Infraction levels

Our approach to discipline in residence at Brock is designed to address unacceptable behaviour in a systematic, progressive manner (i.e. consequences become more severe for repeated or more serious misconduct). We also recognize that intent, impact, and extenuating circumstances may be contributing factors in some situations. As such, some types of behaviour may fall within more than one level.

Infraction levels

Level One Infractions:

(1-2 points) Behaviour by an individual(s) that interferes with the rights of another individual(s) to the peaceful use and enjoyment of their space in residence.

Level Two Infractions:

(2-3 points) Behaviour by an individual(s) that creates a significant nuisance and/or disturbance to an individual(s) or community.

Level Three Infractions:

(3-4 points) Behaviour by an individual(s) which: endangers the safety and security of themselves or another individual(s); and/or compromises personal or university property; and/or attacks the dignity/integrity of an individual(s); and/or breaks the laws of the land.

Administrative Infractions:

Administrative infractions (points based on severity of infraction) are related to how you use your assigned space in residence, and whether you abide by the terms of the Residence Agreement. These typically involve misuse or loss of university property and often include charges that will be billed to your student account. Examples of Administrative Infractions include but are not limited to: damages, commercial use of residence space, lost keys, and subletting. Each of these infractions is described in the Residence Administration and Facilities section of Infraction Categories.

Sanctions for infractions range from a verbal warning to eviction from residence. Please refer to the end of this page for a complete list of possible sanctions.

Note: It should be noted that the possibility of residence disciplinary action does not preclude referral to other disciplinary systems including the Student Code of Conduct or remedies that may be available through the legal system. Expulsion from the University may occur in extreme cases.

Typical Range of Sanctions

Number of accumulated** pointsRange of sanctions applied at point level
0 to 2*Verbal and/or Written Warning
2 to 4*Loss of Privileges and/or Probation
4 to 6*Probation to suspension
6 or more*Suspension to eviction from residence

Any Level Three infraction could result in eviction at any time.

*It is important to remember that severity or circumstance surrounding an incident may result in a higher point value than what is listed and, therefore, a heavier sanction may be imposed.

**Accumulated points refers to the TOTAL number of points a student has accumulated from all infractions recorded. This includes points from past disciplinary incidents. In such cases, a low-level infraction receives a more serious sanction if a student has previous disciplinary points on record.

Educational sanctions are used regularly at all point levels and Disciplinary Points will be applied in the majority of cases.

HR = Head Resident

RLC = Residence Life Coordinator

MRL – Manager, Residence Life

  1. Students are provided the opportunity to review the incident report in their scheduled conduct meeting with HR, RLC, or Manager. The conduct meeting is the space for all students involved to individually discuss the incident and to share their perspective on the incident. This allows for the HR, RLC, or Manager to make an informed decision on the outcomes.
  2. Submissions for appeals must be evaluated first for grounds to appeal then, if there are grounds for an appeal, the appeal is considered.  Note: There is a separate process for damage charges.
  3. In general, incidents that occur within residence will be addressed via the Residence Community Standards. Occasionally, cases are referred to the Office of Student Affairs. The reasons for this referral include but are not limited to:
  • The incident and behaviours are significant or severe in nature and place the university community at risk. In these cases, students will often be issued a temporary residence sanction until such time as the incident is addressed via the Student Code of Conduct.
  • There is insufficient time to appropriately adjudicate the case (e.g. at the end of the residence contract). In particular, for the months of December and April, the process of reviewing Incident Reports in advance of discipline meetings will be suspended in the interest of timely decision making. As a large number of students move home to study, any incidents occurring on or after December 1 and April 1 will be expedited so that decisions may be made prior to students departure at the end of exams. Any incident that is not able to be addressed prior to the end of April will be addressed with a residence ban for the following year or referred to the Office of Student Affairs to be addressed via the Student Code of Conduct.

Infraction categories

Infractions are grouped into four categories: Community respect and accountability; Safety; Alcohol, drugs and gambling; and Residence administration and facilities. Within each category, individual infractions are described and have a typical infraction level shown in brackets. Students should note that the specific infractions listed are not an all-inclusive nor exhaustive list, and disciplinary action may be taken in response to any behaviour which meets the levels defined in “Infraction Levels”.

Community Respect and Accountability

The residence community is a unique environment, one in which approximately 2,800 students live together in close proximity while they study, sleep, and socialize. Respect for our community space and those who live in it, as well as accountability for our actions, are central to creating an environment that meets everyone’s needs while enriching the Brock experience.

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is typically repetitive, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. All forms of bullying are not tolerated on our campus. Messages seeking to harm, intimidate or coerce sent to or about a person through technological means (e.g. text, social media, etc.) are not permitted under this standard.

