By Jaylon Brunson

One thing about Greensboro College is that it feels open. You can walk across campus, move from one building to the next and most of the time the doors are already open. Especially for students trying to make it to class on time, that convenience matters. Nobody wants to stand outside pulling on a locked door when the professor has already started class.

That openness is part of what makes campus feel comfortable. You see people you recognize and you can walk into buildings without thinking twice and the day just moves.

But recently I started thinking about that openness a little differently. When you slow down and really look around, most of the main entrances to the buildings stay unlocked during the day. Students, faculty and staff move in and out without much thought, which makes sense because this is our campus. But at the same time, it also means someone who does not belong here could walk into those same spaces just as easily.

That realization does not come from fear. It just comes from paying attention. Greensboro College has always tried to create a welcoming environment, and that is something many students appreciate, including myself. The campus feels relaxed and easy to move around. But being welcoming and being mindful about safety can exist at the same time if the right systems are in place.

One idea that could help balance both is expanding the use of Pride Card access for certain buildings. Many colleges already use student ID cards to unlock doors, especially during evenings or quieter hours. During the busiest parts of the day, buildings could remain open for students going to class, but outside of those times, a simple Pride Card swipe could help limit who enters the space.

I feel as though something like that would not make campus feel closed off. It would make sure the people walking through those doors are part of the Greensboro College community. Small changes like that can go a long way in helping students feel more comfortable, especially when walking into buildings later in the evening or during quieter parts of the day.

Campus safety does not always require huge changes. Sometimes it is about looking at everyday routines and asking if there is a way to make things a little better.

Students spend a lot of their time inside these buildings studying, attending classes and working toward their goals. These are the spaces where we learn, stress over assignments, meet with professors and figure out what we want our futures to look like.

Making sure those spaces stay protected is part of taking care of the community we share.