This year, students living in on-Grounds housing must comply with an altered set of fire code regulations.
Like last year, no more than 10 percent of the wall or ceiling may be covered; however, students are allowed more leeway with uncovered posters or pictures, Assistant Director of Operations Burt Joseph said.
"We will allow four posters per room without being framed or laminated, each no larger than 900 square inches, about the size of a 24 by 36 poster," he said.
Previously, students had been asked to frame or laminate all posters before putting them on the wall, but the policy has been eased for the 2005-2006 school year.
"We are trying to work to relax it as much as we can," Joseph said. "We found that lamination burns almost as badly as paper does. We don't want residents to go through the expense of lamination if it's not going to help much."
According to Joseph, the change in policy was not because of a lack of student participation during the previous semesters.
"The students generally did a good job of complying last year," Joseph said.
Some students said they are welcoming the chance to decorate and personalize their dorm rooms more easily.
"They relaxed the fire code this year, it's pretty cool," first-year College student Greg Clines said.
According to resident advisor Shi-Shi Wang, the smoking policy also has been changed; smoking is no longer permitted within 20 feet of the dorms.
Other aspects of the fire code remain in place, such as the prohibition of candles, curtains and extension cords. These policies continue to be enforced strictly, Joseph said.
Students are urged to comply with these regulations for their own safety, Wang said.
"The thing with fire safety is that it's easy to make fun of, but we have had incidents of fire, and I think there is sense in the rules," Wang said.
Joseph said even though the fire codes have been altered, the safety of students has not been jeopardized in any way.
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