Residents and guests are expected to co-operate with all Brock University staff members, including but not limited to: Residence Life Staff, Residence Facilities Staff, Service Desk Staff, Custodians and Campus Safety Services Staff, and any/all Housing Services staff. Infractions include but are not limited to:

  • Failing to reply to communications (e.g. voicemails, emails, etc.) sent by Brock Residence Staff within three (3) business days.
  • Lying to staff, misleading staff, failing to provide identification when requested, providing false identification, or otherwise failing to co-operate.
  • Obstructing or interfering with any investigation.
  • Failing to comply with a reasonable request of any university staff member.
  • Acting in an offensive, inappropriate or hostile manner toward staff.
  • Violating the terms of a behavioural contract or sanction.
  • Failing to report a violation of the Residence Community Standards(RCS).
  • Avoiding or refusing to comply with meeting requests. Students who fail to respond to repeated meeting requests risk having their residence room lock disabled (at the student’s expense) until such time the student appears for a meeting.

Every individual has the right to an environment that, while safeguarding dissent, is free from interference and disruption. Every individual has the responsibility to not intimidate, interfere with, threaten or otherwise obstruct any activity organized by the University, including classes, or to hinder other members of the University community from being able to carry out their legitimate activities, including their ability to speak or associate with others. The laws of the land (municipal, regional, provincial and federal) will apply in residence at all times. This includes, but is not limited to any conduct or activity which is deemed to be inappropriate by peers, Housing Services staff and the Residence Life staff.

Any non-resident of Brock Residences is considered a guest. Students must accompany any visitors (guests and/or fellow residents from other areas) at all times. Students may only have guests for six(6) nights per month, with no more than two(2) guests on any occasion (i.e. do not invite groups of more than two(2) to visit residence after 11pm or overnight at any one time). Guests may not visit for more than three(3) nights in a row. In the event of an extenuating circumstance, students may ask for permission from the Residence Life Coordinator to have a guest for more nights than indicated above. Students must be considerate of other students who share their living space while having guests and let their roommate/unitmates know when they will be hosting a guest. Guests must sleep in their hosts assigned living space and not in lounges or other common spaces. Students may not give their keys to a visitor or a guest. Guests may be restricted from and/or banned from residence at the discretion of the Manager, Residence Life. Please review the Overnight Guest Request page on our website for additional details.

Arrival and movement of guests: Guests must be met by their residence host at the front entrance of the host’s residence (rather than inappropriately entering and wandering through residence in search of their host). Guests must be accompanied by their residence student host, and have their wristband on at all times during their visit. Housing Services reserves the right to remove a guest or revoke a students’ guest privilege.

Additional Guest Guidelines

No guests are allowed during the following times:

  • Welcome Week – There will be a no guest policy in effect during the first week of September, August 31 until and including September 8.
  • First Week of Second Term – There will be a no guest policy in effect during the first week back in January, January 5 until and including January 12
  • St. Patrick’s Day – There will be a no guest policy in effect from the Thursday preceding St. Patrick’s Day until after St. Patrick’s Day, March 13 until and including March 17
  • Exams -There is a no guest policy in effect while exams are written, December 7 until and including December 20; April 9 until and including April 25

Wristbands: All residence students will be issued a wristband for Welcome Week which will act as identification and for the purposes of admission to Welcome Week events. Students must wear their wristband for the entire week, students who remove their wristband will be responsible for paying for a new wristband.

Sign-in of guests: As soon as your guest arrives, please bring them to your Service Desk so they can verify guest identification and provide a guest wristband authorizing your guest to be in residence. Print or keep a copy of the email confirmation for verification purposes if request by Brock staff. There is no charge to sign a guest in, and for the safety of everyone in the residence community, non-registered guests (i.e. guests who are found without wristbands) will be asked to leave residence and/or escorted from campus.

Sign-in Procedure and ID requirements: You and your guest must visit the North, East or South Service Desk TOGETHER to complete the sign-in process. To do so, you will need your Brock Student ID card, and your guest must present government-issued photo identification bearing the guest’s date of birth (i.e. driver’s license, passport). If a guest does not provide identification with a date of birth, the guest will be provided with a wristband indicating they are under the age of 19. Housing Services reserves the right to deny guests entry that do not have any form of identification. Both you and your guest may be asked to present additional identification if there is any question as to your identity or authenticity of your identification. Each guest will be fitted with a guest wristband (which must be kept on and visible at all times) which permits them to be in residence provided they behave in accordance with residence rules. Students may not sign in guests on behalf of other students. This includes students who already have two guests signed in or students who have had guest privileges suspended or revoked, as well as for those who have been banned from entering residence buildings. Housing Services reserve the right to deny guests based on past behaviour.

