At $22,000 and some change, a student at Saint Louis University
would expect to have an all-access pass to the buildings and
facilities on the campus. However, with discriminating policies
against commuters, the all-access pass is an illusion.

Commuter students are treated, by the residential buildings on
SLU’s campus, as sub-standard and inept. In order to enter a
residential building–be it Marchetti or Gries –a commuter must
have a resident come down to the lobby and escort the devious
commuter student. SLU must be fearful that the commuter might, in a
fit of rage, break a window.

As a commuter student, however, I would be far less angry if I
didn’t require an escort whenever I enter a building. For one, it’s
an inconvenience for the resident, and two, if I don’t intend on
staying–say I’m just running up to borrow something–why should I
have to leave my ID and call the resident for an escort?

What’s more ludicrous is the inconsistent –at best–ID
checking. One desk worker, who took my ID, claimed that no matter
what time of day the ID is always supposed to be left and an escort
called. Well, she must be right for she had “been a desk worker for
three years.”

If that has always been SLU’s policy then why, I wonder, is she
the first person to ask me to check my ID?

Now, residence life, in accordance with parking and card
services, offers a “special” commuter ID. This ID will grant
commuters entrance to the residence hall/apartment with no escort
required. How lovely! Problem one: In order to receive this
commuter ID you must attend a meeting. I’ve been to one of these
meetings, last year. It’s a very simple affair of some official [or
other] telling you not to do bad things to the buildings and when
you have to leave. They also make you sign a contract stating the
same. I signed it; I should be good for the remainder of my SLU
career.

Wrong! This meeting must be attended once a school year.

Problem two: $10. That’s right, you pay over $20,000 big ones
every year to attend a prestigious college, and they won’t let you
in the buildings unless you pay them 10 bucks. Now, I’m not saying
that $10 is a lot of money, because it isn’t. I disagree with
paying that on a matter of principle. I attended the meeting; I’m
not going to destroy the building. So give me the card. It’s just
that simple.

Desk workers are students too, and I understand that. I’m not
out to get them, honest. But get your facts straight. I will not
put up with having to check my ID with one worker, and not having
to check my ID for another. No, I will not be happy if that
situation continues. Either everyone checks me in, or no one.
Discrepancies will be held in my contempt, and I will be
hell-spawned on earth if I experience such discrepancies.

I am tired of being treated like a second-class student at SLU.
Whether I travel 15 miles and 25 minutes to get to campus, or
whether I live on campus, it doesn’t matter, I am still a student,
and I still pay to go to SLU.

Andrew Emmerich is a sophomore studying English and secondary
education.