Residence rules

• The Resident must treat all staff, contractors and other residents with courtesy and respect and behave in a way that is inclusive of others.
  
  
• The Resident must not engage in behaviour that is threatening or intimidating or use offensive language.
  
  
• The Resident must not cause or permit a nuisance or interfere with, or permit interference with the reasonable peace, comfort or privacy of any other person at the Residence or of any neighbours.
  
  
• The Resident must not engage in solicitation or make uninitiated and/or uninvited contact with other residents to promote or endorse an idea or product, including through posters or online.
  
  
• The Resident must seek prior written approval from UOW Student Residences Management before conducting any fundraising activity or promoting an event, activity, club, society or group.
  
  
• The Resident must ensure that their activities and conduct within the Residence does not place themselves or other persons at risk, including risk of harm or injury.
  
  
• The Resident must immediately report incidents or activities which endanger the safety or security of anyone at the Residence, including activities involving hazing, and noise complaints, to UOW Student Residence Management or UOW Security.

Bullying, discrimination, harassment and violence

• The Resident must not bully, discriminate against, harass, sexually harass, haze, or use verbal or physical violence against other residents or University staff, including online.
  
  
• The Resident must not participate in, condone or organise any activity involving hazing or harassment of other residents.
  
  
• The Resident must comply with all University policies applicable to them as a University student, including but not limited to:

• • Anti-Racism and Cultural Safety Policy
  • Bullying Prevention Policy
  • Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
  • Sexual Harassment Prevention Policy
  • Student Conduct Rules
    
    
• The Resident must comply with all Australian laws. The University may refer unlawful behaviour to the NSW Police Force.

Drugs and drug paraphernalia

• The Resident must not:
  • use, produce, supply, or possess prohibited drugs, or Amyl Nitrate or Nitrous Oxide;
  • use any substances inappropriately; or
  • posses drug-related paraphernalia, in or around the Residence or University grounds.

• The Resident must remove themselves from situations involving substance misuse, prohibited drugs or drug-related paraphernalia, and immediately report such situations to the UOW Student Residences Management or UOW Security.
  
  
• The University is obliged to assist law enforcement agencies with respect to illegal drug enquiries.

Consumption of alcohol

• The Resident, if aged 18 years or above, may consume alcohol in compliance with all Australian laws, within Rooms or Shared Facilities (if applicable).  Alcohol is not permitted in common areas or in any other areas of the Residence.
  
  
• The Resident must not behave disruptively or inappropriately, including when consuming alcohol, or will be subject to disciplinary action.
  
  
• The Resident must not participate in group drinking (defined as more than 10 people gathered while alcohol is present).
  
  
• The Resident must not collect or display alcohol cans, bottles, punch bowls, beer bongs, or any other items that celebrate or facilitate the excessive consumption of alcohol. UOW Student Residences Management reserves the right to confiscate these items.

Alcohol-free periods and areas

• The University may designate specific parts or the entire Residence to be an alcohol free area during certain periods (for example, during study and exam periods). The University will communicate designated alcohol-free areas and periods to the Resident in advance. The Resident must comply with the University’s directions relating to alcohol-free periods and areas.

Drinking games

• The Resident must not:
  • drink alcohol in excess;
  • participate in games involving alcohol; or
  • behave disorderly.

Production of alcohol

• The Resident must not:
  
  • ferment, distil or produce alcohol; or
  • possess or use kegs, compressed gas cylinders or associated chemicals used in the making of alcohol, within the Residence or on University property.

Smoking and vaping

• The Resident must comply with the Smoke-Free University Policy.
  
  
• The Resident may smoke cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, prescription vapes or other forms of legal smoking products within a designated smoking area at a UOW Student Residence. The Resident must not use such products outside of the designated smoking areas or within rooms / units, common areas, outdoor dining areas, entries, exits, stairwells or on balconies.

Gambling

• All forms of gambling within residences are strictly prohibited.

Noise and disturbances

• The Resident must comply with a noise curfew between 10pm and 9am every day of the week.
  
  
• The Resident must follow the reasonable directions of UOW Student Residences staff in relation to noise complaints.

Relationships with staff

• The Resident should contact the UOW Student Residences staff if they have any concerns regarding the conduct of University staff, including any unacceptable relationships by University staff under the UOW Close Personal Relationships Policy.

Conducting a business

• The Resident is not permitted to conduct a business of any description from any UOW Student Residence.

Cleaning

• The Resident must keep their Room clean and tidy at all times.
  
  
• If the Resident has a Room in a shared unit, the responsibility for maintaining the cleanliness of Shared Facilities and common areas, such as lounge rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, lies collectively with the residents of that unit.
  
  
• The University will conduct periodic cleaning inspections of all rooms to ensure compliance with these rules. The University will communicate the inspection schedule to the Resident in advance via email. If the Room or Shared Facilities (if applicable) are not reasonably clean during the inspection, the University will notify the Resident and provide the Resident with a time frame to rectify the issue. If the Room and/or Shared Facilities (if applicable) are not reasonably clean during the reinspection, a cleaning fee will be charged to the Resident’s account for corrective cleaning measures, in accordance with the Accommodation Agreement.
  
  
• The Resident must remove all rubbish from their Room and any Shared Facilities or common areas, and dispose of it at the designated bin areas.
  
  
• The Resident will be subject to the disciplinary proceedings for repeated failure to comply with these cleaning rules.

Personal hygiene

• The Resident must maintain a healthy standard of personal hygiene.  

