Fit2BTide S08.E09: UA Public Safety

[00:00:00] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:00:09] Speaker B: Happy Sunday, y'. [00:00:10] Speaker C: All. [00:00:10] Speaker B: You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7, the capstone. And I'm telling you, if you are listening to this episode on the release date, we are in the Sunday right before Thanksgiving, my friend. [00:00:25] Speaker D: It is time to chow down. [00:00:27] Speaker B: I know you know and I know you know. We, we have been together on this show for so many years now, and I know that we have this conversation quite often, but what's your favorite Thanksgiving dish? I want to assume Mac and cheese, but I don't know if there's something that trumps because I know you like macaroni and cheese, but I don't know if that is your end. All be all when it comes to Thanksgiving. Yummies. [00:00:51] Speaker D: Green bean casserole. [00:00:52] Speaker B: Oh, yes. [00:00:54] Speaker D: You remember. [00:00:54] Speaker B: I'm so embarrassed that I forgot, but. [00:00:56] Speaker D: I do love a Mac and cheese. [00:00:57] Speaker B: Okay. [00:00:58] Speaker D: I mean, now you gotta stay hydrated, carbohydrated, you know. [00:01:02] Speaker B: Yes. [00:01:03] Speaker D: What about yours? [00:01:05] Speaker B: You know, it could be something in the sweet potato family. [00:01:09] Speaker D: I remember you talking about that. [00:01:10] Speaker B: And then also so during the pandemic, I remember, you know, because there were different restaurants around town that were doing take home meals, especially during Easter, you know, because that was one of the big major holidays while everybody was quarantined. And so we decided to get a take home meal that I think it was Heritage House they were doing, and so warmed up that that Easter meal, the ham and everything else, it included a beautiful dish called corn casserole that for some reason Terri and I had just never had. [00:01:47] Speaker D: Oh, that's. [00:01:47] Speaker B: And I will tell you, you know, Terry, Greg, there are very select carbohydrates that he really enjoys, and the ones that he loves, he really loves. Corn casserole is in that category. So we do love us some corn casserole. [00:02:01] Speaker D: I love me. I love a casserole. [00:02:03] Speaker B: Yes, yes. [00:02:04] Speaker D: Corn, green bean squash. Bring it. [00:02:07] Speaker B: I know. How about dessert wise? Are you a dessert person? I know you like candy, but I didn't know, you know, dessert. [00:02:15] Speaker D: Sugar. [00:02:15] Speaker B: Sugary. [00:02:18] Speaker D: I like the pecan pie. I like. You know, my mom makes a great chocolate pie. Apple pie, apple cobbler. I mean, just, you know, any. Anything. [00:02:28] Speaker B: Yeah. Really? [00:02:29] Speaker D: What about you? [00:02:30] Speaker B: So I do like some pies. Pies are. Are pretty magical. You know, I am a pumpkin pie person. I like a good sweet potato pie. There was somebody from my hometown that made a really good sweet potato pie and I try to replicate it every now and again. So, you know, there's just so many different directions you can go. I will say that deviled eggs are a very polarizing top. Our office, I am team deviled egg, but I have several folks on my team that that is not their jam and I still respect them. So I don't know how about are you and it's okay if you don't. [00:03:08] Speaker D: That's the first thing I ask. Are we having deviled egg? My mom's like, yes, but do you remember when we had like the egg shortage? [00:03:17] Speaker B: Yes. [00:03:18] Speaker D: I can't remember exactly when it was, but my first thought was this better not mess with my deviled egg conception. [00:03:25] Speaker B: Yes. [00:03:25] Speaker D: Or I'm go find somebody with a chicken. [00:03:27] Speaker B: Yes. [00:03:28] Speaker D: And pay them some cash. Yes. I love deviled egg. [00:03:33] Speaker B: Okay, that is good to know. I feel like I'm in good company. I mean, I know I'm always in. [00:03:36] Speaker D: Good company, but still. [00:03:38] Speaker B: But yes. One other thing that I was going to bring up. And again, you guys. So with today's show, clearly, you know, we're right before Thanksgiving. That is not the main topic of today's show. We as always have a fabulous guest that is coming on. We're going to tease that a little bit more. But na, I was going to give quick post lesson recap to you about my improv class. [00:04:05] Speaker D: Yes. So for our listeners listening, Sheena has had a birthday recently and what she asked for was an improv class because her alter ego belongs on Saturday Night Live. [00:04:18] Speaker C: Yes. [00:04:19] Speaker D: So you've had this class. How did it go? [00:04:22] Speaker B: It was lovely. And I'm almost considering and I might ask this for Christmas for my husband. I'm almost thinking about taking the eight week course that starts in January. It was just a fun escape. And then also too, I think in terms of practical skills, transferable skills, you know, we like to use that term in higher ed. A lot of just being in the moment and really having intentionality with getting into character and then you know, because you can't overthink it because if you're thinking too far ahead, you don't know what the person you're talking to, you know, they may try to get the conversation or the scene to go into something else. So it's really teaching me to be more present and mindful. And so I, I kind of want to share that with others. So I love that. I mean, I realized how bad I am right now at it. But it was so much fun. So. [00:05:18] Speaker D: Yeah, but that is all that's what you needed. You wanted something fun for your birthday. Yes. Good healthy fun. [00:05:25] Speaker B: Yes. [00:05:25] Speaker D: When we talk about getting, you know, a healthy coping mechanism. [00:05:28] Speaker B: Yes. [00:05:28] Speaker D: Improv classes. There you go. [00:05:31] Speaker B: Some people take up piano or painting. I was like, some people take up class. [00:05:35] Speaker D: I mean, you know, there's all kinds of things. Yeah. So that's a very good, you know, a good escape. [00:05:40] Speaker B: Yes. I might invite you to take a class with me sometime. [00:05:43] Speaker D: Girl, we could be the next Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, you know. [00:05:47] Speaker B: Yes. Some Anna Gastire. [00:05:48] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:05:49] Speaker B: Yeah. So we got to call out. Yes. Yes. But okay, you guys, so that's not all we're talking about today. It's so easy for us to get on rabbit holes or for me to get on a rabbit hole. But you guys, we are going to take a. And on the flip side of that, we will be introducing our fabulous guest today. