Recommendation
_ Develop audience entry plans for public events, which are consistent and appropriate for various University venues.
Rationale
In the past, various committees have considered security for public events on campus. The focus has been on student audience events at Edwards, Keaney, Mackal, and the Memorial Union. Our community has changed since the establishment of the guidelines that are currently in the Student Handbook (Section 5.13, -5.16, "Registration of on campus social events, security, guests").
If the 2001 football season is a predictor, a capacity crowd at Meade Stadium will be an on-going concern. Summer events such as soccer tournaments and World Scholar Athlete programs routinely attract a large crowd. Beginning in September 2002, there will be a larger and more public presence on campus at the Convocation Center and the Ice Rink. Since the tragedy of September 11, all large public gatherings raise new security concerns.
In the past, decisions about audience entry have been made on a case-by-case basis. Should backpacks, large handbags, or coolers be prohibited or subject to search? Should metal detectors be required routinely, occasionally or never? Will we routinely screen for and prohibit entrance to inebriated audience members?
To apply policy fairly for all events and for all groups, it is important that policy and guidelines be written and that specific individuals be designated to implement these guidelines consistently. We need a carefully considered rationale, which assesses risk for various venues and events and governs security decisions. Some of the operative factors will be the type of event, the size of the crowd, and the nature of the audience (e.g., general public or students).
Global Spectrum, the management company for the Convocation Center will post its admission policy at all entrances. They will not allow backpacks into ticketed events. They will not employ metal detectors but they will reserve the right to use personal metal wands or to inspect handbags and jackets. Perhaps this standard could be employed at all university-sponsored special events for consistency.
Both our students and the public need to know their security is carefully considered by having policy clearly stated. Audience compliance also will be greater when there are uniform expectations for all campus events.