Your Neighbors and U

Tips for getting along and staying safe in nearby neighborhoods

Living off campus, you wear many hats: You are a renter, a neighbor, and a member of the community. In these roles, you have rights and responsibilities.

Your responsibilities as a neighbor and off-campus student

  • Be a proactive and communicative neighbor! Introduce yourself to neighbors early on, and have a conversation about lifestyle and expectations. You never know when you may need to borrow a hammer or a cup of sugar.
  • Give neighbors a heads up before you throw a party, and make sure they have your phone number so they can call you (instead of the police) if it's getting too loud. Promptly clean up outside afterwards.

Did you know? 

The Ordinance of Unruly Gatherings, aka the "social host ordinance," holds residents criminally responsible for hosting (or even allowing) an unruly party where alcohol is consumed and where additional violations are happening, like minor in possession, noise disturbance, disorderly conduct, and littering. Getting this citation means that your landlord will be notified (and could be fined if it happens multiple times), and you will be fined as much as $1,000… and the fines can go up for repeat offenses. 

  • Always park in legal and appropriate spaces. No blocking sidewalks, driveways, or yellow zones, and park facing the direction of traffic.
  • Keep the noise down. Noise violations can happen at any time of the day, though there is a specific prohibition on amplified sound from 10 p.m. - 7a.m.
  • Bring in the Thundercans! Garbage and recycling bins can only remain at the curb for 24 hours per City Code. 
  • The Student Conduct Code applies to behavior off campus, including occasions where students are warned or cited by a law enforcement agency. The student conduct process may result in outcomes ranging from a Warning, Disciplinary Probation, Suspension, or Expulsion. 

Your rights as a renter and community member 

  • The City of Eugene’s Rental Housing Code establishes minimum standards to protect you from living in unsafe or unkempt rentals. Contact the Rental Housing Program if you need help communicating with your property manager over safety or security concerns at your rental.
  • Protect yourself from property crime!
    • Always lock your doors and windows when you leave your home
    • Use a good u-lock for your bike, and lock the frame to a secure object. Bike registration with the UO is required for everyone who bikes on campus.
    • Remove anything visible from your vehicle before locking up—you may not think it’s valuable, but is it worth a broken window?
  • If you do need help:
    • Emergencies, both on and off campus: 911
    • Off campus
      • ​​​​​​​Nonemergency police-fire-EMS, including CAHOOTS: 541-682-5111
        CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) is a local program where medic and crisis workers respond to urgent mental health and substance abuse crises instead of, or in addition to, police and EMS. Call for CAHOOTS help with non-violent crises: 541-682-5111
    • On campus
  • ​​​​​​​If conflict arises with roommates or neighbors, reach out to The Student Conflict Resolution Center! This free, private, impartial, and off-the-record problem-solving resource for UO Students can help with training, facilitation, and dispute resolution services.