As part of President Glenda Glover’s plan to improve campus safety, Tennessee State University (TSU) is upgrading its security.
So far, the university has installed new emergency call phones, added more security cameras, increased lighting and installed fencing and bollards, reports The TN Tribune.
“The university has worked diligently to improve safety on and around the campus,” said Dr. Curtis Johnson, TSU’s chief of staff. “This is just a benchmark of where we are thus far with the many things that the president has mandated in her campus safety initiatives.”
Video surveillance has been improved throughout the campus as well. All entrances are now equipped with a camera and the new cameras have features like license plate and facial recognition, TSU officials said.
“We continue to make a concerted effort to do what we can to provide the safest environment that we possibly can,” said TSU Police Chief Greg Robinson. “One of the things our officers have really brought with them is the service mindset, meaning they’re willing to do whatever they can to serve the TSU community.”
Additionally, TSU has initiated a number of other programs related to campus safety and crime prevention, including the Rape Aggressive Defense (R.A.D) program, a self-defense program open to students, faculty and staff.
In 2016, TSU and the Nashville Metro Police Department formed the Collegiate Citizens Police Academy. Students go through a five-week training program to expose them to police work such as domestic violence investigations.
Graduates of the program make up the “Tiger Patrol” and work to guide other students on campus or work with police if the situation warrants it.
Since its inception three years ago, more than 50 students have participated in the program.
