But because the theft took place between semesters, when few Columbia students were in the building, and because hostel guests also have access to the three floors Columbia occupies, residents don t think they should have to foot the bill. It hasn t been determined what cost, if any, will be charged to students, Oakes said. Many residents confirmed they have encountered hostel guests wandering their halls, and said they feel unsafe because of it. Oakes said it is the residents responsibility to confront anyone who doesn t belong on Columbia s floors. Security doesn t police the floors, she said.
Residents are also upset with hostel maintenance workers who enter rooms basically unannounced.
They never knock, they just come in, said Sarah Velloff, a sophomore fashion major. For an all-female room, that s scary. I m not living here next year. Over semester break, I would come home from work, and things would be moved around, said Keri-Ann Baldridge, a television major. A candle was moved from one table to another.