Developing a Comprehensive Campus Safety Plan

On a busy college campus, the unexpected can happen at any moment. 

Natural disasters, major medical issues, acts of violence—emergency situations often strike when we least expect them. While it won’t stop bad things from happening, a campus safety plan can significantly impact the outcomes of these events, mitigating chaos, providing direction, and improving the odds for a more positive resolution.

The increased feelings of safety that come from a campus prioritizing security can make all the difference. After all, the core purpose of higher education is to foster growth and facilitate learning—two things that can’t happen if individuals don’t feel safe. 

While no two college campuses are exactly alike, the ultimate goal of a campus security plan is to protect people—students, faculty, staff, and visitors—and to create a space where they are free to thrive. 

This article outlines the basic framework for developing a comprehensive campus safety plan that will help your college cultivate a supportive, secure environment.

Laying the Groundwork for a Safe Campus Environment

While a safety plan is important for creating a safe campus community, the plan itself is only one piece of a larger puzzle. Other important steps include identifying and evaluating risks, ensuring campus security staff is adequate, and implementing supporting technology.

Since college campuses vary so much in size, location, and layout, it’s important to start the preparation for your campus safety plan by evaluating the risks your campus is most likely to face. 

Here are some steps to take for risk identification and analysis:

• Inspect campus buildings (including classrooms, offices, and dorms) and any other facilities
• Speak with security teams, students, faculty, and other staff members to learn about any potential security concerns or other relevant insights
• Review past security concerns and incidents
• Examine the uncovered risks and concerns, evaluating each for their likelihood and their impact (who it would impact, how it would impact them, what it would cost)
• Prioritize these risks, implement appropriate security measures, and create appropriate response protocols (which will then become part of your campus safety plan)

Once you’ve identified and analyzed the risks on your campus, it’s important to make sure your security personnel team is aware of those risks and the best ways to prevent them. Unlike law enforcement whose job is primarily to react to crimes that have already occurred, the job of security teams working on college campuses should be focused more on solving dynamic challenges and preventing crime. 

Tech tools and their roles in campus security

In addition to a well-trained team, the security technology used on campus is one of the most important and effective tools to combat crime and other crises. 

• Surveillance cameras allow you to monitor for unusual or suspicious behavior and activity. They let you keep a constant watch on areas with a tendency for problems. Camera footage can also serve as vital evidence in the case of a crime. 
• Mobile security units let you easily place cameras in areas with little infrastructure such as parking lots. You can adjust the placement of these units to align with current needs (such as in anticipation of large campus events). 
• Artificial intelligence and advanced detection can be paired with security cameras to free up security personnel and alert them to issues. 
• Access control systems keep campus buildings safer, making it harder for intruders to easily slip in. This is particularly valuable in residence halls and apartments, though it can make a difference for main campus buildings as well.
• Alarms can be used to detect a number of threats, including off-hours entry, fires, floods, and more.
• Mass communication systems allow for quick and efficient notification of students and staff members.

6 Essential Elements of a Campus Safety Plan

A completed campus safety plan will look different depending on your college’s situation and location, but certain key components are helpful across the board. However you choose to outline your plan for public safety, make sure it is accessible and actionable, as its core purpose is to guide people effectively in the case of an emergency.

1. A description of the facilities, campus, and equipment

Describe the campus grounds, buildings, and layout. List any equipment of significant note (such as biohazards or other potential hazards) and current enrollment and staffing numbers.

2. Security services and technology

Explain the basics of the campus security teams in place and how to contact them if needed. Also give a brief overview of the equipment employed around campus to create a safer environment. (While this information is good, there is no need to get too specific here. The goal is to inform relevant parties about what resources are available.)

3. Emergency response team and contact procedures

Give a list of the positions and responsibilities of the campus emergency response team. Explain the chain of command and the appropriate contacts in emergency situations (and include the best way to contact the people in these roles). Frequently update this with current names and contact information to ensure it is accurate.

4. Communication methods

Detail how campus officials will spread the word in the event of an emergency. Add all communication methods that may be used, including the appropriate sources to check in the event of an unfamiliar alarm. Also include the best way to contact the college in the event of an emergency situation.

5. Training and Drill Protocols

Outline the frequency of and the protocols for emergency drills and trainings. This should include the protocols for new staff member training and the general semester guidelines.

6. Emergency Procedures

After assessing the risks for your campus, outline your emergency procedures in your campus safety plan. This is perhaps one of the most important elements of the safety plan as it gives clear instructions on what to do (and what NOT to do) in the case of various scenarios. 

The situations covered should include (but are not limited to) the following:

• Lockdown/active shooter
• Fires
• Natural disaster
• Power outage
• Medical emergency
• Biohazard response
• Pandemic/epidemic

Word to the wise: While detail is admirable, people tend to have an easier time with simple and straightforward plans. The simpler you can make your campus safety plan, the higher the chance you have of people remembering what to do in emergency situations. In that same vein, drilling emergency procedures with faculty and staff on a regular basis can have a significant positive impact in a crisis situation.

You’ve got a plan, now it's time to take action. Contact LVT today to see how we can help you secure your campus.