Methodist Hall’s back doors have been locked for extra security on campus.
The doors were locked and the handles removed due to security concerns with people going in through the back doors this summer, said Bradd Brown, chief of university police.
The doors still can be opened from the inside and are being used as an emergency exit.
The housing department made the decision and had the doors locked.
There also has been concern on campus about security at the Cokesbury Court Apartments because the front gates are always open.
“I definitely felt safer in Walker Hall than I do in Cokesbury,” said Courtney Beyer, acting sophomore. “The thought that the front gates don’t close and my apartment door basically leads out to the whole campus is kind of scary.”
The gates have remained open since Fall 2013 when the control box malfunctioned.
Previous students have said that the gates used to close, but students tried to drive through the gates, and now they’re broken, Beyer said.
“We have had a problem with gates on campus not working in the past, so that could be the case,” Brown said. “If that is the case, the housing department needs to notify us so that we can provide extra patrol.”
Liz Harney, assistant director of residence life and education and the manager of university apartments, refused to comment.
Ade Okediji, director of university housing, and Oubon Sychareune, coordinator of housing operations and resident director of Methodist Hall, were unavailable for comment.
The OCU Police Department is working on securing the campus.
They have been checking all the lights on campus to make sure they work and that there aren’t any dark spots on campus. They are working on adding lights to the places on campus that are too dark.
OCUPD also has made sure that all Blue Phones are working. They have installed software that monitors the phones and sends an alert if the phone stops working, and they have also been doing monthly checks on the phones, just in case the software doesn’t function properly.
“We’re just always concerned with our students’, faculty’s and staff’s safety on or around campus,” Brown said.
OCUPD wants the campus community to realize that they can’t be everywhere on campus, and they depend help in order the campus safe. If any student, faculty or staff sees anything or anyone suspicious or that doesn’t belong on campus, don’t hesitate to let the OCUPD know.
The police department is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is located in Room 320 of Clara E. Jones Administration Building.
Students, faculty and staff can contact OCUPD at 208-5001 or ocupd@okcu.edu for further questions or concerns.
If there is an emergency, call 208-5911, use the Blue Phones or call 911.
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