• Every hallway has a campus phone
• Every floor of every building has an emergency radio linked to the College’s and NOAA’s emergency alert systems
• Wooden doors have been replaced with metal doors
• Grab-resistant handles installed on doors
• Security screens installed on all first floor windows
• All Card readers are certified as working
• Card Reader placed on entrance to bathroom in a 4th street dorm

This hits me a little bit close to home because I can tell you a few things.  I live in a campus-owned Fraternity house.  And our house has not had security screens installed on the first floor windows.  We don’t have a card reader, metal doors (entrances or room doors), or an emergency call box installed.  We have emergency radios, but not much else.  Our house has had two TV’s stolen from it the past two summers, and every time we ask for security improvements we do not receive them.  The other houses have card reader access, but to not have security screens (as far as I know) or metal doors installed.  Sure, Parsons is safer (which is good, don’t get me wrong), but saying that all campus housing facilities have all of these safety measures is stretching the truth a bit.

Do I feel safe?  Absoultely.  Marietta (and the College) have very little crime to worry about.  However…it would be nice if they did install all safety measures at all campus housing.  Is the campus safer with all of these additions?  Of course it is.  I just would like to see all students protected equally.

If you’re looking for another helpful student media, the Marcolian is less of a newsy paper (usually runs every other week, but that may be changing) and more of a magazine.  They cover big campus events, but tell more of the story than just telling you what happened.  There are more editorials and opportunities for students to speak their mind and get their point across.

Headlines in this week’s Marcolian:

• Matriculation Ceremony takes place tonight
• Marietta College ranked 112th in Nation
• MC Students travel to Central America
• Planetarium community events scheduled for August, September
• Soccer coach expects greatness
• Football team prepares for season of growth
• Local Churches
• Student Discounts
• Fine Arts on Campus
• President welcomes Class of 2013
• Senior gives prospective on summer
• Del Mar’s Baja Grill disappoints
• Freshman offers fresh perspective
• Campus Organizations
• Cable Channel Guide

Writing on the Mall will be posting a few more guides now based off of a few of the Marc articles (Church Guide, Campus Organization Guide), but already has guides featuring the Cable Channel Listing (which was updated today to include digital channels for those with Digital Tuners), Area Concert Guide, and more.

And as a side note, Del Mar’s is really tasty (in my opinion) so I disagree with the Op/Ed saying that it lacks flavor and experience.  They just opened, they’re still training and hiring.  Cut them some slack.  And I think its tasty and flavorful.  But make your own opinion.

Pick up a copy of the Marcolian today to read all of the articles they have this week.

As a side note (so I don’t feel like I’m wasting a post on about 40 words), there is a new Calendar page that is up and running.  Anything that is happening at Marietta College or in the city of Marietta will appear on that calendar.  So take advantage of it to help you find things to do on and off campus.

While Winter break has just begun, and will continue on until mid-January, I just wanted to let you know that things might be a bit slower here at WotM.

Being back home and away from the college makes it a bit harder to report about the area, so you’ll see maybe 3-4 posts here a week until I get back on campus.

Some other things to note…

At some point, the site will be upgraded to WordPress 2.7.  This will update security and add new features.

I have been hired to write for www.examiner.com.  I will be a College Technology reporter for their Cleveland page.  You should start seeing links here pointing to articles there once things get going with that endeavor.

Merry Christmas/Happy Haunakah/Happy Kwanza/Fabulous Festivous/Happy Holidays!

If you’d be interested in writing for WotM, please contact me by checking out the Contact page.

If you’d be interested in advertising on WotM, please contact me by checking out the Advertiseing page.