Tag: Campus Security

No More Free Parking and Other Fees for Students

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Story and Photos by

Mark Graven

Staff Reporter

Students will now be charged five dollars per semester for a General Parking Permit, according to CNM officials. 

CNM President Tracy Hartzler partipated in a recent web meeting with the CNM Executive Council of Students (ECOS) and the end of free parking was one of the first things she was asked about.

ECOS President Alex Crossland said, the move away from free parking would be quite a shock to students, many of whom are economically strapped during the Covid pandemic.  

“The timing is lousy,” said Crossland.

President Hartzler said, the fees were necessary to pay for a security camera system being installed around the CNM campuses.  

 “The security system will make the campuses safer for students and faculty,” she said.

Hartzler noted that even though the parking fee will be increased the CNM governing board had decided against any increases to student tuition. 

Crossland asked if facility fees could be reduced in light of most campus buildings being closed during the Covid lockdown.

Hartzler response was that facility fees needed to be maintained so CNM could convert to the technology needed for remote learning.

Colin Stapleton, ECOS outreach officer, asked Harzler about CNM’s new policy of including textbook and supplies with in the registration fee of a class.  Stapleton said that the “including in” practice might preclude students from going for cheaper alternatives like buying used textbooks, or renting, or borrowing books or course materials. 

“I may be paying more for a book I don’t need,” Stapleton said.

Hartzler said putting a package of materials together to be included in a courses often results in saving money for the students, and that the choice of “included” is up to the instructors of the courses.  She said instructors have been encouraged to find open source materials on-line that reduce the costs to the students.  Hartzler said she would provide further information on the matter at a future meeting. 

ECOS Vice President Imane Bahji expressed concern that CNM was losing the sense of community that is emphasized in Community Collage with everything being converted to remote learning. 

ECOS members inquired whether the library and CAT Theater could be re-opened, and whether clubs could conduct meetings in a safe but outdoors setting.

Hartzler said that how far CNM can go in reopening the campus would depend largely on the orders of the governor, and the governor’s health advisors.  

She encouraged ECOS to let the administration know what the students would like to see open.

Hartzler said CNM would be going forward with a the plan for transferring from Blackboard to Bright Space as the formal communication system for remote learning.  

She said she expected Bright Space to be in place for the spring of 2021 semester.  

Campus Security: More than just badges

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By: Daniel Montano, Staff Reporter

The first step to personal security for anyone, in any situation, begins with constant alertness, said CNM interim Director of Security Steve English.

While CNM’s Security department uses a number of approaches to maintain a safe environment, there are several guidelines everyone in the CNM community should follow to stop crime before it starts, English said.

“It’s important for anybody, in general, to be aware of their surrounding at all times,” he said.

Awareness can help to identify a potentially dangerous situation, but having a plan for those situations is also essential to remaining safe and secure, English said.

Keep the plan simple and stay committed to it in every situation, but keep in mind that if flight is an option, it is always the best option, he said.

It’s also important be aware of where the closest emergency telephone is, according to the latest campus safety report.

There are emergency ‘code blue’ telephone poles and yellow emergency call boxes placed across all campuses, English said.

“Both systems provide one button speed dialing for instant communication with campus security 24-7,” according to the report.

Campus security offers services that help to deal with potentially dangerous situations before they start, English said.

Anyone in the CNM community may request an escort from a security officer to and from anywhere on campus anytime, he said.

Security officers also offer motorist assistance, including attempting to get into locked out vehicles, English said.

“We also offer jump starts if someone is having trouble with their vehicle and has a dead battery, we’ll take care of it for you folks,” he said.

According to the latest campus safety report, incidents of theft have been steadily climbing over recent years. In 2008 there were 67 reported thefts across all campuses but in 2011 those numbers increased to 210, according to the report.

“Of course, theft happens everywhere, unfortunately. So again, be aware, use common sense; lock your vehicle, secure your personal belongings, don’t leave anything in the open, keep an eye on your personal items,” English said.

If a crime does occur it is important to remain calm and call the police/security with a description of the aggressor if available, need for medical assistance and the location of the crime as soon as it is safe to do so, according to the safety report.

Dialing 911 or ext. 3001 from any campus phone will ring security’s emergency dispatch line and the dispatcher will send security, police or any other needed emergency services, according to CNM’s security webpage.

For more information, visit cnm. edu/depts./security or call 224-3002.