Bloomberg Student Center Policies, Procedures & Protocols

Bloomberg Student Center Policies

Access

The Bloomberg Student Center (BSC) at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) is open to JHU affiliates and their guests during the 2025-2026 academic year. Affiliates are defined as JHU students and employees, and affiliates must use their J-card to enter the BSC. All non-affiliates (i.e., guests) must enter the 33^rd and Charles Street entrance and sign in as a visitor at the Welcome Desk. For guest access protocols, see Procedures and Protocols section below.

Alcohol, Drug, Firearm & Tobacco Policy

• Alcohol is prohibited inside the Student Center except in designated areas where alcohol is served in accordance with a valid liquor license. Alcohol exceptions may be made for events and facility rentals.
• All JHU campuses and facilities are smoke, cannabis, and vape-free.
• Drugs are always prohibited inside the BSC.
• Tobacco is always prohibited inside the BSC.
• In accordance with JHU’s policy on the Possession of Weapons on University Premises, the possession, wearing, carrying, transporting, or use of any weapon is strictly forbidden in the Student Center. This prohibition applies regardless of whether a person may have acquired a government-issued permit or license for that weapon.

Amplification of Sound

• In non-reservable, open areas inside the BSC, loudspeakers, playback devices, microphones, bullhorns, or any other noise-making devices are not allowed, unless approved as part of building programming or a university-sponsored event. 
• Whether or not amplification is used, engaging in activities where the noise levels interfere with other activities in the building is not permitted.
• The BSC staff reserves the right to ask any group, whether in a reservable or non-reservable space, to bring their noise level down or leave the premises.

Animals

• No animals other than service animals are permitted in the BSC.
• Service animals are permitted in the building in accordance with the university Service and Assistance Animal Policy.

Bikes, Skateboards, etc.

• Electric scooters, bicycles, hoverboards, skateboards, and roller skates are prohibited inside the Student Center and on the adjacent patios.
• The Student Center is not responsible for any electric scooters, bicycles, hoverboards, skateboards, and roller skates left outside the facility.
• Public Safety may remove bicycles, scooters, or other such personal transportation devices found in the facility or locked to places other than the bicycle racks.

Building Use

The BSC is private property and all users must adhere to university and BSC policies and not disrupt or restrict the use of the space by others. All organized or group activities in the BSC require space reservations through the 25Live system. Disruption refers to intentional behavior that materially obstructs, impairs, or interferes with an institutional function, operations, or the authorized and permissible use of institutional facilities or creates a health, safety, or welfare concern. Disruptions include, but are not limited to, obstructing the passage into or out of buildings by blocking doorways; preventing university employees from entering their workplace; interfering with the ordering, preparation, serving, pick-up or consumption of meals from dining facilities; preventing students from accessing the spaces and resources of the student center; refusing to relocate from a building or area that is closed; preventing a speaker from giving a lecture, talk, presentation, or performance by means of shouts or other significant interruptions; and destruction of property or vandalism.

Cleanliness

• Groups using the BSC are expected to maintain the general cleanliness of the room they are using.
• All rooms should be left in their original condition. This includes arranging furniture and removing trash to return the room to its original condition.
• Additional waste receptacles are available upon request.
• Groups that use rooms that require excessive cleaning may be assessed a cleaning fee.
• All users of the BSC must be fully clothed and wearing shoes at all times except when using the Ablution Room, Reflection Space, or as part of a University-sponsored or approved event/activity.

Decorations

• All decorations must be flame retardant. 
• Decorations may not be attached to wood, metal, glass, paint, ceilings, floors, or other surfaces, as they can damage the facility’s finishes. 
• The use of tape, glue, thumbtacks, or adhesive on the walls, ceilings, frames, columns, or staging to attach any materials is not permitted unless by special permission from the BSC staff.  
• Pictures/artwork are not to be removed from walls. 
• The use of paint is prohibited in the BSC except in the Creative Spaces and Theater scene shop or by JHFRE staff. Under no circumstances may any part of the BSC building or furnishings be painted except by authorized staff.
• No decorations with diameters smaller than two inches may be used. This includes, but is not limited to, glitter, confetti, beads, marbles, pebbles, etc. Items such as beads, marbles, and pebbles may only be used in the two creative spaces.
• Candles, incense, and fire are prohibited. No open flames are allowed. 
• Smoke or fog machines are not allowed unless as part of a University-sponsored or approved event. 
• Suspending material from the ceiling or light fixtures is prohibited, as are decorations, displays, or exhibits that require flame or water.
• Tents or canopies are prohibited inside the BSC unless approved in advance through the BSC staff.
• The use of helium ballons is prohibited.
• The BSC staff reserve the right to deny the use of facilities for any event they deem inappropriate and to assess a charge for cleaning the area to return it to a condition adequate for continued use by other groups. If the event poses any facility concerns, the reservation request could be denied.
• All delivery of items is the responsibility of the organizers of an event, and a designated individual from the event must be present to receive the delivery. All deliveries must be loaded in and out through the loading dock door of the BSC and all deliveries should be coordinated with the BSC staff.
• Event hosts may bring in decorations by themselves or work with an outside vendor. The event host is fully responsible for ensuring that they remove the decorations after the event or have a detailed conversation with the BSC staff on how the decorations will be picked up or removed. The BSC is not responsible for discarding decorations a client has brought in for their event.

Food/Catering

Any time food is brought into the BSC for an event or meeting, the host must notify Scheduling and Event Services through the room reservation process in 25Live. See Procedures and Protocols section below for the catering guidelines.

