The University Environmental Safety and Risk Management Committee recently created the Emergency Preparedness Task Force to review and update the University's policy of responding to emergencies on campus.
According to director of environmental health and safety Garth Walters, one of seven staff members on EPTF, the task force was created to ensure the University is ready to handle emergencies that might surface.
"The world has changed since Sept. 11," Walters said. "In the current climate, we want to make sure [the University is] acting prudently. What is most crucial in an emergency is getting out comprehensive and accurate information."
The events of the past few months have made the creation of EPTF critical, said University Health Services director Pamela Bowen.
"[The EPTF will deal with] any situation that involves the health and safety of the campus community," she said. "While there have not been any threats to date, we must be prepared to address them should they arise in the coming months and years."
Walters said EPTF will act as a planning group, but it is still in its formative stages. The task force has yet to officially meet, but its goal is to deal exclusively with any potential health-related emergencies or issues.
However, Bowen emphasized that the University is at no greater risk than the rest of the country.
"This is a nation-wide issue," she said. "I do not believe that students should be any more fearful than the rest of the nation."
Despite the creation of EPTF and national security threats, EPTF members advise that there is no reason to panic.
"The more information we can get out to the people the better off we will all be," said ESRM chair and Vice President for Finance and Administration Richard Spies GS '72. "It is obviously a time for all of us to be careful and to report anything that seems amiss to the proper authorities, but there is no reason to panic or radically alter our daily lives," he said.
According to Walters, awareness and fear should not be related.
"Students should be aware of what's going on, but fear is not useful," he said. "Getting good and reliable information out goes a long way. Communication is key."
The other four members of EPTF are Dean of Undergraduate Students Kathleen Deignan, Director of Communications Lauren Robinson-Brown, Director of Public Safety Jerrold Witsil and General Manager of Facilities Michael McKay.
Read More
Five percent of Class of 2029 identify as Black or African-American, lowest since 1968
Sena ChangIn the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
In the Class of 2029, 5 percent of students identified as Black or African American — the lowest share in many years, compared to the roughly seven to nine percent range in the past two decades.
‘Fast and powerful in the water, steady and sure on land’: Friends and family remember Kerry Grundlingh ’27
Hayk YengibaryanKerry Grundlingh ’27 was 21 when she died on July 26 following a cycling accident in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Kerry Grundlingh ’27 was 21 when she died on July 26 following a cycling accident in her hometown of Johannesburg, South Africa.
Princeton Town Council discusses graffiti at Jewish Center and affordable housing
Leela HenslerTown Council addresses recent reports of antisemitic graffiti in public spaces, discusses an ordinance to expand affordable housing, and proposals from local youth to lower the voting age for school board elections.
Town Council addresses recent reports of antisemitic graffiti in public spaces, discusses an ordinance to expand affordable housing, and proposals from local youth to lower the voting age for school board elections.