The 911 stickers distributed during Spring Break mean more than a new look for University phones.

The stickers are intended to raise awareness about the quick access to emergency services that the 911 system provides, said Thomas Harmon, director of University Police Services. On-campus callers can access police, ambulance, or fire services through 911, he said.

The 911 system went into effect March 2 for all University phones. Calls go directly to the Penn State Communications Center, Harmon said.

Most students' hometowns are serviced by 911, so they should be familiar with the new number, he said.

Rick Primanti (freshman-Division of Undergraduate Studies) said he thought Penn State already had access to 911.

"I probably would have called 911 instead of the previous number," he said, referring to the old 110 number.

People who dial 911 on campus should expect up to a five second delay before being connected, said Barry Karchner, manager of University Voice Services.

The delay is due to the transition from using 8 instead of 9 to reach an off-campus number, Karchner said. The delay will lessen as people acquaint themselves with the system, he added.

John Schriver (freshman-business administration) said it will not be difficult to adjust to the new dialing procedure.

"It won't be a big deal (dialing 8 instead of 9), but I think the system would save time if I had an emergency," he said.

Harmon said the 911 system should lower emergency response time because all calls are immediately traced. Making prank calls to the system is discouraged, he said, adding that the call will be traced, but more importantly will divert the attention of emergency service personnel.

A University student was cited March 8 after calling 911 and asking for a pizza.

"I think it's a good idea to trace the calls because some people may not be able to talk," Robert LaSalle (junior-secondary education) said.

Bruce Kline, manager of University Support Operations, said people who abuse the 911 system are putting the safety of everyone at risk.

"It's the same thing as crying 'fire' in a crowded movie theater," Kline said.

Two real emergency calls were taken by the 911 service prior to March 8. Help was dispatched for a University Office of Physical Plant worker who was trapped after the mud wall of a ditch he was working in caved in. And a caller used the number to report an indecent exposure incident in Boucke Building. A suspect was later apprehended, Harmon said.

State College also has 911 service but calls are handled by Centre County Communications, Harmon said, adding State College residents can get 911 stickers at the Organization of Town Independent Students office in 101B HUB.

"No matter where you are in this community you can get emergency service by dialing 911," Harmon said.