University Housing has enacted a new program in the Muir and Tenaya residence halls called the Community Support Program. The program launched on April 4 in response to the ongoing vandalism and destruction during Saint Patrick’s Day weekend.
According to University Housing, residents will only be able to access the dorm through the front entrance and they must check in with a community service leader (CSL). All other doors will be locked from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Thursday to Sunday.
Business administration freshman Lauren Jaffe lives in Tenaya and witnessed substantial damages during Saint Fratty’s Day.
“There were lots of broken ceiling tiles, more than there normally are. And they were all on the floor in small little pieces.” Jaffe said. “The bathrooms were disgusting as they usually are, but I definitely heard about worse damages that happened to other buildings.”
Business administration freshman Matin Rostamabadi lives in Muir Hall and also witnessed damages after Saint Frattys.
“All six hallways had damage within them, on the floor because of the ceiling tiles, whether it be also from fire extinguishers and breaking other stuff but it was very, very apparent,” said Rostamabadi.
Rostamabadi said he thinks it wasn’t the residents, but outside visitors who caused most of these damages.
“If they want this to not happen again, they have to find a better way to control people not coming into Muir the day before Saint Frattys where everyone is sleeping and getting ready for the events of 3/17,” Rostamabadi said. “There are probably many better ways to handle that situation as well.”
Jaffe said when she came in later one night, they had to enter from the side and check in.
“It is just a little bit annoying to go to the front instead of using the side doors because that is what they are there for,” Jaffe said.
All the other exterior doors will be equipped with an alarm during check-in hours according to University Housing and serve as emergency exits.
“One of the problems that come with that is many even in-house residents don’t really care for it, and they will have someone open the door,” Rostamabadi said. “Sure the alarm will go off, but what will that do? I don’t think it is the biggest help at all if there are so many other ways around it. In my opinion, that is a little bit stupid.”
University Housing said they want to hire 12 to 14 people to work as community service leaders and they have reached out to current student employees.
In an email to current resident assistants, University Housing said CSL shifts will be from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. There will be four CSLs per shift, two in each residence hall, according to the email.
Community Support Leaders will be paid $18 dollars an hour. Anyone interested in becoming a CSL can reach out to Amy Newman.