AU Family A publication for families of Aurora University students
Dear Friends, We are pleased to share with you the latest edition of our family newsletter. As you will note immediately, we continue to make improvements to our campus safety and security program through investments in new technology, enhanced employee training, and expert consultation. As our students return to campus this fall, they will experience a number of opportunities to learn more about strategies for staying safe — at AU and in many other settings.
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to help all of our students understand exactly what this means in an emergency situation. At Aurora University, we are committed to continuous improvement. As the academic year unfolds, your son or daughter will have opportunities to learn more about safety and security — on campus, in the workplace, on playing fields, and in a wide range of public settings. Please encourage him or her to engage fully. And be sure to do so yourself. If you have questions or suggestions, know that we are open to receiving them and acting upon them. As always, you may contact me at sherrick@aurora.edu. Welcome to a new academic year at AU!
AU freshman orientation programs feature a special emphasis on differentiating college from high school. In the course of a few months, expectations for students change dramatically. As we often remind participants, university students are legal adults who have increased responsibilities for their own learning and well-being. One of our goals for the 2019–2020 academic year is
Safety preparation efforts The safety and well-being of students, faculty, staff, and guests are the highest priorities of Aurora University. Last spring, AU’s Campus Emergency Team began developing, testing, and implementing a number of new safety and security procedures. We have reformulated crisis and emergency operations plans, which form the core of the training provided to students, faculty, and staff. AU has been guided by numerous consultation meetings with P4 Security Solutions, a leading protection, safety, and security solutions firm in Chicago. The university will continue this collaborative relationship going forward. We have also developed enhanced training for the campus community and invested in a wide array of personal security programs and technologies.
Sincerely,
Rebecca L. Sherrick, PhD President
Safety on a college campus The transition from high school to college provides many changes for students as they adapt to a new learning environment. One significant change is in safety and emergency preparedness. A college campus is often a new and dynamic location for students that differs from other educational settings in many ways. One noticeable difference is the physical setting of a college, an openaccess environment where students, faculty, staff, and guests move freely at all hours of the day. Colleges contain multiple buildings spread across a large area, and often blend closely into their neighboring surroundings. Students not only learn and study at a college, but they also live at college and call campus their home. Another important difference is that college students now have a greater capacity to participate in emergency preparedness efforts and respond to critical situations. In fact, students are expected to be “partners” in their own safety. The campus safety model at Aurora University is built presuming a partnership between Campus Public Safety, students, faculty, and staff. In our model, everyone is empowered and responsible to play an active role in their safety and the safety of others. Students are empowered and trained to (1) be aware of their surroundings, (2) maintain preparedness through ongoing training and education, and (3) be responsive in making informed decisions during an emergency. To reiterate a most important point, as partners in their personal safety, AU students should always be: » Aware (if you see something, say something) » Prepared (know the procedures for various emergency situations) » Responsible (act in accordance with procedures in an emergency) At the start of fall semester, all faculty, staff, and students will be trained in emergency procedures so they know what to do in case of an emergency.
The differences between the college and high school environments provide noticeable differences in the way safety professionals prepare for and respond to emergency situations on campus. One example is when and how a college activates a “lockdown.” While students may be familiar with the concept of a lockdown from high school, the college setting requires different procedures and training for when to place a campus in lockdown. Aurora University is equipped and prepared to place the campus in varying lockdown settings that would secure campus buildings immediately, and has developed procedures to ensure quick activation in the event of a life-safety emergency.
Student safety training During Welcome Weekend, each new student participates in an hour-long safety training session, which includes a “Run. Hide. Fight.” informational video. In addition, the student body: » Receives regular emails about campus safety improvements and updates » Participates in fire, tornado, and emergency drills throughout the year, including AU Alert tests Students also have access to resources at aurora.edu/safety, including information about Campus Public Safety services, emergency contacts, and general safety suggestions.
Emergency response protocol: “Run. Hide. Fight.” Aurora University follows the “Run. Hide. Fight.” protocol in the event of an active shooter or hostile intruder. “Run. Hide. Fight.” is the leading protocol followed across college campuses and is endorsed by both local and federal law enforcement agencies, including the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“Run. Hide. Fight.” provides clear, actionable steps: » RUN and escape if there is a clear path. » HIDE and shelter-in-place if you cannot escape. » FIGHT as a last resort.
Safety services, resources, and efforts Some of the Aurora University investments made to help protect our campus community include: AU Alert AU students, faculty, and staff automatically receive emergency alerts via text and email. Anyone, including family members, can receive alerts via text messaging. Students who are not currently receiving AU Alert text messages can go to WebAdvisor (“User Profile” link) and register their cell phone number. Others are encouraged to independently register their cell phone number at aurora.edu/alerts. AU Alert messages are also posted on social media at facebook.com/aurorauniversity and twitter.com/aurorau. Alert Beacons and Exterior Speaker System To ensure everyone is aware of an emergency situation, alert beacons have been installed on campus that emit a distinctive sound, flash lights, and display emergency messages on screen. The campus is also equipped with an outdoor speaker system to notify the community of a severe weather situation.
Classroom Security Classrooms and labs are equipped with deadbolt locks. Building maps are located in every room and include floor plans highlighting building information and emergency exits. Emergency response guides are posted in every classroom and office on campus. Code Blue Emergency Phone System Code Blue emergency call boxes are located across campus. Calls go directly to Campus Public Safety dispatch with the push of a button. Emergency Management Office The university staffs an office that is responsible for coordinating all activities necessary to prepare for and respond to life-saving emergencies. Lockdown System If the need arises, the university can activate a single button to secure all campus buildings. Residence Life Staff A full-time residence hall director resides in each building, and resident assistants — comprehensively trained student staff members — live on each floor. These support systems are responsible for assisting and acting as resources for residents. Safety Escort Campus Public Safety officers are available to escort students on campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for any reason. Spartan Patrol Campus Public Safety employs trained student workers, who are available to escort students on campus and help conduct foot patrols of parking lots and academic buildings.
Campus Public Safety Department The university employs its own sworn police force. Campus Public Safety officers and dispatchers, led by the chief of Campus Public Safety, are employed to ensure the safety and security of the university community. Members of the Campus Public Safety Department maintain a high-profile visibility, patrolling campus facilities and performing routine checks of buildings, vehicles, and property. The department is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Spartan Safety Key Tag Every member of the AU community receives a Spartan Safety key tag that includes contact information for Campus Public Safety. Website and Computer Desktop Notifications Emergency alerts will be posted on the Aurora University website at aurora.edu. Messages will also appear on all computers connected to AU’s network, including computers on classroom podiums, in computer labs, and in faculty and staff offices.
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How can I receive notifications of a campus emergency? There are several ways to receive campus emergency information. To receive emergency text messages, you can register your mobile phone number at aurora.edu/alerts. AU Alert messages are also posted on social media at facebook.com/aurorauniversity and twitter.com/aurorau as well as the AU website, aurora.edu. Why is “Run. Hide. Fight.” the preferred protocol for a crisis situation? “Run. Hide. Fight.” is endorsed at the local, state, and federal levels, including by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. It is also the safety protocol used by many college and university campuses across the U.S. If I have a question or concern about safety, whom should I contact? David W. Diehl, Chief Operating Officer 630-844-4933 | ddiehl@aurora.edu
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