Respect for People and Community

Can I leave my things in my room during breaks and vacations?

You may leave your personal belongings and property in your room during statutory holidays, and fall/winter study breaks. It is best to take any valuable items with you King’s cannot guarantee the security of personal belongings in your room. It is your responsibility to ensure your doors and windows are locked when you are not in your room.

What if I am away from residence for a short while?

Please let your roommate, RA, or the Residence Office know if you are going to be away from residence.

Can I stay in residence after my final exam is over?

Students must vacate their rooms within 24 hours following the date of their final examination, at the end of each term. Residents requesting an exception to this standard must contact the Residence and Campus Life Office a minimum of 4 weeks in advance. Additional fees may apply.

Can I stay in residence on breaks and holiday closing?

Students may remain in residence during fall and February study breaks. Limited food service is during this time. Pre-registration is not required.

Residents may also remain in residence during the December-January holiday closure. Pre-registration is required by December 1. A fee of $30 per night is applied (to a maximum of $350).

Conduct Expectations

See Rules of Residence for more detailed information on conduct expectations, and procedures.

Respectful treatment of others is essential. This includes other residents, residence staff, King’s and food service employees. Dangerous, or disorderly behaviour, or acts of harassment that threaten the safety and wellbeing (physical or psychological) of any person, whether or not harm to persons or property results; and behaviour that results in damage to the property of King’s University College or any personal property are contrary to King’s residence community standards. We will not tolerate verbal, written, or online abuse, threats, intimidation, violence, or other forms of harassment against any member of our community for any reason including, but not limited to perceived status, culture, race, religion, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Incidents of harassment should be reported to the Residence and Campus Life Office.

You will be subject to disciplinary sanctions if you make sexist, racist, or homophobic comments or jokes. Ignorance, anger, alcohol, or substance abuse will not be accepted as an excuse, reason, or rationale for such behaviour.

Your Residence Contract may be terminated if you engage in harassment, threaten, or assault another resident.

Behaviour that creates a hostile work environment or that is disrespectful to Residence Life Student Leaders, including intimidation, threats, directed expletives, bullying, electronic surveillance, or other forms of harassment will not be tolerated and may result in the termination of your Residence Contract.

Complaints of harassment or discrimination on the prohibited grounds specified by the Ontario Human Rights Code (race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin [including language, dialect, or accent], citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, family status, the receipt of public assistance, record of provincial offences or pardoned federal offences) will be dealt with according to applicable King’s University College policies on harassment and discrimination, in addition to Rules of Residence processes.

Dangerous or Illegal

Items are not permitted in residence. These may include, but are not limited to weapons (actual or replica), firearms, fireworks, explosives of any kind, chemical oils, propane, flammable/dangerous materials or any other, hazardous or illegal substances, or items or behaviour prohibited in the Rules of Residence. Residents are responsible for any criminal, or civil fines, or expenses that result from their use of these prohibited devices in residence resulting in alarms or damages.

Health Precautions

Public health concerns may require certain precautions, room reassignments, space usage restrictions, and additional requirements for occupancy to be applied in residence

The Residence and Campus Life Office reserves the right to relocate residents to another room or building within the residence system when we become aware that a resident has contracted a highly contagious communicable illness (for example, COVID-19, chicken pox, mononucleosis, norovirus, among others).

You are required to follow reasonable directions from the University related to health and safety. Such directions are for your safety and the safety of others and may include but are not limited to a direction to submit to testing, a direction to self-isolate should you become ill and/or a direction to maintain a safe physical distance from others.

Objectionable and Obscene Behaviour and Material

Objectionable and obscene material and/or behaviour is not permitted in residence. This includes racist, homophobic, or sexist jokes, hate literature, pornographic materials and any other materials that may be offensive to others or negatively reflect upon the reputation of King’s. This includes verbal communication and posting or publishing of material, written or electronic, within residence, including in your room. No objectionable or obscene material may be in view of others. The file-sharing functions of your computer are considered to be in the public domain; therefore, you will not use your network connection in residence for file sharing of objectionable materials.

We investigate concerns that come to our attention and may review material contained in online spaces. You will be held responsible for any online posts, text, photographs, or videos, words, statements, or multi-media posted on an online forum that are hurtful, compromise the safety or integrity of the campus/residence community or one of its members, or negatively impact King’s reputation.

