Residential Policies
Aerial Objects
Alcohol
Amplified and Acoustical Instruments
Animals & Pets
Balconies & Building Exteriors
Barbecues
Bicycles
Candles, Incense or Sage
Computer Appropriate Use
Drugs & Drug Paraphernalia
Emergency Situations
Fire Alarms
Fire Safety
Furniture
Group Damages
Guest Policy
Halogen Lamps
Harassment Policy
Inappropriate Behavior
Inspections
Keys
Lockouts
Maintenance
Misconduct in Judicial & Administrative Matters
Musical Instruments
Noise Policy
Notification of Medical Issues
Personal Property
Skateboards & Roller Blades
Security & Personal Safety
Smoking Policy
Weapons & Explosives
Windows
Aerial Objects
Safety concerns prohibit throwing anything from (or at) the buildings or balconies. Throwing anything to and from windows is strictly prohibited. Residents are responsible for damages or clean up charges that result from this action.
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Alcohol
Federal and state laws, as well as university policy, prohibit alcoholic beverages from being sold, furnished, possessed by, or given to any person under the age of 21. In addition, no possession or transportation of open containers or consumption of alcoholic beverages will be allowed in public areas by any person, regardless of age or college affiliation. Oakes College defines a public area as a “common space” i.e. kitchen, living room, hallway, or bathroom. Any alcohol in plain view in any “common space” is considered adjudicative. This includes any storage of alcohol. Kegs or other “common source” containers holding alcoholic beverages are not allowed on campus and may result in termination of your housing contract.
Amplified and Acoustical Instruments
Instruments are allowed in the residential facilities, but their use must conform to established noise policies. The amplification of instruments is not permitted in the residential facilities.
Animals & Pets
No pets (except fish in a 10-gallon tank or smaller aquarium) are allowed in the residences.
Balconies & Building Exteriors
Any items that could fall from balconies, limit fire safety access, and/or cause personal injury or damage are not to be placed on balcony railings.
Barbecues
Propane gas barbecues are prohibited on all balconies, patios, or within 25 feet of a building.
Bicycles
To comply with fire regulations and for general purposes of safety, bicycles may not be parked in walkways, hallways, stairways, or entrance ways. Illegally parked bicycles will be impounded at the campus police station. It is a requirement to equip your bicycle with the appropriate lights and reflectors. We strongly recommend all bikes be secured with a lock. We strongly recommend all bikes be secured with a lock.
Candles, Incense or Sage
Use of candles and incense for any purpose is prohibited in the residence halls and apartments. Decorative candles may be used if the wick has been cut and the candle has not previously been burned.
Computer Appropriate Use
UCSC CUHS, in partnership with the campus Network & Telecommunications Services group provides in-room connection services in the residence halls in support of the educational mission of UC Santa Cruz. Use of these services is a privilege. As such, it is the responsibility of each resident to use these services appropriately as in compliance with all University, City, County, State, and Federal regulations, or face possible revocation of such privilege. Please see http://www2.ucsc.edu/resnet/policy/rup/ or contact John Rocchio, ResNet Manager, at (831) 459-4638 or via e-mail at resnet@ucsc.edu if questions about this policy arise.
Drugs & Drug Paraphernalia
The university and the college must adhere to all federal, state, and local laws as they pertain to illegal substances. Delivering, furnishing, transferring, manufacturing, using, and possessing illicit drugs or drug paraphernalia is strictly prohibited anywhere on the grounds of the college. Drug paraphernalia is defined as all equipment, material, and products intended for use or designed for use in growing, processing, harvesting, storing, concealing, injecting, ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing a controlled substance into the human body. Violation of these laws and policies will result in judicial action at the college level and may result in police and local, state, and/or federal intervention.
