Community and Conduct

Student housing community standards

At VIU, we’re committed to creating a safe and welcoming community where diversity is celebrated, everyone is treated with respect, and harassment or discrimination are not tolerated. All residents are expected to follow these standards of behaviour.

A strong Student Housing community works best when everyone knows their rights and takes responsibility for their actions. The guiding principles below explain your rights and responsibilities as part of our shared home.

1. You can expect consideration and respect for your feelings and needs. In return, you must conduct yourself in a civil manner and show respect for the rights of everyone in the community.
2. You can expect to live in an environment where your possessions and the communal spaces you share are respected by others.
3. Community standards protect your well-being, safety and security and contribute to a Student Housing community that is conducive to everyone’s academic success, personal growth and wellness.
4. Student Housing Agreement. You must agree to VIU's Student Housing Agreement before moving into residence. This agreement sets out the terms and conditions of your occupancy, including your agreement to uphold the community standards in this handbook.
5. Laws and university policies. You must abide by the laws of the Province of British Columbia and of Canada and VIU policies, procedures and guidelines while living on campus. We encourage you to read all policies, procedures and guidelines that apply to you, including VIU's Student Conduct Code.

Alcohol

The legal drinking age and possession age in BC is 19. If you are of legal age, you may consume alcohol either in your room/apartment unit or in your common room/area. Consumption elsewhere is prohibited.

Alcohol must be in a single-serving container, such as a can. Glass bottles are prohibited.

Drinking games, or devices that promote rapid or mass consumption such as "beer pongs," "beer bongs" or "flip cups," are prohibited.

Be responsible in how you consume alcohol. Avoid becoming over-intoxicated.

Cannabis

You are not permitted to use cannabis (consume, smoke, roll, grind, cook, grow, etc.) on VIU property.

The legal age for consuming and possessing cannabis in BC is 19. If you are 19 or older, you may store up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in a sealed container in their room.

You must make every possible effort to conceal the detectable odour of cannabis (including residual odour on your person or personal effects) that may negatively impact others in your residence community.

Smoking and vaping

On VIU Student Housing, you are not permitted to smoke or "vape" inside any building – even your own room. You may smoke outside, provided you are at least 10 metres away from any building or air intake unit.

You must make every possible effort to conceal the detectable odour of tobacco (including residual odour on your person or personal effects) that may negatively impact others in your residence community.

Fire safety

In the event of a fire alarm, you must leave your building. You are not allowed to cover smoke detectors or activate fire equipment for any reason other than an emergency. Candles, incense, barbeques, fuel tanks, combustibles or flames of any sort are a significant risk to fire safety and are not allowed within Student Housing.

Community living

This section contains regulations and standards to help you be a better roommate, bathroom-mate, host and community member. Observing these standards will help you handle the ups and downs that come with co-living. Self-accountability and mental health awareness are powerful skills to make your experience at VIU Student Housing the best it can be.

Cleaning and tidiness

You are responsible for the tidiness and cleanliness of your own room and shared bathroom. The upkeep of shared living areas is the joint responsibility of all residents in the living area.

If you live in traditional and townhouse buildings, you are responsible for cleaning up after yourself in the kitchen. That includes removing all items as soon as you're finished using the space. If you live in an apartment building, you are responsible for the tidiness and upkeep of your bedroom and of the common areas (washrooms, kitchens, lounges).

Never allow conditions to exist in living areas that may encourage the infestation or propagation of insects, rodents or other vermin. You must report the presence or suspected presence of pests to Student Housing staff.

In accordance with the terms of the Student Housing Agreement, personnel authorized by VIU may enter your living areas without notice and, if necessary, without your presence, to inspect for pests. If treatment is required, you must comply with the prescribed treatment methods and protocol which may include relocation, cleaning or removal and disposal of furnishings or personal possessions. In such an event, you will not be reimbursed by VIU for any disruption, relocation, loss or loss of use of personal possessions or furnishings.

If your living space is found to be in violation of the Cleanliness and Tidiness Policy, you will be given three business days to complete a deep clean. After three days, a VIU Student Housing staff will inspect the space. If it is found to be in a state that requires further cleaning, the housekeeping team will clean, and a charge will be placed on your account. If the living space is a shared space such as a lounge or kitchen, the cost will be divided by those sharing the space.

In case of damage or vandalism to VIU property, Student Housing staff will try to identify the person(s) responsible to arrange for reparation. It is the responsibility of all members in the affected community to assist in identifying the person(s) responsible. If this is not possible, VIU may charge all residents, applying an equal portion of the cost to each resident's student account for the cost of repairing the damage.

You may be assigned a new roommate, bathroom-mate or apartment mate at any point. It is your responsibility to ensure the vacant space(s) remain(s) clean, tidy and ready.

