The policies, rules, and regulations governing residential living are outlined below. Each resident student is required to sign a Housing Contract, indicating their agreement to read, understand, and abide by all Wilmington College policies and regulations detailed within this Student Handbook.
AIR CONDITIONERS
Personal air conditioning units are strictly prohibited in all residence facilities.
Facility Allocation: Air conditioning is structurally provided in select residence hall rooms and all campus apartments. Students with documented medical needs requiring air conditioning will be accommodated in these specific facilities.
Fees: Students residing in air-conditioned spaces will be assessed the standard applicable usage fee, regardless of personal choice or medical necessity.
ALCOHOL
Pursuant to and consistent with the College Alcohol Policy, only students of legal drinking age (21 or older) are permitted to possess and consume alcoholic beverages within residential facilities, subject to the following location-specific regulations:
Apartments: Alcohol is permitted within individual bedrooms. It is only permitted in the shared common areas of an apartment if all assigned residents of that unit are of legal drinking age.
Upper-Class Residence Halls: Alcohol is permitted within individual rooms provided that all assigned roommates are of legal drinking age.
First-Year Facilities (Austin-Pickett Hall): Alcohol is strictly prohibited for all residents and guests, regardless of age.
Note: Residential alcohol privileges are subject to review and can be suspended at any time through the student conduct process. Refer to the main Alcohol section of the Student Handbook for comprehensive campus rules.
BALCONIES, PATIOS, AND PORCHES
Residents are responsible for keeping attached balconies, patios, and porches clean, neat, and tidy at all times.
Prohibited Use: These outdoor spaces must not be used for general storage or for hanging laundry.
Falling Hazards: Flower pots, decorations, or any other loose articles are strictly prohibited on windowsills, gutters, roofs, or the ledges/edges of balconies.
CLEANLINESS, TRASH, AND LITTERING
Residents must maintain their rooms, suites, and apartments in a clean, hygienic condition. Proper waste management is a shared responsibility critical for health, safety, and pest control across all residential facilities.
Proper Trash Disposal
Personal Trash: All garbage generated inside individual student rooms or apartments must be taken directly to the large commercial dumpsters located outside of each residential building.
Communal Receptacles: Trash cans located in shared spaces (such as hallways, lounges, and community bathrooms) are designated for small, incidental use only. Disposing of personal room or apartment trash bags in these receptacles is strictly prohibited.
Littering & Enforcement
Leaving or abandoning personal trash in any communal space—including hallways, lounges, stairwells, or bathrooms—is considered littering.
Fines: Students identified leaving trash in common areas will be issued a cleaning and disposal fine.
Disciplinary Referral: If cleanliness issues or littering persist, the responsible students will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
DAMAGES, FURNISHINGS, AND ROOM MODIFICATIONS
Damage Reporting
Damages occurring in a student’s room or communal residential areas must be reported to a Resident Assistant (RA) immediately. Accidents happen; reporting issues promptly ensures timely repairs. Students responsible for damage beyond normal wear and tear will be billed for the associated repair costs. Damage fees and fines vary depending on the severity of the incident.
Furnishings & Modifications
College Property: All college-provided furniture must remain in its assigned room or apartment and cannot be removed, stored elsewhere, or traded. Residents may arrange bedroom and living room layouts, but no structural rebuilding or remodeling of the interior is permitted.
Lofts: Personal or custom lofts are strictly prohibited in all campus housing, including apartments.
Wall Decorations
To prevent surface damage, residents must use non-destructive methods to hang items.
Prohibited Fasteners: The use of nails, tacks, screws, and double-sided tape on walls or ceilings is strictly prohibited.
Holiday Lights: Holiday, string, or fairy light strands are not permitted as wall decorations due to the persistent surface and adhesive damage they cause.
Property Damage & Plumbing Liability
Residents are financially responsible for any damage to their assigned living space or furnishings.
Plumbing Facilities: Residents will be billed for repair or utility expenses caused by student negligence, including stopped-up waste pipes or the overflow of bathtubs, toilets, basins, and sinks.
Collective Liability: If damage occurs in the shared common areas of an apartment, suite, or pod, the cost of repairs will be split equally among all assigned residents of that unit unless the specific responsible individual is identified.
HEALTH, SAFETY, AND FIRE COMPLIANCE
Fire safety equipment must be used strictly for its intended design. Tampering with, misusing, or damaging equipment (including fire alarms, extinguishers, smoke detectors, emergency exit doors, and exit alarms) is a severe breach of community safety. Failing to evacuate immediately during an alarm is also a critical violation. Any infraction will result in swift disciplinary action, billing for damages, and potential legal consequences.
