<p>On the housing website, it says no fans more than 12 inches. We bought a nonreturnable 16 inch. one. How strict are the rules? Also it says bring a “metal” wastebasket. Are plastic ones allowed?</p>
<p>while technically these are rules you should follow, I know of no RA who will be checking on fans and trashcans. you should be fine.</p>
<p>Don’t worry, there are no RA’s who go around with rulers measuring people’s fans. And a plastic waste bin is fine.</p>
<p>The stuff people get caught for are like appliances for cooking. They only check during the breaks, though so it’s not like they’ll randomly go into your room and snoop.</p>
<p>My roomie and I share a mega-large fan. Never had an issue with it.</p>
<p>One of my floormates last year kept a fridge inside the room (not the Microfridge). They didn’t keep it there during the breaks, but during the school year there was no problem.</p>
<p>you’re allowed to bring your own fridge, just not your own microwave</p>
<p>oh yeah… sorry… somehow i forgot that…</p>
<p>About “illegal things.” Graduated and had a bunch of illegal stuff, best friend was also an RA. RAs check rooms over break and will take illegal items–coffee makers, hot plates, toasters, alcohol, etc. RAs are allowed to open BU owned furnature/microfridges, but cannot rummage through drawers. They are not allowed to open boxes. So my pre-break routine for 4 years was to throw all my illegal items into my TV box that I kept in my closet.</p>