Community Shared Spaces

Common areas of residences (such as lounges, washrooms, kitchens, and study spaces) are intended for the use and enjoyment of all residents. Your use of common spaces must not interfere with others’ ability to use and access them. You may not sleep in lounges or otherwise claim common spaces as your own. We reserve the right to limit access to common spaces following damage or inappropriate use. Leave common spaces tidy and restored to previous set up after use. Personal items may not be left in these areas.

Lounge and study room furniture and accessories are not to be removed from the lounge areas.

Privacy and Personal Property

You must show respect for the privacy, property, and wellbeing of other residents and their right to quiet enjoyment of private and public spaces. Intrusive behaviour—failure to knock and wait for an invitation to enter, eavesdropping or surveillance, or uncomfortable encroachment on personal space— can have a troubling impact on an individual’s sense of security and daily comfort.

Recording individuals in any format without their knowledge, even within your private personal space, is unacceptable behaviour and disciplinary sanctions may follow. You may not make recordings of or conduct surveillance on residence employees without their permission.

You may not enter another student’s room or suite and/ or disturb another resident’s property without their permission. You must ask your roommate’s permission before using their belongings. Students must have written permission to enter another’s room when that resident is not present and may do so only with the consent of Residence Staff.

Pranks and Boisterous Behaviour and Commercial Ventures

Boisterous behaviour is unacceptable in residence. Participating in sports or games, including (but not limited to) frisbee or ball throwing, roller-blading, bicycling, and running are not permitted inside the residences. Designated outdoor recreation areas are available for such activities.

Initiating, encouraging, supporting, or participating in pranks is strictly prohibited.

You are not permitted to host or promote parties or commercial ventures in residences.

Commercial transactions or soliciting, including gambling, that are not authorized by the Residence and Campus Life Office, are not permitted in residence.

Gender Based and Sexual Violence

King’s Gender Based and Sexual Violence Policy and Procedures

King’s University College and King’s Residence is committed to providing and maintaining an environment in which Gender Based and Sexual Violence is not tolerated. It takes seriously its responsibility to address gender-based and sexual violence that is pervasive in society, through education, training, and response.

All residents are required to complete the assigned Gender Based and Sexual Violence education modules prior to move in.

The Gender Based and Sexual Violence policy apples to employees, emeriti, post-doctoral fellows/associates, students, visiting professors, visiting students, contractors and other affiliated persons.

King’s has procedures to respond to gender-based and sexual violence to support members of our campus community, regardless of where an incident of sexual violence has occurred.

Gender-based and sexual violence is any sexual act or act targeting a person’s sexuality, gender identity and gender expression, whether the act is physical or psychological in nature, that is committed, threatened or attempted against a person without the person’s consent, and includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, stalking, indecent exposure, voyeurism, cyber harassment and sexual exploitation. Gender-based violence also includes domestic violence, physical abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, and financial abuse.

Sexual assault is any type of unwanted sexual act done by one person to another that violates the sexual integrity of the victim. Sexual assault is characterized by a broad range of behaviours that involve the use of force, threats, or control towards a person, which makes that person feel uncomfortable, distressed, frightened, threatened, carried out in circumstances in which the person has not freely agreed, consented to, or is incapable of consenting to. Sexual assault is a crime as defined by the Criminal Code of Canada.

Sexual harassment is a form of harassment on the basis of sex, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation that has the effect of creating a poisoned environment (demeaning, intimidating, hostile). Usually, present is a pattern of repeated behaviours such as offensive jokes, comments, display of inappropriate materials, or stereotyping. Sexual harassment may also have a quid pro quo element. Quid pro quo means “this for that” and thus, there may be promises of rewards for complying with sexual solicitations or implied threats or actual effects for not complying with sexual demands.

Intimate Relationships and Power Imbalances

Intimate relationships include, but are not limited to, dating relationships, short term sexual relationships, longer term sexual relationships or connections, sexual texting exchanges.

Intimate relationships between residents and Residence Staff members, Orientation Leaders (Sophs), and other senior student leaders are strongly discouraged because of the power imbalances involved. Residence Staff and other student leaders hold positions of power and privilege and are required to guard against any actual or perceived situations where that power may be misused (with intention or not). When intimate relationships occur in residence between individuals where power imbalances, and potential conflicts of interest exist, the individuals involved, the residence community and the leadership teams may be impacted in potentially problematic ways.

Should such a relationship between a student leader and a resident develop, the student leader is required to notify their manager of the development or potential development of such a relationship and disclose the name of the resident. Residents are not required to advise the Residence and Campus Life Office, but are encouraged to do so. Managers will then review the situation and implications with the staff member, advise the resident of power and privilege concerns and resources, and determine if any other action is required.

Consent

Consent to sexual activity is when people voluntarily agree to engage in a sexual activity. Consent cannot be assumed and must be given freely. Asking for consent and respecting the response you receive ensures everyone involved feels safe and wants to proceed. You must obtain consent before initiating and continuing with intimate and/or sexual activity.

Consent is not:

• Given by a third party

• Obtained through pressure, abuse of power, abuse of trust, or abuse of authority

• Obtained through coercion, force, or threat of force

• Obtained if the person is unconscious, sleeping, or under the influence of substance or medication that could impair their judgment

• Obtained if the person does not say yes, says no, or uses words or behaviour that imply no

• Obtained when the person changes their mind and chooses to no longer engage in the sexual activity; consent can be revoked at any time.

• Consenting to one kind or instance of sexual activity does not mean that you have consent for any other sexual activity or instance.

Mental Health and Wellness

We are committed to supporting and promoting the mental and physical health and wellness of our students and residence community, respecting and recognizing the needs of individual residents and the residence community. King’s offers a variety of services in support of student wellbeing and Residence works in close collaboration with these services to facilitate your healthy and successful residence experience.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources brings together all of King’s mental health resources in one location, and provides you and your family with links to our campus and London community resources.

You may be asked to join us in implementing a self-care and safety plan which outlines the supports and resources available including those available on a 24/7 basis. The intention of the Self Care and Safety Plan is to highlight a shared accountability in self-care and safety planning, available resources and the support available to access those resources. We may also reach out to involve parents, guardians or primary supports who can support you in your self-care and safety.

Should your behaviour and/or health issues cause us serious concern, we may reach out to your emergency contact to facilitate contact with you and/or to discuss whether we can safely and effectively continue to support you in residence.

Out of concern for your wellbeing and the wellbeing of other residents and staff, in situations where your behavioural and health issues jeopardize your wellbeing and/or the wellbeing and safety of others or otherwise exceed our capacity to support you, you may be required to take a leave from residence until your health is restored, or to find alternate accommodations off campus that better suit your needs.

Guests in Residence

Guests in a residence area have an impact on the community in that area. Residents must be aware of the impact of their guests and use discretion when inviting guests to residence. Each resident is responsible for ensuring their guests are aware of the community standards in residence. Guests are expected to maintain the same level of responsibility for upholding community standards as residents, however, residents will be responsible for the behaviour of their guests. The needs of residents outweigh those of guests. The Residence and Campus Life Office may modify guest privileges in residence at any time. Typically, the following guidelines apply to guests in residence:

• Residents must remain in the company of their guests and not leave them unattended in their room or shared spaces of the residence.

• Anyone who is not a resident at King’s is considered to be a guest.

• Residence students may not have more than two guests at any time.

• Guests are permitted in residence rooms with the agreement of roommates.

• The highest standard of consideration and cooperation is expected in order to maintain each resident’s right to study, rest and privacy.

• Guests are not permitted to have or use residence keys or access card.

Overnight Guests

You may have overnight guests if you notify residence@kings.uwo.ca. Your roommate must confirm their agreement. Overnight guests will not be permitted during Orientation Week, exam periods, Homecoming weekends, Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, and Easter weekend. Guests are limited to no more than two consecutive nights, and no more than 10 overnight visits per year. Overnight Guest parking is available on Friday and Saturday nights only. Your guest must complete a Guest Parking Permit Form available from security to register his or her vehicle. Residents are responsible for their guests at all times.

A guest will be considered an overnight guest after midnight Sunday-Thursday, and after 2 am on Fridays and Saturday nights. King’s residents are considered overnight guests in units other than their own after these hours and roommate agreement is required for them to be in a room.

The Residence and Campus Life Office may modify overnight guest privileges in residence at any time. Typically, Parents/guardians are not permitted to stay overnight in residence out of consideration for other students in the residence community.

Residence Staff have the right to immediately remove a guest whose behaviour does not meet community standards.

Sleep and Study

Residence is designed to support students in their personal and academic growth, including providing an atmosphere that promotes wellness and inclusion. The ability to sleep and study at night without disruption is key to this support. It is the responsibility of each resident to ensure that an atmosphere conducive to study is maintained.

Quiet Hours are designated each day and defined as times during which noise should not be audible from one room to another; including residence rooms, study rooms, lounge areas, or other public areas of the residence (i.e. washrooms, kitchenettes, hallways and stairways) or from outside areas immediately adjacent to the residences.

