Academic buildings on campus moved to Gold Card access only at the beginning of this week, according to an email from Dean of the College Pedro de Araujo. Access protocols for residence halls, administrative buildings and other facilities won’t change.
“This is an operational step to ensure our academic spaces are clearly designated and managed as private college property,” the email from de Araujo read. “By moving to card access and clarifying property boundaries, we are putting in place a consistent approach to how our spaces are accessed while considering the comfort, focus and safety of our community.”
Cathy Buckley, the director of Campus Safety, was out of the office and couldn’t be reached for comment. Campus Safety didn’t respond to Catalyst inquiries.
The move comes amidst nationwide concern over the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal officers at schools. ICE hasn’t shied away from conducting operations around schools since the Trump administration revoked a Biden-era policy that restricted immigration activity at schools, hospitals and churches.
“The decision to adjust building access was not made in response to any specific agency or enforcement scenario,” Rosalie Rodriguez, the college diversity officer, told The Catalyst.
“What we have done over the past year is provide additional clarity and education for our community about the distinction between public and private campus spaces and how to respond to unexpected external inquiries. This work included creating a resource webpage and offering workshops so faculty, staff and students feel informed and prepared,” she said.
The change means students need their Gold Card to get to class and enter buildings for other activities like studio time and lab work. Professors hosting guest speakers or collaborators should be prepared to meet them at building entrances.
Some faculty had mixed reactions, Rodriguez said. She said that a few approached her and said they had been wanting such a change for years, while others were concerned that it would make the college more insular and less connected to the broader Colorado Springs community.
The last time a policy like this was instituted was during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was lifted in 2022, Rodriguez said.