Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities
Be A Good Bronco Neighbor!
“I want you to be concerned about your next door neighbor. Do you know your next door neighbor?” ~Mother Theresa
“A bad neighbor is a misfortune, as much as a good one is a great blessing.” ~Hesiod
Boise State University students living off campus, even though they live in private homes, are representatives of the University within the surrounding community. It is the responsibility of these students to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the University’s Statement of Shared Values, which includes:
• Academic Excellence
• Caring
• Citizenship
• Fairness
• Respect
• Responsibility
• Trustworthiness
Students should remember that they are not living on campus with housing provided explicitly for students. The housing in neighborhoods adjacent to the Boise State campus are home to families, professionals, retired individuals, and a myriad of other factions of neighbors. These individuals come together to make up the rich fabric of the surrounding neighborhoods. Boise State University students should keep these individuals and their own personal rights in mind when living off campus. There are many learning experience opportunities for both students and their neighbors, provided that both groups are willing to get to know one another and treat one another with mutual respect. The following set of guidelines are designed to help foster good neighborhood relations for current and future students living in neighborhoods immediately surrounding the Boise State University campus.
Living Off Campus
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” ~William Morris
In order to establish a good community & neighborly relationship, here are a few tips to consider:
• Get to know your neighbors! Introduce yourself to them when you first move in or early in the semester
• Encourage your neighbors to call you first if there are any problems or concerns about your house/apartment (such as loud music, litter, etc.)
• Good deeds cultivate good-will. Offer to help your neighbors if you see a need or can be of assistance
• Keep your yard neat and picked up
• Don’t allow pets to run at large
• Learn the acceptable and legal places for parking at your house or apartment
Parties or Social Events
“Our character is what we do when we think no one is looking.” ~H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
Nothing can be more frustrating than having a neighbor that you feel is being inconsiderate. As such, if you are having a social gathering, you are encouraged to:
• Let your neighbors know in advance if you are planning a large social gathering or party at your house
• Have plenty of trashcans for disposal of litter
• Establish a reasonable ending time for your event and have everyone leave at that time. Remember, your neighbors may have to work, get up early the next morning, or have young children at home
• Keep the number of guests to a manageable level. Large crowds can become unruly and hard to monitor or control
• Know your state and local laws regarding alcohol consumption. You must be at least 21 years of age to consume alcohol
• If you and your guests are at least 21 years of age and plan on drinking, please identify alternative, safe and sober means for individuals to return to their own homes
• Have a designated, responsible individual available to interact with the police or neighbors if they come to your home because of concerns. All tenants and/or homeowners are responsible for behavior that occurs on their premises
• Make sure your guests park responsibly and respect the property of your neighbors
• The morning after a party, check for and remove any litter in the immediate area of your house and neighboring yards on the street
Jurisdiction of the University
“You are your choices” ~John-Paul Sartre
Boise State University retains the right to review, under student conduct processes, the off-campus conduct of students when such conduct is alleged to:
• Interfere with the Mission of the University
• Compromise the University’s integrity in the granting of degrees or other certification
• Threaten the health or safety of members of the campus community
• Interferes with the orderly operation of the University
Complaints about students’ off-campus behavior will be considered on a case-by-case basis, following these guidelines, to determine whether they merit review within the student conduct process.
Boise City residents (both students and non-students) living near the campus are strongly encouraged to communicate with one another about any concerns that arise. If that does not resolve the issue, please contact your local law enforcement for further assistance and information.