Members of ASMSU have decided to team-up with the Residence Halls Association after MSU's undergraduate student government discussed safety issues Thursday.
A task force was created by ASMSU after a Case Hall residents was held at knifepoint during an attempted robbery Jan. 30.
"RHA would be more than willing to partner up with ASMSU," said Derek Wallbank, Student Assembly representative for RHA. Wallbank added ASMSU would be joining a group of administrators, students and parents who are already addressing the safety situation.
The group will present its recommendations to MSU President M. Peter McPherson in March.
During the meeting, members of Student Assembly discussed possible changes to the dorms, which would help put students out of danger's way.
Some ideas brought up included adding 24-hour swipe-card systems to gain access inside the residence halls, banning solicitors, adding cameras and alarms on doors, increasing lighting and installing better locks.
"The major issue are the solicitors," said Danielle Brown, Student Assembly representative for the College of Human Ecology. "These crimes are not being committed by the general population of our school."
Anyone who wants to solicit in the dorms, even RHA members, must have the permission of the hall director and hall government ahead of time, Wallbank said.
But some ASMSU members still say it's easy for anyone to get in to the residence halls.
People can use cell phones to call friends to get them into the dorms or use side doors which have been propped open, said Patricia Smith, Student Assembly representative for the College of Arts and Letters.
Smith, who also works as a night receptionist, said supervisors frequently check the doors to make sure they are locked, but people still get in.
"It happens all the time and it makes me sick," Smith said, adding she doesn't feel safe walking around since the assault occurred.
Still, some ASMSU members said they didn't want safety restrictions to create an awkward environment for students.
"What's kind of unique about this state is that all students have access, because classes are in residence halls," said Andrew Schepers, Student Assembly representative for the College of Natural Science. "It's a common sense issue."
