The electric door guard has replaced the traditional "door lady" in a dormitory at Shanghai Songjiang University City, within the range of many universities.
In the future, more electric door guards will take the place of "door ladies."
The electric door guard operates under an IC card system, with students using IC cards to enter. Each resident student is issued an IC card with his/her personal information stored on it. Information like the card-holding student's name, major, grade, and even time of entry will be stored on their IC card. The door has also been equipped with a "digital eye" to take video 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
With the new "door guard" already on duty, students began to discuss the pros and cons of the latest renovation to their dorm in community forums.
Some complained that having to take their IC card everywhere is inconvenient, adding that the system is not always reliable. They noted times when the system failed to recognize them and they had to call repair workers to fix it.
Others say the former "door lady" was more flexible and gave them a sense of "home." Sometimes when a student had to stay out late, to study or for other business, the door lady would wait for them and let them in if they told her beforehand. Or when students' parents came to visit, the door lady would let them in. But now, all of these conveniences seem impossible.
Still, students admit that the electric door guard is much safer, as it prevents thieves as well as unwelcome salesmen from entering their dorm. In this way, the electric door guard has its own advantages.
The school's authorities say the new system needs some time to improve and that students need time to get used to it. The school has said it will consider the inconveniences brought along with the new door guard and attempt to solve them by other means. On the whole, the new system seems to be good for students living in the dorm building.