I find it strange that President Rau hasn't made a statement about the virginia tech shootings. Also that I haven't heard anyone on campus talking about it.
The tragedy on the Virginia Tech campus yesterday has prompted me to reflect on the importance Central Michigan University places on the safety and well being of CMU students, faculty, and staff as they learn and work on campus. World events remind us all too frequently that violence is an increasing aspect of life. We read and hear of its occurrence in other parts of the world daily and now it has occurred again in our country.
People and institutions, as well as cities, can never be completely safe. This is as true at Central Michigan University as it is anywhere. Assurances cannot be provided that no harm will ever befall us. What can be stated is that the university is totally committed to the safety and well being of everyone in the university community and is well prepared to respond if a crisis occurs.
CMU has a Crisis Response Core Group comprising the Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services, the Chief of the CMU Police Department, the Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing, and the Dean of Students. These individuals work closely to formulate the university’s immediate response to a crisis. The group is supported by the Crisis Response Team that consists of an additional nine staff members. Inclusion on the Team is determined by the function and responsibilities of the position the person holds (e.g., facilities management, counseling services, health services, risk management, auxiliary services.) In all cases, key people are included in decision making based on their areas of responsibility and the nature of the crisis. The group meets monthly to review and discuss the university’s various crisis response plans.
The university has many policies, procedures, and protocols in place to provide direction in the time of a crisis. Each situation is unique, and flexibility and timeliness are the hallmarks of all plans. I have confidence in the individuals who will coordinate the university’s response in the event of a crisis and in the resources on which the university can draw.
We at Central can continue to do what we are known to do well: support one another. I am confident that in a time of crisis this university would band together, respond in a caring and professional manner, and do all it can to assist and care for one another. Let us hope that we never need to utilize our crisis response plans, and let us be confident in these plans if we ever use them. To review emergency preparedness procedures at CMU visit www.cmich.edu/emergencyprep.
The university’s most precious resource is the people who study and work here, and we shall do all we can to care for their well being.
The tragedy on the Virginia Tech campus yesterday has prompted me to reflect on the importance Central Michigan University places on the safety and well being of CMU students, faculty, and staff as they learn and work on campus. World events remind us all too frequently that violence is an increasing aspect of life. We read and hear of its occurrence in other parts of the world daily and now it has occurred again in our country.
People and institutions, as well as cities, can never be completely safe. This is as true at Central Michigan University as it is anywhere. Assurances cannot be provided that no harm will ever befall us. What can be stated is that the university is totally committed to the safety and well being of everyone in the university community and is well prepared to respond if a crisis occurs.
CMU has a Crisis Response Core Group comprising the Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services, the Chief of the CMU Police Department, the Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing, and the Dean of Students. These individuals work closely to formulate the university’s immediate response to a crisis. The group is supported by the Crisis Response Team that consists of an additional nine staff members. Inclusion on the Team is determined by the function and responsibilities of the position the person holds (e.g., facilities management, counseling services, health services, risk management, auxiliary services.) In all cases, key people are included in decision making based on their areas of responsibility and the nature of the crisis. The group meets monthly to review and discuss the university’s various crisis response plans.
The university has many policies, procedures, and protocols in place to provide direction in the time of a crisis. Each situation is unique, and flexibility and timeliness are the hallmarks of all plans. I have confidence in the individuals who will coordinate the university’s response in the event of a crisis and in the resources on which the university can draw.
We at Central can continue to do what we are known to do well: support one another. I am confident that in a time of crisis this university would band together, respond in a caring and professional manner, and do all it can to assist and care for one another. Let us hope that we never need to utilize our crisis response plans, and let us be confident in these plans if we ever use them. To review emergency preparedness procedures at CMU visit www.cmich.edu/emergencyprep.
The university’s most precious resource is the people who study and work here, and we shall do all we can to care for their well being.
Mike Rao
President
17 April 2007
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