UCD, CSUS look at own security
Sacramento Bee 4/18/07
Sacramento area universities operate their college campuses like little cities -- practicing emergency drills, drafting safety plans and updating communication systems in an effort to prevent and respond to crises.
While the spotlight in Blacksburg, Va., now shines on a disturbed student on a shooting rampage, UC Davis officials said the campus has rehearsed for many types of emergencies -- gun violence, avian flu, hazardous materials spills, fires and earthquakes.
"We're ready for a whole host of emergencies," said campus spokeswoman Lisa Lapin.
She pointed to a 2004 incident in which university police responded to a man acting suspiciously with a gun. When officers approached, he shot at them. Police returned fire and killed him.
More recently, she said, the university has begun training professors and housing staff to recognize the symptoms of students suffering mental illness.
"We're seeing more students with more mental health issues than we have in the past. That's a national trend."
At California State University, Sacramento, all employees are trained in the campus emergency plan, which covers everything from earthquakes to explosions, said Lt. Dan Davis of the campus police department.
But the school's emergency response could evolve following the shootings at Virginia Tech.
"We're going to look at this thing as it evolves ... and correct some of the mistakes that were made," Davis said. That's what campus police did after the Columbine shootings, he said.
Officials at both universities said evacuations and lockdowns -- typical on K-12 campuses -- are impractical on sprawling college campuses.
Sac State employee Andrew McDuffie thinks his college can't do much to stop an attack like the one at Virginia Tech.
"Someone can legally buy a gun," said McDuffie, a textbook manager at the student bookstore. "Anybody can come onto campus and all the campus doors are open, which is necessary."
Still, McDuffie said he is no more worried walking on campus than he is walking through any open space.
"It's likely anywhere," he said. "It's possible here or any grocery store you go to."