2008 Woodie Awards
Campus shootings prompt re-evaluation of UD's plan
by Sarah Lipman
Issue date: 4/24/07 Section: News
In light of the April 16 Virginia Tech massacre, during which 32 people were killed, two of whom were in a residence hall, students and faculty alike have expressed increasing concern regarding safety within the university.
On April 17, university President David P. Roselle addressed the university community in a letter published on UDaily. He stated the school works closely with Newark, New Castle County and Delaware State Police and safety plans are constantly being looked at in depth.
"Those plans are routinely evaluated, and in view of this week's tragedy, a comprehensive evaluation is under way, and additional ways to improve protection will be specified," he said.
Roselle stated in an e-mail message that students are encouraged to add their cell phone numbers to their contact information in UDSIS as a new outlet for communication. A program is available which allows immediate text messages to be sent to phone numbers listed in the database, similar to the mass e-mail and voicemail system which is currently in place.
"There is a communications technology that can broadcast, almost instantaneously, text messages to cell phones," he said. "That technology is limited in that it can only broadcast to those cell phones for which the numbers are on the database in question."
Cathy Skelley, assistant director of Residence Life, said residence hall procedures have been in place for an extended period of time.
"Our residence halls have been locked for 24 hours a day for over five years," Skelley said. "We are also able to track who comes in and out of them through the access card used to get inside."
Resident assistants hold meetings in the beginning of the academic year to educate all students living in residence halls about safety, she said.
"We held these meetings at the beginning of the Fall Semester and again in October after the assaults that occurred off campus," Skelley said. "We're holding them again in light of Virginia Tech, just to remind people how to stay safe."
On April 17, university President David P. Roselle addressed the university community in a letter published on UDaily. He stated the school works closely with Newark, New Castle County and Delaware State Police and safety plans are constantly being looked at in depth.
"Those plans are routinely evaluated, and in view of this week's tragedy, a comprehensive evaluation is under way, and additional ways to improve protection will be specified," he said.
Roselle stated in an e-mail message that students are encouraged to add their cell phone numbers to their contact information in UDSIS as a new outlet for communication. A program is available which allows immediate text messages to be sent to phone numbers listed in the database, similar to the mass e-mail and voicemail system which is currently in place.
"There is a communications technology that can broadcast, almost instantaneously, text messages to cell phones," he said. "That technology is limited in that it can only broadcast to those cell phones for which the numbers are on the database in question."
Cathy Skelley, assistant director of Residence Life, said residence hall procedures have been in place for an extended period of time.
"Our residence halls have been locked for 24 hours a day for over five years," Skelley said. "We are also able to track who comes in and out of them through the access card used to get inside."
Resident assistants hold meetings in the beginning of the academic year to educate all students living in residence halls about safety, she said.
"We held these meetings at the beginning of the Fall Semester and again in October after the assaults that occurred off campus," Skelley said. "We're holding them again in light of Virginia Tech, just to remind people how to stay safe."
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Tom Johnston
posted 4/24/07 @ 2:18 AM EST
Thank you Dr. Roselle for allowing my wife and our daughter who attends UD to relax after reading your letter of reassurance you mailed and kindly commenting to the Review about what safety procedures we have in place. (Continued…)
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