The old blue-light emergency phone is getting a face-lift. Soon intercom-style phones imbedded in a tall blue poll will replace some of the handset, phone booth models.

"We chose the new phones for their aesthetics, because they look nicer and because they are more durable," said Don Reed, a police services officer. "The older phones can't really be repaired, while the newer models have stronger phones inside."

Durability is important, considering the older phones were easily vandalized, some having their handset yanked out, making it harder and more expensive to repair.

"Penn State has a yearly budget of around $10,000 for vandalism," said Paul Ruskin. "Because these news phones are more durable, it means less money has to be spent on fixing the phones and more money can be spent in other areas."

Although the new phones were chosen for their durability and aesthetics, they are also user friendly. The new phones have an intercom receiver instead of a hand set and use one large red button labeled 'Push for help,' which has a direct line to police services. Once the button is pushed, three smaller lights tell the user when the call is placed and when the call is received. The new phones also have a blue light on top of them.

"I think it's an excellent idea to implement these new phones," said Maggie Gable (junior-speech communication and labor and industrial relations). "They look like they would be easier to use in an emergency. Instead of having to pick up a phone when you need help, you just push a button and you're connected to police services."

Police services is planning to add two of the new phones around campus and replace three of the older styles, gradually replacing the older phones as needed and when funds are available.

The money for this year's new phones came from a special projects budget, which was requested from the school. After the information booth by the Intramural Building was removed along with its emergency phone, police services decided to use some of the funds to replace that emergency phone and other older phones with the new styles, Reed said.

"These new phones are more expensive, the phone itself costing between $4,000 to $4,500 and $8,000 to $9,000 a piece with installation," Reed added.

Right now the only new phone on campus is located behind the Hammond Building next to the new Alumni Center, but that phone will probably be moved.

"We had recommended it be placed behind the Hammond and Sackett buildings closer to the Electrical Engineering West building," Reed said. "We didn't approve the location of that phone and are currently working to get it moved to a better location."