Student Senate held its town hall Wednesday night, where Ohio University executives addressed concerns about the usage of Baker University Center, mental health and student safety in light of the Michigan State University shooting in February.
Ohio University Police Department Chief Andrew Powers addressed concerns about active shooter protocol on OU’s campus following the mass shooting at MSU last month. Powers encouraged students to view OUPD’s YouTube channel for two videos about what to do during an active threat.
More general concerns about student safety on campus involved the lack of blue light phones, improper lighting in some areas on campus and South Green Drive not having a sidewalk.
“About three to four years ago, we did an analysis of five years’ worth of reports on campus related to violent crimes,” Powers said. “What we found was that about 90% of those crimes occurred inside buildings, not outside.”
In relation to the absence of blue light phones, Powers said that it may be more compromising for someone looking to call the police to be in the confined space of a blue light phone booth, especially if it is not working. He said the Bobcat Safe app is a better and more mobile option that accomplishes the same purpose.
“The app is a better option than the blue light phones in the sense that it geolocates you and you have the ability to get in touch with an emergency dispatcher on your cell phone,” Powers said.
