University of Massachusetts - Campus Strictness

College Prowler Take

UMass is not strict by any means. Certain behavior will get you in trouble if you get caught. The penalties for doing something serious are severe, but if you get caught with a beer in your room, you might have to go to an alcohol education class. If you get caught again, the punishment stiffens. But really, UMass authorities (including the RAs, keeping in mind they are also students) are good about focusing on what’s important—safety. One thing RAs crack the whip about is playing with fire extinguishers that are located on each floor, so don’t do that.

However, do not assume that behavior you can get away with on campus is behavior you can get away with off campus. Amherst Police don’t tolerate college students as much as UMass Police. Getting in deep trouble at UMass is like getting bad grades in really easy classes—you have to try. Another thing that is taken seriously on campus is stopping your car for pedestrians, a law that doesn’t necessarily apply to people driving around off campus in Amherst. The fines are steep for neglecting this law, and it is not taken lightly. Unfortunately, during specific times of the day, when classes are getting out, this means that you may have to sit at a crosswalk for a long time.

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Students Speak Out

UMaAG says: University of Massachusetts 2013 Business

It's usually the RAs who handle... It's usually the RAs who handle that kind of stuff on campus, and they're really not too strict. It's generally an "if I don't see it, nothing's happening" kind of policy. The police break up off-campus parties pretty often though. 12345 Campus Strictness: May 30, 2009 Report

UMaJH says: University of Massachusetts 2015 Biological and Biomedical Sciences

Police are pretty nice here but... Police are pretty nice here but don't push the limits. If you're reasonably quiet and not drinking in public (i.e. sidewalks), police will leave you alone. I haven't been written up, and I know more people who have been written up for having candles than people written up for drinking. 12345 Campus Strictness: April 14, 2009 Report

UMaAU says: University of Massachusetts 2015 Communication and Journalism

The campus police will basically... The campus police will basically hassle you about drunk driving on campus, and I don't mean swerving and going 180 mph. I mean stopping two seconds at a stop sign instead of three. There isn't really a policy for pot prevention. Most people smoke, and they don't really do anything about it. Also, the campus police will tag you with parking violations, so make sure to get a pass or feed the meter. Otherwise, they will get you and possibly tow your car. 12345 Campus Strictness: February 25, 2009 Report

UMaJT says: University of Massachusetts 2014 Communication and Journalism

They're very strict, so don't be... They're very strict, so don't be dumb. You will get caught. 12345 Campus Strictness: February 19, 2009 Report

x0sweetsarahx06 says: University of Massachusetts 2016 Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies, and Humanities

Be careful in the parking lots,... Be careful in the parking lots, especially if you're transporting alcohol. They have undercover cops who patrol it at night. 12345 Campus Strictness: January 18, 2009 Report

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