Updated August 10, 2022
The Residential Code of Conduct covers topics on everything from alcohol use to disruptive behavior to threats to safety and verbal harassment, and even key use and posting flyers. Residents are accountable for knowing and adhering to both the UC Berkeley Student Code of Conduct and the Residential Code of Conduct, which is a subset of the Berkeley code.
Learn about some of the most common conduct violations.
You can read the Residential Code of Conduct here:
Section A: General Policies
A1. Alcohol
A. Possession, consumption, distribution, or being in the presence of alcohol by residents under the age of 21 is prohibited. This includes all other use of alcohol in violation of state law or University policy.
B. Consumption of alcohol by residents who are 21 or older is permitted only in the resident’s assigned space, and with the provision that the door is closed and no individuals under the age of 21 are present. All other use of alcohol in violation of state law or University policy is prohibited.
C. Bulk quantities of alcohol, (i.e. quantities that could not reasonably be consumed responsibly in a single sitting by the individual(s) present), as well as common containers, and the manufacturing of alcohol, as well as games and/or devices used or intended for the rapid consumption of alcohol, are prohibited.
D. Violating any other policy while under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.
A2. Computer Use
Residents must abide by the residential and campus computing policies. Wireless routers are prohibited in residential facilities, and sharing copyrighted materials is prohibited by law.
A3. Controlled Substances
A. Possession, use, manufacture, sale, distribution, consumption, or being in the presence of illegal drugs, controlled substances and/or marijuana (including medical marijuana), and including paraphernalia containing controlled substances or residue of controlled substances, is prohibited
B. Prescription medication may only be used by the person to whom it is prescribed for its intended purposes. Over the counter drugs may only be used in the manner in which they are intended.
C. Violating any other policy while under the influence of a controlled substance is prohibited.
A4. Disorderly & Lewd Behavior
A. Engaging in disorderly and/or lewd conduct is prohibited. This behavior may include urination/defecation outside of designated restroom areas, invasion of another’s privacy, and/or exposing private body parts in public.
B. Students are expected to respect the reasonable privacy of other individuals within University housing; thus, photographing, audio or video recording without the knowledge and consent of all participants is prohibited. In particular the use of cameras, cellphones and video equipment in University Housing restroom facilities and/or other areas that could be considered sensitive in nature is also prohibited.
A5. Disruptive Activities
The use of sporting equipment (e.g., skateboards, scooters, bicycles, rollerblades, etc.) is prohibited in residential facilities, including interior and exterior walkways. Throwing and/or kicking objects or engaging in any other behavior that interferes with, or prohibits, reasonable use of the space by others is also prohibited.
A6. Failure to Comply
A. Resisting or interfering with the directives of a University staff member acting within the scope of their duties, including, but not limited to, the failure to open room doors or produce identification, is prohibited.
B. Failure to comply with the terms of sanctions imposed as a result of conduct action is a further violation of policy.
C. Failure to respond to a University staff member’s reasonable request for meeting or information, when that staff member is acting within the scope of their duties, is prohibited.
A7. Furnishing False Information
Knowingly providing false and/or dishonest information to a residential staff member to interfere with staff acting within the scope of their duties, gaining unauthorized entry into a residential or dining facility, a sponsored event, or to access restricted equipment is prohibited.
A8. Gambling
All gambling prohibited in the State of California is also prohibited in all residential facilities.
A9. Guests
A. Residents must escort their guests within residential facilities at all times and assume responsibility for guests’ adherence to the Residential Code of Conduct. When a security monitor is present in the community, residents must sign in their guests following security procedures.
B. Overnight guests are only permitted to sleep in residential rooms, with permission from all roommate(s), or inside suite common areas with permission from all suite-mates. A guest cannot stay for more than three days in a two–week period without approval of a Residential Life staff member. Any guest staying past 2am may be deemed an overnight guest. Overnight group visits must be approved by professional staff in Residential Life.
C. Persons who have been evicted/excluded from the residence halls for any reason are not permitted to return to the facilities as guests.
A10. Noise
A. Disrupting quiet hours, defined as the time between 11pm and 8am Sunday-Thursday and 1am and 10am Friday-Saturday, with unreasonable noise is prohibited in all residential facilities, courtyards and surrounding areas. Unreasonable noise is any noise that disrupts or potentially disrupts the lives of residents or neighboring community members.
