2008 Woodie Awards
Courteous residents hold doors open, question safety
Daniel Jerez
Issue date: 12/4/06 Section: News
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Media Credit: Jamison NashMany east campus residents might welcome harm when opening doors for people behind them, not knowing if they are trespassers.
As Courtyard resident Cynthia Zargas opens the entrance door in the Atrium leading to east campus residence halls, she considerately holds it open for the person behind her, who might not be a student or a resident at all.
Residence hall safety concerns many students when selecting a university. Schools that offer housing also work hard to keep students safe. While UIC has not had any serious crimes occur in their housing recently, some questions still remain about the relatively easy access to east campus residence halls.
"It's easy to walk in behind someone else or you can just show any I-card to the security guards," said Fazila Barodawala, a desk worker for the East Area Office.
There are only two security posts in the east campus, Commons West and the Atrium.
Since 2005, the UIC Police Blotter has reported that there have been 14 people arrested for criminal trespassing in the east campus halls, with one being a student. However, there have not been any incidences regarding the safety of the students while in their rooms.
According to UIC Police Sergeant Valicento, he has not been made aware of any problems regarding unauthorized entry into the dorms.
"The only complaints we've had involving the dorms have been for loud noises, but nothing serious," said Valicento.
While all the doors leading into the residence areas are locked and require a key to get in, gaining entry is as easy as waiting for someone to walk in and follow them.
"During the day, it's common, but I don't think there's a lot of people sneaking in at night," said Barodawala.
As far as safety precautions go, the courtyard gates close at 7 p.m. There is student security at entrances from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m., and from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., a security company monitors the entrances.
Pablo Moran, the Courtyard resident director, discussed measures taken to protect students.
While there are cameras in place to monitor the living areas, they are not screened daily.
"The cameras are not monitored at all. When something happens we go back and look through the archives...We don't have people watching the cameras all day. If there is an incident, the tapes go back two or three days," said Moran.
He finished by saying that if there is trespassing, it is because students are letting people into the dorm areas.
"I feel safe because I take the necessary precautions like locking doors and being aware of my surroundings, but I haven't heard of any problems with safety," said Josh Hernandez, a third year engineering major.
However, Hernandez said he felt safer in Thomas Beckham Hall, located on south campus, than he did in Commons North.
"It's coming home at 3 a.m. and seeing no one there to watch the door. It would probably be a good idea to have someone there all the time. Why is Beckham Hall guarded more heavily? They have someone there 24 hours a day."
Hernandez plans to move back there next year.
However, some students are now taking precautions after catching them hold doors for someone.
"I will now ask people entering behind me where they live before I hold it for them," said Zargas.
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Residence hall safety concerns many students when selecting a university. Schools that offer housing also work hard to keep students safe. While UIC has not had any serious crimes occur in their housing recently, some questions still remain about the relatively easy access to east campus residence halls.
"It's easy to walk in behind someone else or you can just show any I-card to the security guards," said Fazila Barodawala, a desk worker for the East Area Office.
There are only two security posts in the east campus, Commons West and the Atrium.
Since 2005, the UIC Police Blotter has reported that there have been 14 people arrested for criminal trespassing in the east campus halls, with one being a student. However, there have not been any incidences regarding the safety of the students while in their rooms.
According to UIC Police Sergeant Valicento, he has not been made aware of any problems regarding unauthorized entry into the dorms.
"The only complaints we've had involving the dorms have been for loud noises, but nothing serious," said Valicento.
While all the doors leading into the residence areas are locked and require a key to get in, gaining entry is as easy as waiting for someone to walk in and follow them.
"During the day, it's common, but I don't think there's a lot of people sneaking in at night," said Barodawala.
As far as safety precautions go, the courtyard gates close at 7 p.m. There is student security at entrances from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m., and from 12 a.m. to 5 a.m., a security company monitors the entrances.
Pablo Moran, the Courtyard resident director, discussed measures taken to protect students.
While there are cameras in place to monitor the living areas, they are not screened daily.
"The cameras are not monitored at all. When something happens we go back and look through the archives...We don't have people watching the cameras all day. If there is an incident, the tapes go back two or three days," said Moran.
He finished by saying that if there is trespassing, it is because students are letting people into the dorm areas.
"I feel safe because I take the necessary precautions like locking doors and being aware of my surroundings, but I haven't heard of any problems with safety," said Josh Hernandez, a third year engineering major.
However, Hernandez said he felt safer in Thomas Beckham Hall, located on south campus, than he did in Commons North.
"It's coming home at 3 a.m. and seeing no one there to watch the door. It would probably be a good idea to have someone there all the time. Why is Beckham Hall guarded more heavily? They have someone there 24 hours a day."
Hernandez plans to move back there next year.
However, some students are now taking precautions after catching them hold doors for someone.
"I will now ask people entering behind me where they live before I hold it for them," said Zargas.
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