Decorating Guidelines

The Residence Hall Decorating Guidelines are adapted from the CUA Decorating Guidelines which are published annually by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. The purpose is to provide a framework for the decoration and personalization that occurs within individual rooms and common areas of residential facilities. In addition, it attempts to clearly define the parameters of which items are allowed and how/where to place them. Generally, all decorations should adhere to the guidelines listed below. For specific questions about decorating please contact Housing Services.

Individual Rooms

1. The use of adhesives and other hanging hardware is not permitted, except for 3M Command products and those products approved specifically for use in Opus Hall. 
2. The painting of student rooms is prohibited.
3. Items should not be hung from or placed on ceilings.

Common Areas

1. Where possible it is encouraged that decorations, other than university-approved publicity/posters, be made of noncombustible materials.
2. Bulletin boards are provided on each floor for use by Residence Life staff. Coverings should be limited to publicity/posters and decorations.
3. In hallways, coverings on walls should not occupy more than 10 percent of the surface area. This means that in general wall decorations should be limited to the approved bulletin board locations and individual resident's doors.
4. In lounges, coverings on walls should not occupy more than 10 percent of the surface area. This means that in general wall decorations should be limited to the approved bulletin board locations and doors.

Power Sources and Decorative Lighting

1. The use of extension cords is not permitted in the residence halls except for UL-approved surge protected power strips.
2. Interior power strips should not be routed through doorways, under carpeting, or routed across hallways as they can cause a tripping hazard.
3. Only U.L.-approved lights should be used as decorative lighting inside the residence halls.
4. Decorative lights should be kept away from combustible materials (i.e., curtains, paper, etc.) at all times. When a resident is not in the room all decorative lights should be turned off.
5. Metal staples or nails should not be used as fasteners for lights as they can damage the protective insulation covering the wires.
6. The installation and removal of decorative lights must not cause damage to the building.
7. Interior lights should not be strung along walls, across hallways between rooms, or around fire safety equipment.
8. Exterior lights should not be strung between windows or installed on the exterior of the building in which the decorator would be subject to any type of fall hazard or would require removing a window screen (including on roofs, ledges, etc.).
9. For exterior lighting use only UL-approved outdoor decorative lighting and power cords. Cover electrical connections with electrical tape to provide protection from the weather. Use exterior electrical outlets; power cords should not be run from windows or through doors as this will compromise the integrity of the cord. Do not run power cords across walkways or driveways.

Fire Safety Equipment

1. Decorations must be kept away from fire protection equipment to allow for emergency access to these devices. Fire Protection Equipment includes: exit signs, fire alarm devices (pull stations, smoke and heat detectors, etc.), fire extinguishers, and emergency and normal-use light fixtures.
2. At no time may any items be attached to or hung from sprinkler heads or sprinkler system piping.

Christmas Guidelines

1. Live Christmas trees are prohibited.
2. Artificial trees are permitted, provided the placement does not create an obstruction to egress.
3. See interior lighting guidelines above for Christmas tree lights.
4. Canned snow or other flammable decorative sprays may not be used inside the residence halls.