Issue link: http://digital.corporatepress.com/i/255499
48 | january/february 2014 | Facilities Manager facility asset management facility asset management U niversities everywhere are looking for ways to improve sustainability, boost security, and differentiate their campuses. The Georgia College and State University is no exception. Its campus consists of 43 acres of lawns, gardens, and columned buildings adjacent to downtown Milled- geville, Georgia, a historic town that once served as the state capital. Despite the rural setting, the school puts a big emphasis on the security of its 6,700 students. Its active Public Safety Depart- ment staffs 20 sworn police officers and four communications officers. Their top priority? Ensuring the safety of the campus community. HAIL, SNAP! Georgia College and State University is using an innovative security program known as Student Night Auxiliary Patrol (SNAP). The program lets students call or hail transport vehicles for free security escorts and rides across the main campus during designated night time hours. Founded as a student-volunteer foot patrol in 1989, SNAP was slowly up- graded. In 2009, the Public Safety Department began hiring student em- ployees and purchasing vehicles for them to drive. HIRING AND TRAINING Students must apply for SNAP posi- tions online, where a selection process identifies top candidates. "They must be in good aca- demic standing, hold a valid Class C driver's license, and pass criminal and driver's background checks," says Sgt. Michael Baker, the public service officer who oversees the program. They must also submit references and go through an interview process. SNAP is sponsored by Public Safety, funded by student government, and run largely by students. Since SNAP drivers are employees of the college and drive college-owned vehicles, they are covered by the university's insurance plan for motor vehicles. "We have 18 student-employees who patrol the campus five nights a week, provide rides and security escorts, perform building checks, and support Disability Services by transporting students with special needs," says Tucker O'Brien, a graduate student who serves as SNAP director. During a two-day training program, SNAP drivers work with Public Safety, learning policies and procedures and vehicle use and safety. New hires then ride with a veteran driver for a week or two. Drivers are also certified in cardio- pulmonary resuscitation and automated external defibrillator (AED) use. "The SNAP team does a tremendous job for us," says Sgt. Baker. SMALL CARS FOR A SMALL SCHOOL The SNAP fleet consists of five Club Car Villager 4 transport vehicles and one Club Car Villager 6. Three are gasoline powered, three are electric. "On a small campus like ours these vehicles are an efficient, affordable alternative to expensive buses or vans," says Baker. The cars are marked with the green SNAP logo, which is also on the polo shirts the drivers tuck into their khaki pants. "The vehicles are perfect for this appli- cation. They are incredibly maneuverable and easy to board," says O'Brien. "We can drive on sidewalks, cut across campus, and pull right up to buildings and doors. And everyone loves to ride in them." THE SNAP APP "I love the fact that we can just call SNAP via a button on the school app," says student Maria Esposito. The cars facility asset management Georgia College and State University Makes Security a SNAP By Kurt Meyer must also Georgia College and State University's Public Safety Department has cut crime and DUIs by using Club Car Villager transport vehicles to move students across the campus after dark.