In higher education, the pursuit of knowledge should reign supreme. However, some colleges, including Hamline University, have devised methods to extract more money from their students. One of their tactics is imposing a $25 fee to unlock a student’s door when they forget their keys.
There are alternatives to this punitive fee that universities could consider. For instance, Hamline does allow students one or two door unlockings for free; however, forgetful students might need more assistance.
Although Hamline’s Public Safety Department’s website mentions a $25 charge for replacement keys or ID cards, it does not mention a fee for forgetting your key or locking it inside. A completely new key or card costs the same as being locked out of your dorm or apartment. Whether they require a new key or not, this lack of communication leaves students needing clarification and paying a fine for being locked out. Hamline’s Public Safety explained their office “notifies the student when the student requests the door unlock.” Students are only notified about the cost right in the dire moment of needing their door opened rather than before the incident.
Charging for key retrieval services encourages students to take responsibility for their belongings. It can help foster self-discipline and reduce future forgetfulness.
While students need to be held accountable for their actions, there’s a difference between reasonable fines and exploiting common memory lapses. The cost of opening a student’s door is a high and disproportionate penalty that can financially strain students already facing financial challenges.
For financially struggling students, a $25 charge can significantly impact their finances. It might force them to make difficult choices, like cutting back on essentials such as meals, textbooks, or utilities. Universities should consider these challenges and think about offering other support for those who genuinely can’t afford the charge. This fee can be a harsh financial burden that only adds to the cycle of poverty and student debt.
College students are commonly faced with financial constraints due to the weight of tuition fees, textbook expenses, and the cost of living. The seemingly minor door-opening price, enforced by university public safety departments, illustrates how higher education institutions could place their financial interests above the well-being of their students.
According to the 2019 study by the National Center for Education Statistics, “More than three-quarters of college seniors (77%) reported that they had run out of money during their time at school, compared with 69% of juniors, 67% of sophomores, and 52% of freshmen.” With this logic, students often need help to afford an extra fee, especially if they misplace their keys often. $25 may seem minimal, but the cost adds up.
Hamline Public Safety explained, “The money fee then goes to the University funding for improvements on campus, more financial aid options for students, and overall continued funding for the University to operate.” A part of this statement that stands out is that the fee could go towards “financial aid options for students.” This means that one student’s forgetfulness leads to them funding another student’s education $25 at a time.
Hamline’s Public Safety claims that the fee had been implemented before 2020; however, when talking with several students, all were utterly unaware.
One Hamline student experienced the door opening fee in action when she accidentally left her key in the bedroom of her Hamline apartment. She had gone out with friends and returned to her apartment late that night. Her roommate was gone for the weekend, leaving no one but public safety to open her door. She was forced to pay the $25 fine if she didn’t want to spend the night in the apartment’s lobby. Despite being at Hamline for two years, she felt blindsided by the charge and had never heard of it before.
Unlocking doors does take the time and effort of public safety staff, who might otherwise be involved in more pressing tasks. Charging fees could compensate for their service and sustain a motivated and effective team.
Yet, the mere presence of this fee weakens the community spirit that universities ought to nurture. It conveys a strong impression that the institution values financial gain more than its students’ well-being and peace of mind. This policy could strain the relationship between students and the administration, eroding trust and increasing the distance between students and the institutions designed to assist and uplift them.
One of the primary roles of campus public safety departments is to ensure the safety and well-being of students. These departments are meant to maintain a secure environment for students rather than focusing on collecting extra fees. By imposing such charges, universities may neglect their responsibility to create a safe and supportive atmosphere for their students.
Universities need to find the right balance between teaching students responsibility and looking out for their well-being. Charging a fee for key retrieval services is one method to encourage accountability, but it should be implemented with a clear understanding of its potential financial impact on students. Moreover, universities should ensure their fee structure is transparent and equitable, assisting as needed and prioritizing their students’ safety and security.
Asking $25 to unlock students’ dorms when they misplace their keys can harm students’ finances, and the sense of community universities should build. Educational institutions should focus on their students’ well-being rather than just making money. It’s time universities reevaluate these policies and strive for a more caring and inclusive campus atmosphere.