Policies

Responsible alcohol use and possession is permitted within on-campus housing for those residents and visitors who are age 21 and over, in accordance with state law. DePaul Housing and Residential Education maintain a list of students who are 21 and over.

• Alcohol may only be consumed in the privacy of a resident’s room or apartment when the door is closed and no one under 21 is present in the unit.

• Transport of alcoholic beverages to a resident’s room from outside the building is allowed only by individuals who are age 21 or over.

• Beverage containers must be closed.

• Transport of open alcohol from room to room or apartment to apartment is prohibited.

• Any individual, regardless of age, who is present in a room or apartment that contains alcohol and persons under 21 may be found in violation of the alcohol policy.

• Consumption of alcohol that results in noncompliant or disruptive behavior that infringes on the rights of others in the community is prohibited.

• Alcohol consumption that creates a risk of harm to self, including requiring a transport to the hospital for intoxication, is prohibited.

• Residents over the age of 21 are expected to immediately dispose of all empty alcohol containers after use. If found, these items may be confiscated and may be unable to be returned.

Students may not illegally use, sell, possess, manufacture or distribute any substance prohibited by local, State or federal law. This includes but is not limited to illegal drugs and controlled substances (including cannabis, narcotics, cocaine, heroin, prescription medications, synthetic cannabinoids or other drugs, and any chemical substantially similar to a controlled substance; please note that federal laws require DePaul to prohibit the use and possession of cannabis on campus, regardless of state law, so cannabis remains an illegal drug under this policy). Students should be aware that it is unlawful to distribute prescription medication to other students for whom the medication was not prescribed. Use, possession, manufacturing, or distribution of drug paraphernalia is also prohibited.

The use, possession, manufacturing, distribution, or display of alcohol and drug paraphernalia is prohibited. Alcohol and drug paraphernalia will be confiscated and discarded and will not be returned. A selection of prohibited items is below; please also refer to the full list of prohibited items, which is subject to change.

Prohibited Alcohol & Drug Paraphernalia:

• Large quantities or containers of alcohol, including kegs, cases, coolers or handles (1.75L)

• Any table or device used for playing drinking games

• Paraphernalia used to consume alcohol, including shot glasses, punch bowls, funnels, party/beer balls, bulk alcohol containers, etc. Shot glasses are permitted for residents who are 21 and older; however, an excessive amount of shot glasses is prohibited.

• Paraphernalia that may be utilized for illegal drug use, including pipes, grinders, one hitters, bowls, scales/weights, etc.

Residents are not permitted to be in the presence of the odor of cannabis and/or for the presence of the odor of cannabis to be in their residence hall or apartment space.

DePaul is permitted by law to notify parents or legal guardians about violations of any federal, state or local law or institutional disciplinary rule or policy regarding the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance by a student under the age of 21. Given this legal background, DePaul University may notify parents or legal guardians in the following cases:

• In cases where students under the age of 21 are found in repeated violation of any federal, state or local law, or Code of Student Responsibility policies pertaining to the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance in the circumstances below

• In cases where a student under the age of 21 is found in major violation of the Code of Student Responsibility policies regarding alcohol or controlled substances and the violation results in the student being placed on university probation

• In cases where students under the age of 21 are found in violation of the Code of Student Responsibility policies regarding alcohol or controlled substances and the violation results in an arrest and/or ticket from the Chicago Police Department

• In cases where students are found in violation of the Code of Student Responsibility policies and the violation results in student behavior that could cause harm to self or others, including, but not limited to, hospital transport for excessive drinking

For the purposes of this policy, a resident is a student who is assigned a housing assignment through the Department of Housing, Dining & Student Centers. A resident may have no more than two (2) visitors inside their housing assignment at a time. This includes both signed-in visitor(s) and/or resident(s) from within the residence halls. Residential Education uses the following formula to determine if a room capacity violation has occurred: 

Number (#) of residents assigned to a housing assignment +2 visitors per resident

• Using a standard double with two (2) residents as an example: Each resident may have two (2) visitors within the space for a total number of six (6) people. Any room exceeding this number would be in violation.

Residential Education reserves the right to document any rooms that are suspected of violating room capacity or violating any additional university policies regardless of room capacity.

Please Note: Although there are no security desks in the Courtside Apartments and Sheffield Square Apartments, residents must still adhere to all aspects of the room capacity policy.

