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CYNTHIA BALDWIN,
Plaintiff and Appellant, v. STEVEN ZORADI et al., Defendants and Respondents
Civ. No. 4821
Court of Appeal of California, Fifth Appellate District
123 Cal. App. 3d 275; 176 Cal. Rptr. 809; 1981 Cal. App. LEXIS 2112
August 31, 1981
SUBSEQUENT HISTORY: [***1]
A petition for a rehearing was denied September 30, 1981, and the opinion was
modified to read as printed above. Appellant's petition for a hearing by the
Supreme Court was denied November 13, 1981.
PRIOR HISTORY:
Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County, No. 50146, Harry E. Woolpert and
Wickson R. Woolpert, Judges. *
* Judge Harry E. Woolpert sustained the instant defendants' demurrer to
plaintiff's third amended complaint. Judge Wickson R. Woolpert dismissed (with
prejudice) the causes of action in plaintiff's third amended complaint involving
the instant defendants, following plaintiff's failure to file a fourth amended
complaint.
DISPOSITION: The judgment is affirmed.
SUMMARY:
CALIFORNIA OFFICIAL REPORTS SUMMARY
A state university student brought a damage action against the university
trustees and two dormitory advisors for injuries she sustained when fellow
students engaged in a "speed contest" in their cars following a drinking party.
The trial court sustained a general demurrer to the third amended complaint and
entered a judgment of dismissal after plaintiff declined to further amend.
(Superior Court of San Luis Obispo County, No. 50146, Harry E. Woolpert and
Wickson R. Woolpert Judges. *)
Judge Harry E. Woolpert sustained the instant defendant's demurrer to
plaintiff's third amended complaint. Judge Wickson R. Woolpert dismissed (with
prejudice) the causes of action in plaintiff's third amended complaint involving
the instant defendants, following plaintiff's failure to file a fourth amended
complaint.
The Court of Appeal affirmed, holding that the relationship between the trustees
and the university students did not create a special relationship imposing a
duty of due care to prevent the injuries sustained by controlling alcoholic
intake by students, since there was a lack of close connection between the
failure of the trustees and dormitory advisors to control on-campus drinking and
the speed contest. The court also held that, although the university reserved to
itself the right to take disciplinary action for drinking on campus and license
agreement with dormitory residents prohibited alcoholic beverages on the
premises, neither created a mandatory duty of enforcement. The court further
held that the alleged lack of supervision of the dormitory did not state a cause
of action for negligent creation of a dangerous condition. (Opinion by Andreen,
Acting P. J., with Evans (C. P.), J., * and Thompson J., + concurring.)
* Assigned by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.
+ Retired judge of the superior court sitting under assignment by the
Chairperson of the Juidicial Council.
HEADNOTES:
CALIFORNIA OFFICIAL REPORTS HEADNOTES
Classified to California Digest of Official Reports, 3d Series
(1) Appellate Review § 128--Review--Scope and Extent--Rulings on Demurrers.
--On appeal after a sustained demurrer, the reviewing court must assume the
truth of the factual allegations of the complaint.
(2) Pleadings § 21--Demurrer to Complaint--Function. --The function of a
demurrer is to test the legal sufficiency of the challenged pleading by raising
questions of law.
(3a) (3b) (3c) Negligence § 9--Elements of Actionable Negligence--Duty of
Care--Duty to Control Conduct of Others--Requirement for Special
Relationship--Existence of Special Relationship Between University Trustees and
Students. --The relationship between the trustees of a state university and
plaintiff, a student who was severely injured when fellow students engaged in a
"speed contest" in their cars after a drinking party, did not create a special
relationship imposing a duty of due care to prevent the injuries sustained by
controlling alcoholic intake by students, where there was a lack of close
connection between the failure of the trustees and dormitory advisors to control
on-campus drinking and the speed contest. Although the university reserved to
itself the right to take disciplinary action for drinking on campus and a
license agreement prohibited alcoholic beverages in dormitories, where plaintiff
lived, neither created a mandatory duty of enforcement.
(4) Government Tort Liability § 15--Grounds for Relief--Liability Arising
From Governmental Activities--Schools, Colleges, and Universities--Supervision
of Students--On School Grounds. --Schools and their personnel owe a duty to
students who are on school grounds to supervise them and to enforce rules and
regulations necessary for their protection. Either a total lack of supervision
or ineffective supervision may constitute a lack of ordinary care.
(5) Government Tort Liability § 15--Grounds for Relief--Liability Arising
From Governmental Activities--Schools, Colleges, and Universities--Supervision
of Students--Off School Grounds. --The duty of schools and their personnel
to supervise students can exist off the school grounds by virtue of a duty to
supervise students while on the campus.
(6a) (6b) Negligence § 9--Elements of Actionable Negligence--Duty of
Care--Duty to Control Conduct of Others--Requirement for Special Relationship.
--When the avoidance of foreseeable harm requires a defendant to control the
conduct of another person, or to warn of such conduct, the common law as a
general rule imposes liability only when the defendant bears some special
relationship to the dangerous person or potential victim. A relationship of
dependence may create such a special relationship.
(7) Government Tort Liability § 9--Grounds for Relief--Liability Arising From
Governmental Activities--Dangerous Condition of Public Property--Failure to
Supervise Alcoholic Intake by Students in State University Dormitory. --The
complaint in an action by a state university student who was severely injured
when fellow students engaged in a "speed contest" in their cars after a drinking
party did not state a cause of action for negligent creation of a dangerous
condition, even though it was alleged that the lack of supervision of dormitory
premises constituted a dangerous condition by inviting students to drink
alcoholic beverages. While it is reasonably foreseeable that college students
might drink in dormitory rooms, in order for a dorm to create a dangerous
condition for which the trustees could be liable pursuant to Gov. Code, § 830
(defining "dangerous condition"), the condition must create a substantial risk
of injury when it is used with due care in a manner which is reasonably
foreseeable.
(8) Government Tort Liability § 9--Grounds for Relief--Liability Arising From
Governmental Activities--Dangerous Condition of Public Property--Breach of
Dormitory License Agreement Prohibiting Alcoholic Beverages. --One student's
breach of a dormitory license agreement prohibiting alcoholic beverages in a
state university dormitory did not create a hazardous condition so as to render
the university trustees liable for injuries sustained by another student. The
breach of the license agreement by one student imposed no contractual duty on
the trustees in regard to another student.
COUNSEL: Myers & D'Angelo and John M. Maller for Plaintiff and Appellant.
McKay & Byrne, McKay, Byrne & Udkovich, John P. McKay, Michael A. Byrne and
Linda Fermoyle Rice for Defendants and Respondents.
JUDGES: Opinion by Andreen, Acting P. J., with Evans (C. P.), J., * and
Thompson, J., + concurring.
* Assigned by the Chairperson of the Judicial Council.
