The University of Wisconsin-Madison housing announced students who wish to have guests in dorms over the weekend will be required to register them and pay $100, a new Halloween weekend policy for guests.
Housing said the decision was motivated by safety issues around Halloweekend in past years. “Our goal is to maintain your safety and that of our community, and years of experience have indicated that Halloween weekend requires extra steps,” said Beth Miller, an assistant director of resident life in an email sent to all residents.
Residence halls will be locked at all times throughout the weekend, and all students must present Wiscards at check-in stations in buildings. Students who are not residents of a certain hall — or otherwise registered as a guest — will be denied entry.
Miller said additional housing staff will be present at dorm entrances for mediation.
Guests — defined by housing as someone who is not enrolled at UW-Madison and has no other housing options in Dane County — need to be registered on the UW Housing Portal.
Typically, two overnight guests are permitted in a residence hall.
In response to safety concerns on campus, UW-Madison works closely with the UW Madison Police and the Wisconsin Fire department to facilitate supervision on campus for Halloweekend.
