Several safety upgrades have been made to Arkansas Tech University’s campus in an effort to provide a safer environment for its students. One of the more visible changes is the addition of 25 new, large light fixtures that are currently being erected on campus. 

Tech hired a consultant and utilized a task force comprised of various members of Tech’s faculty and staff to assess the campus, said Susie Nicholson, vice president for student services.  They determined areas where there was a need for improved safety on campus.  Part of this involved Tech administrators walking around campus after dark last spring to note areas that needed more lighting and less shrubbery in order to increase visibility.

In addition to the new lights, emergency call stations and additional security cameras are being installed around campus, Nicholson said.  Equipment for 14 call stations is scheduled to arrive in mid-October and installation will begin shortly thereafter. 

Electronic door access is another feature that is being added to Tech’s campus.  Students will have to use their student I.D. to access academic buildings during the evenings.  Witherspoon, Ross Pendergraft Library and the Norman Art Building will be the first three buildings to receive this upgrade, Nicholson said. When the project is finished, a total of 10 buildings will have the feature.

Two new public safety officers, as well as a new public safety vehicle, have been added to the Office of Public Safety, Nicholson said. Public safety has made an effort to increase its visibility around campus. Part of this effort includes having more public safety officers on patrol during the evenings. 

The university has also made an effort to define the responsibilities that belong to students, in order to ensure a safe experience on campus.  Some areas that students are responsible for include: walking with a friend at night, using Tech’s escort service through the Office of Public Safety, alerting public safety about suspicious people or activities, staying in well-lit areas, using well-traveled routes and keeping valuables locked and out of sight.  Students are also encouraged to save the Office of Public Safety phone number in their mobile devices.

Public safety can be contacted at (479) 968-0222.