Guests and Visitation

A guest is defined as anyone who is not currently enrolled at Cottey College or an employee of Cottey College. 

Cottey College Visitation Philosophy 

Visitation privileges at Cottey College allow students to have non-student guests in their rooms, provided they follow the policies outlined in the Student Handbook. Visitation should never interfere with a roommate’s access to the room or deprive them of privacy, study time, or sleep. Public displays of affection should not be expressed in the presence of others. 

Throughout the year, many people visit the College, including prospective students, members of the P.E.O. Sisterhood, commuter students adopted by the suite, and student guests. The host student is responsible for the conduct of non-student guests while on campus property or at Cottey-sponsored activities off-campus. Students are responsible for upholding College and residence hall policies for themselves and their guests, even in residence halls where they do not reside. All guests must enter and exit through the front doors and should not be in any part of the residence hall without their student host. 

Students are expected to dress appropriately in public areas when greeting guests, visiting the parlor, doing laundry, or outside of their suite area.

Guests 

Guests may visit students in the suites and student rooms only during designated visiting hours. All guests must wait outside the building until their host arrives to meet them. A maximum of two guests per host is allowed. Guests must sign in and out at the hall reception area. Note that guest policies do not apply to Cottey employees who are in the residence halls as part of their work assignments.

Overnight Guests 

Guests may stay overnight on campus (defined as any period between 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday until 9 a.m.) only with the permission of the hall director of their respective building or the director of campus and residence life. Overnight visitation is not allowed during Orientation Weekend, break periods, or Founder’s Weekend. Overnight guests must be at least 16 years old. A maximum of two guests per student is allowed at any one time. Guests may stay for up to three consecutive nights, not to exceed a total of six nights per semester. The sponsoring student must submit an overnight guest form and obtain approval from the hall director at least 48 hours in advance. The form is available on the MyCottey portal under the Student Life tab. The College reserves the right to refuse entry to non-resident guests or require them to leave the premises when necessary. Additionally, the Office of Enrollment Management staff may assign Golden Key members to host prospective students for campus visits.

Visitation Hours

Guidelines

1. During visitation hours, guests are permitted in the suite living area, student bedrooms, and the kitchen area of each suite. Approved overnight guests may use the suite bathrooms. Guests are allowed only in the bedroom of the student they are visiting. Visitation in student bedrooms requires permission from the roommate.
2. If a student allows a visitor to enter or exit through any door other than the front door, fails to have a guest sign in, or does not escort guests to and from the suite, the student may face disciplinary action. The guest will be considered to be trespassing on private property. 
3. Open houses are held in the residence halls on special occasions. During open house and check-in events, guests do not need to be announced, signed in, or escorted. All other regulations must still be observed.

P.E.O. Visitors

The suites at Cottey College are sponsored by state, provincial, or district P.E.O. chapters. Many members visit to see the suite that is furnished by their chapter. The appropriate administrative office will call the suite to notify them of the guests. 

Young Guests 

Babysitting is not allowed in the residence halls even if the service will be provided without pay. 

Founder’s Weekend Guests 

No guests will be permitted to stay overnight in the suites during Founder’s Weekend. Additionally, former Cottey College students may not stay overnight during the week before or the week after Founder’s Weekend. Returning alumnae and other guests are welcome to visit their enrolled friends while the hall is on keycard access, until the start of regularly scheduled quiet hours, as long as they are signed in at the desk. Additional guest policies for Founder’s Weekend will be implemented to ensure the privacy of hall residents. 

Break Period Visitation 

Although students may remain on campus over certain break periods, the reception desks are closed, and no visitation is allowed.