The University will be billing residents in the Charles River Apartments collectively for repair costs associated with doors propped open with coins, according to an email sent to residents from Dayshawn Simmons, the Area Coordinator for Charles River Apartments and the Foster Mods.

“The cost associated to have a locksmith come down to Charles River to remove coins from the doors is no longer appropriate for Brandeis to allow this to continue,” Simmons wrote in his email, which went out on Monday. “Additionally, propping doors to residence halls in any form presents a security risk to the community. In conducting health and safety inspections recently, the CA staff and I noticed that many of you do not lock your suite doors. Having the swipe card doors propped and not locking your suite doors presents a serious security risk for our community that we all have a responsibility in addressing.”

The technique of using a coin to prop a door open involves sliding a coin into the door hinge to prevent it from closing completely.

Simmons’ email stated that there have been 58 work orders for propped doors to date, though he noted “that number does not include the coins the CA staff and police officers remove on their own on a nightly basis to ensure the security of the Charles River buildings.”

As to why all Charles River residents will be billed collectively, Simmons wrote, “this is an issue that occurs in each of the four buildings in Charles River. While the CA staff and I share the frustration this may bring to some of you, the Department of Community Living, alongside Brandeis Police and Facilities Management, have a responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of our residence halls.” Students in Ziv 127 were previously collectively billed $23 per student when fire panels and electric door systems were damaged in October, according to a Dec. 8 Justice article.

Simmons did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.

—Abby Patkin