An Adaptive Approach to Campus Security in an Era of Disruption

The constituencies of America’s colleges and universities are changing. Many institutions of higher learning are enrolling new populations of students and facing new challenges, and as a result, the entire campus needs to adapt accordingly. Disruptive forces come from every direction these days. Colleges and universities are now responsible for responding to protests and activism, “fake” news, hazing, sexual violence, mental health and well-being issues, criminal prosecutions, funding and enrollment challenges, student debt management, ever-evolving federal and state legislation and a host of compliance mandates.

The impact of these changes on campus security is significant. Just a short time ago, security professionals were expected to be reactive – checking on potential risks and responding when something happened. Today’s security officer is a proactive part of creating a safe environment. The shift from the traditional security-only mentality to campus safety officers who take on multiple roles of first responder, customer service liaison and brand ambassador has fundamentally changed the job.

A commitment to campus security excellence must begin with recruiting and hiring. It is essential to hire the right personality type as well as identify qualified candidates who will work well within the demographics and culture of a particular campus. While the right fit is critical, it is just the beginning. Continuous training is imperative. 

What are some of the major issues that today’s security teams encounter? 
 

• Drug and Alcohol Abuse 

• Signs of Abuse 

• Gender Discrimination

• Sexual Assault

• Cultural Diversity 

• Workplace Violence on Campus

All of these issues require awareness, sensitivity, an appreciation for the campus environment and a commitment to supporting the campus’ culture and policies. Campus security officers must receive continual, state-of-the-art training and must understand their role as observer, protector and champion of students and the campuses they protect. This starts with the acknowledgement that security must be part of the ongoing campus evolution. 

  About the Author
  Jonathan Kassa is Director of Higher Education at Allied Universal. Connect with him at the IACLEA Conference & Exposition June 29 – July 2, 2018.