Safety a big issue on campuses

At colleges around the country this summer, one topic has vaulted to the top of the agenda at freshman orientation: campus safety.

The nation's first incoming freshmen since last spring's shootings at Virginia Tech are heading to class soon, and colleges have been fielding more questions from parents and students about security and mental health issues.

Some, like Binghamton University in New York, have added or augmented some orientation sessions — expanding time devoted entirely to campus safety. Others, such as Delaware Valley College in Pennsylvania, are explaining new mass text-message systems put in place to help reach students and parents quickly in an emergency, be it a situation like the Virginia Tech shooting spree or a scenario such as a fire or chemical spill.

Colleges say they don't want to scare parents but want to convey they take security seriously.

Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas used to refer students and parents to the school's emergency response plan. This year, the campus police chief briefed orientation leaders to prepare them for questions, and spoke directly to parents as well.

Campus safety has always been on the agenda, said Hollie Smith, the university's orientation coordinator, "but I'm sure people are really listening now."

Small colleges often have orientation just before the academic year begins, in August or September. Larger schools tend to have students and parents visit in shifts over the course of the summer.

At Binghamton, broader issues such as dorm locks have been raised at orientation sessions, but the major topic in talks with parents was, "How do we communicate?" said Kenneth Holmes, assistant vice president for student life.

New emergency procedures there include a campus bell tone that can be sounded to signal emergencies. There's also new technology for sending text messages en masse and for flashing messages to students over campus computer or cable television networks.

Binghamton's efforts impressed Seth Bykofsky, of West Hempstead on Long Island. He had one daughter graduate from Binghamton this year, and then attended orientation for another who starts there this month.

"You want to know that they're aware of the problems and the situation, that they're keeping with whatever the latest modes and methods are in security and information," he said. "One of the big problems with Virginia Tech was a lack of communication on many levels, and at many different times before the incident occurred."