Part of the university’s institutional prioritization process includes a review of all departments at the university based on economic demands and efficiency. 

Included in that review is the university’s Safety Services. Indeed, the university has already decreased the number of security officers on campus.

Dave McLaughlin, director of safety services, said that one security officer position has been eliminated, but that position has been supplemented with student dispatchers. 

McLaughlin said that student dispatchers at Ashland University receive the same training as regularly employed emergency officials, have access to necessary student files (emergency contacts, medical history, etc.), and adhere to the same protocol as regularly employed emergency officials.

“I’m very confident in our student dispatchers,” McLaughlin said. “They’re tech savvy…they’re also more flexible in scheduling.”

This semester, there will be at least one security officer on duty at all times. 

McLaughlin wouldn’t comment on the exact number of security officials on duty because he believed it might compromise the security official’s efforts. 

Beyond that, there are resident assistants as well as area coordinators who make rounds, especially after midnight. 

McLaughlin, Sue Heimann, vice president of student affairs, and Kim Lammers, director of residence life, all said their departments are working together to assure that campus is prepared for all emergencies. 

“There are a large number of people aiding safety,” McLaughlin said. 

Along with student dispatchers, these department members have participated in workshops with the police and fire departments, the Red Cross, and received other emergency training such as H.A.M. radio training and A.L.I.C.E training which is protocol in response to intruders on campus and possible shooting scenarios. 

McLaughlin and Heimann also said the university continues to offer several safety services to students on campus. 

There are security escorts available for students, emergency phones (those blue lights you see around campus), and the e2 Campus Emergency Notification System, which is an app that delivers emergency information directly to students, faculty members, and parents through e-mail or cell phone. 

Heimann recalled an instance last semester where a student was threatened with a knife and the information was then relayed through the e2 Campus app informing students of the incident. 

McLaughlin and Heimann said students are also responsible for keeping the university safe. 

They stressed the importance of locking doors and refraining from holding doors open for other students. 

Although it could be seen as a polite gesture, it could lead to possible security risks. Students should also program the Safety Services phone number into their phones. 

When asked if he was satisfied with the current state of security or whether he thought it was permanent, McLaughlin said he couldn’t answer because they are still being reviewed and won’t know if they’ll be any changes until institutional prioritization is complete. 

If you have any questions or concerns regarding security on campus, you can contact McLaughlin, Heimann, or Kim Lammers directly. 

Sue Heimann, Vice President for Student Affairs: [email protected]

Dave McLaughlin, Director of Safety Services: [email protected]

Kim lammers, Director of Residence Life: 419-289-5306, [email protected]