The Communique

Issue date: 4/26/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Nikki Hynek Cedar Rapids Police (left), along with Bob Burnes, dean of students (right), ask anti-abortion protestors to leave campus recently.

Media Credit: KSP News

Campus security was called to the front of Linn Hall on the morning of April 17 when two protesters began demonstrating against abortion.

The protesters were handing out flyers to students and were shouting before Kirkwood Executive Director of Facilities and Management Tom Kaldenberg requested they leave.

After they refused to leave, the Cedar Rapids Police Department was contacted. The protesters left but stalled in order to shout to a gathering crowd of students in one last attempt to make their voices heard.

Dean of Students Bob Burnes said the college has specific procedures for protesters and demonstrators.

"They chose to violate those procedures in the beginning," he said. "They have to check in with the Student Life Department. We tell them where they can go (to protest)," said Burnes. "And it's not just for protesters," he added. He used the example of a group of people who occasionally come on Kirkwood's campus to hand out Gideon Bibles.

One of the reasons protesters have to check in with Student Life first is so they do not block students on their way to classes, Kaldenberg said.

Kirkwood's Student Handbook includes a set of rules about demonstrating on campus.

According to campus administrators, if students see anything out of the ordinary, need help or feel that something is out of the ordinary it is recommended to contact authorities who are in position to help prevent any physical and/or emotional issues. In case of a crisis such as extreme violence, death, natural disaster, explosion, fire or terrorism students should contact campus security at 5561 or the 24/7 cell phone at 389-1774.

Given the recent shootings at Virginia Tech, Kirkwood Community College is continuing to refine its security plans for dealing with potential problems it could face.

Although Kirkwood is not a residential campus, there are apartments within walking distance of the campus. Kirkwood is in constant interaction with the leasing firms of those apartments to ensure the security and safety of the students. Furthermore the college is also in constant contact with the Cedar Rapids Police and has the campus security doing surveillance on the campus.

Kirkwood's line of defense includes the Cedar Rapids Police Department, as well as the campus security, which are both 24/7 services. Although Kirkwood security does not carry firearms, they are trained in responsive measures.

Kirkwood personnel also undergo training in nonviolent intervention for tense situations on campus. This training is conducted to keep the staff updated and alert.

Kirkwood has installed e-pop alerts that link the entire campus and allows the campus to streamline efforts to respond to any issues that might arise. This system was recently tested when classes were cancelled for snow days.

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