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. [00:06:16] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:06:25] Speaker D: Happy Sunday. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Shaina and Neeka on 90.7 the Capstone. [00:06:30] Speaker B: That's right. And if you are just now joining, I would say, say if you, if you like to talk about Thanksgiving side dishes. Rewind. Go back to our first segment. We had. We had some good conversation there, but thankfully, that is not all we are talking about today. Today we are actually talking about UA public safety, such an important topic. And so again, you know, when we think about health and well being for our students and. And all of the ways that we practice that, one of the elements that we don't often acknowledge is that there has to sense of safety in our environment to be able to do the things that we need to do to thrive. And just to get us started with this conversation today, we have invited Mr. Shane Doral, who is director of Public safety Communications and the UAPD Public Information officer. Shane, thank you for being on the show today. [00:07:27] Speaker C: Hey, thanks for having me. Yes. [00:07:28] Speaker B: And so, Shane, in this first segment, you know, we do this for all of our guests. We always like to talk a little bit about you. We kind of want to know where are you from? What's your academic background? What are the roads that led you to where you are now with. With your role at ua? [00:07:46] Speaker C: So I'm actually from a little spot in the road on the other side of the state. [00:07:51] Speaker B: Okay. [00:07:53] Speaker C: Closest big town is Auburn. [00:07:55] Speaker D: Okay. Okay, we're here, so we'll forgive that. [00:08:01] Speaker C: So when I turned 18, it was time to get away from home for me. And so it was the University of Alabama, you know, There was no decision and so moved over here and went to school. I've earned my bachelor's here, went back to school, earned my master's, and been a part of the school ever since. [00:08:22] Speaker B: Man, oh, man. Well, I will just say now, Shane, you did disclose before the start of the show, as we were kind of getting things set up, that you have, you know, you have a few years under your belt here at the Capstone. So what kind of hats have you worn professionally here? [00:08:40] Speaker C: Yeah, I have to go back to when I was a student. [00:08:42] Speaker B: Please do. [00:08:42] Speaker C: All right, so. And this was back in the 1900s for today's. Any of today's students that are listening. Right. I was on Federal Work study, which. That is where the federal government pays the university to allow students to work. And that's how you get your money. Right. So I went to the financial aid office on my front first day here in Tuscaloosa. Went in, the lady asked me what I was going to be studying. I told her, I think I'm going to study something in the College of Communication. And she said, okay, well, I've got the perfect job for you. At that time, the financial aid office was right behind Rose Administration Building. She says, I need you to walk around this building, go into Roe's administration building, and go to this room number and tell them you want a job. That's all the information I had. [00:09:37] Speaker B: Wow. [00:09:38] Speaker C: So I walk into Rose Administration Building. I go to the room number, nice receptionist there at the desk, and she says, can I help you? And I said, yes, ma'. Am. Financial Aid just sent me over here, and I'm supposed to tell you that I want a job. Well, that job was with what was then called University Relations. Yes, University Relations would later become our division of Strategic Communications, but basically it's the communications arm of the university. They are there to tell the university's story. So I got to work that job, my entire undergraduate career, graduated, went off for a few years, did some other stuff, but I had made those connections on campus, and finally a job became available. And they called me and said, shane, we would like for you to come back. Would you please come back? And so I think it was about six years after graduation. [00:10:38] Speaker B: Wow. [00:10:38] Speaker C: That I came back to the university. And I've been here ever since. And so I'm happy to say that just after the beginning of 2026, I will celebrate 25 years. [00:10:48] Speaker D: Wow. [00:10:48] Speaker C: As an employee at the University of Alabama. [00:10:51] Speaker B: That is incredible. I will say, you know, I love that you are now falling into this bucket Because I've found some other folks on campus who you. They serve in these incredible roles at the institution. And their story starts when they were a student worker within that specific department. I think next year. So 2026 will be a. 20 years since I was a student worker in health Promotional Wellness. And so sometimes I tell our student workers, I'm like, look, you might be running this place. [00:11:20] Speaker C: That's right. [00:11:21] Speaker B: You know, so I. Wow, I really love that. [00:11:23] Speaker D: I love. That is so cool. So you got your undergrad and your master's at Alabama, and then now you are in current row at Public Safety. How did you fall into that? [00:11:35] Speaker C: So again, like I said, I was in the Division of Strategic Communications and, and worked there for 21 and a half years. But something big happened in on April 27, 2011. [00:11:51] Speaker D: Oh, yes, yes, yes. [00:11:53] Speaker C: And for our listeners who don't know, a tornado strikes Tuscaloosa, destroys about 12% of the city, came within three football