Chapter 1 General Provisions
Article 1 Students who violate the “Regulations for student Accommodation” will be subject to corresponding penalties based on the severity and the impact of the consequences. The SHRL may issue the following tiered measures:
- Verbal warnings.
- Written warnings.
- Revoke student dormitory access privileges.
Additional measures may include requiring corrective actions within a specified timeframe, confiscation of prohibited items, compensation at market value, and circulating a notice of criticism as deemed necessary. In cases of serious violations or significant consequences, the SHRL has the right to refer violations to the Student Discipline Committee for further action; Those suspected of illegal activity will be reported to the public security authorities for handling.
Article 2 Violations are classified into three levels based on their nature and circumstances, with corresponding tiered penalties imposed. Repeated violations, as well as those that meet other conditions specified in Article 4 of these regulations, will result in an upgraded violation level in accordance with the principles of increased penalties and combined handling.
Table 1: Penalty Levels for Violations in Student Dormitories
- Level One Violations
Level One Violations Definition: Level One violations include hall place trading, usage and storage of prohibited items, and damage of security or safety devices with malicious intent, all of which may lead to safety incidents or hazards in student dormitories.
Level One Violation Penalties: The SHRL may impose written warnings, revoke a student's housing privileges, or restrict access to the student dormitories for Level One violations. The SHRL reserves the right to confiscate prohibited items and refer the violation to the relevant student departments for further action. Records of the students’ violations and disciplinary actions may be kept in their student files. Those suspected of illegal activity will be reported to the public security authorities for handling.
- Level Two Violations
Level Two Violations Definition: Level Two violations include unauthorized room swapping and occupancy, unauthorized visits, violations of smoking bans, prohibitions on excessive drinking and gambling, and any other actions that may cause personal harm or hazards.
Level Two Violation Penalties: The SHRL may impose written warnings for Level Two violations.
For first-time offenders, the SHRL will issue a written warning and require corrective actions to be taken within a specified time frame. If the offender is a visitor, they will be expelled from the student dormitory and prohibited from entering specific dormitory buildings. In case of property damage, the party responsible will be liable for compensation at market value. For second-time offenders, penalties will be handled in accordance with Level One violation procedures. If the offender is a visitor, they will be expelled from the student dormitory and banned from entering all student dormitories for one year. In case of property damage, the party responsible will be liable for compensation at market value.
- Level Three Violations
Level Three Violations Definition: Level Three violations include damage to furniture, appliances, and other public facilities in the dormitory, as well as any actions that may cause public or personal loss or hazards.
Level Three Violation Penalties: The SHRL may impose verbal warnings for Level Three violations.
For first-time offenders, the SHRL will issue a verbal warning and require corrective actions to be taken within a specified time frame. In case of property damage, the party responsible will be liable for compensation at market value. For second-time offenders, the SHRL will issue a written warning and require corrective actions to be taken within a specified time frame. In case of property damage, the party responsible will be liable for compensation at market value. If the party responsible cannot be determined, all members of the dormitory will share the responsibility.
Article 3 Students who engage in misconduct may receive lighter penalties if any of the following circumstances apply:
1. Timely and effectively stopping the incident from escalating during the misconduct.
2. Proactively admitting to the wrongdoing and providing an account of the facts.
3. Actively cooperating with the investigation by providing important evidence or leads; proactively reporting others' illegal or disciplinary actions that are verified to be true will be regarded as a meritorious act.
4. Playing a minor or supporting role in collective misconduct and actively cooperating with the investigation.
5. Participating in misconduct under coercion or deception by others and subsequently reporting the incident.
6. Actively compensating for damages caused to others or obtaining the understanding of the injured party.
7. Other circumstances that meet the conditions for lighter penalties.
Article 4: Students who engage in misconduct may receive heavier penalties if any of the following circumstances apply:
1. Colluding with others to conceal the truth.
2. Retaliating against, threatening, or intimidating relevant personnel.
3. Bribing personnel handling the disciplinary case or otherwise interfering with the investigation.
4. Playing a leading, organizing, or planning role in a group misconduct incident, or inciting, instigating, coercing, tempting, or deceiving others to violate regulations and causing serious consequences.
5. Refusing to compensate for damages caused to others due to misconduct without justifiable reasons.
6. Refusing or delaying the return of ill-gotten gains without justifiable reasons.
7. Engaging in two or more types of misconduct simultaneously.
8. Committing misconduct again.
9. Other circumstances that warrant heavier penalties.
Chapter 2 Rules for Disciplinary Actions
Article 5: Students who engage in the following behaviors in the dormitory will be penalized according to the procedures for Level One violations, based on the severity of the violation:
1. Students engage in pyramid selling, commercial-related, or fee-based activities within the dormitory will have their accommodation eligibility revoked upon discovery.
2. Unauthorized transfer, rental, or lending of beds, or lending access cards to others.
3. Engaging in any activities that violate Chinese laws and regulations within the dormitory.
4. International students whose visas have expired and who fail to follow the proper procedures for check-out may have their access to the dormitory revoked, and their belongings removed. If necessary, the SHRL may report the matter to the security department and relevant authorities.
