New phone systems coming to campus

Over the past month a series of plywood boards have appeared across campus with the word “hole” in orange spray paint. They do, in fact, cover sizable holes.

According to John Schottenbauer, Director of the IT and Technical Service department on campus, the holes will soon be filled with concrete foundations that will support a new emergency phone system.

“Phones are ordered, they’ve already started work on pouring foundations. The [phone] towers are expected to arrive this month, but whether or not we get them installed before the snow flies isn’t guaranteed. The hope is that by the end of the spring semester we will have them installed and working,” said Schottenbauer.

The new phones will be solar powered and run on cell signal, as opposed to the current emergency phone system which works through outdated technology. 

The current copper-wire phones have required the college to invest in hardware in order maintain their functionality, something which is harder and harder as telephone companies phase-out older systems.

The college plans to add two emergency phones to the Bluestone campus, which currently does not have any, as well as expanding and improving locations on the Duluth main campus.

“We're adding phones and locations where they aren’t currently. For example we don't currently have one in the Mitchell parking lot so we're trying to increase coverage," said Schottenbauer.

He also emphasized the importance of a functioning emergency phone system.

“It's one of those tools that we hope never is required but it's something that is in our best interest. It's important for our campus community safety that we have these [emergency phones] out there, operational, and up-to-date,” said Schottenbauer.