Guest behavioural expectations: Residents are held responsible for guest behaviour (regardless of whether or not they have signed in their guest), and are responsible for informing their guests of residence rules and policies. In the event that guests are disruptive, cause damages, or conduct themselves inappropriately, they may be asked to leave (escorted by Campus Safety Services or Niagara Regional Police if necessary), and and incident report will be filed. The residence student host may be billed for any damage caused by the guest(s), and may be sanctioned for the guest(s) behaviour.  If, after your guest(s) arrival, you are concerned that your guest(s) may become disruptive, it is important that you instruct your guests to leave before problems arise and escort them out of the residence. We would also recommend that you notify your Service Desk regarding their departure from residence. Any guest who is disruptive may be subject to a fine under a Brock Offense Notice or a Provincial Offense Notice through Campus Safety Services and a campus ban. Residence students will be responsible for their guests’ behaviour regardless of where they are on campus at the time of an incident. Guests who are also Brock students may have their behaviour documented by Campus Safety Services and face consequences under the Student Code of Conduct.

Uninvited/unexpected guests: In the event that an uninvited/unexpected guest(s) show up to visit you, you are still required to sign them in as outlined above. If you are not comfortable hosting a particular uninvited/unexpected guest(s), you should not permit them to enter residence, and you must advise a residence staff member or Campus Safety Services immediately of the persons presence. If you permit uninvited/unexpected guest(s) to enter residence, you are responsible for their behaviour whether or not you sign them in as a guest.

Exam Periods: During the December and April exam periods, only Brock students are permitted as guests and only for the purposes of studying up until 11pm: after 11pm only Brock RESIDENCE students will be permitted as visitors. During exams, non-Brock guests are prohibited to ensure that we are providing a quiet environment conducive to study, while still permitting residence students to study in residence with one or two off-campus classmates up to 11:00pm.

Residents: Residents are held accountable for their behaviour regardless of their location in residence and are not required to sign into other residence buildings. Should there be evidence of unacceptable behaviour on the part of a resident, a restriction from a building or area of residence/campus may be put in place. Residents may be asked to leave a building or area of residence at the discretion of the staff member involved.

Every individual has the right to an environment characterized by equal opportunity and equitable access to University goods and services. Every individual has the responsibility to treat all members of the University community without discrimination. Discrimination is defined as any conduct that results in adverse treatment of an individual or group on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed/religion, sex, sexual orientation, disability, age, marital status, record of offence, gender identity or receipt of public assistance.

Harassment is defined as repeated vexatious comments or conduct in relation to a person or group of persons, which is know or should be known to be unwelcome, which has the effect or purpose of creating a hostile or intimidating living, working or educational environment. This includes any attention or conduct by an individual or group who knows, or ought reasonably to know, that such attention or conduct is unwelcome, unwanted, offensive, or intimidating. Harassment based on a person’s race, culture, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender, age, abilities or appearance will not be tolerated. Harassing messages sent to a person or written about a person through technological means are prohibited. These technological means may include but are not limited to, text messages, social media, and blogging are also not permitted under this policy.  Harassment of a sexual nature is addressed under the section on Sexual Violence.

Please refer to Brock’s Respectful Working and Learning Environment Policy for additional information.

Residents are to be mindful of the disturbing effect of their noise on others and at all times to respect the reasonable requests of others to cease making noise at any time, whether or not the request is made by the student directly, or through Residence Life Staff or other Brock staff. This includes, but is not limited to, the volume of any type of speakers, stereos, amplifiers, subwoofers, a person’s voice and musical instruments. The Residence Life Staff, Housing Services Staff and Campus Safety Services Staff will be responsible for determine acceptable noise levels and students may be directed to reduce noise levels at any time of the day.

In addition to being considerate at all times, quiet hours are those times during which residents are prohibited from making noise that can be heard outside of their unit or room; or which may disturb the resident’s roommate in any way (if applicable); or which can be heard outside the residence building and may disturb a resident inside the building.

Respect hours are:
In effect 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Quiet hours are:
Sunday to Thursday, 11 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Friday and Saturday, 1 a.m. (Sat/Sun) to 8 a.m.

Extended quiet hours are implemented during December and April exam periods. Starting on the last day of classes, quiet hours are extended to 22 hours daily with only two hours for less quiet activities from 7 to 9 p.m., Sunday through Friday, and Saturday 9 to 11 p.m. Noise should not be excessive during these times.

Physical aggression, violence and threats of violence are not tolerated in residence. Physical aggression and violence can include, but are not limited to: pushing; pulling; slapping; biting; kicking; hitting; fighting; punching and posting or uttering threats. Students involved in acts or threats of physical aggression will face consequences regardless of who initiated the aggressive behaviour. Students who witness a fight or have been threatened are to call Campus Safety Services immediately (x3200).

Posting or displaying pornographic materials, photos, images and/or graffiti, including by electronic means in public areas including, but not limited to, hallways, common rooms, lobbies, stairwells, bathrooms, exterior of room doors, living rooms, kitchens or windows, or any interior area of a room that can be seen from an open door or window is prohibited (in accordance with the Criminal Code of Canada, Section 163), as is use of computers or network infrastructure to display or distribute such material. Refer also to the University’s Respectful Work and Learning Environment policy and guidelines for appropriate academic computer use.

As per federal and provincial laws, taking someone else’s property, including University and/or municipal property, without permission is not permitted even if the property is left unattended. Students are responsible for keeping their rooms/units locked and carrying their keys and student cards with them at all times. In the event of a theft, please contact Campus Safety Services directly at x3200.

