Campus Safety

The purpose of our message this week is to update you on our efforts to secure our campuses for our students, faculty and staff.  We take security seriously at Northwood University. As One Northwood, the campus crisis teams combined their efforts over the last year under the umbrella of the System Wide Security Group and the Crisis Oversight Committee.   These two teams provide support and a platform to which the campus crisis teams can bring together their individual experience and efforts to ensure a safe and secure environment for day-to-day activities. Northwood is committed to providing effective communication in the event of an emergency.  Earlier this year, the emergency alert notification system, clearTXT, was rolled out across all locations.  Additionally, emergency telephones (Code Blue Phones) capable of loud speaker and audible sirens, will be installed on all main campuses by the end of summer.

Another communication project in the pilot phase is the Classroom Emergency Notification System (CENS), which allows alert messages to be sent to each of the classrooms through classroom technology.

Additionally, staff at each location is working with local emergency responders to establish a baseline assessment of current AED (Automated External Defibrillators) equipment and identifying trained persons.  This baseline supports distributing additional AED equipment and training for staff. 

Individual campus safety and security enhancements over the past year include promoting employee and student awareness along with the following activities:

Florida Campus:

• Added a guard post at the Publix wall
• Secured cell phones for RAs on duty (making it easier for students to reach them)
• Upgraded residence hall door locks
• Installed additional lighting (parking lots, campus access points, gatehouse, etc.)
• Landscape upgrades made to residential complex to enhance visibility/openness
• Continuously promote safe driving with signage and make driving speed assessments with radar gun
• Ongoing safety promotions with students; Personal Safety Awareness Week to be held in September
  

Michigan Campus (and Midland DeVos)

• Upgraded fire alarm systems
• Upgraded camera system and added new cameras in housing courtyards and at gatehouses (additions planned)
• Installed a speaker system for DuBois and Miner halls
• Ongoing training for Security on CPR and AED equipment
• Planned installation of additional lighting in South Village area
  

Texas Campus

• Installed security cameras to monitor Knights row housing areas
• Increased communication and engagement with Cedar Hill police, fire and other city officials (including review and updates to crisis manual)
• Crisis Management meetings planned each term for faculty, staff and students, including clearTXT registration drives.
• Crisis management planning included in sessions for RAs before school starts.
• Post incident meeting conducted with all parties involved to review response, note opportunities and make changes to plan as needed.

University College (and Lansing/Troy DeVos Locations)

• Announced hotline to activate the Crisis Management Team (1-866-788-4911)
• Implemented faculty course assignment sheets (Blue Faculty Sheet) with emergency information listed including building (security) contacts, program center staff and emergency numbers
• Identified vulnerabilities and discussed crisis topics at staff meetings
• Posted emergency information in classrooms and office areas with emergency contact information.

As each security-related effort is accomplished, our campuses become more secure. As secure as we can be through technology though, nothing will take the place of old fashioned awareness.  Nothing beats keeping an eye out for what is going on around us.

It is our hope to never need any of the security systems we have or are putting in place. However, you can rest assured Northwood University will not take security for granted. We will work diligently to maintain peaceful, secure campuses for our students, faculty, and staff.

Enjoy the weekend.

Keith A. Pretty, J.D.
President and CEO
Northwood University
4000 Whiting Drive
Midland, MI 48640
989.837.4203 (phone)
989.832.9590 (fax)