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30.19.0 Camping and Use of Tents on Campus

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SUNY Canton is committed to maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing, healthy, hygienic and safe work, educational, and living environment to effectively carry out its educational mission.  SUNY Canton is authorized to control its buildings and grounds consistent with the SUNY policies for use of facilities. 

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 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 Canton 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 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. 

Permit is a written document prepared by the College President or their designee 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. 

Tailgating – Informal gathering from the back of a parked vehicle, typically in the parking lot of a sports stadium or event venue.  Tailgating is allowed by permit only. Tailgating space is limited to those patrons with an appropriate parking pass or permit issued by the College President or their designee.  Access to the tailgating area may be limited to those patrons who have a valid game ticket for the contest being held that day. 

Tent- Any and all structures, enclosure or shelter constructed of any material, including but not limited to fabric or pliable materials supported in any manner. 

Third Party or Parties is 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 in College systems. 

College is the College at SUNY Canton. 

Policy 

  1. Camping is prohibited on College Campuses.
  2. Exceptions
  3. Actions that constitute “camping” as defined above may be allowed with prior, written permission in the following limited circumstances:
  4. With the advance written approval of the appropriate College official (S.A.I.L Office and/or Office of Environmental Health & Safety) following the appropriate campus procedures below.
  5. As approved as part of a revocable permit for Campus use pursuant to SUNY Policy No. 5603 (Use of Facilities by Non-Commercial Organizations).
  6. In extraordinary circumstances, such as times of natural disaster, when approved in writing in advance by the President of the College or their designee.
  7. Enforcement and Compliance
  8. SUNY Canton’s Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and/or 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.
  9. Students may be referred for discipline for alleged violation of this Policy.
  10. This Policy shall be effective immediately upon approval. 

Additional Procedure for Tents and Canopies Larger Than 400 Square Feet 

  1. Tents and/or canopies larger than 400 square feet campus enforces Chapter 31 Tents, Temporary Special Event Structures and Other Membrane Structures of the 2020 Fire Code of NYS.  

Related Documents 

Regulations: 

SUNY Policies: 

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