D25: Camping on Campus

Responsibility for Maintenance: Campus Safety and Security

I. Reason for Policy

To set forth Onondaga Community College’s policy on camping on campus.

II. Applicability of the Policy

Onondaga Community College 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.  Onondaga Community College is authorized to control its buildings and grounds consistent with the policies for use of facilities, which prohibit the use of College property or buildings for purposes unrelated to the regular programs and activities of the College unless approved through F1: Community Use of Campus Facilities. 

III. Definitions

Camping: Includes the following:

• In indoor or outdoor locations, the establishment of, evidence of an attempt to establish, or maintenance of temporary or permanent living quarters at any location on College property other than living quarters in residence halls and living quarters in apartments, or other College-managed housing—this includes the establishment of any indoor and/or outdoor encampment erected in connection with any lawful assembly of individuals pursuant to Onondaga Community College 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 Campus Safety & Security.
• Campus or Campuses is any College owned, leased, licensed or operated space, facility, property, grounds or building.
• Canopy is a structure, enclosure or shelter constructed of fabric or pliable materials 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.
• College is Onondaga Community College.
• Tent is any and all structures, enclosure or shelter constructed of any material, including but not limited to fabric or pliable materials supported by any manner.

IV. Contacts

V. Policy

1. Camping is prohibited on the College Campus.

2. Exceptions - In limited circumstances camping may be permitted:
   1. Pursuant to Onondaga Community College Policy F1: Community Use of Campus Facilities

   2. During such times of natural disaster, when approved in writing in advance by the President of the College or their designee.

3. Enforcement and Compliance
   1. Onondaga Community College’s Dean of Student’s Office and/or College Police Department is 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 may be referred for discipline for alleged violation of this Policy.

4. This Policy shall be effective immediately upon approval.

Approved by the OCC Board of Trustees September 24, 2024