Initiating, encouraging, supporting, responding in kind, retaliating or participating in raids and/or pranks that are disruptive, offensive, damaging to property, make a mess, are hostile to residents and/or staff are prohibited. These raids/pranks include, but are not limited to, water fights, leaners, prank phone calls, locking people in/out of rooms, removing/relocating personal or university property, etc.

As per Federal and Provincial Laws, sexual violence is not tolerated in residence. Sexual violence is defined as any violence, physical or psychological, carried out through sexual means or by targeting sexuality. If you, or someone you know, experiences sexual violence, please contact a member of the Residence Life Staff (via the Service Desk ext. 3220 or 4311), the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services (ext. 6174) or Campus Safety Services (ext. 3200) immediately.

All incidents of sexual violence will be addressed through the Sexual Assault and Harassment Policy which is administered through the Office of Human Rights and Equity Services.

Safety

Residents, guests, and staff are expected to exercise care and good judgment regarding their own personal safety and the safety of others. Students may be in violation of the Residence Safety Standards if they cause an unsafe situation for other students including, but not limited to, propping open exterior doors or tampering with light bulbs, fixtures or switches in hallways, stairwells or elevators.

Please note: Any level 3 infractions of the safety standards will result in a charge of $75 for “Tampering with Life Safety Equipment” plus any applicable repair or replacement costs.

Students are expected to ensure that their living environment is safe and free from life safety hazards. This includes not overloading plugs, using CSA approved power bars and extension cords, using the approved appliances only in approved locations, ensuring that items such as curling irons or hair straighteners are unplugged when not in use and reporting non-functioning life safety devices (e.g. alarm, extinguisher, door closer). Propping fire doors, and propping bedroom doors in Vallee, Earp, Res 8 or Lowenberger while not in the room and attaching, covering or hanging items from any fire safety/detection equipment or the wiring/conduit leading to it is prohibited.

Candles, incense, or wax/oil lamps are not permitted in any residence. This includes lighting/burning as well as possession. Any student required to light or burn candles/incense based on religious grounds must seek and receive prior written permission from their Residence Life Coordinator. Students are permitted to have lava lamps in residence provided that they are CSA compliant. Lamps should be turned off when students are not in the room.

Discharging fire equipment, interfering with the normal operation (e.g. covering, removing wires or batteries), tampering with or using any fire prevention or detection equipment for purposes other than the control of fire is prohibited. This includes but is not limited to tampering with:

  • Fire extinguishers (including removing pull pins or plastic ties holding the pull pin in place and/or discharging fire extinguishers)
  • Automatic door closers for bedrooms and common spaces
  • Exit signs
  • Fire hoses
  • Smoke, heat, and carbon monoxide detectors
  • Microwave sensors

Using and/or storing propane tanks (either empty or full) indoors, or any appliance requiring combustible fuel (including fondue sets) is not permitted in any residence. Barbecues are only permitted to be used at Quarry View and Village residences, and must be stored and used at least 10 metres from the building for fire safety purposes and must be removed prior to November 1st. Any barbecues found in disrepair or in close proximity to a unit will be removed at the units/owners’ expense.

Information about fire alarm systems will be communicated to students in person and electronically.  Please review this information regularly and ensure you are aware of the appropriate procedures.

Traditional and Semi-Suite Style Residences: Students are required to evacuate residence from the closest exit that will take them directly out of the building and meet with other students from their community in their designated meeting place for all fire alarms except the posted monthly fire alarm test.

Village Residence: If a carbon monoxide and/or smoke detector goes off, residents are to evacuate the area in alarm immediately (may be the individual unit, a cluster of units or the entire court) and meet with other students from the affected area in the designated meeting place for all fire alarms except the posted monthly fire alarm test.

Quarry View Residence: If a carbon monoxide and/or smoke detector goes off, residents are to evacuate the unit immediately and meet with other students from the affected area in the designated meeting place for all fire alarms. Students should call the Service Desk (x3220) so that the appropriate emergency personnel can respond.

Nuisance Alarms: Students are expected to avoid behaviours that may trigger a fire alarm in non-emergency situations. These behaviours may include but are not limited to: leaving cooking appliances unattended, spraying mists near a detector (e.g. perfume, body spray, hair spray, Febreze), vaping/smoking indoors, using hair drying/straightening/steaming appliances beneath a detector and/or striking/tampering with a detector.

Re-Entry: There is no re-entry to any building until the all clear is given by the Fire Department/Campus Safety Services/RLS.

Fire Drills: The University is required to conduct at least one fire drill annually. During a fire drill, we are required to enter each bedroom to ensure all residents have evacuated the building. Any infractions of the RCS noted at this time will be documented and addressed.

