On Monday, Sept. 20, the Office of Housing and Residential Life sent out an email to all Nova Southeastern University students communicating changes to the previous visitation rules established because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the email each resident could have two on campus resident visitors at a time and commuter students were not allowed in residence halls.
The email informed that the new policy would allow up to three guests per resident to be signed in as a visitor if all roommates agree with the presence of the guests. In addition, all NSU registered students are permitted to be guests at the residence halls, including commuter students.
To freshman commuter student Sydonnie Grant, the measures were taken to ensure students’ safety.
“It was for the best safety of everyone that does live in the residence halls, just to keep everyone safe,” said Grant.
Connor Laesch, graduate assistant for housing and operations, agreed that not allowing commuter students in residence halls was a safety measure.
“We can’t allow outside friends and unknown students from other universities on campus just because of the variants of COVID going around, we are just trying to keep our campus safe and give the students the safest atmosphere possible,” said Laesch.
According to Tom Vitucci, assistant dean of student services in the division of student affairs, the changes were possible because of the COVID-19 situation being under control at NSU.
“Our statistics are very good relative to old number of cases and positivity rates in the halls, our vaccination rates are strong in the halls, so we felt like that was the next evolution that we could have,” said Vitucci.
The Office of Residential Life and Housing did not consider only students’ safety when opening residence halls for all registered students, but their campus life and socialization as well.
“We are trying to achieve a balance of keeping students safe but also recognizing the need for campus life and seeing friends and having a traditional residential experience. So, it made sense that we would expand that,” said Vitucci.
Laesche added, “Residence halls are for a lot of first- and second-year students and those are social bonding years in college where you want to live it up to the fullest and meet new people, make new friends and they are definitely not getting that full effect”.
Now more than ever with the expanded visitation rules, expectations are high regarding returning to the pre-COVID-19 normal soon.
“The residence halls will be more active. I’m hoping what will happen is I’m hearing more laughter and seeing more people smile because they are just happier that they are able to spend time with the people that they most like to spend time with,” said Vitucci.
