2008 Woodie Awards
Increased security measures should be a welcome change
Lauren Davis '08
Issue date: 12/1/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
Perhaps we're all a little sick of having our IDs checked every time we walk into a residence center on campus. Maybe it's a small inconvenience to have to sign an extra sheet of paper when you go into Sourin to visit the health center, or LaFarge to speak with someone in Residence Life if you do not live there. Sure, signing in your friends who visit every day is a little bit of a pain in the neck, but honestly, how long does it take?
Our University is unfortunately engaged in a dark period as far as security goes. With an alarming number of car break-ins and security breaches by the media and other outsiders on our own turf, in addition to off campus robberies and our beloved Philadelphia's increasing rate of homicides, it seems to be a miracle that our campus is still one of the safest city schools on record. But if you think about it, it's no miracle at all. As the crime rate around us increases heavily, our team of security staff responds and delivers to the best of their ability, measures of safety that we can see all over campus.
So maybe in the real world our hands won't be held as tightly, maybe we should be increasingly aware of our surroundings on our own, but there is a certain amount of responsibility for our safety that is undertaken by the University staff. These extra measures of security that have been enacted in the last couple of weeks have shown that this University will not just lie down and take security lightly. Rather than ignore our own weakness, security, Student Senate, Residence Life, and a number of other groups on campus have worked to address and improve them, reacting immediately in the short term, but also inviting others to join discussion forums and to speak out in surveys about how they feel about the changes on campus. This demonstrates an immense amount of integrity, and clearly shows why we still remain a relatively safe city campus.
As students we may view these changes as mildly frustrating, and I'll be the first to admit that I've grumbled while digging out my ID in Lancaster Hastings on my rounds when my picture is posted on the Residence Life bulletin board right across from the security desk, but does it really kill you to flash a card we should already be carrying at a desk attendant every day? No, it doesn't. I think we can all get over any small disagreements we have with the newest policies endorsed on our campus regarding security. After all, these are safety measures created with us and potential students in mind. Let's realize this and support our University rather than debase it during this time in which it needs improvement rather than criticism.
Our University is unfortunately engaged in a dark period as far as security goes. With an alarming number of car break-ins and security breaches by the media and other outsiders on our own turf, in addition to off campus robberies and our beloved Philadelphia's increasing rate of homicides, it seems to be a miracle that our campus is still one of the safest city schools on record. But if you think about it, it's no miracle at all. As the crime rate around us increases heavily, our team of security staff responds and delivers to the best of their ability, measures of safety that we can see all over campus.
So maybe in the real world our hands won't be held as tightly, maybe we should be increasingly aware of our surroundings on our own, but there is a certain amount of responsibility for our safety that is undertaken by the University staff. These extra measures of security that have been enacted in the last couple of weeks have shown that this University will not just lie down and take security lightly. Rather than ignore our own weakness, security, Student Senate, Residence Life, and a number of other groups on campus have worked to address and improve them, reacting immediately in the short term, but also inviting others to join discussion forums and to speak out in surveys about how they feel about the changes on campus. This demonstrates an immense amount of integrity, and clearly shows why we still remain a relatively safe city campus.
As students we may view these changes as mildly frustrating, and I'll be the first to admit that I've grumbled while digging out my ID in Lancaster Hastings on my rounds when my picture is posted on the Residence Life bulletin board right across from the security desk, but does it really kill you to flash a card we should already be carrying at a desk attendant every day? No, it doesn't. I think we can all get over any small disagreements we have with the newest policies endorsed on our campus regarding security. After all, these are safety measures created with us and potential students in mind. Let's realize this and support our University rather than debase it during this time in which it needs improvement rather than criticism.
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Bob Brown
posted 12/01/06 @ 9:53 AM EST
Security at Saint Joseph's University is not taken seriously. LaFarge Residence has a long string of serious rule violations including regular alcohol parties and unauthorized guests in early morning hours. (Continued…)
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