MONMOUTH, Ill. — As fall classes begin, students at Monmouth College are benefiting from substantial improvements to the campus safety and security program.

"We are pleased to announce round-the-clock security coverage," said Mohsin Masood, associate dean of students and director of residence life. "Security officers are now available 24 hours a day, seven days a week."

Masood said the college has also developed a campus-wide emergency response plan, tailored specifically to address emergency situations. While recent shootings at Virginia Tech University and Northern Illinois University were a major reason behind the enhanced security measures, other factors also contributed, including weather situations like the storm that blew through campus last August.

"For weather emergencies, the college is making a 24-hour, seven days a week radio broadcast available through the Monmouth College cable network to the campus community," he said. "Weather information is now broadcast on MCTV Channel 7, 24/7."

The campus community can now also learn of emergency situations through a campus-wide public broadcasting system and through an additional system that will alert members of the campus community via their cell phones and college e-mail accounts.

A new SUV, outfitted with appropriate security equipment, has been purchased by the college for its security officers and has already become a regular sight on campus. Students can also use a security escort service around the clock to travel between campus locations, including college-owned parking lots.

Concluded Masood, "All the security upgrades at Monmouth are testimony to the fact that Monmouth College really cares about its students."