ERIC Number: ED502232
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2008-May
Pages: 32
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The Ripple Effect of Virginia Tech: Assessing the Nationwide Impact on Campus Safety and Security Policy and Practice
Rasmussen, Chris; Johnson, Gina
Midwestern Higher Education Compact
This report is the result of a nationwide survey conducted in March 2008 of student life officers and campus safety directors to assess the impact of the April 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech on campus safety and security policy and practice. Discussion areas include: (1) Student Privacy vs. Need-to-Know; (2) Prevention, Mitigation and Recovery; (3) Notification Systems; (4) Security Monitoring and Enhancement; (5) Recognition and Response to Student Behavior; and (6) Budgetary Impacts. The survey asked respondents to comment on the nature of their relationship with municipal law enforcement, local and regional media, and state-level agencies both before and after the events at Virginia Tech. Without exception respondents indicated that the relationship of their institution with municipal law enforcement and with state-level agencies had remained about the same or improved since the events at Virginia Tech; a similar pattern of responses was seen in describing the relationship with local and regional media outlets. The tragedy at Virginia Tech also raised many questions and renewed debates about gun violence and weapons regulation. The events brought increased exposure to groups such as Students for Concealed Carry on Campus, which argue that the impact of such incidents could be prevented or minimized if students and faculty were allowed to carry guns on campus. In contrast, the Virginia Tech tragedy has emboldened groups and individuals who oppose extending concealed carry rights to college campuses. The focus of others has been on improving efforts to track and screen potential weapons buyers to prevent individuals with mental illness or a history of violent or threatening behavior from accessing guns. Additional resources are listed. (Contains 12 figures and 1 table.) [This initiative was supported by AIG Higher Education Risk Solutions and Lexington Insurance Company.]
Descriptors: Tragedy, Campuses, Student Behavior, Mental Disorders, Privacy, Gun Control, Law Enforcement, School Safety, Crisis Management, Emergency Programs, Crime Prevention, Police School Relationship, Mail Surveys, Program Attitudes, Formative Evaluation, National Surveys
Midwestern Higher Education Compact. 1300 South Second Street Suite 130, Minneapolis, MN 55454-1079. Tel: 612-626-8288; Fax: 612-626-8290; e-mail: mhec@mhec.org; Web site: http://www.mhec.org
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: Midwestern Higher Education Compact
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A