Guests

Overnight guests are not permitted during interim housing periods. 

Update for AY 24-25: Although substantial copy edits were made to improve the format and clarity of this section, no policy changes have been implemented. 

Related Policies

Hosting Gatherings
Malcolm X Lounge
Sabbath Observers
Lerner Student Guest Access Request Form

Introduction

Within Columbia Housing, the term “guest” may refer to either a residential undergraduate student (e.g., when they are being hosted by another student in a room or building other than their own), or a non-Columbia-affiliate individual. All guests, whether affiliates or non-affiliates, must abide by all relevant policies. 

  • Residents who host guests assume responsibility for their guest and their guest's actions while in the residence halls.
  • Overnight affiliate and non-affiliate guests are permitted, provided they abide by the policies outlined below. 

Overnight Guests During Interim Housing Periods

Students are not permitted to host overnight affiliate or non-affiliate guests during interim housing periods, i.e., the times between Spring Check-Out and summer term or summer term and Fall Check-In. 

Non-Building Resident Guest Policy

Current undergraduate residential students have access into the common areas of all residence halls, except for brownstones. While this provides convenient access for all residents in undergraduate housing, a student is considered a guest across the residential community when in any space other than their contractually assigned room. Students in a building, suite or room other than their contractual assignment must respect the time and frequency limitations as established below for all guests.   

Residents who host affiliates in their room or suite must also abide by all policies for hosting gatherings and may host no more than 5 guests at a time. 

Non-Columbia Guest Policy

    A resident may host a guest provided there is no interference with the rights of a roommate and that the visit is consistent with the terms of this policy. We encourage residents to check with their roommate(s)/suitemate(s) before inviting a guest to the room. If any roommate/suitemate has a concern with a guest's visit, they are encouraged to contact their RA or Residence Hall Director.

    Minors (any individuals under the age of 18) are not permitted as guests.

    Residents who wish to host a guest must abide by the following: 

    • Residents may host guests only in the room or suite to which they are assigned. Guests must be accommodated in their host's room and are not allowed to sleep in floor lounges or other communal residence hall spaces.
    • Hosts may not give their CUID to guests for any reason.
    • Residents may not accept any payment, service, barter or other remuneration from a guest in exchange for the guest's ability to stay in a room or suite. The University considers any such payment to be a violation of the Terms and Conditions.
    • Residents with concerns regarding a guest's behavior should talk to the host, and then, if necessary, with an RA or a member of the Residential Life staff.  
    • Hosts must always accompany their guests.
    • Guests must sign in at the security desk of their host’s residence hall and show valid ID.
    • Overnight stays for one guest (including CUID holders) are limited to five days in any consecutive 30-day period. An overnight stay is defined as any stay within the hours of 11 p.m. and 8 a.m. 
    • Repetition of visits by the same guest(s) over consecutive periods of time is not permitted. 
    • Residential Life, Public Safety, Columbia Housing and other University staff reserve the right to limit the number of guests that may be signed into the residence halls by one host. 
    • Hosts are responsible for the actions of their guest(s) in the residence halls at all times. The definition of a host shall not be limited solely to the individual who signed the guest in, but may also include other residents who the guest has come to visit, or those individuals accompanying the guest at the time of any violation. 
    • Hosts should familiarize guests with community standards.  

    Guest Violations

    Policy violations requiring immediate action (removal from the residence hall and/or revocation of guest privileges) will be referred to a Residential Life conduct meeting or the Dean’s Discipline process. Serious guest violations may result in revocation of guest privileges. Decisions on the reinstatement of guest privileges and of a host’s privilege to sign in guests will be made by Residential Life and/or the Center for Student Success and Intervention.