|
Students
need to help keep campus safe, some officials say
By David Reese
News Editor
Students ultimately determine how effective new doors,
locking systems and security measures are, police say.
The university has tried to increase campus safety and
security over the past year by installing a new door-lock
system, additional security cameras and locks for class
projectors after several thefts.
But
university officials say they need one more thing: help
from students.
The
best security plan is individual responsibility, said
College of Science and Engineering Dean Michael McCracken,
whose college relies more on the card-swipe system than
key locks.
He
said the door-lock system has effectively kept most
unwanted people out of buildings and rooms, but it is
undermined by irresponsible students.
“During
my 31 years at TCU, I have found that people prop doors
open whether for their friends or any person off the
street,” he said.
Security
lies within the student body, said Craig Elders, associate
director of Student Affairs Information Services.
“Students
have to have responsibility,” Elders said. “If
you prop doors then security is gone.”
James
Beasley, a Moncrief Hall resident assistant and junior
Latin American studies major, said residents in his
building do not prop doors. Instead, he said, the major
problem is residents who let strangers into the building.
Some
students say getting into residence halls is as easy
as waiting outside.
“Odds
are other residents with a card or key will let you
in,” said Bryan Baeten, a sophomore business major.
Residential
Services has taken steps to prevent this from happening.
Hall directors and staff members counsel residents on
the safety and security, said Roger Fisher, director
of Residential Services.
Although
he said there are no official penalties for propping
or opening doors for strangers, he will recommend to
the dean kicking a repeat offender out of his or her
residence halls.
“If
they have no responsibility to the community,”
Fisher said, “I have no problem recommending them
to no longer live in the halls.”
d.w.reese@tcu.edu
|
