Students question the role of campus security at Dordt

This is an article that I wrote for my journalism class. I am required to post it to my blog as well as Twitter and Facebook. 


How would you feel if other students at your college were allowed to enter your room uninvited and search through your belongings?

At many private colleges, including Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA, this is allowed.

If the college permits it, campus security has the right and responsibility to enter and search the rooms of those whom they have reason to suspect of illegal activity.

At Dordt, the question is being raised as to whether or not student-run campus security should have this right. Not only that, but some students say they are not comfortable with having their fellow class-mates in charge of keeping the campus safe.

Student Jordan Janz, who has had a personal experience with security coming into his room and searching through his belongings, is not happy with the way it is being run.

“I think it is a mistake to have student security,” Janz said. “They came into my bedroom and wanted to search everything. It’s just creepy when other students are searching through your stuff.”

Student Jorita Mulder has concerns about security, but for different reasons. She believes that there are not enough locked doors on campus during the day which could result in anyone from off the streets walking into any dorm room.

“Compared to other college campuses I don’t think it is very secure,” said Mulder. “It’s just students who are on campus security. They need to hire officials or lock more doors and only allow students in.”

Robert Taylor, Director of Resident Life at Dordt, commented on the primary roles and responsibilities of security at Dordt.

“A lot of their job is being eyes and ears and being aware of and upholding policy,” Taylor said. “As I look through the past security logs, (they write a log every night) the way they spend most of their time outside of locking buildings would be by giving rides, answering questions, and writing parking tickets.”

Some students really enjoy the benefits that security provides on campus and do not have a problem with what they are doing.

Jeffrey McClelland likes security and their chauffer services. “They will pick you up if you are in “Siberia” [Dordt’s infamous off-campus parking lot].”

Student Owen Reinalda, however, has mixed feelings about what security is doing on campus.

“I think that what they are doing is good but they are way too overzealous,” said Reinalda. “From stories I’ve heard, they take it too seriously.”

Janz said he feels strongly about the way in which security is using its power on campus when it comes to laying down the law.

“I think they are more concerned with catching people breaking the rules and doing things that aren’t harming other students,” Janz said. “A security force is there to keep a campus safe. I understand if people are causing a ruckus, but they are inventing reasons to search when there’s nothing pressing the issue.”

According to Taylor, security is given the right to search if necessary and, despite what anyone may think, it is an uncomfortable process that they do not enjoy doing.

“They [security members] are an extension that is granted authority to enforce policy and in certain situations, if they need to search a room,” Taylor said. “It’s not unusual for staff to contact professional staff like myself and Bethany Schuttinga to get advice on situations involving a search. That’s what we prefer, but there are times when it is not an option. Staff has been trained in the best way to do searches that keep everyone’s dignity intact.”

According to Taylor, Dordt is also a private campus so, whether or not students are comfortable with it, they have the right to search and enter without any sort of warrant.

“I think students have to understand that housing is owned and operated by the college and as such the college is liable for anything that is happening behind closed doors,” Taylor said. “Other schools just like us have chosen to have the same protocols that we have.”

Student Brandon Lindemulder thinks that Dordt security should not be made up of all students.

“Some of the people take it too seriously and some don’t care at all and just let things go,” Lindemulder said.

Taylor believes that a full-time security staff would be unnecessary and costly.

“When we look at the incidents we have, we are convinced that we don’t need full time security staff,” Taylor said. “When you think about someone with full benefits and salary, that would make an impact on tuition.”

Despite what the tuition-paying students think, for now, campus security at Dordt will remain the same.

“Security is there to serve students and I believe the majority of students know that or they wouldn’t be asking for rides,” said Taylor. “People that have nothing to hide don’t worry at all about security.”