EMU Today

YPSILANTI --  The latest episode of EMU Today TV provides insight into two critical areas of importance at Eastern Michigan University – safety on campus, and the University’s efforts to establish a more green and sustainable future. The segments feature Eastern Michigan University Executive Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police Matthew Lige, and Professor Tom Kovacs, chair of the EMU President’s Commission on Sustainability and professor of meteorology, interdisciplinary environmental science and society. 

The University announced the adoption of the ZeroEyes AI-based gun detection video analytics platform in September, becoming the first higher education institution in Michigan to implement an AI gun detection solution. The ZeroEyes system utilizes the University’s extensive digital camera network. If a gun is identified, images will be immediately shared with EMU Public Safety personnel, allowing them to pinpoint, and address, a possible threat. In the interview segment, Chief Lige describes how the system works, why it is important, and how Eastern became the first University in the state to implement ZeroEyes. 

In the second segment, Professor Kovacs discusses Eastern’s comprehensive efforts to improve sustainability and become more “green.” As the Chair of EMU President’s Commission on Sustainability, Professor Kovacs and his colleagues on the Commission are driving key sustainability initiatives that have led to Eastern being recognized in The Princeton Review Guide to Green Colleges: 2024. Professor Kovacs addresses the growing consideration of sustainability efforts in the college decision-making process of students, and some of the specific steps the University is taking to become more “green.”

Now in its seventh season, EMU Today TV, produced by the University’s Division of Communications, highlights positive programs, events and initiatives at Eastern.

Mark S. Lee is the host of EMU Today TV. Lee is an Eastern Michigan University alumnus and part-time lecturer of marketing at Eastern. He is the host of the podcast, "In the Conference Room", and is featured in a weekly business segment, "Strictly Business", on CBS News Detroit. Lee also is a frequent contributor to various Detroit-area media outlets on business topics. 

This episode and previous editions can be viewed on the University's YouTube channel.

About Eastern Michigan University
Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 14,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and its graduate school. National publications regularly recognize EMU for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. Visit the University’s rankings and points of pride websites to learn more. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website. To stay up to date on University news, activities and announcements, visit EMU Today.