Housing and Residence Life Policies
All Western Michigan University residents and their guests are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of others or interfere with the educational functions of the University. The Community Living Expectations specifies the community and behavioral standards that are expected and also identifies the rights and responsibilities of residents. Students deserve to live in an environment free from harassment, intimidation or emotional distress. The Community Living Expectations policies balance the rights of the individual and the rights of the community.
Anyone violating the Community Living Expectations or WMU Student Code or abusing the facilities is subject to disciplinary actions, prosecution, conduct review and replacement fees as deemed appropriate by University officials. Residents may also be subject to disciplinary action due to the misconduct of their guests.
Important policy highlights
The following highlights do not cover all policies and information in the Community Living Expectations. Residents are expected to review the publication.
Alcohol
You are not allowed to possess or consume alcohol, unless you are 21 years of age or older. In addition, this means you cannot have empty alcohol containers as decorations if you are under 21 years old. Those who are of age may not have alcohol out in public areas.
Drugs
Use, possession, exchange, manufacturing, or distribution of marijuana (including medical marijuana), heroin, narcotics, other controlled substances or paraphernalia is illegal, except as permitted by law.
Fire safety and appliances
You may not have candles or incense in your room, even if they are only for decoration. Spider lamps are not permitted. Coffee makers and electrical tea pots must be equipped with an automatic shut-off feature and fully enclosed heating element (eg. Keurig-style) to be allowed in your room. Irons must have an automatic shut-off feature. Other appliances like George Foreman grills, toaster ovens, hot plates and so on are not permitted in your room due to fire safety reasons.
Guests
Guests are permitted to stay overnight with prior consent of all roommates and suitemates, if applicable. No more than two guests per resident are allowed at any one time. Guests are only permitted to stay for a maximum of two consecutive nights. Cohabitation is not allowed. Hosts are responsible for all guest behavior. Click here to see the full guest policy.
Pets
The only pets permitted are aquarium fish, whose tanks may not exceed 20 gallons. (This policy does not apply to service animals approved by Disability Services for Students.)
Quiet and courtesy hours
Quiet hours are in effect Sunday through Thursday 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. and Friday and Saturday 1 to 8 a.m. Courtesy hours are in effect 24 hours a day. Please be respectful of your neighbors; keep noise levels to a minimum at all times.
Smoking
All halls are smoke free. The use of tobacco products is not permitted indoors or outdoors on any University property.
Weapons
The possession, use or storage of any type of weapon is prohibited on campus. For more detailed information, please view the WMU weapons policy.
Guest and visitation policy
Guest and visitation policy (B.22.15)
Guests are permitted to stay overnight with prior consent of all roommates and suitemates, if applicable. No more than two guests per resident are allowed at any one time. Guests are only permitted to stay for a maximum of two consecutive nights. Cohabitation is not allowed. All guests are required to follow all WMU policies related to COVID-19 at all times.
No overnight guests will be permitted during the week preceding the start of the fall semester (“Fall Welcome” week) or during any final exam period. This restriction is designed to be respectful to all students as they become acclimated to living on campus at WMU and/or as they study and prepare for the end of the semester.
Guest privileges, including overnight visits, may be further limited as necessary by the hall director. Violations can result in guest privileges being revoked. Where applicable, hosts will incur costs for the actions of unapproved guests. Roommates who do not report an overnight guest staying longer than two nights may also be responsible for part of these costs. This policy also applies to students who have single rooms.
A guest is defined as any person a resident allows to enter the residence hall or apartment complex. To ensure the safety of residents, the front doors of each hall are locked at all times. Those who are under the age of 18 and are not WMU students are not allowed in the residence halls and apartments after 5 p.m. unless designated by Housing and Residence Life.
When a resident serves as a host, that resident is ultimately responsible for the behavior and any damage caused by the guest. Guests are expected to abide by all Community Living Expectations and the WMU Student Code. It is the host’s responsibility to communicate the established expectations to guests. Noncompliance by the guest is grounds for terminating the contract of the resident host. The guest may also be banned from visiting WMU residence halls and apartments. In addition, the host must accompany guests at all times while in the residence hall or apartment. Guests may visit only rooms to which they are specifically invited and only in the company of a host. All residents of the space shall agree to the visit.