Approved and Prohibited Personal Items
To help maintain a safe living environment for everyone, Housing and Residential Life limits the use of certain appliances and personal items in residence halls and apartments. Some items present fire, electrical or safety risks and are not permitted.
If Housing and Residential Life staff notify you that you have a prohibited item in your room or apartment, you must remove it within 48 hours. If you need additional time, contact your hall director (HD) before the 48-hour deadline. Failure to remove a prohibited item may result in further action.
About Appliances
-
Appliances approved in all resident rooms
- Refrigerators: One refrigerator (5 cubic feet or smaller and 3 amps or less) per resident.
- Exception: In Wentz, Iba and Parker residence halls, each room may have a maximum of one refrigerator (5 cubic feet or smaller and 3 amps or less). Two smaller refrigerators are permitted if their combined size and electrical load do not exceed these limits.
- Microwaves: One microwave (900 watts or less) per room.
- Single-serve coffee makers (such as a Keurig).
- Micro-fridges rentals are available.
Important: Refrigerators and microwaves must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Do not plug these appliances into a power strip or extension cord, as doing so may trip the circuit breaker.
- Refrigerators: One refrigerator (5 cubic feet or smaller and 3 amps or less) per resident.
-
Additional appliances approved in apartments and deluxe suites
Apartments and deluxe suites with kitchens or kitchenettes may use additional countertop appliances.
- Small kitchen appliances that require 900 watts or less
- Air fryers
- Crock pots
- Instant Pots
- Drip coffee makers
- Espresso machines
- Electric griddles
- Toaster ovens
- Indoor electric grills (such as George Foreman Grills)
- Countertop ice makers (limited to one per apartment or deluxe suite unit)
- Chest freezers up to 5.5 cubic feet are permitted only in Brumley, Demaree, Prosser, Stevens, West and Williams apartments.
Counter space and electrical outlets are limited.
-
Appliances approved in community kitchens
Residents may use the following appliances in community kitchens:
- Small kitchen appliances that require 900 watts or less
- Air fryers
- Countertop ice makers
- Crock pots
- Instant Pots
- Drip coffee makers
- Espresso machines
- Electric griddles
- Toaster ovens
- Indoor electric grills
Counter space and electrical outlets are limited.
-
Appliances prohibited in all resident rooms
The following appliances are not permitted in resident rooms. This list includes, but is not limited to:
- Open-flame and open-coil cooking appliances
- Electric griddles
- Toaster ovens
- Air fryers
- Crock pots
- Instant Pots
- Drip coffee makers
- Espresso machines
- Countertop ice makers
- Dehumidifiers
- Indoor electric grills (such as George Foreman Grills)
-
Appliances prohibited in all resident halls and apartments
The following appliances and items are prohibited in all residence halls and apartments. This list includes, but is not limited to:
- Air conditioners
- Dehumidifiers
- Space heaters
- Portable washing machines
- Portable dryers
- Portable dishwashers
- Bidets
- Replacement shower heads
-
Using extension cords and power strips
Use extension cords and power strips safely to help prevent electrical hazards.
- Extension cords must be 14-gauge or heavier.
- Do not attach extension cords to walls, run them under rugs or furniture, or wrap them around pipes or other fixtures.
- Regularly inspect extension cords and appliance cords for frayed wires, cracks or other damage. Replace damaged cords immediately.
- Do not overload electrical outlets or power strips by plugging in too many appliances.
Important: Refrigerators and microwaves must be plugged directly into a wall outlet. Do not plug these appliances into a power strip or extension cord, as this can overload the circuit and trip the breaker.
About Music Instruments and Equipment
To help maintain a comfortable living environment for everyone, some musical instruments and equipment are restricted.
-
Not permitted
- Large amplifiers, including public address (PA) systems, oversized stereo systems and large amplifiers for acoustic or electric musical instruments.
- Percussion instruments, including drum sets.
-
Permitted with limitations
Small amplifiers may be used only with headphones to minimize noise and avoid disturbing other residents.
