Students have mixed feelings on the efficiency of new entrance security technology that was added to several college houses over winter break.
Automated entry gates -- referred to as optical turnstiles by their manufacturer -- have been installed in Hill, DuBois and King's Court/English College Houses. These turnstiles allow students to use their Penncards to swipe themselves into their dorms.
Though the new turnstiles resemble those found at the entrances to the Quad, they operate with mechanical arms that swing out -- in place of the Quad's sliding glass doors -- and are made by a different firm.
Some students are not pleased with the new system.
"I am not a fan of it," said College freshman Carrie Alexander, a resident of Hill College House, adding that she nonetheless appreciates the security. "It's very slow. In between classes, it's a real pain."
King's Court/English College House Engineering sophomore William Young agreed.
"When [people] leave and enter at the same time, it gets congested," he said.
However, some students said that they found the system time-efficient.
"I do like it," DuBois College House resident and Wharton freshman Angela Davis said. "You don't have to wait, it's much quicker now."
Advocates of the technology cite its widespread use in other countries.
The turnstiles are "used in public transportation in Canada and Europe and their reliability is good," said Domenic Ceccanecchio, Penn's director of Security and Technical Services. "They eliminate waiting time and have doubled the through-put."
Although the turnstiles in the Quad frequently break down, Ceccanecchio says this is often due to the careless behavior of students.
"Students have crashed into the glass doors with bikes, with carts," he said. "They are robust devices but are prone to break down under such conditions."
Still, the effectiveness of the upgrades is not the only concern for students.
Hill College House resident and Wharton freshman Valerie Ho said that she is excited for Hill's upgrade to "Quad level" technology but worries about the lack of work the security guards now seem to have.
Before the improvements, students were swiped in by security officers.
"I feel bad for the guard. He just sits there," Ho said.
Allied SpectaGuard employees were unable to comment on these changes.
Ceccanecchio maintained that the security officers who used to swipe students are still working but are now standing on the secured side in order to prevent illegal entry.
The turnstiles add a second level of security, which Ceccanecchio said he hoped will leave students feeling more safe.
At DuBois College House, desk manager and College senior Kimberley Aparisio is giving the students time to get acquainted with the new system.
"It's finnicky. It has been unreliable in recent days." Aparisio said. "But students are just getting used to it. It's an adjustment period."
Despite early glitches, some have suggested that the way in which the new gates operate -- with swinging as opposed to sliding doors -- could prevent injuries from sudden closure.
