Response to Ferrum incident
Released:
February 26, 2008
Contact Name: Public Relations
Contact Phone: (540) 375-2282
Contact Email: gereaux@roanoke.edu
Roanoke College has monitored closely situations related to campus safety, most recently an incident today with an alleged person with a gun at Ferrum College in Virginia. As of this morning, we were grateful to hear in news reports from Ferrum that no one has been injured. Such events touch everyone, and after several recent shootings at colleges across the country, Roanoke wants to remind our campus community of the safety programs already in place. A meeting of the Campus Critical Incident Task Force has been called by President Michael C. Maxey to again review Roanoke's preparedness for such situations. This group was formed last year following the tragic shootings at Virginia Tech. Maroon Alerts remains the best way at Roanoke College to reach our students, faculty and staff. Those who have not yet signed up for Maroon Alerts, please do so now: www.roanoke.edu/maroonalerts. If you have a new cell, please update your number by logging into your Maroon Alerts account. This mass text messaging system allows the College to communicate quickly with a large number of people. Short messages provide immediate information, and the Web page is then used to provide more detailed information and updates as an emergency may unfold. The college has been using Maroon Alerts for weather-related schedule changes recently, and this gives staff members an opportunity to test and evaluate the system on a regular basis. Campus Safety developed a list of helpful tips, called the All Hazards Community Response Checklist, to respond to a variety of emergency situations. We are acutely aware of the sense of family and community on college campuses. When tragedy strikes, it touches the people with feelings of uneasiness. Our hearts go out to Ferrum, NIU and Virginia Tech as they try to heal their communities. More detailed information from the Campus Critical Incident Task Force report is available online. A full summary of Roanoke's safety efforts can be found on the Safety Web page. Students, faculty and staff are reminded to report any suspicious persons or events to Campus Safety immediately at 540-375-2310.  Printer-friendly version  E-mail this page
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