Guest Housing Policies

1. The legal drinking age in Washington State is 21. When not in the presence of underage guests, adult guests of legal drinking age may possess and consume alcoholic beverages within the privacy of their room, suite or apartment.
2. Washington State law prohibits possession of an open container of beer, wine or spirits while in a public place; this includes the campus grounds, walkways, courtyards, residential lounges, hallways or other common areas.
3. Alcohol is permitted at a private gathering held in a lounge or common area if a valid banquet permit is displayed.
4. Any guest found to be in violation of the law as it relates to the possession or consumption of alcohol will be reported to the University Police, cited appropriately and dismissed from the premises.

1. Coffee pots
2. Electric tea kettles
3. Microwave ovens
4. Mini-fridges

1. Because pets are prohibited, guests should notify University Residences in advance if they are bringing a service dog or assistance animal.
2. Service Animals: The law allows trained service animals access to all campus buildings, including food venues. Service animals are specially trained dogs or miniature horses that perform tasks for persons with disabilities.
3. Assistance Animals: The law limits assistance animals to the handler's residential building; assistance animals are not permitted in any other campus buildings or food venues. Assistance animals include emotional support animals, comfort animals, therapy animals and companion animals of any kind.
4. Handlers must ensure their animal has proper immunizations, licenses and any required veterinary documentation.
5. Animals must be housebroken and handlers are responsible for the proper disposal of their animal's waste. Failure to do so will result in a cleanup fee.
6. The handler may be asked to remove their animal from campus if the animal is not housebroken, or if the animal cannot be effectively controlled by the handler.
7. Handlers must have their animal under control at all times by means of a harness, leash or tether unless it interferes with the animal's work, or it is not compatible with the handler's disability.
8. Animals may not pose a threat to the health or safety of others, and handlers are responsible for any liability that occurs as a result of their animal's behavior.
9. The handler is responsible for any charges resulting from damage, cleaning or pest infestation.

Residential buildings are locked at all times and no persons except those listed below are authorized to enter. Please note that propping open an access door creates a security risk to guests and property. If you believe someone has entered your building without authorization, notify the front desk at 360-389-2864 or the University Police at 360-650-3911.

1. Residential guests, campers and conference attendees
2. University Staff on University business and wearing University ID badge
3. Non-University personnel on University business and wearing University visitor badge
4. Prospective students and families on official campus tours

University personnel have the right to enter any residence hall room or apartment for the purpose of facilities inspection, maintenance requests, student health and safety, and other official University business. Depending upon the reason for entry, guests typically receive notification 24 hours in advance. Authorized staff will knock first and have official identification.

Unless reserved for a conference event or activity, balconies and sundecks are locked and access is prohibited.

The University recognizes bicycles as a preferred form of transportation. When riding through campus, bicyclists must comply with WAC 516-13; this means yielding the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times, obeying speed limits, and dismounting where required. Bicyclists are subject to enforcement by University Police. Racks designated for bicycle storage are provided throughout campus and within each residential community; bicycles stored anywhere else are subject to impound. When riding off campus, riders must comply with Bellingham Municipal Code 11.48.

Before any student, faculty, staff, guest or visitor is given internet access through the University's network, they must accept the terms of the User Agreement for Network and Computing Resources. Any violation of the User Agreement will result in disciplinary actions ranging from warning to criminal prosecution. In the event a law is violated, the University will cooperate fully with authorities to provide any information necessary for a criminal investigation.

Guests can avoid damage and cleaning charges by using removable adhesive products designed for damage-free decorating and organizing. Guests are free to rearrange the furniture, but the following alterations are prohibited:

1. Removing University furniture from the room.
2. Painting the walls, ceiling, or furniture.
3. Making holes or marks on the walls, ceilings or furnishings.
4. Disabling or impairing fire sprinklers, heat sensors, or smoke alarms.
5. Placing objects near or in contact with fire sprinklers, heat sensors, or smoke alarms.
6. Customizing or altering your bed in any way inconsistent with the available configurations.

Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to physical abuse, verbal abuse, threats, intimidation, coercion, obstruction or other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of self or others, failure to cooperate or comply with University officials, or providing false identification or information. Any guest exhibiting disruptive behavior will be dismissed from the premises. Guests should report disruptive behavior to building staff at 360-389-2864.

• Marijuana: Possession or use of marijuana in any amount by any person is prohibited anywhere on the University campus. Even though Washington State law allows adults age 21 and older to possess small amounts of marijuana for personal use, federal law prohibits marijuana possession and use of any kind on college campuses that receive federal funds.

• The possession, use, production, cultivation, packaging, distribution, sale or provision of any controlled substance or illegal drug is strictly prohibited. Any guest found to be in violation of the law as it relates to the possession or use of drugs will be reported to the University Police, cited appropriately and dismissed from the premises.

Anyone found responsible for tampering with an elevator or engaging in reckless or dangerous behavior that places themselves or others at risk, will face disciplinary action. Guests should report suspected vandalism at 360-389-2864.

