Residence

2024/2025 Handbook
Table of
Contents
You’re Going to
Want to Read This.

Welcome to Residence 3

Staff Breakdown 4

Room & Building 6

Maintenance & Repairs 8

Service Centres 10

Safety & Security 13

Residence Life at Mac 18

Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities 21

Other Residence Policies, Procedures & Guidelines 26

Residence Agreement Contract 32

Move-Out Information 34

Index 36
2 | MCMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK
Welcome to
WELCOME
Residence
TO RESI-
Residence is more than just where you live: it’s your
home away from home – your new community.

Living in residence provides a supportive environment and

amazing opportunities to meet new people, experience
independence and grow as an individual in a community
which promotes self-discipline, the exchange of ideas, diversity,
self-directed learning and personal accountability.

Learning at university happens in and outside the classroom: your experience

living in residence and the connections you make here can play an important
role in helping you develop friendships and life skills that will help you be
successful this year and in the years to come.

Welcome to Mac and your new residence home!

Important Contacts
On Campus Emergencies:
• Campus Safety Services at 905-522-4135, 24 hours a day 7 days a week
• Emergency First Responder Team (EFRT) at 905-522-4135, 24 hours a day 7
days a week
Student Wellness Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 27700 or in PGCLL 210/201
Sexual Violence Prevention and Response Office (SVPRO) at 905-525-9140
ext. 20909
Drop-In Support
• Tuesday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. (year-round)
• 20-30 minute intro appointments
• University Hall (UH) 104, Equity and Inclusion Office reception
॰ Check in with the front desk to let them know you’re here for drop-in hours
Student Walk Home Attendant (SWHAT) x 27500
North Quad Service Centre (NQSC): 905-525-9140 ext. 27222
West Quad Service Centre (WQSC): 905-525-9140 ext 2489
Staff Breakdown
Residence Life Staff
In Residence Life, we make it our mission to create opportunities and support systems for
you to have fun, learn new things, and connect with other people and communities. Knowing
that learning extends beyond the classroom, your residence experience can play a hugely
important role in helping you develop the life skills that will ensure your continued success in
the future. We want you to be as happy, healthy, and successful as possible during first-year
and we are here to help.

Residence Life Area Coordinators (RLACs)

These professionals are full-time, live-in university employees responsible for the overall
management of the residence communities. All Residence Life Area Coordinators (RLACs) have
extensive backgrounds in residence living environments.
The background in student life prepares them well to handle responsibilities such as:
• Supervising approximately 130 Residence Life Staff Members
• Counselling and advising residence students experiencing difficulty
• Ensuring the physical safety and security of the residence buildings
• Developing community development and learning opportunities for residents
• Responding to crisis and emergency situations
• Assisting residents to resolve conflicts and transition to communal living expectations
• Investigating and enforcing residence community standards and code of conduct issues

Community Advisors (CAs)

Community Advisors (CAs) are an incredibly important part of each and every student’s
residence experience. CAs are upper-year students in residence who support first-year
students, foster inclusive communities and plan dynamic programming and initiatives. They
are also responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of residence communities.

4 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

CAs on Coverage
Community Advisors are on coverage (on-call) from 9pm-8am daily. For concerns in
residence please reach out to them at the following phone numbers:

Quad Building Phone Number

NQ Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (289) 308-7352

NQ LP & Woodstock (Princestock) (289) 237-3510
NQ Brandon (289) 339-0548
NQ Hedden & Edwards (Hedwards) (289) 244-3302
NQ McKay & Whidden (McKidden) (289) 244-7409
WQ Bates & Moulton (Boulton) (289) 921-5668
WQ Keyes, Matthews & Wallingford (289) 921-6876
Room &
Building
Insurance is Important
The University will not be liable, directly or indirectly, for loss or theft of personal
property, including food, or for damage or destruction of such property by fire,
water or other causes (e.g. loss of utilities).The student shall carry appropriate and
adequate liability insurance coverage for fire, injury, or damages caused by the
student, property damage and personal/public liability over the duration of their
residence agreement and any renewals or extensions thereof, at their
own expense, and such policies shall be written on a comprehensive basis. Students
must also take positive steps to ensure their safety by locking room doors and
ensuring that only authorized persons enter their building. Please ensure a form of
householder or tenant’s insurance covers you.

Room Condition Information

Your room will be inspected for damages and extra cleaning at December Break
and at move out in April. Random room checks will occur at various times during the
school year should the need arise. If your room is damaged at any time during the
school year, you will be responsible for paying the repair bill. You will be financially
responsible for any furniture that is missing from your room or any extra cleaning
should you leave your unit/space in an inappropriate condition. Room furniture must
remain in your room; you may not paint or alter your room in any way. Common
room and other public area furniture may not be removed from its location nor can
personal furniture be set up in these areas.

6 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

What are the Damage Costs?
You and your roommate(s) will be billed equally for damages in your room or apartment/
suite. The entire floor and/or hall community is responsible for paying damages outside
private residence rooms. Every effort is made to trace ‘public’ damages to the people
directly responsible so they may be held financially responsible.

Fridges in Residence
Students are not permitted to bring their own fridges into residence; however, you and your
roommate may rent a small fridge from Coldex. One fridge is permitted in a room. Students
can purchase an 8-month lease from Coldex. The fridge is conveniently delivered to your
room and picked up for you after you move out in April.

