Tiffany Vlaanderen
Staff Writer
Devastating crimes on school campuses across the nation such as the Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois shootings as well as recent local acts of school violence, serve as striking reminders for University of La Verne students and faculty to remain vigilant.
The complexity and nature of these crimes has forced many institutions like La Verne to rethink and prepare such emergency situations.
While the University community seems to feel fairly confident in its security overall, officials here have taken various proactive measures to ensure safety of all those in the University of La Verne community.
One simple thing, students are urged to constantly be aware of their surroundings.
“We have a teachable moment. We all need to have eyes and ears open,” ULV President Stephen Morgan said.
Staff training and communication with students are other forms of security the University has always relied on and will continue to do so.
“Hopefully we create a spirit around campus that does not alienate students,” Professor of Philosophy and Religion Dan Campana said.
Many factors work in the University’s favor if an incident does occur on or near campus.
Michael Nunez, director of campus safety and transportation, said he is impressed with the University’s awareness of conflict resolution.
He also said that the University’s prime location is a factor that plays into its safety.
“We are in constant communication with the police and fire department,” Nunez said.
“There will be an exercise with La Verne police by the end of the semester,” Nunez said.
Utilizing the fact that the University is within walking distance of these city facilities may offer assurance many if not all.
“We are by far one of the more fortunate campuses because the police and fire departments are in the neighborhood,” Associated Students of ULV President Jonathan Fitzhugh said.
This does, however, disillusion students into thinking the University is not a target for a crime like the Virginia Tech shootings.
“The culture and environment kind of subdues us,” Fitzhugh said.
“If you’re in this environment, the city has given a false sense of security that nothing will happen here,” Fitzhugh said.
To ensure that those on campus do not live in fear or indifference the
University is moving forward on many fronts to include technology-based programs to reflect today’s utilization of mass and instant communication.
The “3N” notification system to be implemented at the end of this month.
It is one of many measures the University has taken to heighten campus awareness and safety.
Nunez also said the University is looking into six or eight Blue Light Phones to strategically place around campus.
Each phone will cost $2,500 to $3,000.
Morgan assured the community that the costs of securing the campus have not been a prevalent concern.
“Cost hasn’t been an issue. It is more an issue of what is most effective to use,” Morgan said.
Fitzhugh said that students have also taken the initiative to add one or more digital marquees around campus to alert the ULV community of events.
Voice intercoms placed around campus to maximize the most audible space to reach people are another idea to consider.
Ultimately, communication among faculty and students will ensure the best preparation for the University, which is a precaution with low cost implications.
“I’m a supporter of anything that will ensure safety for ULV students,” Fitzhugh said.
President Morgan also stressed how essential student feedback is to the success and implementation of the University’s safety preparation measures.
Preparation works both ways.
The University can do its part to heighten student and faculty awareness, and students must also respond to the University’s call.
Utilities like the “3N” system rely on student participation since it is not mandatory.
It appears that administrators, professors and students are open to keeping ULV’s community safe at a time when most of the nation is troubled with fear because of recent violent crimes.
“I don’t live in fear. I believe we have enough influence in society to get us to live in fear,” Campana said.
Tiffany Vlaanderen can be reached at tvlaanderen@ulv.edu. |
