The Inter-Residence Hall Association passed a resolution March 11 requesting that the Department of Residence reevaluate its decision to cut next year’s budget for the residence hall Student Security Program.

However, IRHA President Ben Chamberlain recently vetoed the bill, saying he believes the issues need to be examined in more detail.

The issue will be discussed during this Thursday’s IRHA meeting.

The department’s proposal will cut the Student Security Program’s current budget of $165,000 to $60,000.

Alexander said the cut is an attempt to reevaluate the use of student money.

“We are trying to handle student money in a fiscally responsible way and get the best program for the dollars that we have,” he said.

Alexander said the cut will be used to reduce student security coverage of hours that have not, in the past, seen any activity and reduce the number of student security officers who cover a shift. Currently, two officers patrol a shift together.

With the budget cut, Eric Anderson, Towers Residence Association president, said the time student security patrols the residence halls will be cut “at least in half” during the school year. Anderson, senior in computer engineering, said the residents with whom he has spoken to are not pleased about the cut.

Dave Sims, IRHA vice president, said most IRHA members believe the cut will affect students negatively.

“I’m disappointed in the fact that the Department of Residence is not finding a better way to get the funding they need,” said Sims, junior in mechanical engineering.

Sims also said the department is not taking residents’ safety seriously. “They aren’t going to open their eyes until something serious happens,” he said.

Alexander disagreed, saying that he does not believe the cuts “will compromise student safety at all.”

As well as providing security to residents, student security also locks and unlocks buildings, fixes any important repairs needed during the night, makes sure dining service food does not spoil and ensures people obey residence hall regulations.

However, Alexander said the role of the student security officer will see some change in the next few years. The Department of Residence is looking into electronic access systems, which is already planned for Maple Hall, and possibly having the Department of Public Safety play a larger part in residence hall security.

Alexander said the budget cut is anticipated as permanent, but that could change.