Allen County Community College will look into developing a notification system to alert students and staff about emergencies such as fires, tornadoes or security breaches.
College President John Masterson noted ACCC has no such notification system in place. He said the campus has a fire alarm system, but those on campus must depend on the city’s storm sirens in case of severe weather.
“And if there’s a guy on campus with a gun, about all we can do is run down the halls and shout ‘Guy with a gun,’” Masterson quipped.
Masterson said a company that provides a wireless intercom system would be on campus Monday to hawk its wares. Trustees also suggested using a multi-media approach, such as texting alerts or developing an automated telephone notification system similar to Allen County’s Code Red.
Trustee Jim Talkington also said ACCC should develop a course of action for when emergencies occur.
How would the college function if a disaster destroys several buildings on campus, he asked. Would ACCC work with neighboring school districts or community colleges? Turn to online courses?
“This is the discussion I want us to have, not just talk about an intercom system,” Talkington said.
TRUSTEES APPROVED the purchase of several pieces of new furniture for the college’s residence halls and duplexes.
The college will buy 45 beds, mattresses, dressers, desks and chairs, plus 16 bed loft kits, for a combined $48,176.17 from John Savoy and Son, Inc. of Montoursville, Pa. The Savoy and Son bid was the lowest of three received.
Furniture replacement is an annual task. This year’s project is a bit more expensive, said Randy Weber, dean of student services, because the college also is furnishing bedrooms in the ACCC duplexes for the first time. The bid approval passed with a 6-1 vote, Talkington opposed.
Trustees also unanimously approved a new student evaluation form for students enrolled in on-site classes, as well as a number of revised course descriptions and articulation agreements.
THE COLLEGE will participate in an interlocal agreement as part of a revitalization program proposed by Gas. The college has agreed to eschew property taxes that would otherwise be taken in if construction or repairs increase a property’s appraised value by at least $10,000. The tax abatements would be erased after 10 years.
Trustees approved a similar request from Homes For Iola, Inc., to build a new house at 216 S. Colborn. The house otherwise would have met standards for tax abatement through Iola’s revitalization program, but the application was not submitted within 60 days of the building permit being issued last September.
The trustees’ next meeting is June 10.
