By Jamil Oakford/ editor-in-chief

TCC’s board of trustees approved 950 Code Blue emergency kiosks to be installed in every classroom on SE Campus.

These are the same kiosks that can be found in the hallways of every building on every campus, but SE will be the first campus to get them in the classrooms.

When discussion was opened up in the Aug. 18 meeting, trustee O.K. Carter said the $373,776 investment wasn’t worth it.

“In 10 years, we’ll be asking for our money back,” he said.

Facilities and real estate vice chancellor Nina Petty argued the kiosks are a safe and effective tool for students to get assistance in an emergency.

Carter responded that cellphones also allow students to call for help. One official said the kiosks offer something cellphones can’t.

Facilities administrator director David Elder explained that if students call 911 on their cellphone, the call is routed to a city dispatch, meaning it could take extra minutes for emergency responders to make it to the campus. Calls from Code Blue kiosks will be made directly to campus police who can respond immediately.

Board member Conrad Heede then asked if the kiosks would be an intercom system.

“The police have the ability at their dispatch area to call back into any phone,” Elder said.

In other business, board president Louise Appleman also briefly pointed out that the college has formed a Campus Carry Committee and will start to work on how to implement the state policy at TCC.

The board also approved seven new patrol units for TCC police to replace older models.

Chief Shaun Williams said the department operates with 25 Ford SUVs, 13 of which were bought brand new between 2003 and 2009. Since then, the vehicles needed upkeep and maintenance, leaving the department with less than 25 patrol units.

“The newer cars are being used so often because we can’t use the older cars,” he said. “So hopefully with the new cars, we can help take some of the strain off the cars we’re using now.”

Williams also hopes all of the new vehicles will come fully outfitted with the needed police gear.