Grand Valley State University says it is enforcing a new visitor and guest policy, in response to two people being arrested for obstructing police after a fight involving baseball bats and a knife, the West Michigan school announced on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Starting Thursday, Oct. 8, from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the Allendale campus will be restricted to people affiliated with the university, including students, faculty and staff, contractors, and emergency and service vehicles.
"These measures are designed to strengthen campus safety, better manage late-night access, and help maintain a secure and orderly environment for everyone who lives, learns, works, and visits Grand Valley," the school said.
If a student resident
wants to host a guest, they must comply with the guest policy, which includes registering their guest by 5 p.m. the day before they arrive on campus. If they are not registered before the deadline, they will be turned away. Off-campus students still must register guests to bring them onto campus during the restricted hours.
Additionally, during the listed hours, the "arch entrance" on Campus Drive, off Lake Michigan Drive, will serve as the only public entrance to campus. All other roads will be blocked for entry, although vehicles may exit from any street or road.
"GVSU welcomes visitors to campus, and these enhanced measures are intended to ensure that those visiting during late-night hours have a university-related purpose or are registered guests of members of our campus community," the school announced.
GVSU students also will be required to show an issued ID card when entering campus and their residence hall.
The new policy is being instituted after large fight with weapons occurred on campus outside of the Holton-Hooker Living Center on Tuesday, Sept. 8.
Several incidents have occurred on or near the campus, including one in which a Grandville man was arrested after a series of window-peeping incidents, according to media reports.
"We know changes like this can be disruptive, and we appreciate your cooperation to help make campus a social, safe, and nurturing environment for all members of our community," university officials said in an email.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: GVSU restricts campus access after fight. Why students will need ID
