2008 Woodie Awards
Campus housing continues to secure students
Erika Helmerichs
Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News
Freshman Woodland Hall resident Jeannie Gapsch said she thinks SIUE should work harder to increase safety around her residence hall.
Gapsch said university police could work harder to prevent incidents like the armed robbery Friday in the Woodland Hall parking lot, but that for the most part, she felt safe at SIUE.
"I know students think it's freaky hearing about an armed robbery, but you have to remember that kind of thing happens everywhere," Gapsch said.
Housing Director Michael Schultz said SIUE has gained local notoriety for its extensive safety measures.
"Last year (KMOV) Channel 4 did a story on security in residence halls," Schultz said. "They sent an undercover person to four different universities, and SIUE was the only one where the person could not enter the dorm … That's a huge deal."
Schultz said the residence halls at SIUE are equipped with cameras and alarms at each exterior door so no unwanted guests could enter through fire exits. When an alarm is triggered at any of the university's residence halls, the SIUE Police Department is also notified.
"In order to enter any of the dorms, all students must swipe an SIUE ID," Schultz said. "That's different from most schools because we have a front desk staff 24 hours a day."
Schultz said issues arise from students feeling "too safe" in residence halls.
"Many of the students become so comfortable that they leave their doors unlocked," Schultz said. "This is what causes problems."
Schultz said a few years ago, a Prairie Hall resident stole computers and other items by simply entering unlocked rooms.
"We can only provide as much security as possible, but students must make sure they protect themselves," Schultz said.
Schultz said students should always lock doors to ensure the upmost safety for both themselves and their valuables, and they should keep a record of model and serial numbers of valuables as well, so stolen property can be more easily found and returned.
Gapsch said university police could work harder to prevent incidents like the armed robbery Friday in the Woodland Hall parking lot, but that for the most part, she felt safe at SIUE.
"I know students think it's freaky hearing about an armed robbery, but you have to remember that kind of thing happens everywhere," Gapsch said.
Housing Director Michael Schultz said SIUE has gained local notoriety for its extensive safety measures.
"Last year (KMOV) Channel 4 did a story on security in residence halls," Schultz said. "They sent an undercover person to four different universities, and SIUE was the only one where the person could not enter the dorm … That's a huge deal."
Schultz said the residence halls at SIUE are equipped with cameras and alarms at each exterior door so no unwanted guests could enter through fire exits. When an alarm is triggered at any of the university's residence halls, the SIUE Police Department is also notified.
"In order to enter any of the dorms, all students must swipe an SIUE ID," Schultz said. "That's different from most schools because we have a front desk staff 24 hours a day."
Schultz said issues arise from students feeling "too safe" in residence halls.
"Many of the students become so comfortable that they leave their doors unlocked," Schultz said. "This is what causes problems."
Schultz said a few years ago, a Prairie Hall resident stole computers and other items by simply entering unlocked rooms.
"We can only provide as much security as possible, but students must make sure they protect themselves," Schultz said.
Schultz said students should always lock doors to ensure the upmost safety for both themselves and their valuables, and they should keep a record of model and serial numbers of valuables as well, so stolen property can be more easily found and returned.
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