The Office for Campus Life (OCL) this summer revamped its policy regarding the admittance of non-Tufts students at student-run events held in the Mayer Campus Center in an effort to increase the yield of attendees at group-sponsored events.
The new policy, called "Tufts Only Plus One Guest," allows a Tufts student with a valid Tufts ID to host one non-Tufts guest at events that take place in Hotung Café and the Commons, according to OCL Director Joe Golia.
The new policy is in part the result of pleas for a change from WMFO 91.5, Tufts' student-run radio station.
"The change was born out of events occurring during April Open House, where many prospective students couldn't attend WMFO events that were restricted to only students with a valid Tufts ID," WMFO General Manager Jesse Weeks, a senior, said.
This policy will not be applied universally to all student group events. Student organizations may request that their events fall under the new rules, and OCL will make decisions on a case-by-case basis, Golia said.
"Last year, WMFO came to [the OCL]," Golia said. "They asked for this, so we added it this semester. It's a trial basis," Golia said.
In the past, organizers of student group events were allowed to create a guest list of up to twenty-five non-Tufts attendees, including performers, according to Golia.
WMFO General Manager Emeritus Andy Sayler (E '11) was a driving force behind the policy change.
"We were trying to find ways to fill seats at events," Sayler said. "With the guest policy, we made it so that students were more likely to come to shows and events because they could bring friends from other schools."
The metal detector usage policies for campus events, however, has not changed, Golia noted.
"If a group requests a citywide open floor plan event to invite non-Tufts community members, the university requires the use of metal detectors," Golia said.
According to Dean of Student Affairs Bruce Reitman, the use and presence of metal detectors at campus events open to the public depend on the size of the event, the type of seating at the event, and other factors related to the type of event.
The presence of metal detectors at campus events has sparked dialogue within the administration about whether the use of metal detectors targets certain cultural groups on campus, particularly those affiliated with culture clubs that host annual and bi-annual events in the Campus Center, Golia said.
Reitman acknowledged the seemingly disproportionate use of metal detectors at campus events and said that he is working on ameliorating the situation with Director of Public and Environmental Safety Kevin Maguire.
"We are in progress to standardize use of metal detectors," Reitman said. "It's all about being consistent."
Sayler appreciated the OCL's willingness to develop the new policy, which he thinks will help all student groups increase event attendance.
"It paves the way toward more open and accessible Tufts-sponsored students' events in general," Sayler said. "I hope that these changes might eventually lead to the ability of student groups to host public events without the high barrier to entry that the existing metal detector and security requirements create."
WMFO Booking Coordinator Jameelah Morris anticipates that the new guest policy will successfully increase event turnout.
"Now we can truly extend our reach to other campuses," Morris, a junior, said. "We are a station all about community, and community events. … This policy may help us bring more performers to campus, and make the process of holding events on campus much easier and [more] streamlined."
