Wisconsin Governor Doyle Addresses First Summit on Campus Safety

National Expert Speaks About Aftermath of Virginia Tech Tragedy

June 26, 2007 -- MILWAUKEE – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle today addressed the first statewide summit on campus safety, taking another step toward ensuring safer college campuses across Wisconsin. Today’s summit is the first of two, intended to address campus safety issues from the physical planning and communication components of responding to an emergency or crisis situation to the mental health aspects associated with preventing incidents that threaten campus safety.

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“Nothing is more important than the safety of everyone in Wisconsin,” Governor Doyle said. “Young people from all around the country, and the world, come to Wisconsin to attend our great colleges, universities, and technical colleges. Our schools are the envy of the nation, and when students are here getting a first-rate education, they and their parents should have confidence in their school’s ability to handle an emergency.”

The summit was convened by the Governor’s Task Force on Campus Safety – created in May and charged with developing best practices to ensure the security and preparedness of all college campuses in Wisconsin. In addition to the Task Force, today’s summit was attended by school and law enforcement officials, and members of the general public.

Adam Garcia, Director of Police at the University of Nevada and Chair of the University and College Section of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, provided the keynote address for today’s summit, detailing best practices for campus communities and new challenges in the aftermath of the tragedy at Virginia Tech.

Throughout this summer, the Governor’s Task Force is holding six meetings and two regional summits; the second will be held in Eau Claire. Following today’s summit, the Task Force will develop recommendations for how institutions should prepare for both physical security needs and critical mental health aspects to ensure campus safety. These recommendations will be presented to the Governor prior to school resuming this fall.

Following the second summit, the Task Force will examine longer term campus safety issues - particularly, improving the mental health of students on campuses who may be vulnerable to extreme and dangerous actions, and get students the help they need, so tragedy is averted. This recommendation will be submitted before the end of the calendar year.

The Governor’s Task force is comprised of representatives from public and private colleges and universities, technical colleges, law enforcement officers, student affairs professionals, mental health professionals, faculty experts, student housing administrators, student and parent representatives, and a representative from the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Their efforts will coordinate with work being done in the UW system and at campuses across the state.

For a complete list of Task Force members, go to: http://www.wisgov.state.wi.us/journal_media_detail.asp?prid=2724&locid=1....

Source: Wisconsin Governor