Students who fail to comply with fire alarm procedures, activate a nuisance alarm or tamper with fire safety equipment will be subject to a charge from Brock University, a charge from the St. Catharines Fire Department and/or other disciplinary measures.  For 2022, the charge from the St. Catharines Fire Department for a nuisance alarm is $1431.  Additionally, the Brock University charge for nuisance alarms is $350.

Gaining access or exiting by forcing a lock, accessing any residence space through windows, balconies, or utility hatches, or entering without permission is prohibited. For safety reasons, all utility hatches, tunnels, rooftops, balconies, attics and unoccupied basements are strictly off-limits to residents. Charges will apply should repairs be required. Please see the standard regarding Restricted Areas.

Students are required to carry their Brock ID and assigned residence keys. Lost or found keys should be reported immediately to a residence Service Desk for your safety and the safety of those around you. Charges for replacement keys, lock changes and/or reprogramming are billed to your student account. Loaning any residence key or swipe card to anyone is prohibited. Students are not permitted to copy their residence keys or cards. Students who need to sign out their temporary access key or card from one of the Service Desks are subject to sign out costs as outlined on your key card at check in. Misuse or abuse of the sign out process will result in having the sign out privileges suspended.

Open doors are not permitted in residence. Leaving a door unlocked or granting open access to one’s space will not be accepted as an excuse for any damage or infraction that occurs in a student’s space. Students are required to keep doors closed and secured while they are not present, including basement back doors in DeCew, townhouse unit front doors, fire doors in Quarry View, bedroom doors in traditional and semi-suite style residences, front doors to residence areas, hallway doors and fire exits. Staff are required to lock doors upon their exit/departure from any room or unit regardless if they were unlocked upon arrival.

View the Allowable Appliances and the Allowable Furnishing information for more details.

Students are permitted to bring or rent one small, compact sized refrigerator with no separate freezer compartments (maximum size of 5 cubic feet) to all residences. Housing Services reserves the right to inspect any permitted appliances for safety reasons and ask for them to be removed based on their age and/or condition.

Space heaters are not permitted in any residence, this includes fans with a heater function (unless provided by Housing Services due to maintenance issues). Non-Brock issued space heaters will be confiscated if found. Please see the guideline for Confiscated Items for more information.

Traditional and Semi-Suite Style Residences: A history of problems, including fire alarms, associated with students cooking and using other appliances in residence bedrooms and lounges has resulted in restrictions on the appliances that residents of DeCew, Vallee, Earp, Res 8 and Lowenberger may bring to residence. DeCew, Vallee, Earp, Res 8 and Lowenberger students are not permitted to bring their own cooking/food preparation appliances (including freezers) into the traditional/semi-suite style residences. This includes but is not limited to coffeemakers and blenders. Basic appliances (microwaves and kettles) are provided for student use in many common areas.

Townhouse Style Residences: Village and Quarry View residents must store and use cooking appliances only in kitchens/kitchenettes. One small freezer (maximum size of 7 cubic feet) is permitted per townhouse and only in the kitchen, front vestibule or storage area on non-carpeted surfaces.

In all cases, residents are advised to exercise care and good judgment in the use of permitted appliances, and should never leave any cooking appliance unattended while it is operating.

Activities that are potentially destructive, disruptive and/or may cause physical injury or property damage are not permitted in residence common spaces including but not limited to; lobbies, lounges, halls, courts, elevators or in areas directly adjacent to the residence halls including parking lots. These activities include, but are not limited to: nerf gun and water gun fights, sports (e.g. football, soccer, hockey, baseball, mini sticks, lacrosse, etc.), snowball fights and/or the indoor use of inline skates, bicycles, frisbees, longboards and skateboards. Please refer to Appendix F of your handbook for a map of the areas where physically active games are permitted outside the residence halls.

Students are expected to comply with public health requirements set forth by the university and other relevant bodies (local and provincial public health units).

Students are prohibited from being in or on any restricted areas. These include, but are not limited to: the roof of any residence, Village unit basements and attics, Quarry View utility rooms and attics, Lowenberger basement, University tunnels,window ledges, and balconies. Should students find that the access to a restricted area is opened or unlocked, this does not grant permission to that area, and they are asked to report the security breach to the Service Desk immediately. This includes the residence dining halls outside of normal operating hours and another person’s room when they are not there.

Sleeping is prohibited in public areas of residence including but not limited to all lounges, lobbies and hallways.

Smoking/vaping of any substance is not permitted in any buildings at Brock University, including residences. Additionally, as per the university’s Smoking & Vaping Policy, smoking and or vaping cannot occur within 5-meters of any campus building entrances, which includes entrances to residence buildings such as exterior stairwell doors in DeCew, unit front doors or front stoops of Village and Quarry View units, and at the front or back entrances of Vallee, Earp, Res 8 and Lowenberger Residences.

Smoking/vaping of tobacco and/or flavoured vape liquid is acceptable in designated areas only, which will be located 5-meters from any building entrance and 9-meteres away from air intake vents, loading docks and flammable & combustible liquids; please refer to Appendix E of your handbook for a map of the designated smoking areas on campus.

