ARCHIVES News Community Editorial Op-Ed Features MORE Features Arts MORE Arts Sports

October 27, 2000

Richard Safford, director of security at VWC, has formally turned in his resignation, effective Nov. 9. Safford, employed with VWC security for the last 15 years, will be taking a position with the state of Virginia. "I will be a security manager for a multitude of places, such as the Eastern Virginia Medical School and the Norfolk State Learning Center," said Safford. "I will be coordinating all the bosses, and I will be a consultant for the state."

Safford regards his resignation as a career move rather than a controversy. "I’ve still got 10 years left in me," said Safford. "You can’t pass up these kinds of opportunities or you will be left behind." Safford was elected President of the Virginia Campus Law Enforcement Administration for 1999-2000. The organization was impressed with Safford’s abilities and opened the door for his recruitment by the state. "I was recruited through this organization because of the successful training programs I started," Safford said. Safford has been in the law enforcement field since 1960. He worked in Daytona Beach as a police officer and has been Chief of Police at numerous places, including Bradenton Beach, Fla. His past law enforcement leadership roles have molded Safford into a competent security administrator for Wesleyan. His office is a showcase of police badges from Safford’s many jobs.

"I hate to see him leave," said Patrol Supervisor Bob Pope. "We had a good time, and we had some rough spots, but he is a professional." With Safford leaving, security officer Bill Allen will act as the temporary head of security. "There are some qualifications desired that I don’t feel I have, such as a police background," said Allen of the permanent position. "The hunt for security prospects is already under way though the position has not yet been formally advertised."

"We will be posting the open position in the human resource center, putting an ad in the newspaper and beginning to screen applicants," said Dean of Students David Buckingham. "The decision of who will replace Safford will not be made until the latter part of November," he added. "We have to develop a applicant pool, screen the pool and select from that pool," said Buckingham. Buckingham is looking for applicants who not only have experience but also possess people skills in order to interact successfully with the campus community. There will be a panel consisting of various VWC staff to make the decision. Safford said he hopes Wesleyan will ask for his input concerning the position. "This is a special place, and we need a special person to properly run security," Safford said.

Safford said he loved his work at the campus. He has made many friendships that he will maintain, since he is till going to be living in the Hampton Roads area. "The only thing good about him leaving is that he will be happy with his new job," said Pope. "He will definitely be missed," said Buckingham. There will be a farewell gathering for Safford soon. "I leave with sorrow and reluctance, but duty calls," said Safford.

Residents of North Hall’s first floor went surfing. Indoors. The Village III residence hall was evacuated on Wednesday, Oct. 4, as the emergency sprinkler system spewed thousands of gallons of water into a bathroom located on the first floor. "I was in my underwear," said Mike Heyer, resident of room 103. "I had just checked the dryer and I was getting ready to take a shower." Heyer says he was in his room when the sprinkler went off. He doesn’t know what triggered it.

After sitting dormant for approximately six years, a single sprinkler-head began spraying water just after 6 p.m. and continued to drench the bathroom shared by rooms 101 and 103 until nearly 7 o’clock. The water was as much as four inches deep in places and extended all the way into the B Suite at the opposite end of the hall. "I just blocked the door with all my clean laundry," said Heyer. "It took 30 loads to wash it all again." Many others responded in the same manner as Heyer, returning to the building after the initial evacuation to protect their belongings, according to Lakisha Steele, resident advisor of North Hall. "People had computers and stereo equipment on the floor, but the guys were really smart," said Keith Moore, director of residence life. "They took anything that they could and put it at the bottom of the door to keep water from coming in even faster. They also picked their belongings up off of the floor quickly, which was a smart thing to do."

Though the system emptied an estimated 5,000 gallons of water, the damages were limited. "Nothing really got ruined," said John Gioulis, resident of room 101. The carpets sustained the most damage. Heyer’s rug was cut out and removed, as it had begun to mildew. "It was nasty," said Steele. "The water in that system had been sitting forever." And then came another wave. The same incident occured again, on the night of Saturday, Oct. 21. It was the same sprinkler, and the same rooms were damaged.

