How to Handle Visitors When Living in BYU-I Student Housing

NorthPoint offers a unique environment with premium amenities, a social life on your doorstep, and access to a delectable food court hosting Papa John's, The Cocoa Bean, Cafe Rio, and Pick Me Up. 

However, while the community here is top-notch, balancing personal and shared space when inviting guests over can be challenging. Knowing the rules is critical to avoid issues. 

Know the Rules: Navigating BYU-I Visitor Policies

Like most BYU-I-approved student housing, NorthPoint adheres to strict visitor policies to keep the peace. These policies aim to be fair to both residents and guests.

BYU-I has a curfew that students are expected to adhere to. Students must return to their apartments by midnight Saturday through Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday nights. Anyone visiting someone else’s apartment must leave it in time to return to theirs by the curfew.

Furthermore, there are sex-specific rules. Men and women can only visit apartments of the opposite sex if at least three people are present (two women and one man or one man and two women). Visits can only occur from 10 a.m. until the curfew on the applicable day. Visitors must remain in the living room or kitchen with three people present, avoiding the bedrooms. Guests can’t stay overnight in the apartment or use the shower.

It is critical to know and respect these policies to avoid disciplinary action. BYU-I operates strict student and missionary misconduct policies.

Communication with Roommates About Visitors

If you decide to have visitors over, always tell your roommates first. Discuss your plans and see what they think. Here’s some advice: 

• Be open to feedback and listen to their concerns (if there are any)
• Tell them that you will clean up common areas after their visit
• Talk to them about how long visitors will stay
• Discuss how you will follow BYU-I’s housing policies

Maintaining a clean apartment when hosting guests is essential because it makes the environment more welcoming, reduces stress, and reflects well on your willingness to take responsibility for the impact of the visit on your roommates.

If you know you will eventually have visitors staying overnight, lay the groundwork early. Discuss visitor expectations during the first weeks of the semester to reduce problems later. For example, you could:

• Hold a roommate meeting where you discuss your plans
• Talk to each roommate about their preferences and whether they want anyone to come and stay
• Put up a calendar in a communal area to remind roommates of visitations
• Set guidelines on who can visit (friends and family)

Planning Ahead for Smooth Visits

If you have a confirmed visitor, tell roommates in advance. This approach avoids surprise guests showing up and creating an awkward situation (or violating BYU-I policies). 

At the same time, preparing your apartment to make your guests feel more welcome helps. For example, you could: 

• Designate a visitor area in the living room or kitchen where you can talk to visitors without disturbing people in the bedrooms
• Prepare some snacks and entertainment options in advance to keep them occupied
• Be mindful of shared spaces and ensure guests don’t take them over to the detriment of other residents
• Give them a list of guidelines to follow in advance via text or email

Let roommates know beforehand if you plan to host group gatherings or study sessions in common areas. Then, they can prepare food in advance and get out of the way before guests arrive.

Respecting Privacy and Shared Spaces

Respecting your roommates’ privacy and shared spaces is essential for harmonious living in BYU-I apartments. Getting it wrong can lead to interpersonal challenges. 

Start with adhering to your roommates’ personal boundaries. Ensure they have adequate time and space to recharge, keeping the environment as quiet as possible during study periods. Discuss the need for boundaries openly and determine when your roommates prefer not to be disturbed. Then, write down any agreement to avoid confusion. 

Also, designate regular quiet hours so roommates can sleep when necessary. Avoid noise early in the morning or during study sessions in the run-up to exams. Consider the sound your conversations or music create and ask whether it might affect other residents. 

If using common spaces to entertain guests, ensure you: 

• Clean up after yourself, leaving the kitchen and living room organized
• Share space fairly and avoid monopolizing the space during peak times, like dinner
• Limit the amount of noise you create in shared areas by speaking softly or turning the TV down
• Considering others’ schedules, including when they might want to use the facilities

When Things Get Tense: Conflict Resolution Tips

Despite your best efforts, conflicts will sometimes arise over visitors. When this happens, it helps to follow sound advice. 

Here are our recommendations: 

• Address concerns quickly to prevent them from festering
• Stick to agreed-upon rules to the letter
• Look for ways all parties can benefit from visitor arrangements (not just you)
• Stay calm when talking to roommates about visitor-related issues
• Try to find out what the main problem is and address it

When possible, you want to resolve issues amicably through win-win solutions. For example, a compromise might include cleaning up common areas in exchange for having guests over. 

Shared Student Housing Near BYU-Idaho

Be aware that some of these policies may be subject to change. As such, regularly reviewing them is helpful. If you aren’t sure about the rules, reach out to our team at NorthPoint.

For shared student housing near BYU-Idaho, contact Northpoint today. Explore our availability, floor plans, and instructions for how to apply.