Residents of Sparks may feel safer with the new implementation of an ID scanner system that only allows residents to access the building. The card system has been in place since 2013 but has only recently begun a 24-hour lockdown.

Bobbie Shores, housing director of Sparks, said the new system is normal security for colleges to use and that a majority of schools and universities commonly use a 24-hour lockdown system.

“We want to have a safe place for our residents,” Shores said.

Before the new security measures were implemented, she said, anybody could walk into the dormitory. Some security measures have been in place for a while, including cameras that monitor the hallways and exits to ensure no one who should not have access to the building were there. Resident Assistants and security officers would also make rounds through the different hallways to ensure the safety of the residents.

The Associate Dean of Students, Chris Basco, said that a complete lockdown is a typical security system for colleges.

“It is a preventive thing and is all about safety, most universities have that type of access,” Basco said.

Sparks residents can still have guests over to their dorms and the visitation policy is still intact. Lawson residents who might need to use the laundry card system in Sparks can contact Bo Steele, Lawson housing director, or Shores to gain access to Sparks.

Some residents of Sparks said they feel safer with the new security measures. As freshman elementary education major Zack Swartz said, “It is a lot safer than being able to walk into Sparks.”

He said he sees that the new ID scanner, although inconvenient for other students,  it is “a good improvement overall.”