Rider to Shift Campus Security to Face Route 206

The unanimously passed a resolution last night allowing to move it’s public safety department to the forefront of the campus.

The West House, which affronts Route 206, will see some improvements made to the facility before campus security personnel are moved in.

In addition to a 1,672-square-foot addition, the building will be outfitted with energy efficient windows, insulation, and will feature a prominent walkway to and from the campus’ interior.

The reason for the move, said Michael Reca, the associate vice president and head of facilities and planning for the university – is to better address the overall needs of the university.

“The university has made a conscious decision to move the [safety] department,” he said at Monday night’s meeting. “That [entrance] to the campus is a main hub after 8 p.m.”

Currently, campus security is based out of a building on the internal part of the campus. After they move to the West House, the plan is to place other backflow of administrative and technical personnel to that space.

“A lot of administrative sense, better serve our students and campus community,” explained Reca.

In the past, the dean of the university and his family have resided at the West House. Currently, the dean lives at 3 West Drive, at a residence that is on the periphery of the school, enabling the adminstration to move the campus security to their new location.

The new public safety offices will also see construct of a small shed, installation of six parking spaces, landscaping to shield that parking area. 

Two exiting driveways that serve the West House from Route 206 will be closed.  A new interior access road will be designated, so that security can get into the interior of the campus faster.