Furnishings and equipment

No external furniture permitted without VIU written approval. The only furniture allowed in Student Housing is the furniture supplied by VIU. External furniture including – without limitation – mattresses, chairs or other types of furniture, are not allowed in Student Housing except in special circumstances where approval is given by VIU. Email residence@viu.ca to request approval. In your request, include the furniture dimensions and reasons for the request. In some cases, small pieces of furniture such as a bookshelf or end tables will be approved. However, pieces larger than 3’x3’x3’ like a sofa or extra bed are prohibited.

Moving common area furniture

All furniture in Student Housing is assigned to a specific room and may not be moved from one room to another. Removing furniture from a common area is a violation of community standards. You may be billed for any damages and for any labour costs in relocating common-area furniture.

Permitted appliances

In Student Housing rooms, bar-fridges under 5.5 cubic feet in size are permitted, provided they are in excellent working condition and conform to all safety, health and size regulation. Refrigerators are provided in apartment common kitchens.

Changes to VIU furniture

For safety reasons, furniture supplied by VIU is not to be disassembled for any reason (including closet doors), nor is furniture to be reassembled in a manner for which it was not originally designed. You will be billed for any costs associated with re-assembling furniture and this will be considered a violation of the community standards.

Window coverings

Curtains are provided in Student Housing and cannot be replaced. You are not permitted to hang flags, posters or bed sheets in windows. No signs (electric or otherwise), posters, flags or banners of any size may be hung outside or around residence except with prior written approval from Student Housing. Alcohol containers are not to be displayed in the windows.

Smart home speakers

Smart home speakers do not currently sync with our Wi-Fi network. Smart home speakers can be used as Bluetooth devices; however, you will not get the full functionality of the device unless you hook up your own private Wi-Fi network.

Decorating your room

You must not use tacks, pins or nails to hang items on walls. The VIU Campus Store has many approved products available for affixing items to walls. Drawing or painting on the walls is not allowed.

Certain items such as command strips, LED lights and sticky tac may cause damage to the walls of your room. Be aware that you will be charged applicable fees to repair any damage to walls. Although LED strip lighting may look great, most contain a high-strength adhesive which is not allowed in Student Housing rooms. If you put up LED strip lighting and it removes or peels paint, you will be charged a $200 repair fee per wall.

Hosting a responsible function or social gathering

When hosting a function or social gathering in your room or any common area in Student Housing, you must uphold all community standards, specifically those regarding guests, noise and alcohol. In addition, you must observe the following guidelines:

1. If a function or social gathering is taking place in your room, you are the "host." If a function or social gathering is taking place in a common living area, there must be a designated host. The host must be present for the duration of the function/social gathering and comply with the other responsibilities of a host below.
2. As the host, you must be sober and available to communicate with VIU personnel such as Campus Security or Student Housing staff.
3. As the host, you are responsible for the behaviour and actions of all of those who attend the gathering. If others arrive who are not welcome, you must request that they leave and/or report them to a community leader, security, and/or front desk. Non-resident guests must always be signed in at the front desk and accompanied by a resident when in Student Housing.
4. In shared-double rooms and apartments, all roommates must be aware of and give permission in advance for a function/social gathering to be hosted in the room/apartment.
5. The function/social gathering must not impact hallways, walkways, stairwells, foyers and surrounding outside areas of Student Housing.
6. All functions/social gatherings must adhere to fire code regulations like the number of people in the room/unit.
7. Advertising for a function/social gathering (including on Facebook and other social networking websites) is only permitted if it is first approved in writing by the Community Life Coordinator (CLC).
8. Strobe lights and themed social gatherings are not permitted.
9. Alcohol may not be sold, and all provincial, residence and campus liquor policies must be respected.
10. Functions/social gatherings may only be held on Friday or Saturday. They are not permitted on any other days of the week, during the exam periods, or when extended quiet hours are in effect.
11. As the host, you must end the functions/social gathering and have all guests vacated from Student Housing property by no later than one hour prior to quiet hours to ensure quiet hours are respected (Sunday to Thursday 10 pm to 8 am, Friday to Saturday 1 am to 10 am). As a host, you may book a meeting with the Community Life Coordinator or Assistant Manager of Community Life, Conduct and Education to discuss the guidelines. If you would like to request an exception to any of the guidelines, you are required to meet with the CLC to inquire about this possibility.
12. VIU personnel (Student Housing staff, Campus Security) and emergency personnel, such as the RCMP, will use their discretion when addressing such situations. A responsible function/social gathering should not require continued Student Housing staff presence to ensure the guidelines are followed. If the function/social gathering requires continued staff monitoring, you will be asked to end the function and have your guests leave.

