Lock and Roll

By ALEX HEBERT

As students at the Advanced Studies Program, we have access to many of St. Paul’s beautiful facilities, but there are certain buildings to which we have limited or no access.  For example, let’s take the Freeman Center, a fantastic student lounge and excellent center for recreational activities like ping pong, pool, and foosball.  Understandably, the Freeman center is only open from one to seven o’clock, as that is the only time we would have to enjoy all that the building has to offer.  But why is it that we need a key to obtain entrance into this building?  Fortunately, Michael Ricard, the director of the ASP for the summer, has stated in an interview conducted Friday night that soon the Freeman Center will no longer be locked during the hours that it is open.

           

There are numerous buildings to which we have immediate access throughout the day, like the Lindsay Center, Athletic & Fitness Center, and Ohrstrom Library.  These facilities provide us with valuable resources that allow us to improve our course work and ourselves.  These buildings are unlocked and welcoming to students during their operational hours.

           
However, there are certain buildings to which we have restricted access.  We are able to use the buildings and everything they have to offer, but only after signing out a key from the infamous Room 12.  These buildings include the dance studio and the music hall.

           
Mr. Ricard says that there is a need to keep these buildings locked due to the lack of adult supervision.  “It’s not that we want to limit your access to the buildings,” stated Mr. Ricard, “it’s that we need to be aware of who is in the building and when they leave.” Without an adult presence, it would be very difficult to locate a student in an emergency situation or provide them with assistance if needed, which is why we need to sign out the keys using our names.

           
Evidently this system is very effective.  When asked about students who have tried to circumvent the rules in the past, Mr. Ricard responded, “With the guidelines we have put in place, no student has ever abused their privileges to access these facilities.”  When it comes to using these buildings, it is clear that student safety is the top priority.

           
How do the students feel about these buildings being locked during free time?  Alicia Sanders-Zakre, a Concord High student taking the Quest here at the ASP, said “It’s inconvenient, but it makes sense for the safety of the buildings.”  Brandon Rich, an Artificial Intelligence student from Manchester Memorial High School, added “I understand why they’re locked.  We need to keep people out of the building who don’t belong there.  What I don’t understand is why once we get into the building, we aren’t able to go into some of the practice rooms.  Once you get into the building, you should be able to use everything in it.”

All things considered, this school provides students with great opportunities to augment their work and improve themselves, which I believe should be taken advantage by all in attendance at the summer program.  Although it is a little inconvenient to acquire a key before entering a building, it does ensure the safety of the students and the building, and the fact that we are allowed to use them at all is a blessing.