INTRODUCTION
To all students:
Welcome to Residence Life, Housing, and Dining Services!
We are excited to have you living with us this year and are committed to supporting all students by fostering a welcoming, respectful, and safe living environment. Our goal is to provide a positive on-campus living experience that helps you build meaningful connections and take full advantage of the many opportunities available here at the University of Wyoming.
Respect for others, the University and personal property serves as the foundation of a successful residential community. Community living thrives when residents take responsibility for their actions and demonstrate consideration and care for those around them.
To help maintain residence halls and apartments that support a positive and welcoming living experience, the following policies and procedures apply to all residents, guests, and visitors.
These policies are intended to complement the University of Wyoming Student Code of Conduct.
If you have any questions regarding these policies and procedures, please contact the Housing & Dining Office, your Residence Coordinator (RC), Resident Assistant (RA), Apartment Staff member, or Apartment Living Assistant (ALA). We are here to help and support your success throughout your residential experience.
From all of us, have a wonderful year!
Housing, Dining, & Residence Life Dept. 3394
1000 E. University Ave. Laramie, WY 82072
Washakie Center, Lower Level
living@uwyo.edu
307.766.3175
ALCOHOL
Containers and/or games that encourage excessive consumption of alcohol are prohibited, even if you are 21 or over. This includes, but is not limited to, kegs, beer bongs, and beer pong (with or without alcohol).
Alcohol containers (whether full, partially full, or empty) may not be possessed or used as decorations by those under the age of 21.
RESIDENCE HALLS:
Where you can have alcohol (if you are of the legal drinking age, 21+):
• In your private residence hall room with the door shut – all other residents or guests present in the room must also be 21+.
Where you can’t have alcohol (if you are of the legal drinking age, 21+):
• Any common areas (lounges, study rooms, shared community spaces, lobbies, stairwells, hallways, etc.)
• With anyone who is under the age of 21.
APARTMENTS:
Where you can have alcohol (if you are of the legal drinking age, 21+):
• All areas within an apartment are considered private, so alcohol can be consumed if you (and all other tenants) are of the legal drinking age.
Where you can’t have alcohol (if you are of the legal drinking age, 21+):
• If other tenants (where applicable) or guests are under the legal drinking age, alcohol can only be stored & consumed by those of legal drinking age in your private lease-assigned room.
• With anyone who is under the age of 21.
CLEANLINESS & FACILITIES
• Residents are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their rooms or apartments and community areas, including, but not limited to, study rooms, lounges, kitchens, private bathrooms, and lobbies.
• Residents are not permitted to place their room trash in lobby or common area trash receptacles. Personal trash must be taken to the appropriate trash or recycling receptacle.
• Residents are not permitted to clean or dress animal carcasses in any building. Wild game meat may not be frozen in residential housing freezers unless the meat has been properly prepared/ dressed.
• Repairs and maintenance must be performed by authorized University staff and personnel.
• Residents should report maintenance concerns in a timely manner by submitting a work request.
• Residents are financially responsible for damages and missing items in their community. Housing will make reasonable efforts to identify the individual(s) responsible and charge them directly. If responsibility cannot be determined, the cost of repairing or replacing damaged or missing items in common areas will be divided equally among residents of the community. Community billing will occur when the cost exceeds $5 per resident.
CHILD SUPERVISION
• Parents/guardians living in apartments are responsible for the behavior and supervision of their children at all times. Cases of potential child neglect or abuse should be reported to UWPD and Apartments Staff.
DECORATIONS
• Decorations may not cover exit signs, alarms, smoke detectors, or fire extinguishers. Decorations also may not cover exit doors and hallways, exterior lights, or security peep holes/ door viewers.
• Duct tape, double-sided tape, packing tape, or masking tape may not be used in any housing or dining facility for any purpose. Command Strips are only allowed in legacy residence hall buildings. Painter’s tape and push pins are permitted in all facilities.
• Damaging walls is prohibited, including the use of nails, screws, etc.
• To prevent wall damage, residents are encouraged to apply painter’s tape to the wall before installing adhesive items such as light strips.
• Residents may not hang lights on the exterior of the building, or outside of their rooms or apartments.