Please note:
• Apartment and Suite units contain a full sized refrigerator in the kitchen area.
• Traditional-style residences have kitchen facilities on each floor, where a fullsized
refrigerator is available for your use.

For the complete Fridge Policy, view online.

Common Area Cleaning

The custodial staff are in the buildings 24 hours a day to take care of basic cleaning
of washrooms and common areas. They will not wash your dishes! It is everyone’s
responsibility to keep common areas and hallways clean and comfortable for others.
Respect and take pride in your residence!

Garbage & Recycling

• Full garbage bags or cans can be emptied in the garbage room located on each floor of
your residence hall. The custodial staff will clear these rooms on a regular basis.
• Bates/Mary E. Keyes/Brandon/PGCLL residents – you may dispose of your garbage using
the garbage chutes located on your floor. Please take your garbage out regularly and be
sure not to plug the chute by stuffing oversized items into it. Report plugged chutes to the
Service Centre immediately.
• With need for conservation of land and water as a priority, it is important to send less to
landfill sites, therefore, we recycle.
• McMaster University Residence Facilities remove recyclables out of our residence
buildings every day.
Custodial & Maintenance Repairs
The Residence Facilities Team (RFT) consists of custodians, facility maintenance mechanics,
carpenters, plumbers and electricians. The Facility Services trade staff is present Monday
through Friday, from 7 am to 3:30 pm.

Custodial team members are staffed 24 hours to service the Residence buildings. In addition, a
number of other skilled tradespersons are on campus for building needs and emergencies 24
hours a day. From time to time, we will also call upon outside contractors to assist.

To initiate a work order, please visit the Residence Portal. If you have questions, call the staff
at your Service Centre, ext. 27222 (Commons Service Centre) or 24898 (Mary E. Keyes Service
Centre), or e-mail housing@mcmaster.ca.

8 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Bedbugs?
With increased international travel and reduced use of pesticides, North America is
experiencing an increase of bedbug occurrences. Found in fine hotels, hostels and college and
university residences, bedbugs do occasionally show up in residence.

Facts to remember about bedbugs:

• Although a nuisance, bed bugs are not a health threat.
• An adult bed bug is approximately the size of an apple seed.
• Bed bugs bite – bite marks may appear in rows and clusters. • Mostly active at night.

How to reduce the risk of getting bedbugs:

• Eliminate clutter
• Regularly vacuum your room and mattress
• Launder your linens and clothing (using high heat when possible)
• Be aware of the signs of bedbugs when you are staying in hotels or vacationing and always
launder your clothing when you return.

Think you’ve got bedbugs in your room? Here are the first steps:
• Visit your service centre (Commons or Mary E. Keyes lobbies) and speak to a Housing
Assistant.
• Find a sample and place it in the Ziploc bag provided from the service centre. Be sure to
label the bag and alert the desk that you have a confirmed sample.
• Plan to stay in your room. It’s important to remember – if you stay in a friend’s room, you
could be passing the problem along!

Next Steps:
• Within 24 hours of reporting a bedbug has been found, a representative from the Pest
Control company will complete a thorough inspection.
• If bedbugs are found to be present you will be required to await instructions from the service
centre and your Residence Life Area Coordinator before proceeding with the following steps:
1. Remove and launder all bed linens and clothing. Bags for your laundry will be provided
ddddddalong with a courtesy laundry card.
2. Clean your room to eliminate clutter to facilitate and improve the effectiveness of the
ddddddtreatment.
3. Leave your room for 5 hours in order for the treatment to be completed; it is safe to
ddddddreturn after this time. A follow-up treatment will be scheduled two weeks later.

Please note: If bedbugs are confirmed, you will not be relocated due to the increased risk of
spreading the pests, and no refund or reduction of residence fees will occur.

It is important to always ensure any food in your room is stored in proper sealed containers to
avoid unwanted pests.
 Service Centres
Have a question? Need more info?
Locked yourself out? Need something repaired?

The Housing and Conference Service Centres

are the central communication centres for the
Residence Community. Service is provided 7
days a week; the Service Centres are located on
the main level of the Mary E. Keyes Residence
and the Commons Building.

The Service Centres are staffed by Housing

Assistants who can assist you with your keys,
information about the residences, residence
policies, campus resources and information
about the greater Hamilton Community.

Please direct any questions you have regarding

our services to the Service Centre (Commons
Service Centre ext. 27222 or Mary E. Keyes
Service Centre ext. 24898) by visiting the Service
Centre in person or by e-mail at
[Campus map marking housing@mcmaster.ca.
Keyes]
If you live in Brandon, Hedden, Edwards, Les
Prince, McKay, Whidden, Woodstock, or Peter
George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL),
you will find the closest Service Centre in the
Commons Building lobby. If you live in Bates,
Mary E. Keyes, Matthews, Moulton, or Wallingford,
your closest Service Centre is in the lobby of
Mary E. Keyes Residence.

10 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Where are your Keys?
Lock Out Keys
If you are locked out of your room, visit your Service Centre to request a lock out key and
access card. A Housing Assistant will check your photo in the residence portal before
signing out a key and access card for you. This security check will ensure a lockout key is
only issued to a resident who can prove he/she is an occupant of the locked room.

You cannot authorize or send someone else to sign out a key. You have 20 minutes to
unlock your room, grab your keys and return the lock-out key and access card to the
Service Centre. (If you have lost your room key, mailbox key, and/or access card see Lost
Keys below).

What Happens when I get Locked Out?

