Card Keys Will Access All Houses

College residents will be allowed key card access to every upper class house between noon and 8 p.m., following a decision by the house masters and the Committee on House Life (COHL).

Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68 said in an interview yesterday that masters designate specific entryways universal card key access to common areas during that time.

Lewis said the program will be implemented once several "operational details," such as deciding on accessible entryways and entering data on the computer, are settled.

"We've definitely taken a big step forward," Lewis said.

COHL student member Robert B. Wolinsky '98-'97 speculated that the program will likely be implemented by January.

"The impression I got is that we can hope for it by the end of the semester," Wolinsky said. "I think it's definitely a good start.... What [College officials] will find is that it is in everybody's best interest."

The program, as it now stands, will be evaluated at the end of the year.

"This will be done and revisited at the end of the term," Lewis said.

But Sandra A. Naddaff, the Mather House master, said there has been no timetable set for evaluating the program.

"I don't think there has been any limits put on the trial period," Naddaff said.

If the program is successful, hours of access could be expanded, committee members said.

"Twelve to eight is a great start, but it's still limited, in terms of meeting times for student groups and in the morning if you want to get breakfast [in another house]," said Elizabeth A. Haynes '98. "It would be nice to see the hours open up a bit more, from nine until 10 or 11."

According to Lewis the masters primary concern with universal card access is the threat posed to security.

"For us security is a particular problem and, therefore, even opening a few doors is already a problem due to [Cabot's] architectural speciality," said Jurij Striedter, the Cabot House master, adding that students living in Cabot currently only use keys.

Lewis said the masters addressed potential security problems in the COHL meeting, but did not consult the Harvard police.

"I don't think the police were consulted, but the masters are very sensitive themselves to security issues," Lewis said.

Harvard Police Chief Paul E. Johnson said he fully supports the decision to have hours of universal access, although he was not aware of the decision.

"If that's the decision of the masters, I don't have any problems with it," Johnson said. "That's a good policy, let them see how it works [and] if it doesn't cause additional problems, fine."

In fact, Wolinsky said the new policy will enhance security because students will now not be as ready to let people into buildings without identification. Also, doors will not need to be propped open for meetings.

"It will increase security on campus and lead to a happier student body," Wolinsky said of the policy.

Although first-years will be given access to houses, upperclass students will not be able to gain entry to Yard dorms under the new policy.

"[The policy] does not apply to the Yard because common areas are so precious and easily overrun by students looking for convenient, central meeting areas," Lewis said.

Nienke C. Grossman '99, a student member of the COHL, said she is pleased with the decision to restrict Yard dorm access to first-years.

"I don't think it's appropriate for the common rooms to be used for [general meetings]," she said.

Grossman said the COHL decided that the entries which are designated for universal access will be alarmed, like the Yard dorm entries

In fact, Wolinsky said the new policy will enhance security because students will now not be as ready to let people into buildings without identification. Also, doors will not need to be propped open for meetings.

"It will increase security on campus and lead to a happier student body," Wolinsky said of the policy.

Although first-years will be given access to houses, upperclass students will not be able to gain entry to Yard dorms under the new policy.

"[The policy] does not apply to the Yard because common areas are so precious and easily overrun by students looking for convenient, central meeting areas," Lewis said.

Nienke C. Grossman '99, a student member of the COHL, said she is pleased with the decision to restrict Yard dorm access to first-years.

"I don't think it's appropriate for the common rooms to be used for [general meetings]," she said.

Grossman said the COHL decided that the entries which are designated for universal access will be alarmed, like the Yard dorm entries