The on-campus students of Southern University began visitation, for the Fall 2004 semester Friday, Sept. 17. This policy was implemented for the first time in the fall of 2003 but many students feel that there should be a change in the policy allowing non-Southern University students to be guest during visitation hours.
“I feel that non-university students should be visitors for upperclassmen and we are responsible to have that privilege,” said Cheryl Hawkins, a sophomore majoring in biology from San Diego who lives in Totty Hall.
The rules and regulations state that ‘participation in visitation is restricted to Southern University students only, Baton Rouge campus.’
Students feel that their friends or significant others should be allowed to visit them since they are away from home.
The university is currently not allowing this form of visitation to avoid being liable in the event of any accidents with non-university students.
“How can we control students that don’t go to Southern if they come and break the rules,” said Robert Bennett, director of student life. “If something goes on with a Southern student we can punish them, and I can sanction them. I can’t do that for a LSU or Southeastern student.”
“If students are responsible enough to have visitation, then they are also responsible for their guest,”said Darcel Toliver, a junior majoring in business management from Thibodeaux who lives in Octavia Clark Hall.
“A non-Southern student for visitation would have a current ID that would also be as sufficient as a Southern ID,” said Toliver.
Too many non-university students don’t allow security to be implemented well, Bennett said.
“The guidelines are followed well and there are no problems currently in Totty Hall,” said Hilda Prophet, house parent at Totty Hall.
If visitation continues in a positive manner, having non-SU students could be implemented into the visitation policy.
“It is something that I think we can look into,” Bennett said.
