There are some major changes coming to Stephens Security.

Unable to meet all the requests from students, Security is considering hiring another person to help better fit the needs of students. With an extra person now on duty one day a week — and on weekends — this should provide more support. They might again be able to pick up girls from work or other areas if they feel unsafe.

Security is currently thinking about adding an extra day for Wal-Mart trips, which the students feel is needed because one trip on Sundays is not always enough. This will be helpful when students need to get things, whether it’s snacks, things for their room, or school supplies. While students have Susie’s, the new store that opened this fall, students have stated that they are already out of flex points. This is due in part to the fact that flex points can be used to make purchases at Susie’s and at the student union. Rather than purchase food, students now use flex points for school supplies and Stephens gear.

The students feel that another trip to Wal-Mart is needed for things Stephens cannot provide, such as prescription medicine, certain snacks and clothing.

“Sometimes I need to go to Wal-Mart during the week to get things for my job and other things for class that Susie’s cannot yet provide for me,” Lauren Fisher, a sophomore fashion communication major, said.

Security prides themselves on being available when students need them, to help move heavy luggage, large packages and unlock dorm doors.

These are just some of the things students were promised during campus tours and even the reason why some students came: Parents were comfortable knowing their daughters had someone to call upon.

Last year students were encouraged to call Security no matter the time, but this year the lack of communication about policy changes have left students with huffy hang ups.

Students are confused about the sudden change in Security’s behavior. Many students have complained about Security’s reactions to the simplest of requests.

When they get locked out of their rooms, Security tells students to call their Resident Assistants before 8 p.m. However, RAs are not on call until 8 p.m., so they are not available to let students into their rooms. Before this year, this task fell to Security, which now seems unwilling to unlock doors for residents before 8 p.m.

Students have expressed how they do not feel safe on campus and that if something happened they do not feel they can call Security. Students have talked to the head of the Security department, Tony Coleman, and Deb Duren, vice president of student services, and even President Dianne Lynch. Security has expressed that they have not heard any complaints and that these policies have not changed. They feel that they have done everything they can and do not see how the students feel the way they do. They also expressed that  “escorting” is not a part of their job description. They are confused as to how students came to the conclusion that security will come get them or take them wherever they want.

Security’s job is to make rounds every two hours that includes visiting every building on campus. They are supposed to make themselves visible, said Coleman.

The Security job description requires each guard to have a given route they are expected to take each day, making sure there are no random people in the school or any students being harmed. They have checkpoints that they are obligated to make and keep watch on the new Brookside building.

Students understand that Security is busy and will not be able to complete every task. What the students do ask of the guards is that they explain why they will not be able to fulfill the task when called upon.

Security has one person on guard during the day. At 8 p.m., another guard arrives on campus. Security feels the additional officer will solve further complications and have expressed to the students that they do not want them to feel this way any longer. Likewise, students are hoping that this extra guard on duty will bring changes and that they will feel more comfortable with calling when needed.