+ Retired judge of the superior court sitting under assignment by the
Chairperson of the Judicial Council.
OPINION BY: ANDREEN
OPINION: [*278] [**811] On February [***2] 12, 1977, plaintiff was
injured as a result of a collision. Her third amended complaint, consisting of
thirteen causes of action, contains five causes of action against defendants
Trustees of the California State University and Colleges (Trustees), the
governing body and administrative agency of California State University and
Colleges, and Jeanne Baumgartner and Steven Zoradi (Baumgartner and Zoradi),
dormitory advisors. The university involved is California Polytechnic State
University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly). A general demurrer was sustained to
those five causes of action. She declined to further amend and appeals from the
ensuing judgment of dismissal.
(1) On appeal after a sustained demurrer, the court must assume the truth
of the factual allegations of the complaint. ( Hoyem v. Manhattan
Beach City Sch. Dist. (1978) 22 Cal.3d 508, 517 [150 Cal.Rptr. 1, 585 P.2d
851]; Buford v. State of California (1980) 104 Cal.App.3d 811, 815
[164 Cal.Rptr. 264].) (2) The function of a demurrer is to test the legal
sufficiency of the challenged pleading by raising questions of law. (
Whitcombe v. County of Yolo (1977) 73 Cal.App.3d 698, 702 [141
Cal.Rptr. 189].) [***3]
[*279] The Allegations of the Complaint
The Fourth Cause of Action
The plaintiff alleges: She was a passenger in one of three cars driven by Cal
Poly student defendants, whose identities are not material here, that other
student defendants aided and abetted the negligent drivers, that all of them are
under 21 years of age (some under 18 years of age), and that as a proximate
result of negligent activity (engaging in a speed contest) the car in which she
was riding collided with one or both of the other cars, causing it to leave the
highway and overturn. She emerged from the accident a quadriplegic.
The Trustees were the governing body of Cal Poly and Baumgartner and Zoradi were
their employees with duties as student dormitory "advisors and/or monitors."
Students lived in the dorms pursuant to an agreement termed a "license," which
is set out in the appendix. The students thereby had a "special relationship"
with the Trustees. Plaintiff, a student living in the dorms pursuant to the
"license," had a right to and did rely upon the enforcement of provisions in the
license agreement governing student conduct while on campus. The possession
and/or consumption of alcoholic [***4] beverages is proscribed [**812] on the
campus, including the dorms, by the terms of the license agreement and by
statute.
On the day in question, and on many prior occasions, the Trustees and the
dormitory advisors "knowingly permitted" the student defendants and other
students to possess and consume alcoholic beverages in the residence halls in
contravention of the license, regulations and laws and failed to take
appropriate steps to control the student defendants. That on the date in
question, the student defendants consumed "great amounts" of alcoholic beverages
to the point of intoxication. That as a foreseeable result of said activity, the
student defendants operated their vehicles while under the influence of
intoxicants proximately injuring plaintiff. The Trustees and dormitory advisors
were negligent in several particulars, including a failure to perform a
mandatory duty to enforce the provisions of the license agreement, and by so
doing "caused to be furnished" alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of
21 years and [*280] aided the student defendants to consume alcohol on campus
negligently and in contravention of law which was enacted for the
protection [***5] of the public from injuries and that a duty of care existed
because of the landlord-tenant relationship.
The Fifth Cause of Action
The allegations of the fourth cause of action are incorporated; there are
additional allegations that in the school catalog and announcements it is stated
that rules of student conduct prohibit use and consumption of alcoholic
beverages, and disciplinary action will be taken for violation thereof, and that
the dormitory advisors were under a mandatory duty to enforce the rules of
student conduct, but negligently failed to perform said duty which was a
proximate cause of plaintiff's injuries.
The Sixth Cause of Action
The Trustees and dormitory advisors permitted a dangerous condition to exist at
the residence hall in that consumption of alcohol by minors occurred regularly,
and the said defendants knew or should have known of such occurrence and taken
appropriate steps to stop the activity. By "knowingly acquiescing in the
consumption of alcohol by minors on campus over an extended period of time, the
Trustees, and their employees, created an unsafe condition, to wit, a safe haven
or enclave where large groups of minors could, would and did [***6] gather and
consume alcoholic beverages, to an excess, with complete impunity from any laws
or rules and regulations."
The Seventh Cause of Action
The Trustees breached the license agreement in that they permitted a chronic
pattern of disobedience to their rules forbidding alcoholic consumption thereby
rendering the premises dangerous. And, having actual or constructive knowledge
of said condition, intentionally and negligently failed to reduce the hazard or
to warn students of the dangers. Plaintiff was proximately injured thereby.
The Thirteenth Cause of Action
In the petition for rehearing the plaintiff informs us that she dismisses this
cause of action.
[*281] Discussion
Negligence as Alleged in the Fourth and Fifth Causes of Action
(3a) The allegations aver nonfeasance rather than misfeasance. (See
Weirum v. RKO General, Inc. (1975) 15 Cal.3d 40, 49 [123 Cal.Rptr.
468, 539 P.2d 36].) Liability can attach only if a special relationship existed
between the Trustees on the one hand, and the plaintiff and student defendants
on the other. ( Mann v. State of California (1977) 70 Cal.App.3d
773, 778-779 [139 Cal.Rptr. 82]; Buford v. State [***7] of
California, supra, 104 Cal.App.3d 811, 819-820.) We will examine whether the
relationship of school and student or the school regulations impose such a
special relationship.
[**813] Negligence in Reference to Primary and Secondary Education
(4) Schools and their personnel owe a duty to students who are on school
grounds to supervise them and to enforce rules and regulations necessary for
their protection. Either a total lack of supervision or ineffective supervision
may constitute a lack of ordinary care. It is the task of supervisors to
anticipate and curb behavior of students who have not attained full maturity. (Dailey
v. Los Angeles Unified Sch. Dist. (1970) 2 Cal.3d 741, 747-748 [87
Cal.Rptr. 376, 470 P.2d 360].)
(5) The duty to supervise can exist off the school grounds by virtue of a
duty to supervise students while on the campus. ( Hoyem v. Manhattan
Beach City Sch. Dist., supra, 22 Cal.3d 508, 515.) In Hoyem, a case
which involved a dismissal at the demurrer stage, the allegations were that the
10-year-old student was negligently supervised and as a proximate cause of such
negligence left the school premises without permission and was injured [***8]
when hit by a motorcycle at a public intersection. The court held that although
a school district is not an insurer of students' safety, it has a legal duty to
exercise reasonable care in supervising students while on the school premises
and may be held liable for injuries proximately caused by the failure to so
supervise. Whether such duty existed and whether negligent on-campus supervision
was the proximate cause of an off-campus injury were held to be questions of
fact for the jury.
[*282] Hoyem relied on Dailey v. Los Angeles Unified Sch.
