In response to the attempted sexual assault of a student in the Raynor Library, university officials are considering a proposal to help ensure public safety.

According to Dean of Libraries Nicolas Burckel, a group of people from the Raynor Library and the Department of Public Safety held discussions about how to improve the safety level of the facility, as well as how to cut down the number of people from the general public who use the facility. The draft proposal that was drawn up will include a $5 admission fee for limited research passes issued to people not affiliated with Marquette who would be granted access to the Raynor Library for a day, according to Burckel.

"The excessive use of the library along with the episode that occurred in December really led us to sit down and come up with a plan of action," Burckel said. "We have given a draft proposal to the Office of the Provost and now we are waiting to hear if they will approve the draft or not."

Essentially nothing would change for members of the Marquette community — a card-swipe entry would still be in place for all students and faculty — according to Burckel. Guests of students will now have to check in at the front desk and leave valid photo identification with the desk attendant to gain access to the library.

"We decided this was the best thing to do in respect to people wanting to bring a girlfriend or boyfriend in to study with," Burckel said. "Alums of the university will also be able to access the library with an alum card. If they don't have one when they arrive they can also go to the front desk, and we have a database that would be able to confirm their status as Marquette alums."

The new policy would have two exceptions. One would be on preview day, and the other would be tour groups entering the library with their group leader. The group leader would then take responsibility for the group he or she is leading through the library, according to Burckel.

There is a Department of Public Safety officer in the Raynor Library from midnight to 8 a.m. in order to ensure student safety there, according to Burckel. He also said there are security cameras watching the perimeter of the Raynor, which were installed after the attempted sexual assault in December. University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild was not available for comment on the proposal because he was in Washington D.C., according to the Office of the President. The Office of the Provost could not be reached for comment either.

Capt. Russell Shaw of the Department of Public Safety said DPS officers have been patrolling all areas of the campus.

"After the incident in December we have told officers if they have spare time to spend it by the library," Shaw said. "However you have to be diligent everywhere. You cannot pay too much attention to just one building. There is always someone watching the entrance of the library so that someone walking in off the street won't be allowed in anymore."

DPS and Raynor Library officials worked together very closely to give the students a safer, less crowded environment to work in, according to Shaw. He then addressed how each building is inspected after being locked up on a nightly basis.

"The campus is very well protected at night," Shaw said. "A public safety officer goes through every building before locking up. Some buildings close at different times throughout the week but there is always a public safety officer to walk through the buildings before they do close. Then the proper cardholders will open up the building in the mornings."

Students have mixed opinions about the reliance of public safety on campus, especially as the late evening hours approach.

"As it gets darker I feel less safe," said sophomore Rachel Ingrasci. "The campus could use more frequent LIMO stops for students. As people have to wait longer for LIMOs, students are more inclined to walk and that is definitely less safe than taking a LIMO."

Freshman Nicole Hudson agreed with Ingrasci about fears that come from being outside late at night.

"There have been a few times I have been studying pretty late at the library," Hudson said. "Sometimes it has been as late as 1:30 or 2:00 in the morning, and I've been a little worried at those times, but for the most part I think they do a good job."

Freshman Lucas Hvasta was inclined to disagree with the comments made by Ingrasci and Hudson.

"There has never been a time I have been on campus and not felt safe," Hvasta said. "Public Safety does a great job keeping the campus safe."

Senior Jayson Torowski agreed with Lucas' view of safety for students on campus.

"I am very happy with the safety level for students on campus," Borowski said. "I don't really think about it that much because I think we are safe here, and I am confident that if I ever needed to call on public safety they would be there right away."

Senior Amanda Parrell took a bit of a different view, saying that safety is more of a common sense issue for students on campus today.

"I come from a tiny town, and I learned to watch my back when I am going out," Parrell said. "If you are going to be out you need to watch your back and take care of yourself. But if I truly needed public safety for any reason I know I could rely on them. Any time I have needed anything in the past they have always been right on top of it."