Judith Noonan
Staff Writer
Idaho State University boasts a proud team of dedicated officers to serve and protect the campus communities located in Pocatello, Meridian and Idaho Falls.
It is the goal of these officers to be up to date on training, and they are constantly learning more ways to ensure safety at school.
These officers work to protect the school 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Officers patrol each campus regularly. It is the hope of many at ISU, to maintain a positive atmosphere.
About a year ago, ISU President, Arthur Vailas, wrote a letter to the community. This letter addressed issues of harassment and attacks on other students, from places like Kuwaiti, and Saudi Arabia.
This type of situation can potentially deter students from enrolling at ISU, especially international students.
When people aren’t keeping the peace with others, as well as doing hateful things it can potentially make others feel unsafe at school. It’s the duty of students, and the community to promote non-discrimination.
Many new, efficient developments have taken place to help students stay safe. One of which includes the cell phone app called RAVE Guardian that will replace the blue light emergency poles.
The app is a component of ISU’s emergency notification system that uses text messages, telephone calls, and emails to forewarn of critical situations that may be affecting the campus.
With its many features, RAVE Guardian, was unveiled in 2015. When the duress button is pressed, depending upon the information each user inputs into the settings, the individual’s GPS location, telephone number, photographs and vehicle information will be transmitted immediately to ISU Public Safety.
Faculty and staff will be able to upload their building, floor and office location into the app for an expeditious response by ISU Public Safety. The app also provides the ability to set safety times, and manage Guardians.
A great improvement because you can carry your cell phone with you at all times, instead of having to find a blue light pole.
“Using the phone app makes so much more sense than having to find a blue light pole that may be several blocks away when you can simply access the RAVE Guardian app while on any of our campuses. The only geographical boundary involves access to cell phone coverage,” said. Lewis Eakins, ISU director of Public Safety. “Today’s student is more likely to use a cell phone than run to a blue light pole if there is an emergency.”
Other ways students can protect themselves, is taking a self-defense class. Being aware of circumstances that are not good, and reporting them is very important.
Making sure belongings are always close by, or locked up is always a good thing. Anything we can do to help the school be safer, helps keep Idaho State an enjoyable school to attend.
Idaho State, compared to other schools in the nation, is above average in safety. Earning a B-plus in safety, some might say this school is a comfortable place to be.
Other schools in the local area also got an above average in safety. We need to address issues we’re having, and offer suggestions about how to be more safe.
It is wonderful to know the extent that these trained officers at school take. I am sure that more new, and effective ways to keep students safe are on their way.
