Cal Poly staff encouraging open dialogue
Daily Bulletin 4/26/07
Events like last week's candlelight vigil for the victims of the Virginia Tech massacre or today's interdepartmental community dialogue on campus have been spearheaded by Sunny Lee, the interim director for the Office of Student Life and Cultural Centers.
"The main point is to make the campus community aware of the resources available to them if they experience safety concerns or sentiments such as emotional grief or racism," said Lee.
Two programs will be offered today, a community dialogue for the general campus at 3 p.m. at University Plaza, Building 26, followed by a second program for those of Asian or Asian-American descent at about 4 p.m.
Lee said Asians may be experiencing guilt, fear or concern of a potential backlash because the Virginia Tech gunman was South Korean, and the forum will provide them a place to discuss those issues.
Counseling and Psychological Services interim director Michelle Willingham said that immediately after the Virginia incident, professional staff on campus began to discuss the impact on students, faculty and staff.
"The goal for the community dialogue is to provide a place for the campus to come and share concerns, ask questions about campus safety, issues of mental health, stereotypes, racial or ethnic backlash and anything else they might be experiencing as a result of the tragedy," Willingham said.
Although Cal Poly students may be experiencing emotional distress, "we have not seen a marked increase in students who come to CAPS asking for help specific to their reaction to the Virginia Tech tragedy," said Willingham.
However, she noted that reaction time to trauma varies, and shock and awe may give way to fear or anxiety.
"Just because they haven't been coming to our office this past week doesn't mean they won't in the coming weeks," she said, "and we're prepared for that."
But Willingham said her department has had increased communications from faculty and staff requesting consultations about students they have concerns about.
The tragedy has heightened awareness of safety, said Emergency Services Coordinator Debbi McFall, who will attend the community forum to answer questions about emergency preparedness.
Because Cal Poly is largely a commuter college, McFall said the challenge lies in educating the mobile campus population about emergency preparedness.
"I want to ensure that they know that something is in place - and investigate it," McFall said.
"Everyone needs to take responsibility for themselves."
School safety
In an effort to educate students on steps they can take toward their own personal safety, Cal Poly Pomona Police Chief Michael Guerin offers these pointers:
- Situational awareness: Never let yourself be so distracted by cell phones, MP3 players, etc., that you cannot pay attention to things going on around you. Sights and sounds can tip you off to dangerous events around you.
- Get down: If you hear shots you may not be able to determine their source right away. Get down first, then try to determine a course of action.
- Choose your heroics carefully: While it is important to look out for those around you, it may be better to be a good witness than to attempt something heroic.
- Make sure authorities know: Don't assume everyone has called the police. If using a cell phone, your call may not go directly to your local law-enforcement agency. Consider putting local emergency numbers in your speed dial for direct contact.
- Follow instructions: If there is a violent event, police officers and others will be issuing instructions. Please try to comply as best you can, as quickly as you can. Remember that in the early moments of such an emergency, officers may not immediately know who is a victim and who is a suspect.