Officials consider options to improve campus safety

IU is considering putting locks on classroom doors, among other measures, to increase safety on campus.\nSince the Virginia Tech shootings April 16, universities have been rethinking emergency notification systems to protect students. \nIU Police Department Capt. Jerry Minger said though locks on classroom doors provide safety, they raise other issues. \n“While the administration and University realize that a locked door could protect students if in an active shooter situation, it also will inhibit emergency systems from getting to someone in need of help,” Minger said.\nMinger said to actually lock down an entire University “would be tantamount to locking down a small city.” \nThe Virginia Tech shooter, Seung-Hui Cho, locked the doors to keep the police out, Minger said, which created an obstacle. \n“For that reason it is not a clear cut solution,” Minger said. “We’re evaluating it very seriously.”\nIn addition, IU is looking to enhance the emergency notification system. Minger said a voice message system will be used to notify students, faculty, and staff of emergencies. Every month, he said, the voice system is tested. This campus-wide system will help keep students who are outdoors alert to potentially dangerous situations. \nMinger said IU is also considering text messaging to alert students as well.