"I don't think the police were consulted, but the masters are very sensitive themselves to security issues," Lewis said.

Harvard Police Chief Paul E. Johnson said he fully supports the decision to have hours of universal access, although he was not aware of the decision.

"If that's the decision of the masters, I don't have any problems with it," Johnson said. "That's a good policy, let them see how it works [and] if it doesn't cause additional problems, fine."

In fact, Wolinsky said the new policy will enhance security because students will now not be as ready to let people into buildings without identification. Also, doors will not need to be propped open for meetings.

"It will increase security on campus and lead to a happier student body," Wolinsky said of the policy.

Although first-years will be given access to houses, upperclass students will not be able to gain entry to Yard dorms under the new policy.

"[The policy] does not apply to the Yard because common areas are so precious and easily overrun by students looking for convenient, central meeting areas," Lewis said.

Nienke C. Grossman '99, a student member of the COHL, said she is pleased with the decision to restrict Yard dorm access to first-years.

"I don't think it's appropriate for the common rooms to be used for [general meetings]," she said.

Grossman said the COHL decided that the entries which are designated for universal access will be alarmed, like the Yard dorm entries