Gustavus Adolphus College Residential Life Visitation and Guest Policy
Introduction
The Gustavus Adolphus College Residential Life Visitation and Guest Policy is informed by the Mission of the College and its five core values. As an institution of higher learning, the College's primary concern is the education of its students. For education and learning to occur each student's well-being - both physical and emotional - is of paramount importance. Imbedded in the Gustavus mission and core values is a fundamental concern for the well-being of and respect for each individual within the context of the campus community. Balancing the sometimes competing interests of students as individuals and members of community is at the heart of the visitation and guest policy.
To be welcoming, to permit your residence hall space and your routine to be re-arranged temporarily for a guest or visitor, and to treat each person with dignity and respect are fundamental traits of hospitality. Equally important are the concerns for the common good of all who call the residence hall home. Gustavus residence halls are neither hotels nor private apartment buildings. They are buildings in which vibrant communities of students, Collegiate Fellows, Head Residents, Custodians, and Physical Plant workers form and function. Individual residents are expected to extend hospitality to guests within the context of the community's interests and standards. Communities that are not welcoming of guests and individuals who abuse a community's hospitality do not reflect the Gustavus values.
Behavior within Gustavus residence halls must be predicated on the essential and elemental value of respect for oneself and "the other". This respect is far deeper than mutual tolerance of one another. It affirms the dignity of each person and refuses to treat others as objects to be disregarded or ignored, used or abused, or manipulated. It recognizes the unique gift that is each person.
Policy Statement on Visitation and Guests
General Items
- Definitions
- Guest: any person not directly affiliated with Gustavus as a student or employee.
- Visitor: any Gustavus students or employee who is not an assigned resident of the particular room, suite, apartment, or house. NOTE: Employees who enter student units for the purpose of fulfilling job responsibilities (i.e. custodial, physical plant, Residential Life staff, Safety and Security Officers, etc.) are not considered visitors.
- Visitation hours: the time period during which resident students may host visitors and guests of the opposite sex in their individual rooms. Visitation hours apply to all residence hall rooms and units.
- A student's privilege to have a guest or visitor is always superseded by any other assigned resident's right to uninterrupted use of the room, suite, apartment, or house to support their educational endeavor. The privacy as well as ability to sleep or study of the roommate(s) will take precedence over a guest or visitor. Therefore, a roommate should neither be compelled to leave a room, apartment, suite, or house in order to accommodate a guest or visitor NOR be placed in situations that might cause embarrassment or inconvenience.
- Frequent visits and/or visits of excessive length can create an uncomfortable environment for the roommate as well as other community members. Each hall resident has a right to privacy, sleep, and study which outweighs a roommate's or neighbor's privilege of visitation. If the presence of a guest or visitor is an inconvenience or distraction, the guest/visitor must leave.
- Gustavus students and employees are responsible for knowing and understanding the Gustavus Code of Conduct and Residence Hall policies that are enforced in all residence facilities. Community members may be held responsible and sanctioned for any Code violations.
- Student hosts are responsible for the behavior and conduct of their guests. Students are to inform guests of the Gustavus Code of Conduct and Residence Hall policies.
- Residents are to accompany guests at all times within the residence halls. This includes meeting guests or visitors at the front entrances to buildings and escorting them within the building. Guests and visitors should be instructed to use the phones located in the vestibules to call hosts for an escort.
- Guests and visitors are required to use bathroom facilities appropriate to their sex.
- Any guest who violates College policy or state/federal law may be asked to leave the college immediately and/or may be notified in writing through a no trespass letter that s/he is banned from College property until further notice.
Visitation Hours
Resident students are permitted to have visitors and/or guests of the opposite gender in their rooms within the following guidelines:
First Year student areas according to the Adjusted Year in Residence
- Visitation hours in first year campus residences are:
- Sunday through Thursday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
- Friday and Saturday, visitation is permitted from 9:00 AM to 2:00 AM.
- Twenty-four hour visitation is permitted in the lobby, recreational space, TV lounge, study areas, computer lab, and kitchen of each residence hall.
- Hallways and section lounges are NOT considered 24 hour visitation areas.
Sophomore, Junior, and Senior student areas according to the Adjusted Year in Residence
- Visitation hours in sophomore, junior, and senior campus residences are:
- Sunday through Thursday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM.
- Friday and Saturday, visitation is permitted 24 hours a day.
- Twenty-four hour visitation is permitted in the lobby, recreational space, TV lounge, study areas, computer lab, and kitchen of each residence hall.
- Hallways on single sex floors are NOT considered 24 hour visitation areas.
Overnight Guests and Visitors: Resident students are permitted to have overnight guests and/or visitors on Friday or Saturday nights only. Guests/Visitors may stay for no more than 48 hours consecutively. Any policy violation may result in the loss of guest privileges. For safety purposes, guests must be registered with Safety and Security through the on-line Guest Registration Form
