West Virginia University has a proven track record of being a safe campus, and the WVU Student Government Association and Department of Public Safety want to keep it that way.

President Mike Garrison joined WVU Police Chief Bob Roberts and SGA leaders Wednesday (Sept. 5) in announcing major new campus safety initiatives, including a text-alert system and anSGA& DPS : Partners for Safetyprogram that will introduce student walking patrols on the Downtown Campus.

Garrison said text messaging has become an indispensable method of communication for young adults. With WVU s text-alert system, University officials will be able to notify students and employees of an emergency quickly.

We will implementbefore the end of this semestera text message alert system that will be available to every student, every member of the faculty and staff and others who are regularly on our campus,he told reporters.

Garrison said the high-tech system is one of several safety initiatives due to roll out this fall.SGA& DPS : Partners for Safetyteams students with DPS officers. A group of about eight to 12 cadets will be mentored and trained by a seasoned officer to act as a second pair ofeyes and earsfor the department.

Student walking patrols will take place Thursday through Saturday nights on the Downtown Campus. The students will be equipped with special radios to report incidents and will wear uniforms that will properly identify them. They would not get involved in breaking up a potential fight, for example, but would simply observe and report incidents.

As part of the initiative, $250,000 has been earmarked for new lighting around campus, said Randy Hudak, director of Facilities Management. Brighter and more energy-efficient lighting fixtures will be installed in key areas where students often walk at night, starting with the sidewalks and streets connecting the Wise Library, downtown residence halls, the PRT and the Mountainlair.

The initiative also calls for surveillance cameras to be installed at key intersections and locations, SGA President David Kirkpatrick said, and campus safety lectures and classes in self-defense will also be offered in the residence halls, to student organizations and at special events such as WVUp All Night. A new campus safety officer will also be hired who will focus on crime prevention and educational programming for nighttime staff and students.

I want students to know these initiatives came from them, the student body, in response to issues they voiced,Kirkpatrick said.Id also like to thank President Mike Garrison and his administrative team for funding these programs and taking a proactive approach to maintaining a safe campus.

Because of these added measures, Kirkpatrick and Vice President Jason Parsons said students studying late at the library, parking in the garage at night, returning to campus from Downtown Morgantown and other venues will not only feel more secure, but will know others are watching out for them.

In the past, there have been police officers patrolling the Downtown Campus, but obviously they cant be everywhere. By introducing student patrols, extra lighting and cameras, students should feel even better about campus security.Parsons said.If these efforts are successful, I can see this pilot project broadening to include other areas of campus. I consider this a hallmark initiative of the SGA administration.

Garrison said the safety and well-being of students and employees continues to be the highest priority for the University.

When we held our forums across campus during the transition, safety issues were always on peoples minds,he said.Particularly, during the student forum last week, we heard from a number of students that they wanted better communication, better conditions and more protection for people walking on campus.

The tragic events last spring at Virginia Tech brought this home for all of us,Garrison added.That campus is similar to oursa place many Mountaineers are very familiar with. But even before that tragedy, Bob Roberts and the SGA were at work developing plans to make this a safer campus.

Roberts said that while this program offers added security measures in deterring crime and identifying suspects, students and employees must also take personal responsibility for their safety.

We cant prevent everything from happening,Roberts said,but through our current and new campus safety efforts and taking personal responsibility for our actions, we can put ourselves in a better position to respond,he said.

Roberts offered these tips: Take advantage of shuttle or escort services; always walk in groups or pairs; know where the emergency phones are located and keep personal cell phones handy; avoid potentially dangerous or reckless behavior; be aware of your surroundings; and report suspicious or illegal behavior.

The number to reach Public Safety is 304-293-COPS (2677) or people may use one of the campus emergency towers located throughout campus (call goes directly to 911 Center).

Students interested in cadet positions should contact Lt. Brian Hoxter at 304-293-3136.