Dist., supra, 2 Cal.3d 741 which reversed a motion for directed verdict in a
case where two high school students were playing "slap boxing," during which one
of the combatants fell, fracturing his skull, resulting in death. The Dailey
court stressed that school authorities have a duty to supervise the conduct of
children on school grounds, using ordinary care in doing so. "High school
students may appear to be generally less hyperactive and more capable of
self-control than grammar school children. Consequently, less rigorous and
intrusive methods of supervision may be required. Nevertheless, adolescent high
school [***9] students are not adults and should not be expected to exhibit
that degree of discretion, judgment, and concern for the safety of themselves
and others which we associate with full maturity." ( Dailey v. Los
Angeles Unified Sch. Dist., supra, 2 Cal.3d at p. 748.)
The pleadings under review are virtually identical with those in Hoyem
and Dailey. In both cases, as well as the one before us, the complaint
alleged that school personnel failed to exercise ordinary care in supervising a
student while the student was on school premises, which proximately caused a
student's resulting injury.
The ages and educational level of the students in those two cases varied
considerably from those in the instant case. In Hoyem, the student was a
10-year-old boy. In Dailey, the student was 16 years old. The cases
relied on in Hoyem involved a youth of 17 years ( Satariano v.
Sleight (1942) 54 Cal.App.2d 278 [129 P.2d 35]); a 15 year old ( Calandri
v. Ione Unified School Dist. (1963) 219 Cal.App.2d 542 [33 Cal.Rptr.
333]); and children 7 1/2, 8 and 10 1/2 years ( Bryant v. United
States (10th Cir. 1977) 565 F.2d 650).
In the instant case, none of [***10] the student defendants involved had
attained the age of 21 years. Some of the student defendants were under the age
of 18 years. n1
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n1 Plaintiff's age at the time of the accident on February 12, 1977, is not
established in the record. However, her first complaint, filed nine months after
the accident, was filed in her own capacity as an adult.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Other Special Relationship Cases
(6a) When the avoidance of foreseeable harm requires a defendant to
control the conduct of another person, or to warn of such conduct, [*283] the
common law as a general rule imposes liability only if the defendant bears some
special relationship to the dangerous [**814] person or potential victim. (
Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California (1976) 17 Cal.3d 425,
435 [131 Cal.Rptr. 14, 551 P.2d 234, 83 A.L.R.3d 1166].)
California cases have been quick to recognize a duty of reasonable care when the
defendant stood in a special relationship to both the victim and the person
whose conduct created the danger. As [***11] summarized in Tarasoff v.
Regents of University of California, supra, 17 Cal.3d 425, 436, footnote 9,
they are: " Ellis v. D'Angelo (1953) 116 Cal.App.2d 310 . . .,
upheld a cause of action against parents who failed to warn a babysitter of the
violent proclivities of their child; Johnson v. State of California
(1968) 69 Cal.2d 782 . . ., upheld a suit against the state for failure to warn
foster parents of the dangerous tendencies of their ward; Morgan v.
County of Yuba (1964) 230 Cal.App.2d 938 . . ., sustained a cause of action
against a sheriff who had promised to warn decedent before releasing a dangerous
prisoner, but failed to do so."
And in Tarasoff, a therapist was told by his patient that he intended to
kill Tatiana Tarasoff. The therapist and his supervisors predicted that the
patient presented a serious danger of violence. In fact he did, for he carried
out his threat. The court held that the patient-therapist relationship was
enough to create a duty to exercise reasonable care to protect others from the
foreseeable result of the patient's illness. The single relationship of a
doctor to his patient was enough to require the exercise [***12] of reasonable
care to protect a foreseeable victim. Accordingly, a judgment following the
sustaining of a demurrer in favor of defendant therapist without leave to amend
was reversed.
(3b) We must confront the difficult question of whether the relationship
between the Trustees, on the one hand, and the students and plaintiff, on the
other, creates a "special relationship" imposing a duty of due care to prevent
injuries under the facts of this case. n2
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n2 Tarasoff reaffirmed the common law rule that one person owes no duty
to control another absent a special relationship. (See fn. 5, p. 435.) See also
the discussion and holding that the demurrer of the police defendants was
properly sustained without leave to amend at page 444.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(6b) A relationship of dependence may create such a "special
relationship." ( Mann v. State of California, supra, 70 Cal.App.3d
773, 779-780; Buford v. State of California, supra, 104 Cal.App.3d
811, 821.) [*284] In Mann, a state traffic officer stopped to assist
some [***13] stranded motorists on the freeway. He parked behind them with his
rearward flashing light protecting them. After securing a tow car, he left,
leaving them exposed. It was held that once he had undertaken to investigate
their plight and informed himself of the foreseeable danger from passing
traffic, a special relationship resulted, and he had to exercise ordinary care
to protect them from the risk. ( Mann, supra, 70 Cal.App.3d at pp.
779-780.) In Buford, a special relationship was found between one Daniels
and the state by virtue of the fact that Daniels was an inmate in Atascadero
State Hospital which required it to warn foreseeable victims about his release.
( Buford, supra, 104 Cal.App.3d at p. 824.)
Another case involving a special relationship is Clemente v. State of
California (1980) 101 Cal.App.3d 374 [161 Cal.Rptr. 799]. There a traffic
officer stopped to investigate an accident whereby the plaintiff was injured
while in a crosswalk when hit by a motorcycle. The officer radioed for
assistance, but then left without obtaining the motorcyclist's identity. The
motorcyclist left the scene. The plaintiff was disabled by the accident and
dependent upon [***14] the officer, whose failure prevented plaintiff from
suing the motorcyclist for damages. Because of the relationship between the
investigating officer and the helpless plaintiff, the officer had a duty to
exercise reasonable care in his investigation of the accident. ( Id., at
pp. 379-380.)
[**815] (3c) Plaintiff has attempted to bring herself within the above
cases by alleging that a special relationship existed between the Trustees and
the dormitory advisors on the one hand, and herself and the students on the
other, by virtue of the license agreement (see appen.) under which she and the
student defendants occupied their dormitory rooms. The important provisions of
the license in respect to this case may be summarized:
The university retained the right to terminate the room license of any student
on not less than one-day's notice and further reserved the right to change room
assignments in the "interest of health, discipline, or the general welfare of
the residents." The license further provided that no refund would be made to an
occupant forced to vacate his/her room by reason of disciplinary action.
[*285] The university, while recognizing its obligation to respect [***15]
the right of occupants of the residence halls to be free from unreasonable
searches and seizures and intrusion into their living quarters, nonetheless
retained a "reasonable right of inspection by appropriate University personnel,"
noting it was "necessary to the University's performance of its duties with
respect to management, health, safety [and] maintenance of applicable rules and
regulations, . . ."