• Lighting and appliances must be directly plugged into an outlet (wall or approved power strip).
• Clothing, banners, tapestries, flags, blankets, advertisements, and/or messages may not be displayed in windows, hung, or placed outside the buildings and apartments.
• Perishable decorations (i.e. pumpkins, plants, etc.) must be properly disposed of in the dumpsters located outside of residence halls and apartments when they begin to expire.
• Live Christmas trees are not permitted.
• Residents may hang items, other than stickers or other self-adhesives, on the exterior of their room door using approved tape, provided the items do not obstruct the peephole. Residents are prohibited from removing, damaging, or vandalizing materials displayed on another resident’s door.
FIRE SAFETY
To ensure the safety of all residents, the following fire safety regulations apply to all University Housing facilities:
Electrical Safety
• Extension cords and multi-plug outlet adapters are not permitted.
• Only UL-approved power strips with built-in circuit breakers may be used.
• String lights are allowed inside rooms only if they are UL-labeled, designed for indoor use, and plugged directly into a wall outlet.
Flammable Materials
• Flammable liquids and their containers (e.g., gasoline, propane, and similar substances) are strictly prohibited both inside and outside University Housing and on University grounds.
Decorations
• All decorations must be non-combustible or treated with fire-retardant material.
• Flammable decorations such as live trees, dried plants, or similar items are not permitted.
Prohibited Items
Fire and Open-Flame Hazards
• The following items are prohibited: Candles, Incense, Candle warmers, including Scentsybranded or similar devices, and any open-flame items.
Lighting and Heating Devices
• The following items are prohibited: Halogen lamps and Portable space heaters.
Smoking and Vapor Devices
• The use, possession, or storage of the following items is prohibited: E-cigarettes, Vape devices, Smokeless tobacco, Hookahs & hookah smoking accessories.
Motorized and Battery-Powered Transportation Devices
• The use, possession, charging, or storage of the following items is prohibited in all University Housing facilities: Electric Scooters & E-bikes, Hoverboards, Segways, and similar motorized or battery-powered devices.
High-Wattage Appliances
• Appliances exceeding 900 watts are not permitted in residence halls.
Cooking Appliances and Food Preparation Devices
• The following items are prohibited in the residence halls: Barbecues & grills, Crockpots, Electric fryers & grills, Sandwich makers & sandwich presses, Electric woks, Hot plates, Pressure cookers, Instant Pots, Rice cookers, Toasters & toaster ovens.
• Personal microwaves and refrigerators are prohibited in North and South Halls – these appliances are provided as part of the room furnishings in these buildings.
Smoke and Fog-Producing Devices
• The following items are prohibited: Fog machines, Smoke machines, and Haze machines.
Fire Safety Equipment
• Tampering with or covering fire safety equipment such as sprinkler heads or smoke detectors is strictly prohibited.
• Do not hang or attach any items to sprinkler heads or smoke detectors.
Egress and Exits
• Living and common areas must remain free of obstructions. Items must not block exits, doorways, or passageways at any time.
Electrical Load Limits
• Tobin, Orr and McIntyre: Each side of a residence hall room supports a maximum electrical load of 1,500 watts. Residents are responsible for monitoring their total electrical usage, particularly when operating high-wattage appliances such as microwaves, hair dryers, coffee makers, and refrigerators.
• North and South Hall: The outlets at and adjacent to the sink are on one electrical circuit, while the outlets near the window and on the wall opposite the sink are on a separate circuit. Each circuit supports 1,500 watts. Residents should plan their room layout and appliance usage accordingly.
• These halls are built to current electrical code standards and are equipped with arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs). These safety devices automatically shut off power when they detect potentially hazardous electrical activity, helping to prevent fires. AFCIs may trip if circuits are overloaded or outlets are used improperly.
Evacuation Procedures
• All residents must immediately follow evacuation instructions from university staff, emergency personnel, or verbal alerts from fire alarm systems during any emergency.
Appliances
Permitted Appliances
• Air fryers (900-watts or less) are permitted in residence halls.
• Compact coffee brewers (4–5 cup in the 550–900-watt range are recommended).
