Conference Guest Policies

Doors

• Doors meant to be locked and/or closed may not be propped open.
• Exterior doors will be locked at designated times for your safety.
• Guest room doors should be locked at all times.
• Door alarms are activated and monitored.

Email

• Use of electronic mail (e-mail) must be consistent with University policies, as well as State and Federal laws.
• Persons may not:
  • Obtain or attempt to obtain unauthorized access to computer accounts, software, files, or other University resources.
  • Alter or intentionally damage or disrupt University computers or networks in any way.
  • Use University resources to represent the interests of any non-University group or organization unless authorized by an appropriate University department.
  • Distribute copies in violation of copyright laws.

Identification

• Participants in campus programs should have some form of identification (ID card, name badge, etc.) for accessing campus facilities during their program.

Keys/E-Keys

• Conference guests staying on campus will be issued a key to their residence hall room and an ekey for access into the facilities.
• Keys are to be in the possession of and only used by the guest to whom they were issued.
• University keys may not be duplicated or altered.
• Guests should be able to show room keys upon request.
• Un-returned/lost keys and e-keys are billed at $75.

Locking Schedules

• Most residence hall entrances are locked 24 hours after check-in.
• All residence halls are locked at specific times. The schedule for locking is chosen by the program director in consultation with the Conference Services staff.
• Guests arriving after the building entrances lock, can contact the posted numbers for check-in assistance

Locking your Room

• For your safety and the security of your belongings, room doors should be locked at all times.
• If at any time you find yourself locked out of your room, contact the residence hall desk or the program staff.

Mail

• All mail that is received for residential conference guests will be placed in mailboxes near the residence hall desk unless otherwise designated by the program staff.
• If you wish to receive mail during your program, it should have a clear return address and be addressed as follows:
  • Full preferred name (first and last)
    Room number, residence hall house, residence hall name
    Residence hall street address (available on individual hall pages)
    Madison, WI, residence hall zipcode (available on individual hall pages)
• If you desire to ship materials before your program starts, please contact us.

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Alcohol

• Only conference guests who are 21 years of age or older may consume or possess alcohol.
• Alcohol may only be consumed in resident rooms and, when approved in advance, floor dens.
• Individual conference programs may set more restrictive guidelines for their participants.
• Alcohol may be provided by University Housing staff at approved Housing catered events and no carry-ins are allowed at such events.
• Sale of alcoholic beverages by conference groups is prohibited.
• For more information, please read the Alcohol Policies at UW-Madison and the UW-Madison Alcohol Beverage Regulations.

Appliances

• Food preparation in an extensive and/or ongoing manner is not permitted in resident rooms as a matter of safety and sanitation. Kitchens and kitchenettes are available in each residence hall for this purpose.
• Appliances with open coils or exposed heating elements are prohibited. These include but are not limited to convection ovens, toasters, toaster ovens, hot plates, electric frying pans, George Foreman grills, cup-type immersion heating coils, space heaters, and other appliances with open coils or exposed heating elements.
• Gas/propane-powered appliances and charcoal cooking appliances are prohibited.
• Appliances should not be operated in closets or other closed areas or close to flammable items.
• Some appliances are provided in residence hall kitchens (see Kitchens section).
• One microwave per room is permitted and we recommend low wattage.
• Other acceptable electronic devices include computers, televisions, cell phones, DVD players, mp3 players, and alarm clocks.

Assault

• Assault/battery against another individual is prohibited. Violations of this include but are not limited to: threatening another person with physical harm, verbally or physically, or touching another person, with or without a weapon, in a manner that is aggressive or threatening.
• If an assault occurs, University Police should be called at 264-COPS.
• If you witness an assault, please call 911 immediately.

Campus Reporting Policy

• While you are living within University Housing, we want to ensure that we can best support you and your program. To provide prompt and appropriate support, all sponsors, counselors, program leaders, and adult guests must immediately notify professional Housing staff, or the University of Wisconsin – Madison Police Department (UWPD) (608-264-2677) of all crimes, misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking or dating/domestic violence that occur or reportedly occur in University Housing. Please understand that University Housing staff and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Police Department are not confidential resources and may have an obligation to report to other professionals at the University. UW-Madison is obligated to notify the campus community of crimes that present an ongoing threat, so reporting immediately is important.

Candles

• Burning candles in residence halls, including guest rooms and public spaces, is prohibited.

Drugs

• The possession, use, or intent to deliver narcotics or dangerous drugs, including marijuana, in the residence halls or on grounds adjacent to the residence halls is prohibited.
• The possession of paraphernalia that is specific and unique to drug use, such as bongs and pipes, in the residence halls or on grounds adjacent to the residence halls is prohibited.
• The possession of paraphernalia that is specific and unique to illegal drug use is prohibited.
• The misuse of prescription and over-the-counter medications, including, but not limited to, sales and distribution, in the residence halls or on grounds adjacent to the residence halls is prohibited.

Evacuation

• Building evacuation is required when the fire alarm is sounding. For your safety, you should exit the building through the nearest exit (stairwell, exit door) and move as far away from the building as possible and allow those responding to the alarms access to the building.
• Do not attempt to use elevators during a fire alarm.
• Youth programs should have a designated meeting place outside the building in the event of a fire alarm to be able to account for all program participants.

Fire Equipment

• Tampering with fire equipment such as fire alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, exit signs, and common area smoke detectors is prohibited. Violations include, but are not limited to:
  • Removing a fire extinguisher from its prescribed location.
  • Discharging a fire extinguisher for any purpose other than putting out a fire.
  • Setting false alarms.
  • Tampering with the covers on fire alarm pull stations.
  • Tampering with common area and room sprinkler systems.
  • Tampering with exit signs.
  • Activating an alarm absent in an emergency situation.
  • Interfering with firefighters or equipment designed to prevent or respond to fires is prohibited.