Gambling, Raffles, Games of Chance

• The University follows all laws relating to gambling in the state of Maryland. In brief, ventures that involve the exchange of money, games of chance, or pools are not permitted without an appropriate permit.
• Student groups should work with the LEED Office to host such events.
• Gambling includes, but is not limited to, poker, card games, games of chance, raffles, and betting.

Lost & Found

BSC staff are not responsible for lost or stolen items. Lost and found items are kept at the Welcome Desk for one month. After a month, non-valuable items are donated, and valuable items are turned in to the JHPD.

Open Space Policies

Patrons must follow the University Open Space Policies.

Photography & Videography  

The Johns Hopkins University Photography and Film Rights policy provides a blanket release allowing the University use of photos and videos of students, staff, and faculty in marketing, promotional, or editorial materials.

Posting of Flyers

Official event advertisements may be displayed on digital displays throughout the building.

Physical fliers may not be posted in the building or on the adjacent patios as there are no public bulletin boards in or around the BSC. Fliers posted on surfaces, such as interior or exterior walls, doors, windows, floors and tables will be removed. Unsolicited business advertisements and flyers may not be distributed throughout the building and will be removed. “Canvassing” throughout the facility is also prohibited. Any informational fliers or advertisements that are handed out as part of a tabling event or check-in process should be removed by the event sponsor at the conclusion of the program. 

Property Damage

All groups, organizations, and individuals are responsible for any damage to the facility, furniture, and equipment. Damage to the facility, furniture, or equipment may result in disciplinary action and fines.

 Solicitation

Patrons must follow the University solicitation policy.

Bloomberg Student Center Procedures and Protocols

Guest Access

Individual Affiliate Sponsored Guest Procedures

JHU affiliates may sponsor up to five guests at a time for one-time visits. All guests must always be accompanied by an affiliate, who will be responsible for the actions of their guests. Upon arrival, guests must check in at the Welcome Desk, present a valid government-issued ID for verification, and sign a waiver acknowledging personal responsibility and liability. Affiliates accompanying the guest must also complete the required documentation to confirm their oversight.  

During their visit, guests are expected to follow all facility rules and staff instructions. Any misconduct or failure to comply with policies may result in the immediate termination of guest privileges. Certain areas of the facility may be restricted to authorized individuals only, and access may be denied due to capacity limits or other concerns. The facility is not responsible for lost or damaged personal property. Guests are allowed entry only during operating hours. Failure to comply with these guidelines may result in the denial of future guest access.  

Check-in for Meetings with Staff who work in the BSC

Visitors who have appointments to meet with a staff member who works in the BSC must sign in at the Welcome Desk. The Welcome Desk staff will verify the appointment by contacting the designated staff member. Once confirmed, the visitor will be issued a name badge or wristband, which must be worn and visible to others at all times. Visitors attending meetings with staff must be escorted at all times.  

Event Visitor Procedures

For events with non-affiliate attendees, event hosts must require attendees to pre-register before the event. Event hosts will then provide the guestlist to the Welcome Desk staff in advance. Upon arrival at the event, all visitors must check in at the designated entry point, typically at a table in the 33rd and Charles Street entry. They will be required to present a valid government-issued ID or other approved identification for verification. Once verified, visitors will receive a name badge or wristband, which must always be worn visibly while inside the facility.  

Depending on the nature of the event, visitors may need to be escorted by an affiliate or event organizer. Access is limited to designated event areas, and visitors are prohibited from entering restricted zones unless expressly authorized.  

To maintain security and compliance with university policies, security personnel reserve the right to conduct bag checks or other screening measures as needed. Visitors are expected to adhere to all facility policies, rules and regulations, and any disruptive or unauthorized behavior may result in removal from the premises. In case of an emergency, visitors must follow the instructions provided by BSC staff and security personnel.  

Per Johns Hopkins University policy, an individual may be prohibited from accessing the building when the University determines that the individual poses a particular threat to the physical safety or well-being of an affiliate and/or to university property and/or that the individual is engaging in disruptive behavior.

Catering Guidelines 

Staff, Faculty & Departments 

For meetings or events with more than 20 attendees, 1876 Distinction (Hopkins Dining) has the first right of refusal to serve as the caterer. 1876 Distinction will reach out to event hosts upon receiving the reservation request. Departments must submit a request for a catering proposal to 1876 Distinction before requesting an exception or soliciting other caterers.  

If 1876 Distinction declines or is unable to meet price or service expectations, staff, faculty, and departments must select from the in-house food hall vendors or from the preferred vendor list. 

Exceptions to use other caterers may only be granted by 1876 Distinction. 

Students & Student Organizations 

Students and Student Organizations are encouraged to use in-house vendors, who will offer group pricing for serving trays, or they may select from the preferred catering list. 

Student Organizations may also use EZcaterer vendors for food delivery; if seeking to use a food vendor not on the EZcaterer list or approved vendor list, they will need to request an exception through the student organizations catering exception committee.

The person requesting the space will be required to complete a form indicating understanding of responsibility for food safety at their event. 

If a student organization uses a vendor beyond one of the in-house vendors, preferred vendor, or EZ Caterer vendor, the only way the bill will be paid is to have been granted an exception from the student organization catering exception committee.  

Additional Requirements for On-Site Catering (Not Food Delivery) 

Exceptions must include proof of a certificate of insurance and a valid catering license, which should be submitted to Hopkins Dining/1876. 

Approved Catering Vendors

• 1876 Distinction (JHU Catering) 
• Food Vendors within BSC: Any Day Now Cafe, Bento, Connie’s Chicken and Waffles, Koshary, Lucky Danger, Urban Kitchen 
• Xquisite 
• Rouge 
• Jay’s 
• Classic Catering People 
• Absolutely Perfect