Students on the UTM campus are aware there are new security measures being enacted all over America, but UTM student may not have witnessed any of these new security measures on campus. Curious to know what changes or lack of changes have taken place on our campus, and in our city, The Pacer spoke with a few individuals perceived to be focal information points who would aware of any changes.

The Pacer asked the Department of Security’s Rick Hatler and Steve Jahr what has happened post the 9/11 terrorist attacks and since our country has gone to war. The Pacer discovered UTM security reacted strongly from these events with many changes.

The first football game played in the entire nation after 9/11 was here at UTM, and had extra security. But the intentions of this additional security were less to stop a terrorist attack and more to convey a sense of safety to the audience.

This response summarizes the new goals of the Department of Safety and Security. “The goal is to work behind the scenes to ensure security without unnecessarily alarming the community,” said Rick Hatler, Director of the Department of Public Security. These goals are being recognized throughout the campus. We were told there are more officers patrolling in vehicles than on foot, so they may respond more rapidly, while increasing their visibility. The director also mentioned they are making officers more available and visible at public events.

Such events include when Dr. Hamza, Director General in charge of Weaponization for Iraq, spoke about Iraq’s Weapons of Mass Destruction Program. Rick Hatler told the Pacer the presentation, “Had 6 to 7 uniformed and non-uniformed officers present when in the past there may have been 1.” Before the war started there were students in the University Center who were getting petitions of signatures against the war. Security was established to ensure students had their first amendment rights protected.

Moreover, Safety and security along with other county officials have totally reworked their emergency response plans for natural disasters as well as terrorist attacks, such as Anthrax response procedures. After the terrorist attacks, the Department of Safety and Security received lots of information and many rumors. Security is responsible for verifying or debuting these rumors. One such rumor prompted an Anthrax investigation after reports of a white substance being found in the UC. After investigating, Security discovered the substance to be part of a stress ball from The Stress Free Zone that is held each semester. Security also mentioned that they do sometime receive outlandish rumors, but are always thankful for the community being more vigilant.

The Department of Safety and Security wants to reassure people that “UTM is a safe campus, but it is up to each individual to remain vigilant to avoid being a victim of any offense, not just terror attacks. UTM security depends on everyone.”

Security at UTM is not an inconvenience for most, but The Pacer questioned whether or not it would inconvenience international programs.

UTM has a globally well-known international program that has been operating for 28 years and actively recruits international students. Most are aware that the terrorist who attacked the twin towers gained entry to the U.S. on student visas and how there has been increased security through out America. The Pacer wondered how this was going to affect our international programs. Sandra Baker, the Director of International Programs here at UTM, spoke about what security changes are occurring, and how they are affecting these programs.

Baker commented that since the attacks her belief is, “the US was a country with the least amount of security and has become a country with the best security.”

Baker also mentioned that since 1990 international programs have been working on SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System), a system that is set up to, “electronically monitor information relevant to students and exchange visitors”(courtesy http://immigration.gov/). SEVIS has since been federally mandated to schools and requires that UTM’s international programs be reapproved.

Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security has made it harder for some international students to get a visa to study in the US. This may require students to put in a bit more work to get an approved visa such as picking up an application at their countries’ US embassy, and they also may require a personal interview. Another requirement is that potential students must be able to prove a plan of return to their country, and be able to support themselves during their stay. Although the ease of applying varies from country to country, some countries may perceive the US as being unfriendly, and students may be turned off by the perceived difficulty in obtaining an American visa.

Baker commented, “International programs at UTM have been hurt, but not as severely as the horrible economic crisis in the Far East compared to the 9/11 attacks.”

“Our travel study programs have been hurt mostly by student’s lack of interest because people are afraid of flying, political environments, and a mistaken belief of strong anti-American sentiment.” Baker wants students to know that UTM’s foreign exchange program is “open and students should try and take advantage of it.”

Furthermore, Dr. Paul Crapo, a professor of UTM’s Modern foreign languages, reassured The Pacer of the lack of anti-American sentiment. “In my 30 years of international travel, I have not found much real Anti-American sentiment, but with some countries on certain views you can find a strong difference of opinions.”

After hearing about these changes at UTM The Pacer spoke with Randy Brundige, Mayor of Martin, about what security changes have taken place in the city of Martin since our nation has gone to war with Iraq. The Mayor informed The Pacer there have been multiple modifications, such as Martin’s water system checks are scrutinized more so now than in the past.

These system checks are now more routine and logged, with an observed access to facilities that is restricted to a select few. The Pacer was also informed that these security checks reflect the status of our nation’s terror alerts.

Moreover, we will no longer see off duty police officer’s cars parked around Martin, as their cars are now all secured at a facility to prevent theft. The mayor also stated that Martin has Home Land Security Meetings that have high attendance, and not just by city employees but other concerned industries such as UTM, emergency medical personnel, Public works, and MTD. Approximately 30-40 people are an anticipated audience, with representatives from each entity.

In addition to these changes The City of Martin has had to cope with some of their employees being called upon to serve. The Mayor said he knew of at least 12 people who have been called upon to serve in the Martin area. He then stated “We have had to tighten our belts,” referring to the fact that even though these employees are gone their positions are still there, and need to be filled for an interim period.

These individuals have shown The Pacer that security on UTM and throughout the entire Martin community has been tightened, although we may not always directly observe the security adjustments we are being affected by them.