Open Visitation: Good idea or not?

     For years, students have questioned the rules regarding visitation between males and females. The current visitation rules state that students are allowed to stay overnight with a student of the opposite sex on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. On Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays, students must leave the dorms of the opposite sex by midnight. 

    This policy could change very soon. In the recent weeks, the SGA has met to discuss a new policy regarding visitation. Under this new policy, visitation would be completely open, meaning students could be in the dorms of the opposite sex at any time. “What an excellent idea!” exclaimed an anonymous junior upon hearing of the idea, “I think it’s silly that we have such arbitrary rules here to begin with. We’re paying Concord enough money as it is. Why do they have to make any sort of morality call on the lives of students? It’s my choice who I let into my room.” 

    The majority of students agreed with this sentiment, but for some, there were still some safety concerns. “It’s a wonderful idea that should have been implemented on campus years ago,” said senior Phillip Freeman, “We’re all adults here, and as such we should be allowed to let whoever we want to into our room. The only thing that I am a little concerned about is security. Needless to say, the track record of this school has not been great in that regard recently. However, with the new surveillance, the gigantic PR and awareness push that the administration has attempted, and with everyone paying close attention, I think security will not be such a problem as everyone thinks.” 

    Safety is a major concern for students. Resident Assistant LeAnne Watson can see both good and bad aspects of having completely open visitation, saying, “Open visitation would actually make my job as an Resident Assistant a whole lot easier. We RAs would not have to worry so much about rules being enforced. If there was no curfew, we wouldn’t have to worry about making sure that all the boys are out of North Tower at the appointed time, and vice versa. I would imagine that this applies to the other Residence Halls, as well. However, this might cause more trouble than it’s worth. One of the most frustrating things about living on campus are bad roommates and roommate trouble. I can’t tell you how many people leave campus or switch rooms due to poisonous roommates. I am slightly concerned that this new policy, if it is passed, it could make things awkward for many. It is unfair to someone who is just trying to study or to sleep to have company over. As a college student living on campus, I’m thrilled at the prospect of being able to have anyone I want in my room at any time. As an RA though, I’m worried about safety as well as potential problems”. 

    Watson was not the only voice of concern on the proposed reform. “If people are allowed to stay where ever they want with whoever they want, then what’s the point of separating dorms by sex?” asked senior Samantha Byrd. “With all of these sexual assaults happening on campus, do we really need to think about letting this happen? It’s asking for trouble, and I don’t like it,” she explains.

     Regardless of the stance a person may take on the idea of open visitation, students are encouraged to make their voices heard in the upcoming visitation survey that the SGA will be releasing soon via e-mail.