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Message
from President Shapiro
We
are living through difficult and certainly tense days. The
military conflict in Iraq and renewed fears of terror attacks
are shaking our core sense of safety. As Americans, our common
bond is a desire to see the conflict end as quickly as possible
and with few casualities, no matter what our political differences
may be.
I urge you, as you resume classes and your studies, to give
thoughtful consideration to what these developments will mean
for our country in political, social and economic terms. It
is my intention to organize a campus-wide convocation to discuss
the war and you will be hearing more about this in coming
days.
During the months leading to war, I encouraged debate about
the choices our country faced. This continues to be our right
in a democracy. At the same time, it is our obligation to
listen to other points of view. In light of the lives that
already have been lost and the others that will be, I urge
you, no matter what position you take, to do so calmly and
thoughtfully, with care and concern for others’ points
of view and the difficulties that our military and our country
face.
Because our loved ones worry about our safety in New York
City, with our strong memory of the September 11 attacks,
I encourage you to be in regular contact with your families
to honor their feelings of concern for you and to reassure
them that you are well and engaged with your work here at
Barnard.
Some have asked what specifically the College is doing to
keep our community safe. I have written before on this question
and will repeat that Barnard is well prepared to respond to
any emergency. We have procedures in place in the event of
an emergency related to current international events. In the
months since New York City has been under heightened security
the College has improved basic emergency management procedures
in case of an unforeseen event. We are very fortunate that
New York City has one the most advanced and responsive public
safety systems in the world.
Specifically, Barnard has taken the following steps to increase
our emergency preparedness:
- Barnard’s
Emergency Management Plan has been updated, and provides
for a clear communications protocol, and the establishment
of an Emergency Management Team to respond to large-scale
campus and citywide emergencies.
- Senior
members of the staff remain in regular contact with local,
state and federal agencies and receive the most up to date
information and advice on the nature of the risks and the
precaution to be taken. Our Director of Security attends
regular briefings offered by the New York City Police Department.
- Senior
staff members participate in Columbia University’s
Emergency Management Operations Team, and we have agreed
to share resources, information and support services as
needed.
A
memo with more detailed information on emergency procedures
is available by clicking
here. In the event of an emergency, the College web site
will provide instructions to the community. We are also planning
to have dedicated telephone communication so that students,
staff, faculty and parents may call for updated information.
It is my hope that despite these difficult times, we will
continue to pursue the work that we find rewarding at Barnard.
Judith Shapiro
President
Barnard College
March 24, 2003
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