The university's Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) provides help with vehicle problems ranging from locked-in keys to flat tires. Ball State's Department of Public Safety is coordinating MAP.

The new service is a natural extension of the department's customer service policies, said Gene Burton, acting director of public safety.

"University police officers have long been counted on by the campus community to assist in a wide variety of situations," Burton said. "By providing this service we are strengthening our efforts to ensure the safety of Ball State faculty, staff, students and visitors.

"Our police officers are not trained mechanics, but we will do our best to get people on their way," he said.

The department has assigned a white Ford Bronco to the new program. The vehicle is equipped with a battery jump pack, portable air tank, gas can and shovel.

Ball State police officers and other university personnel will assist stranded motorists with the following services:

• Jumping dead batteries
• Unlocking doors
• Inflating tires (autos and bicycles)
• Providing transportation to buy gas
• Offering de-icer for frozen door locks
• Providing the shovel and abrasives for vehicles stuck on snow or ice.

The service is provided on Sundays from 5 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.; Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12:45 a.m.; and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Participating motorists must sign a waiver releasing the university from any liability in the event of vehicle damage. The service is not available on university holidays, and officers will not jump-start Ball State vehicles. Officers also will not physically push vehicles because of the potential for injury.

Assistance is available by calling (765) 285-1111.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information on this story, contact Burton at (765) 285-1832 or gburton@bsu.edu.)