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UB empowers community to take action
Resources available when concerns arise about persons who may pose threat
By SUE WUETCHER
Reporter Editor
See something, say something.
That's the basic premise of a new initiative at UB aimed at further ensuring a safe campus environment.
The university has compiled a comprehensive list of resources available for consultation and referral when concerns arise about students, faculty or staff who may pose a threat to themselves or others. To access the list, Click here.
"A common refrain after Virginia Tech was that people didn't know who to call," says Dennis Black, vice president for student affairs and a member of an informal group of administrators from across the university who developed the list.
"If there was an issue or concern, is there someone or somebody we should be calling? The answer is 'yes'; there are multiple resources available for you if you have a need, or for others if you see a need."
The list of resources—one designed specifically for use by students, the other for faculty and staff—covers more situations than people realize, says Nancy Smyth, dean of the School of Social Work.
"I think people are not always clear about the range of possibilities that they could be concerned about or take action on," she says. "There's a perception that you can't do anything about these situations. People feel that they can't do anything, so they don't do anything. The reality is that there are a lot more options than people realize, but they just have to speak up."
The list of situations in which some sort of action is needed runs the gamut—from individuals carrying weapons and exhibiting bizarre or aggressive behavior to showing signs of alcohol or drug use or being a victim of domestic abuse. The resources for consultation and referral are equally diverse, ranging from University Police to Student Affairs to Counseling Services to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Affirmative Action Administration.
One new resource now available for faculty and staff is a hotline operated by the Employee Assistance Program. The hotline—645-4500—is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to faculty and staff members if they need advice regarding one of their peers.
All of these resources are for consultation and referral, Blacks stresses. "It's not how to throw people out of the university," he says.
Adds Lucinda Finley, professor of law and vice provost for faculty affairs: "It's not punitive. It's about being a responsible member of the community and helping people get help," she says.
In providing the list of resources, the university is "empowering" members of the campus community to take action, Black says. "If they see individuals who may have needs, we have a way to think about what those should be—the consultation part—and places for them to go, people who can respond"—the referral.
The Virginia Tech tragedy provided some valuable lessons regarding preparedness and communication, Black notes. "People want to know about issues; people need to know who to call if there's a concern," he says. "We've learned that we need to encourage people if they see something that doesn't seem right to not let it go."
Smyth points out that most of these resources have long been in place at the university. "This (initiative) is about communicating and coordinating and making sure that everyone has full access and full understanding of what's available," she says.