When the Azia Kim story broke last spring, student reaction was very mixed. Comments on The Daily’s Web site ranged from cries to press charges against the 18 year-old impostor from Orange County to calls for the University to admit such a cunning individual.

Now, four months after Kim’s ruse was discovered, the Office of Residential Education (ResEd) has stepped up its efforts to prevent another impostor from illegally squatting in campus housing.

Kim’s deception caught students and ResEd officials alike off guard, and the impostor was able to avoid detection for nearly all of last year.

But according to ResEd Interim Director John Pearson, University officials are now determined to prevent another Azia Kim-like incident from occurring.

“All student staff, including Residential Education staff and Orientation staff, were given guidance on how to be more vigilant when noticing students who do not appear to belong in dorms,” Pearson wrote in an email to The Daily.

Following the discovery of Kim’s deception, he wrote, an investigation into the incident was conducted by Associate Vice Provost of Student Affairs Chris Griffith. Along with ResEd, Housing and Dining Services as well as the Freshman Dean convened a number of times over the summer to address the issue of security in student residences.

These meetings produced a set of changes to residence policies and procedures that will be put into effect this quarter, Pearson said, but refused to go into significant detail about the changes, citing security concerns. Pearson did say the changes would affect room key distribution, dorm room check-in and confirmation of dorm rosters. He also noted that a much firmer emphasis is being placed on security and accountability than in years past.

“Naturally, this involves a balance between the normal welcoming and helpful spirit developed in student staff and the need to be questioning when warranted,” Pearson said.

Despite a seemingly slim chance that another impostor could replicate Kim’s web of deception, ResEd officials are taking such a threat seriously.

“Residential Education staff, including [Resident Fellows], [Resident Assistants], [Resident Directors] and regular administrative staff, have all been involved in discussions on how to make the dorms safer,” Pearson said. “Likewise, staff in Residential and Dining Enterprises have worked hard to develop new procedures that also focus on security.”

Contact Andrew Valencia at andrewv1@stanford.edu.