In addition, last year the Black Men's Group (BMG) alleged that racial profiling was a recurring problem at the athletic facilities. The BMG alleged that on one occasion, only black members of a group of students playing basketball were asked for IDs.
The College has made several changes in the security system for the athletics facilities. With the exception of the front door, all entrances to the Alumni Gymnasium remain locked and alarmed. An employee positioned at the front entrances requires anyone entering the gym to swipe their Amherst College ID card. "This is the most effective system we have had in 35 years. Theft at the gym has dropped dramatically and we have seen an 80 percent reduction in complaints about theft in the last six months," said Athletic Director Peter Gooding. "But ... the system is still far from perfect."
The adult employees stationed at the front desk to check IDs are more reliable in asking each person for an ID card, according to Gooding.
BMG member Travis J. Bristol '03 approves of the new system. "It is good that the system was put in place, but I have gone to the gym a couple of times and people did not have to show ID cards; everyone was not asked, only those the person at the table did not know," said Bristol. "Although this system may be a good step, the school now has to make sure that the people working at the front door follow through with checking everyone's IDs."
Unaffiliated individuals still occasionally gain entrance to the facilities. According to Gooding, they can get in for two reasons. The gym is open more hours each day than almost any other building on campus and it is impossible to employ a front door monitor at all times. Second, the doors to the building remain locked unless there are large-scale athletic events taking place. During these events, non-students can gain entrance to the facilities.
Students are primarily frustrated by the inconvenience of the new system. "I never noticed a problem before with theft in the gym or with outside people coming in to use it," said Carlyn Lamia '03. "I haven't noticed any difference except that we cannot use the back doors anymore."
"My problem with the system is its simple logistics. The old way, I could go straight from the freshman quad to the gym through the back door. But now the only entrance is in front, so I have to walk all the way around." said Ralph Collar '05.
Despite students' complaints, the athletic staff is supportive about the effectiveness of the new system. "There are far [fewer] people in here that should not be," said Gooding. "Even the incident of high school students in the Alumni Gym who should not be or the incident of having to turn people down trying to enter is far and few."