• During Welcome Week: We get it, stuff happens!
• Lock out 1, 2 and 3 (in a single semester): No worries.
• Lock out 4: You will get an email asking you to connect with your CA in the next 3 business
days to talk about strategies to avoid lock outs.
• Lock out 5, 6 and 7: Try to remember, okay? What happened to those strategies?
• Lock out 8: Time to have a conversation with your Residence Life Area Coordinator.
• Lock out 9+: $10 per lockout.

Late Lock Out Key Return

You must return the borrowed lock out key within the 20 minute time frame! Late returns
for borrowed lock out keys are subject to additional charges, (minimum of $25) and if the
key(s) is not returned within 24 hours from which it was borrowed, a lock change will occur
and all associated costs placed on your student account.

Charge apply as follows:

• Replace room or apartment / suite key - $25
• Replace lost room or apartment / suite key (lock change required) - $160
• Replace lost or damaged access card - $25
• Replace lost or damaged laundry card - $5
• Replace lost or damaged mailbox key - $25
• Replace lost or damaged bike room key - $25
• Replace lost or damaged student staff key - $25
• Administrative fees (where applicable) - $25
Damaged Keys/Access Cards
• Bent or broken keys are to be reported to the Service Centre, and a temporary replacement
key will be provided. Once your new key has been cut, you will be required to return the
temporary key to the Service Centre and pick up the new key.
• If you damage your building access card, the Service Centre can provide you with a
replacement card. *Charges apply as noted.

Temporary Borrowing of Keys

If you leave your keys out of the area (i.e. forget them at home in Ottawa, Peterborough…)
please visit your Service Centre to temporarily sign out a set of keys while your keys are in
transit. The minimum cost for this service is a $25 administrative fee and if the temporary set is
not returned within the specified timeframe, a lock change will occur and all associated costs
placed on your student account (see charges).

Keys at Move-in/Move-out
At move-in you are issued a bedroom key (plus an apartment/suite key for Bates and Mary E.
Keyes residents) and an access card. These keys are coded as a security measure to allow us
to identify them in case of loss.

When moving out of residence, you are responsible for returning all the issued keys and access
card to your Service Centre. Failure to return your key/access card will result in a lock change
and all associated costs being placed on your student account (see charges).

12 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

 Safety &
Security

McMASTER SAFETYAPP
Download the McMaster SafetyApp – call for help, find a bus, and keep safety
information and emergency resources in the palm of your hand. McMaster’s
mobile safety app is available on iTunes or Google Play.

McMaster Security Services Emergency

In case of an emergency: (905) 522-4135
(905) 525-9140 Ext 24281 Ext 88 on internal phones only
http://security.mcmaster.ca/

Student Walk Home Attendant Team

(SWHAT) x 27500
SWHAT is a student-run volunteer organization dedicated to improving personal
safety on campus. Volunteer teams (one male and one female) will walk anywhere
within a 30-minute radius from campus or take the bus with students travelling to
downtown Hamilton.
Emergency First Response Team (EFRT)

(905) 525-9140 Ext 24117

Extension 88 (on internal phones)
EFRT is a volunteer organization, on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the academic
year. They respond to any medical emergency on campus in a team of 3 responders, with an
impressive time of 2-3 minutes. Volunteers are trained in both the Red Cross Emergency First
Responder and Toronto Ambulance’s International Trauma Life Support courses.

Fire Safety
Fire alarm systems are tested every month – ring – stop – ring again; you are not required
to leave the building. If ringing persists, it is a REAL alarm and you MUST leave the building.
Failure to do so is a finable violation of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR).
Housing & Conference Services conducts full building evacuation drills once during the
academic year.

Fire Safety Tips

• McMaster is a smoke free campus, vaping and/or smoking in residence may cause the fire
alarm to be set off
• Ensure all cooking is attended to, if you need to leave your kitchen for any reason please
turn off the appliance you are using.
• Candles are not permitted in residence.

Fire Alarm Test Times

• McKay • Brandon Fire alarm testing occurs
• Whidden • Edwards on the first Tuesday of
every month around 12
• Woodstock • Hedden
p.m.
• Les Prince • Peter George

Fire alarm testing occurs

• Matthews
• Bates on the first Tuesday of
• Moulton every month around 12
• Mary E. Keyes
• Wallingford p.m.

14 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Fire Evacuation Sites
West Quad Residence
Fire Evacuation Sites

Bates Cir-
cle Bates
Matthews: Between Bates/Moulton/Keyes
Between
Wallingford: Between Bates/Moulton/Keyes
Moulton: Keyes Circle
Bates/Moulton
Matthews
Wallingford

Bates: Bates Circle inside lot Q

Mary Keyes: Keyes Circle

Keyes
Circle

North Quad
Residence Fire
Evacuation
Les Prince: Near Track
Hedden: Lot G towards Stadium, Sites
beyond light post
PGCLL: Lot G towards Stadium,
beyond light post
Woodstock: Front of Whidden Hall
Brandon: Front of Whidden Hall
McKay: Indigenous Circle
beside Whidden
Whidden: Indigenous Circle
beside Whidden
Edwards: Indigenous Circle
beside Whidden
Emergency Procedures
Check for Emergency Information and Procedures on the back of your door. Make sure you
know what to do in an emergency and what your exit routes are in case of fire or smoke.

