About Dalhousie University

Student Conduct in the Community

We understand that our students are eager to feel connected to Dal and each other. That is driving our goal to cultivate a fun and vibrant student experience at Dal, while managing the negative effects of gatherings in the street.

Dalhousie is committed to being a good neighbour, and such we educate our students on the many ways that they can be responsible and engaged citizens in our shared community. We all have a responsibility for keeping our Dalhousie community and the surrounding community of Halifax safe and healthy.  

As part of their orientation to the city and campus, we educate our students about the consequences of breaking the law, especially as it relates to community safety, bylaws, and alcohol consumption.

Off-campus conduct is governed and enforced by the same processes that apply to all citizens of Halifax Regional Municipality. Notably, for matters related to the Criminal Code and public health protocols, enforcement rests with the Halifax Regional Police (HRP). Bylaw issues are within the jurisdiction of HRM bylaw enforcement officers.

We are fully committed to working closely and supporting the province, city and HRP’s efforts to maintain safe and respectful communities and are strengthening this work through our HRM/Dal Task Force [PDF - 150Kb] 

Connect with us

Are you a student or community member with questions about issues, responsibilities in our community surrounding Dalhousie? Please see our list of frequently asked questions below. If you have more questions, you can contact us at community.engagement@dal.ca.

For immediate issues or emergencies at or near Dalhousie, calls should be directed to:

  • 902-490-5020 – Halifax Regional Police non-emergency line 
  • 311 – HRM municipal services contact centre
  • 911 – emergencies only

902-494-6400 – Dalhousie Security (on-campus issues only)

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find information about HRM by-laws?

It is important for students and our community members to understand their responsibilities as residents of HRM. Information about Halifax Regional Municipality by-laws including noise, garbage, construction, property concerns, and alcohol can be found on HRM’s by-law website.

Is Dalhousie responsible for student’s behaviour off-campus? What about the Student Code of Conduct?

Dalhousie recognizes students living off-campus as independent adult citizens subject to the laws and by-laws of Nova Scotia and the Halifax Regional Municipality. Enforcement of illegal behaviour in the greater Halifax community lies with the Halifax Regional Police. Dal proactively communicates and encourages respectful behaviour to students living both on and off-campus. 

The Dalhousie Code of Student Conduct was revised this fall and applies to non-academic misconduct by a student or group of students that takes place off University property, including online activities, in circumstances where:

  • a student is participating in a sanctioned University activity, regardless of where that activity takes place;
  • Student represents, claims to represent or would reasonably be perceived to be representing, the University;

or in the context of an academic program, including conduct that occurs when a student is participating in:

  • any class activity, including a lecture, tutorial, lab, classroom discussion forum or the like, on or off University property or online; and, 
  • any organized academic activity, such as a clinical placement, exchange, field placement, field trip, internship, research activities that occur virtually or off University property. 

In most common situations off campus, complaints involve violation of municipal, provincial or federal laws and the Code will only apply if there has been a material negative impact to the university community.

When a complaint is made under the Code of Student Conduct, each complaint is reviewed to assess whether it falls under the Code or another more appropriate policy or process.

For the full Dalhousie Code of Student Conduct, please visit our Student Conduct site.

What does "HOCO" or "fake homecoming" have to do with Dalhousie University? How does the university mitigate this problem?

Large unsanctioned street parties are a complex and growing problem across North American university campuses that pose a high-risk for alcohol-related and safety incidents on campuses and nearby neighbourhoods. Often referred to as “HOCO” or “fake homecoming,” they require extensive efforts from universities and community partners to mitigate as they are organized and influenced by social media.

Last year, Dalhousie and partners embarked on a multi-stakeholder collaborative framework to address unsanctioned street parties in our shared neighbourhood. This process highlighted the strengths and potential roles of various stakeholders involved in addressing this issue, themes for actions, as well as some suggestions on how a collaborative network can be organized in a more coordinated, and effective manner. We are pleased to report that much of this important work is underway as we seek to strengthen coordination and response to unsanctioned street gatherings, build a more engaged and vibrant campus culture, and steward community connections in our shared neighbourhood.

Who do I call if I have a noise complaint?

Enforcement of noise-related complaints rests with the Halifax Regional Police and Halifax Regional Municipality. HRM by-law officers can address these complaints, or follow up on an existing complaint, during work hours. For issues in the evenings or weekends, please contact HRP at their non-emergency line (902-490-5020). 

Does Dalhousie have dry campus policy?

Dalhousie university does not have a dry campus policy. While we currently have a ban on alcohol and substances in residences, this policy is in place as we have emergency restrictions due to COVID to protect the health and safety of our students and employees living, learning and working in our residences. We cannot hold students accountable for compliance to strict rules around health and safety while permitting behaviour which impairs judgement. Currently, 80% of our residence students are not legal drinking age in Nova Scotia.

What do I need to know about winter parking in Halifax?

The Halifax municipal overnight winter parking ban is in effect every year from Dec. 15 to March 31. It is enforced only during declared weather events and ongoing clearing operations. When enforced, the parking ban is in effect from 1 a.m. until 6 a.m. throughout the Regional Centre of the municipality.

For updates on the status of the parking ban, you can visit halifax.ca, follow @hfxgov on Twitter, or call 311. You can sign up to receive winter parking ban notifications here.

Learn more about the winter parking ban here.