fields of taking out the law school. And in the city, we lost 53 people that day. [00:12:11] Speaker D: Right. [00:12:12] Speaker C: Six of those were UA students. And we had one staff member who also passed away because of that storm. Well, during that time when I was in Strategic Communications, it was our responsibility to warn the campus. [00:12:32] Speaker B: Right. [00:12:33] Speaker C: And we had been talking about this severe weather event for several days before it happened. I mean, we knew that we were going to have bad weather on that Wednesday, and we had been sharing that information. And then that day happens. My job that day was sending out what we now know of as UA alerts. Sure, they were called something else back then. And we, we could not communicate with people back then the way we can now just because of technology. But we were doing our best to get the message out. And that moment, I can look back now at that storm and it really changed the trajectory of my career because after it, I went to, you know, my leadership and I said, I want to do emergency communication. [00:13:30] Speaker D: Wow. [00:13:32] Speaker C: And so they kind of put me in that role. And not everybody likes to be in that role. Not everybody likes to get the phone call at three in the morning that something has happened. Not everybody likes to have to stay up all night when we're under a tornado watch, but I do. And so that kind of just moved me towards really more towards the public safety side. Yeah. And then finally about, like I said about three years ago, Public Safety finally said, hey, we need somebody in the communications role who can do this full time. [00:14:07] Speaker B: Right. [00:14:08] Speaker C: So. [00:14:08] Speaker B: Right. [00:14:08] Speaker C: That's when I moved over to Public Safety. [00:14:10] Speaker B: Well, and I think that it's incredible that public safety has a. What I'll just call a communications officer that has the depth and breadth of experience that you have because you can bring that technical skill. And clearly, with the way that the tornado impacted you, impacted all of us. You know, I love how it's given a new sense of purpose of, you know, this is important work. This is why I do what I do. This is the way that I'm going to serve others. [00:14:42] Speaker D: Something very good coming out of something so tragic. You know, finding that silver lining, but then also finding a purpose because, you know, there are so many students whose parents I meet during Bama bound who are not from the South. And a lot of their first questions are, so y' all have a lot of bad weather down here? And I'm like, yeah, but we got you covered. Yes, We. We learn big lessons. Everybody in the state of Alabama Learned big lessons April 27th. And we. We've got it down now where you're. You and everybody else will know to take cover in plenty enough time. And that's, you know, an ode to you and your department. [00:15:24] Speaker C: And I tell parents and others all the time, I said, my students who are from California, they can tell me exactly what to do in an earthquake. [00:15:34] Speaker B: Yes. [00:15:34] Speaker C: While most of us from Alabama, the Southeast, we wouldn't know what to do in an earthquake. We just don't experience them. Right. But then we can tell them, here's what you do in a tornado. [00:15:46] Speaker D: Correct. Yeah. And so, you know, the parents always seem to breathe a sigh of relief when I'm like, oh, no, that's not. We're not asking your child to keep up with the weather app themselves. We're gonna let them know. We're gonna shoot a flare in the air. We're gonna, you know, send an eagle to their house like, you know, like a dove, like, they're gonna know. They're gonna know to take cover. We got you covered. [00:16:09] Speaker B: I mean, you know, because even if people can be like, oh, my goodness, like, you know, these alerts that we get on Wednesdays, you know, I think when a changed perspective or a different perspective of. We do this because when it's needed, we want it to work. And so I appreciate you sharing that, and I know that we're going to be coming up on a break soon. But, Shane, you know, over the years that you've been here, it's probably hard to pinpoint one thing. But what do you enjoy most about working at the Capstone? [00:16:38] Speaker C: See, when you asked me this question earlier, this is not hard for Me? [00:16:42] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:16:43] Speaker C: It's the people. It's the faculty, the staff, and the students. I mean, I think that's why I wanted to come back to the university was I just had these great friendships and relationships that I had built as a student and coming back and getting to work with those people. And now, of course, many of those people have retired. All the other people that I've gotten to work with over the years, it's the people. People at this place are great. [00:17:16] Speaker D: Yeah. [00:17:17] Speaker B: Hey, that's a good note to end on for this first segment, you guys. You know, we have Shane the entirety of our show, but we are gonna take a quick break, grab a glass of water, run to the restroom, do what you gotta do. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. [00:17:39] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:17:48] Speaker D: Welcome back, y'. All. