The mission of the Office of Residence Life is to foster a welcoming and engaging living experience through the Spartan Living Residential Curriculum, quality housing and excellent customer service.
We are committed to providing a residential environment that promotes personal development, academic achievement and responsible citizenship.
Residential students, by virtue of residing on campus, agree to and are required to abide by specific policies that promote a safe, respectful and conducive living environment in addition to policies already established by the Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Residence Life has established a comprehensive set of Campus Living Policies designed to govern behavioral expectations within all University residence halls.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
General Conduct and Compliance
All students residing in campus housing are required to comply with ’s policies, including the Housing Agreement, Campus Living Policies and the Student Code of Conduct. Students whose actions are inconsistent with these policies, or who disrupt the safety and order of the residential community, may be subject to disciplinary action. This may include the reassignment of housing or termination of the Housing Agreement—without refund—at the sole discretion of the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, or their designee.
Violations may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct for review. Students determined responsible for violating University policies will receive standard disciplinary sanctions ranging from a disciplinary reprimand to expulsion. Students may also be assigned additional disciplinary sanctions, which may include but are not limited to, termination of residency, housing room reassignment, restitution or the restriction or revocation of privileges. Students who receive a termination of residency sanction will not receive a refund of their deposit or housing costs.
Housing Agreement Information
All residential students must sign a Housing Agreement, which constitutes a legally binding contract with the University. The agreement aligns with the academic calendar and is valid for one academic year (fall and spring semesters) unless otherwise specified and approved by the Office of Residence Life.
Students should carefully review all the terms and responsibilities outlined in the Housing Agreement. Housing agreements are subject to revision by the University at the University’s discretion.
Communications from the Office of Residence Life
Official communications from the Office of Residence Life will be sent to students via the student’s University email. Students are responsible for information communicated by the Office of Residence Life and are encouraged to check their email daily.
Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
Only full-time enrolled students are eligible to reside in University housing. Students who register for fewer than full-time credit hours must request approval from the Office of Residence Life to remain in on-campus housing. Failure to request the required approval may result in the termination of a student’s Housing Agreement.
Meal Plan Requirement
All residential students are required to participate in the University's meal plan. The seven-meal-per-week option is exclusively available to students who reside in apartments that are equipped with in-unit kitchens (Palm, Straz and Urso Halls).
Personal Property Insurance
is not liable for loss or damage to personal belongings, nor for any disruptions caused by facility-related issues, including, but not limited to, utility failures or electrical issues. Students are strongly advised to verify their coverage through their family homeowner’s insurance or to purchase renter’s insurance independently (e.g., through ). Engraving valuable items is also recommended.
Residential Procedures and Services
Check-In Procedures
Prior to moving in, students must submit a signed Housing Agreement, along with emergency contact information, to receive room keys/card access. Any changes to room or key assignments must be pre-approved, in writing, by the Office of Residence Life.
Check-Out Procedures
When moving out or changing rooms, students must schedule a check-out appointment with their Resident Assistant (RA). During check-out, the RA will inspect the room for any damage and collect all issued keys.
- Failure to return keys may result in lock change fees
- Rooms must be cleaned and left in good condition, with all personal items removed.
Damage or failure to clean rooms may result in additional fees.
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Students are financially responsible for any damage caused to university-owned property, facilities, or grounds. Charges for damage to individual rooms, their contents or for lock changes due to lost or stolen keys will be billed directly to the account of the responsible student.
Students may also incur charges for excessive cleaning if a room is left in unsatisfactory condition. In cases where damage occurs in common areas of a residence hall and the individual or group responsible cannot be identified, the costs may be equally distributed among all residential students of the affected hall or floor.
Damage resulting from decorations (e.g., televisions, adhesives, curtain rods, shelving or tapestries) will be billed to the account of the responsible student.
Attempts to repair the damage caused (such as painting or filling holes) are highly discouraged and may be subject to damage fees.
Damage-related charges will be assessed at the end of each semester. To report damage—either in private or common spaces—students are encouraged to contact the Office of Residence Life at reslife@ut.edu. For a detailed breakdown of potential damage charges, please consult the Damage Fees webpage.
Fire Drills
The University conducts regular fire drills to familiarize residential students with evacuation procedures. Students requiring assistance during emergencies should notify the residence hall staff at the beginning of the academic year or as soon as an accommodation is needed.
The following actions constitute fire safety violations and are strictly prohibited:
- Unauthorized or negligent handling of fire safety equipment.
Failure to evacuate during a fire alarm.
Tampering with fire safety signage or instructions.
Attaching items to or obstructing fire equipment, including sprinklers.
- Obstructing doorways or egress pathways.
University personnel may enter rooms during fire drills to ensure compliance.
