In the spring of 2007, Governor Blunt established the Campus Security Task Force to identify recommendations for improving campus safety following the tragedy at Virginia Tech. Read the final report “Securing Our Future: Making Colleges and Universities Safe Places to Learn and Grow”.

Identified below are several specific recommendations related to safety and security and resources that may be helpful in implementation:

• Recommendation: Campus law enforcement agencies should seek and obtain accreditation through programs offered by the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA), or other recognized accreditation organizations.

• Recommendation: The Emergency Response Information Program (ERIP) web-based tool, offered by the Office of Homeland Security, should be used in developing emergency response plans and providing tactical response information to community first responders. Emergency plans should include policies and procedures for utilization of state-of-the-art resources.

• Recommendation: The design of new and remodeled building should incorporate the principals of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED).

• Recommendation: Each campus should designate an individual to coordinate emergency and homeland security operations. This individual should serve as the campus point of contact with the Missouri Office of Homeland Security and the local first-responder community and should have access to alerts through the statewide notification network. This individual should report to the institution’s chief executive officer and have access to the executive staff.

• Recommendation: The coordinator mentioned before should also be responsible for ensuring that each institution’s senior staff is trained in and familiar with NIMS and ICS.

• Recommendation: The chief executive officer of each institution should ensure that an all-hazard emergency response plan is in place. The plan should be developed by an interdisciplinary team in concert with local emergency responders, and should be reviewed and rehearsed regularly. Coordinating agencies should establish mutual-aid agreements incorporating a unified command structure in accordance with NIMS/ICS. Roles and expectations should be clearly defined in advance.

• Recommendation: The higher education subcommittee of the HSAC should analyze the rationales for and against allowing private postsecondary institutions to establish police departments staffed by POST-certified police officers. Based on that analysis, the subcommittee should determine whether legislation authorizing private institutions to establish police departments is necessary and appropriate.

• Recommendation: Where practicable, colleges and universities should implement physical access control mechanisms (ranging from interior locks on classroom doors to controlled-access locks on dormitories) and policies for non-public buildings and after-hours access to public buildings.

• Recommendation: Surveillance cameras should be installed in areas where they will provide optimal effectiveness.

• Recommendation: High-Traffic areas of campus, indoor and outdoor, should be well lit and be within reasonable proximity of an emergency phone.

• Recommendation: Colleges and universities should ensure that adequately armed, POST-certified police protection is available for its premises. Institutions not statutorily authorized to establish commissioned police departments should consider staffing arrangements with local law enforcement agencies.

• Recommendation: Campus and local police should receive specialized training in recognized and accepted law enforcement protocols with specific applicability to the campus environment including, but not limited to, active shooter response and crisis intervention teams.