Administrative Policies and Procedures Manual - Policy 2270: Camping

Date Originally Issued: 07-17-2013

Authorized by RPM 7.9 (“Property Management”)

Process Owner: Chief, UNM Police Department

General

The University is committed to maintaining a clean, aesthetically pleasing, and safe work, educational, and living environment to efficiently carry out its educational mission and business matters.  In an effort to protect University grounds and to protect the health and safety of the University community and public, camping on University grounds is not permitted, except as stated in Section 3.2 below.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, students, and visitors.

Definitions

“Visitor” means a person who is not a Regent or a student and is not employed by the University. 

“Camping” for purposes of this policy is defined as any of the following on University grounds:

• Establishing, or attempting to establish, temporary or permanent living quarters, or a place for cooking, storing of personal belongings, or sleeping, by setting up any cooking or sleeping equipment; 
• Sleeping with or without bedding, pillows, sleeping bags, mattresses, backpacks, tents, hammocks or similar devices, structures, or other sleeping equipment between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.;
• Sleeping in any parked vehicle between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.

3.1.   Such activities constitute camping when it reasonably appears, in light of all the circumstances, that the participants, in conducting any of the above activities, are in fact using the area as a living accommodation regardless of the intent of the participants or the nature of any other activities in which they may also be engaging. 

3.2.   Camping, as defined in this policy, does not include the ordinary use of University grounds that have been wholly or in part designated as sleeping or eating areas, nor does it include University sanctioned projects, activities, and events. 

Responsibilities

4.1. The applicable supervisor, department chair, or dean is responsible for addressing non-compliance with this policy by staff and faculty.

4.2. The Student Activities Center is responsible for addressing non-compliance with this policy by students. 

4.3. The UNM Police Department is responsible for addressing non-compliance with this policy by persons other than staff, faculty, or students, and may address violations of this policy by staff, faculty, and students that constitute criminal trespass or any other violation of law. 

5.  Enforcement

Any person violating this policy may be subject to:

• Institutional disciplinary proceedings under the Student Code of Conduct if a student, or the Visitor Code of Conduct if a visitor. Violations by faculty or staff will be referred to the appropriate department or academic unit; 
• An order to leave the premises or property owned or controlled by the University by the police or a person in charge of the property; or 
• Arrest for violation of state law.

Reference

New Mexico Criminal Trespass Statute, Sec. 30-14-1 et seq. NMSA 1978