Ambassadors boost campus safety

NEW STUDENT SAFETY AMBASSADORS sporting Viking caps and fluorescent vests began patrolling campus this February after completing basic training. A key part of Portland State Interim President Stephen Percy’s plan to bolster campus safety, the paid students will answer questions, refer people to campus resources and provide assistance. “They’ll be the eyes and ears for us and for the community,” said Joe Schilling, interim chief of Campus Public Safety. The first safety ambassadors are students Liam Cole, Camila Oliveira and Aseel Alattabi (pictured here), as well as Briana Benson. They’ll be joined by six more in months to come. Other elements of the initiative include increased oversight of Campus Public Safety Office training and investigations, and improvements to campus buildings and physical security.