This summer, the Office of Housing and Residential Education will initiate a two-year program to enhance safety and security in the university residence hall system.

Dean of Students Mark Bandas said the plan is not a response to the Virginia Tech shootings but is part of Vanderbilt's continued efforts to upgrade campus security.

The plan is the product of conversations that began in fall 2005 after a shooting in Morgan House residence hall prompted the creation of a special task force to assess campus security.

The plan will upgrade residence hall security systems to include card readers on all residence hall elevators, stairwell corridor doors and entry/exit doors. Surveillance cameras will be installed at all residence hall entry/exit points and all elevator and stairwell entry/exit points.

Access control and camera installation will be completed in Morgan, Lewis, Carmichael Towers and all other residence halls during the summer of 2008.

Additionally, third-party security personnel will be employed during late-night hours and on weekends at the university's nine residence hall desks. The housing office will participate in the training of these officers and in their performance evaluations.

The Office of Housing and Residential Education says it will continue to work closely with Vanderbilt Student Government to assess and improve the effectiveness of residence hall security.