Updated 05/10/2007 08:01 PM
UNC system discusses campus safety
UNC system Board of Governors
CHAPEL HILL -- In the wake of the Virginia Tech shootings, UNC campuses across the state are evaluating their safety practices.
Now the Board of Governors wants to make sure all the campuses are as safe as possible. Getting all universities on the same page and balancing safety with privacy are just some of the tough issues.
The board must focus on two issues - the day-to-day safety of students and faculty and decreasing the risk of catastrophic events.
"We're not like a 7-11 [convenience store] with one door that you can point a camera at and everybody goes in and out that door," said Leslie Winner, vice president of UNC System.
Much of the discussion centered around informing parents when there are potential problems with students.
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"There's federal legislation that protects students’
privacy rights, so that's difficult as to what we can tell parents," said UNC Wilmington Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo.
There's an idea that students could waiver their privacy if they wish. Administrators say parents can be a first line of defense.
"You've left school for the first time and it's important for someone to be looking out for you," said Lauren Anderson, a UNC Chapel Hill senior.
How to communicate with students in the event of an incident presents another challenge. That's why the UNC system is looking at options that include mass e-mails and text messages.
"I guess the bottom line in all this is to try to maximize the communication channels that are out there and available to us," said NCSU Chancellor James Oblinger.
Bowles says students usually let others into dorms which negates some security measures.
"There are so many different ways to get in contact with students. We don't want 20 text messages a day, but in the event of an emergency [it would be helpful]," said Anderson.
Adminstrators do worry cell phone companies may be overloaded, but that's why Chancellor Oblinger says redundancy is key.
The reality is that safety is an education issue as well, and students have to do their part.
"We sent 60 people to the dorms, and in every single case they were let in the dorms," said UNC system President Erskine Bowles.
Bowles stressed the need to maintain traditional openness and access while improving safety.
"We can't make these into armed fortresses, but we can make them as safe as possible," said DePaolo.
The Board of Governors also announced the formation of a task force that will further study campus safety issues.
Winner says she hopes the task force will begin meeting later in May.