New Key Policy Unlocks Concerns

Author: Virginia Harper

With the relocation of Middlebury's Public Safety headquarters, the office is faced with new challenges. Soon to be housed at 125 South Main Street near the Center For the Arts - much further away from the residential halls than its present location -- the Department of Public Safety anticipates an increase in requests from students who are locked out of their dorm rooms. Public Safety is exploring new policies in an effort to cut down on such incidents.

Until now, stranded students were able to call to request that an officer be dispatched with a key to open their door. Director of Safety Lisa Boudah encourages students to request that their Residential Advisors (RAs) let them back into their rooms. "There are other ways that students can get into their room. We do not want to become the sole remedy," said Boudah. She advised students to be more responsible in carrying keys with them.

Students expressed concernabout the new policies. "While I understand that security guards do not necessarily want to be running all around campus making up for our negligence, I think that the change in policy poses a lot of possible security threats in itself. I do not think it is safe for any student to have to walk around campus alone at night to go get a key," said Olivia Katz '07.

However, Boudah insists that the new policy will not be so strict and access will not be so limited. "There are circumstances when we will help when they cannot come for a key," she said. "The hour of day makes a big difference. Sometimes, weather can make a big difference. Anytime somebody does not feel comfortable, they should call."

Public Safety is now considering charging a $10 fee for the service of having an officer come and open a student room. "We are not planning to implement it right away," Boudah said, "but to see what kind of demands there are on our services after we move." Often it is the same people locked out over and over again, and Public Safety is worried about depleting the resources of the office and neglecting other issues if they are constantly unlocking doors for a few students.

Boudah also recommended that students walk together at night and that they keep their doors locked when they are not in their rooms.