President's Message
Dear Park Community,
As the nation continues to mourn and analyze the horrendous murders at Virginia Tech, college and university leaders nationwide are reevaluating and strengthening their respective campus safety management plans.
Below are the newest activities that address campus safety and emergency communication procedures at Park University:
- Park University has been selected to serve on the recently formed Governor Matt Blunt's Campus Security Task Force. Dorla Watkins, Vice President for Business and Finance and Park's Crisis Response Coordinator, will represent the University. The 23 member task force will focus on initiatives to improve safety standards and heighten security within buildings and facilities on public and private campuses throughout Missouri. The task force will present their report to Governor Blunt before the fall 2007 semester.
- Park is developing an emergency web page which can be immediately activated in the event of a campus crisis. This activated emergency web page will provide ongoing updates and needed directives for the Park community.
- PirateConnect phone services announced in late March provides the ability to send a broadcast text message alert to students and faculty in the event of a campus emergency. The text message will define the emergency situation and will provide safety directives. The PirateConnect phone can also serve as a personal safety device when activated by the phone owner. This function on the PirateConnect allows Park's campus safety personnel, when requested, to monitor students through a GPS tracking system on the phone. For example, if a student is walking across campus late at night, the system can be activated by the student and campus safety officers can electronically track the student until the student safely reaches his/her destination. The PirateConnect phones will be available fall 2007.
These are important activities and services that will further reinforce our Crisis Management Plan and will help ensure the continued safety of our campus community.
Beverley Byers-Pevitts
President
