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Policy on Camping and Use of Tents, Enclosures or Similar Structures on Campus

Adopted August 2024

Purpose

To set forth the State University of New York at Oswego University policy on camping and the erection, placement, and use of tents/canopies, enclosures, or similar structures on campus.

Scope

SUNY Oswego 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 Oswego 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.

Definitions

  • Camping: 
    • 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 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 Oswego 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: Any University owned, leased, licensed, or operated space, facility, property, grounds, or building.
  • Canopy: 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.
  • Tent, Enclosure, or Similar Structures: Any and all structures, enclosures, or shelters constructed of any material including, but not limited to, fabric or pliable materials supported by any manner.
  • Third Party or Parties: 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 in University systems.
  • University: SUNY Oswego.

Policy

  1. Camping is prohibited on University Campuses.
  2. Exceptions
    1. Actions that constitute “camping” as defined above may be allowed with prior, written permission in the following limited circumstances:
      1. With the advance written approval of the Vice President for Administration and Finance or their designee.
      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. In extraordinary circumstances, such as times of natural disaster, when approved in writing in advance by the President of the University or their designee.
  3. Enforcement and Compliance
    1. SUNY Oswego University 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.

Related Documents

Regulations:

SUNY Policies: