Collegiate Times

Security systems all over campus have been subject to modification after the events of April 16, including 24 hour card swipe access to dorms.

"Prior to this, the police chief reported two levels below the president, so in an emergency or potential emergency situation, in order to get information to the president, it structurally had to pass through two different offices, which can create confusion, or at the least slow information flow," Wilson said.  "By having the police report one level away from the president, it shortens the communication flow and reduces the potential hurdles. It puts the police chief much closer to what's happening."

Wilson, who joined Tech in July 2007 from the University of Wisconsin, receives police reports and information from the police department, which he in turn relays to the president. Wilson said that anything of any significance whatsoever will be noted on these reports.

"For example, traffic summons and petty larceny, they don't submit to me," Wilson said. "In situations that are critical, that involve either safety or security of a campus, they notify me directly and I will pass that on to the president and the rest of the executive officers."

An additional change in this field is the placement of the police chief as a permanent member of the policy group.

"By making him a permanent member of the policy group, it puts him at the table when decisions are made so they can provide impact or feedback," Wilson said.

In June, Tech appointed John Beach of Salem, Va. as interim director of emergency management. Wilson, however, added that pending a current search, Beach could possibly become the permanent director.

Beach's job tasks him with overlooking all emergency operations and training for the university, as well as direct planning and development of emergency response activities.

Owczarski said campus security is an ongoing, methodical process; one that requires diligence and care. Though one of the hardest parts is finding out what needs to be done, a challenge that is equally concerning is what should be done first. Most importantly, Owczarski noted that promoting campus security is not a onetime event.

"The evaluation and effectiveness will never, ever end," Owczarski said. "You can setup 50 million blue light phones across the campus, but another one would still be better. You never rest in a town and say, OK, we don't need police anymore, and we don't need an army anymore."

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