2008 Woodie Awards
College moves toward 24/7 dorm security
Katie Flagg
Issue date: 2/17/05 Section: News
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Sunday evening, President Ronald D. Liebowitz announced the upcoming implementation of new campus security measures in an e-mail to the College community. Under the new protocol, residential buildings on campus will be locked 24 hours a day, though all dormitories will be accessible with College-issued proximate access cards.
"Although Middlebury College remains a very safe campus," Liebowitz wrote, "we have an obligation to make sure that the campus is as safe as it can be. This obligation requires that we take reasonable steps to enhance the safety of all students."
The College adopted an access card system in 2002, remedying concerns that the College's infrastructure was outdated and residence halls were not as secure as they could be. At the time, however, students expressed concerns that the new security measures would hinder mobility on campus. In response to student requests, and following discussions with the Community Council, the administration ultimately decided to go to a nighttime security system - the access card system was programmed to secure buildings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
More recent discussions of campus security began last fall, according to Dean of the College Tim Spears. "There was quite a lot of discussion within the President's staff over the course of the fall," said Spears, "not simply in conjunction with the intrusions on campus but also in light of long term considerations for the College."
Following consultations with the College attorney and insurers - and after examining security systems at peer colleges in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) - the decision was made to update the access card system to secure residence halls 24 hours a day.
In the days following Liebowitz's announcement, students have already expressed dissatisfaction with the new policy.
"There just doesn't seem to be any need for it. Maybe taking action in advance is a good thing, and I respect that, but it just feels like it's distrustful of the local community and Middlebury students," said Adam Morgan '08.5.
"Although Middlebury College remains a very safe campus," Liebowitz wrote, "we have an obligation to make sure that the campus is as safe as it can be. This obligation requires that we take reasonable steps to enhance the safety of all students."
The College adopted an access card system in 2002, remedying concerns that the College's infrastructure was outdated and residence halls were not as secure as they could be. At the time, however, students expressed concerns that the new security measures would hinder mobility on campus. In response to student requests, and following discussions with the Community Council, the administration ultimately decided to go to a nighttime security system - the access card system was programmed to secure buildings between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m.
More recent discussions of campus security began last fall, according to Dean of the College Tim Spears. "There was quite a lot of discussion within the President's staff over the course of the fall," said Spears, "not simply in conjunction with the intrusions on campus but also in light of long term considerations for the College."
Following consultations with the College attorney and insurers - and after examining security systems at peer colleges in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) - the decision was made to update the access card system to secure residence halls 24 hours a day.
In the days following Liebowitz's announcement, students have already expressed dissatisfaction with the new policy.
"There just doesn't seem to be any need for it. Maybe taking action in advance is a good thing, and I respect that, but it just feels like it's distrustful of the local community and Middlebury students," said Adam Morgan '08.5.