Housing Policies and Guidelines

Students who are under the legal age of possession and consumption in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may neither possess nor consume alcoholic beverages within University housing or on University property. 

Regardless of age students may not possess or use illegal substances (including cannabis) or misuse prescription drugs or medications with University housing. 

Certain residences halls are designated as substance-free communities within which alcohol and other drugs (including the abuse or misuse of prescription medication) are prohibited by virtue of intentional student commitment: 

• 1023 Beacon St. (second, third, and fourth floors).
• Houston Hall (ground floor).
• Miller Hall (ground floor).
• Wilson House.
• Wren Hall (second floor).

Students are encouraged to be creative regarding decorations within their room and should note the following regarding exterior displays: 

• The University assigns only the interior of student rooms for student use and decoration.
• The University prohibits students from decorating, or in any way modifying, the exterior of University buildings.
• Students may not hang banners, flags, tapestries, or other items outside University housing windows.
• Displays inside the window of a student room are permitted provided they do not interfere with egress in case of an emergency.
• Room decorations must be directed toward the inside of the room.
• The use of marking chalk or aerosol spray cans to mark and/or paint any surface of Univeristy housing is strictly prohibited.

Students living in University housing may host short-term and/or overnight guests within their assigned room in University housing. It is the hosting student's responsibility to maintain safety in the residence halls when hosting a guest. Hosting a guest is a privilege that may be revoked.

Host Responsibilities
If hosting a guest for any period of time, students must communicate with their roommate(s) about their comfort of sharing their space with guests. Hosts must be in the presence of and accompany their guests at all times throughout their residence hall. Hosts are responsible for the actions and behaviors of their guests. Hosts may neither pressure nor require their roommate to vacate the room at any time or engage in sexual activity when their roommate is present.

Guest Responsibilities
Guests are expected to adhere to all Tufts University policies, Housing Policies and Guidelines, and Massachusetts laws. Guests must comply with requests of Tufts University officials, including Resident Assistants. Guests must be accompanied by their host resident at all times. Guests are not permitted to sleep in University housing lounges or common spaces. Guests must carry a form of picture identification (e.g., state-issued license, college student ID card, passport) at all times. 

If a guest creates a disturbance within a residence hall or stays longer than permitted by the Overnight Guest policy, the guest may be asked to leave and not return to University housing. Any Residential Life and Learning staff or other University official may ask a guest to leave and not return at any time. Tufts University Police Department (TUPD) may issue trespass notices to guests that cause or contribute to disturbances while on Tufts University property, including within residence halls.

Overnight Guests
Students may concurrently host up to two (2) overnight guests. Students may not host overnight guests more than three (3) consecutive nights. If a guest's stay may exceed three (3) consecutive nights, the host must submit a written request to the Residential Life Coordinator for their residence hall at least ten (10) business days prior to the arrival of the guest to campus. Students may not host overnight guests mor than nine (9) nights in any 30-day period. Overnight guests may neither deprive, disrupt, nor interfere with the privacy, study time, or sleep of roommates. 

Students may not lend their room key or student ID card to anyone, including visitors to campus and other Tufts University students. 

Students may not tamper with the lock of any residence hall door. Students may not jam, stuff, or tape over the latching mechanism of any residence hall door. Students may not prop the door of any entrance to a residence hall. Students should only leave the door to their individual room open when present in the room. 

Students may not change, swap, or switch rooms without prior approval and written permission from Residential Life and Learning.

Students may not install any lock device that prevents or prohibits University staff from entering, including dead bolts, door chains, slide bolts, lock sets, smart locks, or security devices or systems. 

Students may not duplicate or lend Tufts University keys to others. Duplicating and/or lending keys to others will result in a lock change, financial charges, and University student conduct action. j

Students should not leave windows open when not in their room, suite, apartment, or house. Windows should be closed and locked prior to departing campus for any recess period. 

Residence halls are designed to suppor the academic, intellectual, and social pursuits of community members. Tufts University maintains Courtesy Hours and Quiet Hours to create conditions to facilitate students' success. Courtesy Hours and Quiet Hours apply to all spaces inside of University housing, including student bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, common rooms, laundry rooms, and hallways.

