The Prairie State College Board of Trustees voted down a proposal to improve signage on campus that would help first responders reach a destination quickly in the event of an emergency. The proposal for signage in parking lots and on buildings on the Chicago Heights campus failed on a 3-1 vote. Three trustees were absent from the March 26 meeting. The board’s next meeting is at 5 p.m. April 30.
The Prairie State College Board of Trustees voted down a proposal to improve signage on campus that would help first responders reach a destination quickly in the event of an emergency.
The proposal for signage in parking lots and on buildings on the Chicago Heights campus failed on a 3-1 vote. Three trustees were absent from the March 26 meeting. The board’s next meeting is at 5 p.m. April 30.
The signage proposal was presented by the PSC administration. PSC President Terri L Winfree said she is unsure why the board voted the project down, as none of the board members raised any questions or concerns with regard to the project recommendation in advance of the meeting.
In a prepared statement, Winfree said that she sent additional information in a weekly update to the board urging them to support the initiative because of the impact it could have on the safety of the faculty, staff and students.
Winfree said her message included PSC Police Department Chief George Pfotenhauer’s support for the administration’s proposal.
Pfotenhauer, who has more than 30 years experience in law enforcement also had addressed some of the questions during the meeting, stating the life safety implications of the project.
PSC Board Chair Jacqueline Agee was not at the meeting, but indicated had she been there she would have voted in favor of the signage.
“As a 12-year member of the board, a police officer, and an attorney, I am wholeheartedly in favor of keeping our students and employees on a safe campus. I have only one more month to serve on the Prairie State College board and I am hopeful that in my last month we can get this signage approved,” she said in a statement provided to the Chronicle.