IU may lock classroom doors

Editor’s Note: Please see the first fall publication of the IDS on Wednesday, Aug. 22, for a more detailed story on this topic.\n \nA task force at IU is considering whether putting locks on the inside of classroom doors could improve campus safety.\nSchools across the nation are re-evaluating safety precautions since the Virginia Tech shootings in April that killed 33 students, but safety experts say universities are overlooking the solution of locks.\nOthers contend that door locks could cause problems in some situations. For example, if a gunman locked himself inside a classroom, students would be trapped.\n“On one hand, it’s great to have something to keep bad guys out of the classroom,” said Larry MacIntyre, IU director of media relations. “But if something bad happens, we need to be able to get into the classroom.”\nIU President Michael McRobbie convened the task force to study safety and security after the Virginia Tech shootings.\nOfficials have conducted two tests of emergency sirens that carry voice messages on campus and in downtown Bloomington. IU is also looking into sending text messages to issue warnings.\n“The bottom line is, every aspect of safety and security has to be evaluated on its own merit,” IU Police Department Capt. Jerry Minger said.