Featured Photo by Brian Branch
Story by Bayleigh Elliott
Over the past decade, school shootings have increased at a rapid rate, with no decline in sight. In response, universities nationwide have modified their safety regulations and implemented new ones to keep students safe and their minds at ease.
Middle Tennessee State University responded by instituting a “locked door” policy. During class, professors are required to keep their classroom doors shut and locked. In addition, the school programmed its doors to automatically lock ten minutes after being opened.
Students and faculty at MTSU expressed mixed opinions on the new policy. Some believe it may help with safety, while others believe it to be a distraction.
“I actually think it could have been implemented years ago,” said Beverly Boulware, a professor in the College of Education. “Any kind of malfeasance could come through the door.”
But the new policy has caused more class interruptions from students, Boulware said. Some students need to use the restroom more frequently than others, potentially distracting classmates or interrupting lessons.
One student understands these frustrations well. Nolan Blair, a junior studying accounting and Spanish, said situations like these are “definitely distracting.”
When students come in late and must be let in by the professor or another student sitting near the classroom door, it takes away time and focus from the lesson at hand.
“At times, it’s a little frustrating,” he said, “but I understand.”
Most students at MTSU, like Blair, understand the necessity of the policy, but they still have concerns and frustrations.
“It’s just the world we live in now,” said Kaylin Crider, a junior studying animal science. “It’s annoying at times when you’re running late and then can’t get into the door. The professors haven’t been very transparent about the rules and protocols for different situations, but I guess that’s what we must adapt to now.”
These adjustments and drawing the line between convenience and security have not been easy, some professors said.
“Leaving classroom doors open makes it easier for students to come and go,” said Michael Federici, a professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations, “but it increases the risk that students will be harmed by an active shooter.”
Some faculty do not know all the particulars of the new rule yet. One professor refused to comment due to not receiving training for the closed-door policy.
The locked-door policy has yet to be added to the Handbook for Campus Safety and Security Reporting, which has not been updated since 2020. The policy is also absent from the MTSU Emergency Operations Plan, leaving questions unanswered and students curious.
Bayleigh Elliott is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines.
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