If an unidentified false fire alarm occurs, a $5.00 fine may be charged collectively to the building’s residents.
Health, Safety, and WFD Inspections
Joint Inspections: The Wilmington Fire Department (WFD) and Residence Life staff conduct annual joint inspections of all residence hall rooms during the fall semester to identify fire code, health, and general safety violations.
Notice of Entry: The college will provide at least 24 hours' notice prior to these scheduled, routine safety inspections.
Immediate Entry: Residence Life and Campus Safety reserve the right to enter any room without prior notice at any time if a health, safety, or fire policy violation is actively suspected.
Follow-Ups & Sanctions: Discovered violations will be officially documented, and students will be notified. The WFD conducts follow-up inspections to ensure compliance. Violations may result in Student Conduct referrals or legal citations/tickets issued directly by the fire department.
Smoke Detectors & Evacuation
Tampering: Disassembling, removing covers, or tampering with a smoke detector in any way carries an automatic minimum $25.00 fine and a disciplinary referral.
Backup Batteries: Removing or reversing backup batteries is strictly prohibited and carries the same automatic $25.00 fine.
Maintenance: If a detector chirps, residents must notify their RA immediately so Physical Plant can service the unit.
Mandatory Evacuation: When an alarm sounds, all occupants must evacuate the building immediately via designated routes—this includes during suspected false alarms. Do not re-enter the facility until officially cleared by Residence Life staff or the WFD.
Drills: Supervised fire drills and safety meetings are conducted regularly in every residential facility in accordance with the Ohio Revised Fire Code.
Cooking Regulations
Outdoor Cooking: In compliance with the Ohio Revised Fire Code and college policy, all personal outdoor cooking devices are strictly prohibited. Students may not store or use personal charcoal/gas grills, open-flame smokers, fire pits, or deep fryers anywhere on Residence Life property (including rooms, balconies, decks, and courtyards). Outdoor grilling is restricted exclusively to the permanent, college-provided cooking stations located across campus.
Indoor Cooking (Residence Halls): In compliance with fire code regulations, personal cooking devices are strictly prohibited inside standard Residence Hall rooms. (See the Step-by-Step section for a complete list of prohibited items). Dedicated kitchen areas are available within each residence facility for student cooking, though offerings vary by building.
Smoking & Vaping
Smoking, vaping, or the simulation of either is prohibited inside all residential facilities and within 25 feet of any campus building or entrance. This policy applies to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, vape pens, e-cigarettes, and any other electronic or combustion smoking devices.
HOUSING CONTRACT VALIDITY AND POLICY INTEGRATION
Non-Transferability
The Wilmington College Housing Contract is an individual, legally binding agreement between the signed student and the college. This contract is strictly non-transferable. Students may not assign, sublet, or transfer their assigned housing space, contract rights, or roommate obligations to any other individual, including fellow students.
Policy Integration
All regulations, terms, conditions, and policies outlined within the signed Housing Contract are fully incorporated into the Wilmington College Student Handbook. A violation of any provision contained within the housing contract concurrently constitutes a violation of campus policy and will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for disciplinary action.
NOISE AND COURTESY POLICY
A residence hall must provide an environment conducive to studying and sleeping. While structured quiet hours are designated during specific windows, courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. Excessive noise will not be tolerated at any time. As a general rule, noise, music, and conversation should not be audible in the hallway outside of a student room. Residents must remain considerate of neighbors who may study during the day or work night shifts.
Quiet Hours Schedule
Strict quiet hours are enforced during the following times:
Sunday through Friday: 10:00 p.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 1:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Noon)
Expanded Quiet Hours
Final Exam Periods: 24-hour quiet hours go into effect beginning the night of the last day of regular classes and remain in strict enforcement until all residents have vacated the facilities at the end of the semester.
Break Periods: All officially observed college breaks revert to standard 24-hour Courtesy Hours, meaning residents must still keep noise to a respectful minimum.
Musical Instruments & Audio Equipment
Instruments & Amplifiers: If the use of a musical instrument or audio amplifier becomes a nuisance to the community, the student will be required to discontinue its use within the residence halls. Students are encouraged to coordinate with the Music Department to utilize designated practice spaces in the Fine Arts building.
Audio Systems: Residence Life staff retains the authority to determine what volume levels are deemed disruptive. If noise issues persist, students may be requested to send large stereo systems home, or the equipment may be confiscated and held by staff until hall closing in May.