Bawcom Announces Campus Safety Measures

04/24/07

The recent tragic events at Virginia Tech have affected all of us. We are saddened by this incident and continue to pray for the families and friends of the victims. Rest assured, the safety of every member of the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor family is a top priority to me as president. All across the nation, college communities are asking themselves, "How safe is our campus?" We find ourselves in a delicate balancing act, trying to balance the need for security with the quality of life that our constituents expect on campus.

I am providing this information for two reasons: first, to make known some of the steps UMHB has already made toward making our campus environment safe, and second, to raise awareness about the advances in campus safety that we are reviewing. At UMHB, we have taken a proactive approach to campus safety. We have made both a philosophical and financial commitment in this regard. Here are some of the specific steps the university has taken:

1. UMHB has a Police Department rather than a security operation. Our officers have arrest authority, specialized training, and are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, they are happy to provide escorts to those individuals who do not feel comfortable walking across campus at night.
2. In addition to employing full-time staff in each residence hall, we have also installed card access and door monitoring systems to enhance residence hall security.
3. Emergency telephones are installed throughout the campus grounds so individuals can summon assistance if needed.
4. We have greatly improved our exterior lighting.
5. Closed-circuit television systems have been installed in several university facilities.
6. We regularly test our safety procedures to ensure they will produce the desired outcomes.
7. When necessary, the university provides timely notifications of potential threats to the campus and makes the necessary adjustments to compensate for them.
8. During new student orientation, every incoming student is introduced to campus safety procedures. In addition, every resident student receives written protocols for emergencies.
9. The university employs two full-time staff counselors who have the ability to assist students in crisis and may call upon other trained professionals when necessary.

Although we have already made a considerable investment toward making UMHB a safe place, we continue to look for ways to improve. Enhancements under review include:

1. Assessing security protocols for residence halls
2. Evaluating a community-wide notification system that would contact students via landlines or cell phones in an emergency situation
3. Reviewing a public address system to provide warning of a potential threat
4. Exploring methods to ensure that all classroom doors can be locked
5. Developing a system in which concerns about student conduct and potential threats can be evaluated and resolved in a timely manner
6. Reviewing how best to implement drills in academic facilities, in addition to those already practiced in the residence halls

For over 162 years, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has been a safe place to live and learn. Along with the UMHB faculty, staff, and administration, I am committed to maintaining a high priority on safety. May God continue to bless our historic campus.

Jerry G. Bawcom, Ph.D.
President