The security changes implemented this year -- cameras, fences and turnstiles -- are not merely obstacles between you and your room. They serve a serious purpose: to keep you safe.
"Crime, simplistically put, is based on opportunity and motive," said Edmund G. Skrodzki, director of campus safety and security. "The primary focus is to reduce the number of opportunities in and around campus."
Turnstiles and Gates
The AMRs have enjoyed a bad reputation since they were built in 1923. Yet these cherished rats' nests are now the most hi-tech, heavily-guarded ones in the world. Opinions lie between the two spectrums -- either they are actually a prison or they are a wealthy, gated community for privileged youths.
When you put a nice gate and some faux-Ionic pillars around them, the AMRs actually look important and desirable. Looking through the thin black bars, the frosh no longer looks like the Harvard reject or socially inept engineer, but rather some ambassadors' children and their lucky friends.
The freshmen themselves seem pretty content with their safety.
"I was a little concerned about security simply because of the various murders," said freshman and Clark resident Jackie Wallenmeyer, "but I'm glad about the new security."
However, just as the new fence makes the AMRs look like a chic compound when it really is not, the booth and turnstiles might make the buildings look safe when they really are not.
"There's a hole in the fence that anyone could slide under," pointed out Wallenmeyer.
Residents in Wolman and McCoy must swipe their access cards to pass through turnstiles. These unfriendly checkpoints are equipped with two horizontal bars which lower to permit entry and attack you when you are least aware. Fortunately, Health & Wellness has not reported any internal bleeding, heavy bruising, infertility, etc. -- yet.
Visitors
Whether your younger cousin comes to visit or your upperclassman friend wants to eat something at Megabytes (Why? Not sure, but I've seen it happen.), you'll have to sign him or her in at the security desk. Visitors must surrender an ID and sign their names.
Try this: Visit another dorm building without your ID; "tailgate" behind another person through the turnstile until the alarm sounds. You'll see how watchful our security guards are.
Parents
The school administration knows that parents don't pay $40,000 a year for a dangerous school. Efforts to publicize the enhanced security measures of Hopkins seem to have paid off: The University attracted its largest-ever applicant pool last year.
"We heard about the killings, and we wanted to find out how the school responded. I think they've done so pretty well," said Jon Wallenmeyer, father of freshman Jackie Wallenmeyer.
Skrodzki said that they have received compliments in terms of "increased visibility, higher quality of service and a more responsive security force."
