Notes from Campus Safety Event

Notes from Campus Safety event

Dr. Zacker began the presentation portion of the event by underscoring how the BETA team approaches their mission. They are careful not to put the spotlight on students “who are simply different.” He reminded us that, in a recent thirty-year study, no common characteristics were found to be shared among school shooters. “Our goal is to help students become successful, not remove them,” Zacker asserted. He traced the history of the BETA team, pointing out that their team has gone from meeting once a month to once a week, not because there are that many more incidents but because they recognize the value of collaborative assessment first and joint intervention second. The BETA team is represented by officials from the Counseling Center, the Office of Student Conduct, the Office of Student Affairs, and the UMPD.

Major Ken Calvert emphasized if there is a physical threat faculty should call the UMPD. 301-405-3555 is the non-emergency number, but calls are received at the same table as emergency calls. He said, “If you think `Should I call,’ call.” He also said that if the emergency number (301-405-3333) is dialed and the UMPD determines the situation is not an emergency, the UMPD is not going to be upset with the faculty member, staff, or student who called. By dialing 911 from a campus phone in an office, you reach the University of Maryland campus police directly. Their average response time, according to Major Calvert, is two minutes or less. Calling 911 from a cell phone will reach the Prince Georges County Police; they will then contact the University of Maryland police; and the resulting response time will be slower.

Dr. Zacker pointed out that our referrals could lead to a “corrective intervention,” one that could make a tremendous and positive change in the life of a person of interest who raises the concerns of a faculty member, staff, or another student. It is the BETA team’s responsibility to weigh the reality of concern against the possibility of alarm.

Scott Eklund

Administrative Coordinator

Academic Writing Program

Department of English

University of Maryland

1116 Tawes Hall

College Park, MD 20742

301-405-3771