Dear UNCW Off-campus Student:

As the University of North Carolina Wilmington has grown dramatically in the recent past, so has the impact of our students in the surrounding region. Many of our students have chosen to live in off-campus apartment communities and traditional family neighborhoods in the Wilmington area. As an individual within that community, you enjoy basic rights; as a member of the community you also accept certain responsibilities. Moreover, it is important that you understand that you play a significant role as a representative of our university by your presence in these areas.

As an off-campus student attending UNCW, you are a member of the greater Wilmington and New Hanover County community. Inherent in this privilege is a responsibility to be a civic-minded and law-abiding citizen. The established laws, ordinances and regulations exist to protect the rights and safety of you and the community. Being aware of the ordinances, codes and statutes is integral to having a successful off-campus experience. Information on this Web site as well as the “Off-Campus Relationship Statement” in the UNCW Code of Student Life can assist you in this understanding.

Ultimately, knowing the information is not enough. You must take action to commit to being a good ambassador of the university. Therefore, I encourage you to take time to extend yourself in a friendly way to your neighbors and the local community. In addition, commit yourself to keeping the surrounding areas trash-free and the roadways open to free access. Be responsible for invited guests. If you host events, take measures to keep gatherings manageable and minimize the impact on the quality of life for the rest of the community. Consider the potential outcomes of your decisions before you face the consequences of your actions. If you see your peers acting in a way that falls below UNCW standards, stand up and make a difference.

UNCW, the Office of the Dean of Students, and the Seahawk Perch are committed to ensuring you have a successful off-campus experience. Should you desire to consult with a university official regarding an off-campus matter, you may contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 910.962.3119.

Best wishes for a healthy and successful academic year.

  UNCW and the Community

The University/Community Relations Task Force (UCRTF) was created in February 2004 to examine a variety of issues relating to the impact of UNCW on neighborhoods in the City of Wilmington. The task force includes representatives from UNCW, the City of Wilmington, Cape Fear Community College, Alcohol Law Enforcement, the Wilmington Apartment Association, the Wilmington Board of Realtors, the Council of Neighborhood Associations, citizens and students. A public “Listening Circle” was held to identify issues and concerns, which were placed into four major categories: trash, noise, partying, and parking. As the task force’s recommendations are further explored, UNCW’s Office of the Dean of Students will implement new initiatives to better educate students about off-campus responsibility. Students, faculty and staff are always welcome to voice their opinions and concerns to the UCRTF. Meeting times can be accessed by calling the Office of the Dean of Students at 962.3119. You may also visit the Task Force Web site for more information.

  Office of the Dean of Students Top Ten Ways to Be a Good Neighbor

10. Get to know your neighbors. Look after them and they’ll look after you.
9. Don’t park on sidewalks, block your neighbors’ driveways, or park in their parking spaces. If you rent a house, don’t turn your lawn into a parking lot for your friends.
8. Indoor furniture = indoor furniture. Please keep couches and other indoor furniture inside.
7. Leash your dog and clean up after it.
6. If you rent a house, help your landlord keep your place looking good. Mow grass and weeds regularly.
5. Take pride in your community; volunteer to keep it looking good.
4. Watch the trash! Pick up all cans, cups, bottles, cigarette butts, and trash regularly and after you party. Bag it, and don’t put it out until your trash or recycling pick-up day.
3. Be familiar with your neighborhood association’s rules & regulations and the City’s ordinances; be sure your guests are too.
2. Watch the noise! When hanging out, remember that the person next door may have to get up at 6 a.m. or may have children. Bring the party inside after 9 p.m. and keep the noise at a reasonable level.
1. Remember, you’re a Seahawk wherever you go!

Adapted from “ECU’s Top Ten Ways to Be a Good Neighbor,” provided by the City of Greenville Police Department, Neighborhood Services Division.

  Ordinances you should know about!

Noise Ordinances
All residents of New Hanover County, whether tenants or land owners, who reside in neighborhoods zoned for residential purposes, areprohibited from engaging in any activity producing noise in excess of 65 decibels in daytime and 50 decibels during the period from 10 p.m. through 7 a.m. Citations for violations might be issued upon findings of loud and offensive noises even when the precise noise
level is not measured. “Yelling, shouting, whistling... playing of any sound magnifying device... with such volume between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., as to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort, or repose of a
reasonably prudent person...” shall be unlawful. The City of Wilmington has a similar ordinance which prohibits anyone from engaging in any activity that produces an unreasonably loud and raucous sound or noise on occupied neighboring property or in a public area. A violation of the city’s noise ordinance subjects the offender to a civil penalty of $250 for the first violation and $500 for any
subsequent violation. Renters can be responsible for any violations by their guests if the renter is present at the time of the violation. (Article II of Chapter 6 of the Wilmington City Code.)*

Alcoholic Beverages on Public Property
It is unlawful for any person to consume or have an open container of any malt beverage or unfortified wine on any public street, road, highway, sidewalk, right-of-way, alley or other public property in the
City. A violation of this prohibition is a misdemeanor which subjects the offender to a fine not to exceed $500. (Wilmington City Code, Section 6-12.) These prohibitions are enforced by the Wilmington Police Department, 910.343.3600.*

The City of Wilmington Police Department would also like to remind students of the following: “The City of Wilmington is committed to providing a safe and secure environment for its citizens. We are proud of our downtown community and the exciting night-life it provides. However, we exercise a zero tolerance policy towards criminal law violations. Individuals who violate the law will be taken into custody before a magistrate. We exercise these precautions for your safety as well as the other law-abiding patrons in our community.”†

Maximum of Three Unrelated
The City of Wilmington’s Zoning Ordinance prohibits more than three (3) unrelated persons from occupying a single dwelling. This ordinance is enforced in response to complaints. If a neighbor reports that there are more than three unrelated persons living in a particular dwelling, the City will send a Code Enforcement Officer who, after determining the report’s veracity, will order the extra persons to move within a specified period of time. A violation of the City’s Zoning Ordinance subjects the offender to a civil penalty of $100 per day for each day of a violation. Renters and property owners can be held equally responsible for violations. Wilmington City Code, Sections 19-6 and 19-38. Call the Wilmington Zoning Administrator at 910.254.0900 to determine zoning regulations applicable to rental properties in the City.*

For more information on New Hanover County and City of Wilmington ordinances, visit their websites at www.co.new-hanover.nc.us/ and www.wilmingtonnc.gov/.

Information in this section is adapted from the Guide to Off-Campus Living written by Mallam J. Maynard, Attorney-at-Law, and revised by Scott Sherman, Attorney-at-Law. Additional information from various sources appears as noted.

*Information courtesy of the City of Wilmington Code Enforcement Office.

†From the brochure Security: Just for Your Information, City of Wilmington Police Department.