Anyone who tampers with a fire alarm or firefighting equipment, willfully or without cause, is guilty of a misdemeanor (RCW 9.40.100) and financially responsible for all costs associated with restoring the equipment to its original state. Guests should report suspected vandalism to building staff at 360-389-2864.

Registered guests wanting to use a fireplaces should contact the building staff for permission and instructions.

Gambling in University Residences is prohibited by University policy and Washington State law. Gambling includes online gambling, betting on athletic events, and the possession of gambling devices.

Harassment and threats of violence are prohibited behaviors that create a hostile or threatening educational or working environment. These behaviors include but are not limited to:

• Unwanted and/or intimidating contact of a threatening nature, including verbal, nonverbal, written or electronic communication.
• An expressed or implied threat to an individual's personal safety or property, academic efforts, employment, or participation in University activities.
• Intentionally and/or repeatedly following or contacting another person in a manner that intimidates, harasses, or places another in fear for their personal safety or to their property.
• Behavior that threatens or intimidates on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), age, disability, marital status, veteran status, genetic information, and sexual orientation (including gender expression or identity).

Some lounges or common areas may be available for general use by registered guests. Furniture may be rearranged to accommodate activities, but it must be returned to its proper location afterwards. Please note that personal property left in lounges or common areas may result in theft. Overnight sleeping is not permitted and alcoholic beverages require a banquet permit. Guests are responsible for leaving a lounge in its original condition and may be charged for damage or extra cleaning.

See Drugs, Illegal Posessions & Use.

Permit parking for motorcycles and motorized scooters is available in designated areas across campus; motorcycles or scooters parked anywhere else are subject to impound. Uniform Fire Code prohibits the storage of any gas-powered vehicle within a residential building, including walkway, hallway, stairwell, balcony or patio.

1. Firearms
2. Weapons
3. Explosives
4. Candles & Incense
5. Electric blankets
6. Hotplates
7. Space heaters
8. Toasters & toaster ovens (allowed in suites w/kitchenettes)
9. Wireless routers
10. Pests of any kind (see Assistance/Service Animals).

Throwing balls or Frisbees is restricted to the athletic fields and lawn areas. To prevent physical injury or property damage, the following activities are strictly prohibited in or around the residential buildings:

• Throwing anything from a building, window or balcony.
• Throwing anything at people, buildings, windows or structures.
• Throwing anything indoors, including hallways, stairways and lounges.
• Throwing anything outdoors near people, in residential courtyards, etc.

Guests are expected to keep noise to a minimum between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. Guests should report noise disturbances to building staff at 360-389-2864.

Located on south campus, the Wade King Rec Center is a state-of-the-art fitness facility equipped with an indoor swimming pool, climbing wall, basketball courts, equipment checkout, weight room, cardio machines, indoor track, locker rooms, classrooms and eatery. Registered guests may purchase a day pass for $7 and are subject to certain restrictions. During the academic year, children under the age of 18 are permitted in the Rec Center during scheduled family hours, and any time during summer quarter, intersession and holidays. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

Climbing on or suspending from building exteriors, rooftops, balconies or ledges is prohibited. Guests who need to retrieve an item from any of these areas must contact building staff for assistance.

WWU has a policy of providing an environment free from sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual intimidation, sexual coercion, sexual violence, sexual assault and rape. Residential staff members are trained to respond appropriately to all reported incidents of sexual misconduct. Individuals responsible for such behavior will be dismissed from campus and criminally prosecuted. Sexual misconduct can be reported to the building staff, the University Police at 360-650-3911, Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault Services at 360-715-1563, or the University's Title IX Coordinator at 360-650-3307.

The University recognizes skateboards, longboards and kick scooters as sustainable, alternative forms of transportation. When riding through campus, riders must comply with WAC 516-15; this means yielding the right of way to pedestrians at all times, obeying speed limits, and dismounting where required. Riders are restricted from campus lawns, benches, stairways, steps, sculptures, art work, hand rails, loading ramps, and building interiors; riders are subject to enforcement by University Police. When riding off campus, riders must comply with Bellingham Municipal Code 11.52.

Smoking of any kind (including electronic cigarettes) is prohibited in all buildings and within 25 feet of exterior doors, windows, and ventilation intakes, or outdoor locations that may affect the air supply of a building. Guests who smoke must dispose of smoking refuse properly and respectfully comply if asked to move to a different location. Guests should report smoking violations to building staff at 360-389-2864.

Taking property that belongs to the University or another guest is cause for dismissal from the premises and criminal prosecution. Guests should report suspected theft to the building staff at 360-389-2864.

Entering a room, building or other location without authorization is cause for dismissal from the premises and criminal prosecution. Guests should report suspected trespassing to building staff at 360-389-2864.

Vandalism, including graffiti or alteration of University property, whether temporary or permanent, will result in dismissal from campus and financial responsibility for the full cost of cleaning, repair or replacement. Guests should report suspected vandalism to building staff at 360-389-3864.