As a student at Loyola University of Chicago every morning of the week it takes me approximately two hours to commute to my institution, ensuring that I arrive at class on time. Myself and other students have to wait outside of the Damen Student Center until the doors open at 6:00 a.m. I request that Keith M. Champagne, Vice President of Division of Student Development, should consider implementing an accessible location that opens at 5:00 a.m. to all Loyola students and is convenient to administrative staff.

Unlikely, Loyola University has restricted access to buildings because they are concerned about students' personal safety. The National Center for Education Statistics has identified that about 23,000 students on campus have been exposed to safety risks that were reported by degree-granting postsecondary institutions in 2021, and this is a worsening problem. 

Since students are not allowed in the Loyola campus building they have to wait outside in the darkness with no access to shelter until the clock hits 6:00 AM. According to 2025 College Campus Crime Statistics, campus crimes increased by 13% between 2022 and 2023 across 635 institutions. 

A Complete Guide to Student Transportation and Commuting shows that about 85% of students commute to campus. Many of Loyola students have a specific purpose for why they arrive on campus earlier than 6:00AM, that is due to long commutes, early finishing shift workers, military-affiliated responsibilities, athletic training, academic improvement, and others seeking a safer environment to shelter in, and there are other various reasons why students show up to campus before 6 a.m. 

Keith M. Champagne should provide us the Loyola University students with what we deserve, need, and want, which is to open the Crown Center lobby area at 5:00 a.m., so early arriving students can have a safe shelter to wait at, feel comfortable and to avoid any potential safety risks. Loyola Universities need to realize that student safety does matter!