Guests

You are responsible for your guests and their guests' actions during their stay in Student Housing. It is important that you understand the responsibilities of being a host in Student Housing.

When hosting guests in or on Student Housing property, all community standards must be upheld at all times, specifically the expectations regarding guests, noise, and alcohol. In addition, the following guidelines must be followed:

1. The term "guest" may apply to an individual from a different VIU Student Housing building or another room in the same building. A guest may also be an individual who does not live in Student Housing at VIU.
2. You must take full responsibility, and may be held accountable, for your guests' actions.
3. Guests must be signed in at the Residence Front Desk
4. Guests must be accompanied by a resident at all times when on or in Student Housing property. Failure to be present does not mitigate or relieve a resident's responsibility for their guest's behaviour.
5. Overnight guests are limited to one at a time for no more than four nights in a calendar month, and no more than 12 nights total per semester unless approval is granted in writing from the Community Life Coordinator.
6. You must have the permission of your roommates (if applicable) to entertain overnight guests.
7. Guests are not permitted during December and April exam periods, as well as the first week following Move-In Day (as described in the Student Housing agreement).

Tips for responsible hosting:

1. Remove any obvious hazards in your unit.
2. Remain sober and keep track of guests.
3. Use plastic instead of glass containers to reduce the potential for injuries and broken glass.
4. Offer plenty of non-alcohol beverages and food.
5. Arrange for your guests to get home safely or stay overnight.

Call a CL or security if things get out of your control or if you need assistance.

Roommates

All residents are expected to complete an agreement with their roommate(s) with the assistance of their Community Leader or Community Life Coordinator. The roommate agreement can be found on the Student Housing forms page. This process is intended to facilitate conversations between roommates and develop an agreement of what the coming year will look like in your shared space.

Like any relationship, it is important to approach your roommates with mutual respect and to be willing to communicate openly with one another. Please keep these key items in mind while developing your roommate agreement, and throughout the year. Your Community Leader will contact you within the first few weeks of classes to follow-up on the completion of this agreement and is available to help coach you through roommate conflicts or lead a mediation session if necessary.

It is important to note that roommates are mutually responsible for shared living spaces. Any charges for damages or cleaning that are assessed to shared living spaces may be divided among all roommates.

Keys: Lockouts, lost keys, and lending

For the period of your stay in Student Housing, you will be assigned keys for your residence room, building front door, mailbox and apartment (if applicable). You are expected to keep your keys safe. If you lock yourself out of your room you can request access in the main office, with identification verification. A lockout fee of $10 will be charged to your Student Housing Portal. Lock changes are required when keys are lost, and you are responsible for the associated fees. Lending keys is strictly prohibited.

Please note that residence key fobs will not function for side door access after 10 pm.

You must enter through the main entrance, which remains accessible. Ensure you have your key fob with you at all times to avoid being locked out.

Noise and quiet hours

To maintain a community environment that is conducive to academic success and health and wellness, it is necessary to set guidelines regarding acceptable noise. At all times, the general rule is that no individual or group should cause noise which interferes with other residents’ right to reasonable quiet for sleep and study.

All residents must abide by the designated quiet hours in Student Housing which are: Sunday to Thursday: 10 pm to 8 am, and Friday and Saturday: 1 am to 10 am, and extended quiet hours (e.g., during exam periods) designated by Student Housing staff.  You must always be considerate of others even when quiet hours are not in place.

Subwoofers (bass amplifiers) are not permitted in Student Housing.

Pets and guide animals

You are not permitted to keep or harbour pets or animals in or on the Student Housing property, even on a temporary basis. You guests may not visit the Student Housing property with their pets.

You may keep a guide dog or guide animal, as described in the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act (British Columbia), in Student Housing if you provide acceptable documentation to Student Housing and VIU's Accessibility Services prior to the arrival of the animal. The animal must be certified under the Guide Dog and Service Dog Act. Guide animals must be kept in such a manner so as not to disturb, threaten or create a nuisance to other persons or Student Housing personnel.

Community standards and the conduct system

These standards are not limited to Student Housing buildings. They also apply to all property areas adjacent to the buildings (parking lots and surrounding grounds) and during sanctioned Student Housing events – even if these events take place outside Student Housing property or off-campus.

A violation of these standards will be a breach of your Student Housing Agreement (SHA) with VIU and may result in actions taken against you or sanctions applied. This may include SHA termination from Student Housing. When an alleged violation of these standards is brought to the attention of Student Housing staff, it will be dealt with following the process described in Community Standards Enforcement Process.

If you have a question or concern about a community standard, or you feel that a member of the Student Housing community has acted inappropriately or in violation of these standards, contact your CL or Community Life Coordinator.