In attempts to make our university a safe place, Residential Life has an entire booklet of regulations for students who live on campus. The booklet titled “The Indispensible Residential Reader” outlines every rule and procedure enforced by Res Life. The straightforward nature of these policies is a wise way to keep the students informed and on their best behavior.

The extensive booklet may seem overwhelming at first, but the comprehensive guide to on campus living is invaluable. All of the rules are clearly outlined. They are reasonable, logical and appropriate. All but one.

As a sophomore resident of Biever Hall and a frequent visitor of both Buddig and Carrollton Halls, I am tired of repeatedly being checked in and out at the front desk.

I am not a criminal. I am not a stranger of questionable character. And I don’t want to be treated as such.

I am a student at Loyola University New Orleans. I have a student ID just like all the other residents on campus. The only difference among the IDs is the color of the tiny building stickers.

I understand that this is simply a safety precaution and an issue of accountability. A resident of the building I am visiting will be held accountable for any appropriate action I may choose to take.

But why? Why am I not held accountable for my own actions? I am the only person that should be held responsible. If I am making the decision to break the rules, then I should be penalized.

If it is an issue of safety, then I certainly don’t understand. I don’t think letting me visit another Residence Hall puts anyone in danger.  If I am a threat in Buddig or Carrollton Halls simply because I don’t live there, what makes me not a threat in my own Residence Hall? Is my blue Biever building sticker activated only in my building to make me a rule-abiding, non-threatening student?

I don’t think so.

There is an argument that someone not living in a certain residence hall has no business in that hall. I disagree.

We all pay room and board, and therefore, we all should have access to the common areas in each of the residence halls. Loyola’s living facilities do not have identical amenities.

If some Biever residents wish to watch a movie in the 12th floor Buddig movie room, do they need to be checked in with a Buddig resident? Is that Buddig resident going to be held accountable for the actions of the Biever residents?  They shouldn’t be.

If I’m headed to a friend’s room in another building, is it really necessary for him/her to come down ten flights of stairs to show his/her ID and check me in? If Residential Life wants to keep a record of who’s in the building at all times, can’t the Desk Assistant just take note of my name?

There are plenty of residents who manage to sneak past the desk assistant anyway and plenty more who are annoyed with this policy.

Granted, I do agree that the check-in rule makes sense for first-year or non-Loyola students. But I am a sophomore, and I visit the same people daily in Buddig and Carrollton Halls. Can’t I get some kind of frequent buyer card?

Janece Bell can be reached at [email protected]