Sign-Out Debate Is Over: RGA Approves New Rules

The Radcliffe Government Association yesterday concluded its year-long debate on sign-out regulations, and unanimously passed the plan proposed by its Executive Council two weeks ago.

The new rules, already tentatively approved by the Radcliffe College Council, will go into effect at the beginning of next year. They will not be put to a college referendum.

As passed yesterday, the plan gives greater freedom to both freshmen and upperclassmen in the extent to which they must obtain permission to leave, indicate destination, and adhere to a stated time return.

The New Rules

Next year's regulations would mean that:

Sophomores, juniors, and seniors will not have to sign out at all if they return before 12:15 a.m. For freshmen, the cut-off hour will be 10 p.m.

Upperclassmen returning before 8:15 a.m. and freshmen before 10 p.m., will not have to state either a destination or an expected time of return, but instead will use an "in-out" book only. Freshmen, however, will have to record the time when they actually return.

Sign-outs after 8:15 a.m. for upperclassmen, and 1 a.m. for freshman will require the use of a destination card, filed the box and used only in an emergency. Between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. freshman will have to sign out, but will not need permission.

Upperclassmen will never have to ask permission for sign-outs, regardless of the number of nights they expect to be away. Freshman must have permission to be out later than 1 a.m., but they will not be limited as to the number of "one o'clocks" they may take.

RGA began its study of the procedure and value of Radcliffe's sign-out rules last fall, at the suggestion of Mrs. Bunting. At that time, it appointed the Social Rules Committee, which presented its report and proposal three weeks ago.

The committee's plan, however, was opposed by a majority of RGA, and it also aroused considerable opposition in the college. Students primarily objected to a regulation requiring upperclassmen to obtain permission from their head residents if they wished to stay out later than 3 a.m. for more than three consecutive nights. No such rule had existed under the old system.

The Executive Council proposal, effective in September, was introduced two weeks ago to counter this opposition.