In the wake of the stabbing of 23-year old student Tanner Hoplock on the U of M campus, the issue of security at the U of M is as important as ever. Over 1,200 U of M students live in residence on a regular basis. As a result, there are additional security measures in place in residence buildings, such as Arthur V. Mauro or Tache Hall.
“Residence security staff are on duty in all buildings from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.,” explained John Danakas, the director of public affairs for the University of Manitoba. “They operate on an observe-and-report basis with security services. They are on regular rounds throughout their shift.”
In addition to residence security staff, residence advisors at the U of M also play a role in the safety of residence students. “Residence advisors are on duty from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and 24 hours on weekends,” continued Danakas.
“Again, they operate on an observe-and-report basis. The RAs carry a cell phone and can be reached any time. They do rounds on a regular basis and are very visible in the buildings. The U of M also has live-in, full-time staff called ‘Residence Life Coordinators.’ There are three in total, and they are on supervision 24-7 on a three-week rotation.”
In an effort to further protect the safety and well being of residence students, the university has developed a disciplinary policy specifically tailored to the residences on campus.
According to the U of M’s Residence Housing Agreement, discipline should be developmental, rather than punitive. The Residence Life Coordinators have the final say on disciplinary matters involving students in residence.
Minor infractions such as noise violation, smoking or open liquor typically generate a warning on the first offence. Repeated offences at the U of M then result in a fine. If a residence student commits a more serious offence, such as intentional vandalism or an act of violence, probation or expulsion can result.
Sexual harassment is treated differently from other infractions. “Incidences involving sexual harassment are referred to the Equity office,” explained Dr. Dave Morphy, vice-provost of student affairs.
The governing body of the university’s residences, Housing and Student Life, has the authority to ban students from residence in a similar way that individual faculties have the authority to ban students.
“If the offending student has committed an infraction serious enough to warrant a ban from the U of M in general, then the case is heard by the office of the university president, and I act on his behalf,” said Morphy.
At the end of the day, residence students have nothing to worry about, according to Osunbor Ekpen, a student living in Arthur V. Mauro residence. “The security uphold the law to the core,” said Ekpen. “They never deviate from what they’re supposed to do.”
