UCLA implements campus safety precautions proposed by task force
Campus Safety Task Force, which was established after a murder-suicide on campus in June 2016, has made various improvements to UCLA’s emergency preparation procedures, such as expanding the university’s emergency communication protocols and notification systems. (Daily Bruin file photo)
By Yun Kyung (Anny) Kim
Feb. 5, 2018 10:02 p.m.
UCLA has enacted recommendations proposed by a task force in 2016 to improve the campus’ safety preparedness procedures and emergency notification systems.
Campus Safety Task Force, which was established after a murder-suicide on campus in June 2016, has helped the campus make various improvements to its emergency preparation procedures. Improvements include conducting more frequent trainings for faculty, staff and students to better respond to emergency situations, Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Scott Waugh said in an email to the campus community Monday.
The university created the task force to provide administrators with recommendations on how to better prepare the campus for violent situations and other emergencies. The task force consisted of undergraduate and graduate representatives, professors and other UCLA administration members.
The task force has also helped the university expand emergency communication protocols and notification systems, said UCLA spokesperson Ricardo Vazquez. He said the university created the Bruins Safe Online website, which is UCLA’s official source of information during an emergency, and the Bruins Safe mobile application, which sends out alerts and provides instructions from campus safety personnel.
Following the task force’s recommendations, UCLA installed 192 manual-locking devices on general assignment classroom doors, so the doors could be secured in the event of an emergency, Vazquez said. During the shooting in 2016, several classrooms’ doors could not be locked from the inside. He added that each classroom will also be equipped with flip charts of various emergency procedures by March.
Vasquez added the university will now send out more information on financial and psychological support to the UCLA community following an emergency.
Students and other members of the UCLA community can review the status of the recommendations and the task force’s other efforts on its website.
