Code of Conduct

Home / HOST A CONFERENCE / Code of Conduct

We are pleased you’ll be staying with us during your conference at UC Berkeley!

Your actions affect others. Individual or group activities and behaviors that may cause physical injury, disturbances or distress to others, or that cause damage or destruction to property are prohibited.  In addition, behavior that abuses the dignity of anyone is prohibited.  To make your conference stay an enjoyable one, please familiarize yourself with the following code of conduct and policies.  Any violation of these policies will not be tolerated and is grounds for immediate dismissal from all University facilities.

Conference Policies and Guidelines

Liability

The University does not accept responsibility for theft or loss of money, valuables, or personal property. The protection of personal property is the individual’s responsibility.

Security

All residence building entrances will remain locked 24 hours a day. For security purposes, conference participants/residents should lock their room doors at all times and carry their keys/key cards with them. Outside entrance doors should not be propped open. Housing staff members will provide a nightly check of exterior residential building areas. All security concerns should be reported to the Housing Front Desk in your housing area. In an emergency, please call 911. 

Visitors

Non-registered (non-paying) visitors are not allowed in or overnight in the residence halls due to other conference participant/resident privacy and safety reasons, with exception of approved medical aid, pre-approved group representative, or authorized to assist with guest move in/out. Visitors cannot be in the building or room unaccompanied by registered participants/residents. Conference participants/residents are not permitted to enter the residence hall(s) of any group other than their own. 

Supervision of Children & Family Members

  • Conference participants/residents 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.
  • Conference participants/residents are responsible for the behavior of family members that reside with them in housing. Conference participants/residents 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.

General Policies

Alcohol

  • 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.
  • Consumption of alcohol by residents who are 21 or older is permitted only in the resident’s assigned room, 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.
  • Bulk quantities (12 or more standard servings), 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.
  • Violating any other policy while under the influence of alcohol is prohibited.
  • Conference participants/residents may not consume alcoholic beverages in non-suite style residence halls with underage youth on site, or be intoxicated in or around any residential facilities.

Controlled Substances

  • Possession, use, manufacture, sale, distribution, consumption, or being in the presence of illegal drugs, controlled substances, and/or medical marijuana, including paraphernalia containing controlled substances or residue of controlled substances, is prohibited
  • 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.
  • Violating any other policy while under the influence of a controlled substance is prohibited.

Disorderly & Lewd Behavior

  • 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.
  • Conference participants/residents 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.

Expectations of Adult Supervisors: The state of California requires that at least one employee, lead contractor, or supervisor who provides direct, on-site supervision of the activity qualifies as a mandated reporter under CANRA and has signed a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse. If you are an adult supervisor, please note the following and make sure to read  the University of California, Berkeley policies regarding Activities Involving Minors (PDF).

Failure to Comply

  • Resisting or interfering with the directives of a University staff member acting within the scope of their duties, such as failure to open room doors or produce identification is prohibited.
  • Failure to comply with the terms of sanctions imposed as a result of conduct action is a further violation of policy.
  • 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.

Furnishing False Information

Knowingly providing false and/or dishonest information to a University 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.

Gambling

All gambling prohibited in the State of California is also prohibited in all residential facilities.

Physical Harassment & Abuse

  • Physical abuse or harassment of another person is prohibited. This may include physical assault and threatened or completed actions resulting in physical or emotional harm.
  • 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.

Principles of Community 

We expect all of our guests to follow our UC Berkeley principles of community to help us maintain a safe, caring and humane environment. Read more about our Principles of Community.

Prohibited Items

  • Alcoholic beverages in public areas and in the presence of guests under the drinking age of 21
  • Smoking on campus, residence halls, university property, or parking lots
  • Fireworks, ammunition, explosives, or flammable materials
  • Cooking appliances
  • Candles/portable items with an open flame
  • All pets and animals, except with advanced approval of a registered service animal

Smoking & Vaping

  • 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.
  • Violating any other policy while smoking or using other tobacco products is prohibited.
  • Additional information regarding UC Berkeley’s Tobacco Free Campus Policy can be found online at https://uhs.berkeley.edu/tobaccopolicy. All guests are strongly encouraged to review this policy prior to their arrival at the UC Berkeley Residence Halls.

Threat to Health & Safety

Participation in activities or disturbances that threaten the health and safety of yourself or others is prohibited.
Inability to exercise care for one’s own safety due to consumption of alcohol or other controlled substances is prohibited. This includes the need for medical attention, inability to function without assistance, unconsciousness, incoherent or disoriented behavior, and loss of control of bodily functions.

Throwing Objects

Throwing, dropping, or projecting any object, substance, or liquid from, into, or within any residential facility is prohibited. Conference participants/residents are responsible for personal injuries, property damage, or cleaning charges that result from this action.  Removal of window screens is prohibited.  

Verbal Harassment

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.
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.

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.

