HopCop moved from his post - Is it the end of an era for friendly security to guard the dorms?

This year, as sophomores (and freshmen) are settling into their new suites in Wolman and McCoy, they will notice a few changes to the buildings. Yes, there are little red lights on the card reader panels and true, the Depot has had some improvements made to it. However, what I'm talking about is much more basic and important. At the fundamental level, as predictable as the broken elevators and 2:00 a.m. fire alarms, is Elmo.

Officer Griffin, Elmo to almost everyone who knows him, has been working the security desk for both Wolman and McCoy for almost a decade. I am unable to recall how many times my food got cold or I was late for a meeting or was simply exhausted beyond belief and lost in conversation at the door to my building. I looked forward to walking into McCoy and seeing Elmo sitting at the desk with a huge smile and friendly word.

All my cares and concerns were momentarily lost as I engaged in conversations ranging from religion and The Bible to veganism to a mutual friends' latest antics. And don't think I'm the only one who truly believes that their time living in Wolman/McCoy was deeply enhanced due to interactions with this superb Hop Cop.

So what's the point of all of this? Surely, I'm not starting the year with a tribute to a security guard. Well, it turns out that I am. After so many years at his post, Elmo has been moved across the street to walk around campus and make sure that buildings are locked. It's being phrased as a "promotion." I see it as a travesty to the student body - another sign that the powers that be don't care about the undergraduates on campus. I felt safe and comfortable knowing that Elmo was on duty downstairs. He likes the students. He has integrity unmatched by most.

Anyone can lock buildings and feed squirrels. (Don't laugh - I saw a Hop Cop do this my freshman year.) To Elmo, sitting the Wolman/McCoy post was more than just a job. It was an enjoyable way to spend a decent chunk of his life. I don't know how many times he has said;"the job is about the kids." Now he's stuck training his replacement and wandering around with almost no student interaction.

The irony of all of this is that just this past Saturday I was in McCoy. Whom did I see at the desk? Why, none other than Elmo. It turns out that Security was short a guard or two and needed Elmo to "fill in" on his old post. It was as if nothing had changed. There were at least five students gathered around talking and laughing and all were shocked to hear that he was not a permanent "fixture" in the building.

And the new guy? Well, I've yet to see him smile. But why smile or be friendly when you're working with people? After all, if Elmo was "promoted" to this new post, then was this Hop Cop "demoted" to working with students? If so, then there is another, much bigger problem that we should be dealing with.

Do the security guards like us? Do they care enough about us to make sure that our dormitories, the place that we call home for the better part of a year, is safe and secure? It sure doesn't sound that way to me.

I'll miss seeing Elmo everyday, but I'm living off campus this year (Yea!). I knew that this was going to happen. It simply disturbs me that the future of this school - the underclassmen - are losing the opportunity to get to know a really great guy. If they can do this to Elmo, what about the other "friendly" security guards. How long until everyone who smiles at the students is "promoted?