When you think about college one of the first things that comes to mind is freedom. Freedom to make your own decisions and do what you want to do. So it’s pretty safe to say that a curfew is not what most people think of when they consider college. However, a curfew is exactly what Bringle Lake Village residents got when a new policy started being enforced on the courtyard at the dorms.
As of September 9, 2019, an existing policy stating that the courtyard and volleyball court would close at 10:00 p.m. started being enforced For the past few years, the courtyard and volleyball court remained open 24 hours a day, so when the news of a curfew on the courtyard spread through the dorms, it seemed as though the world was ending for most residents.
One of the most common complaint from students is that “It wasn’t like this last year”. When asked about the sudden enforcement of the rules, Residence Life Coordinator Cali DiOrio – Saye said, “The rule has been there for years and no one has enforced it or made an effort to change it. We are just enforcing the rules.” Page eight of the Bringle Lake Village Housing Guide, on the school website, states “The courtyard and amenities are available for student use between the hours of 9 a.m.-10 p.m. daily in accordance with quiet hours. Please see the Pool Rules for other guidelines.”
The rule may seem like a nuisance for some residents, but the only way the rule is going to change is if they make an effort to change it. “Every student has a voice and every voice matters. A lot of our peers were disappointed in a decision that resulted in the closing of Bringle Lake Village’s Courtyard and its amenities by 10 p.m.,” said Student Government Association President Jarrell Lawrence. “Student Government Association and Residence Hall Association were created in order to have a direct line from student voices to the administration. It is vital that we remember times change and generations change. Every incoming class is different, and we believe that all decisions in our university should be made with the intent to enhance the student experience, while preparing us for the real world.”
Until students actively try to make a change, the rules are going to stay the way they have always been. If you want to make a change, contact a member of the Student Government Association or the Residence Hall Association and see what you can do to help.