By Melissa Werthmann, News Staff
Northeastern installed a new swipe system in Snell Library this semester to improve security in the library.
At the Jan. 9 Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, John Tobin, Northeastern’s vice president for city and community affairs, addressed the recently installed system. Visitors, who used to be able to use the library after signing in with a valid ID, now must be signed into the library by a Northeastern student, faculty or staff member and issued a guest pass.
Alumni must get a day pass or an alumni ID card to enter the library. Those not affiliated with Northeastern who want to use resources in Snell that are “not available to them at their public or institutional libraries” can apply for a researcher pass through the library’s website that allows them access to Northeastern library resources for up to 30 days.
Marie Hargitt, a middler international affairs and human services double major used to study with her boyfriend in Snell frequently, but because he is not a Northeastern student, Hargitt must fill out a new guest pass for him every time they want to use the library together. A library staff member, whom Hargitt described as “unpleasant,” told her that she could have up to two guests per day and could not have the same guest more than twice a week.
Hargitt complained the system creates a massive line outside of Snell.
“It slows down everything,” she said. Hargitt said she was unaware of the changes before they happened and that many students don’t know how to use the system, which slows down the line even more.
SGA President Mike Sabo said he supports the system because it helps to ensure Northeastern students have access to the library materials that they pay for through tuition.
“It’s a real space issue and a security issue,” Sabo said. “Most thefts and crime that happen in the library are not committed by students.”
“It’s being done more for security than to take something away from people,” Tobin said. “The security of all of you and all the faculty and staff is of utmost importance.”
He said a similar system might be installed in the Marino Center. Currently, 50 members of the public are allowed into the fitness center every day. Tobin did not elaborate on possible changes to that system.
Jessica Chattin, a sophomore physical therapy major, said she understands the university’s step towards more security but said she has never felt unsafe in the library before. Chattin said she doesn’t mind the new system, but “it gets a little congested if there’s a ton of people coming in at once.”
Austin Arroco, a middler chemical engineering major, agreed the system “definitely holds up the line a lot,” and said it is now impossible to run to the library five minutes before class to print something. Arroco said the long line is out of control with people cutting, and that he often gets stuck waiting at the end.
“In terms of security, I guess it makes sense,” he said. “I suppose it’s good they tried something new, but I don’t think it’s working.”
Arroco said he never had any issues with safety or security, but said it’s a bad idea for anyone to leave anything unattended and at risk for theft. He said he is sympathetic toward the members of communities surrounding Northeastern, and said it is unfair that they previously had access to Snell but it has now been taken away.
“Having it open to the community, it puts the university in a better light,” Arroco said. “For me, that’s more important.”
