Iowa Colleges and Universities Partner to Host Campus Safety and Security Summit for Higher Education Professionals

July 6, 2015

The Iowa Board of Regents, the Iowa Association of Community Colleges, and the Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities will host a Campus Safety and Security Summit on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, for teams of higher education campus professionals. The Summit will be from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the FFA Building on the Ankeny Campus of Des Moines Area Community College.

"Providing safe and secure campus environments is a top priority for all Iowans,” said Dr. Robert Donley, Executive Director, Board of Regents. "The Summit is a unique opportunity for collaboration among higher education institutions in Iowa to address critical safety issues on our campuses."

This Summit is being offered to allow higher education professionals to share best practices and information. Sessions will be held throughout the day, with three separate tracks: prevention and training, response, and risk assessment and management. The tracks will include information related to legal requirements as well as campus policies and procedures. Among the topics covered will be emergency response protocols, investigations and judicial processes, communication with internal and external constituents, bystander training, and victim services and support.

"A safe campus is indispensable to a great learning experience," said Gary Steinke, President, Iowa Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. "Our state is fortunate to have public and private institutions that work together to share information and best practices that foster safe campus environments."

"Iowa's Community College Trustees value student safety and have long supported campus safety initiatives philosophically and more importantly, financially” said Cheryl Langston, DMACC Trustee and Iowa Community Colleges Trustees Board Chair. "As a former professional on a higher education campus and as a Community College trustee, I recognize the importance Iowa Coordinating Council for Post High School Education of a safe environment for students. The Campus Safety and Security Summit will provide Community College Trustees with information on current practices as well as an opportunity to share endeavors that will enhance future efforts to ensure the safety of all students."

"Campus safety has long been a commitment for Iowa's Community Colleges for our students,"said Valerie Newhouse, Iowa Lakes Community College President and Iowa Community Colleges Presidents Chair. "lowa Community Colleges are committed to campus security measures including educating our students and staff on prevention, intervention and support which are critically important today. The Campus Safety and Security Summit is an excellent example of Iowa's higher education's collaboration for students attending Iowa institutions and we are pleased to be able to be part of this team of experts."

Former Iowa Attorney General Bonnie Campbell will deliver the opening remarks at the Summit. Ms. Campbell was the founding director of the Violence Against Women Center in Washington, D.C.

For More Information:

Contact: Josh Lehman, 515-242-5095

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