Small campus towers make big differences for student saftey

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Safety is always a primary concern when choosing where to spend your college years.

One Wabash Valley college is trying to keep its students as safe as possible.

As students walk around Indiana State University’s campus, whether they’re going to the library to study, the commons to grab a bite to eat or going to or from social festivities, they like to know they’re safe.

One of the more prominent features ISU security provides is the Code Blue call centers placed throughout campus.

“We knew they actually cared about the students, because they were trying to protect them,” said Pavaan Bojwa, an ISU student.

There are 28 Code Blue phone systems on ISU’s campus, each of which has 911 and Information buttons.

When a student, faculty member or person in distress presses the 911 button, all surveillance cameras in the area swivel toward that call center. This shows campus Police the person making the call, and potential dangers in the area to the caller.

It’s a strong security system; however, ISU Police Chief Bill Mercier said [ISU Police] don’t get a lot of calls from the centers.

But the $5,000 it takes to install a single Code Blue center is worth it.

ISU Police Chief Mercier believes the Code Blue centers are a wonderful thing.

“When you really need it, you need it. And, that’s kind of the way we feel about our phones. They’re here for the peace-of-mind of the students in the campus community,” stated Chief Mercier.

The Code Blue centers have other functions as well, focusing on aiding physically impaired students, by giving them a ride to their cars or to nearby campus buildings.

“If we’re coming back from work, or something really late at night, they’ll help come and walk you to your dorms, especially late at night. That helps a lot,” said ISU student Prabjyot Jhatu.

Though the students hope there’s never an emergency which calls for them to use the Code Blue centers, it’s always reassuring the centers are there when they need them.