I see the Collegian poll rates "instituting a true dead week" as the number one campus concern, with 23% of students most concerned about that issue in the KSU student body president race.
Residence hall security not even listed - yet.
Monday, March 5, 2007
What was considered
Last summer K-State's Security Review Committee looked at the following processes and compared them with 12 peer institutions.
1. Kansas State University Annual Security Report (Cleary Report) Campus security statistics both K-State's and their peers the last three years.
2. Educational benchmarking student safety satisfaction survey. This survey gathers feedback from our residence hall students and then benchmarks K-State against the other 256 institutions that administer the same survey
3. Hall access - both hardware and staffing practices
4. Student room door access
5. In room security measures
6. Small item thefts - computers, Ipods, cameras, etc., registration by campus police, similar to bike registration
6. Security cameras
7. Educational programs and material for students and their families
8. Outside lighting
Here are the recommendations that were approved last summer by the security committee.
From what I can tell, the security committee did not recommend security cameras for the residence halls. They have changed hall access significantly.
Here is one school that decided to install security cameras at their dorm entrances and their reasons for doing so. In fact, type in security cameras and residence halls in a Google search and you will see how widely they are employed. K-State should take this opportunity - significant change to its security systems - to install security cameras at the entrances and main lobby of the dorms. This is not only for the safety of the residents by also the community assistants that work the desk and who will be asked to regulate hall access.
1. Kansas State University Annual Security Report (Cleary Report) Campus security statistics both K-State's and their peers the last three years.
2. Educational benchmarking student safety satisfaction survey. This survey gathers feedback from our residence hall students and then benchmarks K-State against the other 256 institutions that administer the same survey
3. Hall access - both hardware and staffing practices
4. Student room door access
5. In room security measures
6. Small item thefts - computers, Ipods, cameras, etc., registration by campus police, similar to bike registration
6. Security cameras
7. Educational programs and material for students and their families
8. Outside lighting
Here are the recommendations that were approved last summer by the security committee.
From what I can tell, the security committee did not recommend security cameras for the residence halls. They have changed hall access significantly.
Here is one school that decided to install security cameras at their dorm entrances and their reasons for doing so. In fact, type in security cameras and residence halls in a Google search and you will see how widely they are employed. K-State should take this opportunity - significant change to its security systems - to install security cameras at the entrances and main lobby of the dorms. This is not only for the safety of the residents by also the community assistants that work the desk and who will be asked to regulate hall access.
RA, PhD?
Here is a story about the latest trend of faculty living with students at some dorms.
From the AP story:
When John Richardson wanted to avoid a lengthy commute to American University's campus, renting a nearby apartment just wouldn't do.
Instead, the easygoing 68-year-old professor decided to settle into a sprawling dormitory teeming with hundreds of students. It's not as unusual as it sounds: These days, catching sight of your professor on the way to the shower happens all the time.
Educators say a growing number of faculty are moving into dorms as colleges seek to revitalize campus life and shift away from the utilitarian, high-rise halls that sprouted when enrollment soared in the 1960s.
"There's been a separation between the culture of academic life and the culture of campus life," said Richardson, who suggested moving into a dorm after students complained that interaction with faculty was lacking outside the classroom.
There wasn't much structure to Richardson's living arrangement when he first moved into his one-bedroom suite in Anderson Hall about four years ago, said Gail Hanson, the university's vice president of campus life. The plan was to have him take it all in and see what happened.
Today, Richardson can be found handing out candy from a giant plastic bowl with a blinking red light attached as he greets bleary-eyed students during dozens of middle-of-the-night fire alarms. The well-traveled culinary enthusiast also prepares a buffet-style dinner for students a couple of nights each month, serving up Peking duck, Sri Lankan curry and Moroccan lamb.
"It kind of feels like you have a grandfather or an uncle living with you," said Aimee Malin, 20, a senior.
From the AP story:
When John Richardson wanted to avoid a lengthy commute to American University's campus, renting a nearby apartment just wouldn't do.
Instead, the easygoing 68-year-old professor decided to settle into a sprawling dormitory teeming with hundreds of students. It's not as unusual as it sounds: These days, catching sight of your professor on the way to the shower happens all the time.
Educators say a growing number of faculty are moving into dorms as colleges seek to revitalize campus life and shift away from the utilitarian, high-rise halls that sprouted when enrollment soared in the 1960s.
"There's been a separation between the culture of academic life and the culture of campus life," said Richardson, who suggested moving into a dorm after students complained that interaction with faculty was lacking outside the classroom.
There wasn't much structure to Richardson's living arrangement when he first moved into his one-bedroom suite in Anderson Hall about four years ago, said Gail Hanson, the university's vice president of campus life. The plan was to have him take it all in and see what happened.
Today, Richardson can be found handing out candy from a giant plastic bowl with a blinking red light attached as he greets bleary-eyed students during dozens of middle-of-the-night fire alarms. The well-traveled culinary enthusiast also prepares a buffet-style dinner for students a couple of nights each month, serving up Peking duck, Sri Lankan curry and Moroccan lamb.
"It kind of feels like you have a grandfather or an uncle living with you," said Aimee Malin, 20, a senior.
3:45 A.M.
From the police log on March 4:
RECIEVED A CALL FROM MOORE HALL. RP STATED THAT THERE WERE A BUNCH OF DRUNK GUYS ON THE 7TH FLOOR ACTING CRAZY. SENT OFFICERS OUT, BUT EVERYONE HAD LEFT THE AREA.
