Despite widespread student disapproval, Fordham University’s overnight guest policy has remained unchanged for a number of years.
The current overnight guest policy states that undergraduate students are only approved to host “overnight guests of the same sex as themselves,” and that over the course of a week, students are limited to host no more than two overnight guests for a maximum of three consecutive nights. The policy also states that only overnight guests between the ages of 16 and 23 are permitted to spend the night on campus.
In order to gain approval to host guests, students must fill out the online approval form that corresponds to their dorm building. On the form, they are asked to identify their guest’s gender and home address. Residents are also required to submit a photo of their guest’s state-issued ID. Additionally, students must request a guest pass 24–48 hours prior to the guest’s arrival on campus. Students who host unapproved overnight guests or incorrectly sign in/out overnight guests are subject to university fines.
Some Fordham students expressed mixed opinions about the overnight guest policy age restriction. Some students said they understand the reason behind the policy, while other students criticized the policy because it excludes younger family members from spending the night. Years ago, students were permitted to host younger siblings as overnight guests during the university’s Family Weekend, but the programming event has not been offered since Fall 2021.
Carolyn Weinberger, GSB ’25, said she thinks that the fines for incorrectly signing in/out overnight guests are unfair. She also commented on the age restriction policy. Weinberger said, “I think it’s tricky. Younger siblings should be allowed to stay, but also the cap off at age 23 is pretty fair.”
Anna Mandaro, FCRH ’24, said, “It does sound like a lot of work for something that should not be that big of a deal. I don’t think it’s fair. I think we are legal adults, so I do not think that [the policy] should be the case.”
Other students expressed criticism for the guest policy’s restriction that requires guests to be the same sex as their resident host.
Alexandra Diaz, FCRH ’27, does not agree with Fordham’s guest pass restrictions. In regards to the gender policy restriction, Diaz said, “I don’t think it should be a policy, because I think it’s really up to each person, who they want in their dorm.”
Diaz also commented on the age restriction policy. She said, “I think it should be changed because we are trying to create an environment for everyone to enjoy, but it is hard if it is limiting certain members of the community.”
John Leonick, GSB ’26, also does not agree with the current overnight guest pass policy. Leonick said, “I don’t love it. They give a lot of freedom in other areas, and it’s kind of hypocritical. Is it only same-sex couples having sex? It doesn’t really make any sense logistically. If you are going to ban people from being in each other’s rooms past 3 a.m., from one gender to the next, you should then ban it across all genders. And that obviously makes no sense, as we are all adults.”
Director of Residential Life and Assistant Dean of Students, Charles Clency, commented on the matter on behalf of the Office of Residential Life. Clency, who took over as office director in 2021, said:
“The Office of Residential Life and various offices around campus are engaging with Student Life Council this semester to carefully consider changes in our guest pass policy. These changes would include opening guest pass privileges to cover guests of the opposite sex in a way that respects the rights of roommates. The University is looking forward to working with student leadership to update this policy over the upcoming months and semester.”
While no immediate updates are expected, students can contact their Resident Director if they have any questions or require an exception to the rule.
