Trial visitor check-in policy creates confusion, more work

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Tweet A preregistration program to improve late-night check-in visitors isn't worth the hassle, some student desk receptionists said.

Last week, students living in the residence halls had the opportunity to sign up for a preregistration program, which allowed residents to obtain visitor registration cards for their guests from hall reception desks.

These passes would allow residents' visitors to gain quick entry into the halls after hours.

Hubbard Hall desk receptionist Phylicia Furlow said the trial for preregistration cards was time-consuming and pointless. Furlow added that residents confused the e-mail to mean all guests had to check in early.

"It was unnecessary because everybody does it if they have a visitor," Furlow said. "A lot of people tried to get it without the person's ID or without the person there yet, so it's still pointless."

Jennifer Daveluy, a Wilson Hall desk receptionist, said she saw the new program as just another policy that requires filling out forms.

"We fill out a lot of forms all the time, so it's not really a huge deal," Daveluy said. "I haven't had any problems with it so far because they have a lot of paperwork that goes with it to keep track of everything."

Furlow, however, estimated that 20-30 people lost their check-in card.

"They get mad because sometimes they don't have any other form of ID to get (the turned in) ID," Furlow said.

Furlow added that although it was the night receptionists who came up with the new rule, it affects the desk receptionists as well. But Daveluy said she doesn't have a problem with the policy.

"It doesn't make my job better or worse. I think it would make it better for the night receptionists," Daveluy said. "I feel good about doing it. They have a lot of stuff that they have to deal with and a lot of work that they have to do for the new policy. If we can help them out, it's a good thing."

Residents who want the early cards would have to go with the visitor to the desk receptionist during the day and exchange the visitor's ID for the check-in card that would give them easier entry into the residence hall after midnight, said Furlow.

Residence Life is working to improve the situations in the residence halls and is arranging meetings to discuss the issues that affect night receptionists and residents. Last Friday, officials met with night receptionists to brainstorm ideas.

"It was more of a setup meeting to look at the areas we want to work with, Residence Life Director Paul Goldblatt said.

"Some of the areas are our general operations, looking at how the program functions, policy procedures, equipment, hiring and training staff."

Goldblatt said they also would address budgeting. Currently, there is no specific budget for supplies.

The night receptionist coordinators along with Residence Life also will look at other similar practices done at other schools. The program was implemented for Homecoming weekend when residents were expected to have more visitors after hours.

But Joseph Zichi, the night receptionist coordinator for Wilson and Holden halls said the program would have to continue for a few more weeks to see if it makes a significant difference.

"The program worked just as well as a typical weekend, but we had fewer guests," Zichi said. "It is hard to tell because we had a lower population than expected (Homecoming) weekend, so I think it would be better to see how it pans out over more weekends."

Residents received e-mails from Goldblatt informing them to plan ahead when visitors arrive. The e-mail also encouraged students to keep their doors closed and reminded students that security and safety is a "shared responsibility."

In two weeks, the night receptionists will meet with Residence Life officials again to brainstorm more ways to increase safety and security in the dorms, Goldblatt said.

They hope to make their recommendations before the end of the semester, he added.

Staff writer Lindsay Machak contributed to this report.

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