located on every floor of University housing. Students should familiarize themselves with the locations of the fire safety equipment.
  • University housing is equipped with smoke detectors and sprinkler systems that are monitored by University Police. Any issue with a smoke detector or sprinkler must be reported to Housing and/or Residence Life immediately.
  • Tampering with fire safety equipment is a very serious matter that could jeopardize the safety of many people. If a student tampers with this equipment, including covering the equipment, dismantling the equipment, or discharging a fire extinguisher, the student will be referred to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR). Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to cancellation of an HFS Contract.

University housing is provided and intended for use by the students assigned to the area and for their invited guests. A guest is defined as a person visiting a student in the residence halls at the request of the student. Delivery persons are not considered guests. The University reserves the right to revoke the privilege of a guest policy at any time. Students will be notified if this occurs. If a student violates the guest regulations, including University students who are unescorted in a building, they will be referred to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR).

Overnight guests are not permitted to stay in University housing until after the first day of classes for the current semester, as announced by the University Registrar. This restriction helps ease the congestion of the move-in process and allows roommates the opportunity to get to know each other and decide how to handle overnight guests. 

  • The host student has the responsibility to ensure that their guest is aware of and understands University policies. A guest will be held accountable for their own actions. The host student may be held accountable for the behavior of the guest, and for any damages committed by the guest, unless the guest is also a University student.  
  • A student is permitted to have a guest in their room only if the student's roommate(s) has granted permission.
  • The guest cannot receive a room key or access card. The host student is responsible for escorting their guest at all times. The host student is not permitted to give the guest an assigned room key, Penn State id+ Card, or mobile credential to gain access to the room or building.
  • The guest may stay in the student's room for a maximum of three (3) consecutive nights. The guest may not move from one host's room to another host's room in an attempt to extend their stay in University housing past the three (3) nights.
  • Only students living in the assigned housing and their invited guests are permitted in the living areas of the building, including individual rooms, floor lounges, and common area spaces. If an individual who is not a resident of the building or a guest of a resident is found in the building, the individual will be considered to be trespassing. 
  • The guest may only use the appropriate gender restroom/shower facilities.
  • Guests are not permitted to stay during any official University closedown/break periods.
  • Violations will be referred to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR).

The University reserves the exclusive right to modify the guest policy at any time, in the event that health or safety concerns require such a change to ensure a proper educational environment or safeguard the health and safety of individuals or the campus community.

A goal of Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life is to provide students an atmosphere within University housing that is conducive to sleep and rest. To achieve this goal, it is necessary for all students to understand that the right of students to study and sleep takes precedence over the right of students to make noise. Established courtesy hours and quiet hours are posted in all University-housing facilities. It is expected that all students will maintain a proper study atmosphere during the established quiet hours. These hours may be extended if additional study conditions are required. Residence Life may extend the hours in consultation with the residence hall student government. The University reserves the right to adjust quiet hours throughout the semester. If a change is made, the updated quiet hours will be posted in the building.

Quiet hours

  • Sunday - Thursday: 8:00 p.m. - 8:00 a.m.
  • Friday - Saturday: 1:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. A student's right to study and sleep will be respected at all times. Every student and their guests must lower their voices and/or the volume of their equipment (music, TV, computer, musical instruments, etc.) if asked to do so by another student or University staff.

During finals week, 24-hour quiet hours are maintained. Quiet hours are in effect beginning at 8:00 a.m. the day before finals begin and continue until the end of the semester for all University Housing facilities.

