How
do you feel about campus security?
In the early morning of Sept.11, 2001, America
suffered the worst act of terrorism in its
history.
Most students came to Cal State Long Beach
early that day either unaware, or only slightly
aware, of what had happened in New York.
By mid-morning, of course, they were huddled
around television sets at the food court,
the Student Union and the residence halls.
They knew that this day was one they would
never forget for the rest of their lives.
The decision was made to close the campus
at noon on Sept. 11.
Most students left, as they usually do,
down the escalators, past Brotman Hall,
on their way to their cars or the residence
halls. I stood between the Student Union
and Brotman Hall so I could speak to students
as they made their somber exits.
Never in my life have I seen more orderly,
dignified behavior than I saw from our student
body that sad day. That restrained, civilized
behavior was the ultimate gesture of respect
for those fellow human beings who had suffered
so terribly on the other side of the country.
The behavior I witnessed on that Tuesday
morning reflected the character of our student
body, and it is that character which sets
the tone for safety and security on this
campus.
On a campus of 35,000 students and almost
4,000 employees, a city in itself, it would
be not only naïve but potentially dangerous
to think any unfortunate incidents would
never occur. Such incidents do occur, but
thankfully they occur only rarely.
We want only good things to happen to the
students on this campus. They have all placed
confidence in us to provide a safe place
to study and learn. We work very hard to
live up to that confidence. And, although
our safety record is good, I know that record
doesn’t help a person who has had a damaging
personal experience here. On this issue,
even one is too many.
Before director Steven Spielberg came to
campus to participate in commencement this
year, his security staff met with us on
several occasions regarding the logistics
of graduation. Unfortunately, it is necessary
for celebrities of Spielberg’s stature to
be conscious of security. I assured his
people that the students on this campus
would treat him with respect and dignity.
I know my students. Spielberg described
the day as perfect.
We have a public safety team of 26 police
officers who patrol this campus along with
40 student officers who serve as safety
escorts and security guides. But even with
this well-trained and absolutely wonderful
group of men and women, in the end our best
security is to look out for one another.
Not only do I want our students to be and
feel physically safe, I want them to be
and feel emotionally and psychologically
secure as well. To achieve this, we simply
need to obey one of the oldest rules of
all, the Golden Rule.
—
Robert C. Maxson,
CSULB president
|
