In fall 1972 UT implemented a program of differentiated housing, which ranged from not allowing members of the opposite sex of residents any access to the public areas or rooms of residents to allowing open visitation in lobbies and individual rooms. Initially, there was considerable confusion about the length of the visitation periods and the position of the room door during open houses, in part due to confusing information provided to students. Students believed that the length of the open house was to be twelve hours, when it was actually six, and thought the door to a student room could be open or closed, depending upon the preference of the resident.
Chancellor Archie Dykes clarified the door issue in fall 1972 by allowing students the choice to open or close it, but the open-house time remained at six hours. The confusion led to housing’s rules becoming a major campus issue.