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Neeka on 90.7 the capstone. And we are joined today by our phenomenal guest, Mr. Shane Dorrell. Am I saying that right? [00:17:58] Speaker C: It's Doral. [00:17:59] Speaker D: Doral. There we go. Shane Doral, the director of Public safety communications and UAPD Public Information Officer here at the Capstone. [00:18:08] Speaker B: That's right. And I would say you have got to go back and listen to our last segment if you didn't get to. Shane shared an incredible story about his time at the Capstone, starting out as a student worker. And now we're going to take a deep dive into Shane's role and also just UA public safety in general. And so, Shane, can you tell our listeners, what does our Department of Public Safety do for students on a daily basis? [00:18:37] Speaker C: Well, let's start by defining the Department of Public Safety. [00:18:39] Speaker B: Let's do that. Yes. [00:18:40] Speaker C: So the Department of Public Safety is mainly made up of the University of Alabama Police Department. [00:18:47] Speaker B: Okay. [00:18:47] Speaker C: And then the Office of Emergency Management. Now, there are some other offices that are under both of those entities, but the main point is to keep the university safe. So whether that's to keep the university safe from crime, you know, whether that's to keep us safe, we're on the roadways throughout campus. Whether that's to keep us safe when we're having a severe weather event or whether that's planning for some other type of emergency. [00:19:17] Speaker B: Sure. [00:19:18] Speaker C: That's what the public safety department is here for. And that's what we do on a daily basis. [00:19:22] Speaker B: And I can imagine that there are some heavy hands in our lovely UA game day operations as well. I'm sure, yeah. [00:19:31] Speaker C: So what a lot of people don't understand is that UAPDA runs everything that happens on game day. So we are involved. And a game day does not just happen on, you know, whatever Saturday in the fall we plan for. We start planning for game day at the beginning of the year. [00:19:52] Speaker B: Right. [00:19:53] Speaker C: So by the time we get to the end of August, where football season kicks off, we are ready. [00:20:00] Speaker D: Right. [00:20:00] Speaker C: And of course, it's not just uapd, but we have to have all these other law enforcement agencies that come in and help us. We have to have other security firms that come in and help us. So it is a big task. [00:20:13] Speaker B: It's all hands on deck. [00:20:15] Speaker C: It is. [00:20:15] Speaker D: And I can imagine when we have. I know that some of our listeners may remember that we had current President Trump come and speak at the commencement. I can only imagine what was required of you guys to meet what the Secret Service wanted. [00:20:33] Speaker C: Yeah. So President Trump has visited campus three times now. Two football games and then. And when he spoke at the special commencement. It's always fun getting to work with the Secret Service because the Secret Service comes in and they. They take over. [00:20:50] Speaker D: Yeah, yeah. You have to yield. You have to yield to them. [00:20:53] Speaker C: So. So it's always fun when we get to do things like that. And you have to learn to pivot. You have to learn to be flexible. [00:21:02] Speaker D: Right. Team player. [00:21:03] Speaker C: Team player. Because they give you, you know, they come in the last, at the last minute. [00:21:09] Speaker D: Oh, fun. So, yeah, yeah. Well, they're busy. [00:21:12] Speaker C: Yeah, they are. [00:21:14] Speaker D: So that's so cool that though, you get to say, hey, I got to work with this entity that you may have never have dreamt of getting to do. [00:21:24] Speaker C: Oh, exactly. On three visits, I have gotten to sit next to a high level Secret Service member. [00:21:34] Speaker D: He all gets to say that that's like, that's your fun party fact. Like, you know, you know, that's your interesting fact. [00:21:42] Speaker B: You're just building those stories so that you're that grandpa in the future. [00:21:45] Speaker C: Oh, I know, I know. [00:21:46] Speaker B: All those stories in your pocket now. You know, just thinking about UA safety, I'm curious. When do most students and their families get exposure to your department? You know, I would assume it's, you know, probably during their Bama Bound orientation in other ways, but. Yeah. How are, how are students and their families getting exposed to you guys? [00:22:09] Speaker C: So at Bama Bound, we always have officers who are speaking to the students. I get to speak to the parents on the safety panel and the wellness panel that you've been on. So that's really maybe our first Introductions. [00:22:25] Speaker B: Okay. [00:22:27] Speaker C: I don't know. I don't know how much parents and students are thinking about campus safety until Bama bound. Because bama bound seems to be the time where it clicks and they're like, oh, I'm about to send my child off to the University of Alabama. [00:22:45] Speaker B: Right, right. [00:22:47] Speaker C: And then for the students once they get here in the fall, we have officers who try to speak to as many of those 100 level compass courses that we can get always available to speak to those courses or to speak to any student groups who would have us come in. And we can talk about anything from general safety tips to, you know, alcohol and drug awareness. Safety, pedestrian safety on campus. That's a big one right now. Bicycles and e bikes and scooters and you know just how to stay safe. [00:23:26] Speaker B: Yes. Now, I will have to ask, is your team part of the crew that is with this, what I'll call a campaign of sorts. The legends look up when we're looking at the signage at the crosswalks so that our students are aware and diligent as they're crossing the street. [00:23:46] Speaker C: So last year, last academic year, I approached the SGA and I said, we need to do some kind of campaign that gets our students to get their faces out of their phones, especially when they're crossing the street. See, we saw a rise in pedestrian versus vehicle accidents. And as we began to look deeper into those accidents, we realized that it was a lot of times the pedestrian's fault. And so many times people want to say, oh, you know, a person got hit by a car, it had to be the driver's fault. When not necessarily. Are not looking both ways. When you get ready to cross the street and you. Or you step out from in between two parked cars and that driver has no time to react. [00:24:46] Speaker D: Right. [00:24:47] Speaker C: It's not that driver's fault. [00:24:48] Speaker B: Right. [00:24:49] Speaker C: If you're not in a crosswalk, it is not the driver's fault if you're crossing against the light. So if. If you see the big orange hand that says, no, don't cross, and you still decide to cross the street. Street. It's not the driver's fault. [00:25:04] Speaker B: Yes. You know, and those. All these earbuds and headsets now