Presentation for EDHE 6710

1. Presentation for EDHE 6710 Ranita Wyatt December 5, 2008

2. How safe are students and faculty on our college campuses? What has been done to ensure a safe environment in Higher Education? How have these issues been addressed at Pasco-Hernando Community College (PHCC)?

3. PHCC is a multi-campus institution located on central Florida’s west coast. • (PHCC) was established by the Florida Legislature in 1967 to be the final link in the state’s system of 28 community colleges. • The first classes were held in rented facilities in August 1972. • The opening enrollment was 603 students. Currently nearly 15,000 students are enrolled in the college’s credit and noncredit offerings. http://phcc.edu/about/history.php

4. When classes began, the college employed only 12 full-time employees. Today, PHCC employs over 338 full-time faculty and staff. • The budget has also grown substantially over the past years. The legislature allocated $36,492 for PHCC’s initial operating budget. In comparison, the 2007-2008 operating budget was $30.1 million. http://phcc.edu/about/history.php • PHCC primarily falls under the bureaucratic administrative structure. • PHCC also presents some political structure.

5. Why a presentation on safety? • August 1, 1966: Charles Whitman killed 16 and wounded 31 on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin and the surrounding community. • November 1, 1991: Gam Lu killed 5 and wounded 2 on the campus of the University of Iowa. Lu then killed himself. • August 15, 1996: Frederick Martin Davidson killed 3 on the campus of San Diego State University. • August 28, 2000: James Easton Kelly killed 1 and then took his own life on the campus of the University of Arkansas.

6. • January 16, 2002: Peter Odighizuwa killed 3 and wounded 3 on the campus of the Appalachian School of Law. • October 28, 2002: Robert Flores killed 3 and then killed himself on the campus of the University of Arizona Nursing College. • September 2, 2006: Douglas W. Pennington killed his 2 sons and then himself on the campus of Shepherd University. http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/lib/psp/CampusAssessmentRpt.pdf • Most recently the April 16, 2007 Virginia Tech violence that left 33 dead, nearly the total from the previous 7 shootings cited

7. Current Situation The Virginia Tech massacre brought to light the inability of administrators and security officers to notify students and faculty of imminent danger and therefore the inability to keep them safe. Studies were undertaken and actions recommended. The Pennsylvania State Police published Pennsylvania College Campus Security Assessment Report which represents most U.S. institutions.http://www.psp.state.pa.us/psp/lib/psp/CampusAssessmentRpt.pdf

8. Problems Identified • Security forces on most campuses are not police officers, they are unarmed and they do not have the authority to arrest • Most hazard planning deals with weather or hazardous material spills • Most campus police communications centers are staffed by students • Campus police and security are rarely included in student orientations

9. Situation At PHCCFaculty Senate Meetings • September 12, 2003 Faculty want to be informed of “disruptive” student events Faculty expressed concerns of lack of communication from the classroom – suggest 1. classroom phone 2. panic buttons 3. intercoms Concern for lack of evening administrators

10. November 7, 2003 Faculty questioned the college president concerning two incidents of student threats and what was being done to resolve the issues • December 5, 2003 Faculty involved in the student threats are still waiting for follow-up information • January 23, 2004 Administrators want the faculty to identify issue areas and resolutions for workplace violence Faculty still awaiting resolution from October incidents • February 20, 2004 Faculty recommend a zero tolerance policy for guns and knives on campus resulting in expulsion President recommending hiring a consultant College attorney to visit next meeting

11. March 26, 2004 College attorney could not attend • August 16, 2004 Noted that workplace violence issues began in 2002 and still no action has occurred • November 5, 2004 Workplace violence a faculty concern Emergency procedures not yet posted in classrooms • January 21, 2005 Faculty members expressed concern that if help is needed in the classroom, a cell-phone must be used and many of the campus buildings block the signal

12. February 18, 2005 Reported that dedicated phone lines for campus security will be provided • March 18, 2005 Report on all campus safety review 1. Inadequate lighting in parking areas 2. lack of documentation and communication • October 21, 2005 Workplace safety review 1. Lack of evening administrators 2. No classroom phones 3. No emergency procedures available in classroom 4. Absence of psychological services

