Acorn

Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Nigel Henley Chief of Public Safety Tom Evans and Dean of Student Life Dawn Williams talk to students in University Center room 104 on Sunday to discuss the Northern Illinois University shootings last week.

The shootings at Northern Illinois University last week once again raised concerns over safety at Drew. After the shootings at Virginia Tech University last year, Drew reviewed its student management plan and implemented new precautions. For example, the school is now able to send out text messages and voice messages to students in the event of an emergency. The system was put to the test during last semester's blackout and was a success, according to the Director of Public Safety Chief Tom Evans. Drew has also started a PowerPoint program with this year's freshman class with safety guidelines.

Evans said that someday the whole campus will be on the FOB system. Although it was proposed after the Virginia Tech shootings that new locks would be placed on classroom doors, Evans said that it would be impractical. "You might lock the problem in room with you," he said."[This] campus is one of the safest campuses in America," Evans said. However, he cautions that that does not mean that something dangerous cannot happen at Drew. "It is a great concern. We want to make sure we can handle [a situation] as well as possible."

In light of the NIU shootings, an event was held in the University Center on Sunday allowing students to voice their concerns. According to Evans, only about four or five students attended and no one had any major questions or concerns.

"In the time I have been at Drew, I have never felt in danger or at risk. Though security here is not as tight as it could be, such as the non-existent gate security, I feel it is adequate enough to make me feel safe," said Jonathan Ortiz ('11).

An emergency management team meets two to three times a semester to go over emergency management plans for everything from fire to hurricanes. On March 11, Public Safety will hold a joint training operation with the Madison Police Department for a shooting or hostage situation.

"I think all of the school shootings that have occurred in the last few years are simply devastating," said Christina Andreola ('10). "As far as safety at Drew, I can say that I feel safe overall. I always see Public Safety driving around campus, especially at night."

Student Government Association President Erik Emdur thinks that it would be less likely for a shooting to occur on a small campus. "Drew is a safe place, but to keep it safe, we must not alienate our peers. Be friendly to everyone," he said. Emdur believes that alienation can lead a student to extreme measures such as the shootings. "While a lot goes into pushing someone over the edge, nothing contributes to madness more than the feeling of being alone."

Evans suggests that the best way to remain safe is to be aware of your surroundings. "You have to think all the time," he said. "My best advice to students is to assess the situation," he said. He advises that when you walk into a classroom to think of ways out in case an emergency occurs. Evans also said that it is important for students to be aware of ways out of their residence hall. "Be aware of where you are. Pretty much common sense."

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