by Jody P. Bethel
Staff Writer
Students can now receive the University’s Office of Public Safety quicker, with the installation of new public telephones with a speed dial button linking to the security office.
The speed dial was placed on campus under the direction of Sheila DeGraw, director of support services, who came up with the idea when the phone company was planning to install new telephones on campus, and offered this added feature to the phones.
The University offered to pay for the calls, but GTE waived the fee for the campus.
The speed dial phones provide for quicker response by security because students do not need to know the number for security, nor do they need money to call.
There are several locations on the campus with these pay phones, where with the press of a button, public safety can be notified of a problem.
Founders Hall houses two of the phones, the Law Center has two, Brandt and Stu-Han each have a phone. There is a phone outside the Oaks, one in the Education Building, on the east and west side of the library and one each in the Spot and Davenport Dining Hall.
Students may dial out to 911 or security in case of an emergency or assistance.
The University is looking into purchasing two house phones that will hold the same purpose. They would be black phones that are distinguishable as phones for emergency assistance by 911 or public safety, and hopes to find a damage proof case to install the phones outdoors.
“We think it is convenient because if students forget the number and they are scared, they don’t have to think, ‘What’s the number? What’s the number?'” said John Lentz, director of campus safety. “It is also a benefit to someone who is off campus who might not know the extension.”
Jody P. Bethel
