University of Michigan introduces bag checks and metal detectors to beef up security at regents meetings
Visitors attending University of Michigan Board of Regents meetings will now have to pass through a metal detector and have their bags checked upon entry.
Members of the University of Michigan Board of Regents and school officials in discussion during a public meeting.
Melanie Maxwell I AnnArbor.com
“Given the heightened awareness across the nation to security issues — and as part of our ongoing effort to enhance safety on campus — we believe this is the prudent thing to do,” said U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald said the change is "not a response to a specific threat" but instead a recommendation from U-M's Department of Public Safety.
Fitzgerald declined to offer specific reasons for DPS' recommendation: "We wouldn't talk about specific security recommendations because then they don't become very secure."
The screening follows a decision to move regent meetings from their somewhat cramped meeting room in the school's administration building to larger rooms in the Michigan Union, a change the school also made in an effort to tighten security.
It also follows a decision to add uniformed police officers to the meetings. In past years meetings were regularly attended by plain-clothed officers. When the meetings moved to the union, uniformed officers also began attending the meetings.
"That was an additional layer of security." Fitzgerald said. "We moved to a much more public space and we wanted to have those officers there."
Items including weapons, self-defense sprays, knives, sticks, poles and noise-making devices will be prohibited. University police will carry out the bag checks.
Cell phones, laptops and large metal items must be removed before walking through the metal detector, but attendees will not have to empty their pockets of change or remove jewelry.
The public Board of Regents meetings are attended by the school's eight regents and several top administrative officials of U-M's academic body and the health system. At the meetings, the regents make large financial, academic and property decisions for the school, such as setting the tuition rate or approving a multimillion dollar construction project.
Fitzgerald said there has been no "specific trend toward more people" attending regents meetings now than in past years.
The new security procedures will be introduced at the upcoming Sept. 20 regents meeting scheduled for 4 p.m. in the Anderson Room of Michigan Union.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.
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Comments
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 11:52 p.m.
The leadership of the University of Michigan is having a VERY BAD WEEK. A stream of news about announced "initiatives" based on Ban-O-Mania and now THIS: a blatant elitist/egoist move to raise themselves BEYOND reaching. Pretty soon, any "angry statements" directed at Mary Sue BAN IT will be cause for arrest by her pet police force. It's time to clean house at the University of Michigan top level. One way to get started is to start ENSURING funding is cut for as many U of M programs as possible. We talk about U of M being the "most endowed" university - but maybe it's time to let donors know WHAT U OF M IS WORTH. Maybe one of the things our beloved U of M needs most is to have Governor Snyder investigate the doings of Mary Sue BAN IT & Company. Then maybe he'll appoint an emergency manager to run O?UR state university. Of course, having an emergency manager come in would mean there's no more room for Mary Sue BAN IT. Oh my, I tremble at the thought. (LOL!)
Kafkaland
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 9:49 p.m.
I have heard that the Regent's meetings for the University of California system also take place under heavy security, with security checkpoint, metal detector, armed guards, etc. If that's true, then our regents likely got this idea there, as UM looks very often to the UC schools as peer institutions with similar challenges etc.
Billy Bob Schwartz
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 8:53 p.m.
Are the regents considering some decision such as firing Brady Hoke or leaving the B1G or going to plain football helmets or what? Or do they actually have some real evidence of a threat to their safety?
kmgeb2000
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 8:13 p.m.
Really! "Items including . . . , sticks, poles and noise-making devices, . . " So I have a cane used to assist me when I walk then I cannot attend? A cane can also be described as a stick or pole. Not necessarily falling under the title of disabled, but an assist - what happens then? Are they afraid Moses is going to come walking in and part the Blue and Gold sea of hypocrisy. My lungs, throat and mouth also make up a "noise-making device"; explain to me how I am too remove them before entering? Are the 1% that afraid of US?
GoNavy
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
Is this a solution in search of a problem? I did a Google search on "University Regents shot at Meeting," and not a single historical instance emerged. What WAS interesting, however, was the story that came up where STUDENTS were shot with plastic pellets by POLICE at a UC Riverside Regents meeting. Perhaps it's the students who need protection?
Goober
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
i guess local crime is too high - eh?
music to my ear
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.
I feel if they have the money to secure everyone at the meetings go for it this is a different, world today,better to be safe than sorry,
Superior Twp voter
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
You must be kidding. Bunch of pansies.
