House Rules

Every day the residents, staff, and faculty members of Harrison College House work to bring the University of Pennsylvania home. In order to do so, and to preserve the safety, security, and well-being of all who comprise the friendly, diverse Harrison community, the following policies have been established and will be enforced.

Failure to comply with these policies may result in fines, probation, expulsion from the House, recommendation for action within the University Judicial System, or the University of Pennsylvania's Division of Public Safety.

  1. Smoking is prohibited in all residential buildings and outdoors within 20 feet of windows and doors. Those who violate the policy will meet with the House Dean and face possible disciplinary actions, fines, or even termination of their Housing Agreements.
  2. Throwing or dropping of objects of any sort out of windows is strictly forbidden. Violators will be subject to fines, disciplinary action and may face arrest.
  3. Tampering with fire alarms, abuse of fire equipment, or the discharge of fire extinguishers for any reasons other than to extinguish fires may result in arrest and will incur a minimum fine of $500 as well as disciplinary actions. Fire alarms may only be pulled in emergencies. Likewise, ignoring evacuation procedures, placing false alarms, interfering with fire alarm or other alarm systems, tampering with or removing bells, horns, strobes, fire hoses, extinguishers, and fire-fighting equipment are prohibited and a violation of the fire code. Violators will be fined and must bear the cost of inspecting, recharging, repairing, and replacing the equipment.
  4. Residents are responsible for knowing the correct fire safety procedures. These procedures will be explained by house staff members during the first floor meeting.
  5. Furniture may not be removed from any common, public spaces.
  6. Sports of any kind may not be played in the corridors, lounges, lobbies, patios, or any public spaces without expressed permission from House Senior Staff.
  7. All on-campus residences adhere to 24 Hour Courtesy hours.

    Courtesy Hours serve as a reminder to all residents of the primary rights to sleep and study within residential communities.  Residents are expected to exercise courtesy when playing music or participating in other activity that may disrupt other residents and/or interfere with the attempts of others to study.

    Quiet hours are in effect at the following times:  11:00 p.m until 9:00a.m. on weekdays (Sundays through Thursday) and 1:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. on weekends (Friday and Saturday).  Quiet hours are in effect at all times during reading days and finals.

    If a neighbor's activity disrupts your peaceful existence, please discuss it directly and politely with that person. In persistent cases, seek help from the RA or GA on the floor or with the Staff Member on Duty, who will be paged by the Information Center Specialist upon request. In the event that the situation does not resolve amicably, consult the House Dean who, in consultation with the members of Harrison College House, will decide upon appropriate action.

  8. Individuals under the age of 21 may neither possess nor consume alcohol within Harrison College House. Residents of legal drinking age may not consume beverages in common areas of the house. They are also prohibited from serving alcohol to minors. Likewise, they may not consume alcoholic beverages in the presence of minors. Violators of these policies, in addition to other fines and disciplinary procedures, will be expected to attend classes to help them make better choices about alcohol and other drugs.

    All residential staff members have the right to request identification and verification of age in order to enforce these rules.
  9. Residents are expected to carry their PennCard at all times. Any resident who habitually fails to carry a PennCard regularly may be subject to fines and other disciplinary actions.
  10. Door-to-Door solicitation or in any public space of Harrison College House, without the expressed approval of the House Dean, is strictly forbidden. Solicitation includes, but is not limited to, asking for monetary donations, ticket sales, flyering, and event announcements. Approval must be obtained from our house dean, Dr. Pellicone, as general university approval is insufficient. Please conduct approved solicitation during daytime hours.
  11. There will be no destruction or defacement of public property.