Peepholes were added to Mountainview doors over winter break for personal security. Facilities installed the peepholes on main suite doors and, in most cases, on each individual room door within the suite.

Director of Facilities Joe Rubertone commented on the installation of the peepholes being standard procedure. He said that room doors of all other residence halls are equipped with peepholes.

Typically, facilities installs features such as these new peepholes themselves and, over break, made time for the installation of this security measure.

Several students agree installing peepholes was a positive addition to the new building.

“Our suite experienced an unfortunate instance of people coming in messing up stuff when another suitemate thought she was providing people a favor by letting them use the bathroom. It is a good idea to know who might be at the door when letting people in especially late at night,” Allison Mansfield said.

Resident Assistant Felicity Melillo said she saw positive student reaction over the installation of the peepholes.

“The loved it. Every resident I’ve talked to in the building said they loved seeing the peepholes,” said Melillo. “Peepholes are better especially for rooms without windows.”

For Mountainview Residence Hall Director Phil Goduti, security issues were the reason for the installment of the peepholes.

“Before, there wasn’t always a way to tell who was on the other end of the door. For the rooms on the ends of the building and for the handicap accessible rooms there are no windows so residents could not tell who was at the other side,” said Goduti.

According to Goduti, the only problem with the placement of the peepholes is on the handicap-accessible rooms where the peepholes themselves are not accessible because they are placed too high up.

Some students have recognized the safety of the peepholes and Goduti himself is glad the peepholes are in.

Both Melillo and Goduti said the peepholes have not prevented students from opening doors to Resident Assistants.

As far as other changes over break in the new residence hall, Rubertone said heating, tile, and other mechanics were worked on. Some work remains to be finished, including landscaping in the upper courtyard.