An evaluation of safety and emergency notification practices underway at UNM heightened in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy. Students, parents, faculty and staff have posed the difficult question: Is UNM ready to cope if the unthinkable happens here?

The university has its own police force, fire marshal and emergency manager. About 100 additional staff across campus train to respond during critical incidents, said Police Chief Kathy Guimond. A comprehensive emergency management plan governs campus. University officials work closely with local, state and federal agencies.

The very nature of colleges and universities – with significant student turnover each year – requires continuous training about campus safety. A FEMA-certified team of high-level staff conducts drills. They are on-call 24/7 to staff an Emergency Operation Center (EOC). An Emergency Management Committee meets and makes recommendations to acting President David Harris

“UNM has a real commitment to emergency preparedness,” Guimond said. “We conduct announced and unannounced drills, and we’ve had actual EOC activations.”

UNM uses repetitive forms of communication during an emergency, including the UNM e-mail alert, which goes to 40,000 across campus. Guimond says the university was able to quickly implement text messaging capabilities this week because it was in the process of purchasing a system. UNM contracted with e2Campus, which as the ability to send time-sensitive messages to students, faculty, staff and parents or other designates. Alerts can be sent to cell phones, e-mails, pagers and web pages. UNM subscribers will be allowed to enter up to two cell telephone numbers and two e-mail addresses.

Students can sign up at TextMe UNM.

High school students have free access to online exam reviews as they prepare for next month’s tests in their Advanced Placement classes.

Students who pass exams are eligible to receive college credit.

Albuquerque Public Schools and the New Mexico Learning Network joined forces to offer the reviews to all New Mexico students at no charge.

Online reviews include test taking strategies for the AP® test, actual student work samples with explanations for graded entries and the grading standards, along with opportunities for applying those standards to student work.

The review also provides access to practice tests, essay prompts, multiple choice assessments and study resources.

National AP® Examinations are scheduled for May 2007. Students and teachers can register here for the free online review.

UNM’s Student Health Center has walk-in counseling services for students who have stress or concerns following the tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. SHC is located near the Student Union Building on the main campus.

An SHC-sponsored “Debriefing Group” will be offered Friday, April 20, at 2 p.m. in room 234. Dr. Peggy Spencer, MD, and Harry Linneman, Ph.D, are sharing tips for dealing with tramautic stress online and in the Daily Lobo student newspaper. The American Psychological Association is another good reference in times of crisis.

UNM’s Dean of Students Office on the second floor of the student services building will also accommodate walk-ins. Students who live in campus housing can seek counseling from Residence Hall advisors.

The Agora Crisis Center is also offering peer counseling to UNM and throughout the state and nation. In Albuquerque, call 277-3013. Nationwide, call 1-866-HELP-1-NM.

Faculty and staff are served by UNM’s Counseling Assistance and Referral Services.

Campus safety is always a concern for parents and a foremost priority for the university, which has its own sworn police force. UNM Police reiterate the need for people to be observant, to take seriously things that appear suspicious and to report them to police. They also ask that those on campus be proactive, and if someone they know appears to be at risk and needs help, please tell someone in authority who can arrange assistance.

Musician, actor and social activist Harry Belafonte will present a lecture in Popejoy Hall at 7 p.m., Thursday, April 19. Belafonte’s work in the fight to break down racial barriers is world renown.

Belafonte was the first African-American producer in television. Among his many humanitarian efforts, he served President Kennedy as cultural advisor to the Peace Corps, created the New York State Martin Luther King, Jr., Institute for Nonviolence, and hosted the World Summit for Children held at the United Nations. He received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize and the first Nelson Mandela Courage Award.

Tickets for “Harry Belafonte Speaks Out” are $30/$25/$20 and are available at UNM Ticket Offices, http://www.unmtickets.com, 925-5858 or Raley’s Supermarkets. Discounts are available to UNM students.

The UNM Office of the President, UNM Africana Studies Department and UNM African American Student Services present the lecture.

Students and community members can be among the first in the nation to see C-SPAN’s new Campaign 2008 Bus as part of the “Road to the White House” tour. The 45-foot long mobile production studio makes a stop at the Student Union Building Monday, April 16. The bus will be parked near the southeast entrance to the SUB from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

C-SPAN Campaign 2008 Bus is on the campaign trail to promote and enhance C-SPAN’s comprehensive political coverage, traveling to major political events such as candidate debates and speeches in early primary states, touring state capitols, and also conducting educational programs for teachers and students.

“With early interest in presidential politics growing we’re excited to get on the road now with the brand new Campaign 2008 Bus,” said Stephanie Green, marketing rep for the network. “As the political network of record, we’re excited to offer a variety of resources for educators, students, first-time voters and the general public as part of our extensive coverage of the 2008 presidential elections.”

C-SPAN’s renowned political program marks its 20th year on the air next year.

LOBOrientation is about welcoming fresh faces. Orientation staff are taking a fresh approach.

“We are getting more faculty involved and working to better market the placement testing process,” said Laura Valdez, new student orientation director.

Orientation, required of incoming students, is offered in June, July and August. Placements exams are offered prior to orientation or at 7 a.m. on the first day of the two-day program, she said. Students are encouraged to complete the testing early.

Rob Burford, judicial affairs specialist, organizes Family Connection, a day and half-long orientation component designed for parents and other family members serving as the student’s support system. (more…)