GC&SU moves terror attack color to ‘orange’

The Georgia College & State University Homeland Security Committee met for the second time March 28 to discuss what precautions are needed to minimize risks from terrorist attacks.

President Rosemary DePaolo established the committee, as recommended by Chancellor Thomas C. Meredith, to address steps that need to be taken on our campus to meet the new requirements of the USA Patriot Act. According to Meredith, the USA Patriot Act, which is federal legislation regarding numerous new security-related requirements, may impact Georgia College & State University. This committee will facilitate communication regarding campus security matters.

We as a nation are currently under an “orange” alert, for a high risk of terrorist attacks. Students are concerned about what Georgia College & State University is doing.

“I’m not too scared, but to some extent there is always that fear (of a terrorist attack),” said Graduate Student Koyeli Datta. ” Warner Robins is pretty close to Milledgeville. Maybe Public Safety could be more visible or could install more emergency phone booths.”

The Board of Regents recently held a training session for homeland security at Macon State College, which the committee agreed was helpful. Chair Quintus Sibley, director of Legal Affairs, is still trying to get a handle on what specific tasks he is being asked to do.

“I am suggesting that together (the committee) should come up with a plan of how we’re going to get the pieces in place that we need,” said Sibley. “Some of them are obvious, like making sure our emergency disaster plan is up-to-date, taking some steps to improve safety on campus, improving communications between the university, students and their parents.”

According to Meredith, the bioterrorism planning and preparedness provisions of the Act are perhaps the most complex. The university has conducted a threat and vulnerability assessment of campus facilities and operations, focusing particular attention to those areas where any hazardous materials are stored.

Sibley asked if the institution has security measures in place to control access to areas where hazardous materials are stored.

“We need to make sure we’re in compliance with the act,” he said.

The committee discussed the threat of an information system infiltration.

“There’s got to be a 24/7 person to be a contact,” said Dr. Jim Wolfgang, chief information officer, “or a way to get to those people. For standardization we need to look at having a number to call, and they will know who is responsible for what.”

Also discussed was the need to stockpile water and food for residence hall students.

The committee will work on establishing a protocol for reporting suspected security breaches and other adverse incidents. Sibley recommended that the committee review the emergency disaster plan, the Y2K plan or any other emergency plan and bring these up-to-date.
He assigned tasks to three sub-committees, who will begin working on the details as soon as possible.

A web site will be established to provide a means of communicating to the campus community as a whole. If you notice any individual or group who is acting suspicious, please alert Public Safety at 445-4400. If off campus, dial 911.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Apr 4 2003. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry