Safety information needs to be better communicated

Last Tuesday, just before 10 a.m., one of our staff members passed by a purple truck that had two firearms mounted visibly inside the cab.

The staff member called the number for campus security, 432-6037, that was logged in his cellphone (and which is published in the Student Services Directory), and after several rings the call went to voice mail.

In this situation, there was no immediate danger as there weren’t any occupants in the vehicle; however, according to the various signs posted around campus and the student handbook, possessing a firearm on the campus is a state offense and needed to be addressed by security.

People will surely complain or grumble about firearms policies, but the reality is that the law is the law, and unless it is overturned it must be enforced.

After classes and meetings, the staff member went over to the maintenance office to speak with Don Keiper, a campus security officer about the missed call. Keiper wasn’t in, and the staffer was informed that security doesn’t come in until the evenings.

A representative from the administration said that in a similar situation, one should instead call the local police for any assistance during business hours rather than campus security.

What is the point of having a phone number for campus security if such a force is only going to be available part-time rather than there when one needs them?

Further, the campus security voicemail should be ammended to include the non-emmergency line for local police in the event that the call is placed during business hours.

Students need to know how and who to contact depending on the situation, and right now, that information is not clear.