Chancellor Kenneth Peacock sent out a video message Friday urging students to “be safe this semester.”

Peacock said he made the video because he wants students to know how the Appalachian State University community cares about their safety.

“With other events that have happened throughout our nation, we get very concerned,” Peacock said. “A campus is an open environment it’s an inclusive environment… [A]s we have seen in our nation recently, particularly with Newtown, Conn., individuals have problems – they have issues – and what we want to do is help those individuals, not hurt them.”

Peacock said that thanks to the suggestions of students, the university has added several blue lights and phones on campus, as well as several security cameras where students advised they be put.

“We have listened to the voices of our students and we are trying to do what they want us to do,” he said.

In the video, Peacock said he wanted to tell students to “keep it up” and help the people who need it.
The video message also directs students to appcares.appstate.edu as a safety resource.

“If you go to the AppCares website, you see a number of different emergency phone numbers listed,” said Dean of Students J. J. Brown, who is listed as a resource on the website.

“We want to put numbers in your hands,” Brown said.

There is even an AppCares mobile phone application that can “tie into the campus police number.”
Brown said that hopefully the application helps students have access to safety information at either 2 p.m. or 2 a.m.

ASU Police Chief Gunther Doerr said the police department, which is also listed as a resource on appcares.appstate.edu, wants to look at “prevention methods” this semester.

Students have 24/7 reporting, Doerr said.

“I do hope it is an outstanding, enjoyable and academically challenging year, but I want it to be a safe year,” Peacock said. “Above all, it’s got to be safe.”

Story: STEPHANIE SANSOUCY, Senior News Reporter