Calendar of Events

Student Affairs and Enrollment Management

Camping and Use of Tents on Campus

Purpose

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

Scope

Purchase 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. Purchase College is authorized to control its buildings and grounds consistent with the SUNY 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.

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 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 SUNY Freedom of Expression and Assembly 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 college-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.

Permit

A written document prepared by the Vice President of Administration issued to Campus Personnel 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.

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

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

College

Purchase College

Policy

    1. Camping is prohibited on University/College 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 Student Affairs and Enrollment Management or designee, Facilities and University Policy. Contact the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management for additional information on the approval process.
        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. Purchase College, Office of Student Affairs, Facilities, 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 may be referred for discipline for alleged violation of this Policy.

Related Documents

Regulations

  • 8 NYCRR Part 535
  • Fire Code of New York State, 2015

SUNY Policies