Prohibited Items
The following items are prohibited in residence halls:
- Guns, firearms, knives longer than three-inches, or weapons of any type, including BB and pellet guns
- Candles and/or incense (lit or unlit)
- Tapestries, banners and flags. These items cannot be hung on walls, ceilings, or over windows. Window treatments such as curtains must be made of a fabric that resists or retards the spreading of flames and has either a UL fire rating #723 or NFPA 225.
- Room-heating devices, including all space heaters, kerosene or oil lamps, and alcohol burners
- Gasoline-powered items, such as motorcycles, mopeds, or parts thereof
- Hover boards and/or electric unicycles
- Pressurized tanks (e.g. helium tanks)
- Flammable and/or combustible liquids and/or chemicals including gasoline and charcoal
- Grills of any type (except UL-listed Foreman-style grills in apartments)
- Fireworks, smoke bombs, sparklers, etc.
- Drug paraphernalia and illegal drugs
- Animals or pets of any kind (except certified service animals, approved emotional support animals, and/or non-carnivorous fish). See Pet Policy for more information)
- Light dimmers, ceiling fans, or any other device that replaces, adds to, or interferes with any room apparatus
- Excessive furniture that blocks or restricts egress
- Physical training equipment
- Three-section couches
- Waterbeds and beds other than twin size
- Dartboards and darts
- Nails, hooks, double-faced adhesive tape, or other items that will damage walls
- Live trees
- Personal lofts
The following electrical appliances and corded items are prohibited in residence halls:
(Note: all cords and permitted appliances must be UL Listed)
- Halogen lamps
- Electrical appliances with an exposed heating source (e.g. toaster ovens, toasters, hot plates)
- Overloaded electrical receptacles
- Faulty or old extension cords
- Portable washers, dryers, and dishwashers
- Mini refrigerators (only permitted in apartments)
- Air conditioners (except for approved units that are provided and installed by the College through the disability accommodations process )
- Microwaves other than a microfridge (unless within an apartment, and then limited to one)
NOTE: The preceding list is not all inclusive; any item that is a threat to public safety may be removed. In addition to confiscation, violators may pay a monetary fine and may be subject to Conduct action.
Prohibited Conduct
The following actions are prohibited in residence halls and may result in conduct action:
- Smoking inside any residential space; this includes the use of electronic cigarettes and vapes. Smoking must occur at least 15 feet away from any building.
- Draping or placing objects, including fabric, over lighting fixtures, smoke detectors, or fire sprinkler systems.
- Hanging cardboard, plastic, or fabric (e.g. tapestries, banners, and flags) on walls, ceilings, light fixtures, or fire sprinkler apparatus. Posters on walls can't exceed 25% of the total wall surface.
- Hanging stringed lights on the exterior of buildings without the advanced, expressed, written consent of the Office of Residential & First-Year Programs. Inside residence halls, students may use up to three strands of stringed light per room. All stringed lights must be UL-approved.
- Wrapping or placing wires or stringed lights in the area of beds.
- Lending keys to others; copying keys; possession of keys that are not authorized for your use.
- Water fights, ball playing, bike riding, or similar activities which may cause harm to persons or property.
- Storage of bicycles in stairwells, halls, or rooms.
- Storage of personal items such as sports bags/equipment, furniture, or suitcases in stairwells or hallways.
- Throwing any items into or out of windows.
- Altering, tampering, or dismantling any door closure or propping open any exterior door
- Cooking food in individual bedrooms (other than in microfridges).
- Solicitation of goods or services, except by Gettysburg College students who have received prior approval from the Office of College Life.
- Painting, wallpapering, or similarly decorating individual rooms or common areas unless prior approval is given by the Office of Residential & First-Year Programs and Facilities Services.
- Repairing any damages or the removal or replacement of light bulbs in ceiling fixtures that have not been approved/provided by the Facilities staff.
- Removal, destruction, disassembling, or altering of any furniture in a room.
- Removing screens from windows.
- Installing wall partitions or paneling.
- Modifying or tampering with circuit breakers or any part of the electrical system.
- Installing and subscribing to a cable or satellite TV provider.
- Installing personal locks or chains on doors or windows.
- Sleeping in public areas of the residence halls.
- Entering the Quarry pond - this includes wading, swimming, and ice skating.
- Vehicle maintenance on college property.