To the Students of Brenau University’s Women’s College:
In October of 2016, a concern was brought to the Student Government Association via
the Legislative Branch. The concern involved the Overnight Guest policy and the unequal
practices presented in the policy. The Student Government Executive Board, along with the
Legislative Branch, thought of solutions to help bring equality to the Overnight Guest policy.
With the help of the Director of Residence Life, the Vice President of Student Services,
and Brenau University Lawyers, we have created, proposed, and approved a new overnight guest
policy. The policy change was approved 13-0 by the Legislative Branch.
The Student Government Association wants to emphasize that the old policy, which
excluded males from spending the night and didn’t include any information about minors, did
not promote equality.
While we understand some students are concerned that allowing males to
stay on campus may increase the risk of sexual assault, we would like to assure you that this
policy attempts to increase student safety by having guests register with administration and
security, ensuring that we would have an official way of knowing who was on our campus. It
works similarly to the guest policy during Cotillion weekend, which has successfully allowed
male guests on campus every year. We also understand that females can be perpetrators of sexual
and domestic violence, and this policy would correct the previous bias that was present in the old
policy. Furthermore, the new policy gives a foundation for roommates to communicate about
their own comfort level with guests in their room, an issue that is dependent on the individuals
and not dependent on the gender and sexuality of the visitors.
We understand that some students believe that this may be correlated to Brenau
becoming co-ed, but we want to emphasize that this is not the case. The policy change is meant
only to improve student life and create a more equal atmosphere on campus. Residence Life is a
sector that will be affected directly by this policy change, and SGA will continue to work with
Residence Life, so look out for information about a mandatory meeting.
Below, we have attached the old policy with the new, approved policy. All
changes/additions are underlined. The new policy will be in effect for Spring 2017. If you have
any questions or concerns, feel free to come to Senate, which is held every Thursday at 12:45PM
in the Senior Dining Hall, which is behind the Cereal Bar in Hopkins Dining Hall.
Thank you,
The Executive Board of the Student Government Association
Old Policy
General Guidelines for Guests:
1. A student must give her roommate adequate, sufficient, and reasonable notice (24 hours if
possible) that she is having a guest in the room or apartment. Guests will not be allowed in the
room or apartment without full consent of the roommate.
2. Students must accompany their guests at all times in the residence halls, sorority houses and
apartments. This includes meeting the guest at the entrance door, remaining with the guest during
the visit, and escorting the guest out of the hall/house/apartment.
3. Students must register all guests in the hall or building guest log outside of the RA room or
designated location for your house or apartment complex.
4. Students should not allow unescorted guests into the hall, house or apartment. If this occurs,
the guest will be asked to leave.
5. Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests at all times; especially in assuring that
they abide by Brenau policies.
6. Non-student female guests or residential female guests who are not assigned to the room may
not remain on campus overnight for more than three nights within a thirty (30) day period.
Commuting students may stay overnight in campus housing only when participating in university
events and if prior permission is granted from the Housing Director or Assistant Dean of Student
Success & Retention, who oversees Residence Life.
7. Overnight guest policy should not be abused. If it is determined by a member of the Residence
Life staff that non-student guests are constantly staying overnight, the student will be referred to
the judicial system and guest privileges will be revoked.
Male Visitation Guidelines:
1. A students’ father, brother or male guest must be escorted at all times in accordance with the
policy. The student is required to ensure that family members and guests are in compliance with
normal visitation policy.
2. Male visitation hours are Noon-Midnight in student rooms and Noon-2 a.m. in lobby or lounge
area only.
3. Males must be signed in on the log outside the RA room or designated location.
4. Guests may be asked to leave the premises at any time by any member of the residence life
staff or university officials.
New Policy
General Guidelines for Guests:
1. A student must give her roommate adequate, sufficient, and reasonable notice (24 hours if
possible) that she is having a guest in the room or apartment. Guests will not be allowed in the
room or apartment without full consent of the roommate.
2. Students must accompany their guests at all times in the residence halls, sorority houses and
apartments. This includes meeting the guest at the entrance door, remaining with the guest during
the visit, and escorting the guest out of the hall/house/apartment.
3. Students must register all guests in the hall or building guest log outside of the RA room or
designated location for your house or apartment complex.
4. Students should not allow unescorted guests into the hall, house or apartment. If this occurs,
the guest will be asked to leave.
5. Students are responsible for the conduct of their guests at all times; especially in assuring that
they abide by Brenau policies.
6. Any guests under the age of 16 cannot stay overnight. Siblings/Children over the age of 13
may be considered to stay overnight by requesting permission from the Director of Residence
Life and their Resident Assistant. Parental consent must, in the form of a written letter, be given
in order for the guest to be allowed to stay overnight.
7. No overnight guest, female or male, may spend the night in a Resident’s room during times
that the University deems as a ‘break’. This includes, but is not limited to: Fall Break,
Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Spring Break, and Summer Break. No exceptions will be
made.
8. No overnight guests, female of male, may spend the night in a Resident’s room during the first
two weeks of the semester and the last two weeks of the semester. No exceptions will be made.
9. Overnight guests, or host/hostess, must complete an electronic ‘Overnight Guest’ form and
send it to Director of Residence Life and “CC” Security, Residence Assistant, and Roommate
prior to the overnight guest spending the night.
10. Overnight guest policy should not be abused. If it is determined by a member of the
Residence Life staff that non-student guests are constantly staying overnight, the student will be
referred to the judicial system and guest privileges will be revoked.
11. Guests may be asked to leave the premises at any time by any member of the residence life
staff or university officials.
12. Open Visitation hours are 10:00 a.m.-12:00p.m. Any persons who is a non-residential student
that is seen in the residence halls before 10:00 a.m. or after 12:00 p.m. are considered an
overnight guest and should have proper paperwork.
Female Visitation Guidelines:
1. Non-student female guests or residential female guests who are not assigned to the room may
not remain on campus overnight for more than
three consecutive nights, but cannot exceed 8
nights
within a thirty (30) day period. Commuting students may stay overnight in campus
housing only when participating in university events and if prior permission is granted from the
Housing Director or Assistant Dean of Student Success & Retention, who oversees Residence
Life.
2. Female guests, or the host/hostess of the guest, must fill out an electronic form with the
Director of Residence Life,and “CC” Security, Residence Assistant, and Roommate at least 24
hours in advance in order to be eligible to spend the night.
Male Visitation Guidelines:
1. A students’ father, brother or male guest must be escorted at all times in accordance with the
policy. The student is required to ensure that family members and guests are in compliance with
normal visitation policy.
2. Male guests, or the host/hostess, must fill out an electronic form, and send it the Director of
Residence Life and “CC” Security, Residence Assistant, and Roommate, at least 24 hours in
advance in order to be eligible to spend the night. .
3. Male guests may spend the night in a resident’s room for no more than three consecutive
nights, but cannot exceed 8 nights within a thirty (30) day period.
4. Males must be signed in on the log outside the RA room or designated location.
5.Open Visitation hours are 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Any persons who is a non-residential student
that is seen in the residence halls before 10:00 a.m. or after 12:00 p.m. are considered an
overnight guest and should have proper paperwork.
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