In accordance with campus policy, smoking/vaping of cannabis is not permitted in any designated smoking area or anywhere on campus.

Hookahs, shisha, e-cigaretttes, vapourizers and similar smoking devices are not permitted for use in residence and as a result will be confiscated upon evidence of inappropriate use. Any student wishing to possess or use a hookah for cultural purposes must seek and receive prior written permission from their Residence Life Coordinator.

Please refer to the Cleaning Charges for Smoking in Residence for possible additional cleaning costs associated with violating the residence smoking standard.

Throwing, dropping, or ejecting objects or material from residence buildings, out of windows, roofs, or down stairwells is prohibited. Throwing anything at residence buildings is also prohibited. Throwing items and/or food in the residence dining halls is also prohibited. Items lost on any residence roof/balcony must be retrieved by the appropriate University staff member with any related costs incurred by the student.

The use and/or possession of firearms, knives, ammunition, items intended to resemble firearms, simulated weapons, fireworks or other explosive/flammable devices and any other weapon or item that is created/intended/used to cause harm or could be seen as intimidating are strictly prohibited. Students are permitted to have standard kitchen knives and small pocket knives. Air pellet guns and paintball guns are prohibited by this standard. Students who may require a sword/knife for any reason must seek and receive prior written permission from the Residence Life Coordinator to be able to store it in residence.

Alcohol, Drugs, and Gambling

Along with our educative and developmental goals as part of the broader university community, Housing Services works diligently to uphold Federal, Provincial, Regional and Municipal laws, as well as university and residence policies and community standards. We are committed to fostering an environment of responsible (and lawful) choices with regard to alcohol, drugs, and gambling, and engaging community members in alleviating associated problems if and when they arise.

Displaying items in residence that glorify the consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Beer can walls, beer case displays (more than 5 panels), and displays of alcohol and/or beer bottles or any other large collection of recyclables (more than 5 cans and/or bottles per person in a public area) are not to be kept in student living spaces and must be removed. This includes playing drinking games that do not involve alcohol and the possession of alcohol paraphernalia (e.g. funnel, beer pong table).

 

Beer in any colour of glass bottle, along with any other beer type beverage (e.g. malt liquor) in glass bottles, is not permitted in residence.

Students are not permitted to grow or possess cannabis plants in residence. Housing Services reserves the right to confiscate and destroy any cannabis plants found in residence.

Students who have reached legal age in Ontario (19 years) may possess up to 30 grams of dried leaf cannabis or the equivalent amount of legally-available cannabis product(s), stored in a sealed, scent-proof container. Students possessing more than 30 grams will be addressed through the Distribution of Controlled Substances standard. Student requiring medical cannabis should notify their Residence Life Coordinator to ensure proper procedures are followed.

The distribution of controlled substances is prohibited in the residence community. This standard also prohibits the distribution of drugs,tobacco or alcohol to underage students and the distribution of prescription or non-prescription drugs.

Students found trafficking controlled substances (exchanging substances in any amount for money and/or property) in residence will be evicted and their case will be forwarded to the Office of Student Affairs.

The possession of drug paraphernalia in residence is prohibited and Housing Services reserves the right to confiscate drug-related paraphernalia. This includes but is not limited to: bongs, pipes, rolling papers, grinders and vaporizers or any items deemed to be associated with use of drugs in residence.

Students in residence are prohibited from being involved with the possession, use, and consumption of illegal drugs in the residence community. This includes evidence that a student has used (e.g. returns to residence under the influence of drugs) drugs elsewhere.

Please note that students found to be using or in possession of such substances in the residence community will be, at a minimum, suspended from residence on the first offence.

Students in residence are prohibited from misusing alcohol and drugs in residence. This may include, but is not limited to, the possession, use, and consumption of prescription drugs by a student that they were not prescribed to, and/or the use of non-prescription drugs for recreational purposes in the residence community.

Please note that students found to be misusing substances in the residence community may be suspended from residence on the first offence.

Participating in and/or running an illegal gaming or gambling operation is prohibited. Games of skill or chance (e.g. Poker, Sports Pools) where money and/or property changes hands are prohibited under this standard.

Participating in “drinking games” (including but not limited to: flip cup, beer pong, century club, and kings club), and/or participating in activities or games where drinking is a consequence, within residence is prohibited.

Possession and/or consumption of “common source” alcohol (e.g. Kegs, “bubbas”, Jell-O shooters, Texas Mickeys, other large containers of alcohol) is prohibited. Large containers of alcohol are defined as 16oz or 501mL of beer/50oz or 1475 mL hard liquor/1.75L of wine/16oz or 501mL of pre-mixed alcoholic beverage (cooler). Home brewing or wine making equipment is also prohibited.

Please note: Housing Services reserves the right to confiscate alcohol-related paraphernalia (e.g. funnels) deemed to be associated with mass consumption of alcohol or its glorification in residence.

