Probably our most important safety strategy is preparedness.
The University Housing Services department is integrated into the university’s emergency response team. We are trained in the national emergency response model(s) and are involved in the regular campus emergency operations training and emergency evacuation drills. We also provide emergency response training for our residential life staff. Our Community Handbook provides emergency response information and each bedroom door provides evacuation instructions.
Please see the following link for the campus emergency response information:
http://www.sjsu.edu/emergency/
Our department has an emergency response protocol which includes response strategies for a variety of issues from earthquakes and fires to civil protests and high level threats to resident safety.
In the event of an emergency on campus that might present a harmful situation, we will attempt to contact students in the following ways:
“Word of Mouth”
Residential life staff (and all available housing staff) will go out into the residential community posting flyers, talking with residents and asking them to contact other residents with the information. At this time, our staff will inform residents when it is ‘safe’ to leave the building. RAs will also attempt to connect with all of the residents for whom they are responsible. Rosters are updated on a regular basis and ‘attendance’ is taken in the event of an evacuation.
Public Address Systems
We will announce instructions over the public address system every several minutes until the situation is resolved. In the buildings that do not have Public address systems, live-in staff will use bullhorns or student ‘runners’ to convey information.
LCD Screens
We will provide emergency information on lobby LCD television screens and cable channels as it becomes available.
Hotline
We will coordinate with campus to set-up a hot line for residents and families to call for information.
Evacuation
If a situation requires evacuation, the campus has designated evacuation strategies and locations. We will provide that information via the hotline (and campus website if appropriate.) We are in the process of posting all possible designated locations on our website.
Building Access
The front doors of all of our buildings are only accessible via access card. Please remind your student not to allow others into the building and to never prop an exterior door.
Counseling Services
If your student is feeling unsafe or needs to talk about the tragic incidents at Virginia Tech, our residential life staff is always willing to listen. We can also direct them to our counseling center. If your student takes medication for mental health reasons or depression, please encourage them to continue taking these medications. The stress of college life can be difficult and it is not a good time to skip dosages when they feel that ‘all is going well.’ On the same note, if your student recognizes that someone in their community has changed their behaviors, become withdrawn, or is acting out of character; encourage them to report this to their RA or RLC. (They should not confront the situation on their own). The counseling services website can be found at the following link: http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/counseling/
Blue Light Phones
SJSU has a blue-light phone system all around campus. If a student feels threatened they can pick up the phone to call campus police (UPD). They can even use it to call for an escort. If, for some reason, they feel as though they need to keep moving, they could go from blue-light phone to blue-light phone and campus police will track the pattern and intercept the student.
University Police Department
Just as a reminder, the campus has its own police force. These are trained police officers that are highly visible on campus and in the residential community. They can respond to incidents in minutes. The University Police Department website can be found at: http://www.sjsupd.com/
Safety & Security Team
University Housing Services has a Safety & Security Team comprised of professional staff, student staff and residents. We discuss safety and security concerns, conduct safety walks throughout the residential complex and continue to address concerns that arise. If your student would like to be a part of the team, please let me know.
One last thing.
As much as the vast majority of students with whom I have interacted over the past several days have indicated that they ‘are fine,’ and not concerned or affected by the events at Virginia Tech, the research suggests that this might not always be the case. While this generation of students, (The Millenials) is described as very confident and independent, they are also a generation that values ‘connections.’ They value mentors and advisors, and many even like their parents! They are also very busy being students and might not communicate with you as often as you would like or expect but they still need your support. If you don’t already do this, our students tell me that a ‘text message’ from home is a preferred way to connect. This allows you to send your thoughts… without setting up an expectation for immediate response or discussion. This allows the student time to reflect on their feelings, which could result in a more genuine response. Just a thought [they say email is passé… it is not ‘immediate enough.’]
I apologize for the lengthy email, I do like to keep these “short and sweet” but I felt compelled to provide you with our plan of action and to reassure you that we take your student’s welfare and safety very seriously.
Please feel free to contact me if you have further questions. Our next ‘blog’ will address THE END OF THE SEMESTER….
University Housing Services