Designed with safety in mind, Marquette University’s residence hall visitation policies have left some students feeling frustrated and restricted.

The policies dictate how, when and with whom students can spend their time in residence halls. The restrictions, including guidelines on overnight guests, check-ins and gender, have some questioning how much control the university should have.

“It feels like I’m being babysat when I’m 20 years old,” Jenna Sherman, a sophomore in the College of Arts & Sciences, said. 

In each hall, residents are allowed to host up to three visitors at a time from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Guests have to give their ID to the front desk of each building while visiting.

Residents can host up to two non-family guests overnight if they are of the same gender. Immediate family members can stay for up to two nights, and gender does not matter. Guests under 18 need parental consent. 

“I’m in a long-term relationship, so for dating, it’s been a bit annoying because I have friends whose partners are the same gender and they get to have them spend the night all the time,” Sherman said. 

Sherman lives in Humphrey Hall and has felt some frustration with Marquette’s policies. She says Humphrey is more of a quiet dorm, not overly social and feels strict.

She said Resident Assistants have knocked on her door for playing music, and that even when it’s not quiet hours, she has received noise complaints.

“I feel on edge and like I’m being watched,” Sherman said.

Now, she feels hesitant about having her friends over.

Overnight visitation is also restricted for certain holidays and events and often prohibited during exam weeks and holidays.

Michael Lillie, a junior in the College of Communication, lived in Mashuda Hall his sophomore year. He said he followed the rules but found them annoying.

There were times when he wanted to have people over to his dorm room but could not check in more than two or three guests, making it hard for a large group hangout. 

“I think the policies are too restrictive. I get we live in a city, so we have to be more cautious about that; however, sometimes students just want to have friends over,” Lillie said.

Jasmine Baptiste, a sophomore in the College of Communication, lived in Humphrey Hall her first year and now resides in Mashuda Hall. She said she has enjoyed her time in the buildings, but some of her experience has been limited by visitation policies. 

 “Friends want to get together and be able to hang out without having to worry about how they’re going to get home or where they’re going to stay,” Baptiste said. 

Baptiste said she wishes she had more time with her friends and feels bad asking them to leave when the night is still young. 

“People can’t stay the night because of the rules implied here. It’s not so much boyfriends or girlfriends but genuine friendships we want to stay the night,” Baptiste said. 

Compared to some other schools, Baptiste said Marquette is much more restrictive.

“At Carthage College, you do have to use your ID to get in and out of the dorms, but when it comes to checking people in, they don’t care about those types of things,” Baptiste said.

Lillie, who attended the University of Missouri before coming to Marquette, pointed out a difference in overnight visitation and check-in policies. Students needed identification to enter buildings and rooms at Mizzou but faced no restrictions on visitation.

“Mizzou’s policies weren’t there; I never had to check anyone in, I could leave and go with as many people as I wanted,” Lillie said. 

Loyola University of Chicago is a Jesuit university that has similar visitation policies to Marquette; however, Loyola students are not restricted to a certain gender of guests who can visit overnight.

According to the Marquette, the purpose of the university’s policies are to encourage everyone to be respectful, safe, accountable and inclusive. However, several students who expressed frustration toward the visitation policies are requesting more freedom and flexibility, they say.

“Let us live,” Baptiste said.

This story was written by Lillie Martin. She can be reached at [email protected].