In Fall 2019, Villanova University invited 1,135 students to live in the brand new Commons Complex, a project worth $225 million dollars. This project that had begun in 2015 had been rigorously planned to make sure the buildings were ready for the students starting school in August. However, Villanova University had forgotten one vital aspect of their new dorm buildings, security and safety for all their residents. 

Although this project was given an immense budget, a minimal amount of the dollars spent focused on student safety, given that only one door in Friar Hall has a card reader, a security device that ensures only residents of the complex may enter the buildings. Estimated to cost about $15,000, a card reader would only cost $13.22 from each resident residing in the Commons. To put this into perspective, students are paying a minimum of $8,800 per year. With over 1,000 residents, this housing complex generates $9,988,000 in just its first year. However, there seems to be little urgency to spare a small portion of that to ensure only residents are entering residence halls. 

Additionally, the location of the doors lacking card readers is near areas such as the Parliament Coffee Shop, the Refectory, the Football Stadium, the busy Lancaster Ave, Villanova Train Station, and the parking garage, all of which are designed for the use of individuals outside of the University. With strangers walking by these doors at all times, what is keeping those individuals from entering our residence halls and putting us in danger? These doors give anyone access to 236 residents in Friar and about another 300 students in Cupola and Chapter. 

Therefore, I ask you to sign this petition to ensure the safety of over 1,000 students now residing at Villanova University by installing card readers on all doors of Friar Hall. This would ensure students are safe, give students the ability to access their own dorm building as needed, and give students in the commons the same living experience as those in other residence halls. Thank you.