As students were away for spring break, the 15 “blue light” emergency phones were removed from the Colorado Mesa University campus.
Vice President of Student Services John Marshall cited outdated technology and safety concerns for their removal.
“They need to go. It’s an old technology that’s probably 25 years old and we’re now at the point that we can’t get parts for all of these,” Marshall told the Criterion in February. “The only thing worse than old technology is old technology that doesn’t work and isn’t safe.”
Marshall asked the Associated Student Government (ASG) for their blessing to begin the removal process on Feb. 15. After some debate, the student government approved the removal under the condition that the university provide something similar in terms of campus safety.
It is unknown when and if any replacement will be seen on campus, however, Marshall points towards the campus safety systems already in place.
“At this stage the Safe Walk Program, I think, is a good program, it’s also underutilized. The reality is this is a really safe campus,” Marshall said. “My personal observation, the best thing we can do is have the conversation about things like Safe Walk and MavRides.”
