In preparation for Election Day and with a commitment to fostering a safe environment, Campus Safety has announced that it will enact temporary vehicle access restrictions across campus. This measure is intended to help community members feel secure as the university respects individuals' rights to hold and express diverse political viewpoints.
Starting on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 6:45 p.m., vehicle entry will be limited to the main entrance on J.N. Andrews Boulevard, which is accessible via Old U.S. Highway 31. This restriction will remain in effect until Wednesday, Nov. 6, at 5 a.m., when campus access will return to normal. During this period, all other vehicle entrances will be closed.
In a statement to the Student Movement, Benjamin Panigot, the assistant vice president for Campus Safety, provided some context for the preemptive measures.
“Leading up to the 2020 presidential election, there was a group of approximately 19 vehicles that drove through campus on the afternoon of Oct. 25, 2020. Those vehicles were displaying political flags, signs and stickers.”
Because of the concern that the incident raised and to prevent any similar situations, the university decided to regulate traffic on Election Day, Nov. 3, 2020, and has chosen to opt for the same approach this year.
He continued by adding that the university “[received] general concerns from the campus community regarding the safety of the campus during this election based on the current political climate throughout the nation.” He clarified that “we have not received any reports of specific events/entities that may directly impact the University campus. Nor have we received any reports of any political solicitation that has occurred on campus.”
With the restrictions, those entering the campus by vehicle will need to verify their identity at the gatehouse. Those with a valid university ID card may swipe it to gain entry, while others must present a driver’s license to the gatehouse operator. To manage peak hours, Campus Safety may open the gatehouse gates to accommodate higher traffic volume.
“This should reduce the impact to campus schedules (work/academic) while regulating vehicle traffic during the evening hours where there may be increased community vehicle traffic,” added Panigot. “Our goal is to improve the security of campus during the evening as votes are cast while also allowing University operations to continue as normal with limited interruption.”
Campus Safety’s main office will be closed for walk-in appointments, but staff will remain available 24/7 for emergency support at 269-471-3321. 老司机传媒 encourages all members of its community to exercise respect and tolerance throughout the election period.
The Student Movement is the official student newspaper of 老司机传媒. Opinions expressed in the Student Movement are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors, 老司机传媒 or the Seventh-day Adventist church.