Guests and Visitors
Visitor Policy
A visitor is defined as any person not enrolled at the University, not employed by the University, or not affiliated with a University-approved vendor. This includes, but is not limited to, friends, family members, children, guest speakers and participants in University-sanctioned events. Refer to the University of Tampa's Visitor Policies for full details.
Residential Guests
University of Tampa-affiliated residential guest:
A University of Tampa-affiliated residential guest is a currently enrolled student at the University of Tampa.
Non-University of Tampa affiliated residential guest:
A non-University residential guest is any non-University of Tampa-affiliated individual invited to campus by a residential student.
Residential students may host guests, including overnight guests, with the prior consent of all roommates. This consent may be verbal or written and may be revoked at any time.
Residential students are expected to meet their guests, regardless of affiliation at the building entrance, and must always escort their guests during the duration of the guests' stay in the residence hall.
Residential guests are subject to all University and housing policies. Residential student hosts are fully responsible for their non-University of Tampa affiliated guests’ behavior and the residential student hosts assume responsibility for actions committed by their non-University of Tampa affiliated guest that are referred to the Office of Student Conduct. University of Tampa affiliated student residential guests will be referred to the Office of Student for any documented policy violation.
Residential guests may stay no more than three consecutive nights and no more than 15 nights per semester. Cohabitation by anyone other than the assigned student is not permitted.
If a student believes their roommate is violating the guest policy, they should notify the Office of Residence Life or the Office of Campus Safety immediately.
Health and Safety Inspections
Resident Assistants will conduct health and safety inspections at least once per semester. Students will receive a minimum of 24 hours’ notice via their University email when inspections are scheduled to take place. During inspections, staff will enter each room for a visual review of cleanliness and safety, and room doors will be locked upon completion. Any observed policy violations will be documented and may be subject to further review by the University.
Laundry Facilities
Laundry rooms are for use by residential students only. Machines are available 24/7 and are free of charge. High-efficiency detergent must be used.
Students are encouraged to remain in the laundry facility until their laundry cycles are completed, as a courtesy to others and to ensure the security of their belongings. Any clothing left in the laundry room for more than 48 hours will be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by staff.
Lockouts and Lost Keys
Students are required to carry their keys and ID cards at all times. In the event of a lockout, students may obtain a temporary loan key from the Vaughn Center Information Desk, which must be returned within 24 hours. Failure to return the key will result in a lock change fee of $150, which will be billed to the student’s account.
Lost keys must be reported immediately. A lock change and key replacement will be initiated, and a $150 fee will be assessed to the student’s account.
Information regarding the replacement of ID cards can be found on the Spartan Card Office website.
Mail Services
Residential students are assigned campus mailboxes through Mail Services, located in the Southard Family Building. Mail Services is the primary source for shipping and receiving items for residential students actively living on campus. Mail Services accepts packages from all major carriers and provides United States Postal Service (USPS) outbound shipping services to the entire campus.
Students who choose to use third-party delivery services must coordinate with their delivery service to pick up items outside of their assigned residence hall. Deliveries will not be accepted at community desks. Any packages or items left in common spaces may be disposed of by staff.
Maintenance and Custodial Services
Maintenance concerns should be reported via the Maintenance Request webpage. Emergency issues should be reported immediately to Facilities Management at (813) 253-6227 or Campus Safety at (813) 257-7777.
Residential students at The Barrymore Hotel should contact the Barrymore front desk directly at (813) 223-1351.
Network Access
Wireless internet is available in all residence halls and academic buildings. Students should connect their devices to “UoT_Student” using their MyUTampa credentials. Smart TVs and gaming systems should be connected to “UoT_Guest.” For assistance, contact the Office of Information Technology and Security HelpDesk at servicedesk@ut.edu or (813) 253-6293.
Occupancy
Students may occupy residence halls beginning on the university-designated opening date. Students must vacate their space within 24 hours of their final class or exam, the official semester end date, or within 24 hours of withdrawal from the University—whichever occurs first. Cohabitation by anyone other than the assigned student is not permitted. Maximum occupancy for gatherings is limited to three times the number of assigned residential students in the space. For example, a four-person apartment may not exceed 12 individuals at any one time.
Pets/Animals
Only fish housed in aquariums of 10 gallons or less are permitted in residence halls, with a limit of one tank per residential student. All fish must be removed during semester breaks.
The possession, care, fostering or harboring of pets or other animals is strictly prohibited in all campus facilities, including residence halls. Exceptions are granted only in accordance with the University’s Service, Assistance and Emotional Support Animal Policies, overseen by theOffice of Student Accessibility Services.
Additional Policies
Residential students, by virtue of residing on campus, agree to and are required to abide by specific policies that promote a safe, respectful and conducive living environment in addition to policies already established by the Student Code of Conduct. The Office of Residence Life has established a comprehensive set of Campus Living Policies designed to govern behavioral expectations within all university residence halls.
