2008 Woodie Awards
Intervisitation policy a thing of the past
Kristina Rielly
Issue date: 9/15/04 Section: Feature
- Page 1 of 1
Due to the reoccurring concerns expressed by students, what was formerly knwn as the Intervisitation Policy has been altered, although only for Worcester, Alumni, Salisbury and Desautles Hall.
The Procedures Review Committee began evaluating the Intervisitation Policy last year. This review included looking at the policies and procedures of Assumption's "Sister Schools." These ten colleges include both Catholic and non-Catholic institutes, such as Stonehill College and Merrimack College.
However, changing the policy presented a problem because it was implemented by Assumption's Board of Trustees in 1985. Without consent from the Board, the policy could not be altered.
Upon getting approval from the Trustees, administration decided to change the term Intervisitation Policy to Visitation Policy.
"You can't define the word intervisitation in the dictionary," said Dean of Students Robert Ravenelle.
Administration based their decision on changing the policy by evaluating the developmental and residential progress of students. First and second year students are still getting acclimated to college life, possibly having a harder time confronting roommates if a guest stayed too late or too often. Underclassmen also only live in a dorm with one room. They don't have apartments and suites with common rooms and kitchens like upperclassmen do. Therefore, a privacy issue is more likely to become a problem for an underclassman.
"In a way, it is sort of a right of passage to becoming an upperclassman by having less strict visitation rules," said Senior Dan Gilmore.
But don't worry, underclassmen. Although you may feel bitter because the Visitation Policy has not been entirely eliminated, there has been some positive changes for you as well. Guests still must leave by 2:00 a.m. on the weekend, yet during the week they are now able to stay until 1:00 a.m. not midnight as the policy used to be.
Regardless how the policy has been altered Assumption still abides by the basic Christian morals. Without the consent and consideration of your roommates, a guest should not be present in anyone's room. To ensure these rights, residents may only have a guest stay over two nights in a row within a seven-day period.
Junior
English with writing and mass communications concentration
The Procedures Review Committee began evaluating the Intervisitation Policy last year. This review included looking at the policies and procedures of Assumption's "Sister Schools." These ten colleges include both Catholic and non-Catholic institutes, such as Stonehill College and Merrimack College.
However, changing the policy presented a problem because it was implemented by Assumption's Board of Trustees in 1985. Without consent from the Board, the policy could not be altered.
Upon getting approval from the Trustees, administration decided to change the term Intervisitation Policy to Visitation Policy.
"You can't define the word intervisitation in the dictionary," said Dean of Students Robert Ravenelle.
Administration based their decision on changing the policy by evaluating the developmental and residential progress of students. First and second year students are still getting acclimated to college life, possibly having a harder time confronting roommates if a guest stayed too late or too often. Underclassmen also only live in a dorm with one room. They don't have apartments and suites with common rooms and kitchens like upperclassmen do. Therefore, a privacy issue is more likely to become a problem for an underclassman.
"In a way, it is sort of a right of passage to becoming an upperclassman by having less strict visitation rules," said Senior Dan Gilmore.
But don't worry, underclassmen. Although you may feel bitter because the Visitation Policy has not been entirely eliminated, there has been some positive changes for you as well. Guests still must leave by 2:00 a.m. on the weekend, yet during the week they are now able to stay until 1:00 a.m. not midnight as the policy used to be.
Regardless how the policy has been altered Assumption still abides by the basic Christian morals. Without the consent and consideration of your roommates, a guest should not be present in anyone's room. To ensure these rights, residents may only have a guest stay over two nights in a row within a seven-day period.
Junior
English with writing and mass communications concentration