Wade Burken remembers a time when Iowa State students could put decorations on the outside of their residence hall room doors.

And he also remembers the day in 1992 when the action was banned.

Burken is now a hall director for the Department of Residence.

He said he has mixed feelings about the new door policy, which will let residence hall residents decide what can and cannot be displayed on their doors.

The policy went into effect because students and staff members in the residence halls complained of threatening and offensive materials hanging on doors.

The materials included cartoons, pictures, posters and slogans that some people found threatening and demeaning toward others based on racial backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender.

After five years of complaints by many students, who said it was a matter of free speech, the policy has changed.

During the struggle university officials maintained it was their duty to make the residence halls a non-threatening place to live.

Their objective remains the same, but the new policy now gives students the right to decide what is and is not offensive on residence hall doors.

The new door policy allows residents to post materials on their door, but its residence hall house must vote on whether or not to implement the new door policy before materials can be posted.

There is a process for review of materials that some residents may find threatening or offensive.

In a recent press release, Randy Alexander, director of the Department of Residence, stated that with the new door policy, they are working to create an environment in which diverse perspectives can be expressed.

“The old policy created an environment that many felt repressed free speech,” he stated.

Burken said for the first two or three years he doesn’t anticipate any problems, because the students know it’s a trial period, and the new door policy can be taken away.

He said if a house votes potentially offensive material should be taken down, it is not binding.

If the resident refuses to remove the material, the house can recommend that the department of residence step in.

Pat Millen, Knapp house RA in Friley Hall, said he anticipates some problems. “I’m a transfer student , and at my other school someone would put up a picture of Malcolm X and someone would get offended,” Millen said.

Brandon Jackson and Bill Sonnleitner, residents of Knapp house, said they like the new door policy.

“It gives you a chance to express yourself and let people know who you are,” Jackson said.

Although Sonnleitner said he likes the new door policy, he said he does expect problems with individual cases.

But Jackson, social chair on Knapp house’s cabinet, said the house cabinet will help control problems on most floors.

Norm Atwood, Noble house RA in Friley Hall, said he doesn’t think the new door policy is a bad thing. “But I don’t think RA’s will play a key role in the way the door policy goes,” he said.

Atwood said he did like that the new door policy was decided by house.

“So if one person messes up it won’t effect all the other houses and the whole university,” he said.

Aaron Robinson, a Westgate RA, said if problems arise, they’ll come early.

“In this testing period, I think some people will try to take it to the edge,” he said. “It will liven’ up the dorms.”