The license prohibited alcoholic beverages in the residence halls and forbade
consumption of alcohol on the campus. Furthermore, no one was permitted to enter
a residence hall or be on campus at any time while under the influence of
alcohol.
Visiting hours in rooms of members of the opposite sex were limited to certain
hours and students were further instructed ("shall") to comply with all orders,
directives, rules and policies of the university.
We have difficulty in finding that the license agreement created the type of
dependent relationship which was found in the traffic officer cases ( Mann,
supra, 70 Cal.App.3d 773, Clemente, supra, 101 Cal.App.3d 374 and
Green v. City of Livermore (1981) 117 Cal.App.3d 82 [172 Cal.Rptr.
461], mod. 117 Cal.App.3d 870i n3) [***16] or in the dangerously mentally ill
cases ( Tarasoff, supra, 17 Cal.3d 425, and Buford, supra, 104
Cal.App.3d 811) which would impose a duty to control alcoholic intake by
students. In each, unlike the case at bar, an imminent danger (or potential for
loss) to others was apparent.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n3 In Green, the court held that it was a question of fact whether the
action of police officers leaving car keys in a vehicle occupied by two drunken
passengers created a dangerous condition of public property. It also held that
there was a question of fact whether under the circumstances it was reasonable
to expect the officers to take some steps to take the keys, thus immobilizing
the car.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Central to any decision regarding whether a defendant owes a "duty" to exercise
reasonable care is the concept of foreseeability. ( Rowland v.
Christian (1968) 69 Cal.2d 108, 112-113 [70 Cal.Rptr. 97, 443 P.2d 561, 32
A.L.R.3d 496]; Coulter v. Superior Court (1978) 21 Cal.3d 144, 152
[145 Cal.Rptr. 534, 577 P.2d 669].) [***17]
It is alleged in the complaint that the negligent failure to prevent on-campus
drinking on the date in question made it reasonably foreseeable [*286] that
the students would follow the drinking by the driving of their cars in a
negligent manner with plaintiff's resultant injuries. n4
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n4 If foreseeability were established, a trier of fact could find that the
intervening negligent conduct of the student drivers was reasonably foreseeable.
It would not in that event be a superseding cause, but merely the immediate
cause of plaintiff's injuries. (See 4 Witkin, Summary of Cal. Law (8th ed. 1974)
Torts, § 628, p. 2910; Rest.2d Torts, §§ 447, 449, pp. 478, 482.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Foreseeability is stated to be a question of fact for the jury ( Weirum
v. RKO General, Inc., supra, 15 Cal.3d 40, 46), but the matter does not
end there. "'. . . reasonable foreseeability does not turn on whether the
particular [defendant] as an individual would have in actuality foreseen the
exact accident and loss; it contemplates that [***18] courts, on a case-to-case
basis, analyzing all the circumstances, will decide what the ordinary [**816]
man under such circumstances should reasonably have foreseen. The courts thus
mark out the areas of liability, excluding the remote and unexpected . . . .'" (
Molien v. Kaiser Foundation Hospitals (1980) 27 Cal.3d 916, 922
[167 Cal.Rptr. 831, 616 P.2d 813], quoting from Dillon v. Legg
(1968) 68 Cal.2d 728, 741 [69 Cal.Rptr. 72, 441 P.2d 912, 29 A.L.R.3d 1316],
italics added.) Even though a harm may be foreseeable, as it is alleged to be
here, a concomitant duty to prevent the harm does not always follow. "Rather,
the question is whether the risk of harm is sufficiently high and the amount of
activity needed to protect against harm sufficiently low to bring the duty into
existence, . . ." ( Bartell v. Palos Verdes Peninsula Sch. Dist.
(1978) 83 Cal.App.3d 492, 499 [147 Cal.Rptr. 898].)
The Supreme Court has identified certain factors in determining the ultimate
existence of a "duty" to third persons. These factors include: ". . . the degree
of certainty that the plaintiff suffered injury, the closeness of the connection
between the defendant's conduct [***19] and the injury suffered, the moral
blame attached to the defendant's conduct, the policy of preventing future harm,
the extent of the burden to the defendant and consequences to the community of
imposing a duty to exercise care with resulting liability for breach, and the
availability, cost, and prevalence of insurance for the risk involved." (
Rowland v. Christian, supra, 69 Cal.2d at p. 113.)
Application of the Rowland elements to the circumstances herein alleged
does not support a rule establishing a duty of care and imposition of liability.
Plaintiff's injuries are alleged to be most substantial, and we have no
difficulty finding a "certainty" in relation thereto. But there is [*287] a
lack of a close connection between the failure of the Trustees and dormitory
advisors to control on-campus drinking and the speed contest.
Nor may these defendants be "morally blamed" for their omission. Bradshaw
v. Rawlings (3d Cir. 1979) 612 F.2d 135 is persuasive authority for this
position. In Bradshaw the 18-year-old plaintiff was injured while
returning from a sophomore class picnic which was held off campus. The driver of
his vehicle became intoxicated at [***20] the picnic. The class advisor had
cosigned a check for the beer. Flyers announcing the picnic were prominently
displayed on campus; they featured a drawing of beer mugs. After a substantial
verdict against the defendant college, the appellate court reversed, deciding as
a policy question that the college should not be held obligated (should not have
a "duty") to control such a drinking party. The court observed that the
authoritarian role of college administrators is gone. Students have demanded
rights which have given them a new status and abrogated the role of in loco
parentis of college administrators. "[para. ] Our beginning point is a
recognition that the modern American college is not an insurer of the safety of
its students. Whatever may have been its responsibility in an earlier era, the
authoritarian role of today's college administrations has been notably diluted
in recent decades. Trustees, administrators, and faculties have been required to
yield to the expanding rights and privileges of their students." ( Bradshaw
v. Rawlings, supra, 612 F.2d at p. 138.)
The court further noted that college administrators no longer control the
general area of general [***21] morals. Students have insisted upon expanded
rights of privacy, including liberal, if not unlimited, partial visiting hours.
The students had attained majority, with all rights accorded to them save the
right to consume alcoholic beverages. As stated in Bradshaw at pages
139-140: "[para. ] There was a time when college administrators and faculties
assumed a role in loco parentis . . . . A special relationship was
created between college and student that imposed a duty on the college to
exercise control over student conduct and, reciprocally, gave the students
certain rights of protection by the college . . . . A dramatic reapportionment
of responsibilities and social interests of general security [has taken] place .
. . . College administrators no longer control the broad [**817] arena of
general morals. At one time, exercising their rights and duties in loco
parentis, colleges were able to impose strict regulations. But today
students vigorously claim the right to define and regulate their own lives."
[*288] Although it is alleged that some of the student defendants were under
the age of 18 years, it may be assumed that the majority of students at [***22]
Cal Poly have attained majority. Since the turbulent '60's, California colleges
and universities have been in the forefront of extension of student rights with
a concomitant withering of faculty and administrative omnipotence. Drug use has
proliferated. Although the consumption of alcoholic beverages by persons under
21 years of age is proscribed by law (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 25658), the use of
alcohol by college students is not so unusual or heinous by contemporary
standards as to require special efforts by college administrators to stamp it
out. Although the university reserved to itself the right to take disciplinary
action for drinking on campus, this merely follows state law. (Bus. & Prof.
Code, § 25608.) The same may be said of the provisions of the license agreement
prohibiting alcoholic beverages. We do not believe they created a mandatory
duty. As stated in Bradshaw v. Rawlings, supra, 612 F.2d at page
141: "[Plaintiff] has concentrated on the school regulation imposing sanctions
on the use of alcohol by students. . . . We are not impressed that this
regulation, in and of itself, is sufficient to place the college in a custodial
relationship with its students [***23] for purposes of imposing a duty of
protection in this case . . . . A college regulation that essentially tracks a
state law and prohibits conduct that to students under twenty-one is already
prohibited by state law does not, in our view, indicate that the college
voluntarily assumed a custodial relationship with its students so as to [impose
a duty of protection.]"
Peterson v. City of Long Beach (1979) 24 Cal.3d 238 [155 Cal.Rptr.
360, 594 P.2d 477], relied on by appellant, is distinguishable. There a police
officer violated city regulations. In the instant case, it was the students, not
the Trustees, who committed the violation.
In reference to the policy of preventing future harm, the Legislature, as noted
above, has consistently expressed a policy against consumption of alcoholic
beverages by persons under 21 years of age and collegiate drinking. Thus,
Business and Professions Code section 25658 provides: "[para. ] (a) Every person
who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any
alcoholic beverage to any person under the age of 21 years is guilty of a
misdemeanor.
"(b) Any person under the age of 21 years who purchases any [***24] alcoholic
beverage, or any person under the age of 21 years who consumes [*289] any
alcoholic beverage in any on-sale premises, is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall
be punished by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($ 100), no part of
which shall be suspended.
"(c) Any on-sale licensee who knowingly permits a person under the age of 21
years to consume any alcoholic beverage in the on-sale premises, whether or not
the licensee has knowledge that the person is under the age of 21 years, is
guilty of a misdemeanor."
A person under 21 years of age does not have unlimited access to bars. (Bus. &
Prof. Code, §§ 25663, 25665.) And possession, consumption, sale, gift or
delivery of alcoholic beverages on school grounds is prohibited. (Bus. & Prof.
Code, § 25608.) A state college is a part of the public school system. (Cal.
Const., art. IX, § 6.)
Sales of alcoholic beverages within a certain distance from campus of certain
colleges and universities is proscribed. (See Pen. Code, §§ 172- 172.9.)
Finally, an unaccompanied person under the age of 21 years may not drive a motor
vehicle carrying any alcoholic beverage. (Veh. Code, § 23123.5.)
However, there is an obvious [***25] distinction between "giving" (Bus. & Prof.
Code, [**818] § 25608) or "furnishing" (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 25658) alcoholic
beverages and the failure to stop a drinking party or parties. Business and
Professions Code section 25608, prohibiting consumption of alcoholic beverages
on school grounds, imposes upon the university no duty to enforce the laws.
This is recognized in Coulter v. Superior Court, supra, 21 Cal.3d
144 which extended Vesely v. Sager (1971) 5 Cal.3d 153 [95
Cal.Rptr. 623, 486 P.2d 151] to noncommercial providers such as social hosts.
Liability was predicated on Business and Professions Code section 25602, which
provides that the furnishing of any alcoholic beverage to an obviously
intoxicated person is a misdemeanor. Because of the language of the code, the
court found no distinction between commercial vendors and social hosts.
Imposition of civil liability was also predicated upon general negligence
principles. The service of alcoholic beverages to an [*290] obviously
intoxicated person when the provider knows such person intends to drive a motor
vehicle creates a reasonably foreseeable risk of injury to those on the highway.
However, [***26] Coulter refused to impose liability on the owner of
the apartment complex and its manager for "permitting" alcoholic beverages to be
served on the premises to the negligent driver and who "'aided, abetted,
participated [in] and encouraged' [the driver] to drink in excess." Since these
allegations did not assert that these defendants actually furnished liquor to
the driver, no liability was imposed. "Furnish" within the meaning of Business
and Professions Code section 25658, implies some affirmative action. The court
cited with approval Wiener v. Gamma Phi Chap. of Alpha Tau Omega Frat.
(1971) 258 Ore. 632 [485 P.2d 18, 22, 53 A.L.R.3d 1276], which denied liability
for merely providing a room where alcoholic beverages were to be served to minor
university students. ( Coulter, supra, 21 Cal.3d at p. 155.)
Plaintiff was injured before the 1978 Legislature amended the Business and
Professions Code and the Civil Code (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 25602, subds. (b) and
(c); Civ. Code, § 1714, subds. (b) and (c)) to immunize providers of alcoholic
beverages from civil liability for injuries attributable to intoxication. But we
see no preexisting policy imposing civil liability [***27] for the nonfeasance
alleged against the defendants Trustees and/or dormitory advisors.
In reference to the policy of preventing future harm, we do not have here a case
where university administrators collaborated with others to encourage students
to imbibe with knowledge of their intention to thereupon operate a motor
vehicle. The policy of preventing future harm, which the Supreme Court found so
strong in Coulter, supra, 21 Cal.3d 144, is not as strong in the instant
case because of the lack of direct involvement with the furnishing of alcoholic
beverages.
In respect to the burden to the defendant and the consequences to the community
of imposing a duty to exercise care with resulting liability for breach, it
would be difficult to so police a modern university campus as to eradicate
alcoholic ingestion. As stated in Bradshaw v. Rawlings, supra, 612
F.2d at page 138: "Certainly, the plaintiff in this case possessed an important
interest in remaining free from bodily injury, and thus the law protects his
right to recover compensation from those who [*291] negligently cause him
injury. The college, on the other hand, has an interest in the nature of its
relationship [***28] with its adult students, as well as an interest in
avoiding responsibilities that it is incapable of performing."
Nor is it in the best interests of society to do so. The transfer of
prerogatives and rights from college administrators to the students is
salubrious when seen in the context of a proper goal of postsecondary education
-- the maturation of the students. Only by giving them responsibilities can
students grow into responsible adulthood. Although the alleged lack of
supervision had a disastrous result to this plaintiff, the overall policy of
stimulating student growth is in the public interest.
[**819] We have nothing before us indicating the availability, cost and
prevalence of insurance for the risk involved. But we assume Trustees, probably
self-insured for exposure up to a certain amount, experience no difficulty in
securing excess coverage for large risks at relatively modest rates.
