Health and Safety

COVID-19: Living in Community

All residents are required to exercise self-leadership and mutual respect in their interactions with one another. Residents are expected to take active steps to promote and protect not only their own health and well-being, but that of others within the community as well. Therefore, residents must adhere to all the health and safety protocols found on the Health Center site.

Flammables

At no time may any flammable items be stored in or around living areas. This includes barbeques. In addition, open flame combustibles (candles, incense, oil-burning lamps, etc.) may not be burned in or around any residential unit. Motorized (gas powered) conveyances may not be stored in or around living areas. Electric conveyances have risks associated with their use and are detailed in the Electric Transportation Devices and Batteries policy. Also prohibited are live wreaths, Christmas trees and boughs, and large decorative Christmas lights. Other nonflammable holiday decorations may be used in compliance with all Facility Use policies. Posters, tapestries, etc., may not be hung or placed on ceilings or covering doorways.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms must not be tampered with in any way (e.g., removing the batteries, disconnecting, etc.). Any student found doing so will be subject to disciplinary action.

Appliances and Equipment

For reasons related to fire safety, electrical loads, and community disruption, electrical appliance and equipment usage must be limited. In general, any appliance/device with an open flame or exposed heating element is prohibited, as are electrical appliances and equipment that draw significant electrical current or are deemed too disruptive to the community. Prohibited appliances/devices may include, but are not limited to:

  • Air conditioners/ceiling fans
  • Any appliance not clearly marked as UL-approved
  • Electric saucepans/skillets
  • Extension cords
  • Hot plates
  • Instant pots/air fryers (in the halls)
  • Microwaves (in the halls)
  • Space heaters
  • Toaster ovens
  • Toasters (in the halls)
  • Electric scooters, bicycles, or other conveyances may be stored in rooms, but cannot be charged inside residence halls, including student rooms. Please see the Electric Transportation Devices and Batteries policy for information on proper use.

Acceptable electric appliances/devices (when used with proper care) include:

  • Circuit-breaker-protected power bars
  • Clocks
  • Computers
  • Curling irons/curlers
  • Dorm-room refrigerators (must be marketed as mini or compact)
  • Electric hot pots (for water)
  • Fans
  • Hair dryers (small)
  • Reading lamps
  • Televisions/gaming systems
  • Electric scooters, bicycles, or other conveyances may be stored in rooms, but cannot be charged inside residence halls, including student rooms. Please see the Electric Transportation Devices and Batteries policy for information on proper use.

Each appliance/device must be UL-approved and must not be left unattended when in use. For any appliance not included in these lists, Residence Life must give approval before it is used. If the use of any of your items poses a health or safety concern, causes a disruption to the community, or causes property damage or property loss, you may be subject to disciplinary action and associated costs or sanctions, regardless of whether the item is approved. The director for each living area is the final authority on what appliances and equipment will be allowed in student living areas.

Animals

Students are not allowed to keep animals of any kind, though exceptions exist for students with accommodations granted through APU’s Accessibility and Disability Resources. Feeding and temporarily keeping animals in or around living areas is also prohibited; residents who do so will be subject to a fine, cleaning and fumigation fees, and possible disciplinary action. Students are responsible for any damage done by approved or nonapproved animals in their unit.

Pest Control

If a student believes that they are experiencing a pest issue in their campus housing room or apartment (i.e. ants, roaches, bed bugs, rodents, etc.), they should immediately report it to Facilities Management by submitting a work order. Facilities will assess the situation and send the appropriate technician to handle the issue. APU contracts with a local pest control company who is on site 2-3 days per week. In the event that pests are confirmed in the room or apartment, all assigned students must comply with treatment and prevention instructions issued by Residence Life, Facilities Management and/or the designated pest control professional. Treatment and prevention instructions may differ depending upon the type of situation. Students who fail to comply with treatment procedures and who thereby aid the spread of an infestation may be held financially liable for additional treatment costs the university may incur as a result and face disciplinary action.

Bed Bugs

APU has been fortunate to avoid any significant bed bug issues on campus. This is credited to the timely response of our students and the diligent work of our Facilities Management team and their pest control professionals.

We ask that students closely inspect all personal furniture items before bringing them to campus and to submit a work order right away if they believe they may have bed bugs in their room or apartment.

If bed bugs are suspected and/or confirmed, we ask that students refrain from long visits or staying the night in any other campus housing room or apartment to prevent any potential spread. The only time we require a student to leave a room or apartment is for the 4-6 hour window during the actual treatment as performed by the pest control professional.

Bed bug procedure:

  • As soon as a student suspects that he/she may have bed bugs, they should submit a work order online and inform their area director as well. Students can continue attending classes in person, but should refrain from long visits or staying the night in any other campus housing room or apartment to prevent any potential spread.
  • Facilities Management will notify their pest control professional to perform a thorough inspection of the campus housing room or apartment in question.
    • Should the pest control professional find there are no bed bugs present in the room or apartment, they will continue monitoring the living space for a time.
    • Should the pest control professional conclude that bed bugs are present in the room or apartment:
      • The pest control professional will interview student(s) using an insect evaluation questionnaire.
      • The area director will provide the student(s) with a detailed checklist of instructions for the removal and laundering of their personal items.
      • The pest control professional will treat the room in two phases to make sure the bugs are eradicated. Students will have to follow the checklist on two separate occasions as directed by the pest control professional.
      • The pest control professional will also continue monitoring the living space until the issue is resolved.
  • Only Facilities Management’s pest control professional can confirm or deny the presence of bed bugs on campus. A student’s dermatologist (not a general practitioner) may confirm bites from bed bugs, but only the university’s pest control professional can confirm the presence of the bugs in a campus room or apartment.

Electric Transportation Devices and Batteries

Electric conveyances (skateboards, bikes, scooters, hoverboards, etc.) may not be charged in or around residence halls due to the significant risk of fire in densely populated spaces. Students may use them on campus in compliance with the vehicle code but must find other places to charge these devices.

Charging these devices in the residence halls may result in the removal of the device from campus and/or disciplinary action. Charging of these devices in campus apartments is permitted but must be done only in designated kitchen areas to ensure devices are not near flammables such as carpet, linens, furniture, etc.

Storage or use of these devices (except those intended solely to assist people experiencing handicaps/disabilities) within living area common spaces (including hallways, outside walkways, and lawn areas) is not permitted. Any use of electric conveyances that is deemed to be reckless within living area outdoor spaces is also prohibited. Students responsible for violating these expectations will be subject to disciplinary action.

Safety Recommendations

Fire authorities recommend adopting the following actions to aid in avoiding battery fires from electric transportation devices:

  • Charging of devices in campus apartments should be done in kitchen space only.
  • Never leave devices unattended when charging, and do not leave them charging overnight.
  • Buy devices that have been tested by a reputable laboratory, like UL Solutions.
  • Use only the manufacturer’s power chargers and batteries designed specifically for your device.
  • Keep batteries at room temperature and away from any flammable objects.
  • Store your bike away from doors and windows that block exits.
  • See more Safety Tips For Electric Conveyances from the National Fire Protection Association (PDF)
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