By Noah Mendez, Imran Shafiq-Khan & Antoine Jones
Triangle Contributing Writers
Wingate University students are voicing concerns over recent room checks conducted during fire alarms, arguing that the practice feels more like an invasion of privacy than a safety measure.
Several students have reported that Residence Life staff enter rooms while students are outside evacuating, raising questions about the true purpose of these inspections.
Makayla Brown, a sophomore Chemistry major from Winston-Salem, described the experience as unsettling.
“We all understand that safety is important, but it feels like an excuse to check up on us instead of actually helping during an emergency,” Brown said.
Nursing major Katlyn Bowman, a sophomore from Mount Holly, N.C., echoed that sentiment.
“It’s weird knowing they’re coming into our rooms when we’re outside thinking something’s wrong,” she said. “It makes me question the real purpose behind it.”
Sophomore Ala Kahn acknowledged that it may be policy but believes the process could be more transparent.
“I get that it’s a rule, but they could at least let us know beforehand or give a better explanation,” Kahn said. “It doesn’t feel right when we don’t even know what they’re looking for.”
While students have expressed frustration, Wingate officials maintain that these fire drills and room checks serve an essential safety function.
Campus Safety Officer Ashley Helms explained that the university follows the State of North Carolina Fire Code, which requires four fire drills per academic year—two per semester. One drill must take place within the first 10 days of class and another must occur after sunset but before sunrise.
“For the most part, the fire alarms that do go off are being used for a good purpose,” Helms said. “If an actual fire were to happen, it would be important that the alarms work.”
Additionally, officials argue that fire alarms are a practical way to conduct large-scale room checks, ensuring that students comply with safety regulations. In cases where alarms are triggered by smoke from an individual room, evacuations and inspections help determine the source of the problem.
Despite these justifications, students continue to call for changes to how room checks are conducted. In interviews across campus, many expressed frustration over the lack of prior notice and the disruptions caused by these inspections.
Wingate freshman Elsie Opdyke, an Exercise Science major from Paxton, Mass., said she feels the university should provide at least a general timeframe for room checks.
“They should at least let us know when they’re going to do them, maybe not the exact time, but at least a date,” she said. “It’s unfair for them to just go into our rooms without telling us and search through our personal belongings.”
Freshman Kashe Smith, a Business major from Charlotte, shared a similar experience, noting that staff often enter rooms without waiting long enough for students to respond.
“They knock a few times and just open the door,” Smith said. “If they gave us more time, it would be better. it would show more respect for our privacy. I was asleep one time, and they tried waking me up. I was putting on my clothes and told them to wait, but they didn’t hear me, and they just walked in. I feel like that was a violation of my privacy.”
Sean Kelly, a freshman Management major from Hubert, N.C., said the checks disrupt his daily routine.
“Last night, I was in the middle of doing my homework, and I had to pack everything up,” he said. “It really messed up my workflow.”
Many students believe the university could improve the process by implementing a more structured schedule or giving students advance notice.
“Just a little warning before they do it would help,” said freshman Amari Jones of Lawrenceville, Ga. “A schedule would be nice, like, ‘This is when it’ll happen, so be prepared.’”
While the university enforces fire drills and room checks as part of its safety policies, student concerns suggest that clearer communication and a more transparent process could help balance safety with privacy.
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