Prohibited Appliances and Equipment
• Personal grills, smokers, flattops, and similar cooking equipment may not be used or stored inside or outside residential facilities.
• Open-flame or exposed-heat appliances, including hot plates, toaster ovens, and pressure cookers, are prohibited in residence halls. These items are permitted only in apartments or residential areas with designated community kitchens.
• Cooking appliances must never be left unattended while in use.
• North Hall and South Hall rooms are furnished with a university-provided micro fridge designed for compatibility with arc fault breakers. Residents of these halls may not bring personal refrigerators or microwaves and may not remove university-provided micro fridges from their room.
Electric Mobility Devices
• The use, possession, charging, or storage of electric mobility devices—including hoverboards, electric scooters, e-bikes, segways, and similar motorized or battery-powered devices—is prohibited inside all University Housing facilities.
FURNITURE
• Residents may not remove furniture from their rooms, apartments, or common areas.
• Residents will be charged for any items that are missing at the time of check-out.
• Property left behind by residents following check-out or agreement termination is considered abandoned. The resident will be charged for any costs incurred for moving or removing property from their room or apartment.
GUESTS
• All guests must comply with our Policies and Procedures as well as the University of Wyoming Student Code of Conduct. Residents are responsible for the actions of their guests and may be held accountable for their guests’ actions.
• Guests must be accompanied by the resident they are with at all times.
RESIDENCE HALLS:
• Residence hall residents may host overnight guests, provided they obtain the approval of their roommate in advance.
• An overnight guest is defined as someone who is staying in a resident’s room past 12AM and who is not a resident of the room they are staying in.
• No guest may stay in a room for more than three nights in a 14-day period.
• A maximum of two guests are allowed in a double-occupancy room on a given night.
• No overnight guests are permitted to stay in a resident’s room during the first and last two weeks of the semester. This includes move-in, Saddle-Up, finals, move-out, and graduation periods.
APARTMENTS:
• Residents may host overnight guests, provided they obtain the approval of their roommate(s) in advance.
• No guest may stay in an apartment for more than 14 nights in a semester without being listed as a roommate on the UW Apartment lease. Further, a guest may not stay over three nights in a row.
LOCKOUTS & KEYS
• Residence hall and apartments students will be charged a $25 fee for each temporary key or replacement card after two free lockouts per semester are utilized.
NOISE, QUIET, & COURTESY HOURS
• During all hours of the day, excessive noise is prohibited. Noise should not be heard from more than two doors away from your room or apartment.
• Quiet hours are observed from 10:00pm-8:00am on weeknights (Sunday-Thursday) and 12:00am-8:00am on weekends (Friday-Saturday).
• 24-hour quiet hours will be observed during the final 10 days of the semester.
PEST MANAGEMENT
• Residents are responsible for following any pest management procedures performed in their living space.
• If you suspect you may have pests or bed bugs, please notify Residence Life or Housing staff immediately. You can also submit a work order. Our pest management team will inspect your room as soon as possible, then will work with you if any treatment steps are required. Treatment can include pesticide spray, heat treatment of your room/belongings, and possibly temporary relocation.
RESIDENTIAL ACCESS
• Residential building entry is restricted to residents and their accompanying guests.
• Allowing another person to enter a residential facility by holding a door open is prohibited.
• Changing rooms or trading keys to access another room is not permitted.
• Unisex accessible restrooms are located in the main lobby of each residence hall for guests.
PETS
• Pets are not permitted in residence halls and apartments (outside of those in Landmark Village), with the exception of fish contained in aquariums of 20 gallons or less.
• Residents living with a pet in Landmark Village are required to abide by the Pets Welcome Policy and Agreement.
SERVICE & EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS
• Emotional Support Animals (ESA) differ from service animals. Requests made by students living in residence halls and/or University apartments for ESAs are processed by the Office of Disability Support Services. The process must be completed before an ESA can reside on campus. ESAs who are found to be on-campus prior to approval will need to be boarded, at the owner’s expense, until the process is completed.
• The University of Wyoming is committed to compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and its amendments.
