5.7 Damages and Graffiti

Students are expected to respect Housing property as well as the property of other community members. Students will be financially liable for any damages, alterations or removals that they cause (including damage caused by their guests) to residence hall rooms, buildings and other residents’ property.

Discriminatory Actions

Discriminatory actions, including graffiti, are prohibited based on an individual’s actual, perceived, or association with the following categories, herein called “protected class”: race/color; national or ethnic origin; age; religion; disability; sex; sexual orientation; gender; gender identity and expression; marital or parental status; military or veteran status; genetic information; and any other characteristic protected under applicable university policy (214.1), state or federal law/executive order.

University Housing recognizes the emotional distress these negative actions leave on people. Our standard protocol is followed whether the individual who performed the action can be found.

University Housing reports such incidents to UAPD, the Office of Student Accountability and the University's Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance.

Normal Wear and Tear

Normal wear and tear are expected. However, it is difficult to specifically define this for each item in a residential living area. 

Some examples of normal wear and tear include wobbly chairs, loose screws, minor scuffs on walls and slight scratches on bed ends. 

Damage Billing

Damage billing pricing can be found in Appendix A: Schedule of Charges.

Damage billing is a charge related to damage or vandalism assessed to residents or residents living nearby. 

The coordinator for residence education or assistant director for Greek Housing will investigate charges to ensure fairness in the billing process. 

Examples of Billable Damages

  • Broken exit signs
  • Broken windows
  • Re-assembly or replacement of broken room or lounge furniture
  • Recharging or replacing discharged fire extinguishers
  • Removal of any University furniture from its designated location (considered theft)
  • Replacement of towel rods or brackets
  • Holes or damage in walls - deliberate or accidental damage
  • Graffiti and spray paint

If a repair is needed because of damage or vandalism, the resident responsible will be charged even if a maintenance request has been sent.

Resident assistants make recommendations concerning charges, but they do not make the final decision.

Community Damages

Shared areas are defined as lobbies, hallways, lounges and recreation rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, elevators, etc.

Students will be financially liable for any damages, alterations or removals that they cause (including damage caused by their guests) to residence hall rooms, buildings and other residents’ property.

When damage occurs in a residence hall, suite, or apartment shared area, the coordinator for residence education will work with the students and staff to figure out, if possible, who is responsible for the damage.

The coordinator for residence education will notify residents of damages as they occur.

Students have two business days from the time of notification to supply information about whom may be responsible for the damage.

After that time, the cost is evenly divided among all students who share the space where the damage occurred. These damages are posted to student accounts.

When public area damages occur, students are encouraged to name the specific individual or group who may have caused the damage to avoid damage-billing charges. Those individuals thought to be responsible should be reported at once to the coordinator of residence education.

The minimum charges is $5 and will be placed on the student’s account.

Managed Greek House Damage

When damage occurs in Greek-managed houses, the assistant director for Greek Housing or their University staff member delegate will work with the fraternity president and other fraternity advisors to find who is responsible for the damage.

The aassistant director for Greek Housing or their staff delegate will notify residents of damages as they occur.

Excessive Cleaning Charges

Students are responsible for the cleaning of their individual rooms or suites.

Excessive cleaning is defined as any housekeeping situation that is not considered part of Housing staff’s normal cleaning routine and excessive cleaning charges will be imposed.

These charges do not always reflect the time and material necessary to complete cleaning tasks, but act as a deterrent against future excessive cleaning problems.

Excessive cleaning occurrences are determined by the coordinator of residence education or the assistant director for Greek Housing in Greek- managed houses.

Excessive Cleaning Charge Examples

  • Adhesive-backed decorations/colored putty
  • Body fluids: (blood, urine, mucus, feces, vomit)
  • Broken glass
  • Carpet and fabric damage
  • Cement blocks not removed from building
  • Confetti /glitter
  • Contact paper
  • Deliberate floods
  • Fire extinguisher debris
  • Food or trash left in a shared area
  • Graffiti
  • Liquid spills
  • Mud
  • Removal of personal items
  • Sprinkler head discharges due to causes other than fire
  • Tape/tape residue
  • Powder Paint
  • Spray Paint

Updated August 2023

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