The Seahawk

Issue date: 9/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Jacqueline Hutton | THE SEAHAWK UNCW Students listen to a police officer as he speaks to them about

Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo welcomed students, faculty and staff to UNCW's First Annual Safety Symposium and Information Fair Sept. 9 and 10.

"Your personal interests in your own safety and the well-being of others are crucial," DePaolo said.

Panelists, from a wide range of departments around campus, introduced the newest developments at UNCW concerning safety and security. Discussions detailed information and useful resources pertaining to personal safety and security, securing facilities in times of crisis, a new student threat assessment team and crisis response communication.

Reacting to recent tragedies upon other university campuses, the collaborative efforts of the Chancellor and the University Police include implementing precautionary procedures to help prevent such events from occurring at UNCW. During the symposium, more than one speaker reiterated, "The more 'watch-hawks' we have on campus, the safer our community will be."

Fortunately, UNCW has a fairly safe campus. Crime statistics from campus police show a drastic decrease in overall crime by 80 percent from 2006 to 2007.

"Many of the crimes that occur on and off campus are easily preventable," said University Police Chief David Donaldson.

He encourages all students, staff and faculty to be aware of their surroundings and to report any issues that need to be addressed-everything from an inaccessible area for handicapped persons to an overgrown bush or a suspicious person or activity on campus.

Donaldson introduced the Student Threat Assessment Team, which is composed of administrators responsible for assessing students that may possess certain qualities posing a threat to the overall well-being of the community. He asks for "watch-hawks" to consider the writing, videos and artwork students create in the classroom that may portray characteristics of a disturbed person.

There is no strict profile to evaluate students by, but Donaldson does recommend certain attributes to be cautious of including but not limited to: narcissism, suicidal thoughts, projection of intent and lack of long range plans.

Safety issues go beyond the student and staff member. As a coastal city university, hurricanes also pose a threat to our safety.

UNCW is proud to announce that it is one of six universities with a FEMA approved mitigation plan involving strict evacuation procedures in the case of a man-made or natural disaster, the implementation of extra security features such as impact resistant windows and a siren and campus-wide emergency planning education.

After major storms and hurricanes, it is the responsibility of landscaping services to clean debris around campus. Regular maintenance of shrubbery is also imperative to adequately catch sight of possible perpetrators.

Aaron Williams, a junior at UNCW and an employee with the Physical Plant's Landscaping Services, feels like he has to jump through hoops to get anything accomplished.

"Safety matters," he said, "And we're too reactive before we get proactive. Too often requests and complaints get swept under the rug."

However, Williams must wait for the red tape to be cut down before he can make the initiative that these panels asked for at the symposium.

Aside from the bureaucratic hoops we must jump through to get things done, UNCW is making grand strides in providing a safe place for the milieu of academia.

"I am very impressed with UNCW's efforts toward the advancement of safety and security on campus," said Caroline Cropp, Media Relations Specialist in the Department of Marketing and Communications.

The idea of encouraging technology has been established to protect and inform the community. Last year, 109 new door card readers were installed, bringing the system total to 238 in 46 buildings.

"With the click of a mouse, we can lock one door, or all doors," said Susie Goodrum, the Electronic Door Access Coordinator.

Also, students, faculty and staff will be notified in case of emergencies via e-mail, text message, voice message, the university home page and other forms of communication medium.

If you are interested in these and other topics concerning safety and security on campus, visit www.uncw.edu/emergencyandsafety/index.html.

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