Your residence is equipped with heat and smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, hoses and
alarms that are all checked regularly. Tampering with the fire pull station (e.g., lifting the
cover over a fire pull station) for any reason other than to activate the building fire system for
an actual fire is a violation of the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

Building Enterance Doors - Accessing your Building

All entrance doors are equipped with card access readers. Lost cards can immediately be
suspended from use at either of the Service Centres (Commons & Mary E. Keyes).

Entry to residence buildings is limited to residents. To gain entry, place your building access
card against the red light found beside the door of your residence. The light will turn green
and the magnetic locks on the entrance door will release. The doors re-lock when they close
behind you.

All residence main entrance doors and secondary entrance doors are equipped with CCTV
cameras and the images are digitally recorded.

Each main entrance has an intercom for students to call any extension on campus including
Security at ‘88’, and to make local calls (dial 9 first).

Each night all secondary entrance/exit doors are locked down from 9 pm to 7 am. The main
entrance is the only door that can be entered or exited through (except in the case of a fire
alarm – all exits will be open).

Bedroom, Suite, and Apartement Door Locks

All interior residence doors are equipped with Medeco high security lock cylinders. McMaster
keys cannot be duplicated at any hardware store. When a key has been lost, the lock will be
changed. Do not loan your keys or building access card.

16 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Security Tips
Tailgating is strictly prohibited in residence. Tailgating occurs when someone holds the
door open for others to enter the residence hall, posing a safety risk because nonresidents
can enter the building. Do not allow people to follow you through the door. Help keep your
community safe!

You can help to maximize the safety of your residence community by remembering to do
the following:

• Lock your door whenever you are not in your room, even if you are going down the hall for
a minute. Don’t forget to take your keys with you!

• Escort your guest throughout your residence building rather than allowing them to wander
freely.

• If you see a person that looks out of place and is acting suspicious in your building contact
Security immediately.

• Do not prop open any building entrance door. If you see an entrance door propped open,
please close it immediately.
Residence Life at MAC
The Residence Life Office
The Residence Life Office provides opportunities that support student success and personal
growth through community engagement, leadership development, and cocurricular
experiences. We promote an inclusive, healthy, and enjoyable environment that inspires
innovation and life-long learning.

Knowing that learning extends beyond the classroom, we believe that each student’s
residence experience can play a hugely important role in helping them develop life skills
that will ensure their continued success in the future. We want to support students to be as
happy, healthy, and successful as possible as they start this new and exciting journey.

In Residence Life, we are committed to providing the best experience to all of our students.
We do this through focusing on three Education Priorities. The Educational Priorities
help guide Residence Life Staff, from Coordinators to CAs, in developing meaningful
programming opportunities for students. Each Educational Priority includes measurable
learning outcomes.

18 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Residence Life
Educational Priorities
Student Success
Each student will gain the knowledge and skills that are important to their individual
success as a student. Student success engages students in knowledge-sharing and skill-
building opportunities at key points during the year to support their academic needs.
Student success also encourages the exploration of experiential and career-building
opportunities. Finally, student success includes preparing students with important life skills
to help them flourish in their academic and personal lives.

Community Impact
Community impact includes a culture of mutual respect and inclusion that prioritizes
community engagement and nurtures a sense of belonging. Community impact centers
the student experience while encouraging the exploration of new environments and
relationships.

Personal Well-Being
Personal well-being honours the concept that well-being is made up of multiple
intersecting domains, including physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual. Agency is key
in supporting students’ day-to-day well-being, as well as their long-term journey to well-
being. We believe that students should be empowered with the skills, knowledge, and
resources they need to navigate their changing well-being-related needs. We recognize
the connection between individual well-being and creating thriving, resilient communities.
 A Community where Students
Realize their Potential

Who are the Community Advisors (CAs)?

Community Advisors (CAs) are an incredibly important part of each and every student’s
residence experience. CAs work on the frontlines – support fun and inclusive communities,
planning dynamic events and initiatives, and ensuring their students through the ups and
downs of university life. They are also responsible for ensure that the community upholds
the standards established in the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities.

20 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Code of Student Rights and
Responsibilities (CSRR)
The goal of living in residence is to ensure that you have a fun, safe and successful ex-
perience. The next 8 months will allow you to meet great people and enjoy an opportu-
nity to live in a diverse community.

A Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR) has been established to ensure
that the following five principles form the basis of a successful year:

Respect | Accountability | Safety

Community-Living | Legal Responsibility

Highlights from the Code of Student Rights and

Responsibilities (CSRR)
McMaster University is a student-centered community committed to excellence,
integrity, inclusiveness, and teamwork. Membership in this community implies
acceptance of the principle of mutual respect for these rights and responsibilities, which
include, but are not limited to:
All students at McMaster, have the right to:
• Protection under the laws of the land and this code
• Fair procedures and processes under this code
• Achieve your academic goals without obstacles and participate in conversations that
examine diverse views and ideas that are respectful
• Live and work in an environment free from harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or
assault
• Have your personal privacy respected by other students

All students at McMaster are responsible for:

• Following the law and being familiar with McMaster’s policies, procedures and rules.
• Doing no harm (i.e. physical, emotional, and/or mental) to others
• Respecting others and the diversity of the McMaster community
• Responsibly consuming legal substances
• Completing assigned sanctions and respecting University Officials
The Expectations of Residence Students
Residence is a unique and inter-connected community on the McMaster campus. As a
residence student, there are additional responsibilities you agreed to uphold by signing the
Residence Agreement Contract.
To read the full Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities, please visit https://secretariat.
mcmaster.ca/app/uploads/Code-of-Student-Rights-and-Responsibilities.pdf

By living in residence you agree to:

Community Standards

• Avoid creating significant nuisances for, or infringe on, a resident’s peaceful use of their
room/space (e.g.excessive noise, indoor sporting activity, pranks, etc.).
• Take reasonable steps to prevent a problem situation from occurring or, if it occurs, to
prevent it from escalating to a more serious level.
• Refrain from possessing prohibited items as defined by Housing and Conference Services
in the Residence Agreement Contract Appendix A: Prohibited Items and Alcohol Regulations.

