President Hencken Addresses Virginia Tech Crisis, Safety at EIU

April 17, 2007

We at Eastern Illinois University extend our thoughts, sympathies and prayers to the Virginia Tech family.  An eight-foot banner, located in the MLK Jr. Union Walkway, is available for those who would like to write a message of condolence.  Once full, the banner will be sent to Virginia Tech for its students, faculty, staff and their families to share.

No amount of planning can totally prepare a community -- be it a city, a business or a university or school -- for a crisis such as that experienced by Virginia Tech on Monday, April 16.  There are always variables that must be assessed and appropriately addressed.

Preventing or quickly responding to incidents that may threaten the safety of the University community is an issue that we at Eastern Illinois University take very seriously.

The University employs a 21-person police force -- all sworn and certified officers -- who patrol the University campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.  The University Police Department also has cooperative agreements with both the Charleston and Mattoon police departments, the Coles County Sheriff’s Department and the Illinois State Police.  All of these police agencies are available to provide assistance to the University when needed.

The University relies on additional resources, as well.  For example, video cameras either have been installed (or are scheduled to be installed) in the Student Recreation Center, the MLK Jr. Union and in several residence halls.  And there are approximately 20 emergency call boxes strategically located throughout campus.  A push of the button causes the blue lights to flash and places the caller in direct contact with a 911 emergency dispatcher.

Our students who live in residence halls need keys to enter their floors -- whether it be by elevator or stairwell.  Students, who maintain radio contact with the police department, are also hired to patrol residence halls nightly.

Students need also do their part to keep themselves -- and their campus -- safe.  For example, students should always keep their residence hall doors locked.  They should walk in lighted areas, and they should report suspicious behavior to the proper authorities.

They should also use the emergency call boxes when needed.  If in doubt, call.  But please don’t use the call boxes for frivolous activities!  Authorities must be available for those really in need of assistance.

Our students are also strongly encouraged to monitor their Eastern-assigned e-mail accounts, which would be a primary method of communication in case of emergency.

Also, the University maintains a professionally staffed Counseling Center available to all students in the event they need to talk to someone about the pressures in their lives. 

Additional safety precautions can be found on the University Police Department’s Web site: http://www.eiu.edu/~police/.  And, as always, in case of an emergency, dial 911 or 581-3212, or visit the University Police Department headquarters, located at the corner of Seventh Street and Grant Avenue.

We also encourage any student or parent with questions regarding safety issues to contact our Student Affairs Office at 217-581-3221.

Louis V. Hencken
President, Eastern Illinois University  

There are no absolutes when dealing with a situation such as that which recently occurred at Virginia Tech.  No one can protect you or provide for your safety and well-being better than you.  Being aware of your surroundings, staying alert and reporting suspicious persons and/or incidents can help prevent or lessen the impact of such a tragedy.

You have options such as to flee or fight back to protect yourself and others, but there are risks involved with these actions.  We cannot predict exactly how an incident will unfold or how much planning a suspect may have done.  In fleeing, your path might directly cross that of the suspect.  You or others might be injured if you fight back.  But also by remaining or not fighting back, you might be in even more danger.  Circumstances should dictate what your response should be.  If you flee, then keep in mind that this could be the goal of the suspect and an ambush is planned.  If you fight back, consider if it is necessary at the moment (Is the danger imminent?), or consider otherwise if it is a hostage situation and a chance for escape might present itself later.  The immediate actions of the suspect might indicate that rushing him or her in numbers might be the only way to reduce the amount of damage that might otherwise occur.

Our recommendation is to base your decision on the level of the threat.  Our primary goal is the same as yours -- to get you out safely!  Lock the door and take cover behind whatever furniture you can find.  Stay away from doors and windows.  Call 911 and identify yourself, your location, the number of people with you and whatever information you can give about the incident and the suspect(s).  Silence, but do not turn off, your cell phone, and wait for help.

The University Police train in active shooter response, and help will arrive as soon as possible.  We will not necessarily know who is friend or foe, so you should immediately follow any directives given to you by officers.  We are also a part of a local Crisis Response Team (SWAT).  We train and work with the other local departments, and they would most likely respond to assist us with such situations.

Again, reporting suspicious incidents and persons is essential to decreasing the amount of time it takes for the police to respond.  We would rather be called to check out something that turns out to be nothing, than to be called after something occurs.