Electronic Policies

Computer Use

Conference participants/residents utilizing the internet in residence halls must adhere to the Berkeley Student Technology Services Appropriate Use Policies. Wireless routers are prohibited in residential facilities, and sharing copyrighted materials is prohibited by law.  All network devices must meet Minimum Security Standard for Networked Devices.  Any network equipment (e.g. switches) brought by the customer cannot broadcast the BPDU protocol.

Internet Connectivity & Usage Policy

All conference attendees utilizing the internet in the UC Berkeley residence halls must adhere to the Berkeley Student Technology Services Appropriate Use Policies. All network devices must meet Minimum Security Standard for Networked Devices. Any network equipment (e.g. switches) brought by conference participants cannot broadcast the BPDU protocol.

Facilities Policies

Animals

All animals are prohibited from residential properties. Conference participants/residents requiring assistance animals must have advanced approval from the University.  

Cleanliness

Conference participants/residents are required to keep rooms clean and regularly dispose of trash only in designated locations.  Conference participants/residents may not create excessive messes in any area.  Any facility issue or damage should be promptly reported to a staff member at the Housing Front desk.  

Dining Facilities

  • Shirts and shoes are required for entrance and use of University dining locations.
  • Conference participants/residents are expected to maintain courtesy in the dining locations.
  • No running or cutting in the lines.
  • Chaperones are required to dine with youth and are responsible for managing guidelines (chaperone ratio of 1:10 youth).
  • Dishes are to be cleared and returned to the dish rooms at the end of meal service.
  • Food may not be removed from the dining locations.
  • Food fights and use of food in an unintended manner are prohibited.
  • Use of refillable containers is not permitted.
  • 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.

Fire Safety

  • Misuse or interference with fire safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, sprinklers, door closures, safety lights, or exit signs is prohibited.
  • Failure to evacuate immediately when an emergency alarm sounds and/or disregarding evacuation procedures is prohibited.

Fire Hazards

  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Use or possession of appliances that produce heat or flame is prohibited outside of designated kitchen spaces.
  • Halogen lamps and decorative string lights are not permitted in any residential facility.
  • Use or possession of cookouts and BBQs is not permitted in residential facilities.

Furniture & Appliances

  • University provided furniture, including mattresses, may not be removed from residential rooms. 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.
  • Large and/or unapproved appliances are not permitted in any residential facilities. Conference participants/residents who wish to have a refrigerator or microwave in their room must coordinate with a Summer Conference Housing staff member.
  • All furniture in guest rooms, floor lounges, or any other public areas must remain in its designated area and in its original set up.  

Keys

  • Possession, duplication, or 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.
  • Replacement fees will apply for lost keys/fobs and keys/fobs not returned upon check-out.  

Motorized Vehicles

Motorized vehicles, including scooters, motorcycles, mopeds, hoverboards, smart boards, and balancing boards may not be operated, charged, or stored within residential facilities.

Tampering

  • Tampering with or removing windows, window security screens, or window stops is prohibited.
  • Tampering with doors, or interfering with door locks, hinges, or closures is prohibited.
  • Tampering, interfering with, or manipulating the elevators and related machinery in any residential facility is prohibited. Examples include removing button plates, pulling open or closed doors, touching wiring or lighting, jumping up and down in the elevator, and pushing the alarm bell unnecessarily.

Theft & Unauthorized Use

  • Theft, unauthorized use, or possession of any property when the conference participant/resident had knowledge or reasonably should have had knowledge that it was personal or University property, equipment, and/or resources is prohibited. This includes removal of equipment/furniture from, and sleeping overnight in, common areas, and being in possession of any other property.
  • 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.

Trespass & Restricted Access

  • Entrance to any private room or normally locked building/common area without following security procedures, or obtaining appropriate permission from an approved University staff, is prohibited. This includes failing to show proper identification at designated security booths.
  • Accessing known or marked restricted areas is prohibited. This includes roof access doors, rooftops, ledges, seismic bracing, fire escapes, construction areas.
  • Entrance to or exit of a residential building through a window or emergency exit door during non-emergency situations is prohibited.

Unauthorized Storage

Conference participants/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.

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.

Community Area Policies

Common Area Use

Common area space may not be used for unapproved group meetings or for the purpose of prohibiting its use by other conference participants/residents.

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. University representatives reserve the right to remove or cause to be removed from the premises any person or persons acting in an unlawful or disorderly manner.

Noise

  • Disrupting quiet hours, defined as the time between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m, seven days a week, 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.
  • Disrupting Courtesy Hours, which are in effect 24 hours, 7 days a week, and which can be broken by any unreasonable noise that disrupts or potentially disrupts the sleep or studying of other residents at any time is prohibited.
  • Use of amplified sound, which may include subwoofers and musical instruments, in outdoor areas without the permission of Summer Conference Housing staff members is prohibited.

Solicitation of Services or Products

Solicitation of any service, product, or organization in or around residential facilities is prohibited.