Policy

• Abide by University policies, procedures, or protocols (e.g. Residence Agreement/Contract,

Guest/Escort protocol, Decorating protocol, etc.).

Personal and Community Safety

• Refrain from actions that compromise fire safety standards (e.g. propping doors, lighting
candles, smoking inside, failing to evacuate, tampering with fire safety equipment, causing a
false alarm, etc.).
• Refrain from actions that compromise the safety of an individual(s) (e.g. tampering with
building systems, fabricating or building structures, accessing restricted areas, etc.) or are
considered unsafe practices by Housing and Conference Services.
• Refrain from actions that compromise the safety of the Residence community
(e.g. loaning keys, fraudulently gaining entry to a building, misusing identification, etc.).

22 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Substance Use Standards

• Abide by Residence Agreement Contract Appendix A: Prohibited Items and Alcohol

Regulations and the Liquor License Act, including refraining from underage consumption/
service, excessive consumption/ public intoxication, open alcohol in a public space, drinking
games, or alcohol practices considered unsafe by Housing and Conference Services.
• Refrain from the possession, use, sale or being under the influence of illegal drugs
(including drug traces, paraphernalia, and smell) and/or use of medication for purposes
other than for those that they were prescribed.

Cannabis

• You must be at least 19 years of age to possess and consume cannabis

• You may possess a limit of 30 grams (about one ounce) of dried cannabis, or its
equivalent in other forms
• Home cultivation and growing of cannabis is not permitted in residence
• It is permitted to consume pre-made edible cannabis products, but it is not permitted to
cook, bake or otherwise create cannabis products for consumption in residence.
• No resident or their guests are allowed to congregate in the halls with cannabis
• Excessive consumption of cannabis at any age is prohibited.
• Any activity (e.g. games) that requires cannabis consumption in order to participate or
has impairment as its main goal or its inevitable end is not allowed.
Residence Alcohol Policy Information
As long as you are of age and drink responsibly, you may consume alcohol in the privacy
of your own room. One of the most important things to remember is to watch out for the
safety of yourself and others. Large-volume containers (e.g. kegs) and beer bottles are not
allowed in private residence rooms or on residence property. Any unsafe practices related
to alcohol such as drinking games and funnels are not allowed in residence. The McMaster
Alcohol Policy outlines the procedures and rules that must be followed with regard to
alcohol and to which all students must comply.

The specific regulations relating to the consumption of alcohol in residence include, but are
not limited to:
• Any activity (e.g. drinking games) that requires alcohol consumption in order to
participate or has intoxication as its main goal or its inevitable end is not allowed.

• Beer is allowed in cans only

• Possession of large amounts of alcohol (e.g. one 26oz bottle or 24 cans of beer per
resident, or kegs) is prohibited.

When carrying or transporting any container of alcohol outside of a residence room/floor

common lounge, the:
• Container must be closed/capped.

• Consumption of alcohol by individuals under 19 years of age is prohibited.

• Sale and/or service of alcohol to individuals under 19 years of age is prohibited.

• Excessive consumption of alcohol at any age is prohibited.

Students living in traditional residences and their guests who are 19 years of age and older
are permitted to have and to consume alcoholic beverages in common rooms under the
following conditions:
• Only one drink/container per person is permitted.

• A container must be made of plastic or other non-breakable material.

• Containers must not hold more than sixteen (16) ounces of liquid.

24 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Students living in traditional residences and their guests who are 19 years of age and older
are permitted to have and to consume alcoholic beverages in common rooms under the
following conditions:
• Only one drink/container per person is permitted.

• A container must be made of plastic or other non-breakable material.

• Containers must not hold more than sixteen (16) ounces of liquid.

Residents in Bates and Mary E. Keyes and their guests who are 19 years of age and older
are only permitted to possess and to consume alcoholic beverages in apartments or suite
units.
• They may not consume alcoholic beverages in the floor common rooms, lounges, study
rooms and/or games rooms as these are deemed to be public spaces in Bates and Mary E.
Keyes residences.

No resident or their guests are allowed to consume or have open alcohol in hallways,
stairwells, elevators, bathrooms study rooms, games rooms, laundry rooms and/or building
common rooms (e.g., EMR, Ravine Room etc.).
• No resident or their guests are allowed to congregate in the halls with open and/or
closed alcohol

• *Unsafe practices related to alcohol whereby problems of misuse and overconsumption

occur are not allowed.

*Housing and Conference services reserves the right to define unsafe practices.
Procedures for Handling Misconduct
The existence of these procedures does not preclude any individual from proceeding under
the laws of the land against another individual, nor does it preclude the Office of Security
Services from carrying out its responsibilities. Proceedings under the Code of Student Rights
and Responsibilities may be carried out prior to, simultaneously with, or following other off-
campus proceedings, including civil or criminal proceedings, at the discretion of Housing and
Conference Services.

