University of Arkansas Fayetteville - Razorback Yearbook (Fayetteville, AR)

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PROPER ID. Freshman Tara Moore uses one of the new card readers installed in Gladson Ripley Hall. The scanners, activated by a student ' s ID number, cut down on the invasion of privacy complaints. B. EBBRECHT PHOTO ENTER AND SIGN IN. As her boyfriend stands by, Dee Ann Eldridge signs in at Humphrey’s Hall. Residents were required to sign in male guests past 8 p.m. and sign them out before 2 a.m. B.EBBRECHT PHOTO CROWDED HOUSE. On Sept. 4, more than 70 students living in the residence halls gathered in Yocum Hall to voice concerns about the new security policy to Reggie Howser, Residence Life and Services security coordina¬ tor. K. BYERS PHOTO RESIDENCE HALL SECURITY 27

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INSECURITY As security was beefed-up in the residence halls, students became insecure about losing their freedom By Kim Tracey It’s late, and most bars have closed for the night. The last draft has been consumed, and it is time to head home. Three girls had been out partying after a stress¬ ful week at school. On their way into the dorm, a Fulbright security guard stopped them and asked for their keys. Realizing they were intoxicated because of their loud behavior, he detained them and called the police. A policy that prevents intoxicated students from entering their own dorm rooms and could cause them to spend the night in jail and pay an $80 fine stirred up controversy. According to the director of Residence Life and Services, Pat Newland, the “walk and talk” policy is not for people w ho are tipsy, it is for those who are in trouble. “It would not be responsible to leave them alone,” Newland said. “Our two concerns are them getting into their room where they could lay down and die. It happened at a Florida university.” One Fulbright resident and a visitor from her home town were almost arrested. U I was sober, but my friend wasn’t, so we ran,” the freshman said. “I live there and I was being responsible for my friend. It wasn’t fair. We had no other place to stay. “I’ve heard of people who have slept in their cars, and I know of people who walked to a friend’s apartment because they were too messed- up to drive. The policy that is supposed to make people more safe was really not,” she said. Created because 70-80 percent of all problems in residence halls, including vandalism, assaults and date rapes were alcohol related, the policy was not meant to ban the students from doing what they wanted. “We were trying to keep people from hurting other residents and stealing their property,” Newland said. “This policy really was the only big change. A lot of halls had done this on their own last year.” As a result of other campuses being held liable for the lack of security and the 500 reported crimes and incidents, Reggie Houser, Residence Life and Services security coordinator, was hired to address the problem. “The residence halls became a playground,” Houser said. “Furniture was stolen, TVs were broken, and we just wanted the halls to be a better place to live.” As a result of the strict policies, approximately 75 dormitory residents gathered in Yocum Hall Sept. 4 to voice concern. Cindy Adams, a sophomore, argued that the policy was not helping. “We knew that Residence Life and Services was going to make the policy more stringent, but not to this extent,” Adams said. “It’s driving people away, at least I know I’m not going to live on campus next year.” Houser said that from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. was when most incidents occurred and Residence Life and Services just wanted to keep people out of the buildings who had no business there. “It is not impossible for crooks and criminals to get in, but they will have to try a lot harder now to get in our halls,” Houser said. Realizing that the policy had it’s problems, Houser argued that it just needed a chance. “When the changes came, students objected, but as time went on, they got used to it. In three or four weeks, students realized that it was quieter, cleaner, and they began to support the policy,” Houser said. Freshman Deb Lee said that the policies created a better environment. “I feel real safe,” Lee said. “I was glad that they checked our keys and that the guys had to leave a picture ID at the desk to come in.” Residence Life and Services hoped that the new card readers, which are activated by ID number so people who live in the halls do not have to bother with the security guards, will help eliminate some of the invasion of privacy complaints. The ID card readers, which will be installed by Fall 1992, cost approximately $90,000 and will keep strangers out of the building. A chance is what Residence Life and Services took and according to Houser, the result was a 51 percent decrease in incidents reported through November. “Whether the students realize it or not, Residence Life really does care about the students and just wanted the dorms to be safe,” Houser concluded. 66 “Whether the students realize it or not, Residence Life really does care about the students and just wanted the dorms to be safe” ■ Reggie Houser Security Coordinator CAMPUS LIFE 26

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MISS UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS The Crowning Moment The emotional highlight of the evening was the announcement of the 1992 Miss University of Arkansas — Melissa Harmon. Harmon, who spent a month preparing for the pageant, admit¬ ted that she was shocked when her name was announced. B. EBBRECHT PHOTO Sharing the Spotlight Anxiously waiting for the announcement of the new Miss University of Arkansas, the four runners-up step forward as their names are announced. Myra K. Hyle, Angela Hargis, Angela Stropshire and Ann Davis were named first, second, third and fourth runners-up respectively. B. EBBRECHT PHOTO Capacity crowd cheers Harmon to the crown CC I thought the competition was very tough ... that’s why I was so surprised I won. Anyone of them could have represented the University well ” T WAS A NIGHT THAT Melissa Harmon from Texarkana, Texas will never forget. Being crowned Miss University of Arkansas 1992 before a capacity crowd in the Arkansas Union Ballroom was “a very exciting experience.’ The 20-year-old sophomore studying pre-physical therapy was chosen out of 14 contestants. She performed a classical ballet en point for talent. “My ballet was done to a selection from the Nut Cracker. 1 worked on my own and I also took lessons for about a month from a studio in Fayetteville,” Harmon said. Nominated by Chi Omega, Harmon said it added a sense of pride to represent her sorority. “I was very shocked and excited. It was an honor to win because I felt it was a great accomplishment and representing Chi Omega, I felt even more proud,” she said. Pageant director and Campus Activities assistant director TammV Hedges said the pageant was the best one she had directed. “I feel that any one of the 14 contestants could have represented the University tremendously well,” Hedges said. Myra K. Hale was named first runner-up and the talent winner. She performed Felix Mendellsohn’s concerto in G minor for the piano. Angela Hargis, Angela Shropshire and Ann Davis were second, third and fourth runners-up respectively. With the title of Miss University of Arkansas, Harmon received a SI,732 tuition scholarship, S3,150 housing scholarship donated by Residence Life and Dining Services, S200 clothing gift certify cate to Randy’s Another World, SI00 book scholarship to the UA Bookstore and a one-year membership to Gold’s Gym. She also earned the opportunity to compete in the 1992 Mis$ Arkansas Pageant in Hot Springs. CAMPUS 28 LIFE