By Mackenzie Menter, Staff Writer
All Resident Assistants have a policy that allows them to enter a student’s room at any time after knocking twice and announcing themselves.
It is not a new policy. In fact, RAs can enter a student’s room any time unannounced.
Kaitlin Moews, acting sophomore, is a new RA in Walker Hall.
“I like it because we always have the privilege to go in unannounced whenever we want,” Moews said. “As a private university, we have that privilege.”
The double knock is a courtesy to students and prevents RAs from walking in to uncomfortable situations.
For residents’ safety, this has always been the rule.
“We don’t enjoy barging in on people,” Moews said. “If it’s just a regular safety and wellness check, we’ll probably knock a few more times and wait to hear.”
Moews said she has not had to enter a student’s room for any reason other than room checks.
“Once in a blue moon, we’ll get a call from a coach or a staff member and they’ll say ‘I hate to do this, but it’s necessary. I would really like you to check this person’s room,’ we would have to go in,” Moews said. “It would be either alcohol or some other thing that they think that they’re hurting themselves with.”
Part of an RA’s position is to make sure that their residents are safe.
They are legally allowed to enter a room in case of emergency.
“We just want people to understand that we’re not breaking a law if we do go right in,” Moews said.
Tevyn Hill, vocal performance senior, said he understands the policy is necessary.
“I guess it depends on the situation,” Hill said. “If they’re doing room checks, I wouldn’t mind about that.
“I have nothing to hide.”
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