Without safety and security, there cannot be peace and order in the community, shared Director of Campus Safety and Security Anthony Pickard. He explained his job is to “enforce [BYUH] policies and the honor code. If [people] are not following that, then there is no order. Chaos occurs [and] people will not feel safe and secure.”
Pickard shared how his experience working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) taught him the dangers that come with a lack of order and safety. His department also provides security for the Polynesian Cultural Center, he said, and recalled an incident where a child had fallen into the canal and it was imperative to have the necessary resources to provide immediate assistance.
“[People] didn’t know where he was but were able to call security and the ambulance and provide first aid. If those resources aren’t available, it’s hard to recover from those kinds of incidents,” explained Pickard.
Gospel of order, campus of order
Ruth Schwendiman, a freshman from Salt Lake City, Utah, majoring in psychology, said she has worked as a student guard officer for the campus since September.
She said some of her duties involve patrolling campus events and ensuring everything is in line with safety regulations. Compared to other jobs on campus, Schwendiman said her job is unique because security employees cover the entire campus.
Without Title IX and the honor code, she said, “People would definitely not think twice about doing what comes to their mind.” She explained a lot of students start college with the mindset of wanting to have the “full college experience,” including partying, but the honor code limits them, which Schwendiman said she sees as beneficial to safety and security.
Pickard added honor code guidelines help students feel more confident in making decisions in line with moral standards. “It makes them feel more spiritual because they feel better. They do positive things.”
He said these rules are synonymous with gospel principles. “The gospel is a gospel of order. [People] get blessed from following those guidelines, and if [they] don’t, [they] suffer the consequences.”
Before beginning each shift, Schwendiman said she and her co-workers say a prayer and share a spiritual thought, prompting a more peaceful mindset for the day. She explained if they work with a “negative attitude,” they will not be able to perform the way they are expected to.
She said her supervisor provides her with help and guidance in her times of need. “I know I always have someone in my corner who has my back.” She recalled an experience having to contact emergency services for a girl who suffered a head injury during a soccer game.
Schwendiman said it was her first time handling an urgent matter. “I was freaking out, but then I realized I had my supervisor to help me out, and I felt calmer and more put together.”
She compared working security to the role of the Holy Ghost because her role is to help people seek to be like Christ by protecting, guiding and comforting them.
No reason to panic
Campus Safety & Risk Manager Eugenia Soliai, has worked in her position for two and a half years, said she feels “peace of mind” when she feels herself and others are safe.
She shared it’s important for the University to provide the necessary resources for employees to be safe. In addition, she said employees should trust Campus Safety to look out for them and know “The University cares about the safety of their employees.”
She explained her and her coworkers enforce Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, which helps protect employees, and administering emergency preparedness plans and shelters in the event of natural disasters.
They are also responsible for enforcing COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions, she added, such as wearing masks and installing sanitizers across campus grounds.
“The Lord [commands people] to prepare every needful thing and part of organizing is being prepared. … The basic thing is, if [people are] prepared, then there’s no reason to panic,” shared Soliai.
Thomas and Kayla Willie are both safety assistants who have worked for Soliai since 2020. Thomas Willie, a BYUH alumnus from Papua New Guinea, said he and his wife are responsible for fire safety, first aid, CPR, driving certification, evacuation plans and ensuring buildings comply with OSHA standards.
Similar to Schwendiman and Pickard, Thomas Willie said they are responsible for making the campus safe for those who work, live and attend school in Laie. For example, he said if a student is inured, Human Resources will notify them how the incident occurred. Then, he said they will investigate what happened and “discuss how to avoid such incidents from happening.”
From June to September of this year, the Willies were not able to work due to complications with their visas, Thomas Willie explained. He said they were one of more than 60 BYUH employees who waited on temporary visas and relied on emergency savings and food storage.
He said he was initially very stressed because he did not know how long he would have to be without a job. However, he said he felt “peace and a calmness” that led him to not worry about obtaining food. People provided for him and his family, and they had money to spend “because [they] followed the principle of being prepared.”
Behind the scenes
Kayla Willie, a BYUH alumna from the Cook Islands, explained how their safety department jobs differ from working security, in that “a lot of the work [takes place] behind the scenes.”
Thomas Willie said they focus on minor issues, such as placing wet floor signs near soiled areas or removing protruding nails in the ground. This type of work, he said, is in an effort of preventing “anything bigger from happening.”
Kayla Willie said establishing relationships with people in other departments is key to doing her job effectively. “It’s not just telling people the right way of doing things. … Knowing their names and their [occupations] makes it easier for them to make the changes so they’re in compliance.”
She said she finds peace as she’s serving others and providing safety for them. “When someone thanks me for helping them, that brings peace to my heart. I forget about my own trials and challenges.”
Thomas Willie said conducting safety trainings enables them to connect and engage with representatives from other departments. “They know who we are, what’s required of them and that they can reach out to us for help.”
Leading like the Savior
Soliai said they follow what is known as a leadership pattern, which is a training on how to execute their duties as the Savior would. She said this allows her to have a sense of peace and assurance.
As part of the training, she said they “define direction, counsel together, build capacity, organize and accomplish the work and then render an account to it.” In doing that, she added she feels what she does matters.
She continued, “I give all I have to this position, and I find joy in helping the students.” Training students on life skills, such as CPR and first aid, will benefit students in the long run, she added.
“They know what they need to prepare their families and [themselves] in understanding risks, the mitigations of those risks and preparing for them.”
Soliai said her hope is students who know nothing about safety or emergency can gain knowledge they can take with them into their own lives. “It’s an experience that will bless them throughout their whole lives, whether it be their individual lives or in the jobs that they pursue.”
Pickard added, “My goal is to strive to be professional, … lead like the Savior would lead and be respectful to people.” He explained his department wants people to be on their side as they “persuade them to live the policies.”