We conclude that application of the Rowland elements do not support a
rule establishing a duty of care under the facts of the instant case. n5
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n5 Although we are not persuaded that respondents are protected by governmental
immunity (Gov. Code, § 810 et seq.), our holding makes it unnecessary to examine
the point in detail.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - [***29]
Dangerous Condition -- Sixth Cause of Action
(7) Appellant argues that the "condition" of the dormitory premises (no
supervision) invited the students to drink alcoholic beverages. She alleges the
premises constituted a dangerous condition in the nature of an invitation to the
students to drink alcohol.
Relying on Bartell v. Palos Verdes Peninsula Sch. Dist., supra, 83
Cal.App.3d 492 and Government Code section 835, n6 defendants argue [*292]
that there is no authority for the proposition that alcoholic beverages in a
dormitory room constitute a risk of harm and a dangerous condition, and that a
"physical defect" in the property is required in order to state a cause of
action against a public entity.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
-
n6 Government Code section 835 states: "Except as provided by statute, a public
entity is liable for injury caused by a dangerous condition of its property if
the plaintiff establishes that the property was in a dangerous condition at the
time of the injury, that the injury was proximately caused by the dangerous
condition, that the dangerous condition created a reasonably foreseeable risk of
the kind of injury which was incurred, and that either:
"(a) A negligent or wrongful act or omission of an employee of the public entity
within the scope of his employment created the dangerous condition; or
"(b) The public entity had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous
condition under Section 835.2 a sufficient time prior to the injury to have
taken measures to protect against the dangerous condition."
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - [***30]
In Bartell, supra, the trial court dismissed plaintiffs' complaint for
failure to state a cause of action and the Court of Appeal affirmed. Plaintiffs'
12-year-old son was killed after school hours on a school playground that was
enclosed by a fence but apparently accessible through an unlocked gate or a hole
in the fence. The child sustained fatal injuries while playing a skateboard game
similar to crack the whip. Plaintiffs alleged that the defective condition of
the fence or unlocked gate, viewed in conjunction with allegations of the known
use of the school yard for the dangerous skateboard game, constituted a
"dangerous condition" necessary for recovery under Government Code section 835.
The appellate court disposed of this contention as follows: "To constitute a
dangerous condition under Government Code section 835, public property must
possess a physical defect which creates a substantial, as distinguished from a
minor, trivial or insignificant, risk of injury. (Gov. Code, § 830, subd. (a).)
Harmful conduct in and of itself cannot form a basis for recovery without a
direct causal connection with the physical defect. As stated by the Supreme
Court in Hayes v. [***31] State of California (1974) 11 Cal.3d
469, 472 . . .: 'Liability for injury caused by a dangerous condition of
property has been imposed when an unreasonable risk of harm is created by a
combination of defect in the property and acts of third parties . . . .
However, courts have consistently refused to characterize harmful third party
conduct as a dangerous condition -- absent some concurrent contributing defect
in the property itself.'" ( Bartell, supra, 83 Cal.App.3d at p. 497,
italics original.)
The Hayes opinion cited in the above quotation, after examining the
definition of a "dangerous condition" as defined in Government Code section 830,
n7 points out [**820] that in all cases where liability for injury caused by a
dangerous condition of property has been imposed on a governmental [*293]
entity, some physical feature of the property has been at least a
contributing defect, if not the defect. ( Hayes v. State of
California (1974) 11 Cal.3d 469, 472 [113 Cal.Rptr. 599, 521 P.2d 855]; see
also Ducey v. Argo Sales Co. (1979) 25 Cal.3d 707 [159 Cal.Rptr.
835, 602 P.2d 755].)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n7 Government Code section 830 provides, in pertinent part: "As used in this
chapter: [para. ] (a) "Dangerous condition" means a condition of property that
creates a substantial . . . risk of injury when such property or adjacent
property is used with due care in a manner in which it is reasonably foreseeable
that it will be used."
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - [***32]
Plaintiff, however, points to Stockwell v. Board of Trustees
(1944) 64 Cal.App.2d 197 [148 P.2d 405] in which the Court of Appeal reversed an
order of dismissal entered pursuant to a nonsuit. In Stockwell, plaintiff
was injured on the Stanford campus when hit in the eye by a shot from a BB gun.
Evidence showed that those charged with responsibility for the safe condition of
the university grounds were aware of "promiscuous use" of small rifles and BB
guns for as long as two years prior to plaintiff's injury.
The court held it was a question of fact if use by a third party of a BB gun on
campus created a dangerous condition: "The general rule is that 'An owner in
occupation of the premises violates his duty to an invitee when he negligently
allows conditions to exist on the property which imperil the safety of persons
upon the premises. For such violation he is responsible in damages to the
injured person . . .' (38 Am.Jur. p. 756.) In other words, as said in 19 Cal.Jur.
[pages] 618-9: 'Not only must an owner of land or a proprietor of premises
abstain from willfully injuring an invitee, but he owes such person the duty of
maintaining his property in a safe condition, [***33] and of exercising
reasonable care in protecting the invitee from injury through his negligence . .
. . The question whether reasonable care has been used in the maintenance of
premises is for the jury . . . .'" ( Id., at pp. 199-200.)
No "physical defect" was present on the property in Stockwell. However,
it should be noted that the Stockwell language was couched in terms of
duty which arose because of notice of prior conduct (shooting pellet guns in a
dangerous way) that might result in injury. To the same effect, see Rosales
v. Stewart (1980) 113 Cal.App.3d 130 [169 Cal.Rptr. 660] -- a
landlord may be liable for a tenant's activity in firing guns from his property
if the landlord could eliminate the dangerous condition by termination of the
tenancy. (See also Rest.2d Torts, § 318.) And see Uccello v.
Laudenslayer (1975) 44 Cal.App.3d 504 [118 Cal.Rptr. 741, 81 A.L.R.3d 628],
which reversed a judgment of nonsuit in favor of a landowner for an invitee's
injuries inflicted by a tenant's vicious dog which was known as such by the
landlord. In the instant case, as in Uccello and Rosales, the
landlord had the right to [*294] terminate [***34] the tenants'/students'
occupancy on short notice. However, the conduct of students, without known
violent propensities and without knowledge that they would drink to excess and
thereafter operate motor vehicles, does not rise to the level of foreseeable
harm as does a case where the tenant has a known vicious dog or where he uses
rented property as a firing range. Uccello, Rosales and Stockwell
are distinguishable on their facts.
While it is "reasonably foreseeable" that college students might drink in
dormitory rooms, in order for the dorm to create a dangerous condition for which
defendants could be liable pursuant to Government Code section 830, the
condition must create a substantial risk of injury when it is used with due care
in a manner which is reasonably foreseeable. The idea of students congregating
in a room and drinking to excess "with due care" is incongruous in light of the
apparent meaning of the statute. n8
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
n8 The Supreme Court has declined to rule whether only the plaintiff need
exercise due care. ( Ducey v. Argo Sales Co., supra, 25 Cal.3d
707, 719, fn. 5.)
