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Risk Management and Crisis Planning on College Campuses  


Author:  Jason E. Barr.; Tiffany M. Ray.


Source: Volume 16, Number 01, Fall 2014 , pp.3-10(8)




Campus Safety & Student Development

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Abstract: 

Historically, the college campus has been viewed as an open and welcoming environment by both the general public as well as the college’s general student and employee population. Today, however, more and more colleges and universities are growing increasingly concerned with security issues and risk management, and rightfully so: colleges and universities appear vulnerable to disasters both natural and manmade. Indeed, for a variety of reasons, including liability issues and public perception, colleges and universities are spending a significant amount of time and money in an effort to prevent or minimize disasters before they occur. This article addresses the unique challenge security teams and risk managers confront in their efforts to make campuses safer without putting in place barriers that would make security efforts intrusive. It surveys the spectrum of risks faced by the typical college and university, examines strategies for assessing risk, and provides model guidelines for planning and responding to disasters, crises and critical incidents.

Keywords: Natural disasters; crisis management; critical incidents; reputation; gun restrictions; criminal background checks; hacking; threat assessment; fire safety

Affiliations:  1: Old Dominion University; 2: Old Dominion University.

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