Spring Break
Unlocked doors and suspicious glances
Sarah Zeeck
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: Opinion
After the shootings at Northern Illinois University, college students across Illinois were initially stricken with apprehension. However, after that fear wore off, we all slipped back into our comfort zones. We felt invincible once again - something like what happened at Northern could never happen at Western … right?
Upon receiving the emergency messages Wednesday morning, that invincibility was demolished like the Berlin Wall. Western remembered what it was like to be fearful again. Granted, many students did and still do take the threats lightly, but extra measures were taken and security across campus was noticeably increased. Residence halls were restricted so only residents with a key could enter.
A troublesome issue with this entire matter lies within the lock down of the residence halls. Specifically, it is possible for practically anyone to go through the doors as long as they follow a resident close enough and he or she holds the door for them. Ordinarily, holding a door for someone is a respectful act, but with the university in its current state, this simple act can be detrimental and even devastating to every resident in the building.
If the doors to the residence halls weren't locked, the situation would be entirely different. However, under the circumstances, everyone should understand their motives could be questioned. It may not be fun to feel like a criminal every time you go anywhere on campus, but every person is a suspect.
Criminals aren't as they appear on television -Looming, tall, trench coat-clad and sinister - they come in every shape size. A short, wide-eyed blonde girl is just as suspicious as the reclusive boy in the corner dressed head-to-toe in black. No one can determine by judging appearance who may or may not possess a weapon. Any person is capable of committing a crime.
As young children, we are taught to be wary of strangers. Just as you wouldn't allow a stranger through the locked door of your home, don't intentionally let someone into the locked doors of your residence hall. It is disheartening that we can trust barely anybody, but it seems to be a cold fact we as a student body must endure. It would be ideal to be able to trust everyone, but reality screams in opposition.
Maybe nothing will come of this incident; maybe something will. Don't be fearful of the world surrounding you, but be aware of everyone around you. We always knew the possibility was there. Now that we've had our reality check, it is time to realize Macomb is not sealed from danger in a giant bubble.
Upon receiving the emergency messages Wednesday morning, that invincibility was demolished like the Berlin Wall. Western remembered what it was like to be fearful again. Granted, many students did and still do take the threats lightly, but extra measures were taken and security across campus was noticeably increased. Residence halls were restricted so only residents with a key could enter.
A troublesome issue with this entire matter lies within the lock down of the residence halls. Specifically, it is possible for practically anyone to go through the doors as long as they follow a resident close enough and he or she holds the door for them. Ordinarily, holding a door for someone is a respectful act, but with the university in its current state, this simple act can be detrimental and even devastating to every resident in the building.
If the doors to the residence halls weren't locked, the situation would be entirely different. However, under the circumstances, everyone should understand their motives could be questioned. It may not be fun to feel like a criminal every time you go anywhere on campus, but every person is a suspect.
Criminals aren't as they appear on television -Looming, tall, trench coat-clad and sinister - they come in every shape size. A short, wide-eyed blonde girl is just as suspicious as the reclusive boy in the corner dressed head-to-toe in black. No one can determine by judging appearance who may or may not possess a weapon. Any person is capable of committing a crime.
As young children, we are taught to be wary of strangers. Just as you wouldn't allow a stranger through the locked door of your home, don't intentionally let someone into the locked doors of your residence hall. It is disheartening that we can trust barely anybody, but it seems to be a cold fact we as a student body must endure. It would be ideal to be able to trust everyone, but reality screams in opposition.
Maybe nothing will come of this incident; maybe something will. Don't be fearful of the world surrounding you, but be aware of everyone around you. We always knew the possibility was there. Now that we've had our reality check, it is time to realize Macomb is not sealed from danger in a giant bubble.
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