Emergency Situations
If you encounter an emergency where an individual requires immediate medical attention, please call 911 from a campus phone. The paramedics and police will quickly be alerted. If an emergency occurs during a weekday, and it does not require the police or paramedics, please call the Housing Office from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Fire Alarms
Residence Hall Fire Safety is a very serious matter. Violations can be considered a direct threat to the life and overall safety of the residents and emergency personnel and are handled accordingly. All residents are required to evacuate the premises immediately during a fire alarm. Residents must exit the building and assemble at their designated emergency area:
- A Block (Kahlo) - assemble in the ravine between A & B decks
- B Block (Shabazz) - assemble in the ravine between A & B decks
- C Block (Milk) - assemble on the Oakes lower field
- D Block (Lili'Uo) - assemble on the Oakes lower field
- E Dorm (Biko) - assemble in the hill area north of Biko
- F Dorm (Hong-Lim) - assemble on the knoll between A Block and F Dorm
- G Dorm (Wiesel) - assemble on the knoll between A Block and F Dorm
- H Dorm (Huerta) - assemble in the far west area of the West Remote Lot
Instructions will be given by the Residence Hall Staff or other university officials when it is safe to return to the building. Failure to respond to a fire alarm or to follow directions given by Residential Life Staff will be subject to judicial review.
Fire Safety
Any person who willfully tampers, covers, restricts, or breaks any public or private fire alarm apparatus or any fire fighting equipment or gives, transmits, or sounds any false alarm of fire is guilty of a misdemeanor. Any such violation could result in disciplinary action, a maximum fine of $500, and six months in jail. In addition to the criminal sanctions, Oakes College will impose a $50 fine and the offender will face other administrative sanctions. Fire hoses are for the use of the Fire Department when they arrive on scene. Extinguishers and alarms are for your use, should the need arise. The cost of refilling a misused extinguisher, as well as any damages resulting from the extinguisher being discharged, will be charged to the person or persons responsible.
Furniture
Furniture may not be removed from any residence room/apartment or common area. Students found in possession of college/university furniture, other than what was assigned to their room/apartment, may be charged for its replacement. Residents found to have dismantled furniture without college permission will be charged for all costs related to making the furniture safe (up to and including replacement costs). Room, apartment, and lounge furniture may not be taken outside and/or onto patios, decks, or balconies.
Group Damages
Areas and property for which each resident is responsible include: the lounges, stairs, laundry, doors, walkways, fire extinguishers, restrooms, exit signs, and lights. Excessive trash in any public area is also included. In other words, all residents hold responsibility for all public areas. If the person(s) is not identified, the cost will be charged to all residents in the surrounding areas and possibly the entire residence hall/building, depending on the extent of the damage.
Guest Policy
All residents are responsible for the actions and behaviors of their guests. Residents must escort guests when in the residence halls/buildings. The housing contract states a person may have a guest stay in his/her bedroom for a maximum of three consecutive nights, but no more than fifteen days total during the academic year. Please clear all overnight guests with your roommates/housemates. Any students providing housing for guests in violation of the policy will be subject to disciplinary action.
Halogen Lamps
Because of the high risk of fire, all halogen lamps are prohibited in residential facilities.
Harassment Policy
Physical and verbal harassment will not be tolerated by students, staff, or faculty and is prohibited on the UC Santa Cruz campus. If any form of harassment occurs, notify a staff member immediately. It is the policy of the college and the university that the working and learning environment shall be free of harassment, including any form of sexual harassment. The college and the university will take action to eliminate harassment. For further information on sexual harassment please refer to the Student Policies and Regulations at Student Policies & Juduicial Handbook contact the campus Title IX Officer at (831) 459-2462.
Inappropriate Behavior
Any students who are a danger to themselves or other community members, or who refuse intervention for a situation harmful to themselves or others, may be asked to leave and/or be restricted from the college residential area. A student may also be required to commit to a behavioral contract involving the intervention of other resources as prescribed though the disciplinary process.
Inspections
As a goal to keep Oakes' facilities in good condition, the Residential Life staff and Maintenance staff conduct quarterly inspections (Fall, Winter, and Spring at check out). Students are required to clean their rooms/apartments complying with Housing Standards. Residents will be notified one week prior to inspections with detailed instructions explaining how to pass inspections.
Keys
Unauthorized possession, duplication or use of keys to any University premises or unauthorized entry to or use of University premises is prohibited. Students may not loan keys to a second party under any condition. Only registered students to a specific room may have the keys to that room.