Students are expected to follow these guidelines during courtesy and quiet hours:

  • Electronic sound equipment (radios, stereos, TVs, electronic games, computers, tablets, etc.), musical equipment, and room activities must not be heard outside of the room. Such equipment should not be played so loud as to disrupt other students. 
  • Amplified sound is not to be directed out of windows by using speakers or other devices.
  • Each student has the responsibility to take the initiative and discuss noise concerns with an offending student. If a student is bothered by someone else's noise, the student should ask them to reduce the volume level of the offending noise. The student has every right to expect the other student to reduce the volume. Likewise, if a student is requested to reduce the volume level, they should do so out of respect for a fellow student. Residence Life will deal with excessive noise when noticed by or reported to them; however, staff may not always be aware of an issue or problem.
  • Students and guests should keep their voice levels low while talking in hallways, bathrooms, study lounges, etc., to help maintain a quiet living environment for all students.
  • Students will refrain from participating in sports/sports-like activities (e.g. basketball, water or nerf guns, spike ball, etc.) within or immediately adjacent to University housing. The University has designated areas outside of the halls for these types of activities. 
  • If a student persists in creating excessive noise or disruption, the student may be referred to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR). 

Pets of any type are not permitted in University housing, with the exception of one small tank that is not more than five (5) gallons (U.S.) for tropical fish or goldfish. Visitors and guests may not bring pets (including Emotional Support Animals (ESAs)) into any University building, including the residence halls. An individual with a service animal, service animal in training, or approved ESA is permitted to bring the animal into University housing, in accordance with University Policy AD66. A student who has a need for a service or emotional support animal should refer to the medical accommodations process for further information.

Each student is expected to maintain their living space in an orderly and sanitary condition. Students who occupy a room, apartment, or suite with a bathroom are responsible for cleaning the bathroom. Each student is responsible for removing trash from the room, apartment, or suite and placing in the designated disposal area. If the University becomes aware of unsanitary conditions resulting from a student failing to maintain the room, apartment, or suite, Housing will clean the space. The student will be charged a cleaning damage fee, which will be applied to the student's LionPATH account. Depending upon how the University and/or other students are affected by the persistence of disorderly and unsanitary conditions in a student's room, the University reserves the right to cancel the student's HFS Contract and refuse an assignment for future contract periods. A student may also be referred to Residence Life and/or the Office of Student Accountability and Conflict Response (OSACR).

Please ensure that you are sharing the responsibilities of removing trash whenever it is full by taking it to the dumpsters located outside (do not let it pile up and overflow), regularly clean and store your dishes/cookware, disinfect surfaces, clean stovetops and microwaves (as applicable), clean and wipe down sinks, showers, and countertops, and maintain a clean and hygienic space. Particularly in spaces that you share with your roommates (kitchen, living room, and bathrooms), you should work together to share the responsibility of ensuring these spaces are tidy. Neglecting to do so may result in additional cleaning fees and a referral to the Student Accountability & Conflict Response process for violating your housing terms, conditions & regulations.

As each individual has their own standard of cleanliness, discussing housekeeping guidelines early in the semester will reduce the chance of conflict in this area later on.

  1. Develop a revolving schedule on a weekly basis for cleaning the common areas of the apartment – bedrooms are the responsibility of each individual
  2. A good rule of thumb, whoever cooks (when cooking for the entire apartment), should not have to do the dishes – unless cooking for self or friends. Roommates should split the labor on this chore.

Certain things must be done daily to show consideration for others in the apartment. Among these are:

  1. Clean up after yourself in the bathroom (toilet, sink, shower & floor)
  2. Do your own dishes after eating (unless a schedule is made and responsibilities assigned)
  3. Drop your belongings (clothes, shoes, books, etc.) in your room – showing consideration to your roommates and guests.

Trash and recyclable materials must be removed from the suites and apartments by residents and placed in the dumpsters located in the parking lot of each residential community. Please separate recyclables from your regular trash (glass, cans, plastic) and place the recyclables in the small "Totes" located next to the larger green trash dumpsters. Trash or recyclables are not to be placed outside of one's apartment or suite, nor should the trash receptacles around the communities be used for personal trash from apartments or suites. A fee of $25 per bag will be charged for removing personal trash left in public receptacles and/or stairwells. This fee will be billed to specific individuals or apartments. To prevent pest infestation, trash should be removed daily or as it is full.

Vacuum cleaners are available in the Community Center or Nittany Village Residence Life Office to assist residents in the cleaning of their apartments.

