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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Blogs Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Classic Forums Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Multimedia Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Road Cams Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Women in Business Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Customer Service Advertise With Us Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map Email Story to a Friend April 17, 2007 SOU, RCC plan to consider new safety procedures By Paris Achen Mail Tribune Southern Oregon University and Rogue Community College have no specific emergency procedures to respond to a shooting rampage like the one Monday in which 33 people were killed at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Va. Officials from both institutions said they would discuss whether to consider such procedures at future safety committee meetings. "We would be remiss if we didn't recognize these events occur, and there are things we should prepare for," said Steve Ross, co-director of SOU public safety. "The problem with shootings is they are a random act. It's not like the weather service sees a hurricane, and you know what to expect." RCC is in the process of revising its emergency procedures to ensure they comply with requirements. The college's safety committee faces the challenge of planning for three different types of campuses: urban in Medford, industrial in White City and rural in Grants Pass. Advertisement "The emergency procedures don't include a shooting, but I imagine they will soon, given the magnitude of the events (Monday)," said Bart Van Syoc, RCC director of facilities and operations. SOU recently updated its emergency procedure pamphlets, including evacuation plans, but topics deal with the most likely catastrophes such as a hazardous waste spill, fire, earthquake or bomb threat. "Campus shootings happen very infrequently, so whether we want to include them as a topic or as a part of our general emergency practice, I'm not sure," Ross said. University officials are in discussions with student government to see if it would be possible to institute a campuswide notification system via cell-phone text messages. The university already has the capability of communicating with staff and the student body through the phone and e-mail systems, but a cell phone system would enable them to communicate with staff and students in class or in between buildings. "The downside is the system would require everyone to buy in and give out their cell-phone number," Ross said. "On a college campus, that's not always easy to do." The number of students attending each campus is about 5,000 at SOU, 4,000 at RCC in Medford, 4,000 at RCC in Grants Pass and 1,500 at RCC in White City. Reach reporter Paris Achen at 541-776-4459 or [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2007 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Trunks, Footlocker Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Casinos Canada Cord Blood Banking Discount Hotel Reservations Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Online Casino Windermere Van Vleet Men's Clothing Debt Help New Hampshire Primary