The University plans to vet Mount Vernon Campus neighbors before giving them GWorld cards to pass through the grounds’ new W Street gate, which will open in early 2015.
The entrance near Merriweather Hall closed last month so construction of the gate could begin. A fence will stand in the front of the entrance until construction wraps up in the spring.
Anyone on the Vern will be able to exit through the gate freely, but University spokesman Kurtis Hiatt said only students living on the Vern and “immediate neighbors” with GWorld cards will be able to enter through it. Neighbors will have to fill out an application and sign a GW-given cardholder agreement.
Students who live on Foggy Bottom will not have GWorld access to the W Street entrance. Hiatt said during special events, “we anticipate making certain exceptions for gate access,” citing gatherings at the provost’s residence as an example.
Residence Hall Association President Ari Massefski said he’s heard students argue that GWorld access should be granted to residents from both campuses.
“We are still hoping for residents of all GW campuses to have pedestrian tap access through the gate,” he said.
Some students have voiced concerns over giving neighbors access to the gate.
Kiren Ajrawat, a freshman who lives in Somers Hall, said allowing neighbors on campus through the second gate could jeopardize student privacy.
“A benefit of living on the Vern is the privacy aspect that we don’t get in Foggy, and a lot of people that I know value that,” she said.
Regina Park contributed reporting.