Considering the past year’s events, as well as at other schools in the past year, safety is on everyone’s mind. The administration has made improving security at RPI a priority this year, with a main focus on emergency notification. Yet, while new high-tech methods of letting the community know about situations on campus is admirable, we must first improve the most primary method—communication with Public Safety.
This past Wednesday, you may have noticed a large amount of Troy Police Department officers on campus. Naturally, as events unfolded, rumors and suspicion abounded. As a concerned student, I called up Public Safety to try and find out what was happening, and whether or not things were safe. What I got instead was not assuring at all, but rather irritating.
When I dialed Public Safety’s non-emergency number, reached an officer, and inquired as to what was happening on campus. Instead of an understanding response, I received a brusque “Who is this? I don’t have time to talk to you.” While attempting to explain who I was (as though that should even matter), I was hung up on. After speaking with other students about this, I found that I was not the only one brushed off and ignored—others had received the same treatment.
While I acknowledge that perhaps Public Safety could not comment on the issue as it was still unfolding, completely dismissing a concerned student is completely unacceptable. A simple “We cannot comment on what is happening, but we have things are safe and under control” would have sufficed.
Part of the job of Public Safety is to assure the public in possible times of crisis, to prevent panic. This is even highlighted on its contact information page of its website, stating “Remember: Feel free to call Public Safety with any of your safety concerns.” If this simple act of notification cannot be achieved, how confident can we be in the abilities of its security personnel?
As a student leader, I hope that this issue will be addressed immediately. Not being convinced of our school’s ability to maintain both a safe and informed campus will greatly detract from our comfort level. It only adds to disaffected undergraduates’ arguments that RPI doesn’t care about its students. Improve Public Safety first, and then worry about advanced methods of notification.
All complaining aside, I wish all of you an enjoyable, relaxing break. Take this month off to recharge your batteries before another fun semester here.
As usual, feel free to contact me, either via e-mail at uc@rpi.edu, or via AIM at TheUCPresident, with any questions or concerns. The UC is here to help.
