Written by: Krystal Pugh/Asst. News Director
Students who live on campus must now remember to bring their University OneCard with them when leaving their dorm.
FIU Housing and Residential Life has made a change from the use of regular key entry for residential dormitories to students using their student ID for swipe entry access.
Andrew Naylor, Housing associate director, explained that plans to switch to swipe entry access had been in the works since before he became associate director in 2014.
The change was necessary for various reasons, according to Naylor. Naylor said it provides more security because detailed records of students entering and exiting the buildings are viewed.
Naylor also said that universities across the country are already using methods for building swipe entry. FIU Housing also made the change in order for students to have easier access to their rooms.
The Scion Group, a company with advisors for student housing, performed a study and surveyed on-campus students to narrow down likes, dislikes and preferences in housing.
The study highlights that more than 40 percent of students prefer ship entry. Along with other specific amenities, the use of a regular key is not among a preference for students.
According to Naylor, Housing strives to make effective changes for the students.
“Although costs were associated with this change, we look at this as another way to improve our buildings for the students. We are always investing in residence halls,” Naylor said.
Parkview residents express their feelings about the change.
“I don’t like the change. It’s not easier entry for me personally. I have to dig in my bag to find my ID to swipe in and, naturally, I usually already have my keys in my hand,” said Malcolm Jones, a senior psychology major.
“I just don’t like that I wasn’t informed. No one told me anything. I pay enough money each semester to be better informed about changes that are affecting me and my living situation,” said Jessica Wyndham, a senior biology major. “I usually don’t even carry my ID because I don’t want to lose it.”
All of the residential halls on campus except for University Apartments will use an ID swipe entry.
University Apartments is the one exception because that dormitory has single door entry in comparison to the dormitories on campus that are buildings with one main entry for all students.
The change for Parkview Hall went into effect Tuesday, Oct. 13 with the other buildings to follow.
“I like the idea; however, someone should have told me this was happening before it did. I left for class one day and couldn’t get back in because I didn’t have my ID,” said James Berkholder, a sophomore hospitality major.
krystal.pugh@fiusm.com
Image courtesy of Creative Commons
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