B. Disrupting Courtesy Hours, which are in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and which can be broken by any unreasonable noise that disrupts or potentially disrupts the sleep or studying of other students at any time is prohibited.
C. Use of amplified sound, which may include subwoofers and musical instruments, in outdoor areas without permission of a Residential staff member is prohibited.
A11. Physical Harassment & Abuse
A. Physical abuse or harassment of another student or person is prohibited. This may include physical assault and threatened or completed actions resulting in physical or emotional harm.
B. Physical abuse or harassment of staff is prohibited. This may include physical interference with a staff member’s ability to participate fully in the residential community or perform their university job functions, physical assault, and threatened or completed actions resulting in physical or emotional harm.
A12. Policies within Campus Dining Halls
A. Removal of utensils, dishes, cups, trays or any food or beverage other than a dessert or to-go meal from the dining commons is considered theft and is prohibited.
B. Shirts and shoes are required for entrance and use of University dining locations.
A13. Smoking & Vaping
A. Smoking or use of a vape of any kind is not permitted within University housing or within properties owned or leased (e.g., courtyards, parking lots, etc.) by UC Berkeley. This prohibition is inclusive of the use of all tobacco and nicotine products, including cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, electronic cigarettes.
B. Violating any other policy while smoking or using other tobacco products is prohibited.
A14. Supervision of Children & Family Members in Family Housing
A. Students are responsible for the supervision and actions of their children. Parents and guardians are financially responsible for any harm or damage caused by their children to others and/or to property. Children are not permitted to play in parking lots, garbage dumpster enclosures, laundry rooms, the community garden, or in stairwells. Abusive language, teasing, and physical abuse (e.g., hitting, kicking, biting, etc.) constitute unacceptable behavior by children when that behavior is directed toward other residents of the residential community. Dangerous, disruptive or unacceptable behavior by children is not permitted on the University’s premises.
B. Students are responsible for the behavior of family members that reside with them in housing. Students are responsible for any conduct violation that a family member commits and must assume responsibility in regards to harm or damage caused to others and/or to property. Abusive language, teasing, and physical abuse (e.g., hitting, kicking, biting, etc.) constitute unacceptable behavior by any member of our community. Dangerous, disruptive or unacceptable behavior by family members is not permitted on the University’s premises. Students must adhere through the conduct process even if they were not present during the time of the violation.
A15. Theft & Unauthorized Use
A. Theft, unauthorized use, or possession of any property when the resident had knowledge or reasonably should have had knowledge that it was personal or University property, equipment and/or resources is prohibited, including, but not limited to, the removal of equipment/furniture from, and being in possession of any other property.
B. Use of any University resources (e.g., common area, University logo, unapproved short-term rentals or subleasing, etc.) for a for-profit activity is prohibited unless as part of a Residential LIfe sponsored event.
A16. Threat to Health & Safety
A. Participation in activities or disturbances that threaten the health and safety of yourself or others is prohibited, including any violation or noncompliance of federal, state, local, and/or university public health directives or guidance.
B. Inability to exercise care for one’s own safety due to consumption of alcohol or other controlled substances is prohibited. This includes need for medical attention, inability to function without assistance, unconsciousness, incoherent or disoriented behavior, and loss of control of bodily functions.
A17. Throwing Objects
Throwing, dropping or projecting any object, substance, or liquid from, into, or within any residential facility is prohibited.
A18. Trespass & Restricted Access
A. Entrance to any private room or normally locked building/common area without following security procedures, or obtaining appropriate permission from a Residential staff member or other approved University staff, is prohibited. This includes failing to show proper identification at designated security booths.
B. Accessing known or marked restricted areas is prohibited, including, but not limited to, roof access doors, rooftops, ledges, seismic bracing, fire escapes, construction areas, and any other area or space that a residential staff member declares to be restricted.
C. Entrance to or exit of a residential building through a window or emergency exit door during non-emergency situations is prohibited.
A19. Verbal Harassment
A. Verbal or written statements that intimidate, harass, coerce or threaten others or their property are prohibited. This includes images, all modes of electronic communication, and social media.
B. Verbal or written statements that intimidate, harass, coerce or threaten a staff member or their property are prohibited; this includes verbal or written statements that may prevent or interfere with a staff member’s ability to perform their work. This includes images, all modes of electronic communication, and social media.
