Proactive Strategies for Keeping College Campuses Safe

Balancing Security with Open Access at Community Colleges

Accessible to all and safe for all. Those are critical goals for every community college. And yet, the two seem to be at odds almost by definition. How do you create an open, welcoming, inclusive educational environment, while at the same time keep your campus safe? That’s the challenge community colleges are struggling with campus safety concerns rise amidst dwindling resources.

Tragic campus violence like what occurred at Virginia Tech and Northern Illinois University has catapulted security to a top priority for all institutions of higher learning. But there are few places where the issue of campus safety is more challenging than at community colleges. Not only do these schools have a more fluid and diverse population — making it more difficult to tell who belongs and who doesn’t, but community colleges serve more students from at-risk populations.

Presented by Denise Swett, dean of the Middlefield campus at Foothill College in northern California, Balancing Security with Open Access at Community Colleges addresses the unique security needs of community colleges, and provides proactive campus safety strategies for preventing and mitigating violent acts.

Violence can happen on any campus, at any time. And although you can’t anticipate everything that is going to happen, it’s important to have the appropriate plans in place. The first step to any campus safety plan is the realization that campus security isn’t just an issue for campus police and student services. It’s up to everyone.

In Balancing Security with Open Access at Community Colleges, you’ll get valuable insight into topics including:

Planning for emergencies and crises
Dealing with high-risk populations: returning veterans, foster youth, gang members and criminal offenders
Developing and coordinating support services
Educating students, faculty and others about programs and sources of help
Mediating and resolving conflict
Making optimal use of technology in crisis communication
Responding to incivility and disruptive behavior
Building cross-departmental cooperation
Establishing community partnerships

To the average faculty member, campus safety issues can seem overwhelming. How to you identify potential red flags? What’s the best way to mitigate violence without compromising your own safety? How do you comply with FERPA and still report concerns?

Aside from behavioral issues, think about your facilities. Do you have a telephone in your classroom? Are your parking lots well lit? Are there blindspots in hallways where someone could hide?

The presenter’s experience as both a dean of students and vice president of student services gives her keen insight into the issues as she provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to: