Spring Arbor University Crusader

Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Features

If you dial ext. 6911 during the day, you may hear, "Campus Safety, Director Fiero speaking. How can I help you?" Chances are, however, you'll get his answering machine because Director of Campus Safety Thomas Fiero is somewhere around Spring Arbor University ensuring the safety of students.

When Fiero first arrives on campus every morning, he reviews e-mails and ticket appeals. He takes the appeals seriously and he has made several changes in and around campus because of the appeals. For example, there is now a 30 minute unloading zone in the Ogle parking lot because of student appeals.

Junior Josh Donkin, a Campus Safety Officer, appreciates the leadership Fiero has shown and the vision he has for the campus.

"It's great to have someone of this caliber here," Donkin said of Fiero.

Throughout the day, Fiero attends meetings, assists with Chapel, teaches in PSY 110 ("Introduction to Student Leadership") and helps students in every way he can. His favorite part of the job is the students. He wants to increase communication between Campus Safety and students; recently, there was a campus safety forum for students to voice their concerns.

Since arriving at SAU this summer, Fiero has hired and trained 12 students as Campus Safety Officers. They went through extensive training during the summer, including First Aid/CPR training. They also are trained once a month to make sure they're up-to-date.

Campus Safety does more than lock and unlock buildings. All Campus Safety officers know how to unlock and jumpstart cars. Campus Safety also provides student transports-if a student doesn't feel safe walking to and from buildings at night, Campus Safety will drive the student to any on-campus location.
Sophomore Toyin Rotibi is the first female Campus Safety Officer. Her favorite part of the job is being able to interact with other students and see how they're doing.

"This is a servant's job," she said. "You just go out of your way
to help people."

Donkin agrees. He said his favorite part is "being there to help out when people need you."

Campus Safety is accessible by dialing ext. 6911. If dialing from an outside line, such as a cell phone, the number is (517) 750-6911.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools