College posts emergency plan
By ANGELA SAOUD
News Writer
While the risk for terrorist attacks on schools is low, Saint Mary's is responding proactively by creating an Emergency Response Plan.
Rosemarie Harris, Saint Mary's Interim Director of Security, displayed the nine-page action plan Friday on the College's homepage.
"I want to strongly emphasize that we have not received any notification thus far to implement the plan," Harris said. "However, we are responding proactively to the threat. This is simply to make students aware of our heightened state of alert."
The heightened security alert encourages students to increase awareness of their surroundings. Students are asked to watch for suspicious circumstances and report any behavior they find out of the ordinary.
Harris said students should not be fearful, simply alert.
The Emergency Response Plan would only be put into action under certain instances. These circumstances include a red alert issued by the government or a biological or chemical attack.
The plan suggests that students equip their rooms with supplies such as bottled water, non-perishable food items, first aid supplies, a radio and a flashlight. Students may want to prepare a kit that can be easily taken with them.
If the plan is implemented, students will be notified through e-mail, telephone calls and personal contact.
Upon receiving notification of a terrorist attack, students and staff should proceed to the basement of Regina Hall, preferably through the tunnels running below the campus. Signs have been placed directing students to appropriate locations, where further instruction will be given upon arrival.
Security suggests that students share this information with their families. They will set up additional phone lines for family members to call and receive news updates on the campus' condition.
All News Stories for Wednesday, March 26, 2003
