Dorming, Dana Hall’s equivalent of being grounded for boarders, has recently come with new rules. Students who are dormed must now turn in all electronic devices, including phones, iPads, laptops, and headphones, by 9:00 p.m. Devices are returned the next morning at 8:00 a.m.
Dorming is assigned after a student receives three warnings for rule violations, including but not limited to leaving more than one pair of shoes per person outside a dorm room, or being outside of one’s room after the in-room curfew, which begins at 10:30 p.m. According to the Student Handbook, dormed students must remain in their rooms on a Friday or Saturday night, with exceptions only for attending dinner in the Dining Hall. They may not watch TV in common spaces, visit other dorms, or host guests, and their roommate is expected to socialize elsewhere during the dorming period.
According to house directors, the goal of the new electronic rule is to strengthen the effectiveness of dorming as a tool for reflection. “We’ve been talking for years about the lack of impact the dorming policy has had on students—it hasn’t been effective in getting them to reflect on how their actions are damaging to the community,” said Jessica Wood, the house director of Johnston C Dormitory. She added that the policy, while strict, is not shaming or invasive and emphasized, “It is a rule here to stay.”
Some students, however, have expressed concerns about how the change is implemented and experienced. One concern among students is the inconsistency in how warnings, and ultimately dormings, are enforced across different dorms. “In my dorm, we usually get a reminder first if we leave our shoes outside, for example, and only when the behavior is repeated or ignored do we receive a warning,” said one student who asked to remain anonymous. She noted that in the dorm next to hers, students receive warnings almost immediately, even without a prior reminder. Ms. Wood responded, “We try as dorm parents to be consistent. We talk a lot about what we give warnings for. We strive for fairness, and we listen to proctors.” Still, she acknowledged that it can be difficult to standardize the process across all dormitories fully.
Beyond consistency, students have also questioned how equally the policy affects different individuals. For some, handing over electronics is a minor inconvenience. It can be far more disruptive for others, particularly international borders or students who rely on devices for connection with family. Jaz Wu’28, a boarder in Johnston D, expressed concern: “It’s difficult for international students. A lot of people contact their parents, and the timeframe sometimes misses the mark of when their parents are active online.”
Others, like Yudi Wang ’25, a proctor in Johnston D, have observed a shift in atmosphere since the rule was introduced: “While I was initially skeptical—and there’s definitely room for improvement—ever since this was implemented, there’s generally been more caution and self-awareness from boarding students.”
As the community adjusts to the new policy, the conversation about what dorming is meant to achieve—and how to support students in that process—will likely continue.