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Villanova University Crisis Response Procedures
In light of the tragic happenings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, it is
important that you understand the procedures Villanova University has in place
and how we proceed and respond in the case of an emergency on campus.
In addition to day-to-day coverage by our 75-member Public Safety team, we have
an extensive Emergency Preparedness Plan in place that includes procedures to
ensure a rapid response to an unanticipated emergency or threatening situation.
Villanova takes all incidents affecting student, faculty, and staff safety as
serious and time critical.
Providing a Safe Campus
Villanova University has devoted significant resources to providing a safe
campus and assuring the safety of our community members. Our Public Safety
department is responsible for campus security and consists of approximately 75
officers who provide on-campus coverage 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To
assure the greatest breadth of coverage, the officers patrol the campus on foot,
on bicycle, and in vehicles.
While our Public Safety officers are well-trained professionals, they do not
have the authority to arrest anyone on campus. The department, however,
maintains excellent relationships with both the Lower Merion and Radnor Police
Departments, the latter of which has jurisdiction on campus to respond to
criminal behavior and can provide immediate response when necessary.
We encourage members of the campus community or any visitor to immediately
report suspicious activity or an emergency to the Public Safety department by
calling 9-4444 from an on-campus telephone or 610-519-4444 from an outside
telephone or cell phone. If an emergency requires the assistance of an outside
agency, the Public Safety department will contact the appropriate organization
as the situation dictates.
Villanova University Crisis Response
If a situation arises on or around campus that could potentially threaten the
health or safety of University community members, senior officers of the
University and members of Public Safety are immediately summoned as part of
Villanova’s crisis response procedure. This group determines the appropriate
actions to be taken, using Villanova University’s Emergency Preparedness Plan as
its basis and guideline.
This action may include:
- Deployment of Public Safety officers
- Engagement of law enforcement officials, if appropriate
- Cancellation of classes
- Patrol of the campus perimeter
- Closing of roads and entrances onto campus
- Lockdown of campus buildings and residence halls
- Evacuation of campus buildings and residence halls
The University has the capability via the Wildcard system to control access to
virtually all buildings and entrance gates on campus. This is an access control
system, not a security system, but it can regulate what buildings and rooms
cardholders may enter.
Emergency Communications Process
In the event of an emergency, an effective University-wide communications
process is vital in order to provide the greatest safety possible for our
students, faculty, and staff.
We will use all available means of communications in a crisis situation,
including text messaging, telephone, the Web site, and e-mail. The University will also
implement on-site personal contacts by utilizing Public Safety officers and
other University staff and officials. The communications tools may include:
Villanova Web Site
- Critical information is posted on the University’s home page and may be viewed
both internally (students, faculty, and staff) and externally (parents, alumni,
and other constituents)
E-mail
- Broadcast e-mails are sent to Villanova students, faculty, and staff, as well
as alumni, if appropriate
Telephone
- Broadcast voice mails are sent to faculty, staff and students, and can be
accessed both on and off campus through individual voicemail; emergency phones
are currently being installed in all residence halls and will be operational by
fall 2007
- Critical information is posted on the Villanova Emergency Hotline
610-519-4505; this information is accessible to any constituent, including
parents
NOVA Alert
- Important emergency alerts, notifications
and updates are sent to all registered devices, including cell phone (via
SMS/texting); email account (work, home, other); smartphone/PDA (BlackBerry,
Treo & and other handhelds); pager
- This opt-in service requires registration.
Click here to register.
Personal Interaction and Connection
- Public Safety personnel and other University staff can make personal contact
with persons in buildings on campuss
- Many buildings on campus have a designated emergency response contact who is
trained in responding to an emergency
Moving Forward: Assessment of Our Emergency Plans
Villanova routinely examines the Emergency Preparedness Plan and devises
measures to respond to various incidents as quickly and effectively as possible.
Father Peter M. Donohue, O.S.A. has asked the senior administration to review
and assess the Emergency Preparedness Plan, as well as our communication
strategies to assure we have accounted and prepared for as many scenarios as
possible.
In the event of an emergency on campus or off, your well-being is critically
important to us. We provide full-service counseling services, as well as access
to Campus Ministry staff, who are trained to provide grief counseling. If you
would like further information about the specific services we make available to
our students, faculty, and staff, you may find the following links helpful.
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