Posted on: Monday, May 16, 2005

UH puts guards at main offices

By Beverly Creamer
Advertiser Education Writer

Two new security guards have been posted in the University of Hawai'i Bachman Hall administration building and two back access doors are now locked during business hours, in the wake of a peaceful seven-day protest sit-in during which a coalition of students, faculty and community members opposing establishment of a Navy affiliated research center took over the president's office.

"This security is not directed at the protesters," said Carolyn Tanaka, associate vice president for University Relations. "The recent events demonstrated security weaknesses at Bachman Hall and we are now attempting to address those concerns.

"It showed us that any disgruntled person could have walked into a private office. When any individual or a group can gain access to the president's private office without being challenged in any shape or form, then clearly we've got a security issue."

Ikaika Hussey, one of the leaders of the Save UH/Stop UARC Coalition, said he doesn't know why the administration chose to take this action.

"But the reaction I heard from some student members of the coalition is why is it that the administration needs more security at Bachman Hall? Why not more protection for women because of the rapes near campus, or for students because of the dangers posed by classified military research," Hussey said.

"I've always been in support of increased security at the Manoa campus, but I look at the need for increased security for the students, not offices," said student senate member Katie Barry, who testified at the Legislature for additional security funding and saw the bills die.

Tanaka said she is not aware if any other areas of campus are receiving additional security, including dormitories or other administrative offices.

Visitors to Bachman Hall are now being asked to sign in with a Freeman security guard at the bottom of the stairs leading to the president's office and to the offices of the Board of Regents. Additionally visitors will be asked where they're going. Time of entry and exit will be recorded.

There will be a second guard roving between the two offices at the top of the stairs.

The university has an existing contract with Freeman Guards, said Tanaka. They are regularly used to bolster UH's own security force during large events such as concerts on campus.

Tanaka said to her knowledge there have been no guidelines established regarding whether or not groups will be allowed to come up the stairs and enter an office in Bachman. "Everything will be handled on a case by case basis," she said. "The point is to improve security for the people who work in this building and preclude any kind of unfortunate incident."