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Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
As we begin the academic
year, I want to make you aware of a number of important changes in the area of campus
safety. These initiatives arise out of recommendations brought forth last year in
campuswide open forums and reflect the commitment of Public Safety Director Paul
Ominsky and his staff to responsive, proactive protection of our community.
- As you
travel to and from classes, you will notice an increased presence of public safety
officers, on foot, particularly in the central part of the campus. Their new patrol
routes reflect a commitment to being more visible and accessible and to developing
relationships that enhance day-to-day safety for all of us.
- As is the case at many
colleges and universities, a public safety advisory board, comprised of faculty,
staff and students and chaired by Paul Ominsky, will be formed to provide counsel
and feedback to Paul and his staff and to advise on matters of policy, education
and communication.
- A public safety liaison program will be established,
with appointed representatives in each house, to facilitate communication among
students and the Department of Public Safety and to enhance awareness of safety
considerations in the settings where students live, eat and socialize.
- Training programs, some
already under way, will enhance officers’ competencies
in such topics as cultural awareness, diversity and oppression, effective communication
and de-escalation of aggressive behavior. A tabletop safety drill will be conducted
with the College Council on Community Policy, to broaden awareness of the factors
involved in responding to situations involving weapons.
- A life safety information
card is being affixed to the door of every student room, to provide immediate guidance
in dealing with specific emergencies. An emergency procedures guide has been distributed
to every student, faculty and staff member, to inform our responses to medical
emergencies, criminal incidents or situations requiring evacuation.
We have now conducted two successful
tests of our emergency notification system and will continue regular testing in each
semester and in the summer. I strongly encourage you to provide or update your contact
information in Banner, particularly your cell phone number, in order to receive timely
information in the event of a campus emergency.
Finally, as I outlined in my letter
at the end of last semester, we will continue the discussion about whether our public
safety officers should carry firearms and the role we envision for them in the event
of an incident involving weapons. I invite you to share your views on the subject
with me and Paul by writing to safetystudy@smith.edu.
Sincerely,
Carol T. Christ |
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