The Red and Black

Issue date: 10/7/08 Section: Opinions

Sketchy security

University needs to reduce inconsistent safety precautions in residence halls

Some University residence halls require incoming students to swipe their ID cards, scan their hands and present student IDs again to a desk clerk, but others have much less security.

Soule, Mary Lyndon, Payne, Morris, Rutherford and dorms in the Hill community, except for Hill Hall itself, have no desk clerks and don't require students to show their IDs or claim their guests when entering.

Some residents occasionally prop doors open or give access to people they don't know, making it much easier for any and everyone to enter.

Ralphel Smith, assistant director for residence life, said every residence hall is equipped with a security camera, but The Red & Black editorial board thinks every dorm should have someone on site monitoring who gains access.

We understand students can lock their doors, but what about the open hallways and community bathrooms? There's not even a door on a shower stall, and we doubt the shower curtain will deter any intruder who has harmful intentions.

The University must assume responsibility for the safety of all students residing in University housing, especially while the school requires all freshmen to live in dormitories.

If students are denied a choice in where they live, they deserve assurance that any assigned residence hall will be as invulnerable as possible, and the University should remove all inconsistencies among various halls' security systems.

We realize that given the recent budget cuts, the administration doesn't have extra money lying around to pay for 24/7 desk clerks in every dorm, but the University must provide effective security, even if that means charging more for rent.

- Kelly Shaul for the editorial board

Make some noise

Clarke County noise ordinance should take community into consideration

The Georgia Supreme Court agreed to hear a case about the Athens-Clarke County noise ordinance that was brought forth by two University students.

The students say the noise ordinance violates their right to speech because the law applies to all areas of Athens equally.

The Red & Black editorial board agrees the ordinance does not work for this area. Because there are many different parts of Athens-Clarke County, the law should be changed to match the culture of the community.

As Athens is a college town, many residents take into account who lives in the place they're considering moving before they buy property.

Families may decide to avoid moving next to fraternity houses, and students could choose to live in apartment complexes designed for them or may choose to live downtown for the atmosphere. These areas cater to people of different interests for a reason, and the law should take the differences into account.

Apartment buildings and Greek houses that are not within 50 feet of a residential area should not be subject to the same code as neighborhoods. Students should be able to play music at 11 p.m. Thursday on Milledge Avenue without facing a $1,000 fine.

- Kristen Coulter for the editorial board

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