Brookman residence hall makes security changes, front doors now locked 24/7

Brookman residence hall has seen new security changes to the building’s front door, beginning the Thursday prior to Dakota Days weekend.

The front doors of Brookman will now be locked 24/7. All exterior entrances to the hall will now require residents to use their key cards to enter.

Prior to the change, the front doors were unlocked daily from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m., while there was a front desk worker on duty. The two side doors of the building required key card access at all times. 

Ashley Hartnett, director of university housing, said these changes usually take place during the Dakota Days weekend, however this year, university housing decided to extend this period.

“We make the change traditionally for Dakota Days, because we have so many guests on campus, and we notify students that we’re going to lock those front doors for the entirety of the three-day weekend,” Hartnett said. “(This year) we just decided that we weren’t going to unlock them after that.”

Hartnett said this security change will be permanent.

“We’re also looking at other ways in future years that we can do to renovate different areas to enhance the security, but I would say this specific change is permanent,” she said.

Foreseen problems with a continuously locked front door include mail delivery, Hartnett said, although the front desk number is posted on the doors for visitors to call and request access.

Harnett said university housing also has precautions prepared in case of an intruder into a residence hall.

“We train all of our desk staff, all of our resident assistants and staff members that are on call; we work closely with university police department on reporting mechanisms,” Hartnett said.

Consideration for student concerns

Hartnett said university housing has been evaluating these security changes and looking into commercial security services for several months, after receiving concerns about safety from students. A security system with alarms and a video surveillance installation is highly recommended for student housing buildings and other similar kinds of establishment. Hiring a locksmith to install more secure locks in your building will enhance its overall security, click here to learn more.

“We had heard some concerns from students that they weren’t sure if we were giving them the level of security that they were interested in,” she said. “Sometimes students bring up concerns to their resident assistant and then their resident assistant is the voice for our department… and then some students will ask to meet with us directly, and then we’re happy to meet one-on-one with students and talk how about how it impacts them and evaluate options to help them feel more safe.”

Heidi Schneider, a sophomore sports marketing and media major, Brookman resident and a former reporter for The Volante, said because key card access is not required to enter separate floors of Brookman, the new change helps her feel safer.

“Brookman is such an open building. You don’t need a key card to get onto specific floors you just kind of go wherever, so it is nicer to have the front door locked all the time,” Schnieder said. “Because Brookman is right on Dakota Street, which is a pretty busy street, so now with the doors being locked all the time, not just anyone can walk in.”

Alyssa Fothergill, a senior general studies major and a Brookman resident, said she is appreciative for the 24/7 required access at the front doors.

“I appreciate these changes, as there have been concerns for anyone being able to enter the building during the day, especially with everyone having access to every floor,” Fothergill said.

Fothergill said she has heard other residents complain about the change, but she believes they will come to terms with it when they realize its benefits.

“There are still students who forget their ID, so they find it a hassle saying it is a negative change,” she said. “I think after they realize how it is making it a safer building, they will realize it’s a bigger picture solution.”

Student concerns and student safety are a priority for university housing, Hartnett said.

“I think it’s overall just knowing that the student’s voice matters in the decisions that we make in our department,” she said. “If a student feels like there could be something we could do to enhance their level of safety and security in a hall, then we’re always looking for new ways to be able to improve that peace.”