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - - [***35]
[**821] No cause of action for negligent creation of a dangerous condition was
stated.
Hazardous Condition Created by Breach of Contract -- Seventh Cause of Action
(8) Plaintiff's seventh cause of action alleges that the Trustees
breached the license agreement by permitting a "chronic pattern of disobedience
to their rules including rules forbidding the consumption of alcohol on campus,
thereby rendering said premises hazardous and dangerous," and further alleged
the Trustees failed to take adequate precautions to reduce the hazard despite
knowledge of its existence.
These allegations are an attempt to bring the case within Duarte v.
State of California, * (Cal.App.). Since the case was ordered depublished,
it may not be relied upon. The breach of the license agreement by one student
imposes no contractual duty upon the Trustees in regard to another student.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - Footnotes - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
* Reporter's Note: Deleted on direction of Supreme Court by order dated March
14, 1979.
- - - - - - - - - - - - End Footnotes- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[*295] Conclusion
This action is on the cutting [***36] edge of the tort law. Cases such as
Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California, supra, 17 Cal.3d
425; Green v. City of Livermore, supra, 117 Cal.App.3d 82,
modified 117 Cal.App.3d 870i; Rosales v. Stewart, supra, 113
Cal.App.3d 130; Buford v. State of California, supra, 104
Cal.App.3d 811; Mann v. State of California, supra, 70 Cal.App.3d
773; Uccello v. Laudenslayer, supra, 44 Cal.App.3d 504 and
Quelvog v. City of Long Beach (1970) 6 Cal.App.3d 584 [86 Cal.Rptr.
127] have expanded the concept of duty. But imposition of liability here would
extend it one step further. We believe that the public policy considerations
discussed herein indicate that the step should not be taken.
The judgment is affirmed.
Appendix
Form CPSU 65
Trustees of the California State University and Colleges California Polytechnic
State University San Luis Obispo, California 93407 Annual License for Use of
Residence Hall Facilities 1976-77
Read License carefully before signing License Card.
Instructions:
1. Special Note: This Annual License is for the three academic year quarters,
and financially and legally obligates the student to full [***37] payment of
rent for the licensed period.
2. Fill out License Card.
3. Make check payable to California Polytechnic State University for amount due.
This Is Your Copy of the Room License -- Return the License Card
[*296] 4. Send payment with signed License Card to University Cashier,
California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, California 93407, or
pay University Cashier, Room 131E, Administration Building. (Open 8:30 a.m. to
4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.)
5. Keep this License copy (Form CPSU 65) for your records.
6. Note: Payment must be received on or before the due date.
License Agreement
The University hereby grants to the Student permission to occupy a residence
hall room as a licensee for the term beginning September 18, 1976 and ending
June 12, 1977, unless sooner terminated under the provisions of this License
Agreement. Specific assignment of a room shall be made by the University.
Payment Schedules
The student is responsible for payment of rent for the period September 18,
1976, through and including June 12, 1977. Carefully read the chart and return
the payment with your License Card. The first payment must include the $
20.00 [***38] deposit, unless the deposit has been made previously and is still
on deposit with the University. Only one deposit of $ 20.00 is required. If the
premises have been maintained in accordance with the provisions of this License
Agreement, the University shall return the security deposit to the Student upon
termination of occupancy. A $ 12.00 service charge is included in the prorated
installment payment plan. If the student is assigned space in a residence hall
after the academic year begins, the Student shall be charged a pro rata fee for
the balance of the academic year.
|
Rate: Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters Room |
|
Single Payment Plan |
|
Double Occupancy |
|
|
$
732.00 |
|
|
|
20.00 |
Security Deposit |
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
$
752.00 |
Payment due July 6, 1976 |
|
|
|
|
|
Prorated Installment Payment Plan |
|
|
|
|
|
1st Payment |
$
248.00 |
|
|
|
20.00 |
Security Deposit |
|
|
$
268.00 |
Due July 6, 1976 |
|
2nd Payment |
248.00 |
Due November 15, 1976 |
|
3rd Payment |
248.00 |
Due February 15, 1977 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
764.00 |
TOTAL |
Terms And Conditions of Occupancy
In addition to the regulations printed on the reverse side, these general
conditions govern campus housing:
Security [***39] License Agreement
1. This License Agreement is subject to the regulations contained in Title 5 of
the California Administrative Code, Sections 42000-42101. A copy of those
regulations is available at the University Housing Office.
2. This License Agreement shall not be assigned, in whole or in part, and may be
terminated by the University for any reason by giving not less than one day's
written notice to the Student.
3. It is agreed by the Student and the University that no lease nor any other
interest in real property is created by this License Agreement.
[*297] Assignments
1. All the assignments are made for the entire academic year, or that part
remaining if the student enters the residence hall after the year begins.
2. All residents are issued a key to the Hall to which they are assigned at the
time they check into the Hall. Each student is responsible for his or her own
key, and under no circumstances is it to be duplicated or loaned to another
individual. There is a charge of $ 3.00 for any lost key, and the charge for a
room lock change is $ 10.00.
Occupancy Period
1. A student may reside in the room assigned within the following schedule: Fall
Quarter [***40] 10:00 A.M., September 18, 1976 to 12:00 Noon, December 12,
1976. Winter Quarter 12:00 Noon, January 2, 1977 to 12:00 Noon, March 23, 1977.
Spring Quarter 12:00 Noon, March 23, 1977 to 12:00 Noon, June 12, 1977
2. The rental period does not include periods between quarters. Students granted
permission to live in a residence hall during the Christmas vacation period will
be charged $ 3.00 per day. With notice, the University may make temporary
reassignments of rooms during this period. However, during holidays and periods
between quarters, students may leave their possessions if they so desire.
3. The University assumes no responsibility for any property of the student
which is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed in the residence hall at any time,
including periods when the student may temporarily not be in occupancy of
residence hall facilities.
4. The student's License to occupy a residence hall is non-transferable.
5. The University reserves the right to change room assignments in the interest
of health, discipline, or the general welfare of the residents.
Termination of Occupancy
1. Failure to pay rent in advance shall result in revocation of this License as
of the [***41] last day covered by prior rental payments.
2. The University may revoke this License for any reason by giving not less than
one day's written notice to the Student. Notice shall be served personally upon
the Student, or at the discretion of the University, be posted in some suitable
place upon the housing facility of the Student. Termination of this License or
the Student's abandonment of the premises shall not release the Student from
paying any obligation due the University.