Any person who believes that a Student (or their Guest) has committed an offence, as defined
by this Code, may submit a signed statement or report to Residence Life Staff (as identified by
Housing and Conference Services). When Residence Life Staff responds to an incident, a report
shall be completed as soon as possible and submitted to the Student’s Residence Life Area
Coordinator within 24 hours.

Other Residence Policies, Procedures & Guidelines

Guest/Escort Policy
One of the benefits of living in residence is meeting new people and socializing in your
new home with friends. Please remember hosting individuals is a privilege and there are
expectations that both hosts and visitors/overnight guests must follow. This is to ensure the
safety and security of all within the building. You will have the opportunity to discuss your guest
expectations with your roommate/suitemates during your roommate agreement.

Visitor Definitions and Responsibilities:

• Internal Visitor: defined as any student currently living in the same building as the host,
whom the host invites to visit their room/apartment/suite.
• External Visitor: defined as any person not currently living in the same building as the host,
whom the host invites to visit their building/room/apartment/suite. This includes students
living in other McMaster residence buildings.

Host
A host is a current resident of a McMaster residence building. A host must have the permission
of all roommates before hosting any visitor or overnight guest. Hosts are responsible for
the conduct of their visitor or overnight guest. Hosts must escort their external visitor or
overnight guest at all times. All McMaster students who are hosted as a visitor or overnight
guest will be held accountable for their own behaviour under the Code of Student Rights
and Responsibilities. Any visitor or overnight guest in a resident’s room/apartment/suite is
considered to be the responsibility of the resident(s) of that space. If a host chooses not to
accept responsibility for a visitor or overnight guest they must take reasonable steps (i.e.
contact a CA) to ensure the person leaves the building/room/apartment/suite immediately.

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Required: Government ID and/or McMaster Student card of both host and guest

Overnight Guest
Anyone that does not live in your residence building or your assigned residence room/suite
Guest Registration runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday an main entrance points of the building.
Any external visitors (anyone that does not live in your residence building) must be signed in at
Guest Registration. Only 50% of the occupants are permitted to have overnight guests.

External and Overnight Guests

Residents may host a maximum of 1 external visitor at any time. At the start of Quiet Hours
external visitors automatically become overnight guests. The guest registration desk runs on
weekends (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) and special campus days (i.e. Homecoming).
Whenever guest registration is running, residents are required to sign in external visitors or
overnight guests. Both the host and the guest must show either their McMaster student card
or government-issued identification at this time. Residents hosting an overnight guest must
register these individuals. Community Advisors will review the specific registration steps with
all residents in your September Community Meeting.

Number of Frequency OF Overnight Guests

One resident may host a maximum of 1 overnight guest per night for no more than 3
consecutive nights with a minimum of 6 days between stays. A resident may not exceed
12 nights of hosting an overnight guest per academic term (with a maximum of 3 nights in
September). Reminder: A host must have the permission of all roommates before hosting any
visitor or overnight guest. Maximum and minimum overnight guest privileges will be discussed
in roommate agreements.

Maximum Overnight Guests by Room Type

ROOM TYPE MAX. # OF EXTERNAL VISI- EXAMPLE

TORS/OVERNIGHT GUESTS
Single 1 A single may have a
maximum of 1 overnight guest.

Double 2 A double room may have a

maximum of 1 overnight guests.
Suite/Apartment 2-3 A 6 person Bates apartment
may have a maximum of 3
overnight guests.

A Keyes suite (4) or Bates

apartment (4) may have 2
overnight guests.
Period of Guest Restrictions
There are critical times during the year when external visitors or overnight guests will not be
permitted in residence.
These include:
• Welcome Week
• Homecoming
• December Exam Period
• April Exam Period
Visitor and overnight guest privileges may be changed at any time at the discretion of
Housing and Conference Services in response to safety and security needs of the residence
community. Individual residents may also be denied visitor and/or overnight guest privileges
as a result of Residence Code of Conduct violations.

Study Visitors
To support the academic success of students no visitors are permitted to enter a resident’s
room/apartment/suite during December and April exam periods. Each residence building has
designated academic study space. Residents are permitted to host 1 external visitor in this
space during select hours for the purpose of studying.

Community Standard Highlights

Noise
Because you live in such close quarters in residence, it is important to remember to think about
how the noise you make might affect the students living next door, above or below you. Please
have consideration for your hall mates so that everyone can sleep, study and relax when they
need to. If you have a problem with noise, talk to the people who are making it. Your CA is there
to help if the problem continues.
Quiet Hours are:
• Sunday–Thursday, 11 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Friday and Saturday, 1 a.m. – 8 a.m.*
These are times when noise levels are kept to an absolute minimum. All other times are
considered courtesy hours and students are expected to respect those around them and
maintain a peaceful living and learning environment. During exams and other specified
periods, these standard times will change.

* Quiet Community – All residence communities have established quiet hours when noise
must be kept to an absolute minimum. Students living in Quiet Communities agree to
extended quiet hours and to keeping noise to an absolute minimum at all times. Quiet hours
for this community are Sunday–Thursday, 10 pm – 8am, and Friday–Saturday, 1 am – 8am.
During quiet hours there should be absolute quiet. This means that students should not be
able to hear their neighbors in the community or students in the hall.

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Room Decorating
Decorating is important in making your room feel like home. Please do not damage or
alter any part of your room by drilling holes, nailing, painting, etc. The displaying of any
offensive images such as pornography or making it available for viewing in public spaces in
residence and on campus is not permitted. Even in your own room you should make sure your
decorations are not unpleasant to others.

