subscribe to feed

'Open Conversation' with President Steen about campus safety and emergency plans

About 150 PSU students, faculty, and staff gathered outside the HUB to participate in an open conversation with President Steen regarding campus safety and University emergency plans. She indicated that a number of University administrators involved in working with the emergency and crisis plans would be available to answer any questions after the discussion.

President Steen then provided an overview of PSU’s existing emergency and crisis plans, such as bomb threats, chemical spills, floods, pandemics, bioterrorism. The University has campus contingency plans for these emergency situations and more.The plan involves working with other people and communities throughout the region. The University serves as the regional hub for emergency planning. If there should be a pandemic for example, and 10,000 people need to be vaccinated, they are going to be directed to the PE Center.

The plan is also regularly updated. It was last updated this January and rolled out to both the Cabinet and the Extended Cabinet. Emergency drills are also regularly run on campus. In November, the University Police participated in an active shooter drill in combination with Plymouth Police. Just last month the University hosted a full-scale bioterrorism drill, which included safety organizations from the local, state, and federal levels.

The University also has a regulation police force. The President stressed that the PSU police officers are fully certified and have received training specifically designed for university campuses and emergency situations. The University is part of a 26-town fire and medical aid agreement, including partnerships with Speare Memorial Hospital and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center. PSU also has experienced people in health and counseling services and campus ministries available to the campus community.

On May 9 the University will conduct a workshop on campus in the Frost School Teaching and Learning center specifically for faculty and staff that will help recognize issues and identify someone that may might need counseling and support.

According to President Steen, like every campus across the country after April 16, PSU had to analyze the events at Virginia Tech and ask the question, “What does that teach us that we didn’t know or that can become an opportunity to make our campus safer?”

President Steen said that there are a number of issues the University is addressing and she is assembling a University task force for further review.

One issue currently under review is the means by which the University contacts students, faculty, and staff in the event of an emergency. The University currently uses e-mail—this is clearly out of date.

The president shared that to bring communications to a level that’s efficient would require a cooperative effort between students and the University. When a new electronic communications system is implemented, the University will begin asking students to provide cell phone numbers. The numbers will be for emergency purposes only and will not be distributed outside the University. The idea is to have the ability to quickly get emergency text messages to students. This appears to be the best and most effective way to immediately communicate to the campus.

President Steen also made note of the emergency blue lights placed in various locations across campus. All of the buildings on campus are alarmed and ready for evacuation; and the residence halls have coordinators who are specifically trained to help with communications and quick evacuations.

Looking forward, the University is assessing alternative forms of sirens and alarms. Safety flyers will be developed and distribute campus-wide with fundamental safety instructions for various emergenciesThe president noted that PSU campus safety is a cooperative effort. She encouraged students to never hesitate to call for help—via 911 or 2330—at the slightest sign of trouble. A number of students had shared their concern about calling 911, saying they “didn’t want to bother someone with 911,” or “what if it isn’t important enough to bother someone with 911 or 2330?” The person taking the emergency call is trained to make an assessment of the situation. The University would rather have students make the call and have someone there assess and respond quickly.

Finally President Steen encouraged students to enjoy Spring Fling this weekend but to take care of each other.

Next Peter Laufenberg, student body president Sara Noyes, president of the current spring fling planning committee, and Jeremy Foskitt, PSU student trustee for the University System each addressed the crowd and encouraged them to refrain from actions of aggression on campus. “I think we would all agree that Plymouth State is a safe campus,” Laufenberg said. “What makes it safe is our consciousness and our commitment to each other… the safety of myself and of all of you, falls on us.”

The students also distributed t-shirts saying “Enough is Enough.” The message is intended to remind students to be safe and look out for one another.

May 2, 2007

• Overview of 'Open Conversation' w/ President Steen & VP Hage Regarding Death of Jared Barrows April 25, 2007
• The campus safety statement from President Steen is available here. April 20, 2007
•