At noon Monday, off-campus students got a green light from housing officials, who reinstituted their access to West Campus dormitories.
The Office of Housing Management, which had denied off-campus residents access earlier this year, made the change in response to a Campus Council resolution adopted Thursday recommending that all off-campus students receive card access to West Campus dorms between 9 a.m. and 2 a.m.
Andrew Nurkin, president of Campus Council, was pleased with the administration's swift response. "I was surprised with how quickly they approved our resolution," the senior said. "The administration took what we said to heart and didn't ask any questions."
Many off-campus students were pleased when they received word that they could now enter West Campus dorms.
"I think it's appropriate," said junior Wendy Ecker, who lives off campus. "I don't see why students off-campus [can't enter the dorms]."
Many students said they were glad the administration passed the Campus Council resolution so rapidly. "I'm very happy that Campus Council did have a say with the administration," Ecker said. "[The administrators] haven't been listening to students."
Senior Howard Lerman agreed, and said administrators often ignore student reaction. "I think it's clear that the University gave in to pressure," Lerman said. "It's better to appear that they're listening to students."
The action may also be a sign that administrators are listening to Campus Council, which has taken on the bulk of residential life policy-making.
The resolution emphasized that many students choose to live off-campus due to the large expense of living on campus.
Nurkin said the decision to prohibit off-campus students from entering West Campus halls was made "pretty hastily" over the summer. Nurkin learned of the original decision only when his off-campus friends could not enter the dorms and when students approached him with complaints. Off-campus seniors, for example, complained they could not access their fraternity section.
Ecker agreed that students should have had an opportunity to voice their opinions when the decision was originally made. "Maybe there should have been more of a student vote about it," she said.
Nurkin said he did not believe University administrators will officially notify off-campus students of their approval to enter West Campus dorms.
Nurkin personally did not realize off-campus students had gained access Monday until a friend who lives off-campus successfully entered a residence hall with his DukeCard. He was informed later that afternoon via an e-mail from Deb LoBiondo, assistant dean of residence life. "Hopefully, the word will circulate," Nurkin said.
Last year, the Office of Housing Management was moved from the Division of Auxiliary Services to the Division of Student Affairs to more seamlessly provide residential services. The office oversees campus residence hall maintenance, housekeeping and access issues.
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