Courtesy Hours
Courtesy Hours are in effect at all times. Noise may not interfere with a student's right to sleep or study at any time. Students are resopnsible for their own level of noise, as well as the noise of their guests. If a person's noise disturbs a student at any time, students are encouraged to first seek resolution by asking the individual(s) to lower their volume. If he noise persists, students are encouraged to seek help from a Residential Life and Learning staff member or Tufts University Police Department.

Quiet Hours
Designated Quiet Hours for spaces inside University housing are set for the following times:

During Quiet Hours, no speakers or amplified sound may be used, no noise above conversational volume is permitted, and no sound of any kind over 50 decibels is permitted.

Students are expected to reduce their noise when asked to do so by another student, Residential Life and Learning Staff, or Tufts University Police Department. City ordinances for spaces surrounding many residential buildings in Boston, Medford, and Somerville may have different hours and lower thresholds for permitted volume, and should be considered, especially when using public streets and ways.

Students may not keep animals in University housing, except: 

• Fish in tanks no larger than ten (10) gallons.
• Service animals.
• University-approved emotional support animals, requested and approved through the StAAR Center.

Tufts University expects students to exercise good judgment, critical thinking, and discretion when considering bringing items into any campus building, including residence halls, apartments, suites, houses, and community housing.

Prohibited Items - Community Living and Personal Safety
Residential Life and Learning seeks to create environments where students feel comfortable to live, study, and socialize. The following items are prohibited as they create health and safety concerns for self and/or others: 

• Dartboards with metal-tipped darts.
• Large speakers, speakers intended for home theater use or intended for permanent or semi-permanent installation, or amplifiers of any size.
• Misuse of University-owned furniture (including common area furniture moved into student rooms, and/or alterations made to room furniture).
• Weapons, firearms, knives, paintball equipment, martial arts equipment, replica or practice items, or such items decorative in nature.

Prohibited Items - Electrical, Fire, and Structural Safety
These items are prohibitd due to excessive draw on electrical systems and grids, safety of existing building structures including interior and exterior walls and paint, and/or the potential for issues with fire and structural integrity. Modifications of existing structures are not permitted. Prohibited items include: 

• Air conditioning units (unless approved by the StAAR Center).
• Candles, incense, or other such items capable of producing an open flame, even if unlit.
• Charcoal and/or lighter fluid.
• Cooking appliances including hot pots, rice cookers, self-heating grills, or any other appliances with open heating elements. Approved appliances may only be used in kitchen areas and must have an auto shut-off function.
• Standalone microwaves.
  • Microwave-refrigerator combination units may only be procured through MicroChill.
  • No more than one (1) MicroChill unit or mini-fridge may be present per room. Roommates are encouraged to coordinate with one another about who will rent a MicroChill and/or bring a mini-fridge, and how it will be shared.
• Explosives, including fireworks or incendiary devices.
• Flammable/combustible items; see Fire Safety and Security for more information.
• Grills (both indoor and outdoor).
• Halogen or multi-armed floor and/or desk lamps, lava lamps, wax melters, or any other item that produces excessive heat.
• Satellite communication systems.
• LED adhesive light strips.
• Space heaters.
• Trees and wreaths.

Prohibited Items - Furniture
Each student room contains a bed frame, mattress, desk, desk chair, dresser drawers, and a closet or wardrobe. Additional furniture items are not permitted. These items are prohibited as they create a variety of concerns for comfortable living, including space constraints, exposure to allergens and pests, flammability, and safety and upkeep. Examples include: 

• Bean bags and bean bag chairs.
• Bed risers.
• Furniture that is not provided by the University (e.g., couches, futons, upholstered chairs, ottomans, tables).
• Headboards.
• Ottomands or storage cubes.
• Shelving (including standalone or wall units).
• Waterbeds, jacuzzis, and/or hot tubs.