Residents are not permitted to make noise that disturbs others or to exhibit disorderly conduct (as defined by the Code of Student Responsibility) within on-campus housing. Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. All residents are expected to confront any noise problems that are of concern to them and to respond politely if asked to be quiet. If assistance is needed, residents may call Residential Education or Public Safety.

Minimum quiet hours are scheduled from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m., Sunday through Thursday, and from midnight to 9:00 a.m., Friday and Saturday. During quiet hours, noise should not be heard beyond the closed door of a resident’s room. During final exams, quiet hours change to 24 hours a day beginning the day before the first day of any final exam period and continuing through the remainder of the quarter.

Pets are not allowed on campus or in campus housing, with the exception of fish. The following guidelines apply to the possession of fish and fish tanks:

• One fish tank per unit (maximum 10-gallon capacity) is allowed.

• Any animal aquarium life other than fish and any poisonous or carnivorous fish are strictly prohibited.

• All electrical apparatuses used in conjunction with an aquarium must be labeled “UL Certified” for safety. 

Having an unapproved pet and failing to remove it from campus housing is a direct violation of your housing agreement. Violations will result in additional fees and may result in the termination of your housing agreement.

In general, animals are not permitted on DePaul’s campus. However, DePaul University recognizes the importance of service animals and assistance animals in assisting people with disabilities. In some instances, visitors to or members of the DePaul residence hall community may have a service animal or assistance animal. Service animals and assistance animals are working companions and are not considered pets.

All animals on campus—whether a service animal or an assistance animal, and whether with an employee, student or visitor—will be subject to the requirements detailed in DePaul’s Service Animals and Assistance Animals on Campus policy. DePaul reserves the right to ask the owner of any animal who does not meet these requirements to immediately remove the animal from DePaul property. Any concerns that an animal poses a direct threat to the health or safety of the DePaul community should be immediately reported to Public Safety.

Students who feel it is necessary to have a service animal or assistance animal with them on campus should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) in order to begin the process of registering with that office. CSD can be reached at (773) 325-1677 or (312) 362-1677.

Residential students with service animals and assistance animals are required to follow the Expectations for Service and Assistance Animals in Campus Housing document that is provided by the Department of Housing and Residence Life to students upon approval. If any of the expectations are not met, the Department of Housing and Residence Life will generally work with CSD and the resident to correct the issues. In addition, any violations related to service animals and assistance animals may be adjudicated through the student conduct process. If the issues are not corrected to the satisfaction of DePaul, or are severe in nature, DePaul may ask that the animal be removed from the residence halls on a temporary or permanent basis. 

DePaul University strictly prohibits sexual and relationship violence and threats of sexual and relationship violence, which includes sex offense (including sexual assault), sexual misconduct, domestic violence, dating violence and stalking. DePaul is committed to offering a secure and supportive environment for individuals who report incidents of sexual and relationship violence to receive resources and consider all available options. Reports of sexual and relationship violence can be made to resident advisors or residence directors; Public Safety, (773) 325-7777 or (312) 362-8400; the Title IX Coordinator, (312) 362- 8970; or the Dean of Students, (773) 325-7290. Please note that the Public Safety Office is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.There are many other reporting options available, including confidential support advocates within Health Promotion and Wellness at (773) 325-7129.

At DePaul, consent is defined as unambiguous and freely given agreement to move forward with a specific sexual request, act or experience. Consent cannot be obtained from individuals who are unable to understand the nature of the activity or give consent due to being asleep, unconscious, underage or due to having a temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity, including as a result of drug or alcohol use. Consent is an affirmative act, not a lack of action. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission as the result of force, coercion, duress or threat thereof does not constitute consent. An individual’s manner of dress does not constitute consent. Consent to past sexual activity or a past sexual relationship does not constitute consent. Consent to engage in sexual activity with one individual does not constitute consent to engage in sexual activity with another individual. Resistance is not required to demonstrate lack of consent. Consent can be withdrawn at any time.

DePaul University reserves the right to take actions that are consistent with its policies and procedures to deal with individuals found to have violated this policy, including referral to the Student Conduct Process. Please see the Sexual & Relationship Violence Prevention and Response policy.

The university maintains a smoke-free environment. Smoking is prohibited within all university buildings whether using a regular or natural cigarette, battery-operated or other device requiring activation. This includes any apparatus that emits smoke, gas, vapor, steam, or mist. Individuals engaging in any of these instances will be considered in violation of this policy. Community members should report incidents of smoking in buildings and near building entrances to Residential Education staff or Public Safety at (773) 325-7777. 

