[CAUT] locked practice rooms

[Jim Busby]

Hi Don,

At "Snow College" there are keypads with a combination that one must have for each practice room. After about a week or two everyone seems to know everyone else's combination, or they just let people into their room, even though this is strictly forbidden by penalty of death, or worse, $50.00 fine. I don't think the cost for these locks is justified, and it's all a pain...

Between BYU and Snow my opinion is that such acts of vandalism are so random and unpreventable that any "solution" would be impossible and more of a pain to all involved. If someone really wants to vandalize they will find a way, even to the point of breaking in late at night and doing their mischief.

Cameras are a good idea, however. Big Brother seems to be everywhere (although I dislike it). It's a way of life nowadays.

We do have security here at BYU that makes rounds periodically through the evening. Their presence seems reassuring. With such a problem as you had I can't imagine that your campus police would refuse to make a pass by as part of their routine.  It just makes sense.

Hope something helps.

Best,
Jim

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Donald McKechnie
Sent: Thursday, February 11, 2010 7:52 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] locked practice rooms

List,

After the vandalism in the practice rooms in December I stepped up my push to have the practice rooms locked. I thought this would be the best chance but I'm still running into opposition. The concerns expressed are valid so I'm trying to find solutions.

Besides the cost, the primary opposition against locking the rooms is access. We have many people coming in the building that need to use the practice rooms. The school hosts conferences, competitions and workshops such as MTNA, etc. Also, on our audition days the rooms need to be open and outside accompanists occasionally need to use these rooms. All this is seen as a logistical nightmare to allow access when needed.

Due to the layout of the building and fire codes we do not have the means to lock the doors into the practice room area. Hiring personnel to police the area is not in the realm of possibilities. We have been discussing security cameras and that may happen.

I do not have any good answers to the concerns so I'm throwing this out to the wisdom on this list. Are there any experiences like I have outlined? For those who have locked practice rooms, how do you handle giving access to outside folks?

Regards,
Don


Donald McKechnie
Piano Technician
Ithaca College
dmckech at ithaca.edu<mailto:dmckech at ithaca.edu>
607.274.3908





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