• DSS will work with students on documentation and other requirements. Once approved, DSS will communicate with Housing and Residence Life.
• For ESAs and disability related accommodations, please contact Disability Support Services (DSS) at (307) 766-3073, email at udss@uwyo.edu, or visit their website at www.uwyo.edu/ udss
SMOKING
• Smoking is prohibited within all residence halls, apartments, and dining areas. This includes the use of pipes, cigarettes, hookahs, e-cigarettes, vape pens, and like items.
• Outdoor smoking is permitted at least 20 feet away from entranceway, passageways, operable windows, or ventilation systems.
• Cigarette butts and other smoking-related waste should be disposed of in ash containers provided outside of the buildings.
• The use of smokeless tobacco products is prohibited in the residence halls and apartments.
SOLICITATION & BUSINESS OPERATION
• Solicitation, including the sale of items or services in the residence halls/apartments, is not permitted.
• Students are not permitted to operate a business within their room or apartment. Conducting online business is allowed, as long as UW IT terms of use are upheld.
SPORTS
• Sports activities are not permitted inside the residence halls, apartments, or surrounding areas. This includes, but is not limited to, throwing objects, roughhousing, water fights, and roping.
• Active use of bicycles, skateboards, rollerblades/skates, scooters, or other related equipment is not permitted in, on, or around any facilities. Residents may walk bicycles to their rooms for storage.
• Hoverboards and similar self-balancing personal scooters are not permitted in the residence halls, apartments, or on campus.
• The use of drones or aerial vehicles is prohibited within the residence halls and apartments and surrounding areas without the appropriate permission.
USE OF SPACE
• Residents in double-occupancy residence hall rooms may only use their own side of the room, unless they have purchased the space as a double-as-a-single. Residents in shared apartment accommodations (Bison Run Village or River Village) without a roommate(s) may only utilize their own lease-assigned space.
• If a resident has a concern related to a conflict with a roommate, the resident should contact a Residence Life staff member who will attempt to work with both parties to address the concern. If the concern is not addressed, the resident may request a room/apartment change, which may be granted at the discretion of Housing/Residence Life and may be dependent on available space.
• Room/apartment changes are not automatically granted or guaranteed. Residence Hall changes must be approved by the Residence Coordinator, in cooperation with the Housing Contracts Office. Apartment relocation must be coordinated with the University Apartment professional staff.
• Residence Hall room changes are not permitted during the first two weeks of each semester.
• Changing rooms or trading keys to access another room is not permitted.
DINING CENTER
• Diners must have their WyoOne ID or temporary card with an associated meal plan to access the dining hall; no W#’s can be entered into the register.
• Residential meal plans can only be used by the plan holder. Residential meal plan holders have five guest meals per semester that can be used for guests. Block plan holders may use meals to allow access to guests.
• Shirts, shoes, and appropriate clothing must be worn at all times.
• Dishes and trash must be taken to the designated area when finished dining.
• Diners may take two pieces of fruit or a dessert item when they leave the dining hall. All other food must be consumed within the dining hall unless a student is using the To-Go container program.
• Diners will be provided with a limited number of To-Go Meal swipes per semester. To access these meals, prior to swiping a meal card, the cashier should be alerted that a To-Go meal is going to be used.
• Although residential dining is an all-you-care-to-eat facility, at peak serving hours, diners may be limited in the number of portions they are served at one time to ensure efficient service for all diners. Patrons may always return to the station for additional portions if needed.
WEAPONS
RESIDENCE HALLS:
• Firearms, ammunition, and dangerous weapons to include explosive, paintball gun, airsoft gun, taser or other electronic restraint device, sling-shot, mace or pepper spray container in excess of 1 ounce, knife (blades 3” or longer except in the apartments or for cooking purposes only), precursor for explosives, brass knuckles, blowgun, dart gun, bow, arrow, and martial arts weapons are not permitted in or around the residence halls. This does not include the legal carrying or storing of firearms and ammunition with a valid WY conceal carry permit, pursuant to Wyo. Stat. §6-8-105 and UW Regulation 6-4. Use of any such item, even if legally possessed, in a manner that harms or threatens others is prohibited.
