July 11, 2005 - 5:00pm
Malaspina University-College plans to introduce integrated security and parking services, effective August 1.
"This measure is being taken to provide campus security 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to protect Malaspina’s assets from theft and vandalism, and to prove more security for cars in parking lots," said Malaspina president Rich Johnston.
According to ICBC, car theft and vandalism have increased in Nanaimo, and Malaspina’s parking lots have been identified as one of the top five ‘Hotspots’ for such activities.
Edwin Deas, vice-president of administration & Bursar said that until recently, security services at BC’s post-secondary institutions focused primarily on protection of physical assets (such as computers, TVs, data projectors) from theft and vandalism.
"Serious incidents on campuses in B.C. have raised collective awareness about the potential for violence in post-secondary communities," he said.
"Out of this collective awareness, a concern for security has developed on campuses in B.C. Rather than wait for serious incidents to occur on the Nanaimo campus, Malaspina is taking a pro-active and preventative approach by combining the security and parking function," he added.
Deas said that until recently, Malaspina did not have a full-time ‘dedicated’ campus security force that operated 24/7, year round. On weekdays, from 8 am to 4 pm, when the campus is at its busiest, security was provided on an ‘ad hoc’ basis by Facilities Services staff who were required to perform such duties in addition to their regular responsibilities.
"Call-outs to deal with security issues affected their ability to perform their primary duties," Deas said.
After 4 pm, security had been provided by an outside contractor - Westguard Security Services Inc.
Under the new security and parking initiative, security staff will be on campus 24 hours a day and also patrol parking lots, give general directions, and enforce parking regulations.
"Robbins Parking Services Ltd. was the successful bidder on our tender," said Deas. "They combined forces with Westguard Security Services to provide the security and parking services at our Nanaimo campus."
Parking fees will stay the same at $99 a year for employees, $49.50 for students; and visitors will pay 50 cents per hour or $2 for any nine-hour period. Until now, parking was free after 4 pm and on weekends.
Under the new service, paid parking will be in effect 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Deas said that the cost of providing parking used to be funded by government, but such funding was eliminated more than ten years ago.
"The cost of parking infrastructure comes out of our operating budget and, with the demand for our programs and the cost of funding same, we always have to look for efficiencies and cost reduction strategies. Combining security and parking is a way to increase service and achieve savings," he said.
Tags: In the Community