According to Moore, the company that handles the sprinkler system throughout campus was coming to assess the situation. "Everything is pending investigation," said Moore. "It’s very strange for this to be happening. It’s just really odd." Though the residents of North Hall suffered little damage to their personal belongings, questions are being raised about the cause of the incident. "It is undetermined as to what really happened," said Moore. "It could’ve been a freak occurrence and an unfortunate one." Moore said that, according to the physical plant, a small red wax strip had to be melted or tampered with in order for the system to be set off.

As Election Day quickly approaches, many students may not be aware of the issues and stances regarding the presidential candidates. In fact, some students may not even be aware that Election Day is Nov. 7. "Young people are disillusioned about politics and are less patient," said freshman Joe Calandra. "They don’t see the results of politics and don’t see the whole picture." However, some students are active in politics and elections. "I have voted in every election since I was 18 because, as an American citizen, it is my duty to vote," said junior Melissa Coley. "I have even voted in small local elections, and in the upcoming presidential election I will probably vote for Bush, because I like his stance on the issues better."

Calandra has the same attitude as Coley. "I am a political science and international relations major, and I come from a military family, so I believe in military defense spending," said Calandra. "I have conservative beliefs, and I will vote for Bush." Although some students will vote Election Day, the majority of 18 to 24-year-olds will not. According to the United States Census Bureau, in 1998 39.2 percent of 18 to 24-year-olds were registered to vote, but at the same time 62.1 percent of the general population was registered to vote. However, the number of young registered voters steadily increases as students age. "Young people don’t see the effects (of politics), and therefore they are not aware of the issues," said graduate intern Patrick Murphy. "They don’t have to pay taxes or have jobs, and they don’t own houses or cars."

The Bureau states that the number-one reason why 18 to 24-year-olds do not vote is because they are busy or have conflicting schedules. Others, according to the Bureau, refuse to vote and feel their vote cannot make a difference. Some are just not interested. "I registered to vote when I was 18, but I have never voted because there were no elections I felt strongly about and I just don’t have the time," said sophomore Rebecca Waters. Although 9.8% of young non-voters said they were out of town or away from home on Election Day, students can request an absentee ballot. College students living away from home are eligible to request an absentee ballot. This ballot permits students to cast their vote in the city, county, or township they are registered in, and they can vote in the municipal clerk’s office, up to 5 p.m. the day before election. Most people, however, request an application for an absentee ballot from the municipal clerk. The clerk will then, mail the ballot to the person, and the voter must return the ballot in time for the clerk to deliver it to the proper polling location on Election Day before polls close.

According to the Census Bureau’s statistics, 6.4% of registered 18-24 year-olds forgot to vote or send in their absentee ballot. Young voters may have a weak voting record, but many have opinions regarding the election. "I registered to vote when I turned 18 because I wanted to change everything. I believe my vote will change some things," said sophomore Sandra Williams. "I lean more to the republican side, but for this election I am leaning towards two republicans and one democrat."

"I think it is irresponsible that people don’t know the candidates, but they still vote just to vote," said junior Susan Yancey. "I think the majority of Virginia Wesleyan students lean towards the right and will vote for Bush," said Murphy. "Right now I am undecided about who I am voting for. I am torn between Gore and Nader, but I will definitely not vote for Bush." Although the deadline has passed to register, in the future, students can register to vote at the Department of Motor Vehicles, online, and even on campus. A voter registration drive was recently held on campus by the Political Science Association along with the Dean of Students Office. "Shenandoah University’s Marsh Institute sent out information this summer to Dean Buckingham about voter registration," said Lina Cottingham, Associate Dean of Students. "We are also required by law to encourage kids to vote. We are not sure how many registered voters we had before, so we don’t have an accurate account of how many registered." Whether or not students vote on Nov. 7, some believe one thing is certain. "People who don’t vote don’t have a right to complain," said Waters.