GLASGOW, Ky. — After 10 years of providing security at the Western Kentucky University Glasgow campus, the Barren County Sheriff's Office will no longer serve in that role following the breakdown of an agreement between the two entities.

Dr. Derick Strode, WKU director of campuses, said the university recently completed a review of its operational needs and security resources, which led to the decision.

“As a result of a recent review that demonstrated increasingly consolidated class schedules, the WKU in Glasgow Campus is working to develop a revised security plan for the upcoming academic year that aligns with its shifting occupancy patterns and activity levels,” Strode said.

Sheriff Kent Keen said the agreement unraveled after WKU proposed reducing both funding and work hours tied to Deputy James Duff, who was assigned to the Hilltopper Way campus.

A meeting was held between Duff, Keen, Sheriff-elect Adam Bow, Chief Deputy Mike Houchens and Strode, during which WKU proposed cutting the current campus security agreement by $30,000, saying the reduction would better align with its current needs.

“I felt like this was not something we could do and I told Mr. Strode that we would not be providing a SRO at that cost,” Keen said.

According to records obtained by Barrenside, the BCSO and WKU entered into an agreement signed June 20, 2020, by Keen and WKU Police Chief Mitch Walker.

The contract, provided as the most recent agreement in effect between the two entities, stated that WKU would pay up to $50,000 during the term of the agreement.

Strode declined to comment on the work hours WKU proposed to the BCSO, saying the university did not want to provide details that could result in “security risks” by disclosing information about the campus’s security needs.

“As enrollment patterns have shifted and more students take classes online, the course offerings at the Glasgow campus have moved to a more consolidated class schedule, and the campus's security needs have changed,” Strode said.

Kentucky law requires public schools to employ a school resource officer, but that requirement does not extend to public universities such as WKU.

WKU said it is continuing to review security needs at the Glasgow campus.

“As always, we remain committed to maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors and are grateful for the local law enforcement, emergency response and public safety agencies that support this important work,” Strode said.

The university also said WKU Glasgow maintains “rigorous daily safety and security protocols,” including the scheduled opening and locking of all entry points and routine security checks.