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University housing officials increased security this semester adding a 24-hour door monitor to check all individuals prior to entering residence halls at SF State.
The previous policies set by Residential Life required residence halls’ receptionists to check keys and IDs after 10 p.m. only, which went into effect after the removal and arrest of six non-residents from Mary Ward Hall last May. The new regulations will be enforced 24-hours a day, further restricting resident and guest entry into the SF State dorms.
“Guests must be registered and provide a picture ID at the community desk no matter the time of day,” said Dean of Students Joseph Greenwell. “This was changed so that in emergency situations the University knows who is in the building.”
Residents speculate the 24-hour enforcement is a reaction to the arrests of the six non-residents that spurred a series of student protests on campus.
“Everyone knew the new security measures are tied to last semester’s arrests,” said Larissa Petrucci, who lived in University Park South last semester. “After those kids got arrested there were way more cops around.”
Although, administration did not comment on what the new housing security enforcement is directly related to, Greenwell said, “There have been a few changes to policies this fall as they relate to the on-campus residential community.”
Residents are now required to not only show their key at building entrances, but are restricted to one guest. Guests must leave their photo IDs at the front desk during their stay.
Furthermore, the Residential Life policy states residence hall staff can choose to deny a guest access if their behavior is inappropriate. Policy also states that residents are responsible for their guests not only in the dorms, but throughout school property including nearby areas and during community sponsored activities.
In previous semesters, these rules were only in place after 10 p.m., and were loosely followed according to students.
“Last year, the security was minimal,” said Patrucci, a sociology major. “There were barely any cops around and you could sneak a bunch of people in and no one really cared.”
In addition to monitoring entrances, housing officials also patrol hallways to ensure students comply with policies, according to new residents Cynthia Cervantes and Maegan Folger.
“Some people sneak in guests, but are often caught,” Folger said.
Although she feels the policy can sometimes be annoying, Folger said she feels safe in the dorms.
A full review of current policies and procedures can be found online in the 2013-2014 Community Living Standards.