3. A request for termination of the License by the Student must be made in
writing to the Director of Housing. Prior to occupancy, the Student may cancel
his or her reservation for any reason, but must give written notice of
cancellation at least 30 days prior to the start of the term of this License
Agreement. If less than 30 days notice is given, a pro rata charge will be made
for each day of notice less than 30 days. After occupancy has begun, the Student
may be released from the obligations of this License Agreement only under the
following conditions:
a. Academic dismissal
b. Graduation
c. Illness or injury, requiring withdrawal from the University, or medically
certified reasons for moving from [***42] the residence hall
d. Proof of marriage during the license period.
4. The Student shall give written notice of at least 30 days of his or her
intention to vacate. The University may grant or deny the request to vacate.
5. No refunds will be made for vacating a room for any other reasons than those
listed [*298] in No. 3 above, except when a replacement from the University
waiting list is licensed and takes occupancy.
6. No refund will be made for vacating a room by reason of disciplinary action
by the University President or a designee.
7. Licensee may apply for refunds of prepaid rent and deposit, and refund shall
be made in accordance with the following provisions:
a. Application for the refund of any rent, security deposit, or other fee shall
be made on a form prescribed by the Board of Trustees, executed by the Licensee
or a representative, certified by a fiscal officer of the University, as to the
amount, and approved by a responsible representative of the University.
8. Any application for refund by the Student shall be made on a form which may
be obtained from the University Housing Office.
9. The Student shall promptly vacate the premises upon expiration of
the [***43] period of this License or upon termination under the provisions of
this License.
Maintenance of Premises
1. The Student agrees to give reasonable care to his or her room and its
furnishings and to make payment for any damage or loss promptly upon demand by
the University.
2. The Student agrees to be jointly responsible with other residents for the
protection of the residence hall, its furnishing and equipment.
3. The Student shall vacate the premises in good order and repair, normal and
reasonable wear and tear excepted. In the event the Student fails to maintain
the premises in good order and repair, the University shall be entitled to
reimbursement from the Student for the reasonable costs incurred in returning
the premises to a condition of good order and repair. As a part of such
reimbursement, the Student's security deposit, or a portion thereof, may be
expended for the purpose of payment of such costs.
4. The Student shall not attach any object to the premises by nails, screws, or
otherwise, or alter the premises in any manner whatsoever without the prior
written consent of the University.
5. The Student shall not bring or maintain any waterbed on the premises.
6. [***44] The University has an obligation to respect the right of occupants
of University living quarters to be free from unreasonable searches and
intrusions into their living quarters. A reasonable right of inspection by
appropriate University personnel is necessary to the University's performance of
its duties with respect to management, health, safety, maintenance of applicable
rules and regulations, and as provided elsewhere in this License agreement.
7. This License Agreement does not grant permission to occupy a room during the
Christmas vacation period.
12 Noon, December 12, 1976 to 12 Noon, January 2, 1977.
Overnight Guests
Arrangements for overnight guests shall be made in advance with the Head
Resident or Resident Advisor, a fee of $ 3.00 per guest per night is required,
with not more than two guests at one time.
Health, Safety And Student Conduct
1. Alcoholic beverages and illuminated beverage signs are not permitted in
Residence Halls. Alcohol may not be consumed on the campus, nor may anyone enter
a Hall or be on campus at any time while under the influence of alcohol.
Possession of full or partially full containers of alcoholic beverages is
prohibited. Students [***45] may possess such containers only if they no longer
contain alcoholic beverages and are used for other purposes.
[*299] 2. No student shall cohabit with a person of the opposite sex.
3. The licensee shall take reasonable care to prevent damage to the premises by
fire or other causes.
4. Firearms, ammunition, fireworks, explosives, dangerous chemicals, and highly
flammable materials (e.g., gasoline, cleaning solvents, etc.) are not permitted
in the Residence Halls.
5. No student shall possess or discharge BB guns or pellet guns in or around any
Residence Hall. Lethal weapons are prohibited.
6. No open fires are permitted in or around any Residence Hall. This includes
such things as burning candles and sterno devices.
7. The Student shall not bring or keep any animal in the Residence Hall. Fish in
aquariums are permitted. No person shall maintain an aquarium larger than five
gallons in capacity, or ten gallons for two persons.
8. One of the two students in the room will be required to be the "contact"
student for the Telephone Company, regarding the payment of long distance calls.
An electrical connection in the Telephone Company's system is made only by
official representatives [***46] of the Telephone Company at the request of the
University. This equipment is installed and maintained by the Telephone Company,
and any alterations or tampering with this equipment may result in disciplinary
action. In addition, the Telephone Company may levy a service charge to correct
difficulties due to unauthorized tampering with their equipment.
9. Members of the opposite sex may not visit in the areas beyond the main
lounges, in the Halls with restricted visiting hours, any time other than 10:00
A.M. to 12:00 midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 A.M. on
Friday and Saturday. Observance of these hours of visitation by all concerned
will assure the right of privacy and peaceful enjoyment of the premises to which
each resident is entitled.
10. Cooking is not permitted in the Residence Halls, except in the kitchens
within rules established by the Board of Directors in each Hall. Hot plates,
electric skillets, refrigerators, toasters, room heaters, air conditioners, ice
chests, and similar appliances are not permitted in student rooms. Food storage
is not permitted in rooms except for non-perishable snacks.
11. You may use such appliances as a radio, clock, [***47] hair dryer,
electric blanket, record player, and TV in your room. You may have a one-unit
automatic coffee pot or a one-piece popcorn popper, but they should be used for
their intended purpose and not for cooking food items.
12. A student licensee shall not possess or display in a Residence Hall, signs
or similar articles which are not the property of the student licensee, and
which are in the student's possession without the permission of the owner
thereof.
13. Signs or articles of any kind are not permitted to be displayed in windows.
Windows, window screens, and window boards must be kept in place at all times.
14. Motorcycles, motor scooters, or similar motor driven vehicles cannot be
taken into Residence Halls for any reason or operated on sidewalks, patios, or
lawns in and around campus Residence Hall areas.
15. Possession or display of "obscene matter" as defined in the California Penal
Code, Section 30, is prohibited on campus or in the Residence Halls.
16. No remodeling or renovation of any room or furniture is permitted without
advance approval of the Director of Housing.
17. The student Licensee shall comply with all orders, directives, rules and
policies of the [***48] University.
18. In addition, the provisions of Sections 41301 and 41302 of Title 5 of the
California Administrative Code, which relates to student conduct on campus, are
applicable to [*300] campus Residence Halls, a copy of which is available at
the Housing Office and is posted on the University official bulletin board in
the Administrative Building.
This is a copy of the room license. Keep it for your information and guidance.
Sign and return the License Card to: University Cashier, Administration
Building, Room 131E, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo,
California 93407.
Copies of this License have been distributed and are on file at the following
places at the University:
1. Housing Office
2. Accounting Office, Administration Building
3. On campus Residence Halls.
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In loving Memory of
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