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Ensure campus safety for Tuesday’s US election and beyond                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Maintaining a Secure and Supportive Campus Environment

A panel of experts recently shared a number of complex challenges educational institutions faced in protecting campus safety amid a tense political climate during a recent AssuredPartners’ Education Practice webinar. Here are some tips as we embark on Election Day and beyond from the webinar panelists.

An anecdote from a university leader was shared by United Educators’ Justin Kollinger that proves thought-provoking:

“We can't honestly say that student safety is our No. 1 priority because if it were, we would simply close the campus. That would be the best way to ensure nobody gets hurt on our campuses.”

Kollinger added that this notion feels almost mythological, suggesting that complete safety seems out of reach, obscured by a fog of uncertainties. The perspective serves to emphasize the fact that we need to start a conversation about the extent to which we should address safety and, more importantly, where we should begin.

A Comprehensive Approach to Current Concerns

“One real lesson [for me] out of the last year, and looking ahead toward the election, is when it comes to [the] key issues around student safety and around campus disruptions, we can't be building the airplane while we're flying it, said Lauren Hartz of Jenner & Block.

The panelists highlighted mental health challenges, such as stress and future uncertainties, that are intensified by global events and the political climate. They emphasized that these matters affect everyone—students, faculty, and staff—regardless of background or identity. This showcases that there is a critical need to be proactive and to have open dialogue across departments and the student body to foster a supportive environment.

From an administrative perspective, the panelists stressed the importance of continuously evaluating policies, involving diverse stakeholders in policy design, and providing ongoing support as essential steps to address and mitigate these mental health concerns.

Anticipating Needs and Providing Mental Health Support

“There are many ways where people [protesting or otherwise] are saying, ‘I'm going to make you listen to me,’ and rather than having people in a position where they feel like they're forcing [others to hear] it, create those opportunities,” shared Stacey Givens from the Association of College Unions International (ACUI).

Providing robust mental health support for students and staff is a top priority for a holistic approach to campus well-being. It’s important to provide both formal and informal spaces to foster a sense of community and belonging, where individuals can share their perspectives and experiences in a safe environment.

While online therapy is an effective tool, there should be accessible and flexible support options for those who may not feel comfortable or able seeking help in person. To complement therapy efforts, forums were suggested as valuable platforms for open dialogue. These spaces allow students and staff to discuss their concerns and receive peer support, creating a network of understanding and empathy.

There is a need for schools to take proactive measures, such as facilitating regular mental health check-ins and making varied resources available that address the unique stressors faced by the campus community. By anticipating and addressing mental health needs, schools can foster an environment that promotes well-being and resilience. Encouraging open dialogue and communication is essential in creating this supportive atmosphere, so that everyone feels heard and valued.

Policies to Stay Ahead of Ever-Changing Climates

“One of the most important things you can do [regarding policy design] is to be inclusive,” said Hartz. “Yes, it can be messy. Yes, it can make the process move a little more slowly. But I think that the product that you end up with and the results that you achieve are that much stronger for it.”

Schools can better prepare and respond to the dynamic and evolving challenges they face by continuously improving their policies to effectively address various threats. Maintaining an ongoing review process around policy design and implementation is crucial for offering a safe and supportive environment. Involve a wide range of stakeholders, including faculty, leadership, and students, in the process. This step is vital to ensure that diverse perspectives are reflected and that policies are comprehensive and inclusive.

Taking a collaborative approach helps to identify potential gaps and areas for enhancement. Regular risk management training sessions, in which schools simulate scenarios and test how they respond to different types of incidents, are also key components of this process. These exercises help all individuals understand their roles and responsibilities and encourage swift and effective responses in real situations.

Inspire Community Planning and Risk Education Conversations

“For us, what we really wanted to do is help [students] learn how to be good citizens—how to be good citizens of the United States, how to be good citizens of the world—and to think about that in the context of elections and other world events,” said Michael Bergin of Miss Porter’s School.

Innovative programming schools might consider including school-wide book readings and discussions to foster connection and enrichment; quarterly no-class/community days where support is offered around a specific issue or idea; and presentations by representatives from civic-minded, cross-partisan organizations on how to have and facilitate civil discourse on polarizing topics. These and other initiatives can help build skills for responsible citizenship and communicate to your campus community the value of coming together as a cohesive unit.

Build Relationships to Promote Appropriate Responses

“We've got to be in a position where we're creating opportunities and open forums for students to voice their concerns and make sure that they're being heard,” said Givens. “There's got to be a feedback loop. If you feel like you're a voice crying out into the wilderness and you're just shouting into the depths and no one is listening to you, that [will] create these feelings of dissonance and anger. And [I really think] it has to be a partnership.”

Most educators know that it’s crucial to encourage law enforcement on campus to be supportive rather than intimidating. The panelists agreed that building trust with consistent and appropriate communication and involvement is key.

This includes engaging the response teams at the appropriate times and calling in mental health providers or teams when law enforcement presence is not ideal. Equally important is helping local law enforcement personnel understand the safety goals of the institution and determining if they need to be brought in. All responders need to embrace a partnership mentality when thinking about campus safety.

The panel emphasized the importance of communicating with and training staff to recognize who to call, and when, in moments of concern, based on the indicators present. This approach ensures that those needing support receive the most qualified and intentional help.

Parents and Communities are Under-Utilized Resources

“These people [parents and community members] are very invested in the success of your institution,” added Kollinger. “Make sure that [parents] feel like partners in that safety and security and [are] able to see, in a day-to-day way, how [campus leaders] are acting on that goal of keeping the community safe.”

The final point made was the importance of promoting communication and collaboration with parents and the broader community. Doing this helps make sure that all students, faculty, and staff receive multifaceted support. Schools can address this by clearly educating parents and the community on policies and procedures and the potential ramifications, should the guidelines created for safety, not be observed. It is crucial to report and communicate the steps being taken to keep the community and students safe, not just after an incident but throughout the year.

Utilizing available platforms, such as email, newsletters, social media, text apps, and more, to provide clear and timely communication and education will help develop a culture of risk management. This proactive approach can prevent confusion or escalation in times of concern.

Keep in Mind the Three Ps: Proactive, Prepare, Practice

“At the end of the day,” said Becky Donovan of AssuredPartners, “[the takeaway] is being proactive, preparing, and practicing your responses. So that way, when you're in the moment, fear doesn't take hold of you and you're able to respond exactly the way that you want to [and] exactly the way that you would hope to, even if you don't know the situation and what's to come.”

The advice is not specific to the 2024 presidential election – it can be applied and implemented for years to come. By fostering open dialogues, providing robust mental health support, and building trust with law enforcement and other community stakeholders, educational institutions can create a safer and more supportive environment for all. Staying collectively and proactively committed to the well-being of our campus communities will help us to build a more resilient, protected, and inclusive educational landscape.

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