with just that dagum technology of the noise. [00:25:12] Speaker D: Cancellation, I am telling you and the urban. Urban legend that if you get hit, your tuition's paid for. I'm like, no, stop. [00:25:20] Speaker C: It's not true. Sorry, stop. [00:25:23] Speaker D: The only thing that's going to be paid for is nothing. So, yeah, speaking about, like, you know, students knowing about this Kind of stuff, you know, the signage and everything. What are some of the most important resources or services that you feel students should know about? [00:25:41] Speaker C: Well, the first thing that everybody's got to know about, whether you're a student, a faculty staff member, a visitor to this campus, the UA Safety app. [00:25:51] Speaker D: Okay? [00:25:52] Speaker C: We have an app that was built by our center for Advanced Public Safety right here on campus. Okay? So they knew us going in, they knew what our students needed going in. So this is not, you know, we're not paying some company off campus to do this. This is a homegrown type app and it has been built with our campus in mind. And so I want everybody to have it. It's free. You can get it for your Apple device, you can get it if you're an Android user. But it's going to give you some very important information. Now, on a blue sunshine, a blue sky, sunshiny day like we're having today, you know, you're gonna, you're gonna get a weather forecast for Tuscaloosa and it's a seven day weather forecast. So you can look ahead and say, hey, well, what's the, what's the weather going to be later in the week? [00:26:46] Speaker D: Right. [00:26:47] Speaker C: If we get some kind of weather watch or weather warning from the National Weather Service, you're going to get that on the app. So again, this goes back to what we were talking about in the last segment, but we're gonna, we're gonna do whatever we can to let you know about weather. You're gonna get any type of UA alert we send, it's gonna come right through that app. [00:27:08] Speaker D: Right? And we get emails as well. [00:27:10] Speaker C: You get emails, you get voice messages, you get text messages. [00:27:14] Speaker D: You cannot tell mom and dad I didn't know. [00:27:17] Speaker C: Right. The only way you can tell mom and dad you didn't know is because you put in the wrong phone number in my. [00:27:26] Speaker B: Check that right now. Yes. [00:27:28] Speaker D: Yeah. Yes. Mom, dad, go check that right now. [00:27:30] Speaker B: So with, with the safety app, you, you mentioned all of the different features and then, and then also too, you know, we had alluded to the other ways that individuals are notified, whether it's the emails and the sirens. And I will tell you now that we have the technology for folks on campus where, I mean, I have got to acknowledge that warning on my computer before I can get access on my desktop. Has that ever happened to you where it's been during the Wednesday testing the alert system? [00:28:08] Speaker D: My phone is going off, my desk phone is going off, my computer is going off, I hear the sirens and I mean, there's. You can't deny that you guys are trying to communicate with us. [00:28:22] Speaker C: Let me tell you all the ways. [00:28:24] Speaker B: Yes, please do. [00:28:24] Speaker C: Okay, Let me tell you all the ways. Ways. A text message, right? [00:28:27] Speaker B: Yes. [00:28:28] Speaker C: An email to your official UA email address, whether that's Crimson, UA Edu or just UA Edu. UA Edu. A phone call, again, this can be to your cell phone. This could be to your home phone if you still have a landline. That phone call to your business phone, your business phone is going to light up, like you said, UA computers. So any of us who are employees, where the university provides us with a computer, that software is going to be automatically loaded on there from OIT before you get your computer. Classrooms, computer labs, every computer in the library is going to light up with that message. Digital signage. We have digital signage in almost every campus building. And those are going to turn on to tell you what the emergency is. And then it's also going to be posted on our UA safety social media channels. So we're on Instagram, Facebook and X, formerly known as Twitter. [00:29:39] Speaker B: Yes. [00:29:39] Speaker C: And so those are going to light up with whatever the emergency is. We can also change the marquees on the campus buses. So when we go under a tornado watch, the next time we go under a tornado watch, I want you to go out and stand on the street corner and watch for a crimson ride to ride by, because it'll say tornado watch on the marquee on the front of the bus. [00:30:04] Speaker D: Y' all really do send flares in the sky. [00:30:08] Speaker C: And then if we go under a tornado warning, our UAPD police cars will drive around campus using their PA system. And we also have an indoor and an outdoor PA system on campus. So every campus building has the indoor speakers. And then if you're outdoors, we have speakers all around campus, even down on the strip, so that we can make announcements that anybody can hear. [00:30:36] Speaker B: This is some next level Paul Revere. [00:30:38] Speaker D: The British are coming, I'm telling you. And I will have to be. I have to be transparent. I always forget. I'm always ending class on Wednesday right when y' all do it. And I'm usually standing there talking to a student and I get jump scared every time. And how many times have I lived through that? You know, it's like, how did I forget this was the first Wednesday of the month? But all of a sudden I hear it and I'm like, y', all, something's happening. And then I'm like, wait, wait, no, it's the first Wednesday. Everything's Okay. [00:31:03] Speaker B: It's like, okay, well, you know, I tell you what, Shane, we have got to take another quick break. But just as it relates to the alerts, remind me, I want to catch up with you on, on, on something related to this. But you guys, we're going to take a quick break. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Nika on. [00:31:27] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:31:36] Speaker D: Happy Sunday. You are listening to Fit to be tied with Shaina and Mika on 90.7 the capstone. [00:31:41] Speaker B: That's right. And today we have been talking with the fabulous Shane Doral who is director of public safety communications and the UAPD public information officer. And he was just telling us all of what I would just call 1001 ways that they are so diligent with making sure that individuals related to the UA community are aware of a severe weather event. And I know before the break, Shane, I was mentioning that I wanted to have a little follow up conversation on this. So we talked a lot about getting those alerts during a severe weather event. But I know that while nobody ever wants to entertain the reality of this scenario active shooter situation, you know, having been on those health and safety panels with you at Bama Bound with the parents, that's a common question. [00:32:32] Speaker C: It is a common question. [00:32:33] Speaker B: You know, I've certainly been around you when that has been asked. So when it comes to alerting campus of a situation like that, is, is it the same tactics as is as used with our severe weather? [00:32:46] Speaker C: It's going to be the same tactics and more. We're going to get the word out out the best we can and in all ways that we can whenever that we know that an active threat is happening on campus. [00:32:59] Speaker D: Sure. [00:33:01] Speaker B: That's good to know. [00:33:02] Speaker D: That is good to know. Yes, yes. And everybody has a device, you know, either in their hand or they're with somebody with a device. So, you know, if you have your noise canceling headphones in and don't hear them talking to you, you know, like the wizard of Oz behind the curtain talking, like you hear this voice in the sky, the phone's going off, your laptop's going off. I mean, like, I think parents can rest easy knowing that they don't have to turn on the news. Their, their student or whoever does not have to turn on the news to find this out. [00:33:36] Speaker C: And that's why we encourage all of our parents every summer at Bama Van download the UA safety app. We want our parents to have it. That way our parents will get the same alert, alert that Their students do. [00:33:48] Speaker D: So in real time. [00:33:49] Speaker C: In real time. And so if a parent gets an alert, they can then, you know, contact their student and say, hey, did you get this alert? In case the student's not paying attention. [00:34:03] Speaker D: Exactly. Right, Exactly. And from what I understand from my students, every, everyone's parents has life360 on them. So they should, if they have their phone on them, try to know how to get in touch. But what, when you're at Bama Bound, I mean, you've told us about, you know, downloading the app and all that and looking both ways before crossing the street. But if you had students in front of you right now and you could give them just a few top tier pointers of what you think they need to know and remember about being safe on campus, what would that be? [00:34:45] Speaker C: Drink responsibly. [00:34:46] Speaker D: Okay. [00:34:47] Speaker B: Yes. [00:34:48] Speaker C: Now, we know we have a law in the state of Alabama that says you're not supposed to possess alcohol or consume alcohol or have anything to do with alcohol until you're of the age 21 years. [00:35:05] Speaker D: Right. [00:35:08] Speaker C: But we also know that students will drink. [00:35:13] Speaker D: Correct. [00:35:14] Speaker C: So what I say is if you're going to break that law, if you're below the age of 21, you're going to break that law. Drink responsibly. [00:35:24] Speaker D: What does that look like for somebody that goes, oh, does that mean just hold my liquor? [00:35:33] Speaker C: Hold your liquor. And don't do anything that is going to cause you or cause someone to look at you twice. So don't get so drunk that you pass out in the bathroom of a. [00:35:53] Speaker D: Local bar and they have to come in and get you. [00:35:55] Speaker C: And they have to come in and get you. Don't get so drunk that you are stumbling down University Boulevard barn into traffic. Well, you don't even have to stumble into traffic. [00:36:08] Speaker D: I've seen that happen. [00:36:09] Speaker C: But if you can't walk, we're coming to get you. Don't get so drunk that you pick a fight with somebody that you probably don't even know. And there's no reason for you to be fighting this person in the first place. You've got to keep. You gotta keep a level head. [00:36:32] Speaker D: Right. And don't get behind the wheel of anything. Golf cart. [00:36:35] Speaker C: No. And a lot of people don't know. [00:36:37] Speaker D: This electric bicycle, any of it. [00:36:40] Speaker C: A lot of people don't know this. You can get a DUI on a bicycle. [00:36:45] Speaker D: Well, there you go. [00:36:46] Speaker B: Yes. Yes. I appreciate you sharing and being so honest. Yes. I mean, no, I think just your candor with that is really helpful. And then of course, Certainly with our Department of Health Promotion Wellness, we partner with UAPD whenever we're having those conversations with students or student groups about harm and risk reduction with alcohol and just knowing what's in your cup. You know, don't just blindly drink something in a social gathering where you don't know what is in that cup. Keep your eyes on your cup that entire time. You know, there. There are so many different things. And so I appreciate you sharing that information related to alcohol consumption, whether somebody is doing it legally or illegally, you know? [00:37:31] Speaker D: Right. And I'd like to add one more to that. I tell my students, don't leave your very drunk friend alone. [00:37:40] Speaker C: Well, that was gonna be my next point. [00:37:42] Speaker D: Okay, Take it. [00:37:43] Speaker C: Yeah. My next point is, first I say drink responsibly. But number two is be with a group. If you're gonna go out, go out with a group of trusted friends. Not people who will leave you or not people who you can leave them, and they won't ask any questions of where you're going and what you're doing. Somebody should always know where you are. [00:38:14] Speaker D: Right. And that's another thing, too, that I