What’s New at ASU By: Alexis Butler

It’s a New year and students have just recently returned to Alabama State University after a month-long winter break. As expected, a new year calls for changes here at the university! As you arrive on campus you’ll immediately notice two things. One is the yellow gates that are located at each entrance and exit and the second being the green trash bins, located near each residence hall. “I’m happy that they finally did something about the entrances to campus, those cones weren’t doing anything and people could easily move them to get their car on campus… the gates bring a lot more security,” third-year student Nikita Dennis, from Mobile, Ala. expressed that the gates are a beginning to “better security at Alabama State” The yellow gates located at each entrance and exit of campus may seem small but happens to have a huge impact on the security of students who live on campus. Previously, entrances were blocked off by cones, which could easily be removed if someone wanted to use that entrance. These yellow gates are a more efficient way to ensure that alternative entrances are closed and locked to ensure drivers enter through a checkpoint, where the university’s campus police are located to check identification and receive authorized access to campus. Over the winter break, trash bins were also placed in the parking lot of Martin Luther King Jr. residence hall, Peyton Finley, behind Bibb Graves and Facility 1, as well as behind Simpson hall. All individual trash cans were removed from each floor, of that specific building. Students were then responsible for taking their own trash to the dumpsters. It was clear, through social media students were not happy with the change. “Why would I have to take my trash all the way outside, the change was extremely inconsiderate,” Dennis said With so much complaint, from the student's body, the policy was only in effect for one week. The following week, of students returning to campus, individual trash cans were placed back onto each floor of the residence halls. “I don’t think that’s fair, some of us don’t have big trash cans in our rooms, so that means I would have to go outside to throw away my trash more than usual, rather than just going down the hall,” Nashville,Ten. native and sophomore, Nicholas Anthony said. The trash bins and yellow gates are not the only things that are brand new at Alabama State. Each residence hall also received new washers and dryers. Several students have complained continuously of the condition of the previous washer and dryers. Junior, Nashville,Ten. native Jimmy Ferrell, stated, “It has been a hassle to get an effective wash when several washers on campus do not complete all cycles and dryers don’t get warm enough to dry clothes within one cycle.” Students have the right to complain about problems when things are no longer effective or if there is a problem if voices are heard it is clear that the university will put forth the effort to renew or accommodate to meet the student's needs.