New Access Opens Doors For Those in Cox And Wheeler

New front door access regulations took effect Feb. 2, allowing the residents of Cox and Wheeler Residence Halls to enter either of the dorms regardless of which one they live in. However, residents will only be able to enter the main front door of the adjacent dorm, and only from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday. The purpose of the new access is to aid in improving camaraderie and building a community out of two dorms.

The idea was student initiated according to the Residence Education Coordinator (REC) of Cox and Wheeler Matt Scruggs. The Desk Aide and Resident Assistant (RA) staffs of Cox and Wheeler hold a joint meeting each month. "We collectively discuss any issues that our community is facing from a staff perspective," said Scruggs. "It was at this meeting where the idea was first presented."

Before Scruggs could get approval for the change, he had to contact his supervisor, Director of Residential and Commuter Life Angela Jackson, Associate Director of Housing Doug Howell and Associate Dean of Students Larry Robertson. Scruggs was then asked to draft a memo explaining the change in access to everyone involved in the decision making process. Afterwards the change was approved and the RA and Desk Aide staffs were informed. The residents were told Fri., Jan. 29 via e-mail just before the change was to take place.

The new card access is meant to aide RA's in getting residents of both dorms to attend their hall programs which more often than not take place at 7 p.m. or later. "RAs often partner up for programs and having residents from one residence hall waiting outside of the other at night is dangerous," said Misty Watkins, president of the wheeler community advisory board.

Wheeler resident Candice Barefoot agreed with Watkins having benefited from the programs. "It is definitely convenient since there are a lot of activities and hall programs held for both residence halls," she said.

Scruggs hopes the right to use their student I.D.s in order to get into both dorms will aide students in building up Cox and Wheeler as a joint community. "As the REC for the community I want to do whatever I can to help facilitate that community building," he said, "and the developing of the one community made up of two halls mentality." This idea is already embraced by joint dorm pizza parties held at the beginning and end of each semester-being able to enter the main doors will just make things easier for the residents of both dorms.

The only concern residents like Barefoot and Watkins have is the possible increase of tailgaters and those who do not have a legitimate reason to be there. "One issue that could come with this change is that there is now one door less for someone to tailgate through," said Scruggs. The access is only granted for the main door, however, residents will have to show his or her Student I.D. to the Desk Aide and give a reason for coming before being let inside, according to Watkins. There is also a new list of events posted so a resident cannot lie to the Desk Aide about why they are there.

A plan is already in place should the access prove to be more trouble than it is worth. "Another issue that could present itself is the potential of people lying and saying they have a meeting with me, or a program to attend," said Scruggs. A joint dorm event calendar has been put at each desk in order to prevent anyone from making an event up just to get past the second door. Events have to be scheduled in advance making it more difficult for someone to fake it. The calendar will be constantly updated so the most current information will always be available for the Desk Aide on duty.

Both Scruggs and Watkins stressed the right of entry is a privilege. "If Desk Aides report to our REC [that] residents are abusing this privilege, he will once again reduce card access," said Watkins. According to Scruggs, it has been communicated the changes "are not a right" and that if they are abused at any time they "can be taken away.