UPSA program assists with security
By Sashana Campbell
On September 26, 2012
The University Police Students' Assistant program, working along with the University Police
Department, has been providing security and patrols on Buffalo State's campus since the 1970s.
The program, which started with approximately 15 criminal justice majors whose main duties
involved night patrols, has increased to 70 students with different majors. The various duties
the UPSA attends to around campus have increased to reflect the growth in students joining the
UPSA.
Duties of the UPSA include providing security at the E.H. Butler Library, Campbell Student
Union and the study quad and quiet quad. Students involved in the program also assist with
residence hall check in, patrolling residence halls at night, the motorist assistance program van
and providing various walking patrols and escorts.
"The UPSA and UPD are committed to assisting all members of the Buffalo State community in
providing for their own safety and security." said Jayme Riter, director of the UPSA program.
The shuttle service, which operates both during the day and at night, is one of the services
provided by the program. It is underused by the students on campus, she said.
"Everyone is welcome to have a ride," Riter said. "The shuttles provide service 20 hours a day
and the vans are clearly labeled."
The daytime shuttle runs Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., while the evening
escort shuttle operates from 4:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m., making stops all over campus.
"We are trying to get people really aware of this program, whether they are tired, don't want to
walk in bad weather, or scared to walk alone, our drivers will stop to give them a ride," Riter
said.
The UPSA also offers the Motorist Assistance Program, which provides free, on-campus
emergency road service to faculty, students and visitors to the college. This service offers
assistance to drivers who need help charging a dead battery. They also lend tools to assist in
changing a flat tire, Riter said.
If a more serious problem occurs, the MAP service will help in securing the appropriate
assistance.
The MAP service is available between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and on
Fridays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"Wherever on campus you are, feel free to call us, and we will do our best to assist you in a
timely and cheerful manner," said Robert House, coordinator for the UPSA program.
UPSA takes applications on a rolling basis and employs approximately 20 to 25 students per
semester to replace outgoing student assistants. Students must have a 2.75 GPA or higher to
be hired by the program and be at least a second semester freshman. Students employed by
the program are screened by the University Police Department and should have a professional
reference, House said.
Student assistants in UPSA can be identified by their uniforms, composed of a red shirt and
khaki pants. They typically work anywhere from 12 to 15 hours a week, and start out making
$7.75 an hour. They can make up to $10 an hour if they work special events around campus.
"The program gives me the flexibility to choose my own hours and also choose where I work,"
said Hope Mayes, a senior theatre major. "It helped me to get to know my campus."
Some students who have worked through the program have become border patrol agents, federal
bureau investigation officers, police officers and have worked for the Central Intelligence
Agency.
"The program is a really great stepping stone for criminal justice majors," Riter said.
Sashana Campbell can be reached by email at Campbell.record@live.com.
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent The Record News Articles
Students donate shoes, raise money for Boston bombing victims
Buffalo State's Evergreen program is teaming up with the nonprofit Herding for the Hurting in collecting donated shoes to raise money ...
Chartwells plans campus food truck
The food truck phenomenon has made its way to campus as the route, menu and name of a new Chartwells truck will be decided on by ...
USG sens motion 'no confidence'
Correction: In light of new information learned following the publishing of the original version of this story, The Record would like ...
Discuss This Article
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THE RECORD NEWS
- We've Moved to www.buffstaterecord.com!
- Obama divulges new higher education initiative during visit to UB
- Ailing Podolefsky steps down as president
- SUNY appoints Cohen interim president
- President Podolefsky announces leave to fight cancer
- Rappers put Pepsi in a bind
- Congrats to grads: take next step with gratitude
RECENT THE RECORD CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- A Difficult Diagnosis Sparks Hope and Support for...
- Fall For Improved Vehicle Protection
- Six Ways To Save Money This Holiday Season
- BigFuture Resources Help Students Discover College,...
- Anheuser-Busch Celebrates American Growers on National...
- What You Should Know About Healthy Aging
- What We Don’t Know Can Hurt: New Survey Reveals K...
- Blood Donors Quietly Revolutionizing Sickle Cell Treatment
- What You Need To Know About Vaccines On World Polio Day...
- Oral Health And Cancer: A Guide On Prevention And...
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- 5 Tips to Pick the Right Dental Plan
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Fascinating Fall Reads
- The U.S. Can Make the Most of AI in Robotics
- Have a Boo-tiful Halloween with Chilean Citrus
- 5 Ways to Transform Your Kitchen and Bath with the Look...
- Many American Women Feel Financial Stress
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Captivating Fall Reads
- The Importance of Medicare Options for America’s Seniors
- How Artificial Intelligence Will Evolve
- Blue Star Families Spotlights Military Mental Health for...
COLLEGE PRESS RELEASES
- DISAPPOINTING AFFIRMATIONS
- Flamin Hot Teams Up with Gabby Windey to Help Fans Cheat on Flamin Hot Cheetos
- BLUMHOUSE AND AMC THEATRES ANNOUNCE AMCS BLUMFEST 2024 WITH ICONIC HORROR FILM SCREENINGS IN 54 CITIES EVERY WEDNESDAY IN OCTOBER
- Upskilling Opportunities Ranked Most Valuable for Students Seeking Resume Edge, According to Survey of Recent Grads
- U.S. Department of State Honors 19 Colleges and Universities as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders