• Provide a visible, uniformed presence in University facilities as a deterrent to acts of violence, vandalism, and theft.
  • As appropriate or necessary, be trained to act as the building coordinator for assigned facilities, performing all duties and responsibilities outlined in the Building Coordinator’s manual. They would become knowledgeable about fire alarm and fire suppression systems, utility cutoffs, evacuation routes, and other requisite facility information.
  • Become familiar with the faculty, staff, and students who utilize the assigned facilities so that the officer is perceived as a vital resource.
  • Promote a welcoming environment for visitors and guests of the facility by being present and available to assist in providing directions and information.

There are several problems with the current building coordinator system. There is a Building Coordinator Handbook, revised in March, 2006, yet two building coordinators on the Building and Door Access Subcommittee did not recall seeing it, and another building coordinator did not have a copy. Every facility is to have a building coordinator and an alternate so that one of them is available at all times during every working day. However, 41 of 46 facilities do not have an alternate building coordinator.

It is suggested a non-commissioned Public Safety Officer be paired with each building coordinator to provide support and expertise. Unfortunately, many of the building coordinators are not in a position of authority among the faculty and staff within their buildings. Examples of some of the current building coordinators, by position, are: faculty (3), administrative secretary (6), executive assistant (6), director or assistant director (11), dean or associate dean (5), and academic department head (5). In addition, many building coordinators do not see surveying the building regularly for safety issues as part of their responsibilities.

Under the proposal, no assigned, non-commissioned Public Safety Officers would be necessary for facilities under the direct management of a director and staff, such as the Plaster Student Union, Hammons Student Center, and Residence Life and Services buildings. In some instances, it may be appropriate to have a non-commissioned Public Safety Officer assigned to clusters or groupings of academic and non-academic buildings. The assigned non-commissioned Public Safety Officers would continue to report to the Department of Safety and Transportation, but would maintain ongoing communication with appropriate faculty and staff administrators and the building coordinator(s) within their assigned building(s).

The Task Force identified eleven (11) potential facilities, or clusters of facilities, which should have an assigned non-commissioned Public Safety Officer.

• Kemper and Temple Halls
• Glass and Strong Halls
• Carrington Hall
• Meyer Library
• Cheek, Ellis, Hill and Siceluff Halls
• Pummill, Craig and Karls Halls plus the Powerhouse
• Kings Street Annex, Forsyth Athletic Building, and McDonald Arena
• The Professional Building and Physical Therapy Building
• Wehr Band Hall and Institutional Research
• The Alumni and Morris Centers and Art and Design Gallery
• The Woodruff and Park Central Office Buildings

These additional non-commissioned Public Safety Officers could be added as budget resources permit.

Twenty-two (22) manuals

$220

Classrooms that have more than fifty seats are required to have a crash bar or lever handles. It is not recommended that restrooms have door entry locks because the safety of members of the university community and guests could be compromised.

The "Safe Rooms" would be an established location on designated floors in the buildings for individuals to go to in an event of an active shooter or threatening situation to seek secured shelter until assistance is rendered. The rooms would also assist the First Responders team and responding law enforcement so patrons of the building are contained in a single, known, secured environment during an active shooter situation, assuming all could get to the "safe room". The "Safe Rooms" would be set up with communication, a means by which to secure the doorway, First Aid Kit, and any necessary supplies to support the individuals in the room for an extended period of time until they can be safely rescued. Costs for establishing these rooms would be dependent on the extent of modifications needed to convert an area into a "Safe Room". These designated areas would continue to house normal day-to-day business and academic functions unless needed in an emergency situation.