Quiet Hours are observed according to the following schedule:

Sunday night to Friday morning 11p.m. - 9 a.m. Saturday and Sunday 1 a.m. - 9 a.m.

During the December Mid-term and April Final Examination periods, quiet hours are extended to a continuous twenty-two (22) hour basis; moderate quiet hours are observed daily from 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. As sleep is fundamental to wellness, and studying is fundamental to academic progress, respecting these fundamental rights of other students is essential for all residence community members to remain in good standing.

Moderate Quiet Hours

Sunday to Thursday 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. Noise should not carry farther than one or two rooms.

Alcohol and Substance Abuse

We encourage residents who choose to consume alcohol to do so safely and responsibly. King’s Residence s committed to a harm-reduction approach to alcohol and controlled substance use, within the applicable municipal, provincial and federal laws. Residents must be of legal age to possess and, or use alcohol and cannabis in residence. Residents of legal age may not provide alcohol or cannabis to underage residents.

Residents are expected to abide by the alcohol policies in the Rules of Residence and the Code of Student Conduct, as well as all provincial regulations.

The following are key aspects of the residence alcohol policy:

• 19 years of age and older is the legal drinking age in Ontario, and therefore on campus

• Open alcohol is not permitted in public areas (outdoors, hallways, washrooms)

• Beer may only be brought into residence in single-serving aluminum cans

• Alcohol can be consumed in residence rooms and in TV lounges

• Drinking games and equipment, oversize alcohol bottles, kegs are not permitted

• Residents may not provide, or purchase alcohol for underage residents

• At certain times alcohol may not be allowed in residence. During O-Week alcohol and cannabis are banned from residence.

In disciplinary matters, the excuse of being under the influence of alcohol or other substances is not an acceptable defence or an acceptable reason for appeal.

Responsible use of alcohol and cannabis is expected of all residents at all times. Being unable to care for your own safety or the safety of others due in whole or in part to the influence of alcohol and/or cannabis may result in sanctions.

Central Services will not accept mail or deliveries of alcohol or cannabis for residents, regardless of age.

Alcohol and/or cannabis containers or related items cannot be displayed in windows and doing so will result in disciplinary sanctions.

Cannabis

In accordance with Provincial and Federal legislation, as defined by Bill C-45, the SmokeFree Ontario Act, and the Occupational Health & Safety Act, residence students are expected to abide by the following expectations regarding cannabis:

• The possession of cannabis is permitted in residences subject to the requirements of the law.

• Currently, possession is limited to the equivalent of 30 grams of dried cannabis to those 19+ years of age.

• All cannabis in your possession must be stored in air-tight containers.

• The possession of cannabis paraphernalia, including hookahs, bongs, vaporizers, and grinders, is permitted in residence. All paraphernalia must be stored in airtight containers at all times.

• The consumption of cannabis via smoking or use of a vaporizer is prohibited on King’s property, including the residences, in accordance with the smoke-free campus policy. Cannabis consumption in non-smoking forms is permitted in private residence rooms for those 19+ years of age.

• Cannabis plants, and cannabis-related cooking/baking, is not permitted in residence

• The distribution of cannabis to underage students, and the sale of cannabis to others regardless of age, is not permitted

Any evidence of cannabis possession or use in residence outside of sanctioned policies, or evidence to suggest the distribution of cannabis to others, will result in disciplinary outcomes. The smell of cannabis in residence rooms or in common areas will be assumed to be conclusive of use and possession. Delayed response in opening your door and/or attempts to remove or mask the smell, or inhibit an investigation in other ways will raise further suspicion of involvement in cannabis use.

Illegal Drugs/Controlled Substances

• Illegal drugs, or prescription drugs not intended for the individual in possession of them, are strictly forbidden in residence.

• The violation of any policy while under the influence of a controlled substance is considered an additional violation.

• Campus Special Constable Service will be called when illegal drug use or possession is suspected.

• The Residence Office reserves the right to dispose of any prohibited items.

• Supplying drugs to anyone, regardless of whether they are your friends, is considered drug trafficking and will result in the termination of your Residence Contract.

Smoke-free Campus

King’s is a smoke-free campus. Smoking is prohibited in all King’s buildings and on King’s campus property. This includes vaping, smoking tobacco, smoking cannabis, shisha, Dokha.

Smoking is allowed on public outdoor properties only (sidewalks and public space beyond the campus perimeter).

Evidence of smoking in residence including but not limited to, ashes, smell of smoke, and/or cigarette butts will be considered a violation of the smoking policy. Disciplinary sanctions, and any necessary cleaning, restoration or replacement charges will apply.