-
Pianos and organs
Pianos and organs are permitted only in the following year-round housing neighborhoods with prior approval from a full-time Housing and Residential Life staff member:
- Brumley Neighborhood
- Demaree Neighborhood
- Prosser Neighborhood
- Stevens Neighborhood
- West Neighborhood
- Williams Neighborhood
Contact the Family Resource Center (FRC) before bringing a piano or organ into your apartment to request approval.
Prohibited Personal Items
The following items are not permitted in Housing and Residential Life residence halls or apartments unless otherwise noted.
-
3D printers
3D printers are not permitted in any residence hall or apartment. If you need access to a 3D printer, visit the Edmon Low Creative Studios or check with your academic college for available resources.
-
Bathroom fixtures and ceiling fans
Do not replace or install personal fixtures in your room or apartment.
The following items are prohibited:
- Bidets
- Replacement shower heads
- Water filters that modify plumbing fixtures
- Ceiling fans
Please leave all university-provided fixtures in place.
-
Candles and incense
The following items are prohibited:
- Burning candles
- Incense
- Kerosene lamps
- Any device fueled by a flammable liquid
Decorative candles are permitted only if they are wickless or have unused or clipped wicks.
Wax warmers that use a light bulb are permitted. Candle warmers with a hot plate are prohibited.
-
Electric scooters/personal electric mobility devices
- Personal electric mobility devices (scooters) shall not be used, charged and/or stored in any campus housing unless they bear the seal of an independent testing laboratory accredited by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
- Other electric vehicles, which include but are not limited to one-wheels and drones, are prohibited in residence halls and on the grounds. It is prohibited to store such vehicles inside the premises, on patios/balconies, stairwells, landings, breezeways and walkways.
- This rule does not apply to ADA-approved equipment.
-
Halogen/lava lamps
Halogen lamps and lava lamps are prohibited.
-
Incandescent light bulbs
Incandescent string lights, often called Christmas lights, are prohibited. LED string lights are permitted.
-
Lofts vs. Bed Risers
Homemade or prefabricated bed lofts are prohibited.
Bed risers up to seven inches tall are permitted.
University bed frames typically provide 10 to 15 inches of under-bed storage. Frame heights vary by room.
Stacking two university bed frames to create a bunk bed is prohibited unless the furniture was designed for bunking, such as in Stout Hall and University Commons.
-
Fireworks, explosives and flammable liquids
Fireworks, explosives and flammable liquids are prohibited in residence halls, apartments and surrounding Housing and Residential Life property.
Examples include:
- Gasoline
- Propane
- Lighter fluid
-
Network devices
Fireworks, explosives and flammable liquids are prohibited in residence halls, apartments and surrounding Housing and Residential Life property.
Examples include:
- Gasoline
- Propane
- Lighter fluid
-
Portable outdoor grills
Portable charcoal, propane and similar outdoor grills are prohibited in residence halls, apartments and surrounding Housing and Residential Life property.
Permanently installed campus grills may be used where provided.
-
Ring doorbells or other electronic devices that capture images
Ring doorbells and other devices that photograph, video record or otherwise monitor another person without their knowledge or consent are prohibited.
-
Used furniture
Housing and Residential Life discourages bringing used furniture into campus housing because it may contain pests.
Residents who introduce pests through personal furniture are responsible for the cost of pest treatment in their assigned space.
-
Weapons and firearms
- Weapons are not allowed in any Residential Life facility or grounds as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct an OSU Policy and Procedures Letter 1-1301 (pdf).
- Weapons may include but are not limited to BB guns, paintball guns, knives, swords, crossbows, archery bows, handguns, shotguns, rifles, and ammunition.
- Residential Life, OSU Police, and state authorities can determine what qualifies as a weapon, including common items that is used in a threatening manner, and can ask that it be removed from the premises.
- If you possess a gun and/or hunting bows, you may store them with OSU Police Department free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis.