Safety in residence halls is a critical concern for any college campus, and Augustana College is no exception. While the college has implemented various emergency response measures, there remains room for improvement in how it prepares and protects students during crises.
In particular, the lack of designated tornado shelters and the reliance on minimal signage for emergency information highlight significant areas for enhancement in the college’s crisis management strategy.
Westerlin Residence Hall does not have a designated tornado shelter. This oversight is particularly troubling given Illinois’ susceptibility to severe weather events like tornadoes. Without a specific shelter area, students seek safety in less secure building areas, which may not provide adequate protection.
To address this issue, Augustana College should invest in creating designated tornado shelters in all residence halls. These shelters would withstand severe weather conditions and provide a safe refuge for students during a tornado or other extreme weather event.
In addition to physical shelters, the clarity and accessibility of emergency information needs significant improvement. Presently, emergency instructions are posted on the back of student room doors. While this might seem practical, it is not the most effective method for ensuring students are informed in a crisis.
There is a risk that students might not see these instructions in the chaos of an emergency, or they might not fully understand them.
To improve the effectiveness of emergency communication, Augustana College should implement clearer and more comprehensive signage throughout all residence halls. This could include prominently displayed emergency plans in common areas or digital information boards.
The college could also establish a centralized emergency notification system through the Augie Alerts and Omnilert app. These platforms are already in use, sending text messages, emails, phone calls, voicemails and even sirens to alert our campus community to emergencies.
However, there should be a centralized method of emergency communication to prevent confusion among students.
Alerts should be sent as a preventative, rather than reactive measure – tackling crises and warning students before they occur. The timely warnings sent out through student email have a similar issue, only being released after an incident has happened on campus.
Students can’t respond appropriately to an ongoing crisis, or take the necessary precautions if they are only informed after an event has occurred or as it is ongoing.
However, some may argue that the existing measures are sufficient and that students should take more personal responsibility for their safety. They might suggest that the Augie Alerts system, which already provides timely and direct information during emergencies, should be enough to ensure students are informed.
While these alerts are crucial, they are reactive rather than proactive. The college must complement these systems with physical safety measures and clear, easily accessible information to safeguard students before, during and after a crisis.
By addressing these gaps in emergency response and crisis management, Augustana College can significantly improve the safety and preparedness of its campus.
Designated tornado shelters, clearer signage and enhanced communication protocols are essential in creating a secure environment where students can feel confident that their safety is a priority.
While Augustana has made strides in ensuring campus safety, there is a pressing need to enhance emergency response capabilities in residence halls.
By implementing designated shelters, improving emergency communication and increasing training and drills, the college can better protect its students and provide a safer living environment. As we continue to prioritize student well-being, addressing these issues is crucial in maintaining a secure and supportive campus community.