UH vows to devote
more funding
to boost security

University of Hawaii Interim President David McClain announced plans yesterday to boost security for students at all UH campuses, including asking the Legislature to grant arresting powers to Manoa campus officers.

UH-Manoa » Improved lighting » Installation of security cameras, magnetic card swipes and locks » Improvements in landscaping » Increased visibility of on-campus security personnel through new uniforms UH-Hilo » Hiring of additional security guards » Replacement of 17 old call boxes with new ones » Hiring a full-time security supervisor UH-West Oahu » Additional security for nighttime patrol UH Community Colleges » Hiring of additional security guards » Installation of silent alarms on buildings » Repairs and enhancements to on-campus lighting » Increase in hours of available security guards on campus Source: University of Hawaii

The university is committed to spending an additional $1.6 million in its upcoming biennium budget to boost security at its 10 campuses systemwide, McClain said.

"The university system will be, must be, a rape-free zone," he said.

At a news conference at Bachman Hall, McClain said each campus chancellor will commit a minimum of 5 percent of new funds in the upcoming biennium budget to improve security. The new funds will be in addition to a total of about $2 million already budgeted for fiscal years 2006 and 2007.

Three rapes that occurred earlier this year near the Manoa campus spurred university officials to find ways to intensify security measures.

Since April, McClain said he has been regularly meeting with a group comprising faculty members, staff, students and community members to discuss strategies to eliminate violence on campuses.

Some improvements currently under way at the Manoa campus include better lighting near Sinclair Library, the Marine Sciences building, the Pacific Ocean, Science and Technology building, the Hawaii Institute of Geophysics building and Holmes Hall. The improvements will cost about $300,000.

Other lighting improvements throughout the campus are being looked at and prioritized, said Kathy Cutshaw, Manoa vice chancellor of administration. Shrubs are also being trimmed in certain dark areas.

McClain also is requiring all administrators and managerial personnel to attend a sexual-assault awareness training program to be held at the Hawai'i Convention Center on Sept. 8.

Jackson Katz, one of America's leading male activists in violence prevention, will be speaking at the event. Katz will speak later that day at the University of Hawaii-Hilo's theater at 7 p.m.

He will also speak at the Manoa Campus Center Ballroom from 4 to 6 p.m. Sept. 7. The Manoa event is free and open to the public.

Next year, McClain said the university plans to ask the Legislature to grant Manoa campus security the authority to arrest people.

As they seek to get more authority for campus security, McClain reminded the community that it also need to takes responsibility to prevent violence.

"We all need to take responsibility for each other's safety," he said, noting that campus security cannot do it alone. "They really need the support of the community."

Officials from the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action have also drafted a systemwide sexual-assault policy that is near completion.

"This is an issue that will require continued attention as we move forward," McClain said. "It is my administration's intent and my personal intent to give it our continued attention and priority."

Kathryn Xian, spokeswoman for the Rape-Free Zone Coalition, said McClain's initiatives are a good step in the right direction, but more needs to be done.

"The point that we want to make is, it is step one in a series of more steps down the path that will lead to safety for all students," she said.