New security program will be tested in dorms

By Jon McDonald

Starting this spring, residents of Swig Residence Hall and Campisi Residence Hall will be the test subjects for a new dorm security program -- likened by some students to a Big Brother type imposition.

Beginning April 1, access to both residence halls will be restricted between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. During that time, residents entering the building must show their access cards to student security monitors at the service desks.

Non-residents, both university students and non-affiliates, must be signed in by a resident and leave a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, at the service desk until they leave.

"We know that this is going to force people to change the way they're doing things," said Scott Strawn, director of residence life. "We're doing this because people have expressed concerns that we want to address."

Campisi and Swig were chosen because of their different locations on campus and the distinct challenges they present in terms of layout, population and reported incidents, according to Strawn.

No changes have been made to school policy regarding guests in the resident halls. "You're supposed to be responsible for the behavior of your guests," said Strawn. "This is a new mechanism to enforce that policy."

Strawn and Phil Kesten, associate provost for Residential Learning Communities, unveiled the program last Thursday to critical residents.

"I think they're making decisions without even consulting students," said freshman Matthew Saydah of Campisi. "They need to at least run it by us and maybe take some opinion polls."

"We're not reinventing the wheel," said Kesten. "The pieces we're putting in place are processes that are used in a lot of schools around the country."

Evan Sarkisian, a community facilitator in Swig, affirms that non-residents can cause problems. "As the security system stands now, those people who tailgate have a blank check to do whatever they want."

According to Strawn, the pilot system will cost around $20,000 annually for security monitor salaries and another $25,000 for new equipment, such as door alarms and possibly video cameras on the buildings' exteriors and in the elevators.

"The inconveniences that this causes are far outweighed by the benefits in terms of safety by keeping people who are drunk, inebriated and often violent out of the dorms," said Brother Keith Warner, Swig's resident Franciscan friar.

Swig residents Ryan Lyles and Chris Woodhouse find the pilot more than just inconvenient. The freshmen roommates founded the Facebook group "Big Brother's Watching You! Santa Clarans Against Communist Security," which had 300 members its first day and boasted over 446 as of Wednesday.

"We created this group as a way to highlight the disunity that exists between the administration and students," said Lyles. "They don't live in the dorms. They don't see what we need."

While students were not consulted before announcing the pilot, Strawn said their input will be vital to finalizing it.

"We have to listen to students to figure out what will work," said Strawn. "If students give it a fair chance and then give feedback, we can develop a good plan."

Both Strawn and Kesten listened to ideas, concerns and questions from a roomful of Swig residents Monday night, less than a week after the pilot was announced.

Regardless of future revisions, Saydah said the program "really limits the freedom you need to have to be a well-rounded and self-sufficient individual."

"I'd rather have the freedom I have now and the safety risks than no freedom and so-called safety," said Saydah.

Kesten and Strawn said the security monitors, like desk receptionists, are not on-staff to enforce university rules, such as the new alcohol policy.

"They have no judicial responsibility," said Kesten of the security monitors. "They're not there to catch anyone doing anything. They're there for safety and security."

Campus Safety and community facilitators will continue to directly enforce policy and write up students.

"This is not an attempt to control students," said Strawn. "This is an attempt to give students a safe environment."

Contact Jon McDonald at (408) 554-4546 or jmcdonald@scu.edu.