U of S Safety Review Complete

Posted April 16, 2004


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - April 16, 2004 2004-04-08-OTHER

U of S Safety Review Complete

An independent safety review conducted by Calgary consultants was made
public today by the University of Saskatchewan.

The review makes over 40 recommendations for enhancements to safety on
campus. The majority of the recommendations, which were welcomed by the
campus community, are expected to be implemented by September 2004.

They include:

- Relocate Campus Security to the Students' Union building - a more
visible, accessible, and central location;

-Increase Campus Security foot patrols in buildings;

- Install CCTV cameras at major entrances and assess the potential of
centrally coordinating the 165 existing cameras;

- Re-focus the duties of Campus Security to community policing and provide
additional training;

- Communicate safety alerts to campus community within four hours of a
violent incident;

- Work with Student and Enrolment Services to educate the student community
on security and personal safety.

The review took two months to complete and involved consultation with the
campus community. The consultants assessed the effectiveness of current
safety programs and activities on campus; reviewed the timelines, adequacy
and mechanism of communication to the university community on safety issues;
assessed staffing levels in security and the appropriateness of their
training and preparedness.

Tony Whitworth Vice-President Finance and Resources, who initiated the
review, said: "Personal safety is of paramount importance and we are
committed to making the recommended changes. Many have already been
implemented; others are still in progress and will take until September to
complete."

Robin Mowat University of Saskatchewan Students' Union President said: "I
want to thank the university for working together with the campus community,
including the Students' Union, toward a safer U of S. Personal safety on
campus can only be assured when all campus citizens work together and look
out for each other."

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For further information, contact:

Tina Merrifield
Communications
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-2213

Robin Mowat
President
University of Saskatchewan Students' Union
Tel: (306) 966-6965