The Case Hall residents threatened at knifepoint during an attempted robbery late Thursday are calling for improved security in the dorms.
In response to the incident, housing officials began locking down the hall at 9 p.m. Sunday, rather than midnight, while police continue to look for two intruders who posed as charity workers during the robbery attempt.
"Before I knew it I had a knife to my throat," James Madison freshman Jonathan Martone said. The intruders asked Martone to look at a pamphlet before brandishing their weapon.
Minutes later, roommate Matt Vennettilli entered the sixth-floor room and punched the knife-holding intruder in the head. The second intruder attempted to strike Vennettilli with a small baseball bat. He blocked the blow with his arm and the intruders ran toward the elevator exit.
"As soon as I pushed through the door, my main concern was for Jon's safety," Vennettilli said. "I wasn't scared at the time - there was no time to be scared."
Martone, Vennettilli and their parents say the hall's response is a good first step, but more can be done.
"I feel violated and nervous to be back up on campus," Martone said. "This could have been prevented if lockdowns could have been earlier and the receptionists checked who was coming into the halls."
Martone's father, Michael Martone, met with MSU President M. Peter McPherson on Friday. He said McPherson was sympathetic, but did not seem willing to implement card swipers at all doors and additional security measures such as cameras and lighting to improve safety.
In response, Michael Martone will gather a group of MSU parents in Troy on Wednesday to discuss safety issues.
"Things have been done at other universities that should have been done at Michigan State," he said. "There is no reason why slide cards can't be used to unlock doors."
The University of Michigan has adopted a slide card system in all dorms.
McPherson said he was concerned, but noted similar incidents have been few and far between on campus. MSU police only reported two robberies in residence halls in 2001 and none in 2000.
"We want to be sure that the campus is as safe as can be, we have a fairly open campus" he said.
But locking down the halls 24 hours is not an option because classrooms and offices must be accessed during the day, said Chuck Gagliano, assistant vice president for Housing & Food Services.
Other halls will continue to lock down at midnight.
The 9 p.m. lockdown will keep residents safer, said Case Hall resident and general management freshman Sam Madorsky.
"I don't have a problem if it is for our safety," he said. "I'd rather not get stabbed."
However, fellow Case resident Sarah Metzger said the 9 p.m. lockdown will have little effect but added she feels safe.
"If someone wants to harm someone in the dorms they will do it at 8 or come in at 8 and just wait until 12," the child development freshman said.
Descriptions of the two intruders have been posted in the halls. Police say they are looking for two light-skinned men, between 5 feet 10 inches and 6 feet tall, 185 to 200 pounds and between 22-24 years old.
The first with dark brownish-black hair and dark hazel-brown eyes. He wore a shiny black leather coat with a zipper in the front and no pockets, dark blue jeans and a heavy crew neck dark-colored shirt Thursday night.
The second man had thicker, short dark brownish-black hair, dark eyes and possible facial injuries. He wore a forest green hooded pullover sweatshirt, possibly with MSU markings, and jeans.
Anyone with information should contact the MSU police at (517)355-2222.
Staff writer Joey Guillen contributed to this report.
Eric Morath can be reached at morather@msu.edu.
