Some things are banned in dorms, learn what not to bring when coming to Ohio University
Students moving into Ohio University’s residence halls in the fall should come prepared with coffee pots, alternative seating and 3M Command products for hanging decorations, but they are advised to leave their toaster ovens and inflatable hot tubs behind.
Resident assistants encourage students to be familiar with the Student Housing Handbook, available online through OU’s Residential Housing website, which includes a complete list of prohibited items and student expectations for OU residents.
“If you don’t read anything else, read that,” said Stacy Alexander, a senior resident assistant in Treudley Hall and a senior studying social work. “A lot of people don’t know what’s legal and what’s not legal. People think that blenders and coffee makers are things you can’t have, but you can.”
Candles and wax warmers are among the most commonly confiscated items, but they are far from the strangest, Residential Housing Executive Director Pete Trentacoste said.
“I wasn’t here when it happened, but some- body put a hot tub in their room,” Trentacoste said. “That makes legend for Ohio University history. I think there was even a Saturday Night Live skit based on the hot tub. Sometimes you see things in the halls that aren’t necessarily precluded by policy, but you can just tell that they’re just safety issues.”
Other items barred from residence halls include personal wireless routers, BB guns, pellet guns and pets, with the exception of fish in tanks less than 10 gallons.
Students who are unsure if an item is allowed should call the Residential Housing Office or consult their RA or resident director.
“Sometimes we’ll see things going in. A good example is when we see someone unloading what looks like a tropical aquarium out of the zoo, and we say, ‘You know, that’s probably too big of an aquarium; let’s maybe not take that much water into the hall,’ ” Trentacoste said. “We do work with students to identify those concerns if we see things going in, but I figure the best thing is just to ask in advance.”
Another major concern for the Residential Housing Department is fire safety. Hanging decorations from the room’s ceiling, lights or smoke detectors is considered a fire hazard.
“It’s more or less about safety,” Trentacoste said. “That’s where we focus our energy.”
The housing handbook encourages students to consider that, as an OU resident, they are part of a community and should be respectful of their neighbors when choosing decorations.
Trentacoste and Alexander agree that a sense of community is important for OU residents.
“Leave your door open the first week,” Alexander said. “Everyone says that, but, seriously, do it. Just be open and willing to meet new people; don’t seclude yourself to your room.”
MB076912@OHIO.EDU
@MAYGANBEELER
