<p>i heard that BU overinforces dorm security. im not sure as to what exactly they do, so could someone more educated on the matter tell me? how does it affect the social scene?</p>
<p>It's not as bad as it's hyped, but a wiki summary:</p>
<p>In general, Boston University is more restrictive in its guest policies than other institutions in the surrounding Massachusetts Bay area. Visitors not enrolled at the University must be signed into the residence and leave a photo ID. Overnight visitors must receive a pass requested at least one day in advance. If overnight visitors are of the opposite sex they must be "co-hosted" by a BU student who is of the same sex, unless they are immediate family members of the host. Most often this part of the policy is a formality and almost no students follow the rule that the opposite sex guest must sleep in the room of their same sex "co-host" and instead stay in the room of their host.</p>
<p>Guests from within the University itself must scan their student IDs ("swipe in") before 8:00 p.m. if they wish to spend the entire night. Guests must sign in after 8:00 p.m. and leave their IDs at the security desk and must be out by 1:00 a.m. on weekdays and 2:30 a.m. on weekends. They may be granted "study extensions" that must be submitted before midnight, in which case they must return to the security station to claim their student ID and leave the building no later than 7:00 a.m. A student who lives in apartment-style housing that does not opt for a dining plan, must be hosted by a resident of the dorm if he wishes to enter.</p>
<p>My family friend (a junior in engineering at BU) said it isnt as bad as it's made out to be.</p>
<p>It depends a lot on where you live. A big dorm like Warren has security. Think about it: you'd need security for a big dorm in a city. BU also has small dorms, apartments & brownstones. The security for those usually is a locked front door.</p>
<p>Just a hint...if the person is a BU student and you want them to stay overnight, you can get around the study extension. The drawback is you have to get up a bit before 7 am.</p>
<p>Just go to the RA before 12 am to request a study extension. The person has to scan out of the dorm by 7 am, but can re-scan into the dorm starting at 7 am.</p>
<p>Sometimes the guards, depending on where you live, can be lenient. I live at the Hojo and the guards tend to be nicer than from what I've seen at other dorms. One time I had an overnight BU guest in my room for "study extension" and we overslept till 7:15 am. Neither of us were penalized for it...turns out we were doing the whole study extension thing wrong, because apparently you are supposed to go fill out another form where the guards are after you sign up to do the study extension.</p>
<p>The BU Guest Policy is a b*tch.</p>
<p>It definitely has its selective enforcement. As Lergnom stated above, the bigger dorms will have more security and policies like this will be more strictly enforced. I have a friend in a brownstone on Buswell street, one of the smaller dorm style apartments and didn't see any security whatsoever (though you still need a BU key to get in) It's safe, but much less restrictive.</p>
<p>Safety really isn't an issue around BU. If you live off campus in Allston, there are occasional robberies and even the odd assault, but nothing much happens around campus.</p>
<p>Wasn't there news from the student gov. that there will be some relaxation of the rules? Anyone know? I read it in their minutes.</p>
<p>There is a positive side in that the worst college experience is when your room mate turns out to have a boyfriend or she hooks up regularily and you go to bed every night with no advance notice that you won't be alone. That happens in many college with lax rules.</p>
<p>I go to BU and I'm in the Student Union.</p>
<p>Dogs - You are correct in your statement that there will be a new guest policy coming out probably next semester or the fall. No one but the executive committee and the head of judicial affairs & residence safety know what the details of the new rules are.</p>
<p>My personal opinion (i.e. I do not speak for the union or BU in any way) is that they will either eliminate the quota of guest passes or increase the number. Otherwise, I think they would probably relax the timing involved with various areas - i.e. south campus can swipe into warren towers until 8, from 8 - 11 they can sign themselves in, and from 11 - 1 someone else can sign them into the building. They might move them back.</p>
<p>My personal conversation with Daryle Deluca - Head of judicial affiars - revealed that there would be a major change coming because they aren't in place to penalize us, but rather to protect us. They've improved technology around campus to allow less restriction while maintaining our safety as their top priority.</p>
<p>On a general level, BU's campus is very safe for a true city school. there isn't a lot of crime on campus at all (mostly just some minor thefts resulting from someone not acting responsible by leaving a laptop/ipod out at the library etc) and the surrounding areas are well policed. BU Police Department are pretty hardcore - they go to the Mass State Police Academy. At the same time, they're not rediculous and are generally very easy to approach and deal with.</p>
<p>Large dormitory style housing (warren towers, west campus, myles standish hall, shelton hall, towers, 1019 commonwealth, and 575 the Hojo) all have guards posted at swipe machines. This is primarily where enforcement of the guest policy takes place. Bay state brownstones (small dormitory and appt style housing) have swipe entry to the buildings while south campus and the commonwealth appts all have keyed vestibule doors. All rooms have standard keyed doors. Though the small dorm style housing doesn't have the guards, you are still subject to the rules from Res Life. But as an example, I haven't seen my RA in over month and she is the only inforcement of any rules - that said, these housing areas are rarely filled with freshmen and generally attract an uperclassman crowd.</p>
<p>Hope that some of this helped you guys out with looking at Boston University. If you come visit next semester, you might have me as a tour guide - I will be a President's Host starting the spring semester.</p>
<p>Goodluck!!</p>
<p>-James</p>
<p>The guest policy just gives you a false sense of security. I honestly think that as long as there is a lock on the outside of the buildings, it is going to be just as safe as if there is a guard standing in the main entrance. All the rooms have locks on them anyway. The guards don't carry any weapons so it's not like they could help you in any real emergency. Plus, you could just put on a worker's uniform and walk straight through security, no questions asked with full access to the building. It's just a way that BU can tell parents they are protecting their children so they will feel more secure when they actually aren't. Also, brownstones and south campus don't have guards and they are just as safe as the big dorms.</p>
<p>James, major, what campus and how do you like BU?</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>I'm on the Charles River Campus - living in South and I'm really enjoying BU. If you'd like more info drop a private message or reply there, I'll be checking back.</p>