With finals week approaching, academic building hours will be extended for students to use for studying. While late nights in buildings, like the Arrendale Library, can be exhausting, students should still be aware of the safety concerns campus police have.
As a smaller university not located in a place like Athens or Atlanta, Piedmont University does not encounter many issues with non-students entering academic buildings, unlike the University of Georgia or the Georgia Institute of Technology, but the problem is still prevalent.
Campus police have expressed concerns about locals and people just passing by being caught while making their way into buildings after sundown, causing commotion and disrupting students’ studying. While it doesn’t happen often, this is an issue for students in those buildings and the rest of the student body because it can threaten their safety.
With the hospital close by, taking in transfer patients and some individuals who may be dealing with their issues, surrounding drugs and crime, Chief Andrews recognizes that they could make their way onto campus.
“A lot of times those people don’t want the help, so they’re going to look for every chance they can get to get out of there,” Says campus police Chief Jim Andrews. “We’ve had incidents where they show up here, they show up in the village, they show up on the main campus.”
Chief Andrews is always looking out for students and is willing to work with them when they stay in the buildings after hours.
“If you’re in there (academic buildings), nine times out of ten when my folks come through…they’re not going to run you out of that space,” stated Andrews.
The Sewell building and conservatory, according to campus police, have automatic locking systems where the locks are set to a timer, compared to buildings like the library and Swanson Center, which are locked manually.
While it’s typically allowed for students to stay in buildings past closing time, campus police advise students not to prop doors open. Unfortunately, most of the problems come from students staying late and leaving the doors propped open for their friends.
“That’s the worst thing you can do with security, especially at night,” stated Andrews.
Piedmont University has been a safe campus for the most part, but there have been occasions when someone is on campus when they aren’t supposed to be, particularly at night.
Although Demorest is a quiet town that keeps to itself, Chief Andrews is always keeping an eye out for anyone who may cause trouble for students and the university.
During the upcoming finals week, be aware that campus police are willing to work with students to keep them safe in buildings after hours. If you stay a little later studying or working on final projects in academic buildings, do not prop open doors and make sure to lock them behind you. Give campus police a call to ensure your safety and that you’ve left the building.