Please visit Penn State LiveOn site for information regarding mail, packages, and
addresses.
Items delivered from restaurants, retail or grocery stores, or third-party
companies such as Instacart, GoPuff, DoorDash, etc., are NOT accepted as mail
and students are responsible for meeting the driver to receive those
deliveries.

  • Routine Repairs 
    A routine repair is a problem that does not require immediate attention, such as a burned-out light bulb, a torn screen, dripping faucet, etc.
     

  • What to do:  Submit a FIXIT Request. Residents unable to submit an online request may contact the Housing Office during business hours (M-F from 8 AM – 5 PM) at 717-948-6244.
     

  • What is the difference between routine and emergency repairs?
    Routine repairs are problems that can be scheduled and do not require immediate attention—even though residents naturally want the issue taken care of as soon as possible. Examples include a burned-out light bulb, problems with the refrigerator/microwave unit, a torn window screen, etc.

    Emergencies are identified as anything that needs to be fixed immediately. If it's not remedied, serious injury or damage will result. Emergency repair examples include: loss of hot or cold water, loss of heat, loss of electricity (beyond normal power outages), electrical hazard, flooding or major leak, fire, gas leak, any condition that represents a significant imminent threat or potential hazard to the community, glass window breakage that is a potential safety and/or security hazard, and pest emergencies (bats, bees, etc.)
     

  • For emergency repairs or concerns, students should contact Housing and Food Services at 717-948-6244 during normal business hours; or Police Services at  717-948-6232 after hours. Resident Assistants on duty can also be contacted for assistance in each area between 8 PM and 7 AM. 

The planning of meals and the sharing of food costs should be discussed early. Here are hints for making this discussion easier:

  1. All roommates should meet to decide if they will prepare meals and shop individually or as a group. Conflict often arises regarding the use of another’s food items.
  2. Roommates should discuss food preferences – who likes what foods
  3. Roommates should discuss class/personal schedule – how often each person plans to be in the residence, class schedules, meals that one does not usually eat, and how often one plans on going home for weekends.
  4. Roommates should decide how they will share the cost of food and who will do the shopping?

  1. Make a general meal plan for the week
  2. Make a shopping list.
  3. Compare sale price to regular price.
  4. Check newspaper ads, sales flyers, use coupons, look for unadvertised specials.
  5. Compare prices of national, store, or generic brands of a product.
  6. Substitute sale items for more expensive foods on your list.
  7. Read labels.
  8. Buy perishable food including frozen food last.
  9. Try to shop when you’re not hungry, tired, or rushed.

We encourage the use of the WE cARE Pantry for any student that may benefit from this resource!

Each student plays a critical role in maintaining a safe and secure environment within University housing. Even with a sophisticated card access system, the safety and security of residents can be compromised by careless behavior. Every student is responsible for locking their room door, refraining from propping open student room doors, entrance doors, stairwell doors, and exit doors, and allowing unescorted guests to enter the building.

Safety and Security Tips

  • Students entering University housing should not permit an unknown person to enter with them.
  • The staff member on duty should be notified if someone has insisted on entering University housing. The student should try to get a good description of the individual and observe the direction in which they were headed.
  • Every student should keep their room door locked, even when sleeping, and especially when leaving the room or building.
  • A malfunctioning card access reader or door should be reported to University staff immediately.
  • If a student is expecting a guest, the student is responsible for meeting the guest at the building entry door and escorting him or her in the building.
  • A student is not permitted to lend their id+ card or room key to another student or guest.

If a student notices any suspicious activity, the student should immediately contact the Residence Life staff on duty. Suspicious behavior may include the following:

  • A person going room to room, trying to open doors
  • A person loitering at unusual hours or locations
  • A person running (especially if something of value is being carried)
  • A person exhibiting unusual mental, emotional, or physical symptoms
  • A person carrying University property or other items not wrapped
  • Open or broken windows or doors
  • Unusual noises, screams, or cries for help

See something, say something.