Currier Bells Desk Shuts Down 24-Hour Service

Citing safety concerns, Currier House has ended 24-hour service at its student-run bells desk.

The desk, whose attendants check identification of anyone attempting to enter the house and offer a variety of services including package pick-up and video rental, will no longer be open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 1 a.m. until 8:45 a.m.

"The incidents of crime in the areas as well as institutional liability require more attention to personal safety and House security measures," reads a sign informing Currier residents of the change.

Some students interviewed yesterday said the bells desk has been made obsolete with the addition of electronic key card readers at the entrance to the house and added that the new policy makes them feel safer.

"It's probably more safe, because sometimes the bells desk doesn't exactly check to see if you're a Harvard student or not," said Heather M. Hanson '99.

Devin M. Moriarity '97, who worked the graveyard shift at the desk, said it would be safer for desk employees as well, since no one should be alone at the house's only entrance in the early hours of the morning.

But she also said the change came as a bit of a shock.

"It's been such a fixture at Currier," Moriarity said. "It's surprising to walk by and not see someone."

New Currier resident Charmaine A. Smith '99 said she was also disappointed to see the cutback.

"I remember I liked having someone friendly there," she said. "It was something only Currier had."

Elisa J. Rassen '99 expressed frustration with the policy as she waited for the door to open with a halogen lamp box under each arm.

"They have my ID card, and it drives me up the wall," Rassen said. She did not have her ID with her because she had checked out a movie Saturday night and fell asleep before getting her card back.

Previously, the bells desk attendant opened the door with an electronic buzzer, helping those with heavy loads.

Keith E. Bernard '99, who is beginning his first year in the Quad and said he visits Currier one or two times a week, said the new policy doesn't bother him.

"It's not something I'm too concerned about," Bernard said. "I'll just call my friends and ask them to wait for me.

Previously, the bells desk attendant opened the door with an electronic buzzer, helping those with heavy loads.

Keith E. Bernard '99, who is beginning his first year in the Quad and said he visits Currier one or two times a week, said the new policy doesn't bother him.

"It's not something I'm too concerned about," Bernard said. "I'll just call my friends and ask them to wait for me.