GAMBIER — “It’s business as usual” at Kenyon College, according to Director of Communications Mark Ellis in the wake of last week’s lockdown stemming from the fear of a possible dangerous person in the campus area. Ellis said this morning the campus is still in the state of enhanced security.
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“We’ve expanded the times that residence halls can be accessed only through a security key,” said Ellis. “We’ve also added some safety officers around campus to provide a more high-profile sense of security.”
While Ellis stated that he currently does not feel any fear of danger, student counseling is available for those who feel they may need support in a time of anxiety. “All is safe and calm,” said Ellis.
Kenyon officials decided to put the campus on lockdown Thursday night after talking with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
“We were contacted by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office who said there was a crime scene at Apple Valley and the possibility that a dangerous person might be on campus,” said Mark Ellis, communications director at Kenyon College. A single vehicle was reported found outside of Gambier, near the Brown Family Environmental Center. The vehicle was later identified as that of Tina Herrmann, who has been missing since Wednesday.
“We sent e-mail and text messages to all students at 10:15 p.m. informing them the campus was now in lockdown. We wanted to be prudent in this situation. Campus security then escorted students back to their dormitories, and campus faculty were encouraged to stay home,” said Ellis. Students residing at the BFEC were transported to Weaver Cottage on the Kenyon campus.
