Residents of Buchanan Hall now will have 24-hour access to kitchenettes, despite previous incidents of vandalism.

Balsy Kasi, Buchanan hall director, said there have not been any problems lately, which is why the Buchanan Hall Association made the decision to expand the kitchenette hours.

The 24-hour access went into effect Monday.

The kitchenettes, which provide a microwave, oven, range and sink, previously were accessible to residents from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The hours were limited last spring to prevent further incidents of vandalism, Kasi said.

Kasi said it was an inconvenience to residents, but he did not want to put residents in danger because of the possibility of a fire.

Eric Frana, corresponding secretary for BHA, said the vandalism incidents had occurred in the middle of the night and caused the fire alarms to go off.

Frana, junior in pre-electrical engineering, said oil was poured on the lit burners of a stove, and then the vandal put glue into the locks.

The residents suspected of the vandalism have moved out, which is another reason the hours were expanded, Kasi said.

“We’re giving it a chance, and if we have a problem, we are going to reevaluate the situation,” Frana said.

Kasi said he does not foresee any problems because “most of the residents are responsible.”

“If it’s an accident, that is understandable,” he said. “If it’s a vandalism thing, we might close it again.”

Randy Morfitt, junior in philosophy, has been a resident of Buchanan Hall for three years. He said the vandalism was a nuisance because the fire alarms would wake everyone up in the middle of the night.

However, Morfitt said those incidents were isolated events.

“We very seldom have problems in Buchanan Hall because it’s all adults living here,” he said.

Kasi said office staff will monitor the five kitchenettes periodically, and student security will check the area early in the morning to record any damage.

“We want the residents to enjoy the access to the kitchenettes,” he said. “I hope things go well.”