OU Housing and Food Services said dorm decorating rules are still in effect when students decorate their dorms and apartments during the holidays.

With the holiday season at hand, many students will be decorating their dorms and apartments until they can go home and enjoy their holiday break at home. However; some restrictions still apply to how students who live on campus may decorate.

“A large number of freshmen and upperclass residents call OU residence halls home during the academic year,” said Lauren Royston, Housing and Food Services spokeswoman. “Just as they would with their families, roommates and suitemates are encouraged to take an active part in their OU community and make their space festive for the holidays. To assure the safety of all residents, several decorating guidelines are in place.”

Royston said holiday candles and candle warmers are prohibited in the dorms because of an open flame being a large fire hazard.

“Students are allowed to decorate for the holidays as long as they do not damage any university property and decorations are removed and disposed of properly,” Royston said. “Also, due to extreme fire hazard, items that contain an open flame like candles or potpourri pots and warmers are prohibited in the residence halls at all times.”

Royston said if students have questions about what they may use to decorate their dorm or on campus apartment with, they should consult their community living guide.

The guidelines listed in the Community Living Guide mention both holiday and non-holiday decorations.

“Light strands and hallway floor mats are not allowed in the halls due to fire-safety rules,” the guide states. “Door [and] hallway holiday decorations must be taken down within one week after the holiday. Hanging any type of lights from the ceiling is strictly prohibited.”

The guide states that paper and other flammable substances used as decoration outside of a dorm room is strictly prohibited because of fire code.

“We encourage you to decorate your residence hall room; however, please take a few details into consideration,” the guide states.

The guide states that decorating windows for university–sponsored activities or national holidays will be allowed provided the display is hung by means that will not damage the window or surrounding walls and the display is removed one week after the activity [or] date.

“Residence Life staff have the authority to ask a student to remove inappropriate or offensive decorations,” the guide states. “Failure to remove the decoration or display could result in a failure to comply citation.”

Freshmen who have decorated their rooms said they don’t have much room to put up elaborate decorations.

“I brought a little tree from home,” said Summer Randall, University College freshman. “I’m going to put some lights on it and even some ornaments.”

Randall said she has seen many people in her hall bring some small decorations from home.

“I have a little tree, but there aren’t even any lights on it,” said Lindsay Bolt, University College freshman. “I doubt I’ll be breaking any rules or making a mess with decorations. It’s a small tree.”

Randall said though she does have some decorations she won’t be having any elaborate decorations.

“It’s a small dorm room,” Randall said. “We don’t have much room for any big decorations.”