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- Alcohol and alcohol containers (empty or full) if under 21 years of age are prohibited.
Residential students may not possess, store, use, display or collect alcohol containers or packaging and/or alcohol related paraphernalia in private rooms, spaces shared with roommates, and/or any common areas, regardless of whether the item contains alcohol or is intended for decorative purposes.
Common source containers of alcohol and devices that are designed for the rapid consumption of alcohol are prohibited, including, but are not limited to, shot luges, beer bongs, kegs/keg taps or shot glasses.
Items associated with drinking games actual or simulated or for the purpose of rapid and excess consumption of alcohol are prohibited. This includes, but is limited to, items associated with the games of flip cup and/or beer pong.
Residential students are prohibited from engaging in any conduct related to intoxication or misconduct involving the possession or consumption of alcohol in residence halls, as these actions are subject to disciplinary action and potential charges in accordance with Student Code of Conduct policies.
Residential students aged 21 years or older are expressly prohibited from providing alcohol to residential students or guests under the age of 21 and must store alcohol in private bedrooms/refrigerators versus shared spaces.
B.The following Hazardous Items are prohibited:
- Candles, incense and/or wax melt warmers.
Combustible and/or flammable materials.
Cooking devices (including, but not limited to):
a.Electric contact grill
b. Hot plates
c. Air fryers
d. Toasters/Toaster Ovens (these are permitted in kitchen areas located in Palm, Straz, and Urso halls)Decorative items that are displayed through windows, hung from or affixed to any structure or item located within the residence hall, such as the walls, ceilings, light fixtures, blinds, sprinkler systems or furniture, that are not compliant with fire codes and applicable University policies. Decorative items include, but are not limited to, food or beverage paraphernalia, such as wrappings, cardboard containers and bags.
Halogen lamps, lava lamps and/or incandescent bulbs.
Live cut trees, hay, cornstalks and leaves.
Lofts or bed risers not issued by the University.
Non-surge protected extension cords.
Space heaters.
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Tobacco, vaping devices and THC products. Please refer to the Smoking, Vaping, Tobacco and THC Policy for more information.
Weapons including, but not limited to:
a.Firearms and ammunition.
b. Fireworks and pyrotechnic devices.Knives with a blade larger than four inches.
c. This includes, but is not limited to, pocketknives, stiletto knives, hunting knives, daggers, dirks, machetes, axes and swords.
d. Projectile firing devices, pellet guns and air rifles.
C. Building and Facilities
- Adding, removing, altering or tampering, with door closures, peepholes and locks.
Affixing self-adhesive LED lights to university owned furniture, walls or other surfaces.
Altering residence hall space or room in any permanent or semi-permanent way, which includes painting, changing or affixing vinyl, decals, plumbing fixtures (shower heads, bidets) or wallpaper.
Duplicating or lending university-issued keys or access cards.
Engaging in behavior that disrupts the residential community due to excessive noise and interferes with the comfort or study of others in the residential community.
a.Quiet hours are Sunday-Thursday from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. and Friday-Saturday from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Noise must be kept at a minimum during quiet hours.
b. Additional 24-hour quiet periods are enforced during exam periods or as announced.
c. Courtesy hours are always in effect in the residence halls.
d.Residential students may request others to reduce noise at any time.
Entering or exiting through windows, loading docks, exit-only doors or any unauthorized areas is strictly prohibited.
Entering the residence hall through doors not designated for entry.
Gaining access to residential facilities without appropriate identification.
Hanging tapestries, fabric or paper on more than one-third of any wall, door or surface.
Opening windows.
Participating in sports-related activities within the residence hall.
Placing items in such a manner to obstruct exit pathways, block entry or prohibit visibility of common spaces.
Placing visible displays in or on residence hall windows.
Possessing University common area furniture, fixtures or safety equipment within a student’s assigned space.
Power strips and surge protectors must be plugged directly into a wall socket. Students shall refrain from plugging power strips and surge protectors into other power strips or surge protectors.
Propping open doors or gates and/or disabling locking mechanisms.
Riding bicycles, skateboards, skates or similar items within the residence hall. Bicycles may be stored in residential rooms, provided they do not block egress.
Throwing or dropping objects from windows, stairwells, roofs or other indoor areas is prohibited.
Tampering with windows includes, but is not limited to, the removal of window screens and window clings.
Tampering with elevators and their components includes, but is not limited to, hitting or removing buttons or attempting to access the top of the elevator. Tampering also includes actions within elevators that cause malfunctions such as purposeful motions (jumping).
Acting in a manner that invades the privacy of others. This includes recording, distributing or viewing images or documents and recordings or audio of another person or activity without their consent.
Violating the University Guest and Visitor Policy. For additional information, please see the Guidelines for Visitors website.
Recording, distributing or publishing audio, videos or images of persons in residential facilities in which that person has or maintains a reasonable expectation of privacy.