TIP: Sticky tabs work well for hanging posters and pictures. Do not use Scotch tape, duct tape,
masking tape or thumb tacks as they damage the paint on the walls and you are responsible
for all damages. Use the sticky tabs provided at move-in!

Heavier items can be mounted on walls using 3M Command products which provide
mounting solutions that hold firmly and remove cleanly. They leave no surface damage and
are reusable, creating a very easy and affordable way to organize and decorate!

• Only stickies can be used to hang decorations/posters.

• Material will not be posted on exterior doors, fire doors, windows (including in doors),
smoking/fire equipment, ceilings, air vents, or anywhere they might be a fire hazard
• Do not write on surfaces other than dry-erase boards. This is considered damage and
responsible parties will be charged for damage/clean up. (or the hall if those responsible
are not found)
• Size of decorations on doors should be no larger than a door’s white board, should not block
the peephole, door handle, or room number, and should not wrap around the door.

Smoking, Vaping & Candles

We are a smoke-free campus, therefore smoking and/or vaping is not permitted. In any
University owned or leased buildings. On University property both indoors and outdoors.
Candles are prohibited in residence rooms due to fire safety.

Harassment
McMaster University is committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive organizational culture
in which all members of the University community work, study and live free of discrimination
and harassment.

McMaster defines harassment as an unjust or prejudicial form of unequal treatment, whether

imposing extra burdens or denying benefits. It may be intentional or unintentional. It may
involve direct actions that are discriminatory, or it may involve rules, practices or procedures
that appear neutral, but disadvantage certain groups of people. Discrimination may take
obvious forms, or it may happen in very subtle ways.

If you have any concerns regarding any issue where you feel you have been harassed or
discriminated against please contact your Residence Life Area Coordinator, the
Residence Life Office or the Equity and Inclusion Office.
Bullying
Bullying is a form of aggression where there is a power imbalance; the person doing the bullying
has power over the person being victimized. The different types of bullying are:
• Physical Bullying – Using physical force or aggression against another person (i.e. hitting).
• Social/Relational Bullying – Excluding, spreading rumours or ignoring an individual.
• Verbal Bullying – Using words to verbally attack someone (i.e. name-calling).
• Cyberbullying – Using electronic media (i.e. Facebook, Twitter etc.) to threaten, embarrass
someone or to damage their reputation.

Bullying is not tolerated in residence and is addressed through the Code of Student Rights and
Responsibilities. Every student living in residence has the right to a safe, secure and peaceful
living environment.

Sexual Activity & Consent

University is often a period during which students will explore their sexuality. Consensual sexual
expression is both healthy and important in contributing to a safe and inclusive campus
community.

What is Consent?
Approval, given freely, willingly, and knowingly by each participant to desired sexual
involvement. It must be given through ongoing communication by words and actions. It
occurs continuously and moment to moment. Consent cannot be assumed or implied.
Consent cannot be given if a person’s ability to resist or consent is substantially impaired.
Examples where consent cannot be given include, but are not limited to being: unconscious,
frightened, physically or psychologically coerced, intimidated, substantially impaired because
of voluntary intoxication, and substantially impaired because of the deceptive administering of
any drug, intoxicant or substance.

Consent is not:
• Silence, hesitation or uncertainty.
• Obtained through manipulation, intimidation or threatening behaviour.
• Obtained when an individual is intoxicated, with alcohol or drugs, or when they are asleep.
• Assumed or implied. Consent is not continuous and can be withdrawn at any time during
sexual activity. Respect the decision and the response that is made by the individual.

What is Sexual Violence?

Sexual violence is any sexual act or attempt to obtain a sexual act by violence or coercion,
acts to traffic a person or acts directed against a person’s sexuality, regardless of the
relationship to the victim.

30 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Get Support
If you are a survivor of sexual violence or have questions about consent or sexual violence, a
good starting point is talking with the Sexual Violence and Prevention Response Office. You
can talk about what happened to you. They will listen and, when you’re ready, also give you
information about what your options are, how you can find more support and what next steps
you might consider taking.

Email: svpro@mcmaster.ca
Phone: (905) 525-9140 Ext. 27581
Reception - Room 104, University Hall

Others On-Campus Support

• Residence Life Staff Member (i.e. Community Advisor, Residence Life Area Coordinator)
• Campus Security Services at 905-522-4135, 24 hours a day 7 days a week
• Student Wellness Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 27700 or in PGCLL 210/201, Monday to Thursday
9am – 8pm, Friday 9am – 5pm (Closed for lunch 12:30 – 1:30pm)
• Sexual Assault Centre of Hamilton and Area (SACHA) 24 hour Support Line at 905-525-4162
• Survivors and individuals supporting survivors of sexual violence of any gender are
welcome to contact the support line.
Residence Agreement/
Contract
Preamble
Life in residence is governed by three key documents. The Residence Agreement/Contract
outlines fundamental contractual obligations between the student and Housing and
Conference Services. The online Residence Handbook further describes policies, procedures
and community standards, including the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR),
which clearly outlines the behavioural expectations of all residence students and possible
outcomes.

It is assumed that the primary objective of all residents is the successful pursuit of academic
studies. Residence life also creates the potential for many social and cultural benefits.
Residents are jointly responsible for helping to make the residence community a comfortable,
safe, and secure living environment conducive to achieving the key McMaster University
objective: excellence in learning and discovery.

