Camping and Use of Tents on Campus Policy

Approved
August 2024

Policy Contact

Division of Student Affairs, 607-436-2513, studentaffairs@oneonta.edu

University Police Department, 607-436-3550

Policy Statement

To set forth the State University of New York (SUNY) Oneonta’s policy on camping and the use of tents/canopies on campus.

Rationale

SUNY Oneonta is committed to maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing, healthy, hygienic and safe work, educational, and living environment in order to effectively carry out its educational mission. SUNY Oneonta is authorized to control its buildings and grounds consistent with the SUNY policies for use of facilities, which prohibit the use of university property or buildings for purposes unrelated to the regular programs and activities of the University.

Applicability of the Policy

This policy applies to any person on the SUNY Oneonta campus, including all faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

Policy Elaboration

  1. Camping is prohibited on any of SUNY Oneonta’s campuses or University-owned properties.
  2. Exceptions
    1. Actions that constitute “camping” as defined below may be allowed with prior, written permission in the following limited circumstances:
      1. With the advance written approval of the appropriate University official following the appropriate campus policies and procedures:
        1. Quad Use Procedure
        2. Facilities Use Policy
      2. As approved as part of a revocable permit for Campus use pursuant to SUNY Policy No. 5603 (Use of Facilities by Non-Commercial Organizations).
      3. Tailgating and tailgate parties as described in the definitions are excluded from this policy.
      4. In extraordinary circumstances, such as times of natural disaster, when approved in writing in advance by the President of the University or their designee.
      5. On the property of College Camp, as governed by College Camp guidelines.
  3. Enforcement and Compliance
    1. SUNY Oneonta’s Division of Student Affairs and/or University Police Department are responsible for addressing non-compliance with this policy by all persons and may address violations of this policy that constitute criminal trespass or any other violation of law.
    2. Students and employees may be referred for disciplinary action for alleged violation of this policy.
  4. This Policy shall be effective immediately upon approval.

Definitions

Camping:

  • In indoor or outdoor locations, the establishment of, evidence of an attempt to establish, or maintenance of temporary or permanent living/sleeping quarters at any location on University property other than living quarters in residence halls and living quarters in apartments, or other University-managed housing—this includes the establishment of any indoor and/or outdoor encampment erected in connection with any lawful assembly of individuals pursuant to SUNY Oneonta policies;
  • Sleeping overnight in or under any parked vehicle; or
  • Establishing or maintaining indoors or outdoors, or in or under, any structure not designated for human occupancy, at any time during the day or night, a temporary or permanent place for cooking, storing of personal belongings, or sleeping by setting up any bedding, sleeping bag, mattress, tent, hammock or other sleeping equipment, or by setting up any cooking equipment that has not been approved by the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Campus or Campuses is any University-owned, leased, licensed or operated space, facility, property, grounds or building.

Canopy is a structure, enclosure or shelter supported by any manner, except by air or the contents it protects, and is open without side walls or drops on 75 percent or more of the perimeter.

Permit is a written document prepared by the President or designee issued to campus community members to allow the set up and use of a tent or canopy for a specified amount of time. Permits may be revoked if permit conditions are not followed.

Tailgating – informal gathering from the back of a parked vehicle, typically in the parking lot of a sports stadium or event venue. Tailgating is permitted in parking lots 79, 46, 16, 15, 14, 13 for campus community members and outside patrons attending an athletic contest being held that day, for a period not to exceed three(3) hours before the start of the contest and/or two(2) hours after the end of the contest.

Tent - any and all structures, enclosure or shelter constructed of any material, including but not limited to fabric or pliable materials supported by any manner.

Third Party or Parties is any person, organization, group or entity not affiliated with the University including, but not limited to, the general public, contractors, vendors, guests and visitors to the University, those using University facilities or property under a University revocable permit, and volunteers not enrolled as such on University systems.

University is SUNY Oneonta.

Contacts

Division of Student Affairs
607-436-2513
studentaffairs@oneonta.edu

University Police Department (UPD)
607-436-­3550

Related Documents/Policies

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