UW stresses communal security approach in dorms

Balancing the fine line between dorm security and students' right to privacy can be difficult for university officials to navigate.

A recent vote by WSU's Board of Regents to permanently allow campus police to patrol its dorms has generated some controversy, The Seattle Times reported. While WSU in the past has allowed routine patrolling, this was revoked last May when a judge ruled a WSU police officer had violated students' constitutional right to privacy by randomly walking the hallways while listening and sniffing at doorways.

The judge threw out two criminal cases resulting from these patrols, insisting that the police officer's actions were unconstitutional. In September, the Board ruled to allow emergency patrolling of dorms. The unanimous vote to re-establish routine patrolling signals a return to a policy upheld by other campuses, including the UW.

According to the Housing and Food Services (HFS) Web site, plainclothes UW Police Department officers routinely patrol dorm hallways nightly from 7 p.m. until 5 a.m. In addition, resident advisors and resident directors are on duty to manage security issues.

Chris Jaehne, UW assistant director of residential life, emphasized the communal security approach adapted by the UW.

"Officers and RAs often walk the halls together, and we encourage officers and students to get to know one another," he said. The UW dorm security enforces state and federal law [HTML_REMOVED] in addition to university policy [HTML_REMOVED] regarding alcohol and drug use. However, UWPD and HFS are guided by constitutional guidelines that protect a student's right to privacy within one's room.

"UWPD is very careful in following the law. They know what they're bound by," Jaehne said. "Our primary concern is the safety and security of students."

Sophomore Julie Campbell resides in McMahon Hall and said she doesn't have a problem with hallway patrols, but would if they came into the cluster she shares with several other students.

"I don't want people patrolling my house, so why would I want them to patrol the dorms?" said fellow McMahon resident Shannon Kawamura.

Added Hansee resident Jessica Dennis, "It seems a little Big Brother-ish."

Jaehne said the UW dorms are protected by "state of the art locks and security systems." He added that because the UW is in an urban environment, "people getting into the buildings who shouldn't be there is a major concern."

He encouraged dorm residents to look out for one another and report their concerns.

"If a student doesn't help us to take responsibility, everyone's safety is compromised," he said.

Reporter Jennifer Iovanne: news@thedaily.washington.edu