Fireworks

• Possession and/or use of firecrackers and/or fireworks is prohibited. Violations of this rule include but are not limited to discharge, or in any way attempting to discharge, any type of manufactured or homemade fireworks including cannons or bottle rockets in, out of, or adjacent to a residence hall.

Harassment

• “Harassment” is defined as verbal threats, intimidation, or conduct which: tend to cause or incite a breach of the peace; or are severe or pervasive enough to substantially interfere with a reasonable student’s educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being and which actually do so interfere. The presentation of any idea, regardless of the ideas’ nature or perceived value, may not be considered harassment unless it is accompanied with verbal threats, intimidation, or conduct as previously defined. Behaviors and actions exhibited via electronic media including email, text messaging, or social networking websites (e.g. Facebook or Twitter) may violate the harassment policy or fit the definition of a bias incident. Behavior that demeans, intimidates, or threatens individuals based on age, ability, appearance, ethnicity, gender expression, group affiliation, HIV status, personal values, race, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, and size is not tolerated in University housing.

Illness & Injury

• Should emergency medical assistance be needed, call 911 from any campus phone.
• Individual programs will have specific protocols for illness and injury of a less serious nature.
• Completion of an incident report should take place at the residence hall desk for any illness or injury while staying or dining with University Housing.

Medical

• For life-threatening emergencies, contact 911.
• Visitors and summer program guests should have their own health insurance.

Noise

• Regardless of the time of day, it is your responsibility to ensure that noise from you, your room, and your guests does not infringe on the living environment of other summer program guests. Due to the widespread impact, yelling and/or playing music out of windows is prohibited.

Personal Property

• The University of Wisconsin-Madison assumes no responsibility for any personal belongings.
• Rooms should be secured/locked throughout your stay and checked thoroughly before departure.
• Each dresser in the guest rooms has a lockable drawer. Please bring a small padlock if you would like to make use of this feature.

Pets

• Service animals are permitted in our facilities if documentation is provided before arrival, showing that the animal is necessary. A detailed description of the type of services the animal will provide should be included. Service animals must be supervised at all times.
• The only other pets allowed in the residence halls will be fish in a 20-gallon or smaller tank. Unauthorized pets shall be removed from resident rooms.

Police

• The campus is patrolled day and night by University Police in cars, on bicycles, and on foot. Officers frequently visit the residence halls.
• If you need to reach an officer in the event of an emergency and/or to report a crime in progress, call 911.
• If you need an officer and it is not an emergency, call 608-264-2677 (608-264-COPS).

Pranks

• Pranks that damage property, violate other policies, or put anyone in danger are prohibited and will be treated seriously. Any damages caused by pranks will be charged to the summer program which may in turn bill the individual for the damage.

Safety & Security

• Guest Safety Tips
  • Do not open your room door to anyone you do not know.
  • University Housing and contracted employees should be wearing name badges.
  • Use the main entrance to come and go into your hall.
  • Close and lock your guest room door at all times.
  • Report all lost and found items to the hall desk immediately.
  • When outdoors, travel with a group and remain attentive.
  • Report any suspicious behavior or people to the hall desk.

This is not intended to be a complete list of precautions.

• • Interfering with the security system is prohibited. Violations include but are not limited to:
    • Tampering with locks in guest rooms and other areas.
    • Propping open doors that are meant to be locked and/or closed.
    • Jamming a door open to prevent it from opening or closing.
    • Tying doors open or shut.
    • Taping open locks on doors.
    • Altering or duplicating University keys/e-keys.
    • Tampering with security cameras.
  • Security cameras are in operation in many of our entrances and stairwells.
  • University Police safety tips

Smoke Detectors

• • • Smoke detectors must be plugged in at all times.
    • Tampering with smoke detectors is prohibited.

Smoking/Vaping

• • • Smoking, including the usage of e-cigarettes, is not permitted anywhere in the University Residence Halls, including common area spaces such as dens, hallways, and bathrooms as well as resident rooms.
    • Smoking, including the usage of e-cigarettes, is not allowed within 25 feet of all University Residence Halls and Dining Service buildings under the University’s smoke-free policy and state law.

Tornado Warnings

• • • When a tornado warning has been issued, the emergency sirens will sound a steady tone for three or more minutes.
    • During a tornado warning you should:
      • Seek shelter at the lowest possible level away from glass windows, partitions, doors, and outside walls.
      • Not use the elevator.
      • Remain in the shelter location until the all-clear signal has been given.
      • Remain calm and do not obstruct emergency personnel.

Vandalism

• • • Damaging, defacing, and/or destroying University property or property belonging to another guest is prohibited.
    • Damages caused by program participants/guests will be the responsibility of the program participant and sponsor. The Conference Services Office will charge for repairs, including but not limited to all supplies and labor.
    • Please notify University Police and complete an incident report at the residence hall desk if you witness vandalism.

Weapons

• • • The possession and/or use of firearms and other dangerous weapons (including firearm and dangerous weapon replicas) is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, guns, paintball guns, pellet guns, BB guns, Airsoft BB guns, bows and arrows, ninja stars, knives, and swords.
    • The possession and/or use of a firearm or other dangerous weapon parts or accessories are prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, parts of any guns, ammunition, shells, shell casings, and plastic or metal pellets.
    • Individuals may not display or portray as real any object that resembles a dangerous weapon.

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University Housing reserves the right to take disciplinary action and to require dismissal from our facilities for instances where we believe a participant’s behavior adversely affects other community members and/or the University.