Residence Hall Regulations

As of August 1, 2017, TCU prohibits the use of all Tobacco products and smoking on property owned by TCU. The possession of all tobacco products and electronic delivery devices [e-cigs, vapes, JUULs, e-hookahs, vape pens, and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)], is prohibited in residence halls, regardless of the age of the owner. Persons wishing to use tobacco as part of an established religious ceremony, academic, or research activity may contact the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs to request an exemption for those activities. Failure to comply with or violations of this policy are handled in accordance with applicable University policies and procedures; which may include disciplinary actions.

The full policy may be found at this website:  TCU Tobacco Policy

Occasional overnight guests of the same gender are allowed in your room if they do not create an inconvenience for your roommate or other residents. If your guest will be staying for more than two days, you must obtain approval from your Hall Director. As a general rule, guests are not permitted to remain longer than five days. Regardless of the length of stay, you should inform the hall staff of any guest. You are responsible for your guest observing hall and University regulations, which entail escorting them throughout the building at all times. No sleeping in hallways or lounges is permitted by guests and/or residents.

A “Quiet Hours” rule is in effect in all residence halls Sunday to Thursday from 10:00 p.m. until 10:00 a.m. and 12mindnight to 10:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday.  However, residents are expected to respect the needs of others to sleep or study in the hall at all times. Conversing, listening to radios, stereos, television, and playing of music must be held to a low noise level in all student rooms and hallways.

The only pets that are allowed in university housing are fish. Fish aquariums are not to exceed 10 gallons in capacity. All other pets or animals are prohibited for health purposes. Having an unauthorized pet in University housing will subject the resident to disciplinary action and immediate removal of the pet by the resident or local Animal Control Officer or Humane Society. Any charges made by Animal Control Officers or Humane Society will be the responsibility of the resident. Repeat violations could subject the student to removal from the residence hall. “Visiting” pets are not permitted in University housing.

In most instances, calling TCU Police (817-257-7777) in an emergency is the most appropriate approach.

A fire in a University housing facility can endanger the lives of hundreds of people and destroy thousands of dollars’ worth of property. Fire safety should not be taken for granted. Every member of the campus has a responsibility to help prevent fires. Every student should be aware of potential fire hazards and know proper emergency procedures and phone numbers. The leading fire hazards in University housing facilities include open flames (such as candles), decorations, trash, flammable liquids, halogen lamps, small extension cords, and appliances. False alarms are also one of the greatest hazards. They create a mood of apathy, which leads to slow reactions in the case of a real fire. Please take the necessary precautions to ensure that your room does not have fire hazards. Keep your room as uncluttered as possible. Use your appliances carefully. Report opened fire doors, blocked exits, and accumulated trash to your hall staff.

Your University housing facility is equipped with several fire safety features with which you should be familiar. Fire alarms and smoke detectors are located throughout the building. Know where these are located and how they operate. Every hall has an escape plan for every resident, which will be discussed at your Welcome Meeting during the first week of each semester. A fire drill will be held early in the semester to practice your escape procedures. Fire doors are located throughout the building and should be kept closed at all times. Instructions for what to do in case of a fire will be discussed each semester to familiarize you with procedures to follow in case of a fire.

Emergency situations in University housing can be dangerous to life and property of the residents. Therefore, various precautions are taken to insure that all students know what to do when an emergency situation arises. You are required to participate in ALL evacuation or emergency drills, fire or otherwise. Failure to participate will result in follow-up and possible fine.

Since University housing facilities represent unique communities, everyone shares the responsibility for security of the building and residents. All doors are locked 24 hours a day. You must use your ID card to enter your hall. You should be aware that tampering with the security of a University housing facility, such as propping doors open, affects the safety of all residents and is taken very seriously. Phones are provided at the front entrance of each residence hall to enable visitors to call the resident they are visiting. Do not allow anyone to enter University housing with you unless you know them personally.

TCU shares many of the same concerns as other urban institutions. Students should take precautions to assure protection of their person and property. It is your responsibility to protect yourself and your possessions in your room. Remember to lock your door and windows when you leave, even if only for a short time.

Whenever a fire alarm sounds, normal evacuation procedures must be followed. All occupants are required to leave the building and may not return until permitted by TCU Police or fire officials. A complete floor-by-floor, room-by-room check will be made of the building by Housing & Residence Life or Fraternity and Sorority Life Staff, TCU Police and/or fire officials whenever possible. Occupants must remain outside the building during this check.

Remember that smoke, not heat or flames, is the major cause of casualties in University housing facility fires. Know these procedures in the case of an evacuation:

1. Leave the building immediately upon hearing the fire alarm sound. Under normal conditions, all students are expected to evacuate from University housing facilities in less than 3 minutes. All occupants must leave the building and may not return unless told to do so by Texas Christian University Police officers or fire officials.
2. Learn the locations of all exits nearest to your room. Do not assume your regular exit is closest or safest. If possible, wear shoes and dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
3. When you leave your room, close the door.
4. If smoke is present, crawl low to the floor or stay in your room.
5. Only use stairways; never use an elevator.
6. Warn fellow neighbors by knocking on doors as you quickly make your way to the nearest exit. Once outside, go to the building collection area at least 150 feet away from the building.
7. If you cannot leave your room for any reason:
   • block all openings with wet towels
   • call TCU Police (817-257-7777) or 911 and advise the dispatcher of your location
   • stay close to the window holding a wet towel to your face;
   • do not open the windows except to alert rescue personnel by hanging a white sheet or cloth out the windows

No salespersons, student or otherwise, are permitted to contact residents personally in the halls for commercial purposes. If a vendor bothers you, please notify the hall office and your hall staff at once. Campus organizations are permitted to sell in the hall lobbies with approval of the Hall Director, but they may not contact residents individually on a room-to-room basis. Use of the intercom to advertise such activities are not permitted. Recruitment by any campus organization is prohibited in the residence halls. All flyers or announcements by approved campus organizations must be brought to Housing & Residence Life (ground floor of Pamela and Edward Clark Hall) or the Fraternity and Sorority Life Office (King Family Commons) for distribution in University housing. No business enterprises may be operated from a residential room.

If you notice someone in your hall that does not belong, is behaving in a suspicious manner, or both, please contact TCU Police immediately (817-257-7777) and a hall staff member. Do not confront the person yourself.

Texas is subject to tornadoes, particularly (though not exclusively) from March through September. The University has designated shelter areas on campus and has educated staff on appropriate procedures. Each housing office is equipped with emergency weather service radio equipment. Your Hall Director will explain the tornado alert signal and will direct you to the designated shelter in your hall in the event of a tornado sighting. When the tornado alert signal sounds, you should:

1. Move quickly and quietly to the designated area without running or talking.
2. Keep calm and listen for instructions.
3. Take one of the following positions:
   1. sitting with head between knees and hands covering head, or
   2. kneeling with hands covering head.
   3. Stay in the designated area until the official “clear” is given.