Students at Durham Tech will soon see more security on campus.

Last spring, Orange County and Durham County commissioners appropriated almost $1 million to pay for a total of eight new security guards, and two new campus police officers.

Durham Tech president Bill Ingram says the change is a response to increased school violence nationwide over the past few years.

"If people don't feel safe, then they're going to be distracted from what they're doing," Ingram said.

"We want to make sure that not only is the campus in fact safe, but people feel a sense of safety and security," he added.

Right now, the community college has a contract with a local security company to provide a 24-hour watch for the college's three campuses.

The force includes three security guards on the main campus and two police officers.

Campus officials say the upgrades have taken longer than they originally expected.

Last Spring, officials said the upgrades would be finished by January 1, 2009.

Durham Tech's chief financial officer says the project should be finished within the next two months.