Lockouts
If you are locked out of your room/apartment:
- Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm - Oakes Housing Office
- 7 Days a week
- 4:00pm - 7:00pm, NA on Duty (831) 239-0947
- 7:00pm - 3:00am, Community Safety Officer (CSO) (831) 459-2100
- 3:00am - 9:00am, NA on Duty (831) 239-0947
Please note that if you are locked out of your room more than two times in an academic year, you will be charged $15 for each additional lock out.
Maintenance
If you have any maintenance issues, need cleaning supplies, etc. please put in a "fix-it" request at http://fixit.ucsc.edu immediately.
Misconduct in Judicial & Administrative Matters
Misconduct related to judicial and administrative matters such as, but not limited to, dishonesty before University officials is prohibited.
Musical Instruments
Instruments are allowed in the residential facilities however amplification and drum sets are not permitted in the residential facilities. Instrument use must conform to established noise policies.
Noise Policy
Due to the nature of our living spaces, it is very easy to disturb classes and/or your neighbors with music or other noise. To preserve academic and community standards, noise levels must be held to a minimum at all times and students will be expected to adhere to the college’s quiet hours. It is the responsibility of each resident to make sure his/her activities are not disturbing to others.
Assigned Quiet Hours at Oakes College are:
- Sunday - Thursday 10:00pm to 10:00am
- Friday - Saturday 12:00am to 10:00am
- During Finals Week - Quiet Hours are 24 hours a day beginning the Saturday before finals at 12:01am.
Notification of Medical Issues
While it is understandable that some may be uncomfortable disclosing medical information, Residential Life requests that all residents with special medical conditions report them to a trusted roommate, NA, or CRE, so that we are better able to assist should a time of medical need arise. Residents must inform the Housing Office of all suspected or actual cases of contagious disease such as hepatitis, meningitis, or chicken pox. For safety and wellness reasons, student who must use hypodermic needles or other skin piercing tolls must dispose of them in a properly labeled, puncture resistant, leak-proof container.
Personal Property
UCSC is not responsible for damage to personal property caused by natural occurring events such as floods, earthquakes, etc., or facility malfunctions such as plumbing, electrical, etc. Residents are encouraged to secure renter's insurance to protect their belongings.
Skateboards & Roller Blades
In order to protect the safety of the many pedestrians at UC Santa Cruz, the use of skateboards, roller skates or roller blades anywhere on campus is prohibited. This policy is enforced by the UC Santa Cruz Police Department and citations are issued.
Security & Personal Safety
While the university community and the town of Santa Cruz are considered friendly and relatively safe communities, neither is immune to the realities of the world. You will need to take precautions to secure your personal property. You must also consider your personal security and be aware of vulnerable situation. Keep your roommate and neighbors informed of your whereabouts and when you will be returning home. When possible, travel with a friend and check campus maps for the lighted paths. Report any suspicious activity immediately to your college staff or the police. Your careful attention to security is in everyone's best interest.
Smoking Policy
In accordance with the UC Santa Cruz Policy for a Smoke-Free Environment, all residence halls and apartments are smoke—free. Smoking is prohibited inside the residence halls (including student rooms) as well as residence hall lounges, inside individual apartments, community rooms, lounges, cafés, and dining halls. Additionally, smoking is prohibited in all indoor public spaces at UC Santa Cruz - both academic and residential. This no smoking policy includes exterior stairways, decks and balconies. Smoking outside is permitted only in designated areas 25 feet away from all buildings and air intakes.
Weapons & Explosives
UCSC strictly prohibits the use or possession of firearms. Any weapon and/or implement used aggressively or for violent purposes, including but not limited to, stun guns, daggers, retractable bladed knives, any knives other than kitchen knives, nunchaks, paint pellet guns, any device which closely resembles a fire arm (such as BB guns, air pellet guns, etc.), slingshots, explosives, spear guns, bows and arrows, and other dangerous items. Fireworks and any other explosives are prohibited. Weapons used strictly for display purposes are also prohibited.
Windows
No signs, decorations, or other items of any kind may be displayed in windows. Writing on windows with window paints or show polish is considered graffiti and is prohibited. Windows, window screens, and window locks must be kept in place at all times. Using a window as access to a room is prohibited and will be considered illegal entry into the room.