PARKERSBURG - Officials at West Virginia University at Parkersburg are taking bids to install an access control system to the campus' main building.
Katie Wootton, director of communications for WVUP, said the college has a bid out seeking access controls for approximately 50 exterior doors at WVUP's main building. Wootton said there was nothing in particular that promoted the steps.
"Basically, we are always looking for ways to make the college safer and more secure for the college's students, faculty and staff."
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Al Collins, campus police, and Dave White, facilities and grounds director, stand outside the entrance to WVUP Monday. School officials are taking bids to install an access control system to the campus’ main building. Katie Wootton, director of communications for WVUP, said the college is seeking bids for access controls for approximately 50 exterior doors at the main building. (Photo by Jody Murphy)
Wootton said officials want to add the access controls to the building's exterior doors and as many internal doors as the budget will allow. She declined to say how much money has been set aside for the project, noting the project has been put out for bid. She said the money is being provided by internal funding as well as state appropriations.
Wootton said the college's applied technology center and the early learning center are already slated to have the access controls incorporated into the facilities.
Wootton said securing the main building is only phase I of the project. School officials expect to have phase I of the project completed by July 1.
Phase II is to complete everything on the main campus, Wootton said.
The college is also adding an additional campus police officer, who will start once they complete West Virginia State Police Academy training.
WVUP has also implemented an emergency alert system. Wootton said the new system allows officials to send out an emergency message alert in seconds. She said the system will be used to keep students, faculty and staff apprised of inclement weather, environmental hazards, power issues and terrorism.
"We can get a text message out to over 4,500 people in three seconds," she said.
"We have a safety committee and collaboratively we are always looking at ways to make the campus safer and look at what other campuses are doing," she added.
"We are hearing more and more of incidents in schools. It's a precaution; trying to make our campus safe for everyone."
