The theft of two laptops at the Marvin Center last week prompted the University to limit evening access to one of the most used buildings on campus.
Two suspects stole two laptops from the dining area around 10:30 p.m. March 2, causing the University to lock two entrances to the student center starting at 10 p.m. For additional security, a University Police Department officer will be stationed in the Columbian Square area.
The H Street basement and 21st Street entrances will close at 10 p.m. Those looking to enter the building must enter through the ground floor H Street entrance and the I Street handicap-accessible entrance.
An officer will be posted by the Marvin Center’s H Street entrance and a student community service assistant will be stationed near the concierge desk at the other entrance. A special police officer will also patrol the J Street and Columbian Square areas unless called to respond elsewhere in the building.
“No other incidents caused the change in the security procedures, but this incident prompted an overall assessment of the security in the Marvin Center and these changes are being implemented to provide the appropriate level of security to prevent this incident from once again occurring,” Senior Associate Vice President for Safety and Security Darrell Darnell said.
Unlike Ivory Tower or the Academic Center – which force GW community members to tap their GWorld cards in order to enter during late-night hours – students won’t be required to show their GWorlds at the opened entrances.
Darnell said the security procedures implemented at the Marvin Center are “appropriate for the use and requirements of the facility.”
The Marvin Center will stay open from 7 to 2 a.m. daily.
The Hatchet reported in January that the Marvin Center, Gelman Library and the Academic Center have seen the highest number of thefts when comparing UPD data over fall semesters the past few years.
During the fall semester, Sept. 1 to Dec. 22, a total of 31 crime incidents occurred in the Marvin Center, compared to 24 incidents during that period in 2009.
Between Jan. 1 and March 6, a total of 14 incidents of crime were reported in the Marvin Center, according to UPD’s crime log. That’s just one more incident in the building than occurred during the same time period last year.
