Investigation Leaves Safety Concerns
News article from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater student newspaper, the Royal Purple.
By Susan Baasch and Amanda Voelzke
Three students entered all 13 residence halls without being questioned Thursday night while conducting a study concerning safety at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The purpose was to find out if students would question strangers entering their buildings.
Juniors Adam Lopez and Susan Baasch along with senior Amanda Voelzke investigated residence hall security after safety questions were raised by the mass shooting at Virginia Polytechnic Institute that left 33 people dead.
Residence halls at UW-Whitewater are locked at all hours and require electronic access through student identity cards. The average waiting time to enter the residence halls was three and a half minutes. At no time did the students ask to be let in. They entered as someone either left or entered the building.
Although no questions were asked, some residents were suspicious.
Outside of Tutt Hall, a female student was trying to enter the building and was hesitant to open the door. As she reached the door, a male resident from inside the building opened the door for the students.
While waiting to be let in the back entrance of Arey Hall, a female resident was walking to the basement. She turned to look suspiciously at the three students who were waiting outside. While a male resident was leaving, he allowed the students to enter.
Residents of other halls were less suspicious of the three students. Some were even courteous.
The students approached Fischer Hall at 7:55 p.m. A male student was standing with the door open while talking on his cell phone. His response as the students entered the building was, “What’s up, guys?” He smiled and let the students pass.
The students waited seven minutes outside of Knilans Hall before a male resident came to the door and asked, “You guys need to get in?” The students said yes and proceeded to enter.
While the students were able to easily gain access to the residence halls, they did notice that doors were shut and personal items were not left unattended.
Lopez said he was surprised how fast he and the other students entered the halls.
“No one even questioned us,” Lopez said.
Campus Police Chief Matthew Kiederlen said property crimes are the most common on campus. These include small thefts like stealing CDs and property damage in residence halls and cars.
“It’s the most common crime anywhere,” Kiederlen said.
Students can prevent some crimes by notifying police “when you see someone suspicious,” Kiederlen said.
Frank Bartlett, associate director of Residence Life, said common sense prevails no matter where a person is. If a person has to ask, “Should I let them in?” they probably shouldn’t let them in.
Bartlett also said he wasn’t surprised by the investigation results.
“Considering how nice the students on this campus are, it isn’t surprising,” he said. “You wish students would be a little more concerned about their environment.”
Most students were not surprised when they learned how easy it was for non-residents to enter the buildings.
“It doesn’t surprise me,” junior Rachel Underwood said. “People don’t want to be rude.”
Freshman Adam Harmeyer said he wasn’t surprised it was easy to get into Wells Hall, but was surprised how easy it was to get into the other halls.
Jason Mertz, freshman, said he lets people into his building, as long as they look like they know where they’re going and don’t look suspicious.
“I’ve let lots of people in. I’m not going to lie,” freshman Tyler Braun said.
When it comes to security in the dorms, Underwood said the issue is people don’t lock their dorm rooms.
“If you have valuables, lock them up,” Underwood said.
Melanie Floyd, senior, said she has heard of roommates stealing from each other and then denying it.
Teri Justman, a senior and front desk attendant at Benson Hall, said that she doesn’t let non-residents into the dorms unless there is prior notice, such as when someone is delivering flowers or the mail is being delivered.