13. April 21, 2006 Crisis response flip charts to be posted in all classrooms • August 16, 2006 Fall general faculty meeting survey reported workplace safety as the #1 issue • September 15, 2006 PHCC to hire a Safety and Risk Management person Flip charts still not installed Administrators working on rotating evening duty • November 17, 2006 New signs for evening emergency contact posted on one of the four campuses

14. January 18, 2007 Mid-year report- workplace safety #1 issue Administrators seeking bids on “panic” buttons Developing Emergency Manual Flip charts still being developed • September 14, 2007 All campuses have emergency numbers posted • November 16, 2007 Administration looking into “Ed-connect” warning system and “panic” buttons Additional lighting at night • February 15, 2008 Ed-connect installed

15. March 21, 2008 Emergency manual available on the intranet Panic buttons to be installed (as of this posting, 12-5-2008, the buttons are installed but have not been tested nor has faculty been trained)

16. Administrators Responses The following were taken from the Presidents Cabinet meetings over the last 2 1/2 years. Presidents Cabinet meetings occur twice a month and include all campus provosts, faculty senate president, all department deans, as well as, the college president and assistant. • 1/11/06 – President requests more lighting of gymnasium • 6/5/06 – Due to recent break-ins, alarm systems added and security coverage increased Decals to be placed campus-wide that “Areas are Alarmed” even if they aren’t

17. 7/17/06 – Pursuing a police mobile phone be installed on one of the small campuses to increase police visibility • 8/18/06 – Evening coverage by administrators will begin soon • 2/5/07 – Concern over individuals on campus during closed hours, 11pm – 6am • 4/11/07 – additional lighting installed on North Campus Call box installed on one campus and seeking one on North campus • 4/30/07 – Moment of silence held in memory of Virginia Tech tragedy No security issues update

18. 6/4/07 – Emergency flip charts ready for printer • 6/18/07 – Flip charts at the printers, installation to be completed by end of July • 7/16/07 – Flip charts are installed; asks that each campus verify that the numbers are correct • 7/31/07 – local sheriff dept. representatives will conduct security audits on all campuses Bomb threat check lists to be distributed to all employees • 8/20/07 – Safety manual sent to Board of Directors for approval Safety training available to all employees on-line Awaiting reports on safety audits

19. 7/16/07 – Flip charts are installed; asks that each campus verify that the numbers are correct • 7/31/07 – local sheriff dept. representatives will conduct security audits on all campuses Bomb threat check lists to be distributed to all employees • 8/20/07 – Safety manual sent to Board of Directors for approval Safety training available to all employees on-line Awaiting reports on safety audits • 11/5/07 – Discuss methods for communicating emergency information • 11/19/07 – Presentation of “Ed-Connect” and recommended approval

20. 12/13/07 – Report on safety audit – most recommendations already implemented • 2/18/08 – training begins on “Ed-Connect” system Demonstration of panic button system • 3/17/08 – Presentation of Virginia Tech: From Tragedy to Recovery • 3/31/08 – Panic buttons to be installed in the summer • 4/14/08 – Emergency Response Handbook now available non the intranet Still seeking quotes on panic button system • 5/5/08 – Panic buttons have been ordered and should be installed for Fall term • 9/2/08 – Panic buttons have been installed on 2 campuses New Ed-connect system used to inform students and employees of campus closure due to hurricane Fay • 9/15/08 – contracting waiting on parts to complete panic button installation

21. 11/3/08 – All panic buttons are installed and operational. Information meetings to be held on all campuses regarding use of panic buttons • 11/17/08 – additional panic buttons have been installed and should be fully operational by 11/18/08

22. What would I do? Reading through all of the faculty senate minutes and the Presidents Cabinet’s minutes has been a disturbing process. Obviously the faculty have been concerned about safety for many years and the response of administration has been slow at best. Even the events at Virginia Tech didn’t hasten actions to improve safety. The bureaucratic nature of the institution tends to slow the processes down. I am currently full-time faculty and beginning this semester I am chair of the business department and just learning how cumbersome it is to accomplish change. I would like to think that if I was in charge I would pay more attention to my faculty and install systems to accomplish important tasks in a much more timely manner. Is this possible in a bureaucratic system?