In Search of Safer Communities: Emerging Practices for Student Affairs in Addressing Campus Violence

The tragic shootings at Virginia Tech on April 16, 2007, shocked the nation, including those of us who work in student affairs. In fall 2007, NASPA convened a working group of student affairs colleagues with senior leadership experience to identify the critical issues student affairs professionals should consider related to violent incidents on college campuses. This report is a result of the group's deliberations. It presents a framework of planning for and responding to emergencies such as incidents of violence using a crisis management model.

Contents

Executive Summary Introduction

• Principles that Guided our Discussions
• Crisis Management Model

Prevention

• Campus Climate and Culture
• Training and Awareness
• Mental and Behavioral Interventions
• Infrastructure and Policy

Preparedness

• Role of the President
• Campus Police;Security
• Communications Plan
• Special Consideration in Mass Casualty Situations
• Media
• Academic Affairs and Faculty
• Training

Response

• Timely Notification
• Responding to the Needs of Students
• International: Crisis Abroad

Recovery

• Moving On
• Psychological First Aid
• Process and Learning from the Incident
• Debriefing

Conclusion References Appendix A: Campus Violence Working Group Members Appendix B: Resources Appendix C: Charts

Paperback | 2009 | 88 pages ISBN 978-0-470-46723-7