Position Paper: Considerations for Eliminating Guest Policies in Sorority Housing
MJ Sorority offers the following position not as a directive, but as guidance to support informed decision-making. Ultimately, each sorority must evaluate the risks and make its own determination about what policies align with its values, resources, and risk tolerance.
Background
The proposal to eliminate existing guest policies and permit overnight guests in chapter housing introduces a series of insurance, risk management, and operational concerns that require careful evaluation. While the intent may be to align with evolving campus housing norms or member preferences, sorority chapter facilities differ significantly from residance halls or apartments in both purpose and structure. As such, any change in guest policy must be considered in the broader context of liability exposure, duty of care, and the unique communal living environment of a sorority chapter house.
Insurance Considerations
The current underwriting and pricing model for General Liability coverage through MJ Sorority’s insurance program has not contemplated the exposure presented by unrestricted guest access or overnight stays. Introducing such a policy without first consulting the insurance provider could jeopardize the chapter’s ability to secure coverage under current terms. Of particular concern is the elevated risk of sexual assault involving resident members or guests—an exposure that insurers view with significant caution. While no such incidents have been reported to date among facilities we insure, the introduction of overnight guests materially increases this risk.
Should an organization wish to pursue this policy shift, MJ Sorority would need to engage directly with the insurance carrier to evaluate whether the exposure can be underwritten and under what conditions, which could include significant cost increases or restrictions.
Community Living and Duty of Care
Permitting overnight guests in a communal, single-gender living environment stands in contrast to the standard of care typically applied in sorority housing. This change would make the organization an outlier in its risk management practices and potentially open the door to additional liabilities, including:
- Hazing Allegations: If a resident member feels pressured or intimidated into accommodating an overnight guest in her room, this could be interpreted as a form of hazing or coercion.
- Breach of Contract Claims: Members who joined the organization under the expectation of single-gender housing may argue that the presence of overnight guests constitutes a breach of that agreement, particularly if they believe their personal safety or comfort has been compromised.
- Equity Concerns: If overnight guest privileges are only extended to members in single rooms, this may lead to claims of discrimination or unfair treatment among residents without private accommodations.
Operational and Cultural Impacts
Allowing overnight guests within a sorority house alters the nature of the chapter’s communal environment and requires significant operational adjustments. These include:
- Communication and Transparency: Members, parents, and the house director must be informed of the proposed change. Recent litigation suggests that parents may hold strong opinions about modifications to guest policies, and their feedback should be considered before implementation.
- House Director’s Role: The live-in house director must be fully briefed on the policy and given an opportunity to share concerns or establish boundaries, as their role includes overseeing the safety and well-being of all residents.
- House Access and Escorting: Guests should be accompanied by the hosting member at all times. Protocols must be in place to manage guest access, including time-of-day restrictions, entry/exit procedures, and clear rules about where guests are permitted within the house.
- Bathroom and Facility Use: Shared bathrooms and other facilities will need designated protocols to prevent uncomfortable or inappropriate encounters between guests and other residents.
- Food and Lodging Costs: Chapters will need to determine whether guests will be permitted to access chapter meals and whether those costs will be passed along to the hosting member.
- Frequency Limits: To prevent the misuse of sorority housing by non-paying individuals, the chapter should consider strict limits on the number of overnight stays permitted per guest per semester.
Conclusion
While some may argue that campus dormitories and apartments permit overnight guests, sorority housing exists to support a unique member experience grounded in safety, sisterhood, and shared responsibility. Chapter facilities are not designed or staffed to support co-ed or mixed-gender residential arrangements. Introducing such a policy would require not only a review by the insurance carrier but also robust operational protocols, legal considerations, and community buy-in to ensure the protection of all residents.
MJ Sorority strongly recommends proceeding with caution and engaging your Client Executive in this conversation. We advise any organization considering the elimination of guest policies to engage in comprehensive stakeholder discussions, conduct a risk assessment, and consult with your MJ Sorority team before implementation.