Dress

• The Resident must wear footwear and clothing at all times in common areas of the Residence and when using Shared Facilities.
  
  
• The University may direct the Resident to wear appropriate clothing or footwear in the interests of safety or respect to others.

Failure to comply

• The Resident must comply with all reasonable directions from the University, its contractors or emergency or law enforcement agencies.

Posters

• The Resident must not display posters in common areas without UOW Student Residence Management approval.  UOW Student Residence Management reserve the right to remove, without prior notice, posters in common areas that are unapproved, considered out of date, offensive, or otherwise inappropriately placed.

Common areas

• The Resident must not interfere with or permit interference with the reasonable use by other residents of the Shared Facilities or Common Facilities.

Assistance animals / pets

• The Resident must not keep animals in the Room or in or around the Residence, without the prior written approval of the Senior Manager of the Residence. This rule does not apply to the extent that it restricts the keeping of an Assistance Animal.
  
  
• The Resident must provide at least 14 days prior notice if the Resident intends to keep an Assistance Animal at the Residence, by liaising with the UOW Student Accessibility and Inclusion team, to ensure appropriate arrangements can be made to manage animal welfare within the Residence. The Resident is responsible for their Assistance Animal at all times.

Decorating

• The Resident must not decorate, paint or draw murals, signs, messages or any form of artwork (permanent or otherwise) in their Room or Shared Facilities or common areas, stairwells, foyers, lifts or hallways.  

Emergencies

• The Resident must immediately report all emergencies to UOW Student Residences Management.

Fire alarms and building evacuations

• In the event of a Fire Alarm or Building Evacuation, the Resident must evacuate the building to the emergency evacuation point, and follow the reasonable directions of the University and Emergency Services personnel.

Fire safety equipment

• The Resident must not:
  • remove, tamper or interfere with (e.g. silence or disable) fire detection or protection equipment; or
  • use any fire detection or protection equipment for any other purpose other than the designated purpose.

Prohibited items

• The Resident must not use or possess the following prohibited items in the Residence:
  • candles / incense
  • oil burners or lamps
  • flammable or combustible substances (such as fireworks, petroleum, paint thinner, kerosene, BBQ lighter fluid etc.)
  • shisha pipes
  • BBQs / propane fuelled equipment
  • automotive or industrial batteries
  • compressed gas cylinders
  • inflatable swimming pools
  • portable air conditioners
  • other items as reasonably notified by the UOW Student Residences Management.
    
    
• The Resident may only store bikes or scooters with lithium-ion batteries in designated UOW bike stores and must not store such items in their Room, Shared Facilities, common areas or balconies.
  
  
• UOW Student Residences Management may confiscate and dispose of prohibited items with any resulting costs charged to the Resident responsible.

Furniture and appliances

• The Resident must not:
  • use University furniture, appliances, equipment and other fittings are for any purpose other than their intended purpose;
  • take indoor University furniture outside;
  • use personal furniture approved for private spaces in outdoor or common areas; or
  • add, move, relocate or remove any furniture or appliances from the Room or Residence (without the prior written approval of the University).

Heaters

• The Resident must seek approval from UOW Student Residence Management prior to purchasing and/or using a heating appliance within a Room or Shared Facilities (if applicable). Floor radiators or bar heaters are not permitted. 

Electrical equipment

• The Resident must ensure all electrical equipment in their Room and Shared Facilities (if applicable) is safe and meets Australian Standards.

Access and use

• The Resident must only use the Room for residential purposes.
  
  
• The Resident must not:
  • use the Room and/or the Residence, or cause or permit the Room and/or the Residence to be used, for any illegal purpose;
  • gain entry to another resident’s room without their prior permission;
  • access any Shared Facilities or Common Facilities to which the Resident’s access has been temporarily or permanently denied;
  • obstruct access to Common Facilities, entries or exits of the Residence;
  • store personal belongings in the common areas or spare rooms of the Residence; or
  • use the Common Facilities for the purpose of hanging washing unless those Common Facilities are designated areas for the hanging of washing and contain clotheslines for this purpose.
  • copy or clone keys, swipe cards or any other access device issued by Residences;
  • cook or prepare food outside of designated kitchen or BBQ areas.

Balconies

• The Resident must ensure the balconies and kept clean and tidy and must not:
  • throw or allow any item to be thrown over the rail;
  • climb on or over the rail;
  • store items, including boxes, refrigerators and furniture;
  • place University furniture designed for internal use;
  • hang items including hammocks, clothing, clothes lines, banners or advertising material; or
  • cook on the balcony.

Restricted areas

• The Resident must not enter restricted areas of the Residence without written permission from the UOW Student Residences Management. Restricted areas include, but are not limited to, office spaces, formal meeting or conference rooms, roof tops, secure storage areas, and electrical, communications, or machine rooms.

Doors

• The Resident must not prop open any room or unit doors at any time as this is a security risk and a potential safety hazard.

• The Resident is responsible for the conduct and behaviour of their Visitors.
  
  
• The Resident must ensure their Visitors:
  • comply with the Residence Rules, Conduct of Visitors Policy, and the University’s reasonable directions;
  • sign in and out of the Residence at the Residence office at the start and end of their stay;
  • show University staff their visitor pass on request;
  • are accompanied by the Resident at all times;
  • are not given access to keys, swipe cards or security devices for the Residence; and
  • keep emergency exits clear and unobstructed at all times.