5. Maliciously causing damage to fire safety facilities.
6. Other violations that result in extremely negative impacts.
Article 6 Students who engage in the following behaviors in the dormitory will be penalized according to the procedures for Level Two violations, based on the scope and severity of the violation:
1. Violating the visitor management system for student dormitories, including:
- Failing to follow the prescribed procedure for visitor registration.
- Allowing visitors to stay beyond their permitted time without approval from the SHRL.
- Allowing visitors to be unaccompanied by a student.
- Permitting non-residents to stay overnight in the dormitory.
2. Committing fraud, theft, or improper use of others’ property.
3. Engaging in dangerous behaviors such as climbing doors, windows, rooftops, or railings.
4. Violating fire safety and electrical regulations in the dormitory, including using low-quality electrical appliances without 3C certification, using open flame devices, and using high-power electrical appliances (over 800 watts) not provided by the University. Unauthorized storage and use of potentially hazardous appliances such as electric blankets or electric roasters, bringing items that may cause fires, like electric vehicle batteries, into the dormitory, charging electric scooters, hoverboards, and other rechargeable devices inside the dormitory, and making unauthorized connections to electrical, telephone, or network lines, or modifying facilities and equipment improperly.
5. Using or storing flammable, explosive, corrosive, or hazardous materials (including virus specimens, highly toxic or radioactive items), conducting experiments in the dormitory, or possessing controlled knives, imitation firearms, clubs, crossbows, or any weapons. Bringing prohibited items identified by the University’s security department into the dormitory is also forbidden.
6. Failing to comply with the University’s instructions during sudden natural disasters or emergencies, leading to incidents like fires or thefts, for which the responsible individuals will bear corresponding liabilities.
7. Concealing incidents such as emergencies, illnesses, accidents, fights, or other abnormal situations and failing to inform SHRL or the University’s duty office.
8. Throwing objects from heights.
9. Organizing or engaging in smoking (including e-cigarettes), drug use, excessive drinking, and gambling in the dormitory, as well as watching or facilitating the viewing of harmful materials (e.g., violent or pornographic content).
10. Remaining in others’ rooms or engaging in noisy or disruptive behavior (such as loud conversations or playing music at high volume) from 11:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., which disturbs others’ work, study, or rest.
11. Conducting religious activities or group preaching in the dormitory.
12. Failing to cooperate with management personnel, interfering with their inspections or patrols, or engaging in unreasonable behavior, such as insulting or assaulting management staff.
13. Harassing, threatening, intimidating, assaulting, coercing, insulting, or attacking any individual, thereby endangering their health, safety, or other interests.
14. Obstructing SHRL, maintenance personnel, security personnel, or emergency responders from entering a room in situations such as suspected accidents, fire emergencies, urgent repairs, investigations of violations or criminal activities, or the distribution of necessary supplies to students.
15. Providing false or misleading information or forged documents to SHRL or University personnel.
16. Using someone else's identification documents to enter the dormitory.
17. Unauthorized occupation, swapping, or increasing the number of occupants in a dorm room without approval from the SHRL or refusing to allow students assigned by the University to stay in the dormitory.
18. Violating check-out management regulations as outlined in the "Regulations for Student Accommodation" by failing to complete check-out procedures within the designated timeframe.
19. Refusing to comply with SHRL notifications regarding necessary moves due to repairs or maintenance.
20. Other violations that result in negative impacts.
21. Unauthorized installation, alteration, or damage to dormitory door locks; damaging dormitory walls (including drilling holes, attaching hooks, painting, or pasting stickers); disposing of items in toilets or sinks, leading to drainage blockages.
22. Misappropriating or damaging fire safety equipment and blocking fire exits.
For serious violations or consequences, the SHRL has the right to handle the situation according to Level One violation penalties.
Article 7 Students who engage in the following behaviors in the dormitory will be penalized according to the procedures for Level Three violations, based on the scope and severity of the violation:
1. Dismantling or improperly using electrical appliances and facilities in the dormitory and common areas.
2. Parking vehicles and stacking items in public areas, such as dormitory entrances, corridors, stairs, and rooftop access doors.
3. Failing to maintain cleanliness in public areas of the dormitory, including not disposing of garbage properly or timely.
4. Cooking in the dormitory kitchen without cleaning up afterward, affecting others' use of common facilities.
5. Keeping pets in the dormitory; individuals responsible for any resulting injuries or serious consequences will bear corresponding liability and compensation.
6. Wasting water and electricity, leading to situations such as "running water" or "lights left on."
7. Installing electronic surveillance devices in the dormitory area and recording audio or video without others' knowledge or consent, including secretly filming or photographing others.
8. Not cooperating with the University’s Assets Management Department during the annual asset inventory.
9. Dressing inappropriately and behaving improperly in common areas of the dormitory, such as the lobby, corridors, and laundry room.
10. Not adhering to the ITD policy guidelines of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) while using the campus network.
11. Posting posters, banners, advertisements, or promotional materials in the dormitory area without prior approval from the University.
12. Other violations that result in minor negative impacts.
Chapter 2 Supplementary Provisions
Chapter 3 These Regulations shall be implemented for a trial period of one year from the date of publication, and the right of final interpretation shall be vested in the Office of Student Affairs.
Chapter 4 The Chinese version of these Regulations shall prevail; the English translation is for reference only.