Guest Policy

Boston University grants students the privilege of hosting guests in the student residences. In addition, a resident’s ability to host guests is, in fact, a courtesy extended by a roommate or roommates.  A foundation of this guest policy is that guests are only permitted with the consent of a resident’s roommate(s).  Students are expected to communicate with each other to work out arrangements for guests within a shared room, suite, or apartment.  Members of the Residence Life staff are available to assist students who may require support or guidance in working with a roommate about the presence of guests in their shared accommodations, and especially in cases where a roommate displays a lack of consideration for others or abuses the privilege of hosting guests.

For the purposes of this policy, a resident is a student who is assigned to a room, suite, or apartment in the Boston University residence system.  A guest is an individual who is not assigned to said resident’s room, suite, or apartment.  A resident host is a resident student who signs a guest into the residence to which he or she is assigned.  An overnight guest is a guest who visits between the hours of 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. (or any fraction thereof).  

Generally, residents must accompany their guests at all times.  A resident may have no more than three (3) guests at a time, and guests may stay in a room, suite, or apartment no more than three consecutive nights.  Residents are able to have guests stay overnight for no more than seven (7) such visits each semester.

Guests are expected to respect and comply with all rules and regulations while in or around the residences.  At all times, residents are responsible for the conduct and activity of their guests, including any damage caused to University property and violations of policies for student residences.

Resident (on-campus) students who wish to visit one of the larger residences can use their Terrier Card (BU ID) to gain access between the hours of 7 a.m. and 2 a.m., each day.

During dining service hours, any resident student with a dining plan may sign in a non-resident where access through a security station is required to enter a dining room.  A non-resident BU (off-campus) student with a dining plan can use his or her Terrier Card to access the residences with dining rooms during dining service hours, where access through a security station is required to enter a dining room.

No overnight guests are permitted during the first two weeks of the academic year, and during study and final examination periods.

In addition to the preceding terms, which apply to all students in residence, this guest policy includes terms that apply to specific campus residences:

1.       Guests within 575 Commonwealth Avenue, 1019 Commonwealth Avenue, Danielsen Hall, Myles Standish Hall, Shelton Hall, The Towers, Warren Towers, and West Campus residences

a.    Between 7 a.m. and 2 a.m., a building resident must sign in all non-residents, whether they are BU students or not.  Prior to entering the residence, the resident host’s Terrier Card must be scanned at the security station, and the guest must leave a photo identification card with the residential safety officer.  

b.    For the purposes of a one-night visit only, between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m., guests must check-in at the security station.  A resident must meet guests in the lobby and must escort them into the residence. Prior to entering the residence, the resident host’s Terrier Card must be scanned at the security station, and the guest must leave a photo identification card with the residential safety officer.

c.    A resident who wishes to have a guest visit for up to three consecutive nights must request these overnight privileges by submitting an overnight guest pass to the residential safety officer before 2 a.m., of the first night of the intended overnight period.  The resident’s roommate(s) or suitemates must provide written consent.

2.       Guests within the Student Residence at 10 Buick Street

A resident must meet guests in the lobby and must escort them into the building. Residents must obtain verbal authorization from all other students within the apartment to host an overnight guest.  Prior to entering the residence, the resident host’s Terrier Card must be scanned at the security station, and the guest must leave a photo identification card with the residential safety officer.  Guests are permitted within the residence at any time, as long as they are accompanied by a 10 Buick Street resident.

3.       Guests within the smaller dormitory-style and apartment-style residences, including Bay State Road brownstones, Beacon Street, Commonwealth Avenue, and South Campus residences

A resident must meet guests in the building’s vestibule and must escort them into the building.  Residents must obtain verbal authorization from all other students within the room, suite, or apartment to host an overnight guest.  Guests are permitted within the residence at any time, as long as they are accompanied by a building resident.

 

Updated August 20, 2007