ASUSU explores security options
Alan Dangerfield was sworn in as Arts Senator at Tuesday’s ASUSU executive council meeting, representing the new Caine College of the Arts. Dangerfield was asked to raise his right arm and take an oath in which he swore to uphold the student code and policies along with the ASUSU constitution. He also swore to carry out duties and responsibilities of the charter for his office, while representing Utah State University in a positive manner.
Also on the agenda for the council was the final vote to make the Arts Senator position official. Graduate Studies Vice President Trevor Nelson reread the bill to the council. It stated that each college has its own senator, and due to the creation of Caine College of the Arts, there is a need for the new senator position. The bill was then voted on and passed unanimously by the ASUSU council.
Another issue opened for discussion was a presentation made by IntelliGuard at a previous meeting, a company that will be testing an emergency alert system at USU.
Heavily discussing whether this system should come to campus, the council came to a consensus that more information needs to be gathered before any decisions can be made. Numerous members expressed concerns on the cost of and need for a new system. IntelliGuard did not disclose a total cost during their presentation.
With total cost being unknown, the amount of the estimated $45 alert key chain gained some focus in the discussion.
“I don’t see students using the key chain,” said Tom Atwood, programming vice president. “$45 is extremely high.”
Other members agreed with Atwood and said they liked that the cost would be optional to students.
Adviser Linda Zimmerman has heard the IntelliGuard presentation three times and informed the council that the cost of the key chain is a minimum amount which may increase.
Keenan Nuehring confirmed that police chief Steve Mecham supports the cause of a new emergency alert system. Tasha Jorgensen, Service Vice President, also supported council members, and said they can “look into other options” as well.
“I definitely think it’s time for conversations about security and emergency alert systems. We need to be conscious of what we do,” said Alex Putnam, athletics vice president. Putnam also expressed his concerns about how prepared the school is to deal with emergencies at the moment.
“I would like to see some statistics on how current systems are working at USU,” said Dan Ricks, student advocate vice president.
Other members added that additional information would be helpful and necessary in order to thoroughly discuss potential changes.
This led to a motion, made by President Tyler Tolson, to set up an ad hoc committee to collect the necessary data and information the council needs, along with the thoughts of USU students. Tolson named Jorgensen, Ricks, Kaho Fiefa and Cami Lyman to the committee. The council passed the motion to form the committee with the amendment that Putnam also be on the committee.
– jessie.a.sweat@aggiemail.usu.edu