Rooftop Common Spaces in Residence Halls

This policy sets baseline requirements for access control and utilization with flexibility for houses to establish additional protocols that promote the safe and responsible use of these community spaces. Violation of rooftop common space policies may result in referral to the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards; loss of access privileges (individual or entire house); and potential loss of housing. 

Access Control

All rooftop common spaces are secured and may utilize card readers to manage access for resident use. Houses may elect one of the following access control options:

Event Only Access 

• Access is controlled by card readers or keys. 
• Access is granted only for scheduled events that are planned and supervised according to residential event registration policies and with house leadership approval.

General Time-Limited Access

• Access is controlled by card readers. 
• House leadership (i.e., House Team and House Exec) may designate periods during which residents of the house have general access. Time periods may not be less restrictive than daily 6 am-12 am (midnight).
• Access outside of designated times may be granted for special events that are planned and supervised with House Team approval.
• Guests
  1. May only access and use common rooftop spaces while accompanied at all times by their host. 
  2. May access rooftop common spaces during approved events.
• General Access is not provided to summer programs in residence.  

Nightwatch

Nightwatch will tour roof decks to ensure compliance with hours of operation and policies.

Other Policies

• Use of alcohol is prohibited in rooftop common spaces.
• Smoking is prohibited in all rooftop common spaces.
• Use of propane and charcoal grills is prohibited in all rooftop common spaces.
• Residents and guests may only use designated common spaces delineated by railings and flooring surfaces, and may not access restricted areas outside of the designated spaces.
• Observe occupancy limits for spaces
  • Undergraduate Houses
    1. Random Hall (NW61) roof deck: <50 people
    2. Simmons Hall (W79) terraces: <50 per terrace
    3. McCormick Hall (W4) East & West Penthouse terraces: <50 per terrace
    4. Baker Hall (W7): <50 
  • Graduate Residences:
    1. The Warehouse (NW30) roof deck: <50
    2. Grad Tower @ Site 4 (E37) roof terrace: <199
    3. Grad Junction (W87 & W88) roof terraces: <50
• Minors under the age of 18 who are not enrolled as MIT undergraduates must be accompanied by their parent/guardian at all times while in rooftop common spaces.
• Observe all house-specific rules including established quiet hours 

Closures 

• MIT reserves the right to restrict access to rooftop common spaces if deemed necessary and will do so in coordination with House leadership. 
• Rooftop common spaces are closed to summer programs and participants.