Sports activities and storage of sports equipment are not permitted inside University housing due to noise, property damage, and hygiene. Examples of prohibited sports activities and/or equipment include: 

• Nerf, airsoft, and/or foam guns.
• Soccer, basketball, lacrosse, field hockey, tennis, frisbee, squash, football, volleyball, hockey, skateboarding, and/or roller skating.
• Installation of permanent or semi-permanent gym equipment (e.g., treadmills, stationary bikes, ellipticals, weights exceeding 25 pounds, weight racks).
• Any sport or activity involving physical contact, fighting, or martial arts, punching bags, or sparring equipment.

Throwing objects or liquid out of any University housing windows or doors is prohibited.

With or without malice, damage or vandalism to University or personal property is prohibited. Any major documented incident where a student is found responsible for a violation of this policy will be referred to the Student Conduct Resolution Procedure. Students involved in acts of vandalism in a building other than their own residence hall may be prohibited from visiting the building where the vandalism occurred. Any damage incurred within University housing as a result of negligent or malicious behavior is the responsibility of the occupants of the room.

Manual fire alarm pull-stations and fire extinguishers are located on every floor of each building. Bedroom smoke detectors (local devices) are designed to alert the occupants if smoke originates in an individual room. Detection devices (system devices) in the common areas (e.g., kitchens, living rooms, stairways) sprinkler head activation, or the activation of a manual alarm pull-station will activate a building-wide evacuation alarm and activates evacuation alerts in all student rooms.

Fire safety equipment within University housing is provided for the protection of students. Any disabling of, damage to, or tampering with fire safety equipment is prohibited.

It is a violation of Massachusetts law to destroy, disable, disconnect, obstruct, or remove fire safety equipment, including tampering with smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinkler heads, and horn and/or strobe light warning devices.

The University maintains additional fire safety policices regarding upholstered furniture, barbecues, and other prohibited items.

As soon as an evacuation alarm sounds, students and their guests must exit the building immediately. Upon exiting, students should identify the nearest stairwell and/or emergency exit door and leave the building. Once outside, students should move to the designated gathering spot as identified on the evacuation map on the back of residence hall room doors.

Students may not re-enter the building until the situation has been properly addressed and the evacuation system has been reset.

Entering first-year students are required to live in University housing per the University's Two-Year Residency Requirement for AS&E undergraduate students.

Exemptions from Residency
Students may request an exception to the Two-Year Residency Requirement for medical and/or religious reasons. Students may contact Student Services to inquire about an accommodation or exception. If approved, students who are granted an exception to the Two-Year Residency Requirement will be exempted from living on-campus during their first and second years.

Requests for exemptions should be made as soon as possible, with the following guidance on the latest these requests must be made: 

Students are automatically removed from consideration for University housing for all subsequent semesters following an exemption approval.

Residential Life and Learning is unable to revert a student's status as an off-campus resident for the current or upcoming semesters.

Students may revert their status as an off-campus resident for subsequent semesters and may do so without re-initiating the standard Two-Year Residency Requirement. 

Students should contact Student Services at the earliest possible date to revert their status as an off-campus resident.

Residential Life and Learning encourages all students who live off-campus to make use of the resources available through Residential Life and Learning, including the Off-Campus Housing website.

Living in University housing requires that each student agree to the Housing Agreement which confirms residency dates and housing costs for the academic year. The 2025-2026 Housing License Agreement is available to view.

Changing, swapping, or switching rooms without prior approved and written permission from Residential Life and Learning is prohibited.

Detailed information on the process for changing rooms may be found on the Room Change Process website.

Residential Life and Learning must maintain accurate information of housing occupancy at all times. Should a space in a multiple-occupancy room become available at any point during the academic year, remaining students may not allow another person to reside in the space. 

Students may not occupy the additional vacant area(s) of the room.

Students may neither rent, list, nor advertise their rooms for use by others.

At the end of each semester, Residential Life and Learning staff enter each University housing space to assess for damages and extra cleaning charges, which may result in additional charges to the student's account. Information about charges assessed will be shared with students no later than 30 days following the last date of the most recent semester.

Students may appeal damage billing or other charges by completing appropriate steps via the Housing Portable accessible through SIS.

