Dormitory "Home Rule"

The Dartmouth Trustees, in an action taken in August, have authorized the adoption of "home rule" in the social regulation of dormitories.

While the change ends so-called parietal hours regulating the precise times when women guests may visit student residences, the Trustees stressed that under "home rule" the requirement that students conduct themselves at all times in a "lawful and orderly way in Hanover and its environs" and in conformance with the laws of New Hampshire remains in force as a regulation.

In adopting the new residence rules the Trustees accepted the recommendations of a special faculty committee established last spring to study the viability of parietal hours in the governance of the College. The Trustees voted the change with the condition that the decision would be subject to review at any time.

Students have been informed that under "home rule" the Resident Councils of each dormitory or living unit will have responsibility for "providing a quiet and orderly place in which to live and study and a suitable atmosphere for the entertainment of all guests."

In another action, the Trustees voted to prohibit firearms in student residences and authorized the establishment of a gun room to house firearms previously kept in student rooms. Under this new safety regulation, every student with a gun permit will be assigned a private slot in the gun room, to be located in the offices of the College Proctor.