Last week UNM held its first comprehensive Campus Safety Week. While some elements were successful, many of the events seem to have fallen short of their goals.
As University officials plan for another Safety Week next fall, they are examining the pros and cons of the inaugural event, which included a shelter-in-place exercise, the annual Campus Safety Walk, fire drills, safety lectures and other activities.
Emergency Manager Byron Piatt said that overall, he felt the week was a success.
“We had an opportunity to showcase the many efforts and types of training that our many partners in preparedness offer to the campus community,” Piatt said.
UNM President Bob Frank said the week was a collaborative success between various programs and offices around campus.
“We’re really pleased to be able to focus on all the (safety) programs (on campus). It’s one of those things that you can’t do enough on,” Frank said. “We’re pleased that all of our staff and leadership took the time to put the week together.”
However, some students were not entirely aware of all the week had to offer.
Valerie Lind, a freshman business major, said she did not know Campus Safety Week was happening at all, and recommended that officials use large campus events, such as Red Rally, as a template for how to reach out to the community.
Clery Coordinator Rob Burford said that while he feels the Campus Safety Walk, Coffee with a Cop program, and Safe Zone Training were the most successful events, he wished others had been better attended.
“I would give some events an ‘A’ and some events a non-score, because there were a couple of events where, unfortunately, nobody showed,” Burford said. “That does not mean the topics were not interesting — it just means we need to rethink how we will get students out next year, so they can get the great information our presenters have for them.”
Although Piatt feels that those who attended the week’s events learned useful skills and hopes they will help increase future community engagement, he saw minimal participation during the shelter-in-place drill.
Burford said more students should be aware of the exercise and understand its importance. Practicing for drills like these can increase campus preparedness for a genuine emergency, he said.
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“I really hope that never happens, but knowing what to do could keep you safe in the event of one of these unfortunate incidents,” Burford said.
Jorge Salinas, a junior biology major, said that through freshman orientation, taking classes at night, and writing a paper on campus safety, he has become fairly informed about campus safety features, such as the Emergency Blue Poles and police escorts.
Yet, other students did not display the same knowledge. Salinas said he knew that others saw the LoboAlert about the shelter-in-place drill, but continued about their day and did not take shelter as required.
Officials say improvements for next year are already underway.
To increase shelter-in-place exercise involvement and understanding, Piatt said he plans on letting the siren run for three minutes, as opposed to one.
Scenario-based demonstrations to illustrate UNM’s first-response skills and emphasizing exercise expectations are also part of Piatt’s plan.
In hindsight, beginning the week after a holiday — Labor Day in this case — may not have helped with exposure to the week’s activities, Piatt said. Student groups may also be contacted to help advocate for the event in the future.
Frank said other efforts, such as instructors incorporating safety knowledge into their curriculum, could also be implemented.
“We have a lot more work to do, and we’ll continue to do it,” Frank said.
Burford said a large self-defense course, an “acted out” emergency situation and other new activities have already been discussed as potential additions for next year.
Salinas suggested using social media and other strategies to reach out to students.
“Hopefully our campus community was able to see some of the trainings that we offer throughout the year, as well as see some of the different groups who work to keep us all safe,” Piatt said. “Although we demonstrated our commitment during safety week, we strive for safety each and every day.”
UNMPD Chief Kevin McCabe, who has been an officer for 30 years, said the week not only creates a safer space for everyone, but also emphasizes the importance of safety and can develop a stronger relationship between the UNM community and UNMPD.
McCabe said he would like to remind the community that UNMPD is a resource not only for law enforcement, but also for support and safety — their doors are always open.
Burford and McCabe hope to hear more feedback from the UNM community to develop Campus Safety Week 2017, and Burford encourages the community to share any ideas for next year’s Campus Safety Week. Suggestions should be sent to rburford@unm.edu.
Elizabeth Sanchez is a staff reporter for the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at news@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @Beth_A_Sanchez.
