Spring Break
Tragedy prompts increased security
Noah Cohen
Issue date: 4/20/07 Section: News
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Only hours after the tragedy began at Virginia Tech, Drexel public safety officials were working to implement a plan to protect the University community.
Senior Vice President for Public Safety Ben Gollotti explained that preparing for a crisis has been part of his work since before the Virginia Tech killings and on the day of the shootings Drexel began a full response.
"At the time of the incident I was at the University of Pennsylvania participating in a joint summit on emergency preparedness" Gollotti said.
After learning about the shooting in Virginia, Gollotti left the conference and began coordinating Drexel's response.
"My first call was to my people," Gollotti said. He explained that he ordered all public safety management staff back to campus and began to identify how the incident could impact the University.
"We began initiating different portions of the emergency response plan," he said.
This included activating the Drexel Emergency Response Team. The team is comprised of representatives from public safety, student life and facilities as well a host of other departments. DERT is commanded by Gollotti and includes 20 key members.
Gollotti then contacted administrators to update them and coordinate the appropriate resources.
"One concern was that students, faculty and staff are going to be concerned what the impact is," Gollotti remarked.
To respond to this concern Gollotti and his team coordinated with the Counseling Center and the University's communications team. Gollotti also briefed the senior vice presidents office on the crisis.
Increasing the physical security was also a priority for Gollotti.
Public safety officers were ordered to increase checks at residence halls and academic buildings in the moments following the shootings.
At approximately 12 p.m., an additional force of officers were asked to report to the campus early in order to increase the security presence.
Senior Vice President for Public Safety Ben Gollotti explained that preparing for a crisis has been part of his work since before the Virginia Tech killings and on the day of the shootings Drexel began a full response.
"At the time of the incident I was at the University of Pennsylvania participating in a joint summit on emergency preparedness" Gollotti said.
After learning about the shooting in Virginia, Gollotti left the conference and began coordinating Drexel's response.
"My first call was to my people," Gollotti said. He explained that he ordered all public safety management staff back to campus and began to identify how the incident could impact the University.
"We began initiating different portions of the emergency response plan," he said.
This included activating the Drexel Emergency Response Team. The team is comprised of representatives from public safety, student life and facilities as well a host of other departments. DERT is commanded by Gollotti and includes 20 key members.
Gollotti then contacted administrators to update them and coordinate the appropriate resources.
"One concern was that students, faculty and staff are going to be concerned what the impact is," Gollotti remarked.
To respond to this concern Gollotti and his team coordinated with the Counseling Center and the University's communications team. Gollotti also briefed the senior vice presidents office on the crisis.
Increasing the physical security was also a priority for Gollotti.
Public safety officers were ordered to increase checks at residence halls and academic buildings in the moments following the shootings.
At approximately 12 p.m., an additional force of officers were asked to report to the campus early in order to increase the security presence.
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