This editorial represents the opinion of The Bona Venture staff.
Since it opened last semester, students stop at the warming hut on the way to or from townhouses and Francis Hall. Though some students criticized the project during construction efforts, the warming hut has provided students and other walkers with a convenient rest stop.
For what seems like a harmless rest stop, it has a troubling security flaw. It is open and unlocked all day, every day.
The 24-hour facility has prompted some students to question security at the warming hut. Since anyone can access the hut, unwanted guests could use the building, even late at night.
Given this potential security risk, why is the hut open 24/7?
If anybody, including those outside the Bonaventure community, can use the warming hut at any hour of the night, what’s to stop someone with bad intentions from hiding inside the building?
“We are obligated to keep it open during daytime hours when the Allegany River Trail is in use,” said Vito Czyz, director of Safety and Security.
It makes sense for the hut to be unlocked and accessible during daylight hours. The trail is well populated, and cars are consistently driving past the hut. But keeping the hut unlocked for all hours of the day poses a threat to student security.
Thankfully, the hut is already equipped with exterior and interior cameras. According to Czyz, the cameras are monitored and recorded by security. Though it can’t completely trump the risks, at least the area is well monitored. Other safety concerns need to be addressed still, however.
If student safety is to be ensured, more steps need to be taken for late-night security at the warming hut.
Devereux Hall has ID-card scanners to give students an option to use their IDs for entry as opposed to using their keys. A similar system should be considered for the warming hut after daylight hours.
An ID system would be a novel idea to enhance security at the warming hut at night. If students need to access the hut, they would have every capacity to do so. In turn, such a system would restrict outside visitors that shouldn’t be roaming campus late at night in the first place.
Luckily, Safety and Security is already looking into the possibility of an ID reader at the hut to limit access to Bona’s students and personnel after dark.
“If this were to happen, only members of the campus community would be allowed access after daylight hours,” Czyz said.
The ID scanner would be a move in the right direction. Knowing access would be limited to just the St. Bonaventure community after dark would help alleviate some of concerns that have been raised. The implementation of such a system should be a top priority for Safety and Security.
For the time being, students will have to remain vigilant when out alone at night.
With that said, students should feel a little safer knowing that Safety and Security is keeping an eye on the warming hut, and given enough time, more safety measures may be implemented.
