Residence halls open to new security team, safety measures

By Kayloni Wyatt
Around the Campus Editor

It came as a surprise to many students at the beginning of the semester to find themselves showing their I.D. when they enter their residence after midnight.

The Housing department recently made a contract with Defender Security to guard the residence halls between the hours of 12 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

According to Purchasing, the Spring semester salary will total $45,000.

“We were noticing we were getting many [visitation violations] at two and three in the morning,” Housing Director Preston Swiney said.

A total of eight guards enforce the visitation policy and keep the area secure from vandalizers.

“I understand why they’re here, but I don’t like it all that much,” said freshman Ayana Washington.

According to Supervisor Melissa Grand, students were not very receptive of the surprise.

“As long as you follow the campus rules, you’ll be all right,” Grand said. Grand said students need to carry their I.D.s when they leave their dorms at night.

The Resident Advisors have mixed feelings when it comes to the security.

Oak Hall R.A. Dewone Gaillard said he feels they would be more effective if they were stationed at each of the doors in the dorms.

R.A. Quinn Davis said he doesn’t believe it will stop the visitor violations, noting that the security can stay only on the first floor of Oak, Pine, North and Belk halls, while walking the floors of West and Wellons.

Defender Security is under contract through the fall 2008 semester, after which an extension will be reviewed for 2009.