Consuming alcohol or cannabis to the point of extreme intoxication, where a student becomes a burden on staff or friends, or is a danger to themselves and/or the community is prohibited.

It is against Provincial Legislation to be intoxicated or possess open alcohol (e.g. alcohol that has be transferred from the original container or with an open seal) in a public place. Alcohol may not be consumed in public areas (including but not limited to: main hallways/corridors, stairwells, elevators, lobbies, foyers, courtyards in Village Residence, front stoops of Quarry View Residence, public lounges, parking lots and Residence Dining Halls). Students found to be in violation may also be subject to a Provincial Offense Notice or Brock Offense Notice from Campus Safety Services. Students who attempt to hide evidence via dumping or “chugging” alcohol may face additional sanctions.

Cannabis may not be consumed, stored or used in public areas or any prescribed area (including but not limited to: hallways/corridors, stairwells, elevators, lobbies, foyers, courtyards and common areas/kitchens in Village Residence, front stoops and common areas of Quarry View Residence, public and House/Hall lounges, parking lots and Residence Dining Halls). This includes the use of cannabis in baking or food preparation to produce edible cannabis products.
Students found to be in violation may also be subject to a Provincial Offense Notice or Brock Offense Notice from Campus Safety Services. Students who attempt to hide evidence may face additional sanctions in accordance with the standard relating to cooperation with staff.

Residence buildings have designated cannabis or substance free areas (e.g. floors, units, houses). Students living in cannabis free areas, including their guests and visitors, are not permitted to possess and/or consume cannabis in the designated areas. Students living in substance free areas, including their guests and visitors, are not permitted to possess and/or consume alcohol or cannabis in the designated areas.

Federal and Provincial cannabis laws are to be obeyed at all times. Underage use or possession is not permitted in residence. Cannabis products may only be possessed and used by those students who have reached legal age (19 years). Students may be found in violation of this standard when the evidence demonstrates that a student has used cannabis illegally/inappropriately. This includes being under the influence of or possessing cannabis while underage.

Federal and provincial alcohol laws are to be obeyed at all times. Alcohol may only be consumed by those students who have reached the legal drinking age (19 years), in private areas of residence (rooms, private lounges, and private hallways). Underage drinking is not permitted in residence. Students may be found in violation of this law when the evidence demonstrates that a student has used, is about to use or will use alcohol illegally/inappropriately in the future. This includes being under the influence of or possessing alcohol. Students who provide alcohol to those who are under the legal drinking age will also be held accountable.

Residence Administration and Facilities

Housing Services strives to provide residents with space that is clean and well-maintained, while minimizing the impact of damage or misuse of space on residence fees. As such, every effort is made to assign financial and disciplinary accountability for damage and other improper use of residence facilities to the individual or individuals responsible. Upon check-in, students will find a copy of an inventory and condition report completed by Housing Services Staff prior to their arrival. Students must note any discrepancies to their respective Service Desk prior to the end of Welcome Week or they will be held accountable for damages and/or missing items upon move out. Please refer to the residence handbook for more information. When a student receives a facilities charge, the details of that charge will be emailed to the student’s Brock account at the time that the charge is placed on their student financial account.

Regular inspections of rooms and units will occur to make sure they are kept in a reasonable condition and that the fire and life safety equipment is working properly. Students will be notified if special entrance is required for non-emergency maintenance. No notice will be given for emergency maintenance, monthly detector testing, fire extinguisher checks or for requested maintenance.

Please note: Students cannot refuse entrance to units for maintenance, detector testing, fire extinguisher checks, emergencies or cleanliness and move out inspections.  Staff are required to present identification.  Please contact the Service Desk if you have questions about work being performed in your room/unit.

In accordance with AODA, any individual can be accompanied by a service animal in the public areas of residence provided they can be readily identified or they carry documentation to confirm the animal is a service animal. Animals are not allowed in private areas of residence (not even as visitors) with the following exceptions.

  • Non-dangerous fish in aquariums no larger than 5 gallons
  • Emotional support animals, if approved under the Residence Emotional Support Animal Procedure
  • Service Animals, if approved under the Service Animals on Campus Procedure

Please note: We recommend that students requiring an emotional support animal or service animal complete the registration process at least two(2) months prior to their anticipated residence move-in date as the process can take some time to complete. Should the need for and emotional support animal or service animal arise while a student is residing with us the student should initiate the process as soon as possible once the need is identified as the process can take longer than one(1) month depending on the circumstances.

Students may be charged if the contents of their room and/or common spaces are damaged or missing. An administrative fee may apply depending on the situation.

Damage charges are typically levied as follows:

  • damages in single student rooms are billed to the occupant of the room
  • damages in double rooms are billed equally to both occupants of the room
  • damages in common spaces inside townhouse units are billed equally to all occupants of that townhouse
  • damages in other residence common spaces are billed to all students with access to that common space (e.g. floor, lounge, bathroom, living room)

Exceptions – damages may be billed differently than above in the event that:

  • the person(s) responsible for the damage come(s) forward
  • investigation by Housing Services determines the individual(s) responsible

If individual responsibility can be established, the responsible person(s) will be billed accordingly. In the event that common area damages are not reported, or are found during periodic inspections or at check-out time, they will be billed equally to all residents who share the space. Investigations of damages caused cannot be requested or initiated after students have left residence. Please see the Appeals section for information on how to appeal a damage charge.