• For concealed carry permit holders, handguns must be secured in a biometric firearms storage container or a lock box within your direct control if it cannot be secured on your person (for example, while you are sleeping, changing, taking a shower, etc.). A firearms storage container or lock box is defined as a locked, hard-sided safe, gun case, or similar secure device designed specifically for storing firearms when not in use. Direct control of a firearm storage container or a lock box refers to the authority and ability to access it, even if it is not in the individual’s immediate physical possession at all times. This means the individual must retain control over the key, combination, or other access mechanisms to ensure that only authorized individuals can open or use the lock box. Additionally, the firearm storage container or lock box must be securely placed and protected to prevent unauthorized access, theft, or misuse, allowing the individual to maintain control and oversight. Firearm storage containers may be bought locally at sporting goods stores or through online retailers. It is your responsibility to procure the appropriate storage container or lock box. More information can be found on the University Campus Carry FAQs.
• Cooking knives with blades exceeding 3 inches in length are permitted only in university specified community kitchens.
• Weapons and associated paraphernalia, as defined above and in the Student Code of Conduct, displayed as decorations, are not permitted.
UW APARTMENTS:
• Explosives are not permitted in or around the UW Apartments.
• Residents who are legally eligible to possess firearms may keep them in their apartments. It is strongly recommended that all firearms be stored in a secure and responsible manner within individual apartments (not in common areas) to help prevent accidents or unauthorized access. Free gun cable locks are available at UWPD and various locations across campus; however, these locks do not meet the storage requirements for concealed carry storage in residence halls. Firearms and bows may also be stored free of charge at UWPD, with 24-hour access. UWPD is unable to store gun cases, ammunition, or other weapons such as swords.
WINDOWS, BALCONIES, & ROOFTOPS
• Hanging, climbing, or attempting to climb on/within buildings is not permitted. Disabling window stops or rivets is prohibited. Balconies and rooftops may not be accessed by residents under any circumstances.
• Throwing, shooting, or dropping any object (including liquids) within or from any building is prohibited.
• Removal of window screens is not permitted.
• The use of window-mounted air conditioners is prohibited.
HEALTH & SAFETY INSPECTIONS
• Resident Life and/or Apartment staff will conduct Health & Safety Inspections once per semester to check all residential facilities and ensure that all policies are being followed. Residents will be notified whether they passed or failed their inspection and will be given proper steps to remedy the violation(s), if applicable.
INCIDENT REPORTS
• If a student is found to be in violation of a policy, an Incident Report (IR) will be submitted by Residence Life staff. Incident Reports contain a narrative about what happened or what policy was violated and a summary of who was involved/their role in the incident.
• Once an IR is submitted, Residence Life staff will review the violation and follow the appropriate procedure for addressing the concern. Incident Reports are used by Residence Life or Dean of Students staff as part of the student conduct process.
CONDUCT PROCEDURES
• When a potential violation of policy occurs, an incident report is submitted, and Residence Life staff follow the same procedures used by the Dean of Students Office in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.
RESOURCES
Housing, Dining & Residence Life
• uwyo.edu/living/
Residence Hall Information
• uwyo.edu/living/housing/
Residence Hall Contract Terms and Conditions
• uwyo.edu/living/housing/residence-halls/housing-contract.html
Apartment Information
• uwyo.edu/living/housing/uw-apartments/
Bison Run Village Lease Agreement
• uwyo.edu/living/housing/uw-apartments/
Landmark Village, Spanish Walk, and River Village Lease Agreement
• uwyo.edu/living/housing/uw-apartments/
University of Wyoming Student Code of Conduct
• uwyo.edu/dos/conduct/
University of Wyoming Regulations & Presidential Directives
• uwyo.edu/regs-policies/
Office of Equal Opportunity Report and Response (EORR)
• uwyo.edu/reportit/eorr/
The University of Wyoming does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, and political belief in any aspect of employment or services. The institution’s educational programs, activities, and services offered to students and/or employees are administered on a nondiscriminatory basis subject to the provisions of all civil rights, laws, and statutes. Evidence of practices that are not consistent with this policy should be reported to Equal Opportunity Report and Response (EORR).