In this article, the author shares his thoughts for district administrators regarding the Sandy Hook Elementary school tragedy. Administrators heard a lot of potential solutions or attempts at solutions. However, these proposals raise lengthy lists of implementation questions and issues that illustrate a lack of understanding of school operations,…

The recent events at Virginia Tech reinforce the idea that nothing is more fundamental for college leaders to address than campus security and safety. After the tears, the makeshift memorials, and the intensely painful series of funerals, higher education must come to grips with the fact that it has just had its own September 11. Assessing and…

This report provides the results of a survey of safety and security at colleges and universities in Minnesota, along with policy recommendations to improve safety and security at Minnesota post-secondary institutions. It is based on campus security reports voluntarily submitted by 60 of the 110 Minnesota post-secondary institutions, personal…

Campus vandalism has become extremely costly for colleges and universities. Most vandalism occurs on weekends and during special events and is committed by both students and outsiders. Its results affect the entire campus community, either immediately or in increased costs. Successful preventive measures include penalties, police patrols, and good…

The growing problem of hate crime on college campuses is addressed. Characteristics of hate speech and hate crime are distinguished; types of offenders, scope of the problem, and related legal issues are discussed. A model for development of campuswide multiculturalism is presented among several recommendations for administrators. (Author/EMK)

Offers administrative directives, including visitor identification and student release policies and a specific release procedure, for preventing and dealing with problems related to child snatching by spouses or former spouses. (KS)

The article reviews relevant literature (which suggests women who convey confidence and assertiveness are less likely to be victimized), outlines initiatives, describes a model self-defense course, suggests guidelines for evaluation, and draws implications for university policy on violence against college women. (SM)

Weighing in at 567 pages, including 107 pages of footnotes, the 9/11 Commission Report is a metaphor for the primitive and often dysfunctional state of risk management in large organizations such as colleges and universities. President Clinton's national security adviser, Sandy Berger, told the commission that government decisions "were made from…

Explains what security officers do, how to hire and utilize them, and how they can help schools. (JM)

In 1985 the Illinois Legislature revised its Juvenile Court Act and sections of the criminal code to get tough on juvenile crime and school-related crime. The Illinois Supreme Court rejected a challenge to the act. Greater legislative and judicial support is a national trend to control school violence. (MLF)

This document identifies violence as a major problem in North Carolina public schools, with thousands of students and staff victimized every year. In 1994, 6,937 criminal incidents were reported to the State Board of Education; 6,897 students were involved in incidents on school property as offenders and 1,447 students were victimized.…

The school's responsibility to provide a safe learning environment for students is examined in this paper. Failure to take preventative measures may result in loss of government tort immunity and charges of negligence liability. A review of case law indicates a trend toward successful litigation by plaintiffs against school districts--a decline in…

Three issues in crime prevention at colleges and universities are discussed: (1) training of campus police, particularly to be proactive and to address the unique situation of college campuses; (2) application of copyright laws to reproduction of course materials; and (3) criminal accusation of a campus employee. Court litigation is cited. Danger…

As administrators contemplate installing metal detectors, different legal issues must be considered. Five lessons learned from past litigation are listed to aid administrators in their decision. A sample policy outline concerning weapons and metal detectors is provided. (KDP)

A new curriculum helps students appreciate their vested interest in preventing the crime and violence that is affecting them, their classmates and their education. Organizations described include Teens, Crime and the Community, and Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention plus several project descriptions. (SI)