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SMU shares condolences with Virginia Tech
All of us in higher education share the grief of the Virginia Tech family and send our heartfelt condolences to all those touched by this tragedy. SMU students, faculty and staff gathered Tuesday at the Hughes-Trigg Student Center for a prayer service for Virginia Tech. Watch a report from WFAA-TV.In view of this tragedy, SMU is providing the campus community with some general information related to emergency procedures. We are constantly monitoring and updating our procedures as we continue to learn from each other in the higher education community and from the security and law enforcement professions.
- The campus police department is on duty 24-7, and senior command-level officers are experienced former military officers with emergency training. All officers are licensed and certified by the State of Texas and have full police authority.
- SMU also works closely with surrounding local and regional police and fire departments, including University Park, Highland Park, Dallas County, City of Dallas, Texas Department of Public Safety, and various federal agencies.
- SMU has conducted training and has procedures for active shooter scenarios, among others.
- SMU has created a new position of Director of Emergency Preparedness and Business Continuity Planning, dedicated to preparing SMU for emergencies and the recovery from them, while maintaining campus operations. The new director is a seasoned professional from a similar office for Dallas County.
- The University maintains a fully equipped Emergency Operations Center with trained staff members who routinely participate in drills with local, state and federal agencies. Its data base supporting emergency operations includes occupant listings for all buildings.
- To aid surveillance, SMU has a closed-circuit TV system.
- Communication technology used in case of emergency would be website, bulk e-mail and voicemail to communicate en mass to the campus community. A hot line is maintained at 214-768-4636 (SMU-INFO) to provide current information on emergencies. SMU also has designated call centers that would be activated to answer parent and community questions and to provide immediate alerts and instructions to the campus community if needed.
- Each building has a designated manager who is trained in emergency procedures to be shared with building occupants.
- Regular building evacuation drills are conducted to ensure familiarity with procedures.
- SMU has designated triage and quarantine facilities under its Emergency Operations Plan. SMU has conducted large casualty training involving multiple jurisdictions, including Dallas County Health.
- To augment security measures, SMU personnel educate students on safety precautions such as keeping doors locked in residence halls and being aware of their surroundings. Training includes discussions in residences, posting of campus alerts, publications and web resources.
Thank you for your information. Could the university require each student to provide their cell number so the university could send out a student wide message in case of an emergency?
Donna Wertz
From the Va Tech experience, it sounds like the communication regime should include what might seem to be antiquated, loudspeakers. These could be strategically-mounted around campus.
Steve Waters
Class of '72
As a parent of a freshman woman at SMU, and an alumna of Va Tech, I would like to thank the SMU community for their support.
At SMU my greater concern is the protocol in the event of a tornado or other dangerous weather.
Melissa Hinchman
Thank you for this important and assuring information. The above comments are great because we know people can easily read their text messages, and a specific siren sound would let everyone know to a find a safe place, stay put, and lock down for safety until an all clear sound is heard.
Winnie Laucis
Your third point, training in active shooter scenaios, if properly done could save almost all lives in such a situation.
All that is required is that all or most immediately rush the shooter. It has been well known in the military for centuries that the best defense in case of attack is an offense. Further, most people can continue to rush the attacker after taking several hits from those weapons. This is a sure way of saving most of the intended victims.
I agree regarding the text messaging suggestion above. A TEXT MESSAGE WOULD BE THE BEST METHOD. Almost all students carry a cell phone at all times, whether they are going to class, the cafeteria, the gym, even while they're asleep! Email is not as effective, as students are sometimes not able to have access to a computer at ALL TIMES or have access to email at ALL TIMES .
Jenny - Class of 2005
As a parent of a grad I applaud SMU's plan of action. However, a 'first response' would probably involve a student/faculty member. Being prepared for possible scenarios is the best defense! Perhaps SMU can hold an informative session(s)teaching our students/faculty how to respond! A suggestion by my son Matt '99: silent alarms that are used by banks? Judy Lynch
This is Judy Lynch! I just sent a comment, but...I mistakenly put '99--Matt graduated from SMU in '03! Sorry!
FYI>>> Our Senior daughter was held up at gun point after leaving the Kappa House the night before Spring Break. She was walking to the parking lot when three masked females pulled up next to her. One of the girls jumped out of her vehicle and said, "Give me your purse, B___." The masked woman put a gun to our daughters head. Our daughter screamed her lungs out and ran towards a taxi that was occupied by three SMU guys. The wonderful SMU guys opened their taxi door and grabbed our daughter, pulling her inside and noting the make of the vehicle. It is imparitive that all SMU parents let their childrem know that they do not live in a safe little SMU bubble. Danger lurks everwhere.
SMU Response
We appreciate the feedback we’ve received from concerned alumni, parents and others following the tragic events at Virginia Tech. The University will continue to give campus security the highest priority through regular training, drills and exercises with our emergency preparedness team, as well as students, faculty and staff. Our preparedness includes a continuous review of emergency procedures, technology and communications tools. In particular, our training includes activating several tools for communication, taking into account such variables as individual preferences among campus constituents, disabilities, and challenges posed by building structures of varying ages. SMU is committed to keeping current with the best practices available and to learn from events such as those at Virginia Tech. Thanks so much for remaining involved in our community through your important feedback.
Lee Arning
Director of Emergency Preparedness/Business Continuity at SMU