By Roo Rusk, Staff Writer
A “Silly Policy Day” was held in Mabee Dining Center during both lunch and dinner hours on Feb. 25.
The idea was originally proposed by Dean of Students Christine Schneikart-Luebbe as a way to stay in touch with the needs and wants of those living on campus.
Director of Residence Life Scott Mudloff and Residence Life staff member Jerricus Funderburke staffed a table at the Dining Hall and invited students to ask questions and share their thoughts.
The purpose of the gathering, Schneikart-Luebbe said, was to solicit feedback from students about Newman’s Residence Life policies and to find out which were disliked enough to be worth reviewing and possibly changing participated throughout lunch and dinner.
One policy currently in place is that students are not allowed on the floors or in the rooms of the opposite-sex after midnight on school nights or after 1 a.m. on the weekends.
Freshman Allison Williams, who lives in Carrocci Hall, says she doesn’t love that policy.
“I’d love to see the curfew get extended because most of the time, people are just watching movies, playing video games or studying together,” she said.
Other students said they agreed and didn’t think an extended curfew was unreasonable.
“We are all adults here and know how to be responsible. We don’t need to be parented by another student that is a year older, if that,” said freshman Austin Schwartz, who is also living in Carrocci this year.
Some students have problems with the prohibition on cooking appliances. Cooking appliances with exposed heating elements of any kind including toasters, toaster ovens and George Foreman grills are off limits in the dorms.
“It’d be great if we could have more leniency with open heat sources. Sometimes I just want toast or a toasted bagel if I don’t have time to swing by the caf,” Williams said.
With the narrow breakfast times in the morning, Williams said she feels this would be a convenient alternative to the rush of eating a full meal in the caf.
Similar items with open flame such as candles or incense are also not allowed.
“The air system often puts a poor smell in the dorms and candles or incense wouldn’t be a problem if we stayed in the room while it’s burning,” Williams said.
As far as getting the policies officially changed, Schneikart-Luebbe encourages students to get in touch with Student Government Association.
“SGA announced yesterday at their weekly meeting that they are going to host a Town Hall where all students will be invited to share their thoughts and ask their questions,” she said. “We are hopeful that new ideas and creative suggestions will come from this Town Hall meeting. We want students to attend and be honest about their wishes.”
PHOTO: IN CARROCCI HALL the study room is the only space in the building where students of both sexes can stay for 24 hours. Courtney Klaus, Editor-In-Chief