Incidents of smoking in the residence halls or near hall entrances should be reported to DePaul Housing and/or Residential Education staff. If a resident is found responsible for smoking in a residence hall room, they may be assessed a cleaning fee/damage billing fee of $150 at the time of the incident. If DePaul Housing and Residential Education staff are not able to identify which resident is responsible for smoking, the damage billing fee will be split among all residents within the unit. 

Residents who smoke should properly dispose of their cigarette butts in the receptacles located in designated smoking areas 15 feet from building entrances. Smoking is not permitted within 15 feet of any building entrance in the City of Chicago and violators may be subject to a $500 fine. Smoking is not allowed on back porches of Courtside Apartments and Sheffield Square. Additionally, smoking is not permitted on the University Hall patio or in the Sheffield Square, Sanctuary, or Vincent and Louise courtyards. Hookah pipes may be stored in student units but may only be used in accordance with this policy. If there is any evidence of a hookah pipe being used in the residence halls, it will be confiscated by DePaul Housing and/or Residential Education staff.

All residents are to be mindful of nonsmokers and not smoke in high-traffic walkways or by open windows. Residents found in violation will be asked by Residential Education staff or Public Safety to move to a designated smoking area. Please see the Smoking on University Premises policy. 

Residents are expected to respect the reasonable expectations of privacy of other individuals within the residential community. Accordingly, residents are not permitted to make or attempt to make an audio or video recording of private, nonpublic conversations without the knowledge and consent of all participants subject to such recordings. In such circumstances the uses of undisclosed hidden recording devices is prohibited, as is the transmission and/or distribution of any such recordings. This provision does not extend to the recordings made by DePaul’s Office of Public Safety for official purposes.

The university reserves the right to search individuals as well as any bags or packages (including, but not limited to, purses, backpacks and shopping bags) carried into student housing by residents or their visitors. Prohibited and illegal items may be confiscated or disposed of as appropriate and university student-conduct action may be taken. Refusal to consent to a search could result in a denial of entry to student housing.

Bicycles cannot be ridden or stored inside the residence halls. In addition to bike racks located throughout campus, a fenced bike corral adjacent to McCabe Hall is available for those who register a bicycle through Parking Services. There is also a corral on the first level of the Clifton parking garage (no registration needed).

All bicycles on DePaul property not claimed at the end of the year become the property of the university. Any bicycles that appear abandoned will be removed at the discretion of Facility Operations staff or Public Safety officers. Bicycles locked to anything other than designated bike racks or the corral may be removed at any time by Facility Operations or Public Safety. Bicycles are not allowed to be walked through the hallways, stored in campus housing units, stored on back porches of apartment units, or stored underneath porch stairways.

Public Safety recommends purchasing a U-Lock to secure bikes. Cables and chains are not recommended. Students are encouraged to register bikes with the Chicago Police Department online. If something were to happen to a student's bike, the registration would assist the Chicago Police Department in a speedier attempt to recover the bike. 

Loop Campus Bike Racks 

For those traveling to the Loop Campus by bike, there are several bike racks located in front of DePaul Center, Daley Building, CDM Center, and Lewis Center.

All events that take place within on-campus housing or outside in surrounding areas must be approved 48 hours in advance by the residence director in the building or location where the event is to be held.

Student organizations are required to follow all proper procedures for posting in on-campus housing. All organizations wishing to post in residence halls must first get approval from the Housing & Residence Life marketing team by emailing housingmarketing@depaul.edu. If approved, the student may print out 50 copies of their flyer (8.5"x11" dimensions) and have them delivered to the main Housing & Residence Life Office at 2345 N. Sheffield Avenue, Suite 301, to be posted by staff. 

The use of any space in the residence halls and apartments for any commercial purpose except with the express written approval of Housing is prohibited. All non–DePaul Housing or Residential Education flyers and advertisements posted or distributed in the residence halls and apartments must be approved in advance by the Residential Education central office. Residents should consult the posting policy.

Playing sports is not permitted in any hallway, unit or lounge in campus housing. Examples include, but are not limited to, Frisbee, football, Rollerblading, basketball, baseball, bowling, hockey, soccer, and bicycling. Residents who play sports in an outside courtyard or around residence hall buildings are subject to any damage fees, if damage should occur.