Quincy Gets New Card Key System

Quincy House will soon become the latest undergraduate house to abandon metal keys for plastic card keys. And residents have mixed feelings about the new technology.

Students received their card keys yesterday, Quincy House Superintendent Ronald W. Levesque said, but they can still use their old keys during a week-long "grace period."

"I don't think it will affect house life too much," Levesque said.

The card key system, which has been installed in all the Yard dorms and in some of the houses, is meant to improve security in the student residences.

But since the new system allows the Harvard University Police Department to keep track of when and where the access cards are used, some students are concerned that their privacy may be violated.

"I know that it's an effective crime fighting device," said Moupali Das '96, a Quincy resident.

"I just feel that it might be an invasion of privacy," he added.

"Students aren't even aware that the police may be able to trace their entry or exit," Das said.

Harvard Police Lieutenant John Stanton said the new system is "a security precaution," and is not intended to keep track of people.

"I haven't heard people express a lot of concern about the University being able to monitor when they come and go,"said Jill L. Wheeler '95, chair of the QuincyHouse Committee.

"I don't think it will be used againststudents," Wheeler said, and "the master and thesuperintendent will be willing to listen tostudent opinions if any problems do arise."

"I think it's a good move," Quincy Houseresident Jose A. Soto '95 said.

"I'm a captain for dorm crew, and I have to usea key card when I work in the Yard buildings. AndI think it's pretty convenient," Soto said.

Other Quincy residents, like Palmira Gomez '96,have mixed feelings about the card keys.

"I think it's very good for security. But Iwould like to have that information beconfidential unless there's a crime," Gomez said

"I don't think it will be used againststudents," Wheeler said, and "the master and thesuperintendent will be willing to listen tostudent opinions if any problems do arise."

"I think it's a good move," Quincy Houseresident Jose A. Soto '95 said.

"I'm a captain for dorm crew, and I have to usea key card when I work in the Yard buildings. AndI think it's pretty convenient," Soto said.

Other Quincy residents, like Palmira Gomez '96,have mixed feelings about the card keys.

"I think it's very good for security. But Iwould like to have that information beconfidential unless there's a crime," Gomez said