After performing Y2K-related maintenance early Tuesday morning, unanticipated glitches caused the doors of Crawford Hall to lock shut that afternoon, leaving Crawford Hall residents literally out in the cold. Other residence halls also experienced technical difficulties.

GWorld officials should have been aware of the possible consequences of the maintenance, or they should have been mindful of risks.

The timing of the maintenance procedures was also questionable. Maintenance operations can be performed when students aren’t on campus. Perhaps Y2K-related maintenance could have been completed over the summer or during the beginning of winter break. With student’s schedules become increasingly hectic as finals approach and with the temperature dropping, the procedures were ill-timed.

Not only were students inconvenienced because of a lack of foresight from the GWorld office, but they were put in serious danger. While some Crawford Hall residents couldn’t get into the building, others were helplessly locked inside. The situation posed a serious fire hazard, as residents had no way out of the building if an emergency had necessitated their exit.

The bottom line is that students’ best interests didn’t receive enough consideration. University departments should take all necessary precautions to make sure students’ time isn’t needlessly wasted. Though no one was injured, the risk of potential danger was magnified far past acceptable safety standards.

Students’ safety should never be compromised.