tell my students that get mad about their parents having Life360 on them. I'm like, well, at least share it with your best friend or your roommate. Somebody who isn't going to, you know, parent you about, where were you last night at 11 o'? Clock? But somebody that, when you maybe don't answer your phone, they're a trusted friend that goes, well, hold on a second. Let me check their life360. Yeah. [00:38:42] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:38:43] Speaker D: I have a question that you may can answer or may not, but I have seen these. I have left the university. I come up in the summer and work late into the night some nights because it's just easier to get work done. And the campus is dead when I leave. But I sometimes see drones flying overhead at night. And I've been told that that's part of the uapd, is that they will fly drones at night just to kind of have another set of eyes. [00:39:13] Speaker C: Somebody's lying to you. [00:39:14] Speaker D: Really? [00:39:15] Speaker C: Yeah. [00:39:16] Speaker B: You heard it here first, guys. [00:39:18] Speaker C: That would be. [00:39:18] Speaker D: Yeah, you'd hear that first, but that would be. I would think that would be a good thing. You know, like, let's. Let's do a sweep of the quad and say he's passed out, you know, drunk in front of any job. [00:39:29] Speaker C: Tuscaloosa police does use drones. [00:39:31] Speaker D: Okay, so maybe it was Tuscaloosa. [00:39:33] Speaker C: Maybe. [00:39:34] Speaker D: I don't know. [00:39:34] Speaker C: I don't know that they use Drones on campus. But UAPD at this time does not have any drones. [00:39:40] Speaker D: Okay. [00:39:41] Speaker B: All right, so I think, you know, just thinking about these things and then, you know, Shane, kind of coming off of the points that you've mentioned, I do want to transition to what role do our students play in keeping campus safe? You know, I think that as we think of ourselves as one team, one Bama, one community, and, you know, and really living that capstone creed, like, how. How can students contribute to just us having a safe environment in general? [00:40:10] Speaker C: Personal safety starts with you. Personal. And what I mean by that is that you have to take responsibility. You have to take responsibility for what you do, but you also need to take responsibility for the things you see and the things you hear. [00:40:30] Speaker D: Yes. [00:40:31] Speaker C: So if you're on campus and you see something that doesn't look right, call uapd. It's probably nothing, but let us check it out. [00:40:44] Speaker B: Right? [00:40:45] Speaker C: If you are in a group setting, in a classroom on the Crimson, ride somewhere else on campus, and you hear something, somebody makes a threat of some kind, call uapd. Again, it's probably nothing, but let us come and check that out and not just say, oh, well, you know, I'm not going to do anything about it. Again, going back to having that group of trusted friends, right? Have that group of trusted friends, and if something happens to one of the friends, you be the bystander who stands up and says, this is not right. I'm calling the police. Mm. Yeah. [00:41:36] Speaker B: No, I mean, and this is something that my late boss, Margaret Garner, would say, and I think that it was part of something that we were doing with our programming several years ago, but essentially, be the friend you'd want to have, you know, and, you know, and I think that's why it is so valuable for us to have different types of bystander intervention training for our students, you know, especially if they're going into social situations. You know, Shane, you talked a lot about safety related to alcohol misuse, and then also just, you know, anytime you see something suspect on campus in general, it's good to let our officials know so that they can. They can do, you know, what they need to do just to kind of clear those things. And you can feel good knowing that you contributed to keeping our campus safe in that way. And, Shane, I know we've got to take another break, but we've got one last segment, and we're hoping you're willing to stay on with us for just a few more minutes. Yes. Well, perfect, you guys. You are listening to Fit to Be Tied With Sheena and Nika on 90.7 the capstone. [00:42:47] Speaker A: Wvuafm tuscaloosa. [00:42:56] Speaker D: Happy Sunday. Thanks for listening to Fit to be tied with Sheena and Neeka on 90.7 the Capstone. [00:43:02] Speaker B: That's right. And y', all, if you are just now joining us, you have got to go back and listen to the earlier parts of our show. We have had Mr. Shane Doral, who is director of Public safety communications and UAPD Public Information officer with us today. And he is dropping the knowledge on all things safety just as it relates to making sure that you have the information that you need in any kind of severe weather event or anything else. And so during the break, we, you know, we had talked earlier on about Nika had asked a question about drones and Shane was just telling us off, offline to make sure that if you do see drone flying around on campus, that's also a really great reason to give you a PD abuzz. It could be another law enforcement agency, but also too, it cannot be. And so that's another really great reason to call. But at this point in the show, for many of our listeners who continue to follow along with us, you know, this is when we ask some fun random questions for our guests. And so, Shane, today I would love to know what is your favorite movie and why? [00:44:15] Speaker C: Oh, my favorite movie. [00:44:17] Speaker B: Yes. [00:44:21] Speaker C: My favorite movie is a movie called the Perfect Storm. [00:44:25] Speaker B: Really? [00:44:25] Speaker C: Yeah. Now, don't ask me who's in it. [00:44:31] Speaker B: Now, is this. I'm trying to remember because I feel like I. [00:44:34] Speaker C: It is from, I believe it's from the 1900s. [00:44:36] Speaker B: I was gonna say it was. Is it from the 90s? Yeah, I feel like I do. It sounds like a movie that my family and I actually had on LaserDisc. [00:44:45] Speaker D: I think Blu Ray. [00:44:47] Speaker C: I think one of the Wahlberg brothers is in it. [00:44:50] Speaker