Students need to understand and appreciate that certain fundamental expectations and
regulations are necessary in any community and that ultimately discipline should come
from within each person. The McMaster residence system believes and is founded on the
principle that integral to the code of behaviour is an appreciation of the effect of one’s
personal behaviour on others and respect for their personal and property rights. McMaster
appeals to each student’s sense of reason and responsibility and promotes the ideal that
responsibilities are to be shared by all residents in order to maintain a high standard of
cooperative living, tolerance, mutual respect and compromise.

By choosing to join the McMaster residence community, each member accepts and agrees
to live by a code of behaviour, which values and promotes civility, inclusivity, good citizenship
and productive behaviour.

32 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Moving On Out
What you Need to Know for
December Break and April
December Break
• You are required to move-out of your room by 12 noon on the day after your last scheduled
exam in December or by 12 noon on Monday December 23rd, 2024, whichever is earlier.

• Failure to move-out on your specific date/time is a violation of the Code of Student Rights
and Responsibilities and is accompanied by a mandatory $50 fine/night. Security Services
may be accessed to enforce the Trespass to Property Act if necessary.

• Most residences will be closed for the December Break at 12 noon on December 23, 2024,
with the exception of a group of students approved to remain in residence over the December
Break.

• You may leave things in your room over the break but you will not be able to get into the
building until the residences re-open at 7 am on Saturday, January 4, 2024.

• Students approved to stay in residence over the December Break by Housing & Conference
Services will remain in their room assignment and have access to their residence building
and room. For those students approved to remain in residence:

• All Food, Service Desk, Residence Life, Custodial and Maintenance services are suspended.
• A No Guest/Visitor Policy applies during this time.
• All policies, including, but not limited to: the Residence Agreement/Contract, The Code of
Student Rights and Responsibilities, and the Residence Handbook are in affect.
• You are responsible for cleaning and maintaining your assigned space.

Inspections
Building and room inspections are conducted during the Fall, December and Spring Breaks.
Charges may be placed on a student’s account for Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities
violations and or damages, garbage left in the room, or excessively dirty rooms.
Do I Have to Move-Out for
Fall Break or Reading Week?
• No. Although there are no classes during the breaks, you may stay in residence.
• Hospitality Services is open during the breaks; hours of operation are online.

Moving Out in April

• You must leave residence for the summer by the day after your last scheduled exam in April
or by Sunday, April 30, 2023, whichever is earlier. This is done in consideration of the students
who are still studying for exams and to assist with building security.

• Failure to move-out on your specific date/time is a violation of the Code of Student Rights
and Responsibilities and is accompanied by a mandatory $50 fine/night. Security Services
may be accessed to enforce the Trespass to Property Act if necessary.

• All residences will be closed for the summer by Sunday, April 30, 2023.

• Please remember to make the appropriate arrangements for move-out.

• You will receive more information about move-out in mid-March. Remember there is no
summer storage space available and all your possessions must be removed from your room.

• At move-out (or if withdrawing from residence during the academic year), you are
responsible for returning all keys and the access card issued to you. These items must be
returned to your Service Centre where you will complete your moveout/withdrawal using the
electronic sign out system.

• Lost/missing keys will result in charges to your student account.

34 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

What If I need to Withdraw?

• The first step is to speak to your Residence Life Area Coordinator.

• You will be required to fill out a Residence Withdrawal form from the Residence Admissions
office. Your name will be placed on a refund waiting list in order of date of withdrawal.

• When a new student is admitted into residence, a refund is processed for the first student
on the waiting list. Eligible refunds are calculated on a pro-rated daily basis, less a $300
administration fee.

• If a replacement is not found, you will be responsible for your residence fees until the end
of the academic year. Please carefully review all withdrawal information in the Residence
Agreement/Contract.
Access Cards (damaged and lost) 10, 12
Accessing your Building 21
Alcohol Policy 24, 25
Bedbugs 9
Building Entrance (access) 16
Bullying 30
Candles 4
Cannabis 23
Cleaning 6, 7
Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities (CSRR) 21
Community Advisors (CAs) 20
Community Advisors (CAs) on Coverage 12
Community Impact 19
Damage 7
December Break 7
Decorating 7
Door Locks 22, 23
Emergency First Response Team (EFRT) 14
Emergency Procedures 16
Exectations of Residence Students 22, 23
Fees 29, 30
Fire Evacuation Sites 15
Fire Safety Tips 14
Fridges 7
Garbage Disposal 7
Guest/Escort Policy 27, 28
Harassment 29
Inspections 33
Insurance 6
Lock Out Keyes 11
Keys (lost, temporary and damaged) 12
Maintenance & Repairs 8
McMaster Safety App 13
McMaster Security Services Emergency 13
Move-Out 33, 34

36 | McMASTER RESIDENCE HANDBOOK

Other Residence Policies, Procedures & Guidelines 26, 27
Personal Well-Being 19
Procedures for Handling Misconduct 26
Quiet Hours 7
Reading Week 14
Residence Agreement Contract 32
Residence Life Staff 32
Residence Life Area Coordinators (RLACs) 4
Residence Life Office 18
Recycling 29
Room Condition Information 6
Room Decorating 29
Safety & Security 29
Security Tips 17
Service Centres 10
Sexual Activity & Consent 30
Smoking, Alcohol and Drugs 29
Staff Breakdown 29
Student Success 19
Student Walk Home Attendant Team (SWHAT) 13
Support 31
Withdrawing from Residence 35