Students are provided access to their assigned space using their Tufts University ID and/or key(s). Students should report key and/or lock problems directly to Residential Life and Learning (617-627-2000). 

Students changing rooms or vacating housing will have their card access updated accordingly and, if they need to pick up and/or return a key, they will receive specific instructions via their Tufts University email address. 

To ensure safety and security of residential spaces, Residential Life and Learning requires locks to be changed if students lose their keys. Lock changes are $75 per lock. Lockout and lock change fees are added to student accounts via SIS.

Lockouts
On weekdays (Monday-Friday) when the University is open, between 9:00am-9:00pm, students may contact Residential Life and Learning staff assigned to manage lockouts by phone (857-523-2958). On weekdays between 9:00pm-9:00am or at any time on weekends (Saturday-Sunday), students should contact their neighborhood Resident Assistant on-duty for assistance. Contact information for the Resident Assistant on-duty is located throughout University housing in hallways, entryways, and on bulletin boards. Students must show their ID either before the lockout is completed or immediately upon re-entering their room. Students may only be granted access and entry to the room to which they are officiall assigned. 

The first two weeks of each seemster are a grace period for lockouts and access, during which students will not be charged for lockouts. Afterwards, students will incur a $20 charge per lockout instances, unless the circumstance relates to malfunction of the lock or access reader.

Lost Keys and Key Replacement Charges
It is imperative that students maintain control of their keys for their own safety as well as the safety of others. Residential Life and Learning initiates lock changes if keys are reported lost or stolen, or are not returned on time.

Students are responsible for the replacement fees of each key reported lost or stolen, or not returned on time: 

• Mailbox: $15.
• Bedroom: $75.
• Suite/apartment (Hillsides Apartments, Latin Way Apartments): $75.
• Student ID card: $30.

Access During Winter Recess
Card access to University housing is terminated during winter recesses. If emergency access is needed during these periods, students should contact Residential Life and Learning to schedule an appointment.

Many rooms have control valves that allow students to control the heat in each room. A lower number on the valve corresponds to lower heat, while the "snowflake" setting is the coolest.

When leaving for Winter Recess, students must set their room temperature to "1" (not "snowflake").

The target heating temperature is 68 degrees. If a room is very often too hot or too cold, students may report the issue by submitting a Facilities Service Request. 

Leaks
Students should immediately report leaks, constant drips, and/or constantly running toilets or faucets in University housing bathrooms or kitchens to Facilities Services (617-627-3496) during business hours, and to TUPD (617-627-3030) after hours.

Maintenance Requests
Residential Life and Learning expects that students maintain an interest in the upkeep and maintenance of their assigned University housing space. Students are encouraged to submit a Facilities Service Request.

Utility Service Disruptions
Students should immediately report loss of utility service (e.g., hot water, electricity) in University housing to Facilities Services (617-627-3496) during business hours, and to TUPD (617-627-3030) after hours.

In the event of a complete loss of heat, electricity, or hot water, the University will declare it an emergency situation if the issue annot be resolved within a reasonable amount of time. If this occurs, the impacted student(s) will be temporarily reassigned.

The University is not responsible, neither directly nor indirectly, for negligence by students, guests, or non-affiliates that results in the loss and/or damage of personal property. 

The University is not responsible for occurrences that are beyond its control, including natural disasters or weather-related incidents. Students are encouraged to review their family's personal property insurance policy to ensure that personal property and belongings are covered for theft and loss while in residence in University housing.

Students are expected to create a healthy relationship with their roommate(s) rooted in civility and mutual respect.

To achieve a positive relationship with roommate(s), students are encouraged to complete a Community Living Agreement at the beginning of each semester.

Students are expected to first attempt to work together to resolve conflict. To assist in this, students should:

• Establish and maintain open communication. Oftentimes, conflicts occur due to a lack of communication between those involved. Students should discuss concerns with roommates as they arise.
• Seek compromise. Approach each conflict with an understanding that while each person may not share in its cause, each person shares in its solution.
• Ask for help. If conflict cannot be resolved, students should talk to a Resident Assistant and/or Residential Life Coordinator for assistance.

