---------------------------- Original Message ----------------------------
Subject: Campus Security and the Virginia Tech Tragedy
From: "Richard L. McCormick" <president(a)rutgers.edu>
Date: Tue, April 17, 2007 5:56 pm
To: PRESIDENT_ALLSTAFF(a)RAMS.RUTGERS.EDU
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Members of the Rutgers Community:
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of life at Virginia Tech. Many
at Rutgers have friends, colleagues, and family members there. All of us
feel the sorrow and grief they are suffering. I have written to President
Steger to extend our deepest sympathies to him and to every member of the
Virginia Tech community, especially the loved ones of those who were
killed Monday. We also wish fervently for the quick recovery of the
injured, and ultimately for healing within the Virginia Tech family.
Many people in our community have asked whether our university is prepared
to deal with a crisis that endangers the lives of our students, faculty,
and staff. Please know that we take your security very seriously and work
hard to keep our campuses as safe as possible.
The Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) on each campus is a highly
professional force with armed officers who have undergone specialized
training and continue regular training to deal with a wide range of crisis
scenarios. In any crisis situation, the RUPD is also supported by the
police departments in all our host municipalities through mutual aid
partnerships, and by county, state, and federal agencies.
Our residence halls operate on electronic lock systems requiring card
access 24 hours a day or are staffed 24 hours a day by security guards who
check identification for anyone seeking entrance to the building.
Security cameras in residence halls and in other locations on all Rutgers
campuses act as a deterrent to criminal behavior, can be monitored at any
time, and capture data that help us respond to emergent crises and
identify wanted suspects.
Unfortunately, what happened at Virginia Tech could happen anywhere. At
Rutgers we are committed to learn from this tragedy, and, where
appropriate, change our policies and procedures. The events in
Blacksburg, for example, have caused us to evaluate our own emergency
notification procedures to expedite the delivery of critical information.
Like many other universities nationwide, we will be working to strengthen
our emergency communication system and the safety of our campuses.
This tragedy touches every person in our community. Some may be having
great difficulty in dealing with this tragedy. Let me remind you that we
have student life staff in the residence halls and counselors and campus
ministries available throughout the university who can be of assistance to
you.
Richard L. McCormick
President
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
--
Eugene McElroy
Rutgers University
School of Management and Labor Relations Library
50 Labor Center Way
New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
tel: 732-932-9513
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