Students arriving early on Saturday after Winter Break had no place to sleep for the night – their dorm rooms were locked. Many students slept in The Hut, hallways and in their cars. In previous years, students were able to arrive a day early, Saturday, from winter break. It wasn’t until last year that the practice ended due to reports of vandalism and alcohol poisoning.

“We had to stop opening the college early because students were taking advantage of us for being accommodating to those who have to travel far distances,” said Aaron Fetrow, Dean for Campus Life.

In past years, all buildings with a card-swipe security system were locked, but others remained open. This is the first year that Guilford has used half keys in the campus lockup in Bryan hall dorms, the Apartments North and the alternative houses. These half keys made the core of the lock inoperable.

“The real fear is that someone gets into their room and gets hurt or alcohol poisoning and can’t be helped because no one’s here,” said Fetrow. “That’s why we put them in – not to be jerks.”

The issue, said Fetrow, is prevention. They acknowledge that the reasoning applies to only a small percentage of the student body. But even if there is an accident once, there will be problems for the college.

Some students still think the rule is unfair and are unsatisfied with the lack of student notification.

“I had to sleep in the Hut with no blankets; it was freezing all night,” said first-year Joe Pelcher.

“I drove ten hours down from New Jersey and was exhausted,” said sophomore Liz Reilly. “I expected to be able to just crash in my room in Bryan. We got back on campus at one in the morning. Where could we go? We had to sleep in the car.”

“We couldn’t find a place to stay and couldn’t afford a motel room,” said Pelcher. “It was awful and really unfair. No one ever told us we couldn’t come back on Saturday.”

However, Aaron Fetrow said students were notified. “The announcement was placed in the Guilford Buzz for several days and all the R.A.s had posts on their bulletin boards,” said Fetrow. “But there’s always the issue of how do you notify everyone.”

Fetrow said that the college understands that the students’ reaction is legitimate. Campus Life staff are split on the new restriction but are still looking into it.

Fetrow suggests that students take an educational lesson from their unlucky arrival.

“When making arrangements as adults, students have to pay attention to when they can come back,” said Fetrow.

During all school breaks, with the exception of winter breaks, the dorm halls are kept unlocked. Students are welcome to stay on campus but must register with Campus Life so they know to have security patrol the area for students’ safety.

Angered students are prompted to talk to Campus Life and tell them their concerns. Students are also encouraged to attend Housing Forums at which students may bring any issue to the table.