Penn State may tighten security at its athletic facilities

Pennsylvania State University may spend $7.5 million to tighten security at its recreation facilities.

The board of trustees' committee on finance, business and capital planning voted to recommend to the full board upgrades to the White Building, the McCoy Natatorium and Rec Hall — all on the University Park campus. The board will consider the plan at its meeting in Hershey on Friday.

Under the plan, only people with valid university identification will be allowed to use the recreational facilities on campus. Each will be permitted to bring in one guest, but will be responsible for that guest, under the policy.
Elevators and turnstiles will be added to the buildings.

"First and foremost are the safety and security of our students, faculty and staff who use these facilities," Stan Latta, director for campus recreation, said in a statement on the university's web site. "There will be controlled access to the facilities so the only way you can enter is to swipe your identification card, and there will be individuals working on site to verify that the person who is using the card is indeed the card owner."

The board delayed a decision on the upgrades in November after some at the meeting said they saw no need for additional security and were concerned about the cost.

But university officials and some trustees cited safety concerns at that time. The university's main recreation center has 72 doors and access is not restricted. The university gym had experienced thefts – 145 in 2014-15 - and confrontations between students and community residents who came in to use the gym, officials said.

"To control access through a single door makes a great deal of sense," Penn State President Eric Barron said in November.