If students are unable to resolve a conflict on their own, students are expected to cooperate with attempts from Residential Life and Learning staff to assist in resolving the conflict. Recommendations for resolution generally include: 

• Establishing a new or revising an existing Community Living Agreement.
• Identifying someone with whom students would like to swap rooms, only after:
  • All parties, including any and all roommates, agree to the change.
  • Discussing the swap proposal with the Residential Life Coordinator.
  • Receiving written authorization from Residential Life and Learning to each student to swap rooms.
• Submitting a request for a room change.

Student ID access to university housing is shut off during winter recess. If emergency access is needed during these periods, students should contact Residential Life and Learning to schedule an appointment.

All spaces within University housing are categorized as either private or common. 

Private spaces are those where access is limited behind a locked door to an individual or small group of students, and where students may expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Private spaces include:

• Bedrooms.
• Living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms within University housing apartments or houses.

Common spaces describes areas in traditional residence halls that a wider array of students may enter and use. Students should not expect privacy in common spaces and may not leave personal belongings unattended in these spaces. Common spaces include:

• Building entries.
• Lobbies.
• Bathrooms.
• Corridors and hallways.
• Community kitchens.
• Lounges, including those within Haskell Hall and Wren Hall suites.
• Porches.
• Stairways.
• Study rooms.
• Any other University housing areas accessible to all residents.

A regular schedule for the cleaning of University common spaces (including lounges, bathrooms, and corridors and hallways) in traditional residence halls is maintained by C&W Services.

Students living in University housing apartments or houses are responsible for the cleaning of their specific University housing unit.

Any Tufts-recognized group (e.g., Residential Life and Learning staff, student organizations) may reserve lounge space in University housing. Only main lounges may be reserved. Small study, corner, or basement lounges are not available for student groups to reserve. 

The following University housing main lounges are available for reservation:

• Carmichael Hall
• Hill Hall
• Hodgdon Hall
• Lewis Hall
• Harleston Hall (basement lounge). 

When using a University housing lounge space, organizations must adhere to the following policies:

• Student organizations may only reserve lounge space on weekends (Saturday-Sunday).
• All events must end (including breakdown) no later than 2:00am.
• Events are not permitted in lounge spaces during Reading Periods and Final Exams at the end of each academic semester.
• All participants must adhere to all Housing Policies and Guidelines and University policies throughout the duration of the event.
• At the end of the event, all property belonging to the sponsoring organization must be removed to ensure that no personal belongings are left behind.

All trash must be disposed of in the appropriate receptacles provided in the space. Organizations that leave excessive trash or belongings, or cause damage to floors, furniture, or other University equipment, may be prohibited from reserving University housing lounge space in the future.

Tufts-recognized organizations wishing to reserve the Sophia Gordon Multipurpose Room (MPR) may do so through Reserve Tufts.

Once each seemster, Residential Life and Learning staff complete Health and Safety Inspections in student rooms to ensure there are no needed maintenance concerns and that the general health and safety of students in University housing is sound.

Students are notified up to one (1) calendar week in advance of the inspection date. Health and Safety Inspections result in one of two possible outcomes: 

• PASS - All items meet expectations within the space.
• REVISIT - There are one (1) or more issues within the space that will require follow up by the student(s). Students who receive a REVISIT will be notified by Residential Life and Learning staff of the issue and given 24 hours to resolve the issue before a reinspection occurs.