D: Yes. Okay. [00:44:52] Speaker C: And I always get them confused. [00:44:53] Speaker B: Yes, yes, yes. [00:44:55] Speaker D: Donnie was in New Kids on the plot. [00:44:56] Speaker C: Donnie and Mark. Marky. Marky Mark. [00:44:58] Speaker B: Yes. [00:44:58] Speaker C: And the Funky Bunch. [00:45:00] Speaker D: Right. [00:45:00] Speaker B: Okay. The Perfect Storm. Now tell me, why do you like this movie? [00:45:04] Speaker C: God, it's an action adventure movie. It's about a storm. I don't know. I don't know. [00:45:12] Speaker D: So I have a question that I am going to pair that with. It's Thanksgiving. You're getting to watch the Perfect Storm. What's your favorite Thanksgiving dish that you're going to go get a second helping of? [00:45:24] Speaker C: Okay, so we've got to go way back to the beginning of this interview that we're having here. And my mouth's over Here, watering. Because y' all are talking about your favorite Thanksgiving meals. For me, it's gotta be the sweet potato casserole. [00:45:40] Speaker D: There you go. [00:45:41] Speaker B: Okay. [00:45:42] Speaker C: You know, and I love. I love this time of year because I'm on TikTok and there is this debate, this social media debate about sweet potato casserole, really, and people who don't like it and people who do like it. [00:45:57] Speaker B: Now, are you a lover of all forms? Are you very specific in terms of the topping situation? [00:46:04] Speaker C: Oh, the toppings. It's got to be the marshmallows. [00:46:08] Speaker B: Okay. [00:46:08] Speaker D: Toasted to perfection. [00:46:09] Speaker C: Toasted to perfection. [00:46:10] Speaker B: Okay. Okay. [00:46:12] Speaker C: I can take or leave the nuts. [00:46:15] Speaker B: Okay. [00:46:16] Speaker C: You know, we have some folks in our. Our family now that are, you know, they have nut allergies. [00:46:21] Speaker D: Sure. [00:46:21] Speaker C: So they can't have the nuts. Perfectly fine. Yeah, I gotta have the marshmallow. [00:46:26] Speaker D: Don't take the marshmallows away. [00:46:28] Speaker B: Well, thank you for helping us win in this conversation, Nika, because I. I completely failed in not asking you. Shane, you know, in that first segment where we were learning all about you, we were. It was on the cusp of being asked, and then it just didn't happen. I think I was just so enamored by your story of being a student worker and in that journey that I didn't get to ask about Thanksgiving food. Now, as far as who cooks most of the dishes, is it an all hands on deck effort when you get together with your family, Is there one person that kind of leads the charge? Are you in the kitchen as well? [00:47:06] Speaker C: I. Well, so my wife is not a cook, and she will tell you that she just never picked up on that. Now, she does make the Mac and cheese because I came from a family where the Mac and cheese came out of a box. So the one thing that she brought into the marriage was the Mac and cheese recipe. [00:47:30] Speaker D: Okay. [00:47:31] Speaker C: So she makes the Mac and cheese. Now that I have two grown daughters, they all. They both make their own dish. So I have one daughter who. She always wants the green bean casserole. [00:47:42] Speaker D: Girl after my own. [00:47:43] Speaker C: And she's gonna. She's gonna cook the green bean casserole. My other daughter, she's adventurous, so she's gonna cook something that we've never had before, you know. [00:47:54] Speaker D: Now who is in charge of that sweet potato cat casserole? [00:47:57] Speaker C: I am usually in charge of the sweet potato casserole. [00:47:59] Speaker B: Hey, man. Okay, now do you guys host? [00:48:03] Speaker C: We do. [00:48:04] Speaker B: Okay. [00:48:05] Speaker C: We do. [00:48:05] Speaker B: Well, all right, then. [00:48:07] Speaker D: I love it. Sheena, how about you are. Well, I mean, you're a Fabulous cook, of course. But is it one of these where you have a signature dish for Thanksgiving? [00:48:17] Speaker B: You know, I don't know. And it's so weird because, you know, and for our listeners that don't know, I am Filipino American. And so it's. Our Thanksgivings were always very interesting because we had the classics like the green bean casserole and the turkey and everything else, but then there was just a lot of Asian food there too, you know, and then I would always, every year, you know, I'd always put a head count of how many white folks we had at our Thanksgiving. Now that I'm married, you know, there's even more. But I really thought when my husband and I first got married, you know, we were driving to everybody, you know, my parents in north Alabama, my in laws in the Birmingham area, and we're like, okay, surely once we have kids, people will come to us. We still drive everywhere, you know, and that's okay. But, you know, you can expect me. I. I am. My mother did tell me I'm in charge of the sweet potato casserole this year. [00:49:08] Speaker D: You'll have to challenge it. [00:49:10] Speaker C: Oh, yeah, we got to see it. [00:49:11] Speaker D: And let him know. Let him approve. [00:49:13] Speaker B: I am a nut. Streusel topping is my. Is my go to. But, but we also. Sometimes I'll do half as the marshmallow topping as well. [00:49:24] Speaker D: So we'll. [00:49:24] Speaker B: What happens. [00:49:25] Speaker D: But I hope our listeners have their elastic waistband pants on and they are ready for some Thanksgiving food after this conversation because I don't know if I can wait. No, I'm gonna have to go home tonight. [00:49:39] Speaker C: Yeah. Can we start now? [00:49:40] Speaker D: Yeah, I know. [00:49:41] Speaker B: Can we do it like a trial quality control testing? [00:49:43] Speaker C: That's right. [00:49:44] Speaker B: So there you go. But with that said, guys, Shane, thank. [00:49:47] Speaker D: You for being on the show today so much. [00:49:49] Speaker C: Thank y' all for having me. [00:49:50] Speaker B: Yes. Well, y' all have a fabulous Thanksgiving the next time you're with us. It'll be our last show of this semester. We're gonna knock it out of the park. Per usual, you guys have been listening to Fit to Be tied with Sheena and Nika on 90.7, the capstone. [00:50:09] Speaker A: Wvuafm Tuscaloosa.