Safety in the Dorms

Southern Virginia University, a small college in central Virginia, had to evacuate the residence halls overnight after the college received bomb threats. Situations like these make many students think about how safe our residence hall are and if there was an emergency, would they feel protected.

Link to Washington Post story on Virgina Colleges bomb threat


According to CSULB's police web site, last year the only issues faced in the residence halls was 22 arrests, 19 of which were for drug possession and three for weapon possession. That is lower then CSULA, CSUN and Cal Poly Pomona, which are all also in the LA area.

Dr. Stevens talk about ways to stay safe on campus

CSULB has taken many measures to make the campus safe. Scattered in the residence hall campus and the main campus there are blue emergency buttons. When these buttons are pressed, CSULB police get the signal and can arrive as fast as possible. The police also offer a escort service. Students studying late campus can get a free escort back to the dorms.

Courtney Howard, a sophomore who resides in Parkside, says she feels safe on campus. "I know that if I get in trouble and press an emergency button, the police will be there very quickly. The school has a lot of great programs so everyone can feel safe here."

 photo from Rinn Law Library

Dorm Pricing

In the middle of the energy saver competition, many student are hoping that saving energy could help them save money on housing costs. The complaint that housing prices are too high is a very common complaint in college students. But housing costs at CSULB aren't as bad as they are in other places.
CSULB housing costs for the year is on average $10,360. Compared to nearby schools like Chapman at $12,832 and UCLA at $13,310, Long Beach students save money. Jennifer Harris, a sophomore who lives in the dorms, doesn't think the housing prices are all that bad. "I think we get a lot of privileges that you don't get when you live on your own. Its so much more convenient and that in itself is worth what we pay."
Not all students feel that the benefits out weight the costs. "I am hoping that these energy competitions save us all a little money on dorms," says Jack Piaz, a freshman, "We could pay rent in our own apartment for what were paying here, and not have all the rules."
Even Long Beach's rival school, Cal State Fullerton, has slightly higher dorm prices at $10,587. So compared to many other schools, CSULB has an average dorm pricing but many students still save energy in hopes of cutting costs.

Annual College Costs ( Fall 2011 ): CSULB

	on-campus	at home	Commuting, not living at home
In-state tuition and fees:	$6,240	$6,240	$6,240
Out-of-state tuition and fees:	$17,400	$17,400	$17,400
Room and board:	$11,038	$4,346	$10,862
Books and supplies:	$1,656	$1,656	$1,656
Estimated personal expenses:	$2,552	$2,790	$2,522
Transportation expense:	$1,266	$1,362	$1,326

Versus

Annual College Costs ( Fall 2011): CSUF
on-campus         at home        Commuting, not living at home In-state tuition and fees: $6,128 $6,128 $6,128 Out-of-state tuition and fees: $17,288 $17,288 $17,288 Room and board: $10,587 $4,347 $12,000 Books and supplies: $1,656 $1,656 $1,656 Estimated personal expenses: $2,900 $2,900 $2,900 Transportation expense: $1,200 $1,300 $1,300

Do it in the Dark

Fridays Do it in the Dark event wasn't just a fun glow stick party. It was a kickstart for the "Energy Savers Do it in the Dark" competition with CSU Fullerton, which started Saturday.

On the CSULB campus, every building competes each week, to see who can save the most energy. There is weekly prizes like pizza and sundae parties. Last year the competition saved housing $4,000.

Alexa Augustin, a junior at CSULB, told the Daily 49er that last years competiton helped her become more energy conscious.She now makes an effort to save enegry by turning unplugging more appliances.

The competiton with Fullerton will end at the end of the month, at which time it the winner will be revealed and the loosing school will buy a new foosball table for the winning school.

Photo from http://www.top10mustknow.com/10-ways-to-save-energy-at-home/

Link to Article in Daily 49er: http://www.daily49er.com/news/csulb-dorm-residents-to-do-it-in-the-dark-with-fullerton-1.2640994

Dorm Privacy

A common complaint of students living in the residence halls is the lack of privacy. Not only do you have to share a room with another person, but the RA and Residence coordinators have almost complete access to your room.
Many students aren't used to sharing a room with another person. It can be difficult to get used to someone always being in your space or always having to work around someone else's schedule. "The bathrooms are usually the worst part," says Jaimie Miller, a transfer student. "Sometimes when I want to get in the shower, someone else has the same idea right before me and I miss my chance."
Not only that, but at any time an RA can walk into your suite. If they hear any noise and you refuse to open your door, they have the ability to write you up. Even if your walking into to the dorms, they can check your bag at anytime.They can check your fridge or any of your personal belongings. When you sign your lease, you give up complete control of your own privacy.
"I don't think its fair to take away ALL our privacy like that. I understand them trying to keep people safe, but I'm an adult, and I should be able to keep some of my privacy to myself," says Miller, who was recently written up because of a beer can in her room. "When they make decisions to give write ups for noise or for one beer can in the room, they don't take into account that some people that may be around, weren't involved."