The Fire Safety Office conducts fire prevention inspections in the common areas (lobby, lounge, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms, utility rooms, and storage rooms) of all University housing buildings (including fraternity and sorority residences) multiple times each year. The inspections are performed to ensure the following:

• Fire detection and fire sprinkler systems are operational
• Fire extinguishers are in their proper locations, are not obstructed and are ready for use
• Doorways, lobbies, corridors, stairways, and fire escapes are clear and unobstructed of any items (bicycles, furniture, duffle bags, footwear, luggage, etc.) that could cause tripping or congestion during an emergency evacuation of the building
• Trash receptacles are emptied regularly to prevent the accumulation of potentially combustible material
• Evidence of smoking within the buildings is not present

Safety violations are reported to Residential Life and Learning professional staff. A member of the Residential Life and Learning professional staff team will follow up with the student. When notified of a violation, students are expected to correct the situation immediately. Violations pertaining to Fire Safety and Security may include:

Any Act Causing or Contributing to a Fire Safety Hazard

• Tampering with wiring, exit signs, emergency lights, overloading of electrical outlets, hanging items from the ceiling or leaving food/beverages unattended while cooking/heating.
• Placing clothing, fabrics or other easily combustible materials over lights or electrical fixtures.
• Possessing and/or using any heat-producing cooking appliances outside of designated kitchen areas (with the exception of coffee makers with automatic shut-offs and microwave/refrigerator combination units provided by the University approved vendor).

Any Act Causing or Contributing to a Fire

• If fire investigators find that a fire was caused by a malicious act or prohibited item, student conduct action may be pursued.
• A fire caused by a careless, but non-prohibited act (i.e., the use of an oven, microwave/refrigerator combination unit, iron, etc.) will result in a student conduct referral.
• Students are always financially responsible for damage they cause even if the behavior is not intentional.

Possession of Prohibited Items in University Buildings

• Candles.
  • Students seeking to light a candle for religious reasons should contact John Walsh, Tufts University Fire Marshall (john.walsh@tufts.edu).
• Incense.
• Camp-stove fuel.
• Containers of butane (other than individual lighters).
• Lighter fluid.
• Fireworks.
• Flammable holiday decorations, including trees and wreaths.
• Gasoline.
• Paint thinner.
• Storage (or use) of a motorcycle, moped, or other gasoline, electric, or batter-powered vehicles or machinery within ten (10) feet of University housing is not allowed.
• Possession of hoverboards or similarly powered skateboard devices are banned from campus entirely due to recurring fire incidents associated with their design. See the Public Safety policy about e-bikes and other electric transit units.

To Cause the False Activation of a Fire Alarm
It is against Massachusetts law to falsely activate the buliding fire alarm system.

Failing to Evacuate during a Fire Alarm
Students and their guests should never assume that an alarm is false, or that a fire drill is being conducted. During any fire alarm, all students and their guests are expected to cooperate with official personnel, including University officials and municipal fire and police departments.

Hanging Items from the Fire Sprinkler System and Sprinkler Heads
If the fusible link in the sprinkler head breaks, gallons of water will flow uninterrupted through the sprinkler head and into the room. Hanging or attaching any item from pipes or sprinkler heads creates an obstruction to the water discharge pattern and impedes the control and extinguishment of the fire.

Access to the Roof of Any University Building
Students are not allowed to access any University housing building roofs, window ledges, balconies or fire escapes for any reason, except in the case of an emergency.

Propping Open Fire Doors
These doors are barrier and protection from fire, heat and deadly gases during an evacuation from the building in the event of an emergency situation and may never be left propped open.

Blocking Hallways, Stairways, Suite/Apartment Lounges, or Fire Escapes
This includes leaving personal belongings (including, but not limited to, shoes, suitcases, boxes, room furniture, athletic equipment duffle bags, and bicycles) in these areas. In an emergency situation, hallways, stairways, lounges and fire escapes must remain clear to facilitate quick and efficient exit from University housing. Under no circumstance should exits marked “emergency” be blocked.

Possession of Non-University Upholstered Furniture
Students may only use approved furniture in University buildings.

Possession of Halogen Lamps and Multi-Arm (“Octopus”) Floor and/or Desk Lamps
National Fire Investigation Reports have determined that possession of such lights have been the cause of numerous fires on campuses across the country.

Excessive Covering of Wall Space and the Exterior Room Doors with Easily Combustible Materials
The doors and corridors are part of the emergency egress pathway. Any combustible material will contribute to the spread of fire and prevent the safe evacuation from the building.

