Emergency phones coming to Greektown

The phones received overwhelming support from Greek students.

By Megan Stroup

Published March 17, 2009

The Missouri Students Association passed a resolution last week to install emergency phones in Greektown.

During an initial planning meeting between MSA President Jordan Paul, the Panhellenic Association and Interfraternity Council officers in February, the plan was met with some opposition.

After the Greek councils raised concerns about emergency phones, MSA conducted a safety survey of Greek students earlier this month to measure their support for various safety plans in Greektown. Nearly 89 percent of the Greek students who responded expressed support for the installation of emergency phones in Greektown.

Paul said 491 students participated in the survey, which is about 10 percent of the Greek population.

"I really don't have any hesitations," IFC President Danny Jonas said about the impending installation. "Jordan is covering all possible problems and handling them accordingly. He's especially been great in reaching out to our members to find out what they want."

PHA Vice President of Public Relations Lindsey Hoffman said although PHA originally felt emergency phones in Greektown were unnecessary, they now support the plan after the overwhelming response from Greek students.

"Greek Life will be advising MSA on where we think these should go in Greektown," Hoffman said. "They are not needed all over, but rather in certain areas."

Paul said MSA is considering placing phones at the corners of Providence and Burnham streets, Fifth and Rollins and Fifth and Turner. They are also looking for a central location in Greektown.

In addition to gauging support for the emergency phones, the MSA safety survey included two alternative safety improvement plans: a mass text messaging system for Greek students and increased lighting in Greektown.

Nearly 70 percent of respondents expressed support of the alternative plans in the survey, Paul said. MSA decided to implement the plan after the survey because it garnered the strongest response and was the idea MSA had the most control over.

"It was a campaign item I promised thousands I would do," Paul said, referring to his safety platform last fall during the MSA elections.

If the emergency phones do not make a difference in Greektown safety, or if no one utilizes them, Hoffman said PHA will continue working with MSA to develop further plans.

"It was their idea to do the phones," Hoffman said. "I'm sure if it doesn't work out they will look for something else and say, 'What else can we do for Greektown?'"

Paul said if the phones are not used, MSA will consider relocating them, but he finds this possibility extremely unlikely. MSA is also simultaneously pursuing other options, such as increased lighting and a mass alert system.

Paul said he hopes the phones will be installed by the end of the semester, but if not they will definitely be in place before the fall semester.

MSA has put in a request to the Student Fee Capital Improvement Committee for funds, which is chaired by former IFC President Bryan VanGronigen. Paul said the committee will issue its decision on whether to fund the emergency phones by the end of April. MSA funds will possibly be used for future costs associated with the phones, which Paul estimates at less than $1,000 per year.