BC Dorms Consider Switch to Swipe Access

In Barnard College residence halls, the policy dictating security practices seems simple—a desk attendant is stationed at the front entrance of all dorms, and students flash their Barnard IDs when entering. But this may change soon, as safety and security officials are considering switching to swipe access because the current system is prone to error.

Barnard Director of Security Dianna Pennetti said at a recent Student Government Association meeting that some have exploited the current policy, flashing Columbia IDs, driver’s licenses, MetroCards, or even empty ID holders—and that desk attendants, particularly during busy times when dozens of students are entering at once, are not always able to distinguish with a quick glance the valid IDs from the invalid.

“I would prefer the swipe card system because it is safer,” Pennetti said at an SGA meeting on Feb. 4, citing a similar policy change at the C.W. Post campus of Long Island University, where she previously worked as interim director of public safety. “At Post, there was a sexual assault which resulted in freeing up funding. Before I left, they had the swipe card system for rooms. It was a co-ed college, but it was maintained and the card only worked for your room and residence hall.”

Currently, each student has a sticker on her Barnard ID indicating the building she lives in, and while any Barnard student can enter any Barnard dorm, one can only sign guests into her own building.

Columbia currently uses ID scanners at entrances to all residence halls. In order to gain entry to a building, a student must present his or her ID to a security guard who, after scanning the card, can also verify the identity of the student with a picture on an adjacent computer screen.

One desk attendant in Sulzberger Hall, who asked to not be named, acknowledged the difficulty in ensuring that everyone entering the building has a valid ID during the busiest hours. He said that particular entrance to the Quad sees an enormous amount of traffic each day, especially in the midafternoon, when many classes let out.

A combination of regular students, some who want to sign guests in, others who have misplaced their IDs, and still others who are locked out of their rooms, makes a difficult job for the desk attendant.

“It’s not impossible. It just makes it a little harder,” the attendant said of flash access.

Students tended to agree that a problem exists, and that a swipe system could reduce the risk of unauthorized persons entering the dorms.

“I think the people behind the desk don’t really see what’s going on all the time, especially when there’s a big swarm of people,” said Morgan, BC ’11 and Quad resident, who did not want to give her last name. “I have experienced some situations where I thought, ‘Is that person really signed in?’ It can kind of get sketchy.”

Pennetti did not return repeated calls for comment.

maggie.astor@columbiaspectator.com