Andrews Hall is under new lock and key this semester. Residents of Andrews hall now only have access to their floor and no others, thanks to the new key-locking system in the elevators and stairwells. For example, if you live on the third floor, you have a key that only allows you to open the third floor stairwell door or to key and select the third floor in the elevator. There is a reason why this concept sounds good: It eliminates suspect of floor damage or unwanted visitors, because the only people who have access to a floor are those people who live there or the guests they bring.

However, there are many reasons why the individual floor separation is a hassle and UNSAFE. The system is annoying because for one, all the odd floors have stoves with ovens and all the even floors have microwaves, which the students are supposed to have use of, but now they cannot. You can’t visit a friend on another floor without pre-arranged plans, and then you have to go downstairs to meet and go back up. This set up makes it difficult to confront disturbance issues yourself. Most students would prefer to go downstairs or upstairs and ask the person to turn their music down than call an RA and have them go do it. In the past, the building staff has always requested students try to confront issues on their own before contacting them.

The number one reason why I think the new key system is bad is that I don’t think it meets the fire code. I wonder if the University Housing Office and the Fire Marshall ever thought about this one? What happens if you leave your floor because there is a fire and you are going down the stairwell and you reach a fire in the stairwell blocking the exit? Naturally you would just open the door to another floor and pass through to the other stairwell to safely exit the building. No, think again, you can’t escape because your key only works for your floor and there is a fire on it and there is fire below you so you are stuck! The same could happen if you were trying to get away from someone who might successfully follow you into the building. There are no night assistants after 3 a.m. in most residence halls, 5 a.m. in a few select halls and there are no emergency call boxes in the lobbies of residence halls. Eastern would get sued and probably lose in an event such as the fire situation I explained above.

I would like to see something done about this situation. There is a solution! I think keying floors in the elevator is a great idea, however, don’t lock me in and don’t lock me out. If I live here, give me access for convenience and safety! Lawson has keyed elevators, but not separate floors, why can’t we have that too? I asked the resident director about why we couldn’t get this changed, and I was told they tried but Housing said they spent the money to make the keys and put in all the locks. I argue that money doesn’t equal lives. I think the student body should fight back. There are plans to update and change the elevators in all the halls on campus, and you don’t want this to happen to you! I don’t want to pay money to live and sleep in a place that is a threat to my safety and I don’t want anyone else to either!

One person can’t fight and win this battle alone! If you also feel strongly about this issue, e-mail or call the housing office at 581-5111. Also, contact your Student Senate about it at 581-5522 or Student Body President Alison Mormino.