School is meant to be used as a learning institution. With school attacks like Columbine, a necessity for precaution within schools has developed rapidly. The number of unsecured access points into Rider cause the level of security within the school to drop dramatically.

There has been a repeated effort to make the campus more secure, but students unintentionally undermine these efforts by intentionally leaving doors that are normally locked propped open for themselves or their friends.

These doors then become unmonitored entryways for anyone to use, including people who wish to bring harm to students and faculty. Within the last three years a former student has strolled into the classrooms of his former teachers while intoxicated and observed their classes.

An adult thief not related to the campus has also been caught stealing from the tennis courts.

These people had an open opportunity to turn Rider into the next Sandy Hook had they wanted to. Access to the school needs to be limited to a solitary entrance: the front doors. Even if this is an inconvenience to students and faculty, it is to keep the school safe. Other doors need to be more carefully monitored to be sure that students are not leaving them propped open.

Students need to take responsibility for the safety of the school and stop leaving doors open because it is convenient for them. Walking around the school from the out buildings or one of the parking lots may take more time, but that shouldn’t matter when it is a choice between some extra steps, or the safety of the school.

The administration needs to be sure that all doors are secured and monitored, even if that means upgrading the security system within the school. The investment would be well worth it if it means a higher level of security and peace of mind for the students and faculty.