Other Prohibited Items
- Animals. Students may qualify for accommodations due to a qualified disability as noted in the Service, Assistance, and Emotional Support Animal Policy under the oversight of The Office of Student Accessibility Services.
Inflatable or overstuffed furniture including air mattresses.
Large household appliances such as dishwashers, freezers or washing machines.
Oil diffusers and humidifiers.
Outdoor antennas or satellite dishes.
Electronic or gas-powered mobility devices. Non-motorized bicycles may be stored in residential rooms, provided they do not block egress.
Any exceptions must be approved by The Office of Student Accessibility Services
Refrigerators and Microwaves
Refrigerators must be under 4.4 cubic feet and not exceed 1.8 amps/110 volts, except in Palm, Straz, and Urso residence halls, which are provided with full-size refrigerators. Microwaves must be UL-approved and under 700 watts.
Resident students in Palm, Straz and Urso Hall may store and use heat-emitting kitchen appliances only in designated kitchen areas and are responsible for cleaning all appliances.
Room and Bathroom Cleanliness
Residential students are responsible for maintaining cleanliness in their assigned living spaces, including bedrooms and private or semi-private bathrooms. This includes regular cleaning and upkeep to ensure a hygienic and safe environment.
Custodial staff maintain common areas and shared spaces including hallways, lounges and laundry rooms. Student bathrooms are sanitized on a weekly basis, provided the areas are cleared of student personal belongings and are accessible to staff.
Students are required to properly dispose of personal trash and waste in designated receptacles and not leave it in the hallways, common areas or outside of their rooms. Failure to maintain appropriate cleanliness may result in health and safety violations and could lead to disciplinary action.
Room Changes and Consolidations
Room assignments may be changed or cancelled by the University in the interest of order, health, discipline, maximum utilization of facilities, necessary repairs, disaster or other necessity, in the sole discretion of the University. This includes making temporary assignments, cancellations and re-assignments when necessary. A student may not refuse or prevent an assigned student from residing in a shared space.
Residential students are required to respond promptly to all communications from the Office of Residence Life regarding room vacancies or pending room assignments. When a space within a shared room or suite becomes vacant, the area must remain clean, unoccupied and move-in ready at all times. Residence Life staff will conduct periodic checks to ensure the space is properly maintained and prepared for a new occupant.
Remaining residential students are responsible for ensuring that all university-issued furniture in the vacant space remains intact and accessible. Additionally, shared areas such as bathrooms, living rooms and kitchens must be kept clean and fully available for use by an incoming student.
Room changes outside of the designated Open Room Change period will only be considered after a documented mediation process has been completed with a Resident Assistant. This process is intended to support healthy communication, along with conflict resolution among roommates or suitemates.
Only individual room change requests will be reviewed. Requests that seek to remove or relocate a roommate or suitemate will not be accommodated. All room change decisions are subject to space availability and must be approved by the Office of Residence Life. Unauthorized changes will result in a referral to the Office of Student Conduct and are subject to a $100 fine.
Room Inspection/Maintenance
shall make reasonable efforts to provide privacy to the occupants of the residence halls. The student grants permission for the entry and inspection of the assigned room, suite or space by any authorized University personnel or agents in the discretion of the University for purposes that include, but are not limited to, completion of work requests or the repair and/or maintenance of the facility, inspection for fire and safety violations, when University personnel believe that the safety and/or welfare of the occupant is at stake, and to enforce university policies and regulations including, but are not limited to, alcohol and drug violations. University personnel or agents are also authorized to enter an assigned room or space and conduct a search if it is reasonably believed that a violation of university regulations or policies, or local, state or federal laws is occurring.
Prohibited items found in University housing will be confiscated and may be turned over to Campus Safety or local law enforcement, as appropriate. An exception applies to unauthorized animals, which will not be confiscated but must be removed by the student within 24 hours of notification.
Failure to comply with removal instructions may result in disciplinary action and potential charges in accordance with University housing policies.
Room Security
Students are required to keep their doors locked at all times. Any suspected theft should be promptly reported to Campus Safety and/or Residence Life staff members.
Soliciting, Advertising and Businesses
Unauthorized solicitation, advertisement or commercial activity is prohibited in residence halls. Promoters or vendors without University approval must be reported immediately to Campus Safety or a Residence Life staff member.
All materials to be distributed to students within the residence halls must be approved in advance by the Office of Residence Life.
Storage of Belongings/Abandoned Property
does not offer additional storage, including during summer break. The use or delivery of portable storage units is strictly prohibited on campus.
Personal belongings left in a residence hall room after a student’s occupancy has ended will be considered abandoned and will be disposed of by staff. Associated disposal costs may be charged to the student. The University assumes no responsibility for damage to or loss of abandoned items.
Items left in community laundry rooms for more than 48 hours are subject to disposal.
