2008 Woodie Awards
"Threat" situation mishandled
Allan Lewis
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Opinion
"Information was obtained that this person may be armed and should be considered a potential threat."
Last Thursday, students at SIUE received those disturbing words in the form of a safety bulletin e-mail advising us to avoid every 5'9 white guy on campus.
First of all, is that even possible?
Although it was a false alarm, the e-mail detailing the "potential threat" sent chills down students who actually received the message Thursday, and rightfully so.
This is the second time in four months this campus has became uneasy over the possibility of attack, as we went through the Olutosin Oduwole situation in July. Not that Oduwole was ever a threat, I mean, come on, they were just some harmless rap lyrics …
Some students complained about not receiving the safety bulletin e-mail until late in the afternoon Thursday, or not at all. I received mine at 11:11 am, not that it helps, since I am in class and have an invisible and imaginary laptop with me in that class at that time. Not to mention I check my e-mail every 4.2 seconds - who doesn't?
With the current procedures in place we can be glad this was not what it was originally thought to be. We can be glad that this individual was not on campus and did not take actions into his own hands.
If the university learned anything from Virginia Tech, you can never be too safe in situations such as this one. Last time I checked, if this individual were indeed a "threat to himself," as far as I am concerned, he was a threat to everyone else on campus as well.
Illinois has implemented a "campus safety initiative" involving fund allocations, board appointments, fancy police radios and a task force.
In January, we will be able to receive text message notifications outlining emergency situations. Is that the answer?
Hopefully we are done with threats for at least a few years and don't find out.
Imagine a lecture hall with 60 cell phones going off at the same time with the message "crazy guy on campus … don't panic." I think I would probably panic under those circumstances.
There really is no way to keep any campus completely safe. We could integrate air raid sirens; we could install speaker systems. Some sort of vocal mass announcement needs to be put in place.
With a situation like the one we went through last Thursday where we know something could be up, but are not sure, following suit with the School of Nursing and suspending classes for the day could be the best option.
I don't know about you, but I would much rather be safe than sorry.
Last Thursday, students at SIUE received those disturbing words in the form of a safety bulletin e-mail advising us to avoid every 5'9 white guy on campus.
First of all, is that even possible?
Although it was a false alarm, the e-mail detailing the "potential threat" sent chills down students who actually received the message Thursday, and rightfully so.
This is the second time in four months this campus has became uneasy over the possibility of attack, as we went through the Olutosin Oduwole situation in July. Not that Oduwole was ever a threat, I mean, come on, they were just some harmless rap lyrics …
Some students complained about not receiving the safety bulletin e-mail until late in the afternoon Thursday, or not at all. I received mine at 11:11 am, not that it helps, since I am in class and have an invisible and imaginary laptop with me in that class at that time. Not to mention I check my e-mail every 4.2 seconds - who doesn't?
With the current procedures in place we can be glad this was not what it was originally thought to be. We can be glad that this individual was not on campus and did not take actions into his own hands.
If the university learned anything from Virginia Tech, you can never be too safe in situations such as this one. Last time I checked, if this individual were indeed a "threat to himself," as far as I am concerned, he was a threat to everyone else on campus as well.
Illinois has implemented a "campus safety initiative" involving fund allocations, board appointments, fancy police radios and a task force.
In January, we will be able to receive text message notifications outlining emergency situations. Is that the answer?
Hopefully we are done with threats for at least a few years and don't find out.
Imagine a lecture hall with 60 cell phones going off at the same time with the message "crazy guy on campus … don't panic." I think I would probably panic under those circumstances.
There really is no way to keep any campus completely safe. We could integrate air raid sirens; we could install speaker systems. Some sort of vocal mass announcement needs to be put in place.
With a situation like the one we went through last Thursday where we know something could be up, but are not sure, following suit with the School of Nursing and suspending classes for the day could be the best option.
I don't know about you, but I would much rather be safe than sorry.
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