Rules vary between Columbia, campus

Policies are often stricter on the MU campus.

By Allie Blood

Published Feb. 5, 2008

Rules governing student behavior on campus vary from rules in other places in Columbia.

When students move off campus, the rules regarding behavior such as smoking, drinking and noise change, or can be enforced differently, than on campus.

According to the Department of Residential Life’s Regulations, MU is a dry campus.

“Students and their guests are not permitted to consume, manufacture, use, possess, sell or distribute alcohol in or on the premises of the residence halls or dining halls, regardless of their age,” the department’s regulations state.

Residential Life will dispose of any alcohol and punish the student in accordance with federal law.

Alcohol is allowed in the Chancellor’s Residence or the Reynolds Alumni Center.

Those who do not live on campus are subject to federal law, and thus are not allowed to possess or consume alcohol under the age of 21. This is punishable by a Minor in Possession charge.

According to Residential Life, smoking is prohibited in all university buildings.

“The detrimental effects of second hand smoke are well documented; residents have the right to live in a space without the health risks of second hand smoke,” Residential Life regulations state.

Smoking within apartments and houses in Columbia depends on the owner of the complex. In addition, the city of Columbia has a smoking ordinance.

According to the city of Columbia’s Web site, smoking is prohibited within any federal or public building, including restaurants and bars. There are exceptions, such as specified hotel rooms and balconies.

A recent revision to the smoking ordinance prohibits anyone from smoking within 20 feet of an entrance to any structure in which smoking is prohibited.

Those who violate the law, the ordinance states, can be fined up to $200.

On-campus rules governing noise are different depending on where students live. Some residence halls have “Quiet Hours,” which begin by 11 p.m. each night. Stop Days are considered to be quiet for the entire day.

The noise ordinance for the city of Columbia, according to the language contained in the ordinance, prohibits “excessive disturbance.”

“Because certain sounds at certain levels can annoy, disturb, injure or endanger the citizens of Columbia, the city ordinances prohibit excessive and annoying noises,” the ordinance states.

The language of the noise ordinance states a violation can be, but is not exclusive to, a continually barking dog, a stereo, event or musical instrument.

A violation arises when these types of noises are heard within an area of 50 feet between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. A violation is punishable by a fine between $50 and $500.