National center for campus safety gets go-ahead

It will provide access to research, training and best practices

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Monday, March 18, 2013

YARMOUTH, Maine—The U.S. Department of Justice has dedicated $1 million to create a National Center for Campus Public Safety, a move applauded by the VTV Family Outreach Foundation, which has long advocated for it.

The center will guarantee, for the first time, that campus security officials have access to consistent, high-quality information and best practices, said VTV's S. Daniel Carter.

"Initially it will most likely offer grants to institutions of higher education and nonprofits," Carter told Security Director News. The grants would go toward research and training, among other things. "It may prioritize emergency management as its first goal."

Although safety and security at college and universities will be the focus, other elements will benefit K-12 as well, he said.

In addition, the center will be focused on the proposed Campus Safety Act, which seeks $2.75 million from Congress for the remainder of the fiscal year. Passage of the act would help ensure the center's future, making its funding a line item in the budget every year, Carter said.

Normally, passage of the Campus Safety Act would have come first, he said. But "with the imperative nature of the president's gun violence and school safety initiative, it has driven home the fact that this is an urgent matter."

"Ideally, we will see more funds from Congress," Carter said. "Chances are very good" for eventual passage of the Campus Safety Act because of the level of bipartisan support from high-ranking members of Congress, he said.

VTV was organized after the 2007 shootings at Virginia Tech that killed 32 and wounded 17 others. Its mission is to support legislation to make the nation's campuses safer and to support the families of victims and survivors of the Virginia Tech shootings.

"We are very excited about this. It is a tremendous legacy for those who were lost at Virginia Tech. It will be a lasting legacy by contributing to the safety of others," said Carter, who is director of the 32 National Campus Safety Index. The 32 NCSI was formed by VTV to create a diagnostic tool to provide consumers with information about safety on campuses. The tool is in the works.
VTV will fully support the national center, Carter said. "We want to be engaged in the work of the center, as do other advocates who have worked to make it a reality."

Thursday, May 2, 2013