Prohibition of Camping on University Property

The University of Rochester is committed to making all reasonable efforts to maintain safe, clean, and healthy environments for staff, faculty and students to efficiently carry out the mission and values of the University.

As part of that commitment, camping is prohibited on University property, except as stated in Policy Details, Section I. below. This policy allows the University to control University buildings and grounds consistent with requirements for the use of private University of Rochester facilities.

Definitions

Camping: Any of the following on property owned, leased, or controlled by the University:

• The establishment of, attempt to establish, or assisting another person to establish or maintain any tent, encampment, fencing, barricade, structure designed to exclude other persons, or other temporary or permanent living quarters at any location except for occupancy of residence halls, apartments, or other University managed housing pursuant to and in compliance with the terms of an agreement executed by an authorized University official authorizing the occupancy;
• Establishing or maintaining outdoors, or in or under any structure not designated for permanent human residency, at any time during the day or night, a temporary or permanent place for cooking, storing of personal belongings, or sleeping by setting up any bedding, sleeping bag, mattress, tent, tarp, or other sleeping equipment, or by setting up any cooking equipment that has not been approved by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety; or
• Sleeping outdoors with or without bedding, hammock, or similar device, structure, protection, or equipment between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m.

Scope and compliance

All employees, students, University affiliates, contractors, and visitors shall comply with this policy and any lawful request by a University official to comply with this policy.

Policy details

Camping is prohibited on property owned, leased, or controlled by the University, including University grounds, in University buildings, or under or upon University structures without written University approval as provided in Section I. below.

I. Exceptions

Actions that constitute “camping” as defined in this policy may be permitted only with prior written approval of the Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance or designee.

The Executive Vice President of Administration and Finance (EVP) or designee may make exceptions to this policy in extraordinary circumstances. The EVP is authorized to establish procedures for seeking and providing approval for requests to allow activities defined as “camping” under this policy.

II. Enforcement

A. Any individual who fails or refuses to comply with this policy may be issued a criminal trespass violation by the University Department of Public Safety (DPS) and removed from University property. DPS Peace Officers may address violations of this policy that constitute criminal trespass or any other violation of law. DPS and the University Department of Environmental Health and Safety are authorized to undertake or direct removal and permanent disposal of any tent, tarp, fencing, or other structure, as well as personal property, including but not limited to bedding, cooking equipment, and fencing, barricade, and housing materials, present on University-owned, leased, or controlled property in violation of this policy. In addition to being subject to the criminal trespass process, students may be subject to discipline through the University student conduct system up to and including suspension and expulsion for violation of this policy. In addition to being subject to the criminal trespass process, employees who fail to comply with this policy may be subject to discipline ranging from reprimand up to and including suspension or termination of employment, applied according to the disciplinary procedures applicable to the employee’s position.

B. The respective supervisor, department chair, dean, or vice president is responsible for addressing reported noncompliance with this policy by an employee within their supervision. The Vice President for Student Life, or a designee of the office, is responsible for addressing reported noncompliance with this policy by any student. In addition to being authorized to address any criminal trespass violation by any person, the Department of Public Safety is responsible for addressing reported noncompliance with this policy by persons other than employees or students.