GoNavy
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 7:45 p.m.
But they're super important, completely indispensable, and most certainly irreplaceable. In that sense, they're like local deities and - when viewed as such - no amount of protection is enough for these enlightened few.
pu2um
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 4:39 p.m.
Kellie, How does UM's new security procedures compare to other public/private universities?
pu2um
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 4:17 p.m.
Hard to believe these measures were recommended by Department of Public Safety. Leadership of DPS has been in flux for years. It's rather unlikely the interim police chief would make this decision. Why not wait for the new police chief to make an assessment? Why not wait for the new general counsel? Most certainly Coleman and/or the Regents initiated this burdensome and unnecessary procedure. They clearly disdain the mounting criticism they've received over the last few years. This appears to be an effort to restrict participation and attendance at the meetings. 200+ people attended the April 2012 meeting. It will be very difficult for that many people to get through security in a timely manner now. Could this action be in anticipation of the public's response to the long-awaited external review of the child porn case?
grye
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 3:50 p.m.
What's next? Have to remove your shoes and have your underwear checked? This overprotectiveness is becoming a crock.
trespass
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 3:24 p.m.
Shortly before the 2010 elections for the Board of Regents, in which Andrew Richner and Andrea Fisher Newman were running, Andrew Richner called the DPS and requested armed uniformed DPS protection at a Regents meeting and at a forum for Regents candidates. He did this because a person had applied to speak during public comments about a business deal gone bad between him and Richner. It seems like the Regents treat the DPS as if they are their own personal body guards.
PattyinYpsi
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 2:29 p.m.
Why is this action, which involves not only inconvenience but expense--necessary? "'Given the heightened awareness across the nation to security issues — and as part of our ongoing effort to enhance safety on campus — we believe this is the prudent thing to do,'" said U-M spokesman Rick Fitzgerald.." Just before he admitted there was and had not been any specific threat. And if you're talking "heightened awareness," why didn't the university take this action in 2001 or 2002? Kellie, it would be nice if you could find out what this new security measure costs for each meeting.
trespass
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 2:23 p.m.
I will try again. I can make a pretty good guess as to why they have instituted these measures but it will be tricky to tell you about it without running afoul of the moderators. I will give it a try. The meetings were moved after the November meeting. At that meeting I spoke about a topic that I cannot mention here. I told President Coleman that I wanted to give her a picture. At the end of my comments I took the picture to Coleman's end of the table and laid it in front of her. Several regents made catcalls to me as I approached her with the picture. I have no criminal or violent history. I have never threatened to harm anyone. I am nearly 60 and not a prime physical specimen but I guess I am so imposing that the entire Board of Regents, President Coleman and the administrators feel threatened by my walking up to the President's end of the table with a picture.
LA
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 8:12 p.m.
guess it musta been the picture. what was it?
craigjjs
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
Delusions of grandeur?
trespass
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
The open meeting act requires that meeting be held in a place that is available to the general public and that a person cannot be excluded, except for their conduct at that meeting. Therefore, the University violates the OMA when it prevents a person from attending because they have a trespass warning against them.
xmo
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 1:51 p.m.
Next they will require photo I.D. before you can enter the meetings.
trespass
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
The open meetings act specifically prohibits any public body from requiring people who attend a public meeting from having to identify themselves. "a person shall not be required as a condition of attendance at a meeting of a public body to register or otherwise provide his or her name or other information or otherwise to fulfill a condition precedent to attendance."
tom swift jr.
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 12:59 p.m.
Whatever it takes to make people feel welcome at these meetings. Do the regents have to go through security as well?
jcj
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 12:51 p.m.
More proof that if you make the money available they WILL spend it on something.
2WheelsGood
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
This proves that they know "gun-free zones" are pointless smoke and mirrors. Shouldn't that be all they need for protection? Or are they finally admitting those laws do absolutely nothing to stop crime?
M
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 12:43 p.m.
U-M wasting money on things that are entirely unneeded? Why I never...
Craig Lounsbury
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 12:30 p.m.
don't most campus shootings involve students in classrooms? Where is their security? Never mind, it would cost way too much to protect the people with an actual history of being in harms way.
Bertha Venation
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 1:13 p.m.
Yes. Students are temporary.... Regents last forever. (sarchasm)
Stupid Hick
Thu, Sep 13, 2012 : 12:28 p.m.
What's next, bullet-proof vests for faculty? Do we really need to militarize campus?