What is the decorations policy?

• Holiday Trees: Live trees and other live decorations are prohibited in Residence Life and Housing facilities. Artificial trees and decorations may be used as long as they are fire retardant and are placed away from radiators, fan coil units, kitchens, lamps, and/or other heat sources.
• Light fixtures within the residence halls may not be covered with any material, nor may light bulbs be switched out.
  • Black (darkening or colored) overhead light bulbs are prohibited in student rooms and hallways. These bulbs are permitted in lounges leased by student organizations only when standard fluorescent lighting in one area can be activated simultaneously.
  • Neon lights are permitted within the residence halls; they may not, however, be placed in windows or be seen from the exterior of the building. All lights must be unplugged during breaks, or any extended time of absence. Any damage can result in restitution.
• Students may install a single strand of UL-approved string lights so long as this is done without damage to University property and they are not installed through ceiling tiles and/or grid. However, string lights must be unplugged prior to leaving for Winter Break.
  • String lights must be plugged directly into a power outlet or UL-approved power strip. Lights should be unplugged whenever residents leave the room and should not be left on overnight.
  • Do not hang lights using staples, nails, or tacks. Staff from the Office of Residence Life and Housing and/or Facilities and Campus Services may inspect all lighting for safety.
  • Should your lights cause damage to the wall(s), you may be charged accordingly.
  • Lights can only be hung inside student rooms, not outside or in the hallways.
• Decorations: Holiday decorations may be placed on bulletin boards and room doors. Decorations should not be placed near radiators, fan coil units, kitchens, or other heat sources. All decorations used should be made of non-flammable materials, such as foil, metal ornaments, artificial wreaths, and flame-retardant paper. Corridor walls, elevators, and fire exits should not be decorated.
• Students may not hang anything from or run anything through the ceiling (including ceiling tiles and/or ceiling tile grids) by any means. Students also may not remove ceiling tiles for any reason.

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