Students press BU to ease limits on dorm visitations

Boston Globe ^ | 3/22/02 | Jenna Russell

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

Student leaders at Boston University delivered a 50-page manifesto to President Jon Westling yesterday on the most pressing issue of the spring semester: Having their friends stay over until 8 a.m.

Since last fall, student unrest has been building over BU's dorm policies, among the most restrictive in Boston. Students are allowed guests only with permission - and only until 1 a.m. most nights, and 2:30 a.m. on weekends.

[Husker24]

The way I see it, if you have to pay a hellacious sum of money to rent a dorm room, then you should be able to have who ever the hell you want over, when ever you want them over. My land lord doesnt tell me when I can have company.

[Gladwin]

Why live in the dorm if you want the freedom of an apartment? Doesn't make much sense to me - I thought that the college was acting in place of the parents, and can set reasonable rules all it wants.

[LouD]

Anyone who's ever had to share a room with someone who was too cheap to take their girlfriend, boyfriend or latest "hook-up" to a hotel can sypathize with the school's position.

If it's a private room, it's a little different - But if I were the Dad paying the freight, I would not be too thrilled if I were buying my child a shack-up crib...

[bvw]

You don't have to live in alumni, university and taxpayer-supported campus housing then. Live off campus.

[madprof98]

For many students, such rules amount to more scrutiny than they receive in their parents' houses.

No doubt.

[Husker24]

Im not in college, I live in an apartment. Some colleges require you to live in the dorms the first year and then they charge you $500 a month to live in them. All im saying is that if Im paying $500 a month to live somewhere, im doing as I please, as long as its legal.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

I lived in the dorms for my first year of college. I didn't like their selective application of the rules and I chose to live elsewhere.

[bvw]

You've never met that modern beast known as a "Homeowner's Association" yet, have you?

[Tumbleweed_Connection]

"Some colleges require you to live in the dorms the first year"

What do you want out of college?

Considering greek life, you are certain there are institutions which require dorms freshman year? How do pledges handle their duties...?

[M. Thatcher]

I like the policies of BU, which I am paying $35,000 a year for. If my daughter objects, she can find a Boston apartment and pay her own freight.

[gfactor]

I thought that the college was acting in place of the parents,

tho legally established, a ridiculous notion.

[Husker24]

I believe the University of Nebraska requires you to live in the dorms the first year unless you are married or are over a certain age or something.

[ModernDayCato]

I lived in South Campus (brownstones on Beacon St.) during the 80s at BU. We always laughed at the dorm rules. I was also a member of the Escort Security service, which allowed me access anywhere at anytime.

BU owns the building (hell, they own Kenmore Square). They can make any rules they want. Case closed.