In the News

Colleges and universities along the eastern seaboard have been deeply engaged in preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during Hurricane Irene. In addition to the extraordinary steps institutions have taken over the past several days, including serving as shelters for community members, we offer the following recommendations to aid in future emergency management planning:

1. Use the Hurricane Irene experience to conduct a systematic after action review of the institution’s response and recovery efforts with an eye on what can be learned to improve “the next time.”

2. Review crisis communications plans and adjust/improve to optimize the flow of critical (health, safety and welfare) information between all constituents.

3. If the institution used the national incident command system to functionally manage mitigation, preparation, response and recovery, document the efforts.

4. Use the experience to remind affiliates of the importance of enrolling in the institution’s emergency and mass notification system.

5. Meet with local first responders and surrounding institutions of higher education to review memoranda of understanding and related agreements for assistance during states of emergency.

6. Review the institution’s emergency management training, education and communications for faculty, staff and students.

7. Assess ongoing food service capacity in the context of catastrophic incidents by reviewing food service contracts, wet/dry food storage capacity, and supply chain limitations

MH&A Associate and former VT Commissioner of Public Safety Thomas R. Tremblay conducted a training session for members of Harvard University’s Administrative Board and invited guests on Wednesday, August 24, 2011. MH&A worked with Harvard Associate Dean of the College and Secretary of the Administrative Board, John (Jay) Ellison, Ph.D. to develop the program’s curriculum as part of an ongoing, proactive and comprehensive commitment by Harvard University to addressing gender and sexual violence.

Steven J. Healy presented the keynote address at The Ohio Board of Regent’s Fifth-Annual Summit on Ohio Campus Safety and Security.  Over 200 safety professionals gathered at Denison University on August 17, 2011 to participate in the summit held to address continuing safety concerns on college campuses.

Dr. Margolis will be in Seattle, Washington August 19-24, 2011 as a member of the faculty of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Law Enforcement Leadership Institute on Violence Against Women.  Funded by the US Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), the Institute provides leadership education for senior police leaders on crimes of violence against women that include stalking, sexual assault, human trafficking and domestic violence.  Dr. Margolis is a founding faculty member and is involved in the Trainer Development Program also managed by the IACP under the OVW grant.

Dr. Gary J. Margolis, Managing Partner of Margolis Healy, interviewed on the controversial issue of carrying concealed firearms on college campuses.

Dr. Gary J. Margolis, Managing Partner of Margolis Healy, will be presenting a series of workshops geared for law enforcement, student affairs, advocates and higher education administrators on stalking investigations and threat assessment in stalking cases at the National Conference on Stalking on Campus presented by The Stalking Resource Center of the National Center for Victims of Crime.

The conference, taking place in Denver on August 2 - 3, 2011, will enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities of attendees to address the high rates of stalking on college and university campuses. The conference will provide important tools and resources, such as the newly released Model Campus Stalking Policy, and information on relevant topics, including stalking and technology. The conference will feature an array of nationally renowned trainers on the issues of stalking on campuses, including experts from the fields of law enforcement, prosecution, and victim services. As always, our conference will provide an opportunity to network with your colleagues from across the country about challenges facing practitioners in this field. This conference is open to anyone working on a college or university campus, or those with campuses in their community, including law enforcement, advocates, and other service providers. Registration is free of charge. Please note that priority for registration is given to grantees of the U.S. Department of Justice Office on Violence Against Women.