04/25/2016

U of M plans on installing new doors for the campus

safety
By Rorekas White

April 6, 2016

After recent campus shootings across the country, the University of Memphis
plans to take action and protect students against potential active shooters by installing new
electric doors that will cost them $300,000.
More than 40 campus buildings have had doors replaced with the new system,
including Patterson, Clement and Mitchell Hall.
Its a new and better way to keep students safe from any bad situation, said Derek
Myers, assistant chief/ director of police operations.
Yet some are questioning whether the project is worth the money and effort, despite recent
concerns about school shootings.
If you ask me, I think its a waste of my money and other students money, said Shelia
Brown, 24, criminal justice major.
She said that with the new doors being installed it isnt going to stop anyone who may
harm others from entering any building.
Whos to say that a killer isnt in the same area as I am or inside the building with me,
said Brown.
Myers said the new doors will be operated remotely, which will prevent potential
problems.
The door project will allow faculty and students to shelter in case of a situation with an
active shooter, said Myers.
Myers said that many classrooms require a key so the new system will automatically open
and close doors.

The doors will open at 6 a.m. and close at 8p.m.

With the system students and faculty members will have to use their U of M campus I.D. after
9 p.m. in order to enter the building, Myers said.
Regardless of how some students feel who may disagree with the project, the show must go
on.
Brian Wilcox, 53, physical plant director said that the project is moving smoothly and is in
its third quarter.
We are still buying more equipment and making sure the job is done on time, Wilcox said.
He said that the project was combined into two phases, the first phase began last year. The
second phrase will begin in June until the middle of August.
Some students are looking forward to the new transition that university has provided for
them.
I think its a great idea that the university is finding new ways to protect the people on
campus, said Sarah Hollins, 19, a resident,English major.
She said that with everything that happened last year at other schools, its well need it.
We all think that the worst could never happened, but it can, Hollins said. The
university is actually bring more awareness to keeping the campus safe by any means necessary.
She said that more protection should be on the university because she usually gets out
of class at 8p.m.
The more protection we have the better everyone will feel safe to walk on the campus
at night, Hollins said.
She said that although the school may take some funds out of students tuition to pay for
this technology, it would be all worth it.

I know some people may say that, the university shouldnt take more money from our
wallets but were talking about our safety here, Hollins said. But this could maybe save your
life or someone elses.

Click here for the map for some of the buildings:

https://www.google.com/maps/@35.1190837,89.9404101,17z/data=!4m2!6m1!1szNcVXjeoPYrM.k59vHPpuDZVM