NJ Colleges And Universities Revamping Campus Security Measures

New Jersey's 59 colleges and universities are on guard and revamping their campus security plans to protect students, faculties and local communities in the wake of the string of shootings that have occurred at schools throughout the country. The Campus Security Task Force, established this past April by Senator Richard Codey while acting governor, has recommended steps that institutions of higher education can take to improve their emergency management plans.

One key recommendation is the establishment of crisis intervention teams and the providing of mental health awareness training to college students, faculty and staff members. The creation of formalized relationships between colleges with state and local law enforcement and first responder agencies in an effort to improve communications and information sharing practices is also recommended. A way to develop procedures to properly and promptly deliver emergency notifications to campus community members is also advised.

By the end of last month, colleges and universities were required to file campus emergency management plans with their respective county and municipal offices of emergency management, and local police departments. The mental health training, which will cost $80,000, should be in place by July 31, 2008.

Jane Oates, executive director for the State Commission on Higher Education, stresses that students' personal freedoms must be balanced with security measures.

Colleges and universities around the state have already been busy developing campus security measures. Bergen Community College (BCC), with campuses in Hackensack and Paramus, introduced a crisis communications plan this past summer, which, among many points, requires the quick dissemination of information to students, faculty, staff and local law enforcement officials.

According to BCC President G. Jeremiah Ryan, "What we learned from the Virginia Tech shootings is that there is no substitute for speed in terms of acting right away and trying to get the facts straight. Honesty and transparency are also important," says Ryan, who came to BCC from Raritan Valley Community College this past summer. "I think you lose your credibility if you are hiding anything," he says.

The community college plans to communicate with staff, faculty and students through e-mail blasts. "We also told the faculty to do whatever it feels is necessary to communicate with students," says Ryan. The college also has three county police officers patrolling its campuses every day in a shared services agreement. This is in addition to BCC's existing security personnel.

Ryan recalls his early days as a student at Stanford University when a bomb threat was made during exams. "In those days, we just cleared the buildings. No one called the authorities and let people know," he says. "Because of the school shootings and terrorism threat today, institutions must treat things more seriously."

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