A20. Weapons & Dangerous Instruments
Possession of weapons, firearms (with or without a permit), tasers, knives with a blade over 2.5 inches in length, dangerous instruments, or any other weapon prohibited by state, local, or federal law, within all residential facilities is prohibited. This includes use or possession of sporting items such as BB guns, paintball guns, and archery equipment. Also included are similar items used for decorative purposes and items rendered inoperable.
Section B: Facilities Policies
B1. Animals
All animals are prohibited from residential properties with the exception of fish in tanks not exceeding 20 gallons
B2. Fire Safety
A. Misuse or interference with fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, door closures, safety lights or exit signs is prohibited.
B. Failure to evacuate immediately when an emergency alarm sounds and/or disregarding evacuation procedures is prohibited.
C. Exceeding campus fire code capacity of 10 persons per residential room is prohibited.
B3. Fire Hazards
A. Use or possession of explosives, flammable substances, or any object that creates an open flame is prohibited. Examples include firecrackers, gasoline, lighter fluid, candles, incense, hookahs and flame starters.
B. Blocking indoor or outdoor stairwells, corridors, pedestrian paths, or balconies with bicycles, mopeds, or any personal item is prohibited. Examples include locking bicycles to railings, leaving shoes, umbrellas or other objects in the hallway, or parking mopeds on walkways.
C. Use or possession of appliances that produce heat or flame are prohibited outside of designated kitchen spaces. UL approved coffee makers, tea kettles and personal irons are permitted in residential rooms.
D. Halogen lamps and decorative string lights (excluding battery-operated string lights) are not permitted in any residential facility.
E. Use or possession of cookouts and BBQs is not permitted in residential facilities without approval from a Residential staff member.
B4. Furniture, Appliances, & Lofted Beds
A. University provided furniture, including mattresses, may not be removed from residential rooms without written permission from the Residence Hall Facility Manager. Mattresses must be kept on the provided bed frame and furniture may not be stacked or assembled atop bricks, bookcases, or other structures not originally designed to support it.
B. Large and/or unapproved appliances are not permitted in any residential facilities. Residents who wish to have a refrigerator or microwave in their room must rent these appliances from the approved University vendor.
C. Lofted beds may only be assembled by designated University Facilities Staff. No other person or entity may install or construct lofts in a room. Requests for lofting will be charged a fee.
B5. Keys
A. Possession, duplication, misuse of University issued keys and key cards, including loaning keys to any other person, or leaving a key unattended in the lock, is prohibited.
B. Each resident may receive four lockouts per academic year. Additional lockouts are considered excessive and a violation of policy that may be subject to a $25 service fee per lockout.
B6. Motorized Vehicles
Motorized vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, mopeds, hoverboards, smart boards and balancing boards may not be operated, charged or stored within residential facilities.
B7. Tampering
A. Tampering with or removing windows, window security screens, or window stops is prohibited.
B. Tampering with doors, or interfering with door locks, hinges, or closures is prohibited.
C. Tampering, interfering with or manipulating the elevators and related machinery in any residential facility is prohibited. Examples include removing button plates, pulling open or close doors, touching wiring or lighting, jumping up and down in the carriage, and pushing the alarm bell unnecessarily.
B8. Unauthorized Storage
Residents are not permitted to store personal items outside of assigned residential spaces, including common areas, lounges, balconies, and restrooms. This prohibition is inclusive of the storage of bicycles. Bicycles may only be stored in designated parking or bike storage areas.
B9. Vandalism & Damage
Removing, defacing, damaging or destroying University property or the property of others, including, breaking windows and doors, drawing on walls or bulletin boards and disposing of trash outside of appropriate receptacles is prohibited.
Section C: Community Area Policies
C1. Common Area Use
A. Common area space may not be used for unapproved group meetings or for the purpose of prohibiting its use by other residents.
B. Sleeping in common areas is prohibited.
C2. Posting
A. Posting within residential facilities must be approved through the Posting Policy (PDF).
B. Postings by residents on doors and windows must comply with federal, state, and local laws; as well as University policies. Postings may not promote the use of alcohol or controlled substances.
C3. Solicitation of Services or Products
Solicitation of any service, product, or organization in or around residential facilities is prohibited, unless approved by a Residential Life staff member.