Note: These policies do not apply to the office of Environmental Health and Safety when conducting safety inspections, checks, or complaint investigations. At times when hazards are noticed and routine health and safety inspections are not being conducted, students will still be required to address violations. Hazards that pose a significant, serious, or immediate threat to health and safety will be removed for the safety of the residents and building.
Fire, Health and Safety Regulations and Prohibited Items
SUNY New Paltz makes a concerted effort to comply with state health and fire safety standards. As such, students are responsible for upholding the following regulations. Here is a document which describes our campus regulations:
Fire Health and Safety Regulations and Prohibited Items List 2024 - 2025
Electrical Appliances
Because of the danger of fire and the limits on the amount of electricity which can be safely used on any given electrical circuit, the Department of Residence Life requires that all electronics are UL approved. Furthermore, it is expected that
The college provides one microfridge (a refrigerator and microwave connected to each other) per room in corridor-style buildings and within Lenape Hall. Each suite within Ashokan, Awosting, Minnewaska, Mohonk and Shawangunk has a microwave in the suite/common area, and we added a refrigerator in each bedroom within the suite this summer. Students are not permitted to bring their own microfridges, nor standalone microwaves. Should they feel they need one, students are permitted to bring a cube model refrigerator that is no larger than 3 cubic feet.
Monthly Health & Safety Room Inspections
Complex directors and resident assistants conduct health and safety room inspections of each student room once a month. This is to ensure that safety issues such as overloaded electrical outlets, extension cords, major electrical appliances and other health and safety concerns or violations are discussed with residents. This allows the resident to become aware of safety issues within the room or suite. Health and safety checks include visual checks of the entire room and/or suite.
Is the room too dirty? Have bathrooms been cleaned properly and consistently? Have work requests been completed? Does anything need to be repaired?
The inside of the closet may only be visually inspected where the staff may open closet doors or curtains to do so. The same applies
Hall staff will inform residents by posting signs regarding health and safety inspections at least 24 hours in advance.
What happens when a resident fails a health and safety inspection?
Residents are given a written official request/warning describing the violation and requesting that said violation is removed or corrected. Residents will have 24 hours to comply with the request(s). Failure to comply with such requests will result in disciplinary action.
Room Cleaning/Decorating
The custodial personnel is trained to maintain public areas on daily schedule. Residents are responsible for keeping their rooms clean. Peregrine Complex residents are also responsible for keeping their suite and bathroom areas clean. Vacuum cleaners, mops, brooms, and other cleaning supplies are available for student use. Large trash containers are in the trash room of each building. Dumpsters are in the rear of each building. Dirt and other debris are not to be left in the hallways or bathrooms.
Students are permitted to decorate their rooms provided they adhere to the regulations outlined in the Fire, Health, Safety, and Prohibited Items List. Residents are reminded that they are responsible for any damage to the walls as a result of hanging objects. Room/suite walls are not to be vandalized or written upon. All residents are expressly prohibited from attaching any item to the ceiling of the room or suite.
Fire Detection and Alarm System
Each Residence Hall on the SUNY New Paltz campus is fully equipped with an integrated automatic fire detection and alarm system. This system automatically reports the presence of detectable smoke and/or fire to the University Police Department and activates the building fire alarm system. This system includes manual fire alarm pull stations at exits and stairwells which, when activated, will notify the University Police Department that a fire or smoke condition exists and will activate the building fire alarm system. This system provides coverage to all areas within the residence halls and reports directly to the University Police Department, who in turn contacts the Ulster County 911 Center for Fire Department dispatch and response. Each residence hall is equipped with portable, multi-purpose, dry chemical fire extinguishers on each floor. These extinguishers are present for use by occupants who are properly trained in their operation and only when conditions are appropriate. Since not all residence halls are yet equipped with sprinkler systems, it is important that residents be aware what sprinkler system coverage exists in their residence hall. Below is the type of sprinkler coverage provided:
Ashokan Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Awosting Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in the basement storage room. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Bliss Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in the basement north storage room, computer lab, center stairwell, JC-8, National Residence Hall Honorary office, storage room near JC-13, storage room near JC-19, and the trash & recycling room. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Bouton Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Capen Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in the boiler room and the storage room near JC-19. Fire detection and alarm coverage
College Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in the loading dock vestibule, loading dock stairwell, Shepard Recital Hall, room 113, room 114, Honor's Center storage room, and the Honor's Center kitchen. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Esopus Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Gage Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Lenape Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Minnewaska Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Mohonk Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in the computer lab, basement storage room, and the trash & recycling room. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Ridgeview Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Scudder Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Shango Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in the computer lab, telecommunications room, and the trash & recycling room. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Shawangunk Hall - Sprinkler coverage is provided in all areas of the hall. Fire detection and alarm coverage
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 845- 257-3310.