Running Wires (of any kind) through or across Egress Pathways
It is prohibited for any cable or wire to cross or interrupt any path of egress, including doorways and windows. All paths of egress must be clear to ensure safe exit from the suite or building.

The Possession of Space Heaters with Open Electrical Coils
Such coils are an ignition source when located too close to combustible material. If a space cannot be adequately heated via the installed building and heating system, students may contact Facilities Services (617-627-3496).

No-Smoking Policy
It is a violation of the Massachusetts Fire Prevention Regulations to smoke (tobacco, etc.) inside schools, colleges, universities, public buildings and institutions. This includes all University housing facilities, including fraternity and sorority residences.

The use of smoking materials (including, but not limited to, cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, vape pens, and hookahs) inside University housing is strictly prohibited. Students are financially responsible for any damage caused by smoking within University housing. 

Students and their guests who do smoke tobacco outside of University housing must do so at least 20 feet away from the building. Students and their guests are encouraged to dispose of their tobacco products in appropriate receptacles.

Extermination services may be requested through a Facilities Service Request and/or by contacting Facilities Services (617-627-3496).

Bed Bugs Protocol

During regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 9:00am-5:00pm):

• Students should immediately contact Residential Facilities (617-627-3992).
• Residential Facilities will contact Extermination Services to have the room inspected for a possible bed bug infestation.
• Students will be contacted and cleared by Residential Life and Learning if there are no bed bugs found.

Outside Regular Business Hours (after 5:00pm Monday-Friday and weekends)

• Students should immediately contact TUPD (617-627-3030) and submit a Facilities Service Request.
• Plan to contact Residential Facilities on the morning of the next business day.
• Students with a possible issue will be required to stay in the room until an assessment and inspection is completed.
• If students are relocated to an available temporary space on campus:
  • Do not remove any items from the room in question.
  • Launder clothing or fabrics in hot water and dried on high heat.
  • Bathe prior to putting on freshly laundered clothing.

In the case an actual infestation is identified by the exterminator, the following protocol must be carefully followed:

• Strip all bed linens (i.e., sheets, pillowcases, blankets, spreads, etc.) and place into plastic bags to be washed in hot water and dried on high heat.   
• All clothes in the room (whether clean or dirty) must be washed in hot water and dried on high heat.
• All items in the room must be placed in plastic bags and sealed with tape. All bags should be placed in the center of the room.
• All wall hangings and posters should be removed and placed on top of plastic bags in the center of the room.
• Leave travel bags/luggage in plain view for the exterminator to inspect.
• Move all large items (i.e., dressers, desks, etc.) one foot away from the perimeter of each wall.
• Mattresses do not need to be removed from the room and replaced once the room has been inspected and treated. Mattress replacement will only occur upon student request.
• Once the room has been treated, Residential Life and Learning will notify students.

To ensure the safety of all students in University housing as well as all University staff, residents who use any kind of sharp medical supplies (hypodermic needles, lancets, infusion needles, etc.) are required to dispose of them in an approved “sharps” container.

Students who use sharp medical supplies are expected to adhere to the following protocol:

• Obtain an approved sharps container from Health Services (free of charge) during regular business hours. Health Services is located at 124 Professors Row (across from Fletcher Field).
• All sharp medical waste (contaminated or not) should be placed in this container. This container can be stored in the resident’s room.
• When the container is ⅔ full or once the contents rise to the full level marker on the container, it should be returned to Health Services who will properly dispose of the container and issue a new one (also free of charge).   

It is imperative that students do not dispose of sharp medical supplies in regular trash or recycling containers within the residence halls (or elsewhere on campus). It is also imperative that students do not flush used needles or other sharp medical supplies down the toilet or place in glass containers. This behavior exposes members of the community to a potential health hazard.

If students are found responsible for failing to adhere to the above sharps disposal protocol, they may be subject to University student conduct action.

Vomiting, defecating, and urinating in student rooms, hallways, common areas, and stairwells presents a major health and safety concern for others in the community and is strictly prohibited. Students should immediately contact Facilities Services (617-627-3496) to report the presence of bodily fluids so the area can be properly cleaned.