Residence rooms and units are subject to regular inspection by Housing Facilities Staff (typically townhouses are inspected five times a year, traditional and semi-suite residences are inspected four times a year). Students are expected to keep shared living areas and the exterior of their room/unit doors clean and adhere to the proper removal of garbage and/or recycling. Food is to be stored in appropriate containers to avoid odour, pests, and contamination. Garbage and recyclables are not to be left outside of a room or unit and must be taken by the student to the appropriate bin or dumpster for disposal.

Students who violate the cleanliness standards during an inspection will receive the standard points and sanctions for the violation. Please refer to the Residence Cleanliness Standards for details on possible consequences of a failed inspection.

The use of your residence room, residence and/or university services for any commercial purpose is prohibited including, but not limited to your: mailbox, communal telephone, data connections, and common spaces. Exceptions may be made for students in Living Learning Communities (LLC) as long as they adhere to the mandate of the given LLC, follow the policies set out for the LLC and any such venture receives prior written permission from the Residence Life Coordinator.

A consolidated single is a double room with only one occupant where the occupant pays an additional fee to use the entire room. Students may be offered the option of a consolidated single if space permits. Unless an offer is made to a student, students are not permitted to use the entire room. If a student does not accept the offer of a consolidated single and the associated charges, they are not permitted to use the entire room and must keep their items on their side of the room only. In addition, students who do not accept the option of a consolidated single may be assigned a new roommate or be moved to another double room. Please refer to the Consolidated Singles process for more information.

There are specific dates students are permitted to be in residence. Failure to comply with these dates will result in a financial charge and/or administrative sanctions. Please refer to the Residence Agreement for the 2023-2024 contractual dates.

Housing Services understands that decorating is important in making your room and unit feel like home. In order to maintain our facilities and comply with fire code, there are specific guidelines associated with decorating your space. Additionally, Housing Services reserves the right to remove objectionable, inappropriate or unsafe materials even if in an approved area. Please refer to the Decorating Guidelines (Appendix C) in your residence handbook and the list of Allowable Furnishings for more information.

Personal belongings or room furnishings are not to be stored in common living areas in traditional and semi-suite style residences (e.g. hallways, stairwells or on landings between bedrooms in DeCew). This may include, but is not limited to: desk chairs, sports equipment, bicycles, laundry and packing materials. There is some limited storage for bikes and sports equipment available in semi-suite residence. Please speak to the Service Desk.

If damage occurs in a space for which you are partially or fully responsible as outlined above, it is your responsibility to notify your Service Desk immediately of the damage.

Students who live in Village and Quarry View Residences have full control over the heating and cooling in their respective units. Students may be held accountable and financially liable for any damages in units, including but not limited to burst pipes and resulting flooding, water damage, etc., which are a direct result of a failure to properly control the heating and/or cooling in their unit. This includes (but is not limited to) failing to maintain the thermostat at a reasonable level as well as failing to keep windows closed in cold weather. In addition, students are not permitted to use air conditioners during cold weather. Please refer to the Residence Handbook for tips on managing temperatures in your townhouse unit.

Any furniture in addition to that provided by Brock is not permitted. The only exceptions to the furniture rule are for specific items that are of an organizational nature (e.g. a small shelf or storage unit) and those items must be made of metal or plastic. A complete listing of Allowable Furnishings can be found (with pictures) on our website.

Removing and/or relocating furniture or equipment from its original and/or intended location is not permitted. Relocating residence property from a residence common area to a student residence room or vice versa is not permitted. Students are not to replace furniture provided by Brock University. Students who bring in any furniture listed in the allowable furniture list must remove it at the end of their contract. Housing Services reserves the right to inspect any non-Brock furniture and ask for it to be removed if it is deemed unacceptable.

Students are not permitted to alter their residence room in anyway, including but not limited to: plumbing, painting, wallpapering, the installation of shelves or hooks or removing window treatments. Students are not permitted to repair their own drywall nor install additional window treatments. Students are not permitted to raise their bed frames on blocks, milk crates etc. When bunking beds or changing the height of beds within adjustable frames, students should ensure they use the pegs provided and that the bed is secured safely and that they return the beds to the original position prior to their departure from residence. Students who rearrange the furniture are required to return the room to the original layout prior to departure. Students who cause damage to their room, unit or common space due to these alterations will be responsible for the cost associated with the damages incurred.

Renting your room, or space in your room/unit, and or allowing someone to live in your room/unit is prohibited.

Vandalism is defined as the willful or malicious destruction or defacement of public or private property. Such behaviour will result in disciplinary action in addition to restitution for damages.