<p>I'm going to be a freshman this fall, and I just read the housing contract. It says things like overnight guests must check in, they can't stay for more than 3 nights, and sleeping in common areas is prohibited. The last time I visited a friend at another college, I slept in a common area for 3 nights and nobody cared. Is it the same at Cornell? How strict are they on these rules? </p>
<p>Also, I'm in a townhouse apartment, so I get the feeling the rules apply less to that community than to the regular dorms. Is that correct?</p>
<p>I’ve never had a guest checkin. If a guest is in your room and stays longer no one cares (I mean your roomate might, and if the person lives there for a week+ you might get some questions, but no one monitors it all that closely. In a townhouse, if someone is sleeping in a common area while visitng, you’d need your housemates’ approval, but should be fine for a few days.</p>
<p>The rules are probably there so if anyone were to seriously abuse the privilege, they can take action against the offenders. It’s not meant to be a trip wire --more of a backstop.</p>