In an effort to improve security and peace of mind around MSU, nearly 10,000 peepholes will be installed in all dorms on campus by fall 2001.

A 1999 sexual assault in Phillips Hall prompted the Residence Halls Association to propose a bill to install peepholes amidst growing concerns about student safety and privacy.

“We had many requests for peepholes, and we wanted to develop a better way to keep students alert and aware of strangers,” said Angela Brown, director of housing and food services.

Because of upcoming renovations, Shaw Hall will be the first to receive the new peepholes, possibly as early as February.

“We have to start with Shaw, as it will be inaccessible once renovations begin,” Brown said.

The peepholes will meet all industry height standards and will accommodate people with disabilities.

Representatives from RHA, Residence Life, University Housing and the MSU Department of Police and Public Safety formed a subcommittee called Safety and Security Group to discuss how to make students feel safe on campus in 1999.

RHA passed a resolution in fall 2000 announcing its support of the peepholes, and the group has been pressing university officials for peephole installation ever since.

RHA President Ed Bailey expressed excitement about the upcoming addition to the residence halls.

“This is something that RHA has been working at for a while, and we feel that other universities in the Big Ten had good results with peepholes,” Bailey said. “We approached the administration many times about our desire to make students feel safe. This just goes to show what happens when you are persistent on an issue you believe in.”

RHA will continue to present MSU safety and security issues at a meeting of the All-University Safety Committee on Feb. 6.

“Having the peepholes gives students more options, whether or not they would like to open the door, and most people feel more in control when they have options,” Bailey said.

History junior Amanda Fleming said although she’s never experienced problems in the residence halls, she feels peepholes are a good idea.

“It’s a good precaution for the university to take,” Fleming said.

RHA Internal Vice President Jim McEvoy also expressed support for the measure.

“I’m really excited that University Housing was gracious enough to help us out making residence halls safer,” McEvoy said. “Other students I talked to were ecstatic to hear the news, some of whom have been harassed before at their doors.”

Human biology junior Eric Hillman said although he is concerned about the cost of the peepholes, he believes they are needed.

“They will definitely increase student peace of mind, especially for people in singles,” Hillman said.

Although the peepholes will add to dorm security, Brown stressed that students also need to continue to be cautious and exercise good sense, such as not propping open outside doors, not signing in strangers and continuing to lock dorm room doors.