The boys of Hillhouse put in it for a pound during an earlier check-in on Saturday night. PHOTO/David Woo ‘09

On Tuesday, April 29th, an e-mail message from Mr. Ford alerted students to a new regulation on the Choate campus: Saturday night check-in. The new rule was implemented on Saturday, April 3rd, and requirs boarding students to check in with their house advisers at some time between 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. and again at the normal 11:30 P.M. curfew.

“Before, there was just curfew at 11:30, and there wasn’t an earlier check-in. Now students must check in between 7:30 and 9. All they have to do is find an adviser and say, ‘Hi!’” says Mr. Ford. Dean of Residential Life Amy Salot adds, “This is just for May; we’re trying to see how it works out.”

A check-in on Saturday night in addition to curfew had long been considered by the Choate administration, according to Mr. Ford. “It’s something that has always been on our minds,” said Mr. Ford, “because between curfew on Friday and curfew on Saturday, it’s possible that students could be unaccounted for in that twenty-four and one-half hour period.”

Ms. Salot believes it is the duty of house advisers to act as parents: “All the heads of houses met together, and one of the topics we discussed was making sure the kids are safe, and that we are ‘parenting’ appropriately… Having a moment to check in and seeing if [the students] are okay will help us check in on students in a parental way.”

The Choate faculty agrees on the benefits of the new check-in time, according to Mr. Ford. He said, “[The major benefit is] the accountability. Ideally, we would have a check-in on Saturday at noon, 5, or 8 P.M. But we can’t do that, so this is the best thing [the administration] could come up with. It’s all about knowing where students are and that they’re safe.”

Ms. Salot said, “We’re simply going to know a little more about where our students are, and we’ll have more contact with them. Any time students have more contact with adults on campus is great.”

Punishment for failing to check in with advisers will depend on the dorm. “Punishments will be decided within the dorm,” said Ms. Homan. Punishments will not be given if students tell the dean on duty or house adviser beforehand that they will be somewhere else during the check-in period. “We’re going to be flexible about this,” said Ms. Salot. “For example, if you’re on a day permission, simply sign out with the dean on duty. Students can go to a 7:00 PM movie in Wallingford, as long as they tell the dean ahead of time. If a student swings by the house and tells me what she’s doing on Saturday night ahead of time, she doesn’t have to check in.”

The transition to Saturday check-in went smoothly last weekend, even on the night of the 3/4 ball. “It went totally fine—all the kids checked in, they didn’t even complain. I had one kid who was so good that she tried to [check in] on Friday night!” said Archbold adviser Ms. Homan.

Student reactions are mixed. Ashley Nisenson ’10 says, “I don’t mind the new check-in rule. [Last Saturday] I was already in my dorm so I didn’t have to go out of my way to check in. I think it is a good idea because now dorm advisers are able to come in contact with advisees between Friday at 11 and Saturday at 11:30.”

Erin Ellis ’10 believes the new check-in time is both good and bad: “I understand the point in it, but I find that it will be a hassle. Having to go back to your dorm and check in when you might be elsewhere on campus is annoying. “

The new check-in time requires students to think ahead: “They’ll have to plan their evening around that time,” said Mr. Ford. “[Last Saturday] I think it went pretty well. Most house advisers said there hasn’t been much student complaint.”

The Choate administration understands that the new rule is a hassle for some students but believes that it is the best approach to keep students safe. “I think [the new rule] will affect students in that they’ll be inconvenienced. It’s safe to say that students aren’t thrilled about this, but it’s the best thing to do,” said Ms. Salot. Archbold adviser Ms. Homan said, “The biggest hassle is for them to remember to check in.”

6th formers do not have to comply with the newly implemented rule during their final term at Choate. “They have one month left, so they don’t need to take part in this. We’re breaking [freshmen, sophomores and juniors] into this for next year, so we didn’t think it was necessary for seniors to comply,” said Mr. Ford.

The class of 2009 will not be so lucky. “[Seniors] will eventually have to comply, certainly next year’s seniors, assuming we have this [rule] in place,” said Mr. Ford. “It’s May, and we’re just trying this out,” said Ms. Salot. “We knew we would lose a lot more goodwill than we wanted to. If this is in play next year, seniors will be a part of it.”