Staff to patrol campus after games
March 27, 2015
By Kevin Erpenbeck
In the midst of UK Basketball’s run in the 2015 NCAA Tournament, the Student Affairs staff anticipated that fans on campus would want to celebrate each potential win en masse.
The staff said they have taken extra precautions to ensure the safety of each student, just like they have in the past.
“For as long as I’ve been here, safety and security of our students has always been paramount,” Dean of Students Victor Hazard said. “Part of that is large gatherings, whether that’s demonstrations on campus, or, in this case, NCAA celebrations. Student Affairs will always be there.”
Hazard has been on UK’s staff for 27 years and remembers students celebrating in different ways, including continuing the “tradition” of burning couches. Hazard said Student Affairs acts as an “extra pair of eyes” to help keep students safe at possible celebration gatherings.
Student Center Executive Director John Herbst said the staff watching different areas around campus are volunteer members who have several years of experience keeping the campus safe.
“Over 90 percent of us are familiar with these kind of things,” Herbst said. “You never can predict what may or may not happen because there’s so many different variables. It’s just a matter of always being prepared and having eyes open.”
One particular area that has been the center of massive celebrations in the past is State Street. Incidents like destroyed road signs and turned-over, burning cars have brought more attention to keeping areas around UK safe.
However, since State Street is not an official part of campus, Herbst said keeping that area in check falls under the jurisdiction of the Lexington Police Department.
Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Jim Wims said there have been several times in the past where students thanked him for his nightly service on campus. That is why he enjoys helping every year.
“We’re a service to our students, and they don’t perceive us as people trying to stop them from having fun,” Wims said. “They see it the same way we do; trying to keep them safe. They appreciate that.”
