Resident Assistants said new policies requiring dorm lobbies to be locked at all times is not a practical solution to the problem of non-residents entering the buildings.
Student Affairs announced the new policy May 9 after discussions among Residence Life staff about the Virginia Tech shootings. Residence hall lobbies used to be unlocked from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Under the new plan, they remain locked throughout the day. Jefferson, Boyd and Bromley halls are open to allow access to the dining halls and West Green office.
But RAs and Residence Life Director Judy Piercy said there is concern about students letting non-residents into the buildings.
Usually if you just go to a dorm someone will just let you in
said Josh Browning, an RA in Shively Hall. Browning has been an RA for a year and a quarter. If someone is going to let you into those doors [to the rooms] there's no reason they're not going to let you in the other [exterior] door.
Piercy, however, said that could have happened under the old policy as well.
That could've always happened on any of our exterior doors or in the lobbies she said.
Browning and Kathy Vandervaart, an RA in Biddle, said they often see residents let other people in, but there isn't much they can do. Vandervaart said she spoke with her residents after the Virginia Tech shooting, but added that it's difficult because she doesn't even know all of the people who live in her building.
Sometimes you know people they're letting in she said. It's really the same as it was before ' there's just one extra set of doors to get through.
17
Archives
Emily Grannis
