Since September of 1977, Commissionaires have been cut back at Blanchard Hall. A Commissionaire used to be on duty from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 A.M. every day. Now, Ccmmissionaires are only on duty from 10:00. P.M. to 6:00 A.M.

'Ihis cut—back was made because of cuts in the residence budget. Cuts were made in every area possible according to Administration personnel. Unfortunately cuts had to be made and security was the area they felt could be cut.

The loss in Commission— - aire hours means many things. On the top of the list of the people who are concerned is. the fact that for two hours everyday, no one is awake to be responsible for»the building. This leaves the building open to possible trouble, especially fires.

Norm Larter, one of the two commissionaires that patrol Blanchard, is very concerned over this. He spotted three fires him-r self last year.

Jim Griffith, Director of Student Services, disagrees with this since the building, being made of cement blocks, is Virtually fire—proof.

Mr. Iarter, however, says that the problem is not the fire but the smoke. He recounted one story where a girl would have been asphyxiated. The fire was caused by a faulty toaster.

Mr. Iarter went on to tell a story of some students who spilled over a fat fryer which caught fire. The students came dam and asked permission to use the fire exting- uisher to put the fire out. This would have caused a larger fire since the building is equipped with water filled fire extinguishers.

Threat of fire is not the only problem. The commissionaire is also supposed to make sure that non—residents are not allowed entrance to the building after hours, without the permission of one of the residents.

He stated that last 'Ihurs—

?CUTBAcKs IN SECURITY . n ' BLANCHARD EXPOSED T0

day alone, be evicted thirteen students who had entered the building with—

‘ out permission.

Jim Griffith and many student res1dents this reporter has talked to feel that the Onus is on the residents in cases like these. They felt

that if the students

cared as much as they should for the residence then they (the residents) ' would be, more descrimina- tory when allowing people into the building.

People were also con- cerned over damage that would be done to the residence. 'Jhe hours that the commissionaires are working are the hours that most of the damage would be done. Mr. Larber says that a large per— centage of the damage this year took place when cammissionaires were»not on duty.

Many people feel that if the commissionaires are not put back on to their old hours, Blan- chard will turn into what Memorial was known, as- the Zoo.

The UPEI mm,msaay,nec.1,1§77;pa§é 12 I ’

VA up All SM

(hoe again Mr. Griffith disagrees with this. feels that the residents are completely capable of looking after them- selves. If the students want a good residence they should be able to do it without strict super- vision.

Marion Hall, the men's

residence, was cited as an example of this.

Cormfissionaires are not stationed there but it ' is one of the best residences the university has had. 'Ihe reason for this is said that the/ students living there really care for the res- idence.

Mr. Griffith believes that many of the problems result from the large number of residents in. Blanchard this year. 'Ihis is the first year the ‘ residence was completely filled. He, said most of the complaints are not about damage but about the noise level. Mr. Larter also said that damage was no more exteisive this year than last. Mr. Griffith went on to say

that he doubted if any residence with 270 studeits‘ could be quiet.

Another factor that he sees as a; cause of the problem ‘is the design of the building. I It does not allow the residents to ' mixandgettoknowone ~- another. 'Ihis same prob— lem was also noted by the

other peop. 1e to m the reporter talked.

. Without Cdmmissimair‘es some people are afraid all'these problem Will » become worse. Murray

_ Stevenson, Business

Manager for the miversity, said that this "could very well be." But not every:- ‘one agrees ‘that it could

be a problem. Mast ' / believe that the problem ' is up to the students them-

selves. The problem; does :not seem severe enough to. ,cause people to move, but as one student so aptly put it "Blanchard has the "convenience of bein' g on campus. 'Ihat is the only thing it has going for it". - ‘

_s.\