Reactions mixed to late-night ID policy

The policy is aimed at boosting security in buildings open at night. With students and staff now required to wear identification late at night in several campus buildings, overall reaction to the policy so far seems to be mixed. Several students interviewed Monday night in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall and the Towne Building said that although they understand the purpose of the policy, they do not think that it will prove successful. Eight late-night study areas now require everyone in the buildings to outwardly display their PennCards from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Students who do not have identification will be asked to leave the buildings. One student, a College junior who requested anonymity, said on Monday night in Steinberg-Dietrich that he does not think the policy is practical. "Most people will not adhere to it," said the student, who took the cardholder off his neck once he sat down to study. "Guards don't even look at you anyway." The extra security measures were put in place Monday, partly as a reaction to the November 8 knifepoint assault of a University student in the basement of Steinberg-Dietrich Hall. The 16-year-old suspect, who was apprehended several days after the incident, is in Philadelphia Police custody awaiting trial on charges including attempted murder. The Undergraduate Assembly passed a resolution shortly after the attack calling for several additional security measures, including the new PennCard policy. Last week, UA Vice Chairperson Michael Bassik said he thought it was a good idea. "Although it might at first seem a burden, in the long run it can only be helpful for improving security throughout the Penn community," the College sophomore said. An extra full-time SpectaGuard officer has also been placed downstairs in Steinberg-Dietrich Hall -- where the assault last semester actually occurred -- to help security. Such precautions are more important than requiring ID, College sophomore Brett Dunn said Monday night. "More security guards makes more sense than trying to make every single student wear an ID," said Dunn, who was in the Steinberg-Dietrich basement during the assault and was the first person at the scene. Dunn -- like others studying in Steinberg-Dietrich -- also was not wearing his PennCard. Another student said that increasing the number of SpectaGuards appears to be a good idea, but only if the guards remain prepared for the unexpected. "Sometimes you even have to wake up the guards just to show them your PennCard," said the College junior, who requested that his name not be printed. One SpectaGuard officer admitted that while the students should have some form of identification, wearing it around certain buildings "seems so trivial." "These students are adults," added the SpectaGuard, who requested anonymity. "They should not have to put up with such a trivial thing." Guards are currently giving out card-holders at the door of the eight buildings so that students and staff can wear the card around their neck.