A good argument for both better after hours residence hall security and sobriety.
RECIEVED A CALL FROM MOORE HALL. RP STATED THAT THERE WERE A BUNCH OF DRUNK GUYS ON THE 7TH FLOOR ACTING CRAZY. SENT OFFICERS OUT, BUT EVERYONE HAD LEFT THE AREA.
A good argument for both better after hours residence hall security and sobriety.
Saturday, March 3, 2007
Huggie Bear
Whenever I think that I haven't been quite as generous as I should be when it comes to K-State's performance relating to campus security or customer service(described in earlier posts), I think of Bob Huggins and his tough love for K-State students.
After the game today, Huggie Bear said that he appreciated all 37 students that came to every game - and to remember to bring back 2,000 of their closest friends next year. I love Huggins as much as the next guy, but come on, lay off the students for once. But I give him a partial pass because what he said was true; only 37 students did go to every game!
If the well-rewarded Huggins can be hard on K-State students for failing to show up during Christmas break against Cleveland State, I will show tough love toward K-State for failing to implement needed security changes at residence halls, and then falling down in accountability, leadership and customer service.
After the game today, Huggie Bear said that he appreciated all 37 students that came to every game - and to remember to bring back 2,000 of their closest friends next year. I love Huggins as much as the next guy, but come on, lay off the students for once. But I give him a partial pass because what he said was true; only 37 students did go to every game!
If the well-rewarded Huggins can be hard on K-State students for failing to show up during Christmas break against Cleveland State, I will show tough love toward K-State for failing to implement needed security changes at residence halls, and then falling down in accountability, leadership and customer service.
A suggestion
One thing the Collegian could do as a service to students is to publish K-State's daily police/crime log. I've noted that other student newspapers have done this, such as this example. I'm sure it would be well-read.
Sordid tales of campus crime
That's the name of this student written piece from the University of Colorado at Denver, but it could have been anywhere. It reflects the truth that no matter how feel-good the KSU experience is, there are thieves among us. And who hasn't felt the premonition of dread when racing off to the bathroom and leaving a laptop unattended?
Here is an excerpt:
Took my eye off of it for a second
Between 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., on Wednesday Feb. 14, a Metro student had his possessions stolen. On the first floor of the Library, near the circulation section, a student had his LG Chocolate Verizon phone and his TI-83 graphing calculator stolen. The total estimated value of his possessions is $450.It looks like there are thieves amongst us, waiting for the moment we're not paying attention to rob us blind. Be careful of what you are leaving in the open, if you have expensive gadgets or items, try not to leave them out in the open. Try to find carry bags or other means of storing your expensive or important things, so you can take them with you, and not have to set them down.
I thought the bookstore robbed us
On Feb. 14, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., a silver Motorola Razr phone was stolen from the Auraria Campus Bookstore. An employee of the bookstore reported his cell phone stolen. He had left it in an office, but the door was not locked and the public may have had access to office. Important things to remember: if you have an expensive, important device, please write down its important information, like serial number, make and model. As much as I feel like the bookstore robs me every semester, I know it's not the employee's fault and don't wish them ill will...or stolen cell phones.
New fashion on campus: Depends
On Feb. 12, a student was robbed in South Classroom 126. She reported a Jansport backpack, textbooks and a scandisk flashdrive stolen. The total estimated value of the items lost is $195. She left her things in the classroom while she went to use the restroom. Upon returning, her things were gone. I believe that what she did was a common occurrence on campus, I have seen many people leave their things inside the classroom before using the restroom. We all know, especially this time of year when it's cold outside, how difficult it is to use the restroom all bundled up and loaded with school gear. Looks like we need to institute the buddy system, no one goes to the restroom without their buddy watching their things.
Here is an excerpt:
Took my eye off of it for a second
Between 12:00 p.m. and 12:45 p.m., on Wednesday Feb. 14, a Metro student had his possessions stolen. On the first floor of the Library, near the circulation section, a student had his LG Chocolate Verizon phone and his TI-83 graphing calculator stolen. The total estimated value of his possessions is $450.It looks like there are thieves amongst us, waiting for the moment we're not paying attention to rob us blind. Be careful of what you are leaving in the open, if you have expensive gadgets or items, try not to leave them out in the open. Try to find carry bags or other means of storing your expensive or important things, so you can take them with you, and not have to set them down.
I thought the bookstore robbed us
On Feb. 14, between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., a silver Motorola Razr phone was stolen from the Auraria Campus Bookstore. An employee of the bookstore reported his cell phone stolen. He had left it in an office, but the door was not locked and the public may have had access to office. Important things to remember: if you have an expensive, important device, please write down its important information, like serial number, make and model. As much as I feel like the bookstore robs me every semester, I know it's not the employee's fault and don't wish them ill will...or stolen cell phones.
New fashion on campus: Depends
On Feb. 12, a student was robbed in South Classroom 126. She reported a Jansport backpack, textbooks and a scandisk flashdrive stolen. The total estimated value of the items lost is $195. She left her things in the classroom while she went to use the restroom. Upon returning, her things were gone. I believe that what she did was a common occurrence on campus, I have seen many people leave their things inside the classroom before using the restroom. We all know, especially this time of year when it's cold outside, how difficult it is to use the restroom all bundled up and loaded with school gear. Looks like we need to institute the buddy system, no one goes to the restroom without their buddy watching their things.
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