University modifies lock out policy

By Liz Wagner
Collegian Reporter
September 26, 2007

For the first time in La Salle’s history, lock out fees have been implemented in several of the residence halls throughout campus.

The lock out policy, which charges residents after three free reentries, went into effect Sept. 17 in St. Basil Court, St. Edwards and Francis, the St. Theresa Courts and the La Salle Apartments.

The policy states that students will be charged for each reentry after their first three lockouts. Starting at $10, each successive fine increases by $5 until a $20 max is reached. Subsequent reentries continue to cost $20, and the slate is wiped clean at the end of each semester. Students in the areas of concern have been alerted to the policy by posters and resident assistants, while E&F had a building-wide meeting to discuss the issue.

“Even at the meeting, everybody was pretty complacent,” said John Robinson, the resident coordinator of E&F. “Most people are able to recognize that given the three free lock outs before this is even implemented, is more than sufficient.”

Prior to this year’s monetary fine, students had faced judicial action for excessive lock outs. However, this year the resident coordinators from Basil, E&F and the two apartment complexes collaborated with one another to create the monetary fine.

After being reviewed by Amber Mullen, the director of residential communities, and Alan Wendell, the senior associate dean of students, the policy was finally approved by Dr. Joseph Cicala, dean of students.

“Because the amount of work is so much more for RA’s [in St. Basil’s], to do lock outs verses combinations, which virtually never happens, we created this policy to keep it from getting out of hand,” Nicole Pellegrino, the Resident Coordinator of St. Basil, said.

Pellegrino also indicated that the new lock out policy would be more effective than judicial action and give students more of an incentive to remember their cards and keys.

However, students have expressed concern with the consequences of this new policy, as well as the disadvantages it places on students living in the designated areas.

“Unlike in North Dorms, you need your ID with you everywhere you go, even within the building,” sophomore elementary/special education major Thea Boyle, a Basil resident, said. “I think the policy’s a little harsh.”

Sophomore history/English major Mark Natale,a resident of E&F, expressed other concerns, specifically focusing on the duties of RAs.

“It sucks because everyone makes mistakes, and it’s fairly easy to forget a swipe card,” he said. “The RAs on duty get paid room and board to be RAs, so it shouldn’t be a problem for them to walk down to the RC’s room and get a key.”

Natale also questioned where the money would be going.

According to Pellegrino, the money collected from lock out fines goes into the University’s general fund. She indicated that all fines handed out, whether they are for alcohol or parking violations, go into this fund.

The only other University in the Big Five with an active lock out policy is Temple, who charges $2 for each lock out in the traditional halls and $5 for each lock out in apartments and suites.

Unlike La Salle, Temple does not allow three freebies before charges commence.

Freshman biology/premed major John Purcell from St. Basil has mixed feelings about the policy.

“Personally, because they give a few free warnings it’s not a big deal to me,” he said. “But the fact that they’re charging exorbitant amounts of money, although it might be an attempt to discourage the lock outs, is ridiculous.”

Sophomore philosophy/chemistry major Sam Callaghan offered the RA perspective on the policy.

“I think it’s a positive initiative to not forget your ID, and the amount of free warnings is reasonable enough that someone who doesn’t often forget their ID won’t have to worry,” he said.

Though it is too soon to judge if this monetary fine will in fact be effective in preventing lock outs, Pellegrino and Robinson are hopeful it will work.

“We haven’t assessed a fine yet, so we’ll see,” Pellegrino said.

wagnerl1@lasalle.edu