Ineffective rules lead to ineffective minds
College is supposed to be a time to learn and study, but also to make lifelong friends. Having a haven for studying and hanging out has helped me get through tough times in my past, especially at BYU. That is why the Helaman Halls visiting hour times are unreasonable — they limit opportune places for group study and socializing.
The opposite gender may visit in the lobby is from 8 a.m.-midnight every day, the basement from 7-10 p.m. every day and in individual rooms from 7-9 p.m. on Wednesday and Sunday every week.
My friends and I would rather go down to the public room to talk or watch a show after an exhausting day of classes and homework than walk across campus to the library or sit outside. If there weren’t any restrictions on the basement visiting hours, then that wouldn’t be an issue.
Aside from hanging out, studying is also an important part of being at college. Study groups are an effective way for me to study. Doing work with others in the basement or lobby of my dorm is the most reasonable option, but when the basement is off limits and the lobby is crowded, it’s impossible to find a quiet place to study. Having the ability to study with groups in our rooms would provide a solution.
The restrictive visiting hours for Helaman Halls are unreasonable. They cause students more distress in getting their work done. Students need to have time to relax and have a positive social life. The visiting hours should be extended to the basement and dorm rooms so that students can study more effectively and have more quality social interaction.
—Maren Bayles
Bentonville, Arkansas
Don't trip up on pedestrian safety
College is not only a time for learning but also a time for people to make friends, socialize and have fun. People are going to stay out late. Many students have experienced the discomfort of walking home in the dark. Any person on a college campus should feel safe enough to walk around at any time. Walking has many health benefits. Students who walk more will do better in school and sleep better. Students should feel safe walking during the day, especially when crossing streets. There are rules for bikes and vehicles on the campus, and we need to enforce them. BYU does a nice job keeping students safe on campus while walking, but improvements can always be made. Just because it has a small crime rate does not mean we should turn a blind eye to potential improvements. The more information that is shared about walking on a college campus, the safer students will be. All college campuses including BYU should work on safety issues, especially regarding students walking at night or in the early morning hours. On a large campus like BYU, walking should feel like a safe option no matter the time of day or night.
—Hannah Decker
Omaha, Nebraska